Carnival Celebration
Product brand
UnclaimedCarnival Celebration is an Excel-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, combining large-scale Caribbean cruising with themed onboard zones, extensive leisure facilities, and the Bolt roller coaster.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
Carnival Celebration is a large cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, a brand within Carnival Corporation & plc. It is the second vessel in Carnival's Excel class and belongs to the wider Excellence-class platform developed for Carnival Corporation's cruise brands. The ship was ordered from the Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku on 6 November 2016, received its name announcement on 21 August 2020, began construction on 13 January 2021, and was completed on 2 November 2022. The vessel entered service in late 2022 after a transatlantic positioning voyage from Southampton, England, to the United States. At 183,521 gross tons, Carnival Celebration is identified as the largest ship in Carnival Cruise Line's fleet in the reference material. Its design follows the contemporary megaship model: rather than concentrating activity in one central public area, the ship is organized into six themed zones containing entertainment venues, dining outlets, shopping spaces, bars, and activity areas. This arrangement is intended to give passengers multiple ways to use the ship throughout a voyage and to support Carnival's high-energy, family-oriented vacation proposition. One of the ship's most distinctive attractions is Bolt, a self-propelled roller coaster designed by Maurer AG. The ride uses an approximately 800-foot track and cars capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Carnival Celebration's Bolt is described as the second shipboard roller coaster of its kind, following the attraction's introduction on the Excel-class sister ship Mardi Gras. The ride forms part of the Ultimate Playground zone, which also includes a water park and sports facilities. Carnival Celebration also introduced The Gateway, a ship-specific public zone built around travel and destination themes. Its Golden Jubilee bar and lounge commemorates Carnival Cruise Line's 50th anniversary and incorporates original and replica materials associated with retired Carnival ships, including the original Mardi Gras and Carnival Fascination. The venue replaced the Brass Magnolia concept used aboard Mardi Gras, giving Carnival Celebration a distinct historical and brand-specific centerpiece while retaining the broader Excel-class design language. The ship's name deliberately uses the Carnival prefix. This distinguishes it from the earlier Carnival Celebration and from the sister ship Mardi Gras, whose naming conventions reflect different parts of Carnival Cruise Line's fleet history. The vessel operates primarily from Miami, Florida, on six- to eight-day voyages to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Its launch itinerary included a 14-day transatlantic cruise departing Southampton on 6 November 2022. Carnival Celebration therefore functions both as a cruise product in its own right and as a showcase for Carnival Cruise Line's current large-ship strategy, combining recognizable Carnival entertainment with newer attractions, themed spaces, and expanded onboard capacity.
History
Carnival Celebration was developed as the second Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line and as part of Carnival Corporation & plc's broader Excellence-class ship platform. Carnival ordered the vessel from Meyer Turku, the Finnish shipyard, on 6 November 2016. The order placed the ship within Carnival's continuing program of building very large cruise vessels with extensive onboard recreation, dining, entertainment, and retail capacity. The ship's name was announced on 21 August 2020. Its use of the Carnival prefix distinguishes it from the earlier Celebration and from Mardi Gras, another Excel-class vessel. The choice connected the new ship with Carnival Cruise Line's naming tradition while also supporting a commemorative theme associated with the company's history. Construction began on 13 January 2021 at Meyer Turku, and the ship was completed on 2 November 2022. Carnival Celebration is an Excel-class vessel and is described as the largest ship in Carnival Cruise Line's fleet, with a gross tonnage of 183,521. Its design is divided into six zones. These zones combine themed visual elements with spaces for activities, entertainment, dining, shopping, and socializing. The approach reflects the modern cruise industry's emphasis on making the ship itself a destination rather than treating it only as transportation between ports. The Ultimate Playground occupies upper areas of the ship and contains Bolt, a roller coaster designed by Maurer AG. The attraction has an approximately 800-foot track and self-propelled cars that can reach up to 40 miles per hour. Bolt first appeared on Mardi Gras and was carried forward as a signature attraction on Carnival Celebration. The same area also contains a water park and sports center, reinforcing the ship's focus on active, family-oriented leisure. A distinctive feature developed for Carnival Celebration is The Gateway. This zone includes the Golden Jubilee bar and lounge, which marks Carnival Cruise Line's 50th anniversary through design elements and materials connected with the fleet's past. The venue includes original and replica items associated with retired ships, including the original Mardi Gras and Carnival Fascination. On Carnival Celebration, Golden Jubilee replaces the Brass Magnolia venue found on Mardi Gras, giving the otherwise closely related ships a different central themed space. The ship's initial operating pattern focused on departures from Miami, Florida, and six- to eight-day cruises to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Before beginning that program, Carnival Celebration undertook a 14-day transatlantic voyage that departed Southampton, England, on 6 November 2022. Its launch established the ship as both a passenger vessel for Caribbean vacations and a prominent example of Carnival Cruise Line's current strategy of combining large capacity with highly visible onboard attractions.
- 2022
Construction is completed
[1]Carnival Celebration was completed on 2 November 2022.
- 2022
Transatlantic positioning voyage
[1]The ship departed Southampton on 6 November 2022 for a 14-day transatlantic voyage before beginning its Caribbean operating program.
- 2021
Construction begins
[1]Construction started at Meyer Turku on 13 January 2021.
- 2020
The ship receives the Carnival Celebration name
[1]Carnival announced the vessel's name on 21 August 2020.
- 2016
Carnival orders the ship from Meyer Turku
[1]Carnival ordered the future Carnival Celebration from Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku on 6 November 2016.
Products and positioning
A flagship-scale Carnival Cruise Line vacation experience centered on high-energy entertainment, family recreation, themed public spaces, Caribbean itineraries, and distinctive attractions such as an onboard roller coaster.
Excel-class cruise ship · 2022
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration is a 183,521-gross-ton cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. It is the second vessel in the line's Excel class and is organized into six themed zones containing dining, shopping, entertainment, recreation, and social spaces. Its major attractions include the Bolt roller coaster, a water park, a sports center, and The Gateway zone with the Golden Jubilee bar and lounge. The ship primarily operates six- to eight-day Caribbean cruises from Miami, with its launch program preceded by a transatlantic voyage from Southampton.
Onboard roller coaster · 2022
Bolt
Bolt is a self-propelled roller coaster designed by Maurer AG and located in Carnival Celebration's Ultimate Playground zone. The ride uses an approximately 800-foot track and cars capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. It is the second shipboard roller coaster associated with Carnival's Excel-class fleet, following its earlier introduction on Mardi Gras.
Bar and lounge · 2022
Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee is a bar and lounge in Carnival Celebration's Gateway zone. It was designed around Carnival Cruise Line's 50th anniversary and incorporates original and replica objects associated with retired ships, including the original Mardi Gras and Carnival Fascination. The venue provides a historical and commemorative identity specific to Carnival Celebration and replaces the Brass Magnolia concept used aboard Mardi Gras.
Brand decisions
2022
Introduction of Carnival CelebrationProduct launchBackground
Carnival developed the ship as the second Excel-class vessel in its fleet, with a large-scale onboard offering designed around themed zones and signature attractions.
Action taken
The completed ship entered its launch program after a transatlantic positioning voyage from Southampton and was assigned to Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
Aftermath
Carnival Celebration became a major vessel in Carnival Cruise Line's Caribbean fleet and offered attractions including Bolt, the Ultimate Playground, and the Golden Jubilee lounge.
2020
Use of the Carnival Celebration nameStrategyBackground
The new Excel-class vessel was positioned within Carnival Cruise Line's naming tradition while being distinguished from the earlier Celebration and from the similarly designed Mardi Gras.
Action taken
Carnival announced that the ship would use the full Carnival Celebration name, including the Carnival prefix.
Aftermath
The name linked the vessel to Carnival Cruise Line's established identity and supported its role as a commemorative ship associated with the company's history.
Recent events
- 2022
Carnival Celebration enters service after transatlantic positioning voyage[1]
Product launch
The ship completed construction on 2 November 2022 and began its operating program following a 14-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton to the United States on 6 November 2022.
- 2021
Construction begins on Carnival Celebration[1]
Other
Construction of Carnival Celebration began at Meyer Turku in Finland on 13 January 2021.
- 2020
Carnival announces the name Carnival Celebration[1]
Other
Carnival Cruise Line announced on 21 August 2020 that its new Excel-class vessel would be named Carnival Celebration.
Sources2 sources
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