Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Carnival-Celebration

A tragic incident occurred on May 9, claiming the life of an 88-year-old woman while the 'Carnival Celebration' was moored at Carnival's private port, Celebration Key. This incident unfolded on the last full day of the cruise prior to its scheduled return to PortMiami. The elderly woman, who relied on a mobility scooter for assistance, unintentionally drove off the pier, leading to her subsequent fall into the water. Carnival's emergency response team promptly acted, recovering her from the water, but despite resuscitation attempts, she was unfortunately pronounced dead. Initial reports suggest that she may have suffered a heart attack and possibly struck her head before entering the water, although these details remain unverified. Additionally, investigators are looking into the possibility that she could have collided with the ship during her fall. The Royal Bahamas Police have taken custody of her remains, and an autopsy is forthcoming to clarify the exact cause of death. In the aftermath of the incident, a diver successfully retrieved her mobility scooter from the water. At the time, another Carnival vessel, the 'Carnival Glory,' was also present at Celebration Key.

On February 16, 2023, the 'Carnival Celebration' showcased an act of heroism by rescuing five individuals from a sinking boat while sailing toward Cozumel, Mexico. The precarious wooden vessel, crafted from 2x4 lumber and equipped with a makeshift plastic sail, began to take on water just as the migrants boarded the cruise ship. The U.S. Coast Guard was promptly notified and provided essential support and guidance during the rescue operation. The Carnival Celebration was on a week-long cruise, which commenced on February 15, from Miami, Florida. The cruise itinerary included stops at Roatan, Honduras, and the cruise line's exclusive destination, Celebration Key in the Bahamas. The voyage concluded as the ship returned to Miami on February 22.

A significant IT system failure struck multiple Carnival Cruise Line vessels over the weekend, notably impacting operations into the early hours of February 9, 2026. This disruption resulted in lengthy embarkation delays and hindered onboard services across at least seven ships. By the evening of February 8, the 'Carnival Celebration', 'Carnival Pride', 'Carnival Sunshine', 'Carnival Venezia', 'Carnival Spirit', 'Carnival Liberty', and 'Carnival Panorama' remained docked beyond their scheduled departure times. The 'Carnival Celebration', which was slated to leave Miami at 3:30 p.m. for a week-long Caribbean journey, finally set sail around 1:00 a.m., suffering a delay of over eight hours. Passengers experienced considerable wait times, highlighting the challenges faced by the cruise line during this unexpected technical crisis.

On March 30, 2025, the Carnival Celebration faced a delay of approximately 30 minutes before its scheduled departure from Miami at 4 p.m. EST due to a relentless rainstorm. As the vessel made its way out of the port, it encountered heavy rainfall, leading to significant flooding on its upper decks. Water spilled from Decks 17 and 18 into the pool area on Deck 16, creating challenging conditions for passengers and crew alike. Supervisors were positioned throughout the ship as rainwater inundated various areas. On Deck 18, staff resorted to using piles of towels to block doorways and prevent water from entering the elevator lobby. The storm's intensity also caused a complete internet shutdown on board as lightning strikes were recorded in close proximity. Despite the crew's efforts to manage the flooding by sweeping the excess water away from guest areas, the severe weather rendered these actions largely ineffective. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or significant damage. As the weather improved, the Carnival Celebration resumed its journey, making its first stop in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, followed by calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, before returning to Miami on April 6.

On February 24, 2024, the cruise ship 'Carnival Celebration', while making its way to Miami, rendered assistance to a group of migrants approximately 20 miles north of Cuba. The migrants were aboard a makeshift vessel that was in dire conditions, struggling against the elements with around 20 individuals on board. They were actively trying to bail out water using buckets, fighting to keep their fragile boat afloat. The U.S. Coast Guard responded quickly, dispatching a speedboat to the scene to facilitate the safe return of the irregular migrants to Cuba. For more details, watch the report here: https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/carnival-celebration-crew-pull-20-migrants-to-safety-after-spotting-small-vessel-north-of-cuba/

On March 24, 2023, the Carnival Celebration, a prominent cruise liner, came to the aid of an overcrowded rowboat while navigating northeast of Cozumel around 6 p.m. local time. The vessel spotted a small boat carrying at least 12 people, comprising both men and women. Demonstrating quick response, the cruise ship altered its course to assist, ready to evacuate the individuals if necessary. The rowboat, which was employing multiple oars for movement, did not signal for emergency help, yet appeared to be in reasonably stable condition despite its rather unconventional construction materials, including duct tape. Upon reaching the craft, the crew of the Carnival Celebration communicated with the occupants, who expressed their wish to remain aboard their vessel but gratefully accepted provisions of food and water. Fortunately, all passengers onboard were reported to be alert and in good health, indicating no immediate danger despite the cramped conditions. The ship's shoreside team promptly notified the United States Coast Guard about the encounter, ensuring all safety protocols were followed. The Carnival Celebration maintained its position next to the small craft until clear instructions were received regarding the situation, after which the cruise liner was cleared to resume its voyage. This incident highlights the responsibilities of maritime vessels to prioritize safety and offer assistance when necessary. For more details, you can view the report with video coverage [here](https://www.cruisehive.com/boat-refuses-rescue-from-newest-carnival-cruise-ship/97202).