The time has finally arrived for Carnival’s newest cruise ship, the Carnival Celebration, to begin guest operations. The new vessel departed on her transatlantic voyage from Southampton, UK, after becoming the first new Carnival cruise ship to visit the UK in 20 years.
Carnival Celebration Arrives in the UK
The first Carnival cruise ship has arrived in the UK in 20 years, and it comes as no surprise that it’s the new Carnival Celebration, recently delivered from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland to the cruise line earlier in the week. It comes as the vessel departs on its first guest voyage and gets to show off all its impressive onboard features.
The ship arrived at the Ocean Cruise Terminal in Southampton for the very first time, making her the first new Carnival cruise ship to visit the country in 20 years! To celebrate the occasion, local officials and invited guests attended a traditional plaque and key ceremony, often seen when a cruise ship visits a port for the first time.
Also in attendance was Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy, who hosted a “Let’s Celebrate” event in the cruise terminal. This included a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the first guests onboard.
“I can’t tell you how exciting this day has been, finally giving our UK travel partners the opportunity to see our new Excel-class ship,” said Christine.
“Carnival Celebration is the ultimate 50th Birthday gift and is a key part of a very unique and exciting period of growth for us. It’s been a wonderful 50 years, and we kicked off the next 50 with a bang today! Next up – Miami!”
Carnival Celebration Departs for Florida
The new Excel class ship is currently heading for its new home of PortMiami, Florida. The ship set off on a 14-day transatlantic voyage on Sunday and includes a visit to La Coruna on November 8, Vigo on November 9, Funchal in Madeira on November 11, and finally, Tenerife in the Canary islands on November 12 before arriving in Miami on November 20.
The naming ceremony for Carnival Celebration will take place on the day the ship arrives at the newly upgraded PortMiami Terminal F. It will be an extra special day as the new complex opens and the ship makes its maiden call.
Cassidy Gifford will become the ship’s godmother, following her mother, Kathie Lee Gifford, who was the godmother of the original Celebration cruise ship in 1987.
The LNG-powered ship will be sailing week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries out of Miami and offering guests a whole lot of fun, including the BOLT roller coaster and its six themed zones, including the Miami-inspired 820 Biscayne zone. Celebration is the sister ship to Mardi Gras and the upcoming Carnival Jubilee, which will arrive in 2023.
Carnival Celebration is 183,521 gross tons with a guest capacity of 5,374 at double occupancy, along with 1,735 crew members.
