When Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Celebration sets sail in November 2022, the ship will mostly resemble its predecessor, Mardi Gras. However, it will also feature its own distinctions, some of which will take inspiration from its Miami homeport.
For starters, the Celebration Central atrium will stretch from Deck 6 to Deck 8, with an updated party look crowned by a ceiling that resembles a burst of confetti, comprised of 1,400 color-changing light fixtures. Three thousand square feet of floor-to-ceiling windows and 16 massive articulated LED screens will also anchor the space.
At the atrium and elsewhere, Carnival history aficionados will further appreciate nods to previous ships in the fleet. The Aquaria Bar will showcase glass murals by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi from Carnival Victory integrated among the double-decker watering hole’s aquarium-like display. Plus, the Tropicale Bar will be named after the first Carnival ship to feature the line’s shapely funnel.
"From a design perspective, we are incorporating elements from our former ships, paying homage to the history of Carnival and also showcasing Carnival Celebration as a modern, innovative and forward-looking vessel,” said Ben Clement, senior vice president of newbuilds, refurbishments and product innovation for Carnival. “While similar to Mardi Gras with a plethora of options for dining, entertainment and relaxation, Celebration will have her own personality, one that celebrates all things Carnival, intertwining where we have been with where we are going.”
Other ship zones that will be reprised include The Ultimate Playground with its Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, as well as Summer Landing and Lido. However, Mardi Gras’ La Piazza will instead be the Miami-themed 820 Biscayne, named after Carnival’s original shoreside address.
“We wanted to continue to give our guests the delicious and fun offerings they know and love from Mardi Gras, but with new identities that pay tribute to the rich culture of Miami, a city that is so special to all of us,” said Clement. “Miami is a one-of-a-kind city with many different sides to it, so we tried to capture all of that in 820 Biscayne — from the tropical feel and original art deco designs that can still be found on Miami Beach today to the modern city look of Brickell — and of course, with a huge emphasis on the delicious flavors throughout.”
As such, the 24-hour pizzeria will carry over, but will be named Miami Slice and designed to mimic the namesake city’s late-night eateries. Deco Deli will also play up art deco fonts and signage and serve classic sandwiches in addition to a Cubano (pork, ham, Swiss cheese and mustard), a croqueta (ham and cheese croqueta with shaved ham and pickles) and pan con lechon (pulled pork, melted onion and mojo sauce), each on Cuban bread.
Rounding out the new zone will be Bar 820, a “vintage cool” indoor and outdoor gathering place pouring grab-and-go Cuban and specialty coffees, plus tropical frozen drinks and martinis. Both Rudi’s Seagrill and Cucina del Capitano will also be found here, but the latter will be redesigned to carry a Miami aesthetic throughout.
"Miami has been our home for 50 years, and in bringing a brand-new ship to its port, we wanted to show some extra love to the city that helped us become who we are today,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Celebration will celebrate all things Carnival, intertwining where we have been with where we are going, and we can’t think about where we started without thinking about Miami and all of the fun that it represents.”
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