First introduced via video from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland by Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald, “The Gateway” will be a new zone onboard the line’s upcoming Carnival Celebration (debuting this November), that’s billed as a “brilliant spot” for “people watching” and embarking on a journey.
Spread across the internal promenade of decks six and seven, The Gateway will be an extension of the previously announced historical Golden Jubilee bar, serving as a celebration of travel and commemorating the “excitement of exploring new destinations,” as described by Christine Duffy, president of Carnival, during a virtual press conference.
Altogether, it will be the new ship’s take on the French Quarter section of its Mardi Gras sister ship.
What to Expect in The Gateway
Reprised onboard will be a specialty Emeril Lagasse eatery, this time called Emeril’s Bistro 1397 (referring to the yard’s hull number for the vessel). The menu will expand upon the creole favorites found at his first ship restaurant to include additional international and multicultural cuisine.
“For this one, we’re going to be kicking it up a notch,” Lagasse said, describing his second seagoing venue as a “taste of the world.”
Glenn Aprile, director of newbuild product development for Carnival, said the space will also be reconfigured with a show kitchen on the inboard side of the promenade and an intimate seating area at the outboard side along the windows.
Situated in tandem with Emeril’s Bistro will be an all-new Latitudes bar themed to classic airport and train station waiting lounges, which will be punctuated by a mechanical split-flap display and a “modern take on the classic departures board,” according to Duffy. The board will animate and update periodically with different messages throughout the day, such as the voyage’s itinerary at embarkation.
Duffy added that she hopes “to see a [marriage] proposal,” on the display at some point.
Passport stamps will be visible on the back of barstools, and drinks will be inspired by global destinations throughout the day and into happy hour, when guests are encouraged to celebrate milestones. There will even be an interactive digital atlas that plots out other Carnival ship positions.
Crowning it all and taking advantage of the vaulted double-decker space will be a dozen 10-foot-high by five-foot-wide high-definition virtual windows showing international scenes that will change periodically, as well as animate during evening entertainment offerings. The Carnival airship and hot air balloons may make an appearance along with other “delightful surprises,” according to Aprile. Each night will be fully immersive with a different daily theme and multimedia show, and annual holidays will be on full display, as well.
For example, a South America party might feature scenic Iguazu Falls paired with mouthwatering empanadas and chimichurri steak, washed down with pisco sours.
Entertainment will further spill into the adjacent Celebration Central zone, which is one of six. Others include the Miami-themed 820 Biscayne, Summer Landing, Lido and The Ultimate Playground, home to another thrilling Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster.
Carnival Celebration will be based in Miami, beginning in November 2022.
