Newbuild to have repurposed items from old vessels, innovations introduced on Mardi Gras, and more
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Cruise Line is to pay homage to its Fun Ship history onboard its newest Excel-class vessel, Carnival Celebration, by incorporating repurposed pieces from former ships into the three-deck-high atrium.
Revealing details of four of the six zones onboard Carnival Celebration, the brand said it will take ocean-themed glass murals created by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi for Carnival Victory and use them to form part of a two-deck-high decorative wall behind the bar in the Aquaria Bar. In addition, the Celebration Central atrium will also feature the Tropicale Bar, which is named after the first ship to sport the Carnival’s iconic funnel.
The starboard-side atrium will feature 3,000-square-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that can be transformed into 16 individually controlled LED screens to augment onboard entertainment, including aerial acrobatic performances and live music shows.
Celebration Central will also feature a ceiling installation with around 1,400 colour-changing lighting fixtures that are designed to look like a “burst of a confetti canon” and transform from day to night. In addition, the atrium will offer JavaBlue Café, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club.
Carnival Celebration will offer many of the innovations introduced onboard Mardi Gras, including the Bolt rollercoaster, which has been manufactured by Mauer Rides and is currently undergoing initial shoreside unmanned test runs in Munich, Germany. Other onboard highlights will include a Lido zone with a two-level RedFrog Tiki Bar, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant, Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina, as well as an Ultimate Playground Zone with the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare. In addition, there will be a Summer Landing zone with pools, whirlpools, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, The Watering Hole poolside bar, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge honouring military personnel.
“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, refurbishment and product innovation at 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.”
Carnival Celebration will embark on her inaugural sailing from the redesigned Terminal F at PortMiami in Florida, USA, on 21 November 2022.