ChrisNCruiser

If you booked as the Triumph and now have a booking on the Sunrise, double-check your dining and bed preferences. I had to change mine to our typical preference of Early Dining and King from Early/ Twin. (It's possible that I hadn't selected what I wanted when I booked as the Triumph, but I'm usually pretty fastidious about that.)

Thanks all for your quick replies - it looks like we're all temporarily impacted.

The agent was not an expert - I had to hold for a while for her to contact another department - but she DID eventually tell me that my October 2019 Norfolk sailing wasn't cancelled, just locked until Tuesday, at which point I can maintain my existing sailing. (Add the name of others in my cabin, make a payment, etc.) With that in mind, I'm still a little relieved to hear that all post-drydock sailings aren't visible. I'm assuming that for the most part we're all safe, and that maybe we'll all find out more about the Triumph drydock and upgrades later this week <fingers crossed>.

Hi gang,

A couple of weeks ago, I booked the Triumph For October 2019 out of Norfolk. (Super early, but wanted a particular cabin - also going on faith that the ship is going to be 'Sunshined' in advance.) This morning, I noticed that all Norfolk 2019 options have disappeared, and that my booking had disappeared as well!

It's now Saturday morning, and I just got off the phone with Carnival; after a bit of a wait, the agent was able to determine that my booking (and the ability to book) is indeed locked, but that my sailing is not cancelled. She said I should be able to access / update my sailing on Tuesday.

I'm wondering if this means that Carnival will be making an announcement about the ship's layout / cabins in the near future. Anyone else hear anything regarding their booking?

I've sailed all three ships; the larger Liberty is great but for a short cruise you'll still have plenty of fun on the smaller ships. Yes they're older but they've been maintained and updated over the years. For your case, I'd recommend the Ecstasy based on the distance. For what it's worth, here's a link to some pictures of the Elation I took last year; we were on the first sailing out of dry dock, and as you'll see it was still being finished.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BtmTtQZPfPNfUuXJ2

Hi friends,

I've booked a Guarantee Balcony on the Carnival Pride at a much lower price than what it would cost to select the least expensive balcony on my own (a balcony with an obstructed view). If we get an obstructed view cabin and/or a cabin in a less desirable location, we'll still be very happy with what we got considering the price. That said, can anyone tell me if they've ever selected a guarantee balcony on a Carnival Spirit-class ship, and if so what you received? (Normal-sized balcony, extended balcony, obstructed view balcony?)

Thanks in advance!

I was on the first sailing out of the 2017 drydock; here is a link to pictures I took. As you'll see, some of the ship was still a work-in-progress.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNExYZcKPh6R3YLgxqCSOpWEzmlS2DMdoZ213tEsJjjuYRayj835KALgNrbJG-FzQ?key=OXdWYVpwNGdjSnl6cElMWDNNMllUWnM2TVZPWmJ3

Thank you for the pictures-I am sailing on her on 12/11 too. I could care less about a bar ( I don't drink) but I will miss the jogging track. Guess I will have to do my other walking by starting on the Riviera and walking around and up, around and up to the lido/ Trust me, it's more than a mile LOL!

 

For some reason your porthole looks very narrow, what level where you on. I know when we did E7 the cabin was narrow. Glad to know there is a fridge, glad to know about a hair dryer, I am used to the wind blow dry technique, and I am really glad there is more than one plug.

 

Thanks for the update-the restaurants look much improved!

Hi there,

Sorry for the late reply - We had cabin E8 on Empress. It wasn't narrower than other oceanview or porthole cabins. If anything, it's about a foot longer than ceanview cabins. (One of the reasons we love porthole cabins is because several are LARGER than oceanview cabins, if you choose correctly.)

- Chris

So what would you recommend ? I would hate to be selling on the short size.

Yeah, but it's nowhere near $500. We got it as an Amazon Warehouse Deal for literally $6 shipped (which is the only reason we purchased it), and we were shocked when it actually showed up. Couple very minor scratches, and the body is hideous white, but the lens was fine.

Since it's not really a DSLR with fun dials for aperature / shutter, etc, I still consider it point-and-shooty, since it's just easier to keep it in Auto mode. Think it's a couple generations old, but no complaints considering what we paid for it :-P

Great photos. What camera did you use? Was it a DSLR or point and shoot?

 

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Sorry for the late reply - haven't checked the thread in a while. Most were taken with my cell phone, and others were taken with a Sony point-and-shoot. I cropped, rotated, and auto-adjusted many of the pics using Google Photos.

I was on the first cruise out of drydock - here are some pics I took:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNExYZcKPh6R3YLgxqCSOpWEzmlS2DMdoZ213tEsJjjuYRayj835KALgNrbJG-FzQ?key=OXdWYVpwNGdjSnl6cElMWDNNMllUWnM2TVZPWmJ3

Now that I'm back from my trip (we went to Disney World for a couple of days after the cruise), I've had time to add more pictures of the Elation's first cruise after dry dock. They're basically more of the same...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BtmTtQZPfPNfUuXJ2

Now that I'm back from my trip (we went to Disney World for a couple of days after the cruise), I've had time to add more pictures of the Elation's first cruise after dry dock. They're basically more of the same...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BtmTtQZPfPNfUuXJ2

The deck plan just says “sun deck” and doesn’t show anything. My guess is they will put deck chairs up there for lounging, but it’s possible that it might just stay empty. It would be odd for carnival to have any unused space on board, but being that it’s at the very top and would be subject to wind gusts and weather, it may just be left alone. This is the first fantasy class ship with the grand deck added, so there are no other ships with that deck configuration to compare it to.

 

 

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I was up there (see my pics). It's spacious, has a great view, and convenient to the new cabins. There were stacks of deck chairs and tables under the deck in an unfinished hallway I peeked in when I had the chance. I'm sure they are meant for that deck once the new cabins are finished. If I booked one of those cabins, I can imagine spending time up there on port days.

I thought it was called the Great Gatsby bar

Yep. Sorry, I couldn't remember the name but figured everyone would know I meant the old bar. Thanks for the correction.:)

The pics are great, thank you! We're not going on the Elation for a while still, but I was looking forward to seeing post dry dock pics. Is the big open area on top at the front of the ship supposed to be something that's not done yet?

Yep, Not done yet. It's above the new cabin floor. I don't think I was supposed to be up there as it was roped off for most of the cruise, but one early morning I found a back entrance that wasn't roped off and grabbed the chance to check it out. It was blocked again later that day.

 

I started that thread. Yeah, I guess you're right. Shoulda just enjoyed the pool in our room and not complained

 

 

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We had heard it had happened and saw them cleaning up the aftermath, but this is bad. Sorry this happened to you. When we got on the ship we noticed that our toilet kept slowly trickle-filling up way past the normal point; we just got used to flushing it every time we went by the cabin and every two hours or so in the cabin :-/

Were you compensated any extra, like another whopping $50 cabin credit?

I have read for years on these boards to never sail a ship on her first cruise out of dry dock, that there are always hiccups. Even with that Elation's dry dock got interrupted by one of the hurricanes and had to sail out of dry dock for a few days, work continued, but not at the pace they had planned, so I am sure that didn't help matters at all either.

 

I, too, prefer the smaller ships and I LOVE the pictures previously posted. Very much looking forward to our cruise on her in May! Hopefully all the hiccups will be worked out by then.. ;)

 

And I have to add my disappointment in no Alchemy Bar. My husband and I really love that place and were very disappointed in its location on the Magic. Kinda shoved in a hallway between the lounge with live music and the Red Frog Pub. It was always loud & noisy and cramped. We were looking forward to one more like on the Liberty and Sunshine to be placed on the Elation where you can relax, make new friends, plenty of room to sit and while there was live music across the way, it wasn't right next to you.

 

I did watch a news report on the upgrades on one of the Jacksonville TV station webpages and it said the entire back half of the ship was now 'family friendly' - did they move the Serenity deck? On the Fantasy and Fascination it was at the very back of the ship.

That Jacksonville TV report was exaggerated. The entire 'back half' (more like back-fourth) of the ship now includes the adults-only Serenity deck where it was before, the two outside lido patios above that, and the new Waterworks water slide park on top (which replaced a second pool and additional hot tubs.)

I'm glad you're enjoying the pics and comments.

Yet more tidbits (sorry, they just keep popping in my head - stuff I'd want to know):

• the cabins now include an empty fridge under the desk, which we used all week to store our sodas, champagne, and desserts from lido lunch to save for a midnight snack. (For some reason we generally like the lunchtime desserts more than the evening desserts).
  
• while there's a stool under the desk, the rooms no longer include a chair. gives you more room, but we would have preferred a chair.
  
• Loved the layout of the shelving and closets- wish I'd taken more pics to post, but I hope the one I posted gives a good idea.
  
• I don't believe the Elation cabins used to include a hairdryer, but FWIW they do now, and they don't suck. leave yours at home
  
• We sailed Elation last December; they have since replaced the shiny blue cushions on the serenity deck with some woven grey things. Also, they didn't put up the yellow umbrellas all week, even though we saw one of the crewmembers walking around with on on the serenity deck one morning.
  
• We've sailed on several larger ships with Guy's and Blue Iguana. On the Elation, they also use Guy's as a breakfast station with omlets to order. Few people seemed to realize it as there was never a line for omlets or breakfast buffet at Guy's - I recommend checking it out instead of standing in the longer lines inside.
  

Other things I forgot to mention:

- if you didn't notice in the pictures I posted, the new TVs in the cabins were quite large (we had an inside porthole, so we assume that everyone gets one),

- most of the public areas had brand-new carpeting, including the Lido buffet area with the filthy tile;p

- upholstery on furniture in most areas (including the theaters) either replaced or cleaned exceptionally well

- the mini golf was a bit of a disappointment. It's cramped, and looks like somone ran to Michael's at the last minute, bought some felt off the clearance endcap, and went to town. However, it's in a good location.

- We didn't realize until the last day that there was no running track, as we use elliptical machines. (Don't flame me for exercising on vacation. Believe me, by the end of the week the cake and Guy's Burgers won.) Speaking of which...

- the gym was remodelled and had either new or reconditioned equipment. (Don't worry, it still looks like it belongs in a prison.) Of eight elliptical machines, only two worked correctly.

Again, it's the dedicated crew on the ship that will bring us back again to Carnival. Not the staff at the customer service desk, but those in the dining rooms and cabins. They're the ones that really represent what customer service should be, and they'll give you the real lowdown.

Nice pics! Is it true Elation did not get Alchemy [emoji53]

 

 

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Yep, no Alchemy. The Cole Porter bar remains in front of the Cole Porter lounge.

Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing. I sail March 1. How did you get so many good shots with hardly anyone around ?! ;)

 

 

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I am a morning person, and I am patient LOL. I wait until most or all people are out of the frame.

I was also on this sailing and can confirm that the ship wasn't ready. Yes, we were glad we could sail after Irma, and yes, the ship had some huge improvements, but the ship (and this sailing) had some problems. For context, we were on this same ship last december, so we have a basis for comparison:

THE GOOD:

• Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina and Bar, Waterworks park and Red Frog were all up and running throughout the cruise
  
• Our remodelled cabin was lovely, and we appreciated all of the power outlet options (four USB ports, two 110v outlets).
  
• Overall crew service in the dining rooms and cabins was exceptional
  
• The shops and main dining rooms were also remodelled (and looked brand new), which we weren't expecting and weren't listed in any press releases we saw.
  

THE NOT-SO-GOOD:

• Plumbing issues - although our cabin didn't flood (on Empress deck), one down the hall did. Lido buffet bathroom apparently overflowed more than once, as evidenced all of the water flooding the hallway. The ship's one and only pool was out of commission for an entire day because the pump didn't work (not great on a sailing with hundreds of kids). Even the juice / coffee machines were down for a bit.
  
• The tiled floor of the lido deck remained filthy throughout the cruise. I've been on 33 cruises, all with Carnival, and have never previously seen anything this bad.
  
• Soft serve ice cream was only available after we'd visited Nassau on the next-to-last day of the cruise. Kids definitely noticed. (We're guessing that someone didn't order the mix in time for the first day.)
  
• Dozens of contractors running throughout the ship to finish up the balconies, new sun deck, and miscellaneous whatnot.
  
• Piles of post-drydock debris here and there, including the serenity deck. (This got somewhat better as the cruise went on.)
  

Unrelated to the drydock but a reflection of Carnival's more recent service and attitude towards their customers: boarding began exceptionally late (7 hours later than usual), and luggage wasn't delivered to some until the next morning. Communication and instructions for the late boarding were untimely and poor. We basically lost one day of a five-day cruise and gained a day of frustration and anxiety; for this, Carnival only provided a credit of $50 per cabin and an additional $15 per person for lunch for the day we missed. We believe that we should be credited for the amount of a full day, minimum, and $80 doesn't come close to the cost of a day plus additional goodwill for the poor start to the cruise.

Here is a link to some post-drydock pics:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BtmTtQZPfPNfUuXJ2

We will sail Carnival and this ship again, but we will never knowingly book a cruise so close after drydock again. We do wish that Carnival would place a larger emphasis on their brand and customer satisfaction than their bottom line.

Per my earlier comment, I was on the Oct 7 sailing that ended this morning. Here is a link to some pics:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BtmTtQZPfPNfUuXJ2

This was my 33rd cruise, all with Carnival. I have enjoyed all, including this sailing. That said, I would not knowingly book the first cruise after a drydock again because of all of the hiccups. Some hiccups were understandable, others were questionable and seemingly avoidable (and frankly, some felt like Carnival worrying more about the bottom line than their reputation or customer satisfaction). This was supposed to be the third cruise after drydock if not for Irma.

Those expecting a brand-new ship from stem-to-stern will be disappointed: some areas of the ship appeared brand new (because they were), and other areas appeared every day of their 20 years.

I hope you like the pics!

Has anyone heard from someone on the current Elation Cruise??

 

Interested in hearing (reading) about the changes, esp. balconies, and food venues.??:cool:

I'm on the current cruise and waiting for disembarkation. Ship is still a work in progress. GOOD NEWS: guy's, blue iguana, red frog up and running on lido. Waterworks up and running. Main dining rooms and shops were unexpectedly remodeled and look nice. Overall, service from staff was fine. remodeled cabins are quite nice, with two 110v outlets and four USB outlets. Power options aplenty! BAD NEWS: many contractors on the ship completing unfinished work on new balconies and cabins. Access to new deck is limited to the (cramped) mini golf area, and even then only part time. Little piles of drydock debris throughout the ship. Several maintenance / supply issues: as examples, the main pool was closed for an entire day because the pump was broken, and soft serve ice cream machines were out of order for days. Floor in Tiffany lido dining room remained filthy throughout the entire cruise. Can confirm no Alchemy Bar was installed. I'll try to post a link to some pics in the next day once I can upload them to my computer.

At least it seems like we're going - I've had my doubts after the Instagram pics :p.

September 28, 2017

Dear Carnival Elation Guest,

We want to provide you with some important information regarding your Arrival Appointment for your cruise.

Carnival Elation will be returning to Jacksonville the morning of your cruise, after completion of dry dock (scheduled required maintenance). Since we will need time to off load materials from the ship, check in for your cruise will take place later in the afternoon. Please add four hours to your pre-selected Arrival Appointment and make plans to arrive promptly at your new time.

While we have you, just a few reminders to prepare you for embarkation:

• If you haven't done so, please visit <link> to complete your Online Check-in and select your Arrival Appointment.
   
   
  
• We will post a 15.00 USD, per person, credit to your Sail & Sign® account, so you can enjoy lunch on us.
   
   
  
• To help you pack, we suggest you limit your luggage to a maximum of one bag, per person.
   
   
  
• To enter the terminal, present your boarding pass and a government-issued picture ID (applicable to all guests 16 years and older), citizenship documents (including any necessary visas) and completed health questionnaire.
   
   
  
• In preparation for departure, all guests must be checked-in and on board the ship by 7:00 PM.
   
  

We apologize for this delay and thank you for your patience and understanding. We are looking forward to providing you with a FUN and memorable cruise experience!

Sincerely,