All Things Elation - sort of

[wdowns9]

We just arrived back from our 5-Day trip on the Elation. This was my 3rd time on her. This time I could noticeably see the changes both good and not so good.

 

Good:

* we were the 2nd cruise for them to have the Sea Day Brunch 830a-1p. Food was very good with lots of choices

* Punchliner Comedy Club - 2 comedians each did a family and adult show on 2 nights (5 shows each including the Welcome Aboard Show)

* Mongolian Wok on the Lido is always a favorite

* Embarkation/Debarkation was quick - arrived at 10a on the ship at 11a and the cabins were ready just before 1230p. We had our luggage taken off for us (Zone11) and we were off the ship by 915a and through Customs by 945a

 

Bad:

* lack of live music on the Lido

* she is showing her age with wear/tear along with a very outdated pool area

* ice buckets have been removed from the cabins; you will have to request one from your cabin steward

* pizza is very popular so be prepared to wait

* only 2 shows and another done by other guests - "Win" is not very good and hasn't changed from the past

* CD Steve I can say much about as he didn't provide any added entertainment

* most entertainment starts after 11p which is not the greatest for older people so we didn't attend.

*food in the MDR was hit/miss with more of a miss. Had to send our steaks back several times because they were killed well when we wanted med-rare. Luckily the MDR for Sea Day Brunch and regular breakfast saved the day.

 

The Elation is a good budget cruise going out of NOLA; just go with an open mind. For the price and proximity to where we live we would sail again.

[wdowns9]

We did have a medical evacuation by the US Coast Guard just after we left the mouth of the Miss River. We did circles through the night and waited for the Coast Guard to air lift them off at 10a. This only delayed our arrival in to Progreso by 2hrs but we departed later so there wasn't any impact to the cruise. We sailed full speed at 20nts to make up for the lost time.

[MelBCroozer]

We had ice buckets on the Jan 2 sailing. Our MDR staff was very good.

[Layla and Beaux]

Thank you for the mini review!! We are booked to cruise on Elation in July, and it will be my husband and three youngest kids' first cruise. I appreciate the frank observations!!

[Wheels87]

I just returned from a back-to-back on the Elation on Thursday. I agree with the original poster that the sea day brunch was quite good. The fire roasted tomato soup was outstanding and I enjoyed the french toast covered with Frosted Flakes.

 

This was my family's fourth and fifth cruises with the cruise director Steve Knisley and after 15 cruises...he is definitely our favorite! His assistants were great as well, especially Orlando from Jamaica.

 

As far as the statement about most of the entertainment starting after 11pm...I'm not sure what that statement meant. The production shows begin at the usual time and the Love and Marriage game show began at 9:45pm. They also had 70,s hour, 80's hour, Motown hour and the Michael Jackson hour at the night club and each started at 10pm. The only shows that I know of that started after 11pm were the two adult comedy shows which began at 11:30pm.

 

There was a guest who unfortunately had a heart attack in the middle of the night, so the ship turned around at 4am and headed north to get close enough to the Louisiana coast to allow a Coast Guard helicopter to evacuate him. As soon as he was off, the ship turned due south and headed to Progresso. Carnival should be applauded for traveling an extra 200 miles to help this guest, as I'm sure he appreciated it!

 

I would highly recommend the Elation to anyone who is interested in cruising on a small ship that is easy to navigate.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

most entertainment starts after 11p which is not the greatest for older people so we didn't attend.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Wheels87

[marshhawk]

We leave in a few hours to grab the megabus to go to NOLA for this cruise, so thanks for the info. I think it odd that I have sailed two of her sisters, and find the middle of the ship hard to navigate because of the restaurants. But everyone says that this ship is easy to navigate, what's different?

[Wheels87]

You can get from the front of the ship (the upper level of the show room) all the way to the back of the ship (Serenity) on deck 9. This passes by the photo gallery, the sushi bar, the casino, the drama bar, the Musical Cafe, the night club, the comedy club, etc. The two dining rooms are on deck 8 (forward is the Imagination dining room and the aft is the Inspiration dining room).

 

So the bottom line is to go to deck 9 and you can reach almost anything.

 

Good luck and enjoy!

[jkd9977]

We were on the 1/2 sailing. The Triumph was the smallest ship we had previously sailed on but we really enjoyed the Elation. The pool area showed some wear, but I thought otherwise she was in very nice shape for her age. Dining room staff wasn't great, but our kids LOVED the CC staff. Can't say the same for the CC staff on the Magic.

[marshhawk]

O dear, I keep hearing that the MDR isnt great, which is sad, cause I loved the food on the Legend and the Fascination. But the best Carnival food I had was on the Sensation. Of course that was years ago.:rolleyes:

[GRAMMYTAN]

We were on the same cruise and although the Elation (in our opinion) is the nicest of the Fantasy Class it is really in need of upgrades and is showing wear and tear.

 

We did have an ice bucket filled with ice in our cabin. Our cabin steward, Wade, was good but we didn't see him much unless we called for something.

 

We didn't attend WIN as we have seen it before and did not like it. The other show was good though. We saw both comedians and they were just ok, not as good as others we have seen on Carnival, but we loved Orlando!

 

Loved the Brunch menu, but found the choices in the MDR and Lido lacking this time. We did your time dining and usually asked for a table for 2. Twice we were seated at a 4 top (to get a window table) with another couple, and the other times we were at one of the 2 tops that CCL calls a table for two, but which are actually only a few inches apart, so there is no privacy. We felt as if we were at a table of 6 to 8 depending on where we were seated on the bench seat.

 

Unless you went to the show in the Mikado Lounge or one of the comedy club choices, there really isn't much to do at night other than going to the casino.

 

No problems getting on or off the ship. We are Platinum with 25 plus cruises so we basically went for R&R and that's exactly what we did this time. The little short cruises like this are good for that, but we enjoy the 7+ day cruises on a larger ship for the activities.

[cruisinmeme]

We were also on the 1-11-2014 sailing.

Enjoyed the brunch. Saved our neck. I will say after 17 cruises and having prime rib once on five day/twice on 7 day cruise's this was the worse I have had. It was just nasty,small thin piece of whatever. Third trip on elation. Food quality is lacking.

We also did not have ice and was told we had to ask for it.

We did go to watch WIN. So curious why at starting time plenty of seats remained open. We left after about 30 mins. Next night the show was Michael Jackson trivia. We passed on that! Then didn't even check to see what was going on.

Will say ship was clean and always cleaning it.

Was a breeze getting on and off the ship.

The platinum gift was the tote/cooler thing. Was nice to take into port.

We had real good weather and no rocking and rolling.

I will say I am looking forward to next cruise (ncl) I know I will get good meals there. For those that say elation or ccl has good food, you must be easily pleased.

[CeeBeeSky]

Well, it is Monday 1/20/14. As I await our sail away day (1/25/14) I am watching your progress and living vicariously through you. It looks like you all will be boarding your Home Away From Home in a few short hours.

 

MarshHawk - You know I love you guys and "Wish I Was There!!!"

 

I tried to find your ships web cam this morning but had no luck but I found a link to a live view of the port in NOLA. It is still dark and looks like it might be a little bit foggy but I am sure as soon as the sun comes out it will be a beautiful day for you.

 

Have full, all you cruisers!

[PaulaB52]

We were on the Christmas week cruise. We did have an ice bucket in our room and we never asked for ice, it was just there. I actually saw the cleaning cart in the hall and it had an ice chest full of ice. I supposed it was for filling everyone's bucket in their room.

 

The MDR food is not like eating at Commander's Palace, but ya'll, with the amount of food they have to push out, I commend their efforts. The lasagna was really really good and so was the "study in sushi" and the mahi-mahi on the last night.

 

We had fabulous bar service anywhere we went. Orlando was a great trivia host and we had a lot of fun playing. We went to one show, the rock and roll show. It was a bit cheesy (for us), but I did feel it was entertaining. We didn't really do any of the other shows. I prefer karoke (but that's me).

 

I didn't care for the buffet breakfast, but the omelette bar was pretty good. Coffee was a good blend, not too weak and there was real butter and real cream (half and half), which totally shocked the heck out of me.

 

We're already booking next year on the Elation again.

[cask2393]

We were on the Christmas week cruise. We did have an ice bucket in our room and we never asked for ice, it was just there. I actually saw the cleaning cart in the hall and it had an ice chest full of ice. I supposed it was for filling everyone's bucket in their room.

 

 

 

The MDR food is not like eating at Commander's Palace, but ya'll, with the amount of food they have to push out, I commend their efforts. The lasagna was really really good and so was the "study in sushi" and the mahi-mahi on the last night.

 

 

 

We had fabulous bar service anywhere we went. Orlando was a great trivia host and we had a lot of fun playing. We went to one show, the rock and roll show. It was a bit cheesy (for us), but I did feel it was entertaining. We didn't really do any of the other shows. I prefer karoke (but that's me).

 

 

 

I didn't care for the buffet breakfast, but the omelette bar was pretty good. Coffee was a good blend, not too weak and there was real butter and real cream (half and half), which totally shocked the heck out of me.

 

 

 

We're already booking next year on the Elation again.

 

 

We're going on Elation next Christmas and I'm curious, did they do anything special for Christmas? Thanks!

 

 

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[maldenmusic]

Love the Elation and will be on her again this June-5th time for me. Thanks for the review.

[ale4692]

We love the Elation too! We sail on her again on 4/28/14. I know her cabins need updating, but for a five day, inexpensive cruise.... she is perfect. Can't wait!