Help picking ship...Elation or Sensation

[Pam9210]

We want to take shorter cruise in March.  Have never cruised with Carnival. We have cruised with RCL, Disney and NCL.  When we cruised before it was always on their newest ship.  Since we have a big trip planned in June we wanted something inexpensive and quick.  Can someone reccomend one over the the other (Elation or Sensation)?  Thanks for any suggestions.

[Treyatl2006]

21 minutes ago, Pam9210 said:

We want to take shorter cruise in March.  Have never cruised with Carnival. We have cruised with RCL, Disney and NCL.  When we cruised before it was always on their newest ship.  Since we have a big trip planned in June we wanted something inexpensive and quick.  Can someone reccomend one over the the other (Elation or Sensation)?  Thanks for any suggestions.

Both are Fantasy Class ships so they are both similar. I would select the Elation since it is 5 years younger, it has a more modern propulsion system than the Sensation. The decor is also slightly better. But honestly, I'm nit-picking since there really isnt much of a difference to really choose one over the other.

 

One thing I will say is adjust your expectations. Both ships are (let's just say...) mature and they dont come with all the bells and whistles as the newer Carnival ship. Nevertheless, you will enjoy yourself and you should have a great time. I'm going on Fastasy class ship this December for almost the same reason. 

[Pam9210]

Thanks for getting back to me.  We really are looking for a getaway and to relax.  June seems like a long time to wait for vacation lol

 

[Essiesmom]

Elation had a major refurbishment last fall with balconies and more junior suites added (Sensation was one of the first to get balconies in the Fantasy class).  She also got fridges in all cabins (not standard on Fantasy class) and usb ports in all cabins (4).  EM

[kcdancerkc]

We travel for destinations so whatever you choose, enjoy!

[PhillyFan33579]

I would pick Sensation because it has an Alchemy Bar. I don’t understand why Carnival didn’t add Alchemy Bars to more Fantasy class ships that have recently been in dry dock.  

[bakersdozen12]

The Carnival website has a neat feature on their website under Explore. You can compare up to three ships at a time. 

 

I just did a comparison of the Elation vs the Sensation. The Elation doesn’t have the Alchemy bar, Cherry on Top (candy store), or a jogging track. The only thing the Sensation doesn’t have that the Elation does is acupuncture in the spa. 

 

Not sure if any any of these things matter to you, but if you drink alcohol and like mixed drinks, I HIGHLY recommend the Alchemy bar. Definitely the best bar on Carnival’s ships. Like PhillyFan, if all other aspects are the same (itinerary, price, etc) and it really comes down to just the ship, I would pick the Sensation for Alchemy. 

 

Good luck, and welcome to Carnival! I’ve sailed on a couple of the Fantasy class ships and enjoyed them thoroughly. Last one was a 4-day on the Imagination and it was wonderful. 

[blarko]

2 hours ago, bakersdozen12 said:

 

I just did a comparison of the Elation vs the Sensation. The Elation doesn’t have the Alchemy bar, Cherry on Top (candy store), or a jogging track. The only thing the Sensation doesn’t have that the Elation does is acupuncture in the spa. 

 

Elation does have Cherry on Top, it’s tucked away at the back of the casino.

[Joebucks]

7 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Elation had a major refurbishment last fall with balconies and more junior suites added (Sensation was one of the first to get balconies in the Fantasy class).  She also got fridges in all cabins (not standard on Fantasy class) and usb ports in all cabins (4).  EM

 

I did not know any Fantasy classes had fridges, good to know! While it doesn't make or break my vacation, I absolutely love being able to have a cold soda or beer in my room. Ice bucket is not the same.

[bakersdozen12]

7 hours ago, blarko said:

Elation does have Cherry on Top, it’s tucked away at the back of the casino.

 

Not according to Carnival’s website:

 

 

[Bostwick girl]

On the Elation, If you like a balcony room, be aware that the new balcony rooms that were added last year do not have a sofa and table like most other balcony rooms. We sailed on her in January and the room didn't even have a chair, had to bring one in from the balcony to have a place to sit besides the bed! Thank God it was only 5 days, my back couldn't take much more. There was a fridge and USB ports. 

Edited October 30, 2018 by Bostwick girl
Additional information.

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, bakersdozen12 said:

 

Not according to Carnival’s website:

 

 

 

 

Sure looked like Cherry on Top to me, and labeled as such, when I took these pictures in Dec. 2017:

 

 

[Essiesmom]

52 minutes ago, Bostwick girl said:

On the Elation, If you like a balcony room, be aware that the new balcony rooms that were added last year do not have a sofa and table like most other balcony rooms. We sailed on her in January and the room didn't even have a chair, had to bring one in from the balcony to have a place to sit besides the bed! Thank God it was only 5 days, my back couldn't take much more. There was a fridge and USB ports. 

 

 

They are just like all of the other balcony rooms added to Fantasy class.  Where would you put the sofa?  They were standard Fantasy class OV cabins before the balconies were tacked on.  EM

[asalligo]

I have been on both recently and I would choose the Sensation because of the recent expansion on Elation. Frankly, they made a mess of the front end of the ship by adding a whole deck of cabins above the front elevators and having only one elevator go to the new deck. This means if you are on deck three and want to go to the new deck at like 14 or 15, you cannot take any of the four elevators that arrive. You need that one elevator that goes to your deck or you take it to 12, get off, and either take the stairs or wait some more.  

 

So the Sensation I think feels less crowded than the Elation now. Elation might be fine though as long as your room is toward the rear of the ship, but you might wait for 10 minutes for an elevator at the front. Good chance to take some stairs though. 

Edited October 30, 2018 by asalligo

[KmomChicago]

The staterooms on Elation were all updated during the substantial fall 2017 dry dock so they have a more refreshed look, among other updated areas on the ship; of course everyone likes different things, but the Cherry on Top store is not relevant to us - it's a candy shop, on a cruise where you can already eat all the sweets you could ever need at the restaurants and buffet, including 24 hour soft serve ice cream.  Sugar / food overload is much more of a problem for us already, without the opportunity to buy more candy, most of which we could normally get at home, for an extra cost.  We are not big drinkers, but while the Alchemy bar is a favorite of many, there are others who feel the Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Tequila Bar are equally, or more essential to their cruising pleasure.

 

I would really just pick by the best combination of price / room type / ports / dates as Carnival strives to provide a consistent experience across the fleet and to my family the differences between these ships would be minor. 

[jackie101]

is there a sports area with basketball/soccer on sensation?

[KmomChicago]

On ‎11‎/‎8‎/‎2018 at 6:14 PM, jackie101 said:

is there a sports area with basketball/soccer on sensation?

No basketball or soccer. There is mini golf, jogging track, pools.  They still had shuffleboard when I was on her last January!