Some Elation thoughts

[ejnsb]

Just off the Elation.  Not sure if I will post a review but I will share a few thoughts and I am happy to answer questions if I can.  This was our first Carnival cruise.  We have done multiple NCL and Royal cruises.  I will say up front we had a great time and would sail Carnival again.

 

On and off.  Pretty painless.   Jaxport has tons of workers guiding you along and keeping things moving.  We arrived prior to our assigned time and were put in a larger line but still on board in 30 minutes or so.  Getting off, we chose to let them pull our bags, woke up and had a nice breakfast in the dining room, then found a window table in the buffet.  They called our group at 9:30 and we walked downstairs and were through customs and curbside in 30 minutes.

 

The cabin.  We had an oceanview on deck 5 near the aft elevators.  Great location for us as those elevators open at the buffet and pool on 10, Gatsby's Bar on 9 and dining room on 8.  The cabin was rather plain compared to NCL'S new ships but felt bigger and had everything we needed,  And the shower had awesome water pressure and immediate hot water.

 

The food.  We thought our dinners were good to very good and compared favorably to the other lines.  We really liked Guy's Burger Joint for lunch and loved the steak and eggs on sea days.

 

The entertainment.   Fun times in the piano bar and we liked listening to the steel drum player (usually in the Atrium). Seemed to be a lot of music going on at night.  One negative is they did trivia in a linear bar adjacent to the casino.   Very noisy and hard to hear.  We did not attend any stage shows because we were usually in...

 

The casino.  My wife and I like to gamble, mostly blackjack and video poker.  Casino staff was for the most part friendly and I had a couple of big runs and was able to return with more money than i took!

 

Our ports were Nassau and Half Moon Cay.  We have been to Nassau many times.  We got off to visit the Bearded Clam for some cracked conch and a Sands beer, then back to the ship.  We did a couple hours on HMC but opted to return to the boat for a Guy's burger.

 

Cheers package.  I recommend you do the math and see if it works for you.  It does for us.  I like single malt scotch and was able to get Glenmorangie but the pours were tiny - I would order one, wait the required 5 minutes, and order another to combine the.  We tip an extra buck for our drinks and on NCL they would fill my glass.  Not Carnival but not a deal breaker. 

 

Final thoughts.  This is a smaller, older ship than we have sailed recently but that's not necessarily a negative.   The ship was well kept, it was easier to get a drink and get food and to get a deck chair.  Thanks to those who have previously posted on the Elation and I am glad to pay it forward.

 

 

[mvaughn11]

Thank you for your review! Lot's of good information!

[dmndlil]

Thank you for your information.  We are sailing on her in November

[cruiserbrianj]

Very positive.  Nothing is going to be perfect but it's all in your attitude.  I personally don't find the ship to be small or crowded and for me and my family it checks all the boxes for what "we" want and need.  Will be back on her in May!

[bostongal965]

I'm also an NCL veteran, I was on the same cruise as you, and your post pretty much mirrors what mine said! Decent cruise, and I'd sail Carnival again, for sure! Guy's Burgers were great, and Cheers was, too.  Glad you enjoyed your cruise and shared your thoughts!

[melvis1804]

Thank you for your input. We are taking a "class reunion" cruise on the Elation in June so I was glad to hear what you had to say!

 

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the very nice review.