Elation?

[Kri1970]

We leave on our first ever cruise, on the Breeze, in a couple months, but I've been looking this week at the 2021 cruise options, thinking to do a cruise with our grown daughters, probably a 4-5 night. I'm seeing some interesting ones on Elation. My concern is, after the Breeze, is Elation going to feel small/old/less than? Has anyone done both fairly recently? 

[canes20]

We love Fantasy class. We have never felt they were lacking for us.

[evandbob]

After the Breeze, the Elation or any one of the oldest Carnival ships will probably feel like a let down, just like the OP suspects.

 

And for a 1st cruise, it might give off a wrong impression of what sailing is about.  The last time I sailed Fantasy class ships was 12 years ago, felt they were old and tired back then.

 

Put another way:  you've been driving a new Honda Accord and now you'll be in a 25 year old Chevy (Biscayne maybe).

Edited September 20, 2019 by evandbob

[PhillyFan33579]

It depends on the individual, but Fantasy class ships have a significantly different feel than Dream class ships.  This is an over simplification, but as a general rule larger ships have a lot more to do on them than smaller ships.

 

Personally I like both classes for different reasons. We have a cruise on Paradise in November and a cruise on Magic in December. I am looking forward to both of them, although I will miss the Alchemy Bar on Paradise. 

[canes20]

Or it could be you tried a Ferrari and now a Corvette. Still a good choice. You will probably also find shorter lines and less crowds. Everyone has their opinion and now you will be able to have yours.

[PhillyFan33579]

5 minutes ago, evandbob said:

After the Breeze, the Elation or any one of the oldest Carnival ships will probably feel like a let down, just like the OP suspects.

 

And for a 1st cruise, it might give off a wrong impression of what sailing is about.  The last time I sailed Fantasy class ships was 12 years ago, felt they were old and tired back then.

 

Put another way:  you've been driving a new Honda Accord and now you'll be in a 25 year old Chevy (Biscayne maybe).

 

I don’t mean this to sound negative, but you probably aren’t the best source of information since you have stated many times on this site that you don’t like Fantasy class ships. While I respect your opinion, there are a lot of people out there that like Fantasy class ships.

 

Personally I prefer Fantasy class ships over Vista class ships, which is why my 34th cruise on a Carnival ship will be on Paradise in November. 

[buckyfawnie]

The Elation received a pretty dramatic overhaul in 2017. It has an extra deck (Grand) that the rest of the Fantasy class doesn't have. We sailed her last October and it didn't look and feel to us like a 21 year old ship. 

[Mutumbojimbo]

We cruised on the Breeze and could not wait to go back to the Fantasy Class ships. You might be pleasantly surprised. You won't have the outdoor movies, but it will not be as crowded generally, and we feel like the crew have a more manageable workload, so the service is more personable and better. Or you might not care for the smaller ships, but Carnival gives you a choice, and I'm glad you're giving the smaller ships a try. 

[zipper1]

10 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I don’t mean this to sound negative, but you probably aren’t the best source of information since you have stated many times on this site that you don’t like Fantasy class ships. While I respect your opinion, there are a lot of people out there that like Fantasy class ships.

 

Personally I prefer Fantasy class ships over Vista class ships, which is why my 34th cruise on a Carnival ship will be on Paradise in November. 

Agreed. And reminds us over and over again.

 

[Essiesmom]

Is this their first cruise?  They won't know what other ships are like.  If you have never been one a ship, the smallest will seem HUGE.  In fact, we sailed MS Seaside in February, and their smallest, MSC Armonia last/this month (a Dorian extended cruise).  We really liked the small ship - just a bit smaller than Fantasy class.  She felt a lot more spacious than Fantasy class, too.  In my opinion, sailing the newest/grandest first is never a good idea.  EM

[Kri1970]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

Is this their first cruise?  They won't know what other ships are like.  If you have never been one a ship, the smallest will seem HUGE.  In fact, we sailed MS Seaside in February, and their smallest, MSC Armonia last/this month (a Dorian extended cruise).  We really liked the small ship - just a bit smaller than Fantasy class.  She felt a lot more spacious than Fantasy class, too.  In my opinion, sailing the newest/grandest first is never a good idea.  EM

It will be  the kids' first cruise (they'll be 23 and 21 respectively at the time), yes. We live in Tampa area and have family in Orlando area, so if we cruise from there, I don't have to pay to park, which is nice. I'm not against a smaller ship, and we did see about the refurb which gained it quite a few things that my oldest will like (waterworks, Alchemy, Guys). 

[garyh9900]

We sailed on the Elation September of last year.  We loved it so much we booked another cruise on her for next month.

[silversneakers]

On 9/20/2019 at 10:21 AM, evandbob said:

After the Breeze, the Elation or any one of the oldest Carnival ships will probably feel like a let down, just like the OP suspects.

 

And for a 1st cruise, it might give off a wrong impression of what sailing is about.  The last time I sailed Fantasy class ships was 12 years ago, felt they were old and tired back then.

 

Put another way:  you've been driving a new Honda Accord and now you'll be in a 25 year old Chevy (Biscayne maybe).

Elation crew is fantastic!