Just Got Off the Elation ex Jacksonville, FL

My friends, my husband and I just got off the Carnival Elation yesterday in Jacksonville.  We are all from Jacksonville, so from a traveling standpoint - it was wonderful.  First, I must say thank you JAXPORT - they only charged us for the 4 nights for parking.  Other ports in Florida, charge for day you arrive back to port. So for example, if you were to take a 7 night cruise ex Miami, they charge you for 8 days of parking.

I am platinum with Carnival, so we are able to check in faster so I cannot speak for the check in experience if not platinum or if you paid for FASTER to the FUN.   We did travel with one cabin of friends that did not have priority check in and they said their check in process was smooth and quick.   

In regards to the ship, it's going through an upgrade weekly as far as we could tell.   I say this because it was clear our cabin (Upper Deck) had part of the hallway updated with the 2.0 Caribbean look and our cabin had new carpet/drapes and bathroom flooring.  My friends that stayed on the Rivera deck had the same but my friends that were on higher deck (Cabin V21) had the older decor.   The common areas need a face lift badly.  Just the older decor and it's very dark in my opinion.   The pool on the lido deck needs work.  I simply like the style of the Lido pools on the Sunshine - Magic - Breeze - Dream much better. We were advised the ship is going to get some upgrades soon on the Lido.  But overall the ship was clean and well cared for......all the team members on the ship were awesome.  Great service by Alex and his team at Table 235 in the Imagination dinning room.   Savio, our dinning room bartender (and on the lido deck) was amazing.  They all knew our names and treated us very well.   Couldn't ask for better service.  Overall service around the ship was a 10 out of a 10! 

Our room steward was OK.  For first time cruisers with Carnival, your room steward will now ask you if you want your room cleaned in the morning or evening.  Tell them both.   If you are like me and my husband, we leave the cabin by 9AM and give them plenty of time to replace towels, make the bed and take any trash from the trashcans.   In the evening, they should know if you are early or late sitting so they have the opportunity to replace towels, turn down your bed, etc.   If you are cruising on a larger ship with specialty dinning, you may want to give them a heads up when you are headed to dinner so they can plan to hit your room while you are out.   

Getting off the ship yesterday was different they any other time I have cruised out of Jacksonville.  They did not finish the self-assist until calling the priority cruisers that did not want to carry all their luggage off the ship.  It made for a slower process getting off the ship since those who choose self-assist struggle with their luggage and their bags/boxes full of their duty-free purchases.   The line was long and it was very hot.   Carnival should have waited to those self-assist folks off first then let the priority guests, I think it would have gone faster and smoother. 

Although I like a good getaway on a 3 or 4 night cruise however, the older ships just show their age no matter what.......we prefer to take the ride to other ports to catch the larger, newer ships.   With the larger ships, you will pay more because most of them are for 7 nights or more but if you can afford it, do it!   If you are not sure you like cruising and are wanting to try it, I would recommend the Elation. Great staff, clean ship and easy port to sail in and out of.......

We are going on the Vista later this year.....let the countdown begin!