Disappointed

Item: Carnival Elation
Rating: 2.9
Author: kj4man

Carnival Elation Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

kj4man

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5

5 Night Bahamas (Jacksonville Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 18, 2018

Ship: Carnival Elation

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: G14

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

This will most likely be my last cruise. I was extremely unimpressed with Jacksonville as a whole but especially the port. It’s a giant tent/shed that is hot and unorganized. Cruises have become a feeling of a “gotcha” moment for me. Drinks are overpriced, food is not good at all, the people are extremely friendly but when you find out what type of hours they work and for how long you feel extremely guilty (at least I did). The entire experience was very disappointing and overpriced for what we feel we got. For a LOT less money we will be doing all-inclusive resorts and knowing what we will be spending up front.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

I will NEVER travel out of Jacksonville again... for ANY reason. Terrible conditions (extremely hot), poorly organized (lines designed to cross each other with little direction), and security personnel who enjoyed yelling at the departing passengers from the exiting cruise rather than giving constructive instructions on what they wanted. The whole process was aggravating.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

We have been on several cruises and multiple all inclusive vacations and this was by far the worst food I’ve ever had on a vacation. My wife even ordered a filet which cost us an additional $20 that wasn’t worth eating.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

We enjoyed many of the shows. The comedy club was raunchy but hilarious. The The love and Marriage show was probably the most entertaining.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

These folks never stop working and always smile. Very impressed with our service.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

We were very disappointed to find that there was only 1 pool onboard and it was extremely small, especially for the number of guests.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

If you’ve never been to the Bahamas try not to have high expectations and you’ll probably enjoy it. Half Moon Cay is amazing but the tender process is a pain in the butt. Worth it once all that is over with. We were not particularly impressed with Nassau and others did not seem to be either.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Jacksonville, Florida

1 out of 5

In a word... HASSLE.

Thumbs Up 0

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

4 out of 5

Amazing

Thumbs Up 1

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

Wasn’t worth all the trouble it took to get into the city. The excursions are overpriced and everything was too rushed. But that’s cruising in general in my opinion.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

13 Comments

Autobot 6 years ago

Its a catch 22. Cruising has changed from 10 years ago & so has everyones size in clothes lol

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TitusWoman 6 years ago

Cruised twice out of Jacksonville and was on an off very quickly and easily.

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perrywalden3 6 years ago

I have sailed out of Jacksonville several times and it is one of my favorite ports to sail from. We are booked on this ship in September and I cannot wait. A cruise any day is better than being at work!

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queenbeez20 6 years ago

Did you imagine that it wouldn’t be hot or crowded in the middle of summer???

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Trollydoll50 6 years ago

Extremely “HOT”💥 in Florida in the summertime = imagine that!

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wl1962 6 years ago

i dont look at you as a complainer at all. i love cruising but i am not blinded to the FACT that the cruiselines are bringing the quality down. compared to 10 years age it is night and day. food is not as good, shows on some ships, not all but some are just not up to snuff. i have been saying fir some time in my revuews that the cruiselines will drive some peeps away with cutting corners. there are no more midnight buffets, lobster tail night is a thing of the past on some ships unlook ess you pay extra. people miss these things. for those of you so quick to call people com0lainers because they point out the cutbacks im glad you are happy paying for less, i will continue to cruise because i love it but make no excuses for the shortcomm8ngs that are out there now

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SheSailsFL 6 years ago

Cruising is definitely not for you. On any vacation if you look for issues you’ll find them. I live near the Jax area too and was amused at your comment about the entire city based on the cruise port. You do know it’s the largest city in the US based on land mass. Guessing you missed a lot of it including our beaches.

Thumbs Up 6

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Frogboo95 6 years ago

Jacksonville is where I live. A wonderful city. The Cruise Terminal is small and has only one Ship. It is the friendliest smoothest Terminals Carnival has. If it was bigger and had more Ships, I would cruise only from here. Good Lucj in your Misery... All others...don't pay any attention to the above post.

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DerekMire 6 years ago

Just complains

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davidnlisa 6 years ago

Sounds like you may be happier on land.

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doggieskitties 6 years ago

Sorry to hear that, better luck on future vacations. Cruising isn't for everyone.

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DerekMire 6 years ago

Go to Atlantis it's all inclusive

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Dutch3901 6 years ago

Cruising isn’t for everyone... Good luck.

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