Not what I expected

Item: Carnival Elation
Rating: 4.3
Author: disil4

Carnival Elation Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

disil4

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5

4 Night Bahamas (Jacksonville Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 09, 2018

Ship: Carnival Elation

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: E241 and E245

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

This was our first cruise. I was not expecting the large crowds and noise at the very small only pool on the ship and was disappointed. The shows were fun, and the staff friendly and attentive. The food was delicious. There was an all you can eat buffet that was open during certain hours, an I ce cream shop that’s open all the time, Pizza pirate which is supposed to be open 24 hours but was not always, Blue iguana Cantina, which served tacos at certain times, and guys burgers, which were delicious. The movie night at the Cole Porter lounge was fun. They take your picture throughout the trip, and 5 x 7’s are $15 apiece, and 8x10’s are $22 apiece. My sister did not have hot water to evenings to take a shower. The staff did not really do anything to accommodate her. We had adjoining rooms, so she was able to shower in our room, however, if that were not the case, she would not have been able to shower in the evenings. This is a significant problem that they did not resolve even after being notified twice. We notified our housekeeper and guest services and no maintenance person came until the day after the problem. There’s not much to do in Freeport without booking an excursion. Nassau was pretty built up, and there was lots to do. Lots of places to take pictures, and shops. It was raining the morning that we got to Nassau, and it was beautiful the rest of the day. Rain passes over quickly. The fitness center is pretty nice, has many treadmills and elliptical‘s, and a weightlifting area. The worst parts of the cruise we’re getting on and off the ship. You are at the mercy of the staff and customs. That part stunk. The carnival elation definitely needs a bigger pool, and to keep places that serve food open when they are supposed to be. Our balcony room was the best part of the cruise, as it was quiet, we could watch sunrises and sunsets, and the stars from it, and we couldn’t imagine having any other room. It was definitely a highlight of this trip.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We arrived at the port early and had no trouble getting onto the boat early. We were able to get on by 11:30 AM and enjoy the pool and buffet before most guests arrived. The ship embarked at 4pm and while there were many people on the sun deck, we still had a good view of the Dames Bridge and embarkation process.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The food was very good, but places that the hub and fun times indicated would be open weren’t at times. The buffet was not open at all times, and pizza pirate was stayed to be open on the last day (it is supposed to be open 24 hours a day) and the worker there told me he wasn’t ready and wasn’t open. I felt this was poor.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

There was always something to do. We saw the divas show and rock show at mokaido theater, which were both wonderful. Dukes piano bar and the karaoke bar were a lot of fun. The live entertainment on deck 8 was great. The pool activities were very entertaining and fun. However, there was only one pool and it was very very small. It was ridiculous how many people tried to be in there at one time and this was terrible.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

The shows at Mokaido theater were great! The comedian (Azeem) at the Punchliner was rude, tasteless and had no routine. He picked people out of the crowd to demean the entire show and the comedy club wasn’t worth our time.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone on the ship was helpful, friendly and smiling. They were welcomed by and always happy to help. Wayan took care of our room and brought us tons of ice, and he was fantastic. Guys Burgers is an omelette station in the mornings and Alberto who made our omelettes was great!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

All areas were well cleaned and purell hand sanitizer was available throughout the ship. Our room was cleaned daily.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

We loved our cabin! We had a private balcony that was so peaceful. We watched sunrises and subsets from there away from the crowds and watching the stars at night from a cruise ship on a private balcony cant be beat. The room was well worth the cost and the best part of our cruise with carnival. I’m rating the cabin a 4 because two members of our group stayed in E245 and had no hot water two days in a row to take a shower. Luckily they were able to use ours, but this was completely unacceptable and we complained, and no one seemed to care. A maintenance msn came the next morning to talk to my sister about it and there was hot water at that time and he told her she was crazy. Completely unprofessional.

Ship tip

Get a porter to take your bags when you leave. It saves you from standing in the long lines with no air conditioning. Eat in the dining room at least once for dinner and breakfast- it’s classy and nice and the food is good. Be prepared for a lot of drunk people, loud music starting at 7am, and not much pool space. Bring bug spray for excursions. I got bit up by ants and mosquitos.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Jacksonville, Florida

5 out of 5

Well organized and not long wait to get on boat.

Thumbs Up 5

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

4 out of 5

Nothing to do here unless you have an excursion booked so book one.

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Super nice port- 5 minutes walk to shopping and taxis.

Thumbs Up 7

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

11 Comments

Shar19 6 years ago

My first cruise will be Sept 15, very sad to hear this is only one small pool! And even more sad the adult only area does not have a pool. I feel Children should be well behaved anytime they are in public which most people do not teach anymore. I’m not so excited now... I did go for a suite so I can enjoy the view in peace.

Thumbs Up 0

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Trollydoll50 6 years ago

Serenity Deck is adult only but with just 2 hot tubs.

Thumbs Up 1

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tallandgorgeous 6 years ago

I will sail out on the 18th...

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Nannyof4 6 years ago

Does the Elation not have a 21+ pool area ?

Thumbs Up 1

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CruiseHappy81 6 years ago

Dutch beautifully said! And I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Thumbs Up 2

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doggieskitties 6 years ago

Cool

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Dutch3901 6 years ago

Good review, especially for your first cruise. One note that is a principal in my being successful in resolving issues. Rudeness gets us nowhere and everyone has a boss. I’m no way inferring that anyone was, just saying how I get problems solved. If you were being ignored (although someone responded the morning after the problem was reported), take it up a step to the next level and politely explain the issue and who didn’t resolve it (by name ). We know someone who is a housekeeping manager on the Elation. Her whole job is customer satisfaction. Rude maintenance guy? Take it up his foodchain chain, again, using his name. The hotel managers for the ships will listen to you, but hate issues like these and pays layers of people to keep guest away from from him buy resolving issues before they arrive at his desk. 2 keys: having names and being courteous will get things done magically. No names and being unhinged just gets cruisers the “another whacko cruiser that you can’t make happy” response... Good luck and welcome to the cult!

Thumbs Up 4

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halfmoon 6 years ago

Summer cruises are always crowded and with kids out of school makes the pool full of kids

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mistydisa 6 years ago

Thorough review! Thank you!

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IkeDeb 6 years ago

Very nice

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IkeDeb 6 years ago

Thanks for your review 😋

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