First Time Carnival Guest

Carnival Elation Cruise Review

janelson2001

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 65

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

4 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 10, 2022

Ship: Carnival Elation

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

LONG POST!!! I drove down to Titusville Wednesday night and was able to meet up with a friend for dinner at Marlow’s Tavern in Waterford Town Centre and then headed over to my room at Fairfield Inn & Suites Titusville Kennedy Space Center. The hotel and room were clean, bed was comfortable and the next morning the breakfast was hot. That is all I needed to start this awesome vacation. I headed over to the terminal to see where I was going and to kill some time, I headed over to Starbucks to check my e-mail and do some work. Checked in at the terminal at 9:30am, parking was a breeze. They started loading zones at 10:30am and was super smooth. No wait time in a line, no congestion at all. Boarding the Carnival Elation you are greeted and encouraged to start your muster training. So of course I get it out of the way, step one, learn how to put a life vest on. Next was get my Wi-Fi going so I could take pictures and of course, check my email. Ventured up to the Lido Deck where I was greeted with a cocktail server selling me a Tervis Tumbler from Red Frog Rum Bar, fruity rum drink, YES PLEASE!!! I ventured around and noted where everything was. They offered me a room upgrade but I liked my room, it was more spacious. Found myself a few people from the Facebook group and watched the Astra Rocket 3 launch. 4pm rolled around, ship was leaving port, Facebook meetup was a great, nice to know people on the ship. This was the best thing I did was join the Facebook group. Now I am at dining, ordered calamari for an app and the chicken breast dinner. I figured I would be good and get the fruit for dessert. Sitting at the table was a little awkward because I didn’t know anyone, and no one talked. And of course, the group I met from Facebook was a table over and instantly invited me over. I stayed at my assigned table for the night but let it be known, I did not go back, Table 418 was the place to be. I ventured out after dinner and kept running into people from the group which was amazing. This group of people became friends, and I am glad to call them my friends. The next morning, I got up at 6am to see the sunrise, watching the sunrise over the horizon was the best sunrise I have ever seen. Headed to the Lido Deck where they had Blue Iguana Cantina and Tiffany’s breakfast, sat on the aft deck looking over the ocean, eating breakfast and drinking coffee, what a life. We started pulling into Nassau around 9:00 a.m. Grabbed a few pictures of the lighthouse at the end of the wharf. We docked between Carnival Sunrise and a Disney cruise line. Headed onshore around 10:00 a.m. and headed straight to the Queen’s Staircase. The Queen's Staircase, commonly referred to as the 66 steps, is a major landmark that is in the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex in Nassau. It was hewn out of solid limestone rock by slaves between 1793 and 1794 and it is said that it provided a direct route from Fort Fincastle to Nassau City. These steps were later named in honour of Queen Victoria, who reigned in Britain for 64 years from 1837 to 1901. At the top of the staircase there is the fort and some local vendors. Of course, I bought something to remember Nassau. I bought a pair of glass turtles and a hat. On my way down I stopped at Bahamian Cookin aka Kitchen was started by Ms. Mena Wallace better known as Grammy to the general public in 1986. “nobody has as much grandchildren as her.” As a young lady growing up she learned how to cook from her grandmother and decided to share her talents with others by offering authentic Bahamian Food which she has grown to know and love. Today after years of successful hard work and endurance Bahamian Cookin is now operated by three generations of Bahamian women. “Grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. “And yes grammy is still in the kitchen” Once back on board, I checked out some trivia and hung out by the pool. That evening I joined Table 418, the best table on board. We celebrated some anniversaries (Helen & Mark, Lisa & Larry, R.J. & Dani) and Chris’ birthday that night. Afterwards, we made our rounds in the bars, took some photos and all turned in. The next morning, we made our way to Princess Cays. I did not go on shore and just enjoyed the sun deck. I found a rubber ducky from The Herndons #cruisingducks! It was cute, they had a tag that said “Oh Quack! You found a cruising duck! Keep or hide, you decide! But only hide me in public places, no shops, or pools. Take a Selfie and post it to social media using the tag #CruisingDucks! That night on the Lido Deck they had a dance party, our Cruise Director Paully was amazing. Our Sunday Funday at Sea was nice and chill for me. We did a shot glass exchange at the Atrium Bar. That evening I joined the Chef’s Table. This is an experience of its own and if you can do it, it is worth it. Executive Chef Bala presents an exclusive selection of expertly crafted dishes creatively conceived for your degustation, using the finest seasonal ingredients from our ports of call. “It is my passion to delight our guests’ palate with creative, tasty and elegant dishes” – Chef Bala The dinner was nine courses and consisted of crispy pork belly, bacon snow, kimchi glass, dry aged duck lobster bisque sphere, sea bass, smoked lamb, lamb pastrami, lamb neck croquette, NY strip, reconstructed pastry croustillant, Mardi-gras feuillantine flakes, burnt custard tart, caramel raspberry licorice, and elderflower caviar, just to name a few. Thank you, Chef Cornelio Nelson, for orchestrating an amazing experience. Later that night they hosted an 80’s trivia/dance party on the Lido Deck hosted by none other than your Cruise Director Paully. This was the best experience ever. Gerry was my Stateroom Attendant, always leaving fun towel animals and addressing me by name every time I saw him. Paully Munhollon, the Cruise Director has amazing personality with red hair, you can’t miss him because he always has a smile on his face and is always welcoming. Carnival Elation, you have turned me onto something new. I have joined a new club of great people. A BIG THANK YOU to Michael & Meghan for putting the Facebook group together. R.J. & Dani, you have a place in my heart for becoming such great friends on the cruise. To everyone at Table 418, Larry, Lisa, Helen, Mark, Jarvis, Chris, Mel, R.J., Dani, words can not express how much I miss you guys. Beverly & Tami, love you both. Justin & Dawn, Michael, Robbie, Scott & Tammy, Michelle, I wish I would have gotten to hang out with you two more, but you are close enough for a day trip. Chris, My Maine Sistah, see you soon… Monique, Jarvis, Tori, Michael, Kalina thank you for adding to this experience. I know I have forgotten people. This has been the greatest experience ever.