I still love Carnival and I will give it another try, but this was a far cry from the other cruises I have experienced upon the "funship". Unorganized, poor communication regarding to the activities aboard ship little to NO activities for tween-teens so please don't go expecting them to be entertained. Ports of call were nice, the ship is clean and the staff are great.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
this was indeed the WORSE!!! cruise experience of my cruising life. I hope to never ever return to Jacksonville for a cruise.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
our wait staff were the BEST EVER the head waiter was the best at his job I have ever had on a cruise (I forget his name) but we has anytime dining and sat at table 139. He ran his crew flawlessly!! we sat in another section but when we got his section we requested it every time. He personally made you feel like you were the most special person on the ship. Keep that crew together and others should learn from them. ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF THE CRUISE!!!
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
I assume there were activities but I didn't know where they were or when they started. I missed the printed "DAILY ACTIVITIES SHEETS" the app for me was not user friendly, I am older and new technology is not my gift. I so missed looking over the daily activities and planning out our day and knowing where everything was and when . I would suggest that there be printed daily activity sheets available for the older/poor sight/lower technology inclined passengers. Maybe have them so they can be requested per stateroom. It just made planning much easier and more fun. I never found some of the activities because they were over before I even knew they were happening.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
WONDERFUL SHOW! the dancers and the shows on both nights were outstanding, as always! Carnival came through on this one
Children's Programs
1 out of 5
I was extremely disappointed in the "supposed activities for children and teens". I took my older grandchildren on their first cruise on Carnival when they were 11 & 12 they are now 20 and 21 and still talk about the awesomeness of that experience, counselors and planed group activities everyday they were busy and active with their new found peers, midnight scavenger hunts they still talk about it and told the younger one all about it and what to expect. I so wanted the same lasting experience for these grandchildren (14, 12, 11) but they didn't get any interaction, no activities, no meeting peers, NOTHING!!! they swam and ate by themselves or with me, that is it!! We have a pool at home and it doesn't cost over $2000 to play in it. They never met a counselor/guide we went to the "Circle C " several times but never was anyone there. VERY DISAPPOINTING for me and my grandchildren they came home without the "funship" experience I have always known from Carnival. Very long days with nothing to do for a teen/child, most all activities are focused at the adult crowd. Very Disappointing so I warn all parents expecting a "Funship" experience for your tween/teen it isn't going to happen so be prepared!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
our room steward was good, our room was clean, I have no complaints on the service or attitude of any of the staff but the head waiter & staff assigned to tables 139 & 141 were above and beyond wonderful!!
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
I have cruised on the Elation before, it is a nice clean smaller ship very well maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It was wonderful and loved the location, nice size and comfortable for two guest
Ship tip
If you are sailing with children of any age and are expecting the "Funship" experience you will not find it! be prepared to do your own entertaining of the tween - teen age group I can't speak to younger. If you have poor eyesight or are not tech savy then expect to be lost, you will not have a clue what is happening on ship, when or where.
yes we did the beach with lunch and drinks .... beach has lots of sharp rocks in the water so swim shoes are recommended beautiful beach, there are few venders on the beach mainly peddling homemade trinket's BE CAREFUL NOT TO BUY ANY starfish/shells or anything made from them they can not come back through customs. The food was ok not much to choose from and the drinks were few.
NO EXCURSION-= the tram will take you from the ship to the strew market or free beach. We went to the Strew market and walked across the street to the beach (free) there is food for sale and drinks but the beach is beautiful and the shells are big and plentiful fun to find but remember to leave your finds they can not go back onto the boat. THIS WAS BY FAR THE BEST DAY!!!!!
We were on the Elation in May, and our cabin steward was more than happy to provide us with a printed FunTimes everyday. My wife and I went our entire cruise without using the app. Thanks for the review. Sorry your cruise wasn’t everything you were hoping for, but glad you were able to enjoy some of it at least.
For future reference: you can get a printed copy of the daily activities at the customer service desk and usually at the coffee shop. Things otherwise are still not back to pre-Covid standards. Appreciate your feedback. Glad you mostly enjoyed your cruise.
The paper schedule was delivered to my cabin my last 2 cruised after I asked my room stewards for it! They slid it under my door each night just like the old days!
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