Carnival Elation Cruise Reviews - Reviews

The appearance of the ship was excellent and well maintained. Some areas needing attention were improperly or slow operating sliding doors, food service equipment such as empty ice machines and non working coffee makers. Entertainment on the ship was first rate and information sharing was excellent.

I liked the new ship out of Mobile, AL. It is nice to have a larger ship. It does not have an indoor pool. This was ok on our trip in that it did not rain, but would have been nice to go to cool off. The other two pools are small and this was troubling because of the kids. The rooms and dineing rooms are nice. All of the bars and casino were all nice.

great vacation

We had an excellent time traveling with our friends. We enjoyed everything except for the waiting we did at the parking lot for a bus to take us to the terminal.

the ship was beautiful, the staff was outstanding, the room was nice (exept no hair dryer in the room)

Needs improvement on deaf accomodations. TTY was obsolete and whenever I tried to call desk service, they failed to answer the tty. Needs to update technology like pagers only for cruises. Overall, everything else was so expectional and awesome.

It was awesome! I'm hooked on cruz vacations now!!!

Perfect!!

We were supposed to go to Cabo, granted there was a hurrican which I understand them changing the destination. BUT, I would have liked the opportunity to get my money back and just not go on the trip. They knew before we went we were not going to Cabo so instead after everyone gets on the ship and we take off they announce that we are going to go to Catalina Island and Encinada instead. If I wanted to go on that trip that is what I would have booked instead of Cabo. The meals were the same everyday for breakfast and lunch. You get your option of water, OJ, or tea for breakfast and lunch, everything else is at a extra charge. The only thing to do on the boat is drink and gamble which I REALLY like to do, but not the whole time. They had other really stupid activities like the hairy chest contest, the bean bag toss, there version of american idol., IT WAS PATHETIIC> DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

This is 5th time on the Elation. Carnival is absolutely the best for value, cleanliness and friendly service.

All the staff was really nice and the service was great. We enjoyed the shows, food and the service in the state rooms.

this was quite a surprise ! I was told carnival was the bottom of the barrel in cruises . well that is so far from reality .this ship was gorgous, spotless and the staff so attentive and nice.the food was great and the entertainment fantastic.I have been on most of the lines and the reason i took this ship is because my favorite changed their itinerary and this one was going there .I was nervous at first but when i boarded the ship i knew i wasnt in kansas anymore.this is one beautiful vessel.

This was my first cruise and my daughter and I had so much fun. We have great memories of the people we met and the staff were so friendly. My husband and son are excited to come with us on our next cruise.

This is the 3rd time going to the same path to Mexico, We have a very good time, cause this is the very first time with my 2 teen grils. However, there was one things hold me back, is the dinning set up. We only have 4 night enjoy the dinning with my friend and family. We request for a table with 2 family (6 peoples) sit together. Me and my 2 daught sit with 4 family with someone we Don't know, My friends (Husband, wife and son - 1st time cruise in Mexico) sit with 15 women with 1 table. So, we request again to sit together. On the 2nd night, they put 6 of us sit togehter with another 2 group. We request and explain again why we need to sit together. And the person who incharge the sitting, even claim " I did not request with togher ONLY, not with other people" That make me very up set. Cause, my family take me suggest to join this cruise, because, I said, its a very good one. I know that is very difficult to schedule to sit what ever they requset. But at lease, we should received the better service, NOT excuse for some thing he can not do it. Finally, we have to take what ever he put us to for the rest of the night. We are all very up happy and very dispointed for what happen with the bed experience for my family in the first time.

My 11 year old son and I took the Carnival Elation - 4 night to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico in August 2009. We had a fantastic time. The rooms are more spacious than expected. Service was great - staterooms cleaned frequently, dining rooms bussed often, and constant drink service poolside. The big water slide kept my son entertained all day. The buffet foods were better than expected also. Enough variety to please all - Monogolian stir fried, hamburgers, roasted chicken (the best for lunch), salad bar, frozen yogurt and ice cream, desserts, and more. 24 hour pizza, made to order sandwiches and ice cream were an added plus.

The Elation was a great ship. The crew was waiting at our stateroom to see if we needed anything. All the activities were fun and well planned, organized and fun. We just wanted a no hassel vacation and that's exactly what we got. Next time we are going to go on a longer cruise and get a balcony! The meals were excellent and when I asked for the Filet AND Lobster, they had no problems bringing me both. Thanks to Cruise Only.com our trip was easy to book and we will ONLY use them for future bookings.

This was our first cruise and we were a bit nervous and not sure what to expect, as we were traveling with 2 tweens and a teen. We were very impressed with the staff aboard the ship, from the cruise director to the wait staff and cabin steward and all in between. Food was fabulous and plentiful. Kids enjoyed the 24 hour pizzaria and ice cream, as well as evening activities with their peers. Good information on shopping, ports, and shore excursions and arrival/departures from port were given for us newbies. Ship was clean, a bit older dated, but we didn't notice much, we were too busy having fun. Overall, a wonderful experience for all the family.

This was my first and last cruise with the Carnival line. I will never cruise with Carnival again.

We left from San Diego port doing a 5 days cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada Mexico August 3,2009 to August 8,2009. If youre reading this review right now this probably means that youre planning on the cruise. You might just be doing a lot research on carnival cruises. That was the same thing i did before i went. This was my first cruise on carnival traveling with a group of four. Embarkation and debarkation was a breeze. You start boarding at 11:45 am so if you can get to the terminal early that would be better. We drove from Sacramento down to san diego and park our car at Park and Go. If you go on their website you can print out a discount coupon and park for 7 dollars a day instead of 10 dollars. Debarkation was a breeze. They will give you a zone number before you get off the ship. Our zone number was 9 but we got off we they called seven because they didn't even check your zone number. The food was really good so i recommend getting to the ship early so you can start enjoying the wonderful food. I highly recommend you eating at Tiffiany's lounge because the food is great. Remember to try the pizza, sushi and grilled sandwiches. Also go to the service desk and ask for for map of the ship. Ask for two different kinds of maps you can get familiar with the ship. You don't need to pack any towels because that's provided on the ship. Try and not to pack a lot because you will come back with a lot of souvenirs. I highly recommend packing sun screen because cabo san lucas is very hot. Do not eat at the restaurant in Cabo san lucas (the restaurant closest to the tender when you get off the ship). The place is a ripe off. Even when you ask for water they will bring you bottles of water and charge to a grip. Wait until you get into Ensenada Mexico to eat, drink margaritas and get drunk. Don't waste your money in cabo. Bottles of liquor are much cheaper in Ensenada than cabo. There is a liquor store about half a mile down from the port of Ensenada that sells it for very cheap. also the souvenirs in cabo are really expensive. Wait until you get to Ensenada mexico to purchase all your gifts and goods. Always bargin with the locals when you purchase an item because they always start out high. Try to buy your souvenir from people from the streets instead of inside the store because they are willing to go lower. When you get to downtown Ensenada there is a little portable catering trucks that sells shrimp, beef and fish tacos for only $1 dollars and it is goooood. People in Ensenada are nicer and less pusher than cabo san lucas. In cabo there are people everywhere trying to ask you if you want to take a water taxi and if you say no they get pressure you a lot. If you don't want to buy something just look at them straight in the eye and tell them no thank you. Make sure you have a serious face because if you don't then they will keep on bothering you until you buy something. The waiters were very nice. Made you feel very welcome and comfortable. Always go and eat during the casual and formal dinners because it is rude to not show up. Stay away from the casino because those machines suck. The entertainments were boring, but remember to stuff your suitcase with a bottle of liquor. Just pore it in a water bottle and put it in a plastic bag. Alcohol on the ship will cost you a lot so save some money if you want to get drunk. Also remember to bring a 24pack of water or soda because they will let you carry it on board. The cabin is always clean no matter how many times you get it messy. Remember to bring a multiple electricity extension outlet because there is only one outlet in each room and it is not enough. One last advice is to stop researching about the cruise so hard and go to sleep. Soon it will be your turn to board the ship.

Great experience / refreshing. No microwave on the whole ship that would simply warmup kids milk - Room service also couldnt help. When I booked the cruise, There was $100 bonus which I never saw getting back. $10 per head per day towards tips yields about $120 towards the tip for 4. Which is a big amount - which I never got a chance to alter to half. The ship experience was great except these little small hiccups, if ignored.