Just returned! Carnival Elation

We're about 12 hours post debarkation and my body still feels like it's on a boat. We had a great time, though it was a LOT different traveling with a just-turned 2 year old. We tried camp carnival but he was having none of it

Crew is amazing, ship definitely needs an update. Would sail again, though, for HMC. But going out of PC is not too much farther. And Charleston is closer. I'll add a few photos that I managed to take.

A few notes:

Food -

We had ATD. Only had to wait 30 min the final night. Otherwise it was walk-up. LO slept through formal night so we took him up to lido when we woke. Otherwise he did really well and the servers took great care of him. He seemed to love the chicken fingers. Bread baskets and water on the table is a HUGE win. I'm always needing a refill and don't want to wait forever. And the bread kept the kid happy. Also loved the no tablecloths. Honestly, it looks more modern and updated.

Generally, food was fine to good. The cheddar and pumpkin pie entree the last night is a fave. I also found the onion soup to be fabulous. One night, my husband basically hated everything he ordered. That's pretty tough to do, but it happened. Really missed bitter and blanc.

Lido was fine. Breakfast was repetitive but omelettes are a perfect go-to. Kid had no complaints. Lunch is the same every day - salad bar, which I crave.

Dr. Seuss breakfast - dining room was super cute. Characters spent time taking photos and you could use your own camera. Service was S-L-O-W. kids were restless. Food was well presented. I had French toast, no complaints. Kid had waffles which is one of his 4 food groups. Husband had green eggs and ham which was terrible. Table mates seemed to enjoy their steak and eggs. For $5, would do again.

Drinks/service -

Had no problems getting drinks quickly. Didn't do cheers this time because you can't use it on HMC. Husband totally could have benefitted but I can't drink as much as I used to! Vouchers after 5 last day were easy to redeem. Bar tenders outside Cole Porter were fantastic and chatted the baby up whenever they saw him.

Cabin -

Libert was our steward and was fantastic! Greeted us by name, got down to eye level with the kid (always appreciated), always smiling and asking how our day was. Room was services 2x a day. Well-deserved extra tip. Room was an outside - m106. Shared a bed with the kid since we didn't want to fight with a pack n play. No obnoxious box in the corner. Tube TV was a relic of the past. Should have been removed during last dry dock. Spent more time in the room than I wanted (yey toddler) and wish we had a balcony. But bed was fine, shower was roomy, water pressure was perfect, water was HOT!

Camp carnival - staff on this ship are great! I spent more time in camp than I wanted and the kids seemed happy. Sat with an older boy (8 or 9) at brunch and he didn't like it, so I'm only speaking to the 2-5 group. Lots of well organized events, very clean, focus on safety and washing hands. Interactive. They just couldn't allow the 15 or so min in takes for my son to warm up and stop crying so I would get a call 5 min later asking us to pick him up. We only ended up going back for open play time. They will change diapers if you provide them.

Shows -

Only checked out Divas. Beginning was great and went downhill fast. Kid wasn't loving it so we left. Skip in the piano bar is great! He will sing to you about Australia. There's lots of ways to die in Australia. Worth spending some time with him!

Spa - 75 min hot stone massage on last sea day was a nice escape from the toddler...FINALLY. Too bad I could hear the captain give his daily weather update and positioning. ***? Why do they keep the speakers on in the spa?? Otherwise it was relaxing and got my muscles loosened up. Knew the sales pitch was coming when she started listing my ailments. Made no purchase.

Ports -

HMC - amazing! Had cabana 12 and would definitely get one again. Maybe a smidge closer (7 or 8) but it was so worth it. Water was chilly but beautiful. Food was abundant!

Nassau - had big plans to go to Ardastra but the lazy big bit. Walked to Junkanoo instead and rented 2 chairs for $12 from Gloria. Got the 4 beers and shots for $10 special twice and a very expensive but liquored up and fresh pina colada from the lady next to Gloria. Met some lovely folks on a TA who basically sold me on that journey one day (RCCL rhapsody)

Casino - hugest complaint, the smoke. It was just awful. I am an occasional social smoker and this was just much to much. Spent no time there and felt bad bringing the kid near it.

Overall, I like carnival. I also like RCCL. We chose carnival this time for the price and kids club (2 year olds can go). Kids club plan backfired but we still had a nice vacation. Hoping they put a great ship in port Canaveral. Will give Elation another go after dry dock. Not a bad ship. Love fantasy class. But she needs some TLC.

Questions? Happy to answer! Will post s few pics

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Putt putt

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Headed under the bridge

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HMC

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Junkanoo

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Babies love towel animals! Hope they never stop making them

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Dr. S breakfast

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Really glad we had a window in our room. The upgrade was cheaper than an inside with $20 obc

Selfie challenge with Mel. She was a great CD. Felt she was very visible. A CD doesn't make or break a cruise for me

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Hi,

Thanks for the review and the photos too. Your little guy is just adorable! Our son is new to Carnival, he's an Entertainment Guest Host on ELation. Think Trivia, games, Bingo, etc.

I'm hoping I'll see his cute mug on somebody's trip report photos. I booked us for March today though.

:)

Very nice pictures!

Hi,

 

Thanks for the review and the photos too. Your little guy is just adorable! Our son is new to Carnival, he's an Entertainment Guest Host on ELation. Think Trivia, games, Bingo, etc.

 

I'm hoping I'll see his cute mug on somebody's trip report photos. I booked us for March today though.

 

:)

Pretty sure we saw him [emoji6]

I think he did his first bingo in the main lounge on bingo day 2. He was nervous! Did a good job though. Pretty sure he also hosted corn hole tournaments which my husband was addicted to winning. We now have 3 ships on sticks

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Hi! I am going on my first cruise on The Elation in less than 2 weeks. I am freaking out because I just read kids aren't allowed in the pool unless they are potty trained. What did you do with your child on the days when you were on the boat?

You need a newer ship.

Pretty sure we saw him [emoji6]

I think he did his first bingo in the main lounge on bingo day 2. He was nervous! Did a good job though. Pretty sure he also hosted corn hole tournaments which my husband was addicted to winning. We now have 3 ships on sticks

 

Oh, thanks for letting me know. :). I know they are keeping him busy. It seems like he's been gone for awhile now, we sure miss him . But, it's just been 2 weeks! I haven't heard of corn hole tournament....

Thanks again,

Bobbi

Did the Elation have the American Table menus? Also do you remember the name of the other show besides Divas? Thanks!

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You need a newer ship.

I don't, but thank you for your opinion. I truly enjoy fantasy class ships, and will continue to sail them. I will probably try a larger ship if one comes to PC, Charleston, or Jax. Or even Tampa. I refuse to head all the way down to Miami/FL. I had a great time on this ship and know she will be beautiful after dry dock.

Nice pics. Memories that will last you a LIFETIME!

Hi! I am going on my first cruise on The Elation in less than 2 weeks. I am freaking out because I just read kids aren't allowed in the pool unless they are potty trained. What did you do with your child on the days when you were on the boat?

Played in lounges, hung out at Camp Carnival during open play, played putt-putt, explored the ship, napped/rested, read, watched iPad, looked at the water. The pools on this ship I don't think I would go in. I am not a fan of ship pools. Some kid pooped in the main pool on our sailing and it was closed. People sit in pools/hot tubs for hours drinking and never get out :eek:

Don't freak out. You will find something. How old is your kid? Camp C has great options on their schedule, my kid just didn't want to go.

Hi! I am going on my first cruise on The Elation in less than 2 weeks. I am freaking out because I just read kids aren't allowed in the pool unless they are potty trained. What did you do with your child on the days when you were on the boat?

Don't freak out. You don't want your kid ingesting that cesspool of water at an early age. You don't know what's coming off or out of other peoples bodies.

Yes to American Table.

As far as shows go, I don't remember the name...but one was a 70s/80s rock show, very loud but sounded good (only heard a Journey song). The other was some sort of long songs/ballads show. They are all reviews...

Did the Elation have the American Table menus? Also do you remember the name of the other show besides Divas? Thanks!

 

 

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Nice pics. Memories that will last you a LIFETIME!

Thank you!! It was SO nice to actually spend an entire week with my son sans work and daycare. We were all sad to leave each other on Monday to go back to reality.

My favorite thing on here to do is read reviews and look at the photos. Thank you. Adorable kid.

Played in lounges, hung out at Camp Carnival during open play, played putt-putt, explored the ship, napped/rested, read, watched iPad, looked at the water. The pools on this ship I don't think I would go in. I am not a fan of ship pools. Some kid pooped in the main pool on our sailing and it was closed. People sit in pools/hot tubs for hours drinking and never get out :eek:

 

Don't freak out. You will find something. How old is your kid? Camp C has great options on their schedule, my kid just didn't want to go.

I was on this sailing too. I saw the pool closed and that was my first thought. People had their babies in the hot tubs, accident waiting to happen (pun intended). You took some great pics. So I've been on Fantasy, Fascination, Elation, guess I need to try Ecstasy next

I don't, but thank you for your opinion. I truly enjoy fantasy class ships, and will continue to sail them. I will probably try a larger ship if one comes to PC, Charleston, or Jax. Or even Tampa. I refuse to head all the way down to Miami/FL. I had a great time on this ship and know she will be beautiful after dry dock.

I agree with you about the Fantasy class ships. We love to sail them and laugh off the people that look down at them.

Just so you know, there are larger ships at Port Canaveral. We sailed on Magic in Oct and Liberty a couple years ago. Had a great time on both.

Looking forward to trying Elation in early 2017 and then back to the Magic later in the year.

I agree with you about the Fantasy class ships. We love to sail them and laugh off the people that look down at them.

 

 

 

Just so you know, there are larger ships at Port Canaveral. We sailed on Magic in Oct and Liberty a couple years ago. Had a great time on both.

 

 

 

Looking forward to trying Elation in early 2017 and then back to the Magic later in the year.

I forget Magic was at PC. We were looking for a quick trip and didn't want to drive all the way down to PC (though ultimately we did end up in Orlando after convincing hubby we HAD to go to Disney [emoji23])

When we're back to cruising we will look. I'm sure we will be on a ship next year even though it's not in the plans

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