Op, I have sailed on both the Elation and Mardi Gras this year. As some have mentioned, your experience is in part based on your expectation. One is the newest ship on their fleet, with all the best bells and whistles. The other has been recently upgraded (we were in a cabin that was aded aft top deck. We loved both ships and the experience on both. One had less things to do and food experiences, but cost much less.