Carnival Magic vs Elation?

Has anyone been on the Elation since dry dock? I am trying to decide between the 2 ships for our first time cruise. We will be taking our 6 year old grandson. Also I have heard some rumors about cove balconies on the magic having odor problems. Has anyone stayed in room 2272 or close to that room on the Magic? Any advice is appreciated :)

I'm leaving on Elation in a few days, Everyone said the ship is super nice and the upgrades are on point. I don't know much about the Magic though. Obviously Magic is a new ship and much larger. I prefer the smaller ships honestly, less crowded and I heard the crew on Elation is top notch.

Ive been on the Elation twice since dry dock. Absolutely love it. There were a few issues the 3rd sailing post dry dock, but we went again in Dec and all the issues were fixed and completed. We will be following the elation down to Orlando when it gets moved to that port in 2019.

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My preference would be for the Magic - sailed it twice, as well as the Breeze and Dream sister ships.

I stopped sailing Carnival's oldest, smallest ships over a decade ago. Way too bouncy in bad weather, too much Fargus, too many rust stains (painted over or not), way too small, no Steakhouse.

While I like the newer, bigger ships that should not influence the OP's opinion. Nor should those posts prefering the Elation. Only the OP knows what will suit his/her preferences. Anyway, it's a cruise and it's all good.

The Magic is one of my all time favorite ships! I've only sailed the Elation pre-drydock, so can't really comment, since it's different now than when I sailed it.

For what it's worth....One of my favorite cruise activities in the evening is the "Dive In Movies" that are shown outdoors in the pool area (you lay on the deck chairs, they have blankets available to check out - very relaxing). They always have one night that shows a family (kid friendly) set of movies. Here's why I mention this...the smaller ships do not offer Dive In Movies...so you wouldn't have that on the Elation. I know that's just one very small factor....but my youngest is 7, and she loves watching movies with me on the kid-friendly night!

Has anyone been on the Elation since dry dock? I am trying to decide between the 2 ships for our first time cruise. We will be taking our 6 year old grandson. Also I have heard some rumors about cove balconies on the magic having odor problems. Has anyone stayed in room 2272 or close to that room on the Magic? Any advice is appreciated :)

That is a no brainer, MAGIC!!!!!

I sailed on the elation in late November. The service was great, but I've personally decided that with a kid I'd enjoy the bigger ships more so I'm trying out the Breeze in April.

My preference would be a Fantasy class ship. Since you are taking your grandson, Magic will have more to offer.

Has anyone been on the Elation since dry dock? I am trying to decide between the 2 ships for our first time cruise. We will be taking our 6 year old grandson. Also I have heard some rumors about cove balconies on the magic having odor problems. Has anyone stayed in room 2272 or close to that room on the Magic? Any advice is appreciated :)

We’ve been in 3 coves, including one on the Magic, don’t remember sewer smell in any of the cabins, but have encountered it in public areas of most ships.

If you are thinking about a balcony I would definitely stay always from the Fantasy class ships of which Elation is a part of. Even though balconies were added to some of these ships, they come at a premium.

If you’re not doing a Balcony, the Fantasy Class is a nice entry level cruise and you can look forward to more on your next cruise.

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No contest, Magic!

Is it the same itinerary and price? Because I’ve found that to be more important than the ship. I have never been on a ship I didn’t like.

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My family went on the Magic this past July and the Elation this past November. We preferred the Elation.....by far. We have sailed on all different sized ships (Sunshine, Valor, Fantasy) and thought the Magic was nice but WAY over crowded. You had to wait for everything on the Lido Deck. We like the Ocean Plaza on the Magic and the Red Frog/Alchemy bars. We never waited for anything on the Elation more than a few minutes. You could walk right in to shows, the dry dock upgrades were awesome. The kids liked the Camp on both. The Magic has one extra slide, but they always had to wait in line.

Everybody has their preferences. We liked the Elation so much that we are booked on it again in s few weeks.

I prefer the Elation, less people per square foot I find really makes my cruise and I personally consider the Dream class the poorest design in the fleet. Most of the passenger spaces on the ship coincide with walkways around the ship, so for me nothing feels secluded and apart. Take the Piano bar, it is not a closed room like it is on the Elation, but a corner between the casino and the main dining room. So a steady stream of people are always walking by, which makes it not a relaxing atmosphere for me. Dream class ships have lines twice as long, the elevators take three times longer to arrive, and the line to get back on the ship is huge. Many people these things will not bother, but it makes my week much less relaxing.

I sailed the Magic along with her sister ships and she is never crowded, now perhaps if you do go when kids are out of school during the summer thats possible, but we never had any issues in May or October, the months we generally take cruises.

The Magic offers so much more than the Elation, she also handles rough seas so much better than the Elation (trust me I been in storms on the Fascination before). She does not have a Steakhouse, Alchemy Bar, BBQ and Cucina Del Capitano which also offers complimentary Lunch.

Not even close. Magic, and by a mile. Just cannot recommend those old Fantasy-class ships. One of them (Ecstasy) sails 20 minutes from my home but you won;t catche me on it. Far too many far better options out there to settle.Even with refurbs they look like what they are : ships built in the early 1990's with 90's decor. Limited options on board as well. Magic is in great condition and offers sooooooo much more. Even if Elation is a lot cheaper, ask yourself, why? Once we did a really inexpensive cruise just to get away (Fantasy out of Charleston) and it was easily our least memorable cruise, filled with bargain shoppers. Magic was a great trip however.

Not even close. Magic, and by a mile. Just cannot recommend those old Fantasy-class ships. One of them (Ecstasy) sails 20 minutes from my home but you won;t catche me on it. Far too many far better options out there to settle.Even with refurbs they look like what they are : ships built in the early 1990's with 90's decor. Limited options on board as well. Magic is in great condition and offers sooooooo much more. Even if Elation is a lot cheaper, ask yourself, why? Once we did a really inexpensive cruise just to get away (Fantasy out of Charleston) and it was easily our least memorable cruise, filled with bargain shoppers. Magic was a great trip however.

Hmmmmm...... I see you are a bargain shopper!!!

Go magic. Elation is very small

Ive been on the Elation twice since dry dock. Absolutely love it. There were a few issues the 3rd sailing post dry dock, but we went again in Dec and all the issues were fixed and completed. We will be following the elation down to Orlando when it gets moved to that port in 2019.

 

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What is replacing the Elation in Jacksonville in 2019?

Ive been on the Elation twice since dry dock. Absolutely love it. There were a few issues the 3rd sailing post dry dock, but we went again in Dec and all the issues were fixed and completed. We will be following the elation down to Orlando when it gets moved to that port in 2019.

 

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What is replacing the Elation in Jacksonville in 2019 when it leaves for Orlando? Please advise

Ah, the Elation. Such a homely feeling to her.

She will NOT disappoint you.

What is replacing the Elation in Jacksonville in 2019?

Ecstasy is going to Jacksonville. Sunshine going to Charleston to replace Ecstasy.