Paradise or Elation?

[ddgleason]

We are looking at the 4 night to Ensenada. We are driving in so sailing out of LA or San Diego is not a big deal one way or the other. The price on either ship is comparable, so that is not a deciding factor either. Soooooo....I need your expert Carnival opinions. This is our first cruise with CCL (Thank you RCCL for ditching the short cruises out of LA- you have left us no choice) so I know nothing about the fleet. I looked at the website and saw that both ships are the same class, which leads me to believe they are almost exactly the same. Has anyone been on both and can offer their opinion on which one you like better and why? Maybe the staff on one was better or the kids club? If it helps we will be myself, DH and our little ones, ages 5, 9, and 11. Anything you can tell me will help!

 

Looking forward to getting to know the Carnival board if we like the cruise and plan more on CCL (and face it. It's a cruise- pretty sure we will like it.)

[Kurbanfan]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1110924

[firefly333]

Elation will eventually be moving to Mobile to take over for the Fantasy. So, thats a more limited time ship if you want to choose that way.

[candigirl41]

I have done both. I like sailing out of San Diego because the traffic doesn't seem to be as much of a problem. I have sailed out of Long Beach 5 times and San Diego 6 times. They are the same ship in essence. Elation has a special place in my heart because I sailed on her with my DH. He doesn't go often so that ship is special.

 

Candi

[yogi2929]

Go on the Elation now because she is leaving us soon.

 

San Diego is cheaper to park your car. Google San Diego Airport Coupons.

 

The Elation and the Paradise are sister ships. Only thing different is the decor.

 

We are going on the Paradise next weekend and the Elation in March.

 

If you cruised the MonarchOTS you will find that the cabins are larger.

 

Pizza 24/7 with Ceasar Salad and Garlic Bread

24/7 Soft Serve Yogurt and Ice Cream

[yogi2929]

There are no connecting cabins on either ship, but you can get a rollaway for the fifth if the ship hasn't hit capacity.

[boaterette]

I have sailed them both several times. I like the Elation better ecasue it allows smoking in the casino on the four day trips. One thing to remember also is that Carnival charges your seapass account for the tips which in your case will be 10 pp per day. So $200 right off the top. Also room service is free no matter what time at night you order it. Carnival also has free sushi by the casino in the evenings.

[candigirl41]

I was on paradise in may and smoking was allowed.

 

Candi

[cathyz]

I was on paradise in may and smoking was allowed.

 

Candi

I've heard that it's allowed in the casino on the 3-day, but not the 4-day, unless they've changed that again.

[boaterette]

That is my understanding too. I will miss the four day cruises when the elation leaves because I won't sail the paradise as all I do is gamble. And of course smoke.

[kevlien2001]

i just came back from paradise (4 day), a section of the casino is smoke free and there is a section for smokers....if you are playing at the table, you are able to smoke (which oddly is next to the smoke free section)

[cruiserbryce]

havent been on both so really cant give you a comparison...but my only carnival cruises have been on Elation from SD. We had a blast. The food was better than expected. The ship was a lot of fun. A perfect size for the 4 day cruise. There were a lot of fun activities as well. The shows were ok, but I would expect that to be the same on both ships