I just got back from a cruise on the Elation.

[margaritawoman]

We were on the 15 day Panama Canal Cruise on the Elation. This was cruise #25 for us our 10th Carnival. This was by far the worst of our cruises. That is not to say we didn't make the best of our trip. I agree with mrsneurotic. We need to give Carnival feed back on the things that were not good so they can make them better. This ship is in bad need of updating. I would not book this ship until it has had major improvements. We had a mini suite and the carpet was very stained, drawers in the desk did not work well, cabin over all not in good shape. The carpet thoughout the ship looked bad. The seating in the lounges needed replacing very worn. The adults only area at the back of the ship was not keep tidy. The cushions on the chairs were so stained I didn't want to sit on them even with my towel on top. It just looked bad. The service was good in the dining room and our room stewards did the best they could with our room it just needed a redo. This was the first time we had booked a mini suite I was very disappointed. I felt the cruise director and his staff didn't do a very good job with planning enough activities for a 15 day cruise. The night time activities were over by 10:00pm. We had nothing to do after dinner except go to the casino or sit in one of the lounges. All the shows were before 10:00pm. They could have at least shown a movie in the theatre. We will cruise on Carnival again but not on a ship this old.

[firefly333]

The sad thing is Elation is one of the newer Fantasy class. I hope those of you saying Elation is too old, try a ship that went thru the 4 week dry dock, had the new balconies added and Waterworks. Ecstasy looked like a new ship, I couldnt believe the changes, but then I liked her before. Elation was built in 1998, and Ecstasy 1991, and Ecstasy looks fabulous and has a huge following.

 

heck there are quite a few ships about the same age as Elation, Triumph is 1999, Destiny 1996, both larger ships, but about the same age or older. Iv done Triumph and she is well decorated, though she isnt new, 1999, one year newer than Elation.

 

Blame it on Carnival for not giving her the 4 weeks full dry dock the other Fantasy ships got, that werent in Calif.

[pokergirl34]

I wonder if the Elation has suffered from her move to Mobile. We sailed on her out of San Diego last summer. We had an awesome time, and so did our kids. We didn't like Your Time Dining but that would have been easily fixed by choosing a fixed time dining.

 

OP sorry your cruise was not up to your expectations. Carnival has many ships; many are much newer than Elation with more to offer by way of amenities (more waterslides, Seaside Theater, etc). I wouldn't give up on the whole line.

 

I hope you enjoy your next cruise.

[jhale]

We sailed the Elation a few years ago when she was in Galveston and loved it. However, I've see quite a few reviews since her recent move where people were disappointed with their cruise. Sounds like they need a little tune-up staff wise to get her back on track.

 

Have to agree with the beef issues. I did have a good flat iron steak in the dining room on the Ecstasy in February, but the beef selections on the lido (mongolian grill) and buffet were generally tough and fatty.

[futaba951]

Some of the Elation backlash may be folks who have sailed Fantasy recently out of NO or Mobile and in comparison the Elation may look worn down and crappy. Also may be the crew, if they followed Elation from SD to Mobile and are not used to Southerners as compared to West Coasters. There's got to be a difference in the passengers as well. Maybe the crew is not into Sweet Home Alabama. Would not surprise me if Carnival gets enough grief about the ship, they may speed up the refurb timeline.

[spencercoop]

Some of the Elation backlash may be folks who have sailed Fantasy recently out of NO or Mobile and in comparison the Elation may look worn down and crappy. Also may be the crew, if they followed Elation from SD to Mobile and are not used to Southerners as compared to West Coasters. There's got to be a difference in the passengers as well. Maybe the crew is not into Sweet Home Alabama. Would not surprise me if Carnival gets enough grief about the ship, they may speed up the refurb timeline.

 

The Elation is scheduled to get the refurb at the end of next year.

[futaba951]

The Elation is scheduled to get the refurb at the end of next year.

 

If Carnival sees bookings drop off compared to Fantasy, maybe they will revisit that timeline. They should have sent this POS to Charleston. Of course, I don't think any cruise out of Mobile sails at less than 100% capacity so they may not even notice. I think that Holiday averaged around 1600 pax per sailing and was rated at like 1450 dbl occupancy. Holiday seemed to be a love it or hate it kind of ship. After it's 4 month rebirth maybe they should have had remorse and brought it back into the fleet.

[spencercoop]

If Carnival sees bookings drop off compared to Fantasy, maybe they will revisit that timeline. They should have sent this POS to Charleston. Of course, I don't think any cruise out of Mobile sails at less than 100% capacity so they may not even notice. I think that Holiday averaged around 1600 pax per sailing and was rated at like 1450 dbl occupancy. Holiday seemed to be a love it or hate it kind of ship. After it's 4 month rebirth maybe they should have had remorse and brought it back into the fleet.

 

Yep. The Holiday had a 1,452 double occupancy.

[jam3]

I just got of Elation on Thursday and we had a wonderful trip. Also, we only saw the slide closed ONE afternoon and it was because there was a little motion on the ship due to the gulf water and wind..... I'm very confused by the OP because everyone in my party had beef and loved it.

I am writing a review now and will address many things for those that are about to sail on her.

[FloridaGators]

Jam3......thank you so much. We are going on Elation in September and taking first time cruisers with us. I was beginning to get worried after reading that other review.

How was your cabin? Staff? etc.

[jam3]

Texas, I'm about to post my review! Hope it helps.

[Rok4u2]

I was also on the ELATION for the Panama Canal Cruise this past April/May. As you can see below I have sailed on many cruises and many cruise lines. This was the worst cruise ever.

 

The CD was not good, but Nick and Noortje on the CD staff were great. The only one at Guest Services that showed any concern for the guests was Joan. There were only two bar tenders that were good, Ross and (sorry I forgot her name at the Atrium Bar). The rest of the staff on the ship "only did their jobs" and did not go beyond, including our cabin steward. The first night in the MDR we ordered coffee at the end of the meal. We didn't get it. Spoke with the M'd and he just looked at me and said, "sorry". Also the beef in the MDR was very bad. Our cabin was very warm all the time. We asked our cabin steward about it - nothing happened. We asked Guest Services and nothing happened.

 

Sorry, but this was not a great cruise. I did like our ports of call and going thru the Panama Canal, but I will not book the ELATION again. I have been on the FANTASY 5 times and loved it. It is hard to believe that these two ships are in the same "class". :cool: