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JustJamieH

By JustJamieH,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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dasphr

dasphr

Posted
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We are considering our first cruise with Carnival out of Mobile (have cruised several times with NCL). Have a few questions:

 

On boarding day, is the main dining room open for lunch or just the buffet. On NCL, they steered the passengers to the buffet, but those "in the know" knew the MDR was open.

 

How is the food? What are the do not miss items?

 

Is there a lot of smoking on board? I know carnival has a party ship reputation, so it concerns me that it may be more than usual.

 

Are there a lot of activities on a 5 day cruise? (we have only done 7 dayers thus far). Does anyone have a sample of a daily list of activities/announcements (Like the Freestyle Daily on NCL)?

 

Thanks for indulging my questions! :D

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cruzsearcher

cruzsearcher

Posted
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We are considering our first cruise with Carnival out of Mobile (have cruised several times with NCL). Have a few questions:

 

On boarding day, is the main dining room open for lunch or just the buffet. On NCL, they steered the passengers to the buffet, but those "in the know" knew the MDR was open.

 

How is the food? What are the do not miss items?

 

Is there a lot of smoking on board? I know carnival has a party ship reputation, so it concerns me that it may be more than usual.

 

Are there a lot of activities on a 5 day cruise? (we have only done 7 dayers thus far). Does anyone have a sample of a daily list of activities/announcements (Like the Freestyle Daily on NCL)?

 

Thanks for indulging my questions! :D

Hi. I don't know about all the carnival ships, but the ones I've sailed as far as I know, the MDR isn't open, however, the buffet is not that crowded as people are boarding in groups and once the rooms are available the crowd thins out. I personally prefer the delis where you can get a reuben or smoked salmon sandwich over the grill and pizza line.

 

I've been pleased with the food. The buffet is decent, the MDR above average, imo. I've never had something that tasted bad but I've had better in higher class restaurants on land. The don't miss items, hands down, are chocolate melting cake and the crab cakes. The flat iron steak was also good.

 

I have never been disturbed by smoke on board. There are designated areas. I also have never been offended by over indulged guests drink wise. Yes, there is a fun atmosphere and silly games and the wait staff will ask if you want drinks, but the falling down drunk in aisles idea you may have is just not so prevalent.

 

Carnival offers your time dining as well. We did it on our last sailing out of mobile and liked it a lot. We don't attend dinner each night unless we are with family who request it so it worked out well for us.

 

There seems to be a lot to do on a 5 day cruise, although I've only been on a 6 day for my longest. We go more to chill out and relax and wander around than to be entertained 24/7. And we've sailed with kids every time until our next cruise on Elation..which is just hubby and I.

 

The one thing I can tell you about mobile is that it's southern hospitality from your fellow passengers. The vast majority of passengers are TX, GA, LA, AL, KY, TN with quite the sprinkling of OH, IN, IL folks as well. It's, and I say this affectionately and with NO negativity, a real down home crowd. We LOVE sailing from Mobile. There's little or no pretentiousness or snooty attitudes, just fun, polite, yes ma'am and no ma'am type treatment. The men hold the doors for all the ladies and I've never been offended or treated badly out of Mobile.

 

Go for it!

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hockeyluver

hockeyluver

Posted
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These pics are great! I am so glad to see comments on the Elation! We are sailing Aug 23 on our first cruise, and I can't wait...these pics are making me even more excited!

 

We are on that cruise also, come on over and check out the roll call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1154657&page=1

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Shoutmanzig

Shoutmanzig

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Can anyone speak to their experience with Your Time Dining on Carnival Elation? Did you typically have to wait long to get a table? My past cruises only offered assigned seating times, so I'm wondering what to expect with the Your Time option.

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rfaranda

rfaranda

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Can anyone speak to their experience with Your Time Dining on Carnival Elation? Did you typically have to wait long to get a table? My past cruises only offered assigned seating times, so I'm wondering what to expect with the Your Time option.

 

We used "Your Time" last week. Had no problems whatsoever. We only had to wait one night (it was one of the Elegant nights) and it was only for 10 minutes. We had the same table and waiter all week also..

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MelBCroozer

MelBCroozer

Posted
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Glad to hear about Southern Hospitality on the Elation. We're on the 7/31 cruise this year. We cruised out of Miami last year and I found that some people on board were not very polite and sometimes rude. I always seem to enjoy cruising out of a port closer to home. Looking forward to our cruise. Thanks for the info.

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Easy T

Easy T

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We did the 7 day on the Elation July 3 -10. Embarkation was very easy. We were on the Lido by 11:15. Our luggage was unpacked/muster drill over by 5 Pm. (A little late sailing because of the extra supplies/luggage for a 7 day cruise.)

Ship was very clean, Crew was awesome. The food in my opinion (and this is subjective) was OK. Nothing stood out, just OK. The prime rib and short ribs were the best. Entertainment was OK. Comedians were rather good. Musical acts/groups good. Shows, just OK, nothing GREAT. The smoking seems to be less of an issue on the Elation. There is a no smoking section in the casino.

The liquor tasting was a little different/disorganized compared to our other sailings.

Jamaica was great, would highly recommend Courtney Taylor (even for Montego Bay). Grand Cayman was Ok. Cozumel was usual Cozumel.

The weather was a rough on the way out. Alot of folks were sick.

If you have specific questions, let me know and I will try to answer. We have no small children, so I cannot speak of Children's activities.

Easy t

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kt3220

kt3220

Posted
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We are on the Elation 9/20.This will also be our first cruise and I am sooo excited.

Do the beds that fold out of wall have rails to keep you in. I am traveling with a 6 and 4 year old. The 4 year old falls out of his twin bed all the time. I just hate the thought of being sound asleep and waking up with him on my head:D

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momi2ashlynn

momi2ashlynn

Posted
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kt3220...

 

yes the fold out beds have a rail on the side... the end where your feet are are open but it will be fine for your kids ;-) my daughter loves them she is now 12 and still gets excited when i tell her we got the fold down beds.... i may even have a picture of them on my computer i will check when i get home... but then i would have to learn how to post them... lol

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kt3220

kt3220

Posted
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kt3220...

 

yes the fold out beds have a rail on the side... the end where your feet are are open but it will be fine for your kids ;-) my daughter loves them she is now 12 and still gets excited when i tell her we got the fold down beds.... i may even have a picture of them on my computer i will check when i get home... but then i would have to learn how to post them... lol

 

 

 

Thanks Momi2 for your response. I know my boys will love sleeping in the bunks.

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  • 5 weeks later...
hockeyluver

hockeyluver

Posted
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I too have seen posts about secret doors on ships... what exactly is this and does the Elation have one?

 

Sail on Nov 20th.

 

They are just very seldom used doors that lead out to the front of the ship. A very quiet place to go lol thats why they are a secret. They are at the end of a passenger cabin deck usually. I believe on the Elation it is on the Virandah deck all the way forward.

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KimtheCruiser

KimtheCruiser

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DH and I have booked 3 group cruises, so we were invited down for a tour and presentation this past Saturday -

 

The Carnival rep said the drydock would be sometime next year for 2-3 weeks - said they're not even telling her for sure when it will be.

 

I've been miserable all week - just not felt well - and DH says it was because I got on the ship and had to get off without going anywhere!

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hockeyluver

hockeyluver

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DH and I have booked 3 group cruises, so we were invited down for a tour and presentation this past Saturday -

 

The Carnival rep said the drydock would be sometime next year for 2-3 weeks - said they're not even telling her for sure when it will be.

 

I've been miserable all week - just not felt well - and DH says it was because I got on the ship and had to get off without going anywhere!

 

Wow that is depressing!!!!

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woodey

woodey

Posted
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I too have seen posts about secret doors on ships... what exactly is this and does the Elation have one?

 

Sail on Nov 20th.

Verandah Deck All the Way forward.... and also if you go into the showroom and go on the side in the back is another secret door that one is marked crew members only.. I have heard several ppl have gone through there ...I have not...but i was just a chicken...:eek:

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richcrow

richcrow

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Has anyone sailed on the Elation lately to say whether or not they are using the aft pool? As a previous poster noted that they aft pool was not used during thier sailing, I really hope it is open on our sailing in October.

 

I may be the one you are referring to about previouslly posting about the aft pool. On our May 15th cruise, the pool was closed and didn't look like it had been used for awhile. Not sure why, but this is the pool that goes away when Carnival installs the water park on the Elation. So, maybe that has something to do with it.

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JustJamieH

JustJamieH

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I haven't been on the Elation yet, but I'll let you know what I thought of her when I return in mid-Aug. I have been on two other Fantasy class ships, however, and I can tell you that despite their age, they are still my favorite class of ship. Not too big, not too small. My only complaint is the lack of non-suite balconies.

 

it's mid August ... review/pics?

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