Cpw221

When we last sailed on Elation, the life jackets were stored in a box in the corner of the cabin under the tv, which took up that whole corner of our room. We were in a OV deck Main. Not sure if all the rooms are configured this way, but it was certainly an inconvenience.

We're sailing 9/25/16. You'll have to let me know what you think!

I think you made the right decision by switching to the Valor. I have been on both Elation and Valor and I MUCH prefer the Valor. The Valor is newer, is scheduled for the 2.0 upgrades, better food, and nicer staff. The Elation is very dated especially the cabin and bathroom. The food wasn't that great both times and the staff are not as friendly.

Thanks, I'm so excited! I agree about the cabins, having to climb over the life jacket box to get in bed, no thank you. Especially with 4 people in one room! :rolleyes:

Please don't mention the burrito bar, it was purely discussing and gross...I had the meat one and the meat lets say tasted so bad and old, I had to literally spit it out! It was one of the most horrible things I ever put in my mouth next to trying seaweed. I also recall others saying this on their post, but if you get chips and salsa that is fine. I don't even want to remember those burrito's ugh.

Oh no! :eek:

Here's hoping the Blue Iguana will be part of the dry dock updates!

When in September are you sailing? I will be on her September 4th. This will be my first time on the Valor.

We're sailing on 9/25/16. You'll have to let me know what you think!

We're sailing 9/25/16. You'll have to let me know what you think!

Wow, thanks so much for all thoughtful replies! I've never posted before today, but I've been on these boards since 2012. You are all so helpful! :)

I spoke to Carnival again today, and had a nicer agent. The $50 pp penalty is not added to onboard credit because we are changing our booking, not cancelling. In the end, we chose to switch to Valor. We did have to pay the $200 penalty today, but we didn't have to pay an additional deposit, like the original agent told us. All of our previous cruises have been on fantasy class ships (Fascination, Elation, and Fantasy). I am so lucky, because my Husband works very hard (50 plus hours a week), and has earned all of our previous cruises for free through the President's Club at his job. This is the first opportunity we have had to take our children, as they can't miss school for President's Club. While we ended up paying more, I think my whole family will just enjoy the Valor more.

And I'm totally not kidding when I say my Husband is over the moon excited about the burrito bar!! :D:D

What is the 200 they are charging you to switch? Did you book early saver? Because if you did, the 200 (50pp change fee), is not something that you lose. You cannot use it toward the deposit, BUT it can be applied to another booking as on board credit. So if you switch, you still pay your deposit, but you have them apply the 200 change fee to the Valor sailing. No loss , really.

Good to know! We did book early saver. Carnival didn't tell me that! That might just seal the deal for me! (Can you tell I'm really wanting to go on the Valor?!)

Thanks for the replies! Question...online it says we would still qualify for the reduced deposit and $50 on board credit. When I spoke with Carnival last night, they said no. Which is right?

Hi everyone-

We are trying to decide between two cruises for September 2016. We've already booked the Elation, with Nassau and Half Moon Cay ports. DH and I have cruised 3 times previously, but this will be our first family cruise, with DD-12, and DS-14.

After booking the Elation 5 day, a ship we have already sailed on, and weren't really crazy about, I saw the Valor 5 day, with three ports: Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. The only port that's important to us is HMC. We've been to Nassau three times, Freeport once. We've previously only sailed on Fascination, Elation, and Fantasy.

Help me decide! On Elation: cheaper, better class Ocean View stateroom, Upper deck, $50 onboard credit, reduced deposit. Ports from Jacksonville, which is closer for us. No water slides, life jacket box by the bed, no couch in Ocean View, and we weren't happy with the crew on Elation, and the buffet was gross.

On Valor: "New" bigger, ship for everyone, water slide, pool on Serenity Deck, more dining options (especially the burrito bar, which my Husband is sooo excited about!!), three ports vs two, movie screen on Lido, larger stateroom but lower deck (Main), cost difference is about $500-including the $200 Carnival would charge us to switch, even though it was less than 24 hrs later :mad:) no reduced deposit, porting out of Orlando, which is slightly further away for us.

Thoughts???