Carnival Elation Review - Post Dry Dock October 13

[justusfour2014]

Great review! Thanks for the info! We were on the last sailing before dry dock and am looking at returning early next year. I was hoping they would add additional electrical outlets in the cabins, but you didn't mention it, so I guess I'll pack my handy-dandy power strip again. It was a necessity for us, between cameras, hair dryers, phones, etc!! Having only one plug is absurd!! And it looks like I'll be packing a little fan as well!

 

Did they by chance change the access to the room safes? When we were on the ship, rather than our sail & sign card, we had to use a credit card to operate the safe. That was really inconvenient and I was traveling with my husband!

 

Another necessity that I had seen elsewhere is febreeze/air freshner...and the hint was correct!

 

I, too, was hoping they had done away with the lifejacket box. If you have a 'kingsized" bed vs twins, it makes no sense!!

 

I never accessed the safe, my husband did. I'm pretty sure he used his s&s card. . . now that I think about it, we didn't take a credit card. So he had to use his s&s card.

 

No new outlets in our cabin. We just always take a outlet strip. It works well for us.

 

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Forums mobile app

[MrsPhoenix91]

Much to our surprise, they did not receive a 2 week dry dock vacation but rather were part of the "dry dock crew.

 

Wow...Now that is a damn shame :mad: That HAS to be a violation of some international work policy!

[MrsPhoenix91]

Good morning! It's my first review and I want to start by saying the only other cruise to compare it to is the Carnival Fascination we took this past March.

 

That being said, I will start with the "Dry Dock" everyone has been wondering about. We searched, and searched, and the only thing we could "visibly" notice was new carpet in the hallways by the elevator. We also noticed in places, especially the Lido buffet area, new tiles that did not match the existing tiles. When docked in Cozumel, we noticed that the ship had been "spot" painted on the outside - most notably the bottom which did not really match the rest of the ship. You could also see "touch ups" all over the boat. We also asked our wait staff during dinner one night (I love talking to the crew) if they enjoyed their "2 week dry dock vacation." Much to our surprise, they did not receive a 2 week dry dock vacation but rather were part of the "dry dock crew." Apparently they worked the entire time, said new lights and ceilings were put into place, and it was crazy.

 

Now onto my family's cruise the week of October 13 which included me, my husband, my son, my daughter, my father-in-law, and my mother-in-law. I was so excited to bring my inlaws along with us because we had such a fabulous time on the Fascination. I was quite disappointed in the Elation as it was very noticeably worn out and rusted. It also had odd smells throughout the ship. The entertainment paled in comparison to the Fascination, two hot tubs were not working, the crew seemed very tired (I would be too if I worked a 2 week dry dock with no down time), and the food was just so-so. In my humble opinion, the Elation needs a lot of TLC.

 

All that being said, we had a wonderful time. While the Progresso port was not a place I'd visit again, we walked around the town and at no time did I ever feel "unsafe." We actually stood on the beach for 10 minutes before anyone ever came up and asked us to buy something. The water was clearer than I had read on other reviews so that was a big surprise. We talked with locals and experienced a different way of life.

 

Cozumel was just awesome and a port we will most definetely visit again, and again, and again. We took a taxi to Nachi and went snorkeling for the first time. I'm still in awe of how beautiful it was and the fact that you just floated on the water. It was an experience that none of us will ever forget (especially me burping through my mouthpiece after "trying" to dive down). My family, and probably the family with us, is still laughing about that! We saw a huge turtle, loads of fish, two small jellyfish, and everyone BUT me saw a shark (I may have been taking in water then and preparing for my burp!LOL).

 

Sorry I have no pictures to share but I must say that our wait staff was great. The first night they seemed "off" and it was just weird. After learning the second night of their 2 week dry dock fun (because as I said I LOVE to talk to the crew), they became more relaxed with us. They entertained my kids, made us laugh, and made up for the lack of entertainment elsewhere. Needless to say, we tipped all three extra for making our dinning experience so much fun and memorable (which caught them by total surprise -- we prepaid our tips already). I also gave them a glowing review when I received the email from Carnival as they so justly deserved.

 

One final note, while waiting for my father-in-law at the Guest Services desk one night, I struck up a conversation with another Guest Services lady from Jamacia. We spoke for about 10 minutes about anything and everything. As I said, I enjoy speaking with the crew and Sashe was a hoot! :D

 

Very thorough review, especially in describing the dry dock improvements!

[oceanlvr1016]

Lot's of good info! We are taking this cruise the first week of February! I will roast in the cabin if it is 76 degrees!!! You may find me sleeping in a lounger on deck. So we need, a power strip, 2 fans and fabreeze. Got it!

[tafische]

Funny...we sailed right before and after the previous drydock and said the same things about the boxes in the corner. Last several cruises have been the bigger ships (did the Dream about a month ago) and I am looking forward to heading out on the Elation next month. I know some folks don't like her because she is older, but I think she is great.

 

Two question:

 

1. I have not had a cabin with a flat screen yet. Are the other inputs (HDMI) locked out?

 

2. Did they change the Sushi bar to a taste bar or still Sushi?

 

Thanks!

[fishn2deep]

We just got off last week. We had an ocean view on empress, e225. We did not have a flat screen. They did have the taste bar, not the sushi bar. May have had sushi on it one night though.

[tafische]

Thx...I was thinking they got rid of the sushi bar. Both are good.

[winddawn]

I just got off Elation last week. I couldn't tell anything was new except the carpet. My cabin looked pretty beaten up with broken and missing pieces of shoe mold, scuffed and banged up cabinets, and a sagging mattress. My cabin also had an old style TV. This ship is really showing its age. The crew was really friendly with the exception of the casino staff. I thought the service was good and the food average. This ship is good for a quick getaway but I would not book it for a special occasion.

[melonhead]

ok, I roasted on my last two cruises because I like it colder at night. A fan always counters that but I never thought you could get one on. So did you guys take a small plug in fan?

[tafische]

Just got off today. I noticed a few things that appeared different than the last time...or they could have been made at another time but I didnt recall...I tend to pay attention to the little quirky stuff lol....but primary these are cosmetic or behind the scenes as was stated:

 

- Room now had a thermostat - no more dial on the celling

- The box in the corner was there, but the light up corner "art work" was gone...just a small fluorescent lamp

- The small medallions with the face on it that was in every stairwell up and down in the center of the decorative boxes have been mostly removed and replaced with a flat plate. I liked those guys, but people pushed on them and it messed them up. There are still a few hidden around though.

- The Mikado lounge got updated fabrics and wall coverings. Much brighter

- A backup generator is resting up by the funnel. It appears to be partially ready, but still more wiring to do based on all the cables lying up there.

- Added an automated prize machine to the arcade, along with more "ticket" type games

- Removed the nightly Sushi and replaced with a taste bar

- Added a small Cherry on Top shop where the formal shop used to be

- Updated many of the dining and bar computer point of sale terminals

- Added an additional WOK cook and now have a total of 7 cook surfaces

- Currently replacing all the lifejackets

- Minor elevator upgrades on some cars, but still very slow with the exception of the atrium elevators that seem much easier to get.

- Some carpet updates and some other lighter paint in some areas

- Color changing signs appeared to get upgraded...brighter and faster color changing.

- LED celling lighting added to several areas.

- Staff got an updated lounge and partially covered sun deck on the bow.

 

Still needing attention -

- Comedy club need upholstery work - tears, stains ,etc. Also still has several broken decorations

- Jekyll & Hyde Disco got several upgrades a couple of dry docks ago - but got nothing noticable on this one. Was surprised they didn't repair many of the non-working decorative lighting

- Library upholstery is just nasty

- Many small decorative lights are still not working around the ship or have noticeable bulbs that are not working

 

Overall - they appear to be keeping her looking fresh and updated and was happy with what I saw.