First time cruisers April 2017 on Elation

[cruisenovice2017]

My wife and I are taking our honeymoon cruise on the Elation out of Jacksonville in April. What should I expect from the ship? Pros & cons? We have an ocean view room on deck 6. We are laid back but like to have a good time so what is the entertainment like? Is the club any good? Any insider tips, tricks, advice is appreciated.

[h_blond2]

I have been on the Elation several times and I love it! I've always enjoyed the production shows and the comedy shows. I can't speak to many of the late night activities because I'm usually asleep by 11 lol! If you don't have to be, or want to be, right by the main pool, the Verandah deck is a great place to find a chair to soak up some sun.

[crusinpsychRN]

Serenity deck 9 aft is adult only. 2 hot tubs there.

[cruise pup]

I would never be so presumptuous as to give someone advice on what to do on a honeymoon. LOL.

[cruisenovice2017]

I would never be so presumptuous as to give someone advice on what to do on a honeymoon. LOL.

 

Well, we do plan on spending a little bit of time outside the cabin!!

[skrufy]

The night life goes as the age of the people on the cruise goes. We went to Hawaii and sailed back to San Diego. There was an older crowd on board and the evenings were very quiet. Except for the casino evening entertainment.

[pcvtmom]

I just returned from an Elation cruise. The production shows, especially Epic Rock, were really enjoyable. There didn't seem to be much entertainment along Promenade deck at nights, perhaps due to NFL playoff games, which were televised at all of the bars (and drew HUGE crowds!) In the Atrium, there was a very talented guy who did vocals AND played steel drums. We listened to him and thoroughly enjoyed his performances! We found it to be a quieter ship than we are used to. It's small, but was well-maintained.

 

The Serenity area was very shaded while sailing south, so we went up to deck 11, where there were plenty of lounge chairs in full sun. Sailing home (north), Serenity was perfect, so we went for the padded lounge chairs down there. It all depends on how much sun you want!!

Edited January 24, 2017 by pcvtmom

[vamaern]

My family of four is also traveling on Elation in April (16th) from Jacksonville. Anyone know if they upgrade? We currently have OV but think a suite would be better with two teenagers.

 

 

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[GeekSquad4]

We went on the Elation on our first cruise! Deck 6, actually, with a porthole view. :) The Serenity Deck is so great in the morning or evening when you need some quiet. We spent a lot of our time on the lido when we weren't eating or catching a show. We're not nightclub people, so I can't help you there. But don't be afraid to try something new. Volunteer yourselves for a fun game, dance with random strangers, try food and drinks that you wouldn't necessarily try back home. If you're drinkers, get the Cheers package. It'll be one less thing you have to worry about, plus if you try a drink you don't like, you won't feel so bad about tossing it out and getting a new one. I know a lot of that is general "advice," but it's valid! Hope you guys have fun!

[ColonelMustard]

Cruisenovice2017 - congrats! My wife and I have been married for a while but each cruise is like another honeymoon for us. Hopefully you'll have a great experience and will repeat it often during your marriage. A few honeymoon cruise tips:

 

1. Carnival does photography very well. On two nights during the cruise there will be several photo stations with different backdrops, professional lighting and photographers that will help pose you and shoot several photos. I suggest you do every one of these because it costs you nothing to pose. Go before dinner and allow sufficient time for it. Toward the end of the cruise you can review the printed photo sets and purchase 8x10s of the photos you like. Someone can correct me but I think I paid about $20 for each, and it may be less if you purchase more of them. Overall it is a great deal, and would be a terrific keepsake from your honeymoon, infinitely better that any souvenir. Be sure to pack decent cruisewear.

 

2. If you're in to this, Carnival allows you to carry aboard 1 bottle of wine or champagne per person. I suggest you get two bottles of good champagne to bring aboard. The cabin stewards are normally great at keeping them iced for you. Don't hesitate to find glasses and take your champagne in an ice bucket to the deck (Serenity or another quiet spot) and have it there.

 

3. There's something romantic about room service - use it, whether coffee & fruit in the AM or a snack any time. Why let her out of bed to eat? :) If I recall correctly it is free for normal items though be sure to add a tip. Or if you don't want room service, you can do your own food run to the restaurant to pick up things she likes and serve them yourself.

 

4. Occasionally its a miss but do the comedy club shows. Sexy jokes and laughs will help to ensure a good mood before bed.

[A&Jfamily]

Have you told Carnival it is your honeymoon? They "should" bring you heart shaped cake at dinner. Also, we have found that little gifts like spa discounts, photo discounts etc appear in the room any time we are celebrating.

 

I can't speak for this ship specifically but have been on a couple of her sister ships. Head up front - deck 7ish - for a beautiful view from the bow. Also, we like the two aft wings off the lido deck - people don't find them and they are a great spot to watch the world go by.

 

 

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[riclop]

My wife and I are taking our honeymoon cruise on the Elation out of Jacksonville in April. What should I expect from the ship? Pros & cons? We have an ocean view room on deck 6. We are laid back but like to have a good time so what is the entertainment like? Is the club any good? Any insider tips, tricks, advice is appreciated.

 

Wish you would of picked a nicer and newer ship.

[Saint Greg]

I've been on Elation three times. I think it's a good ship for your first cruise.

 

For entertainment there are three production shows. They'll have an early and late showing of each of those. Hasbro the game show. They had that one night and another afternoon. There will be two comedians. They'll each do a family friendly show (possibly repeat it another night) and 3 or 4 adult shows. I want to say the last adult show ends at 11 something.

 

After comedy you still have the night club. The night club..at least when sailing out of New Orleans...was geared more towards the younger crowd. Dark, loud...rock and hip hop music. I'm not sure what time it closes but I've been in there as late at 2am. Each time I sailed they had a Michael Jackson hour one night if you like that. The problem with that was it always conflicted with a mexican fiesta party on the lido deck.

 

There's a piano bar. The comedy club has karaoke a couple of nights. The atrium bar has a guy who plays guitar and sings. The drama bar by the casino has a band that plays.

 

During the daytime they have trivia and bingo.

 

For the kids there's a Dr. Seuss storytime show and a towel animal theater show.

[ColonelMustard]

Wish you would of picked a nicer and newer ship.

 

Ha, might as well have said, 'Wish you'd have spent $500 more of your hard earned money'. Sure it's at the bottom of the class but it can offer a great experience for a great value.

[cruisenovice2017]

Wish you would of picked a nicer and newer ship.

 

We're just looking for a laid back, relaxing vacation. We're not forking out a crap ton of money for excursions, etc. The beach, maybe a little shopping, lots of food and drinks. We're not looking to go, go, go. I think we may get the day pass at the Hilton on Nassau, probably chill at the beach in Half Moon Cay, not sure about Freeport yet. We don't want to have to worry about taxis, getting back to the ship on time, etc,etc, etc. We've never cruised before, didn't feel like driving 20 hours to Miami. plus, a 5 day our of Jacksonville is a lot cheaper than a 5 day out of Charleston. We don't need a big, fancy ship. We're easy to please.

[etwright]

The Elation was our very first cruise as well back in 2006. Loved the ship and it is what has gotten us addicted to cruising! :D:D:D

[Robfromcharlottesville]

We're just looking for a laid back, relaxing vacation. We're not forking out a crap ton of money for excursions, etc. The beach, maybe a little shopping, lots of food and drinks. We're not looking to go, go, go. I think we may get the day pass at the Hilton on Nassau, probably chill at the beach in Half Moon Cay, not sure about Freeport yet. We don't want to have to worry about taxis, getting back to the ship on time, etc,etc, etc. We've never cruised before, didn't feel like driving 20 hours to Miami. plus, a 5 day our of Jacksonville is a lot cheaper than a 5 day out of Charleston. We don't need a big, fancy ship. We're easy to please.

 

I think you'll have a great time then. It's true, this is one of Carnival's older, smaller boats and can see it's a little worn in places if you really look for it, and doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistle's, but it's nice, it's clean, and I think you'll be very pleased. Some great points already made about what to do on the ship. I'll just add a couple things about the food. I really liked the food in the main dining room. We were traveling out of New Orleans in 2016 with small kids and so ate just as the dining room opened for anytime dining, and we never had to wait. Always the first or second in line, and had our choice of tables and ocean views. While this wasn't five star best of Paris or New York City cuisine, I really liked just about everything I had. Every night, you have the option of eating steak and salmon, etc. (which they do really well, particularly the salmon), and also have a special nightly menu with tons of great options. The chateaubriand and just about all the fish dishes really stood out! And make sure to order a bunch of the starters. The shrimp cocktail on the everyday menu was only mediocre, IMO, but I loved most of the options on the nightly menu (the escargot, crabcakes, sushi, seafood pasta as a starter, etc. all very good.) I'd avoid eating in the buffet as much as possible, though the sandwich station is tasty if you don't mind a short line. And the main thing to do is to eat at the Sea day brunch every chance you get. It's terrific. The steak and eggs comes with filet mignon, and the huevos rancheros is terrific. For the other breakfasts, I really liked the eggs benedict. In the main dining room, you also have the option of ordering things like lobster or filet mignon for an additional $20 fee. This was fun to do once, but for the most part, the nightly entrees are so good I'l just go with that. What we did was pick the night with the least appealing menu options to order up for the surf and turf. Have a great time!

[obx_fintoo]

Congrats! Our first cruise 22 years ago was for our honeymoon! We'll be on the 4/22 sailing for our 22nd anniversary! :cool:

 

We've mostly cruised the Fantasy class ships (which is Elation's class). The ship is easy to navigate and there is as much or as little to do as you want. Hope you enjoy and are hooked like we were!

[maldenmusic]

I've been on the Elation 5 or 6 times and it's ok. It's been 2 years so it may have had some upgrades but my main complaint is that there is no waterpark at the back or the ship. Fantasy has a nice one and I'll be on it May 2017. During 2016 I cruised on Triumph and Dream but Elation is a nice smaller ship.

[Jamericannn]

I have been on the Elation several times and I love it! I've always enjoyed the production shows and the comedy shows. I can't speak to many of the late night activities because I'm usually asleep by 11 lol! If you don't have to be, or want to be, right by the main pool, the Verandah deck is a great place to find a chair to soak up some sun.

 

You are asleep by 11 on a cruise???? Lol. Go ask carnival for some refund. :)

[Jamericannn]

Wish you would of picked a nicer and newer ship.

 

Weddings can be very expensive so the honeymoon doesn't have to be. Newer ships cost more money and may attract more rowdy crowd for a honeymoon atmosphere.

[Jamericannn]

Shaking my head at some of these replies. The couple already booked. They are going on their honeymoon to enjoy themselves. Why try to tell them about all the nicer things on the other ships when they are already booked? I have never been on the elation but I am sure it has its perks. I am sure they would prefer to see some posts about exciting things they can look forward to.

Sorry but I had to go there.

[GeekSquad4]

Shaking my head at some of these replies. The couple already booked. They are going on their honeymoon to enjoy themselves. Why try to tell them about all the nicer things on the other ships when they are already booked? I have never been on the elation but I am sure it has its perks. I am sure they would prefer to see some posts about exciting things they can look forward to.

 

Sorry but I had to go there.

 

 

I'm with you! Boo to the Negative Nancys.

 

 

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[GeekSquad4]

We're just looking for a laid back, relaxing vacation. We're not forking out a crap ton of money for excursions, etc. The beach, maybe a little shopping, lots of food and drinks. We're not looking to go, go, go. I think we may get the day pass at the Hilton on Nassau, probably chill at the beach in Half Moon Cay, not sure about Freeport yet. We don't want to have to worry about taxis, getting back to the ship on time, etc,etc, etc. We've never cruised before, didn't feel like driving 20 hours to Miami. plus, a 5 day our of Jacksonville is a lot cheaper than a 5 day out of Charleston. We don't need a big, fancy ship. We're easy to please.

 

 

We're going snorkeling in Freeport. If you guys are snorkel people, check out deadmansreef.com. We're planning on using them for our excursion (different cruise, but in April!). Hope you guys have an amazing time!

 

 

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[FlamingJune1967]

What a fantastic first cruise!

Jax is a perfect port for a cruise - the port is very straight forward and easy to navigate. Port parking is right out the front door! Plus, if you are going to Half Moon Cay - we love that port! Had the most relaxing day at a beach we have ever had on that beach - and we both grew up in Florida!

Make sure you are out on deck when she leaves port. The ship has to travel under the Dames Point Bridge, and every time it looks like there is no way it's gonna make it - until the last moment when it clears the bridge :)

And personally, I found the food a bit better tasting on the Fantasy Class Carnival ships then either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.

You are going to have a great time!

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!