Is Elation really that bad?

[queenpailhead]

So DH and I were toying with a Thanksgiving cruise but for several reasons now we're looking at an after Christmas, and I LOVE the itinerary of the Elation post-christmas with Amber Cove and Grand Turk, 2 stops we are interested in. However, I'm reading reviews of Elation and most of the Dec 2018 ones are bad. Really bad. Our only other cruise experience is on the Allure and I know that I can't compare as she's like the mother of all ships, but this time we're going child free. It's one of the only cruises that fits our timeline and goes places we want to see. But... I also know the possibility of being rerouted are there and being stuck at sea.

 

Is Elation really that bad as a ship? What are the possibilities of missing those ports? Should I scrap this all and book us a ski vacation that week? lol

 

[BoDidly]

Well ,let me think about this for a sec  !   Warm tropical islands Vs Freezing cold weather were as I may break a leg coming down an ice filled mountain.   Tough choice 😁 !

Edited January 14, 2019 by BoDidly

[AdGuyMG]

30 minutes ago, queenpailhead said:

 I'm reading reviews of Elation and most of the Dec 2018 ones are bad. Really bad.

 

Is Elation really that bad as a ship?

 

If what you're reading is on the internet, then it must be true.

[ProgRockCruiser]

I'm curious where you are reading these reviews of Elation.  Got any links?  We are booked on Elation in May (out of Canaveral) for that same itinerary you are looking at (I assume - 5 Day).

 

The possibility of being re-routed always exists - Mother Nature, Poseidon of the Sea, dumb luck, call it what you will.  In late-Nov you will be at the very tail end of hurricane season, so that probably won't be a factor.

 

But anyway, the reviews you've been reading would be for cruises out of Jacksonville vs Canaveral.  So that in and of itself may be either all the difference in the world, or a complete red herring.

 

I would just book the cruise, if the itinerary was that ideal.  The ship is a bit smaller than some, which I personally look forward to for our cruise - it will be different from Liberty and Sunshine.

 

But that's IMHO, YMMV, may result in the head of a golden retriever, etc.

Edited January 14, 2019 by ProgRockCruiser

[queenpailhead]

1 minute ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I'm curious where you are reading these reviews of Elation.  Got any links?  We are booked on Elation in May (out of Canaveral) for that same itinerary you are looking at (I assume - 5 Day).

 

The possibility of being re-routed always exists - Mother Nature, Poseidon of the Sea, dumb luck, call it what you will.  In late-Nov you will be at the very tail end of hurricane season, so that probably won't be a factor.

 

But anyway, the reviews you've been reading would be for cruises out of Jacksonville vs Canaveral.  So that in and of itself may be either all the difference in the world, or a complete red herring.

 

I would just book the cruise, if the itinerary was that ideal.  The ship is a bit smaller than some, which I personally look forward to for our cruise - it will be different from Liberty and Sunshine.

 

But that's IMHO, YMMV, may result in the head of a golden retriever, etc.

 The reviews were on Cruise Critic on the Elation page. I'll have to go back and see what specific sailing but they were from Dec 2018 which is what concerned me as I plan to sail in Dec 2019.

[queenpailhead]

34 minutes ago, BoDidly said:

Well ,let me think about this for a sec  !   Warm tropical islands Vs Freezing cold weather were as I may break a leg coming down an ice filled mountain.   Tough choice 😁 !

Ha! Well the only time I love the cold is when I'm skiing or sitting in a hot tub when it's freezing cold out (seriously if you haven't gone hot tubbing in sub zero temps you're missing out, it's amazing)

 

 

[yaddayaddayadda]

I sailed on the Elation last June and was perfectly satisfied with the ship and the crew.  I've only ever been on Fantasy-class ships and the Elation was as good as any of them. The only thing I missed was the Alchemy bar.

[Schoifmom]

1 hour ago, queenpailhead said:

So DH and I were toying with a Thanksgiving cruise but for several reasons now we're looking at an after Christmas, and I LOVE the itinerary of the Elation post-christmas with Amber Cove and Grand Turk, 2 stops we are interested in. However, I'm reading reviews of Elation and most of the Dec 2018 ones are bad. Really bad. Our only other cruise experience is on the Allure and I know that I can't compare as she's like the mother of all ships, but this time we're going child free. It's one of the only cruises that fits our timeline and goes places we want to see. But... I also know the possibility of being rerouted are there and being stuck at sea.

 

Is Elation really that bad as a ship? What are the possibilities of missing those ports? Should I scrap this all and book us a ski vacation that week? lol

 

So, I do tend to take all reviews with a grain of salt.  I did take a look at the review of the Elation in December and there were only 2 bad reviews.  One was from the delayed return due to fog (really, like that's Carnival's fault?) and one was so disjointed and vague that it was unbelievable.  

 

I have cruised on the Elation and loved it.  We really like the Fantasy class ships for the more intimate atmosphere.  Understand, though, that they are the smallest and oldest ships in the fleet.  Adjust your expectations accordingly.

 

There is always a chance that weather will play a part in your cruise.  You are going to be on the ocean, after all.  You don't say which port you will be sailing out of of.  The eastern Florida ports have much fewer issues with fog than those on the gulf.  I don't believe that either of the stops you mentioned are tender ports, so unless there is a huge storm, you will have an excellent chance of going where you intended.

[Cruisegirl6]

The Past 3 years I have been on 6 cruises, 5 oasis class and the Majesty of the Seas/Cuba.  I am currently booked on the Elation for February 2nd.  I realize the reviews haven't been good, but prior to the past 3 years, I have been on many Carnival ships including the Elations sister ship Fascination 3-4 times which is identical ship as the Elation with the exception the Elation does not have the Alchemy bar 😞.  The Fascination is 4 years older than the Elation and I never had any problems with the Fascination ever!   Surely, you don't have all the bells and whistles that the Oasis class offers so perhaps this is one reason why your finding negative reviews?  Another issue I strayed away from Carnival the past few years is because the food quality is very to use a nice word "lacking"....you can't compare the food variety/quality to be the same as the Oasis class ships and you don't have the many eatery options like what we had on the Oasis class, but they now offer other food to eat late at night besides just pizza.   What I do like about Carnival is on sea days their sea day brunch is excellent!  I do not like Carnivals restrictions to a max of 15 alcoholic drinks (although never reached 15 still don't want to worry and count that I will get there).  I love love love Carnivals steakhouse but the Elation does not have one, so the way I see it as we always eat at the steakhouse each and every night, I just save money.  I think the reason why the negativity about the Elation is her size and age.  She was last in dry dock on August 31-September 27, 2017 so she has been renovated....new cabins added, Guys burger joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Red Frog Rum Bar, the camp carnival complex was redesigned, installed was waterworks and slides, mini golf course was reassigned, routine maintenance was done.  I have been on 89 cruises so far in my life and I never had a bad cruise or wished I never go on a particular ship again.  

Your ports are wonderful ones and from your profile it shows you live in the south, not sure where, but Jacksonville is the most easiest port overall!!  Prices for the Elation are so inexpensive so that is another thing to consider, you will save money than going on a ski vacation which will be very costly.  Another positive about the Elation you are on the promenade deck, main deck where everything is and there are large windows everywhere that you actually see the ocean and feel like being on a ship.

 

If you aren't much into the shows and your not picky when it comes to food, and since you already experienced RC Oasis class ship, I say go on the Elation.  I have never missed ports in November and it is after hurricane season too, so I am pretty positive you be going to those islands and they are excellent ports.

Edited January 14, 2019 by Cruisegirl6

[ProgRockCruiser]

22 minutes ago, queenpailhead said:

 The reviews were on Cruise Critic on the Elation page. I'll have to go back and see what specific sailing but they were from Dec 2018 which is what concerned me as I plan to sail in Dec 2019.

 

OK, so I checked out the reviews, as have others above.

 

it looks like debarkation at ports and especially the return to Jacksonville were issues that would have affected everyone.  I can only say that CBP was slow for us in Dec in Canaveral, so maybe the issue with Elation in JAX is on CBP too.  And as for the fog delaying a return...well...no, "hurrying back to JAX" would not have avoided that issue, as one review complained.  Fog is a risk in JAX (and Tampa and Galveston) in Dec through Feb - usually late-Dec though, not right after Thanksgiving.

 

It also appears that several elevators were offline at times - I don't recall seeing anything about that on the main Carnival forum, but yeah, that must have been frustrating.  Though it was "a total of four" reported by that one reviewer, not sure if all at one time, and since there are 12 elevators on board, it probably wasn't a huge inconvenience.

 

Some of the other complaints are "personal experiences", like the one reviewer who seemingly didn't really like any of the food ("the food that didnt taste like fish was okay").

 

On the other hand, there are more positive reviews from the same time frame, so...?

[BoDidly]

I can only wonder if most of the bad reviews come from people that sailed on ships with all the bells and whistles before hand.

Carnival should make a rule whereas if you're a red card holder you must cruise the Fantasy class first  

[obx_fintoo]

We sailed 4 times on the Elation last year after she had completed her upgrades.  It is a Fantasy class, so smaller and less bells and whistles, but she has all new decor in the cabins and hallways, a Guy's Burger and a Blue Iguana.  The staff has been friendly and helpful.  We are currently looking to sail Elation again after she moves.

 

I would say go for it and enjoy your cruise.  

[dmdiver]

Elation was our 2nd cruise & we loved it.  That was many years ago.  I will tell you though, that she will seem pretty small compared to Allure.  I've never had a problem with Carnival's food or staff.  I think the entertainment is okay, but I think Royal's is better.  While I wouldn't say that I will never sail a Fantasy class ship in the future, my preference so far has been the Conquest class (Liberty, Conquest, Valor, Freedom, Glory) & Dream class (Breeze, Magic) ships.  They are larger, but still a manageable size.  I feel more like I'm on a ship at sea with Carnival on all the classes I've sailed so far.  While I think Royal's Oasis class ships are beautiful & have lots to offer, I didn't really feel like I was on a ship at sea.  For example, you don't see the ocean from the main promenade and it just seemed like everything was centered around the interior airspace of the ship unless you were on your own balcony or on the upper decks.  

 

If your main focus is the ports, then it may not bother you to be on the smaller Elation.  I just don't want you to be expecting the ship to be the destination, as seems to be the case with Allure, and be disappointed.  You're not gonna find any rock climbing walls, surf simulators, ice rinks or zip lines.  I like the Guy's burgers better than Johnny Rocket's & they do not cost extra.  I like Blue Iguana Cantina for breakfast tacos.  I like the water slides & Serenity.  If it is still there, at the very back of Lido deck, there were dining tables outside.  I found it very relaxing to sit there by the rail enjoying morning coffee.

[jwjax]

29 minutes ago, dmdiver said:

 

If your main focus is the ports, then it may not bother you to be on the smaller Elation. Just don't want you to be expecting the ship to be the destination, as seems to be the case with Allure, Oasis, etc. and be disappointed.  (edited jwjax)

 

As dmdiver said, and I agree, the Mega ships are "IMHO" destinations. However the "cruise ships", the smaller ones, are a bit of both the destination, and port.

 

The Elation is a fine ship.  Only thing lacking will be the rock climbing and rope course...etc....   Which I am pretty 75% of CC readers do on every cruise!!   But, if that's your thing, only the RCI and other line Mega Ships are your choice.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 14, 2019 by jwjax

[boomhower]

We cruised the Elation twice last year and had a fantastic trip both times.  The ship isn’t the newest or largest so it doesn’t have the newest bells and whistles. That said, it’s up to date with recent refit with refinished state rooms and new eataries.  The ship is in good shape with a fantastic crew. 

 

The weather is the weather and you can be delayed and rerouted in any ship with any line on any iteneria. Now Jacksonville is more prone to fog issues along with some other ports but you’ll be going out of Canaveral so it’s not an issue. For any five day cruise I wouldn’t hesitate to cruise the Elation again 

[asalligo]

I was on the Elation last year and yes it was bad, the food was terrible by previous cruise standards, and the ship was run badly. It was like creating the longest line possible at every venue on the ship was a game that the entire staff was playing. I imagined a large dry erase board in the crew mess. Evanka got 367 feet this morning at the buffet! She is now in the lead!

 

Now that being said, still not the worst cruise I have been on and if I could get the time off, I would be back on the Elation tomorrow, so it's all relative. 

 

[Cruisegirl6]

LOL I expect the food to be bad and need to loose a few pounds from the holidays lol....but honestly, nobody is going to starve.  

 

Asalligo-  What did they serve in the lunch buffets just curious what they have there, do they still have the meat carving daily?  Its a very cheap cruise so I don't expect good food.  I do recall the lines being long for breakfast but it was always long, we just got spoiled by the numerous eateries on the mega ships where you don't have those huge long lines, but nothing has really made a change when it comes to Carnival.  Lunch buffet, I find going there when they open or after the first hour and half after they open to be fine.  

 

I have a saying, any cruise is better than no cruise lol and the Elation is very cheap and there is no extra charges for the steakhouse, or any activities. lol

[Tapi]

Having sailed on the Allure as well as on several Fantasy class ships like the Elation, all I can tell you is that you can definitely enjoy Elation,  BUT you need to adjust your expectations accordingly, and drastically. Sail on the Elation to enjoy the basic pleasures of cruising and to visit new ports. Don’t expect to be wowed like you were on the Allure. It may feel comical at times if you try to make comparisons, so avoid doing so. Go in the right state of mind and you’re bound to have fun!

 

Our last cruise was aboard the MSC Meraviglia (only one year old, and second in size to Royal’s Oasis class) and we traveled to 4 countries in the Mediterranean out of Civitavecchia. Our next cruise will be on the Carnival Fantasy (29 years old and a fraction of Meraviglia’s size) out of Mobile to Cozumel. But I’m SO looking forward to sailing on the Fantasy! Why? Because it’s a cruise! It’s been a few years since we’ve sailed on Carnival, we will be traveling with good friends,  we’ll have a short drive to the port, and I know we will have a relaxing, casual, and unpretentious good time!

 

We are going on the Fantasy,  not expecting the  Meraviglia, but expecting the Fantasy. If you choose to sail on the Elation, get yourself in a similar state of mind!

[Bengalbug]

23 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Having sailed on the Allure as well as on several Fantasy class ships like the Elation, all I can tell you is that you can definitely enjoy Elation,  BUT you need to adjust your expectations accordingly, and drastically. Sail on the Elation to enjoy the basic pleasures of cruising and to visit new ports. Don’t expect to be wowed like you were on the Allure. It may feel comical at times if you try to make comparisons, so avoid doing so. Go in the right state of mind and you’re bound to have fun!

 

Our last cruise was aboard the MSC Meraviglia (only one year old, and second in size to Royal’s Oasis class) and we traveled to 4 countries in the Mediterranean out of Civitavecchia. Our next cruise will be on the Carnival Fantasy (29 years old and a fraction of Meraviglia’s size) out of Mobile to Cozumel. But I’m SO looking forward to sailing on the Fantasy! Why? Because it’s a cruise! It’s been a few years since we’ve sailed on Carnival, we will be traveling with good friends,  we’ll have a short drive to the port, and I know we will have a relaxing, casual, and unpretentious good time!

 

We are going on the Fantasy,  not expecting the  Meraviglia, but expecting the Fantasy. If you choose to sail on the Elation, get yourself in a similar state of mind!

 

When are you going on the Fantasy? 

 

Im going on the fantasy in April, for my bachelor party 7 of my closest friends and brothers, with me make 8.  It’s goig to be a blast!!   It will have everything we need to have a great time.  Beer, food, pool, sun, casino, games, contests, dancing, couzmuel... 

[Tapi]

5 minutes ago, Bengalbug said:

 

When are you going on the Fantasy? 

 

Im going on the fantasy in April, for my bachelor party 7 of my closest friends and brothers, with me make 8.  It’s goig to be a blast!!   It will have everything we need to have a great time.  Beer, food, pool, sun, casino, games, contests, dancing, couzmuel... 

February. DANG, I want to go on the Fantasy for your bachelor party. Sounds like it’s going to be awesome! 

[Bengalbug]

5 minutes ago, Tapi said:

February. DANG, I want to go on the Fantasy for your bachelor party. Sounds like it’s going to be awesome! 

 

The only thing I wish it had was the alchemy.  But even so, it might be a blessing it’s not on the ship! 😂

 

it was either 4 days with 2 Bahama stops or 4 days with only 1 stop Cozumel.  But I think Cozumel plus a sea day is better than two Bahamas.  Plus I have never done Cozumel.  

 

My my best man has never been on a cruise and neither has my future brother in law.  So it will be neat to experience it with them. 

[SCcruiser123]

I've sailed on the Elation twice-one prior to recent upgrades and once since the upgrades. Loved it both times.  Not a real big ship, not full of fancy extras, but great service, good food, friendly staff.  Had a wonderful cruise each time. 

[scpirate]

I went on elation pretty dry dock .my complaint is the food.not good at all.might be different now.but i dont know.i dont plan on sailing on it again.im not a carnival fan either though i am booked on paradise for december but msc after that.

[Bengalbug]

I think of the food as good wedding food and I am never dissappointed. Realizing they cook 6,000 meals a day on the fantasy class ship.  

 

I dont expect 5 star meals on ay cruise

ship.  But then again a 5 star meal for me

and my fiancé costs almost as much as a

fantasy class cruise.  $200-$250 for dinner and $249-300 per person cruise.

 

 

Edited January 15, 2019 by Bengalbug

[PhillyFan33579]

10 hours ago, BoDidly said:

I can only wonder if most of the bad reviews come from people that sailed on ships with all the bells and whistles before hand.

Carnival should make a rule whereas if you're a red card holder you must cruise the Fantasy class first  

 

This is a really good point. If you first sailed on a Dream or Vista class ship and expect a Fantasy class ship to be similar, odds are good you will be dissapointed. If you go with an open mind, you can still have a great time on an older ship.