Elation!!

[H3one6B]

Just booked a Grand Suite (first suite ever) for next year!! Can anyone give me good hints and tips for this specific ship!! Looking forward to a smaller ship again!! 

Stops are Amber Cove and Turks!! Thinking we will probably not get off the ship though!!

 

Thanks in advance for any info!!

[CheersPkg4Us]

Congrats on the Grand Suite, we've done the GS once before. We love the Fantasy Class. We are sailing on the Sensation in September. Never been on the Elation but I would definitely get off the ship in Grand Turk and hit Margaritaville. Enjoy your cruise !

[Aplmac]

Here's your ship

docking at Barbados - 10th. April 2016

 

Strangely, we saw her twice during that April,

on the 10th. and on the 15th. - and then never again!

[boomhower]

We sailed her twice last year and had a really good time both trips.  Seas were rough in both March and November.  Staff was excellent and the food was good.  Guys and the Blue Iguana were some of my favorites.  Best drinks were outside the comedy club.  While not close to an Alchemy, it's a martini bar and made much better drinks than the other bars on the ship. 

[schazzy]

Haven't been on the Elation yet, but we love the Fantasy class ships and we are booked to cruise on her for April next year doing the same itinerary as you.

[ShakyBeef]

We're booked in a Grand Suite on the same itinerary (x2 as a B2B) as well, in January.  This is also going to be our first time on Elation and I have been looking for Elation-specific tips, as well.  We haven't been on a Fantasy class ship since our very first cruise in 2005, on Inspiration.  Thank you, H3one6B, for starting this thread. I'll be following.

 

 

1 hour ago, boomhower said:

Best drinks were outside the comedy club.  While not close to an Alchemy, it's a martini bar and made much better drinks than the other bars on the ship. 

 

This is just the kind of Elation insider tip I'm looking for.  Thanks, Boomhower.

[MistyRo76]

Haven’t been on the Elation, but just off her sister ship the Paradise. I hadn’t sailed a smaller ship in over 10 years and wasn’t sure if I’d miss the bells and whistles on the bigger ships. I have to say, I didn’t miss those things at all. 

 

The ship never felt crowded - we never waited in line for food more than a couple minutes and elevators were always quick and never full. The cabins were smaller than other ships (but being in a grand suite that is a moot point for you). The staff was among the friendliest we’ve encountered. 

 

The ship had been upgraded with things we enjoy like Red Frog/Blue Iguana bars, Blue Iguana Cantina and Guy’s Burgers and the water park. Only thing really missing for us was the Alchemy Bar (though I do agree the aft martini bar is the next best thing) and the big screen on the Lido. 

 

Enjoy! 

[hgalls56]

Just off the Elation! We cruised during spring break week so everything was pretty crowded. I don't think that is typical but here are some quick tips off the top of my head. We had an amazing time! Although we have never had a bad cruise and love every ship we have been on. Again, I don't think it will be as crowded unless you go during spring break or sometimes in the summer it can be full capacity.

 

The Lido buffet is super crowded during breakfast. There would be long lines next to both buffets. There is a sampling of the lido food outside in between Guy's Burgers and the Blue Iguana. There is an omelet station out there and then a mini buffet with eggs, bacon, hash browns, etc. No one was ever there. I would walk right up and get some breakfast from that spot. Also, Sea day brunch was empty when I went at 9:00 both sea days.

 

Your time dining had a long line by 5:45 every night. We have never had this happen before. People started lining up at 5:00. We would get a drink at the atrium bar and go up one flight of stairs around 5:15. We would be like 10-15th in line. The line would wrap around the entire floor by 5:45. There would be 50+ people in line. I heard the line moved quick. However, they told us that there was a wait from 6:15-8 most nights. People would be lined up outside and into the piano bar with beepers. If you have YTD then I would go early. This enabled us to request the same waitstaff every night which we love to do!

 

They don't monitor chair hogs. I am an early-riser and would turn the TV to channel 34 (Lido deck cam). I would monitor to see if there were any chairs left (lol). I would get out there and get some chairs before it filled up too quickly. We aren't really serenity deck people since we like to be near bars so we would go to the lido early. The lido isn't too big, so the bartenders and servers walking around learn your name and order real quick. They would come around a lot and get our orders and bring us drinks. Tipping an extra dollar even when you have Cheers probably helped us out too.

 

There were lines at Blue Iguana and Guys starting at 11:30 am on seadays. They each open at noon. The Guys line goes super fast because my husband got two separate servings of burgers in the time it took me to get one burrito. They are super slow at the Blue Iguana. It took about 30 minutes in line. This isn't typical to my knowledge. The last seaday there was a line about 20 deep from 11:30 to 2:30 at the Blue Iguana. It was worth the wait and nice to get out of the sun for a bit but I can see how it would annoy others.

 

Casino was empty on our cruise. We are both avid gamblers and cruise because of our casino offers. I guess it was mostly a family cruise so not many people at the casino.

 

Comedy club always had seats. We would walk in 10 minutes early and be able to get great seats. I am not sure if this is typical. Comedy was great!

 

If you have any other specific questions then let me know! We really enjoyed our time on the Elation. It was a very relaxing cruise!

 

 

 

[H3one6B]

Wow thanks for all the info so far!!

 

We have been Margaritaville in Turks and it is great!! I just love the emptiness of the ship when we are in Port!!!

 

Will definitely check out the martini bar!! I think we will be purchasing the Cheers package!!

 

I am excited about the GS there is 5 of us (3 small kids 2,4,&5)  so we need all the space we can get!!

 

Hubby is very excited about Guys and Blue Laguna!! Thanks for the list of busy times!! We will also be on the ship during spring break so I figured it would be busy!!

 

[obx_fintoo]

31 minutes ago, H3one6B said:

Wow thanks for all the info so far!!

 

We have been Margaritaville in Turks and it is great!! I just love the emptiness of the ship when we are in Port!!!

 

Will definitely check out the martini bar!! I think we will be purchasing the Cheers package!!

 

I am excited about the GS there is 5 of us (3 small kids 2,4,&5)  so we need all the space we can get!!

 

Hubby is very excited about Guys and Blue Laguna!! Thanks for the list of busy times!! We will also be on the ship during spring break so I figured it would be busy!!

 

We had a GS on the Fascination before and I think you will appreciate the extra closet space and the big bathroom with full tub!  Are those your kids' ages at cruise time?  If so, they will all be in the same group in Camp Ocean which is the kids' club.  They have lots of fun activities for the littles so you and your hubby can have some fun grown up time, too.

 

I've sailed Elation several times and we're heading her way again on 5/12 at her new homeport of Port Canaveral.  Previously have sailed on her out of JAX.  I would agree that Spring Break will be busy, but I am surprised by the previous posters note that BI was so slow.  That hasn't been the case in our experiences.  Hopefully it won't be for you guys either.  Have an amazing time! 

[H3one6B]

7 hours ago, obx_fintoo said:

We had a GS on the Fascination before and I think you will appreciate the extra closet space and the big bathroom with full tub!  Are those your kids' ages at cruise time?  If so, they will all be in the same group in Camp Ocean which is the kids' club.  They have lots of fun activities for the littles so you and your hubby can have some fun grown up time, too.

 

I've sailed Elation several times and we're heading her way again on 5/12 at her new homeport of Port Canaveral.  Previously have sailed on her out of JAX.  I would agree that Spring Break will be busy, but I am surprised by the previous posters note that BI was so slow.  That hasn't been the case in our experiences.  Hopefully it won't be for you guys either.  Have an amazing time! 

Sadly when we sail they will be 6, 5, and 3 so our oldest will be in the next age group up but I am hoping that will give her a better experience!! She is the only girl the other 2 are boys!!