Carnival Elation Nov 2006
Written: Nov 17 '06
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Ship shape, food, service, itinerary
Cons: not'nuf washrooms, smokers, passenger composition, background noise.
The Bottom Line: 3*
|
|
|
| washind's Full Review: Carnival Elation |
Cruise Review: Carnival Elation, November 6-11, 2006
First impression at Port Canaveral:
Boarding was quite smooth with some pressure to tip the baggage handlers (even though they are salaried by the Port). Even though we were among the last to arrive for embarkation, there was quite a backlog of passengers. As it turns out, a gangway had collapsed earlier in the day injuring several senior passengers (one who was later evacuated after sailing). The entire port area smelled like sewage, although there is some speculation that the rancid smell was from rotting sea grass. The smell was very off-putting. Rating 3*.
First impression of the Ship (Elation):
The décor is a fancy as most other modern ships but done in dark tones making the ship a tad dreary. Overall maintenance and state of repair was excellent and on par with other high-end cruise lines. The atrium was especially nice with six stories of eye candy and much of the promenade surrounding the hub. Instead of one spectacular two-storey dining room, there were two separate one-storey modestly decorated, but functional rooms. The layout of the ships was quite confusing as many floors don’t extend the full length of the ship, nor do all elevators travel to all floors. The two restaurants added to the confusion since only one is open for lunch and breakfast. Although marketed as having two pools, the one on the aft deck is shallow and targeted for children. On several days the aft pool was of little value due to wind and weather. The central pool is very small and does double duty with the water slide. The configuration means that neither is quiet or pleasant. The area surrounding the central pool also serves as the main entertainment area. Due to the layout and combined functions it is very loud and not a pleasant place to relax. Most other areas on the ship where one might escape the maddening crowd were areas where that housed the ships machinery, such as exhaust and intake fans, which made those areas noisy too. The aft port area of the ship had a faint smell of sewage. The main theatre design and décor was excellent. Other lounges were also quite nice, but some smelled of nicotine. The mini-put on the forward top deck was enjoyed by many passengers but never crowded. The number, size and décor of public washrooms were substantially lower than most other comparable cruise lines and sometimes needed service. Rating 3 ˝*
Food:
Ample and plenty. Not on par with other high end cruise lines but very satisfactory. The pizza bar was great. The shore meal at Coco Cay was adequate. I am told the midnight buffets were good. Rating 3 ˝*.
Service:
Most staff were completely fluent in English (not always the case on other cruise lines). Room service was excellent and largely invisible (loved the towel animals). Dining service was excellent but somewhat rushed. Breakfast and lunch service was excellent. Every night the waiters put on a small and enjoyable skit. They seemed to get along well with each other and their supervisors. Bar service at the bars was good, but light elsewhere. The SPA and workout room was almost invisible as there was almost no pitch to use the facilities. Rating 4*
Shows:
On this cruise there was only one show, which was cut short due to rough seas. What we saw of it was first rate. The other stand-alone shows were modest. The disco was very loud and while we were awake, largely uninhabited. Rating 3*
Other:
Safety and security were good and unobtrusive. Ship maintenance was done without bothering the passengers. Announcements were limited and effective. The Captain and other managers were evident and effective. The cruise director and staff were a tad amateur but effective. The Casino had several programs to make the experience pleasurable and gambling odds seemed on par with other ships. Sometimes snacks were served. The smoking in the Casino was excessive and it smelled. Check-out procedures and disembarkation went well. Cabins were mid size and very modest. The duvets were great. Rating 3 ˝*
Ports of Call:
Turks and Cacaos: small island, lots of employment, good standard of living, little crime, excellent diving, excellent port facilities and beach, shore excursions were enjoyed by most, Margaretville nice but expensive, pretty good shopping for touristy stuff.
Nassau: same old, same old, Atlantis is the eight wonder…
Half Moon Cay; great get-away.
Passengers:
If this is your first cruise, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If you shop for formal wear at Wal-Mart, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If your idea of formal shoes includes flip-flops and runners, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If most of your clothes include third party advertising, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If most of the people in your home town share your DNA, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If you think that shhitake mushrooms are a form of hemorrhoid treatment, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If one of your favorite expressions is 'wear y’all at?' the Carnival Elation is for you.
If you regularly eat more than 10,000 calories per day, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If Omar the tent maker is your favorite tailor, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If you’re a senior living in Florida and make only one mistake per year, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If you want a cruise with 90% US, 5% Canadian and 4% Brits, the Carnival Elation is for you.
If you voted Republican, the Carnival Elation is for you.
Recommended:
No
Best Suited For: Families
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
washind
|
|
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.