Onboard Carnival Elation, a Cruising Extravaganza
As each new ship which sets off from dry dock gets bigger and bigger, the general tendency of cruisers is to go for the next big thing, and smaller (and arguably more attractive ships) which are relative rookies to the cruising industry are largely neglected. Carnival’s Elation is a good example of an exquisite ship which is rather young in industry standards. With only nine years of sailing and more years to come, Elation is a must-embark ship for newbie and veteran cruisers alike. A plus for the ship is that it is the first of many to employ azipods, a top-of-the-line propulsion system which improves speed and maneuverability. It is also the first ship in the company to dedicate a special area purely for group functions, for cruisers who mix business with pleasure.
The dining scheme onboard is still conventional though, with set times for meals. This means that it gets crowded easily, particularly during breakfast when everyone’s raring for a bite. Buffets are also attractions in themselves, and have become the industry norm, but at Tiffany’s (the ship’s buffet area), the offerings are quite limited when compared to those at the main dining areas; you choose between two courses only (if you’re lucky), and the appetizer, salad, and dessert selection also pale in comparison with those on the other onboard restaurants. To be fair, the service is excellent and brisk, and for once a ship has paid attention to the healthy trend when it comes to dining, by doing away with trans fats.
The public and spa areas were very serviceable, the former encompassing a wide variety of elements which are expected of true Carnival fashion. A lounge area with Shakespearean theme, a glitzy 20’s bar (Gatsby’s Great Bar), a disco area for the schizophrenics (Jekyll and Hyde), and a library dedicated to Mark Twain, the great American Writer himself; these should more than set the mood for your journey. The Promenade Deck is also lined out with Muse columns for that unmistakable Greek look. The crowds tends to gravitate to this area especially at night, and though the flash of cameras add to the glitz, photographers can sometimes overwhelm the area with their never-surrender tactics; even those who are initially happy to pose can’t help but become mildly irritated at their insistence.
There are fewer verandahs on this ship, and understandably so; it was built before cruising bubbled up as a national pastime. The result – only twenty-six semi-suites and twenty-eight full suites have them. Room service is fanciful though, and those coming back from a long port day will be able to relax in a neatly tucked bed. The towel animals are also a cute touch, as well as the complementary choco squares. Since this Carnival ship doesn’t actually target a particular market niche, your voyage is truly a free-for-all extravaganza; honeymooners, singles, veterans, even birthday celebrants, tykes, kids, what have you – they’re all here. With such a motley bunch to expect with each voyage, Carnival Elation is a ship which truly lives up to its name.
