Cruise Customer Reviews

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 5 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Couple

Ship Review by Anthony from Las Vegas, NV

Sailing date: Aug 2007

Ship Details:

Dining/Food

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

Children's Programs

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Ensenada, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Collapse List of Ports

Ports of Call:

Ensenada, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Family w/older children

Stateroom Type:

Oceanview

1st Cruise Experience by A Traveler from Phoenix, AZ

Sailing date: Jul 2009

Pros:

The stateroom, gym and ship facilities were excellent

Cons:

Only place to "get away" from the masses was your stateroom

Thank you to the orbitz staff for answering many questions, as the "Welcome aboard Info packet from Carnival" could not be downloaded. Apparently Carnival is aware and trying to correct the problem as Carnival is no longer mailing the "paper" brochure. It was good to be informed of the list of fees and additional charges. We used as many prepay as we thought we'd use and definitely avoided the end of cruise "billing statement shock" many of our fellow travelers experienced. It would have been more fun to spend the evening in Catalina Island as we were advised to return to the ship before dark for safety reasons in Ensenada. Our schedule was 9-4 in Catalina and 10-9 in Ensenada. On board activities were enjoyed by many. The evening shows were great and different each night. The food was plentiful and good, but our group preferred the all inclusive in Mexico (past vacation) for variety, options and taste.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Lots of things to do, but crowded.

Dining/Food

We were told at the onset we could order additional items at dinner, but the one time we tried were told by the waiter that it couldn't be done, only to watch the waiter bring the same food to an adjoining table. Waiter explained the other table had pre-ordered second helpings with their first order. The next night we "pre-ordered" no problem. Just another "who knew" rule. :)

Stateroom Quality

Our staterooms were very clean and accessible.

Ship Staff Quality

I'd say the best for the rest of the crew, but the dining staff was okay only.

Entertainment & Activities

Children's Programs

Loved how the staff interacted with various age groups.

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Ensenada, Mexico; Catalina Island, California

Collapse List of Ports

Ports of Call:

Ensenada, Mexico

For safety we were cautioned to return before dark.

Don't Miss: La Bufadora (just be ready for the hawkers)

Catalina Island, California

Best food of the trip - Mi Casita in Avalon

Don't Miss: Glass bottom boats are fun.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 5 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Family w/young children

Stateroom Type:

Oceanview

Wonderful experience! by Craig C from Chico, CA

Sailing date: Jul 2009

Pros:

Freindly and wonderful staff, lots to do, great rooms, casino, outstanding food everywhere.

Cons:

I left the two "vegas style reviews" early as they seemed a bit amateurish, but that may just be my taste

It's like the fanciest Las Vegas casino with shows, restaurants, activities, pools, jacuzzis, mini-golf, volleyball, basketball, etc., all included for a great price, plus it moves! Catalina island was amazing. I really recommend the parasailing and to go snorkeling over the kelp forests. Ensenada was interesting, a poorer Mexican city. Went and saw the marine geyser (one of three in the world which was neat. Somewhat aggressive vendors near there though.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Gorgeous ship with absolutely awesome staff

Dining/Food

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

Children's Programs

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Ensenada, Mexico; Catalina Island, California

Collapse List of Ports

Ports of Call:

Ensenada, Mexico

See my earlier comments

Don't Miss: La Boufadora is worth a peek, I knew people who said the wine tour was quite good, others said the ATV adventure was really fun

Catalina Island, California

See my earlier comments

Don't Miss: Parasaiing

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Oceanview

Relaxing Getaway by Jodi from Southern California

Sailing date: Sep 2008

Pros:

Tons of activities

Cons:

Alcoholic drinks were expensive

The Elation was a nice ship. We were skeptical of cruising again because the ship we took before wasn't very nice (The Holiday). The Elation was clean and had more activities.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

The layout of the ship was perfect. The miniature golf was fun. The decor in public areas was up-to-date and nice.

Dining/Food

There was plenty of food and desserts! There were tons of options. The downside was I gained 6 pounds!!!!!!

Stateroom Quality

The stateroom was nice. It felt bigger than the prior ship (The Holiday). The bed was a little hard. The bedding (the down comforter) was awesome. It kept me warm!

Ship Staff Quality

The staff was wonderful. We had the best servers in the dining room. They referred to us by name and even went above and beyond to make a special dessert for me that wasn't even on the menu!!!! The only negative experience with staff was with the pit boss in the casino. He was a jerk!!! So we just didn't go back into the casino.

Entertainment & Activities

There was plenty to do, even while in port. The games were fun. The Fun Guy (Stu) was great.

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Ensenada, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Collapse List of Ports

Ports of Call:

Ensenada, Mexico

This is our second time cruising to Ensenada. It actually looked cleaner this time. More people spoke English compared to last trip. The bars in the area were all competing for our business. The company shops (Papas & Beer, Hussongs, etc.) were not cheap. The little stores were cheaper, but they all carried the same "junk".

Don't Miss: Papas & Beer was probably the best bar.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Tender ports are kind of a pain because you have to take a boat from the ship to the port. Cabo was nice. Everyone spoke English. We had a blast at Cabo Wabo. There was a Hooters, too, but we didn't see it until we were already headed back to the ship.

Don't Miss: Don't miss Cabo Wabo.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Inside

Wonderful Cruise by A Traveler from St. Louis, MO area

Sailing date: Apr 2012

Pros:

Food, Atmosphere, Entertainment

This was our 3rd cruise, but first time on Carnival. Had always hear Carnival was a party ship for mostly younger people. This was not the case. This was a great ship for all ages. Guest were well behaved and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Would definitly consider Carnival again. Great price also.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Inside

Baja Mexico Cruise by Denver Cruiser from Denver, CO

Sailing date: Oct 2008

Pros:

stop in cabo & entertainment

Cons:

stop in ensenada

We just recently returned from a cruise on the Elation. It was our third cruise; second on Carnival. I would have to only say excellent things about this cruise with only a few "not-so-great things. We felt that the stop in Ensenada is not worth it. We were off the ship walked around town and back on in an hour. There is absolutely nothing to do there - not even a beach day. The other thing I thought was a disappointment was that at the stop in LaPaz, they have kayak adventures advertised but when you went to book, we were told they werent available. If I were to make any recommendations I would eliminate the stop in Ensenada and stay the night in Cabo San Lucas. My other suggestion would be to only advertise adventures that are available. Not giving the cruiser false hopes. Other than that - I loved to cruise and will definitely be back....

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Oceanview

it was okay by tony from sacro, cali

Sailing date: Sep 2008

Pros:

the ports

Cons:

the cruise shows

the ship was clean, the service was great, but if you are an adult who doesn't really care for wanna be professional dancers and a lame hipnotists, just fly into the ports you want to visit.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Ensenada, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Collapse List of Ports

Ports of Call:

Ensenada, Mexico

filthy, with poor mexican adults and children begging from you even while you try to eat at papas and beer

Don't Miss: don't miss sleeping on the cruise ship

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

dirty with a lot of mexican drug dealers proping you on the street

Don't Miss: off road kart

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Family w/older children

Stateroom Type:

Inside

5 night western Caribbean by A Traveler from El Paso Tx

Sailing date: Aug 2012

Pros:

Cozumel

Cons:

Progresso

I have to say that the ship is very nice, clean and comfortable. Some of the staff however were not as helpful or as outgoing as I would have expected. I treid not to but i kept comparing this cruise to a Disney Cruise I took and hands down the disney cruise was much better. I have decided that if i ever do cruise again, it wont be with Carnival. Also, the excursion to Merida was a waste of time. The locals were bad talking the guests (they didnt know I could understand them) and said that if they were not spending money they should just leave. So i would skip that port, or just stay on the boat. Overall on a scale of 1 -10 i would give this cruise and Carnival a 4 maybe a 5.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Very nice beautiful ship.

Dining/Food

The food was not what i expected, i kept comparing the service and the food to a Disney Cruise i took a few years back and Carnival just did not measure up.

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

There are a few staff members such as Guest Services that are really outgoing and service oriented. While others seem as if they are doing me a favor by being there. Almost no smiles, no good mornings, overall the staff is not very friendly

Entertainment & Activities

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Oceanview

1st timer. by A Traveler from Monroe, LA

Sailing date: Apr 2012

Pros:

Great Price!

Overall the ship was great.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Very clean. Easy to access to all areas of the ship.

Dining/Food

food was great. lots of variety during lunch and dinner.

Stateroom Quality

This is the one place lacking. Even though we were not in our stateroom for long periods of time they need to consider eliminating the corner floor cabinet for the life jackets and putting up a wall cabinet. They also need to replace the TV with flat screen wall mounted TV.

Ship Staff Quality

Always friendly.

Entertainment & Activities

lots of stuff to do.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Inside

Great Time! by Emily M. from Tuscaloosa, AL

Sailing date: Sep 2011

Pros:

Plenty of activities to keep us busy if we wanted to be.

Cons:

I ate too much!

It was very clean and I thought impressive although this was our first cruise. The staff was very helpful and I had a great time.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

Stateroom Quality

We were in an interior room and there was plenty of room for the time we spent in it and the bed and pillows were very comfy.

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Cozumel, Mexico; Progreso (Merida), Mexico

Collapse List of Ports

Ports of Call:

Cozumel, Mexico

We went on a jeep excursion to a light house and did some snorkeling. It was a great value and the snorkeling was fantastic.

Don't Miss: Snorkeling was great!! Bring a underwater camera.

Progreso (Merida), Mexico

We did the $3 double decker tour of the town, enjoyed the cheap drinks, had a great massage on the beach for $15. It was just a nice relaxing day. Could have lived without all the vendors approaching us but just say no thank you and they leave.

Don't Miss: Massage on the beach.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Did you find this review helpful?