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A Fantastic Cruise by
Richard and Joan B. from 8840 E. Sunland Ave. Lot #173, Mesa, Az. 85208 Sailing date: Nov 2009Pros: The entire ship's decor on the Elation Cons: having to depart from the ship itself This was our very first cruise. It was above our expectations. When we were waiting to board the ship, it's magnifinance was overwelming and unbelieveable. Once on board, the decor and decorating of the entire ship was amazing and beautiful. Gorgeous colors! We had no problems at all during the entire trip. The service on board was wonderful. Excellent service in all the dining rooms, excellent food. Our stateroom was on the main floor. We originally thought it would be rather small, but we were surprised how big it was. Beds were very comfortable, plenty of closet space etc. Enjoyed the large window rather than a small port hole. Our service and maintenace of our room was superior. Enjoyed the lovely Casino. Plenty of machines for all. The entertainment was excellent . Would highly reccomend this trip to anyone and we hope to sail the Elation or one of her sister ships in the future. The entire staff went beyond the call of duty, so to speak. They were very friendly, courteous, and willing to help with any situation you had.  0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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  Family of 6 by
A Traveler from Phoenix Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: The ease Overall, the ship seemed older than it's 1997 birthdate would indicate. The decor in the dining rooms seemed like a meeting of all decors ever used anywhere. That said, who cares? Ship Quality
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Entertainment & ActivitiesMy kids LOVED the broadway type shows and costumes, they also loved the family version of the hypnotist. My daughter and I enjoyed the towel folding class and wish they had more learning opportunities. Most other events were alcohol related (bar tending, wine tasting), costly (Bingo at $20 a card) or singles oriented. Children's ProgramsClub Carnival was fine. They had some fun Halloween events and workers who seemed to really enjoy kids. We used it during the day for a few hours but never at night when they would have charged (after 10:00, it would have cost us $18/hr to have the kids participate.) 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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it was very nice by
julian b from victorville, ca. Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: able to rest and relax. Cons: debarkation could of been smoother, better planned and controlled, why give out numbers if you dont abide by them? every facility that i tried was very well organized and controlled, from the dinning, staterooms, entertainment, all graded A++, Ship Quality
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Very Enjoyable Cruise by
N.H. from Los Gatos, Ca Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: Very professional and attentive staff Cons: smoking in some areas This is an excellent short cruise. Overall the quality of the ship, staterooms, entertainment and food exceeded my expectations. The port of Ensenada does not have a lot to offer as a destination, but perhaps some of the tours offered would be good.
There was a lot of partying on board this vessel which was well suited to my group. There was also plenty to do for those who wanted a more relaxing time. Ship QualityAlthough this ship is 10+ years old, I was blown away by how good a condition it was in. The maintenance and cleaning staff do an awesome job. Very few signs that this is not a brand new boat. Dining/FoodFood is plentyfull and always available. The quality was on the whole above average but not always consistent. In my experience the cold dishes were much better than the hot.
Again the dining room staff were excellent. Stateroom QualityThe stateroom was excellent. Above average room and every space was very well designed to make the most of the available area. The beds extremely comfortable and the bathroom and shower were also excellent. Ship Staff QualityThe best. Everyone professional and pleasant, trying very hard to ensure a good vacation experience for their customers, Entertainment & ActivitiesEntertainment and shows were very good. Comparable to land based entertainment. 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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My husband and I had a WONDERFUL time!! by
Ana O. from Modesto, CA Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: Being on top deck late at night!! Cons: Can't think of anything!!!! I was very impressed with the ship and with the crew members that helped us. The shows, food, music, activities; too much to explain. All I have to say is IT WAS MAGNIFICENT!!!!! Ship Quality
Dining/FoodFood was great! Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityEveryone was very nice and helpful Entertainment & ActivitiesI was amazed at all the things you can do on a ship! 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Cruise from HELL!! by
Josh H from San Diego Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: Nothing Cons: The fact that they changed our destination, or the fact that your meals are HORRIBLE, I WILLL NEVER GO ON ANOTHER CRUISE AGAIN!!! THANK YOU CARNIVAL We were supposed to go to Cabo, granted there was a hurrican which I understand them changing the destination. BUT, I would have liked the opportunity to get my money back and just not go on the trip. They knew before we went we were not going to Cabo so instead after everyone gets on the ship and we take off they announce that we are going to go to Catalina Island and Encinada instead. If I wanted to go on that trip that is what I would have booked instead of Cabo. The meals were the same everyday for breakfast and lunch. You get your option of water, OJ, or tea for breakfast and lunch, everything else is at a extra charge. The only thing to do on the boat is drink and gamble which I REALLY like to do, but not the whole time. They had other really stupid activities like the hairy chest contest, the bean bag toss, there version of american idol., IT WAS PATHETIIC> DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 Ship QualityLOW RENT> EVERYTHING IS SUB-PAR Dining/FoodIf you like eating the same meal every day then this is the cruise for you Stateroom QualityI got a veranda room, basically the biggest one besides the Penthouse, basically it was the size of my bathroom at home. Ship Staff QualityThey were actually pretty nice. Entertainment & ActivitiesWEAK!!! They all basically childish activities. 2 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Excellent value by
A Traveler from San Diego, Ca Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: Buffets and flexibility in schedule Cons: Late night announcements, thin cabin walls My 11 year old son and I took the Carnival Elation - 4 night to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico in August 2009. We had a fantastic time. The rooms are more spacious than expected. Service was great - staterooms cleaned frequently, dining rooms bussed often, and constant drink service poolside. The big water slide kept my son entertained all day. The buffet foods were better than expected also. Enough variety to please all - Monogolian stir fried, hamburgers, roasted chicken (the best for lunch), salad bar, frozen yogurt and ice cream, desserts, and more. 24 hour pizza, made to order sandwiches and ice cream were an added plus. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodBuffet had great variety. Lines were not bad except for the sushi lines. Stateroom QualityLarger than expected. Stateroom service was excellent. Turn down service every night was nice - complete with towel animals and chocolates. Ship Staff QualityEveryone was friendly and helpful. Only complaint was the lack of staff at the ship stores. They had a Blow Out Sale the last couple of nights, which featured great values for souvenirs but they only had one cashier so lines were always long. Entertainment & ActivitiesBig water slide was great for kids. Variety shows and parties were featured each night. If you wanted to turn in early, the noise didn't bother you. Couldn't hear anything from the staterooms. 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Some thing to say by
Elain Tam from Vancouver, BC Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: nice food Cons: Dinning set up This is the 3rd time going to the same path to Mexico, We have a very good time, cause this is the very first time with my 2 teen grils. However, there was one things hold me back, is the dinning set up. We only have 4 night enjoy the dinning with my friend and family. We request for a table with 2 family (6 peoples) sit together. Me and my 2 daught sit with 4 family with someone we Don't know, My friends (Husband, wife and son - 1st time cruise in Mexico) sit with 15 women with 1 table. So, we request again to sit together. On the 2nd night, they put 6 of us sit togehter with another 2 group. We request and explain again why we need to sit together. And the person who incharge the sitting, even claim " I did not request with togher ONLY, not with other people" That make me very up set. Cause, my family take me suggest to join this cruise, because, I said, its a very good one. I know that is very difficult to schedule to sit what ever they requset. But at lease, we should received the better service, NOT excuse for some thing he can not do it. Finally, we have to take what ever he put us to for the rest of the night. We are all very up happy and very dispointed for what happen with the bed experience for my family in the first time.
Ship QualityLike to have inside hot tub Dining/FoodServer is very nice in the dinning hall and Lido deck, Stateroom Qualitynot quite sincerely, I remember the first few time cruiseing, the stateroom cleaner make a very good relationship with us. At lease, we have a diffirent towel make up doll every night Ship Staff Quality
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Better than I expected by
Greg A from las vegas, NV Sailing date: Jul 2009Pros: Outstanding customer service. Cons: Not enough hot tubs. They were always full or being cleaned. We were very pleased with the service and the people. They had great attitudes and seemed geniunely concerned with us. The food was prepared so nice. Everyone at the table was taking pictures before eating. Lots to do on the boat. The shore excursions were nice. I was surprised that I had to pay for a lot of extras after boarding the ship. I really thought most of that was already taken care of, but it was my first cruise....live and learn. The ship was clean. The stewards kept the room spotless. Was very impressed with the friendliness of the entire crew. Ship Quality
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Stateroom QualityKeep in mind we were on the lowest level in the back, so there was some engine noise and vibration. You get what you pay for. We were so excited that it was our first cruise, that it didn't matter. I was so tired each night, I didn't even notice. Ship Staff QualityI am from Las Vegas, home of some of the rudest customer service people in the world, so this was such a pleasant change from what I come into contact with on a daily basis in Vegas. Everyone was great. Entertainment & ActivitiesThere was almost too much to do, but it being our first cruise, we didn't know where to start. 
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Ensenada, MexicoI have been to Mexico several times. We weren't hounded by people looking for hand-outs. The town was clean. Remember....it is a 3rd world country. Things are different. I am sure there are better deals in Mexico for shopping, but they created a nice area for tourists to shop. We don't like haggling over price, but that is the culture down there. We did the shopping tour and the ATV tour. A little pricey, but we were on vacation. I'd do it again.
Don't Miss: Just get out and walk around. It is safe and nice. Don't just stay on the ship. 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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1st Cruise Experience by
A Traveler from Phoenix, AZ Sailing date: Jul 2009Pros: 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 QualityLots of things to do, but crowded. Dining/FoodWe 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 QualityOur staterooms were very clean and accessible. Ship Staff QualityI'd say the best for the rest of the crew, but the dining staff was okay only. Entertainment & Activities
Children's ProgramsLoved how the staff interacted with various age groups.
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Ensenada, MexicoFor safety we were cautioned to return before dark.
Don't Miss: La Bufadora (just be ready for the hawkers) Catalina Island, CaliforniaBest food of the trip - Mi Casita in Avalon
Don't Miss: Glass bottom boats are fun. 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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