Refit Carnival Elation sparkles in Caribbean
I have to admit I have an affinity for older cruise ships. These smaller vessels carry fewer people than today’s massive megaships, but they still provide a quality cruise experience.
This is particularly true of Carnival Cruise Line’s 1998-built Carnival Elation, which recently underwent a massive makeover that has added new staterooms; converted numerous existing oceanview staterooms to balconies; and has generally spruced up the ship with new decor, amenities and fun diversions.
I flew all the way to Jacksonville, Fla., to catch up with Carnival Elation on one of her quick five-day runs to the Bahamas, with port stops in Nassau and Half Moon Cay.
Jacksonville isn’t a place I’d figured I’d fly clear across the country to visit, but I enjoyed the relaxed, friendly vibe of this north Florida city
This multi-million-dollar refit has left Carnival Elation sparkling like new. Her staterooms and passenger corridors have been completely redone, stripped of their old, outdated decor and fitted with Carnival’s new “Caribbean” decor that it introduced aboard Carnival Breeze a few years back.
We’re talking soft blues, tropical artwork and plenty of pleasing wood touches, from the new closets and desks in each stateroom to the faux slatted wood-textured doors.
Carnival Elation now features Guy’s Burger Joint and the BlueIguana Cantina, both of which serve up complimentary fare on the ship’s pool deck. The Cantina is my favourite — the made-to-order burritos are out-of-this-world, and they go down easy with a pint from the nearby RedFrog Rum Bar, also newly added.
If tequila is your game, the new BlueIguana Tequila Bar on the opposite end of the pool deck can quench your thirst.
A new waterworks area has been added at the stern, with a new splash park and some dizzying waterslides.
A new deck of staterooms has also been added all the way forward, resting on top of the space formerly occupied by the minigolf course.
Don’t worry: there’s still minigolf onboard!
Perhaps the best thing about Carnival Elation is that she still delivers a tremendously fun, affordable cruise, 20 years after her launch.
Thanks to this latest sprucing-up, Carnival Elation is an attractive alternative for those who want a quick Caribbean getaway on a vessel that is small and comfortable, but still offers plenty of FunShip fun.
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