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Carnival Cruise Line

MS Elation

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Ramona and Brandon T.
# previous cruises: 10
Date of Trip: December 10, 2000
Itinerary: Mexico - Western

Good cruise overall, however level of entertainment seemed lacking in what we had been led to expect as well as what other, veteran cruisers told us.

Very well-appointed ship, however some of the ship was in disrepair...especially the atrium elevators which often would not open despite being right in front of us through glass doors. The casino is very tight, then again it is a cruise ship. But the atrium was beautiful, the spa and gym first-rate (with some hydraulic resistance machines I had never seen before), and the Mark Twain Library was a nice touch. The public thoroughfare/promenade deck was great as well.

Very good food, friendly wait staff, entrees plentiful and almost NO down time between plates. All in all a well oiled machine. There were two buffets, one on deck and one inside, both of which were more than serviceable. The best touches were the 24-hour pizza and the sushi bar.

Had enough closet space, and the shower was roomy enough (for two if people are in shape :). There was a safe in the closet, don't know if that is usual or not but was EXTREMELY helpful. It was fairly noisy but we were right above the engine and I can't imagine how to make it quieter, really.

The dancers were not as professional as I would have liked, and one of the shows was severely lacking in entertainment value. This was the area I felt suffered the most.

As mentioned before, bravo for the spa and gym as well as the pool choices. Camp Carnival is apparently great for kids. We stopped at Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. Mazatlan and PV were good, although skip the Los Arcos snorkel tour unless oil slicks from gathered motor cats are your idea of clear water. Cabo was WAY too short-no more than 5 hours available, plus time waiting in lines for tender rides meant a waste of port fees which would have been used better with either a different stop or slower return trip to cut down on rolling. On board activities were sparse-we have no frame of reference but seemed like lots of down time.

Too many kids, but we have been told we should have known that going to Carnival. Still, they overran the place despite the Camp Carnival activities. Overall, an OK bunch but not lifelong friend material.