We wanted to take a short cruise to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary over the Lincoln/President's Day long weekend. Being native Californians, we had never tried the shortie cruise that almost everyone in their brother has been on. After 10+ cruises on other cruise lines were we ever in store for many surprises on the Carnival Elation.

Cons: Despite its youthful 11 years in age, the Elation really is need of major repairs and upgrades. We had a window cabin which was spotless, however the bathroom sink had many repaired chips, no clothes line in the shower to dry wet swim suits nor usable shelving. The cabin itself had no refrigerator or thermostat to control the room temperature. The enclosed public areas had very little seating unless you wanted to belly up to one of the far too many bars. The Mark Twain Library was a beautiful room for everything but reading selections. Many of the floors in the atrium area were quiet dark and dank. The buffet was not a 24 hour service offering and at times (like right after the first show at night)there were only make you own ice cream cones available. As all the food was pulled in for a midnight buffet setup. The food offerings when present were limited. The main dining room had a food service area right in the middle of the "formal dining" area. Here is where condiments, soups, salads, desserts were retrieved from inlieu of the waiter/asst waiter having to go to the kitchen.

Pros: Efficient check in/check out, wonderful chocolate lava cakes in the dining room, very through muster station exercises, the dining wait staff and cabin steward were most Efficient and willing to please. The Carnival staff set us up with 4 other couples at a table for ten. We had much in common and I must admit that dining with them was the highlight of our cruise. We even celebrated the our anniversary with another couple at our table on the same evening. Read more