After I booked but before I went on Elation's four night cruise to Catalina and Ensenada, I looked at the all the reviews on this website. Most folks were pretty down on the food, entertainment, and decor, so I had low expectations. Having just returned I must say either I have low standards or others have unrealistic expectations. Below are my thoughts on the cruise.

Food - We sat in the Imagination dining room during the main (early) seating with seven other diners. The decor was not as garish as depicted in the pictures on Carnival's website which is a good thing. Our waiter, Adrian from Peru, did a fine job of serving, had a good personality, and quickly learned each diner's likes and dislikes. The food itself was decent and well-presented. Some of the highlights included smoked duck appetizer (get more than one if you like duck), the avocado soup and mango cream soup (both cold), the St Louis ribs (but I make them better), the tiramisu, and cheese plate. I found the lobster and prime rib meal OK but I have had better. The portions are small to normal size, so if you have a healthy appetite order more of the same or different items from the menu. While I did not walk away hungry after any meal, my wife did a couple of times (I only learned about it after we returned home). Overall, for a mass-produced enterprise, I thought the Carnival kitchen for the dining room did as well as catering banquets for weddings at medium end hotels. I did not eat in Tiffany's for a meal (a quick sandwich once), but others at the table said they didn't find it appealing which aligns with what others on this board have said. Decor - I found the ship clean and staff constantly working to maintain it that way. There are some passengers on the ship who either live in mess at home or felt it was there right to make a mess. Whichever the case, I thought the staff did a good job picking up after others. I found the atrium and grand staircase similar to an Embassy Suite lobby. Our particular stateroom was nice in a couple of ways. I specifically took a lower deck to avoid the pendulum effect and the potential of seasickness due to the longer rocking motion in the higher decks. It also had two portholes that allowed natural light to come in to the stateroom, even though it was considered an inside stateroom and priced accordingly. Finally, our room was pretty large, it could easily fit another twin bed, so there was no claustrophobic feeling.

Staff - I found the room steward efficient and invisible which is what one wants. The beds were made in the morning and ice was in the bucket in the early afternoon to chill down the wine we brought aboard. The crew seemed friendly and were helpful when asked. I even had a pleasant conversation with the bar manager as we were walking together down the stairs about a soccer match between England and Croatia (his home country). I only used Guest Services once to change money ($20s to smaller denominations for bargaining in Ensenada), but Natalya from Ukraine was nice and quickly completed the transaction. Read more