Carnival Elation Review

Great weekend trip

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Carnival Elation
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scuba instructor
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Nov 2009
Cabin: Interior

For this trip we booked an inside cabin (V40) on the Veranda deck near the front of the ship on deck 11 for our 4th 3-day cruise to Ensenada. We booked the cruise online through the Carnival web site. This trip was booked a few months out and we got the Early Saver Rate. The rate dropped twice and we filled out the online form and ended up with a $100 onboard credit. It pays to check the rates frequently.

The port of San Diego allows embarkation starting at 12:30. We arrived at 3:00 there was a small line for security but moved very quickly. As a whole the embarkation for us was super easy and Carnival had it well organized. We were on the ship and to our room in less than 20 -25 minutes of arrival at the terminal. Our room was ready when we arrived. It was nice and clean with newer looking carpet. As with all Carnival ships there is lots of storage space, drawers, shelves, 2 closets with lots of hangers and robes. There is a vanity with 1 electrical outlet. Our room has all still the original "Carnival Orange" colored furnishings. You can tell this ship has not gone through the complete "Evolutions of Fun" upgrades yet. Liquid soap & shampoo fill dispensers in the shower and some sample toiletries are on the counter. The medicine cabinet has enough room to store all of your toiletries. Our room stewardess kept the ice bucket full without asking and also brought a second bucket for our wine and champagne bottle (very nice touch!!!) Sodas and water are provided in the room, but charged to your S&S card if used (about $2.50 for sodas & $4 for water). I thought the bed was better than other ships we have been on. It also had 4 nice, soft "faux down" pillows and a nice fluffy duvet. The air conditioning was adjustable and our room was nice a cool at night. Our luggage arrived within an hour. There is an in room safe can be accessed with a credit card (use the same credit card each time) free of charge.

You receive "deck plans" at embarkation. The top deck has a padded jogging track, a miniature golf course, and an observation area. Most of the clubs are on the Promenade deck and were busy but nerver crowded. Tax free shopping is on the Atlantic deck. Prices on some items were considerably less than on land. There are basketball and volleyball courts aft. There are also ping-pong tables and a large chess game (floor based). The casino is average but has very friendly dealers and casino staff. They now use your room key as a points tracker and makes it easy to cash out from game to game.

Cabin Review

Interior

Cabin 4I

Best inside cabin on the ship! Great location on the ship, made it easy to get back and forth. Nice and quiet, close to spa, gym & pool.

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