Summary – We enjoyed our four-night cruise to Freeport and Nassau. We do our research on CC before selecting a cruise and know what to expect as far as condition of the ship, food quality, etc. so we can adjust our expectations accordingly before embarkation. Hopefully this review will assist you in the same manner.

Embarkation – Traveled to Jacksonville day prior to cruise. Arrived at JAXPORT at approximately 10:30 per instructions, pre-paid parking on-line to save $2 per day. Very few cars in line to enter parking lot. Very short line at security screening, then waited less than 15 minutes to check-in. Once checked in were directed to waiting zone 2 (non FTTF/Platinum/Diamond who are zone 1). Our assigned check-in/boarding time was 11-11:30. Told by carnival representative boarding would begin approx. 11:30. Boarding did not begin until nearly 12:30. First on board were three wedding parties, followed by zone 1. We boarded at 12:45. We had considered FTTF but decided not to since our assigned boarding time was early anyway (more on potential FTTF benefit under disembarkation).

Cabin – We booked cruise one month ahead and got desired stern cabin on Empress Deck (deck 7). Carpet appeared to be new, furniture was very worn, bathroom appeared to be original equipment (but functional), and the bed was rock hard. Cabin service is only once per day now, morning or evening, which was fine for us. We selected evening, but we still saw/spoke to our steward at least once during the day. As posted on CC by others the Elation is going to dry dock for month of September to receive complete Funship 2.0 upgrades and all new cabins. It appeared cabin furniture and hallways on Riviera Deck had already been updated. Read more