This was our second family reunion cruise aboard Carnival's Elation. It didn't measure up to our one three years ago. Having been on several other cruises, including Celebrity, NCL and Carnival, this one rated the lowest. Coming out of Galveston there were a large number of smokers on board. The public rooms, not including the dining rooms or the show lounge, were very smokey, even some of the cabin hallways had a smokey smell.

The food and the service in our dining room, the Imagination, was below average, most beef entrees were either under or over cooked, and the wait staff was very slow for our table. We had to ask for refills, condiments, rolls, at several dinners. On the positive side, we enjoyed the hamburgers, fries and pizza on the Lido deck. And the addition of the deli bar, with made-to-order sandwiches was very good. Two mornings we went to open seating breakfast in the Inspiration dining room and had wonderful service.

On the pool deck you had to use your sail and sign card to get a towel to use on the deck lounges, there seemed to be more lounges available on sea days because of this, since you had to return the towel or be charged for it. Read more