Overall Score
| BERLITZ'S RATING |
| |
Possible |
Achieved |
| |
| Ship |
500 |
295 |
| Accommodation |
200 |
128 |
| Food |
400 |
213 |
| Service |
400 |
262 |
| Entertainment |
100 |
73 |
| Cruise |
400 |
244 |
| |
Externally angular and not particularly handsome, Carnival Elation is the seventh in a series of eight ships of the same series and identical internal configuration (others in the series being Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Sensation), but actually the 12th new ship ordered by Carnival Cruise Lines. It has proven to be a successful design for this “fun ship” company.
The ship has the distinctive, large, swept-back wing-tipped funnel that is the trademark of Carnival Cruise Lines, in the company colors of red, white and blue. The expansive open deck areas (there is no walk-around open promenade deck) quickly become inadequate when it is full and everyone wants to be out on deck (the aft decks tend to be less noisy, whereas all the activities are focused around the main swimming pool and hot tubs). A well-defined “topless” sunbathing area can be found around the funnel base on Verandah Deck.
The ship was the first in the cruise industry to be fitted with a “pod” propulsion system. Briefly, the ship is powered through the water by a “pod” propulsion system (this replaces the traditional propeller shaft and rudder combination that is normally fitted aboard most cruise ships), which gives the ship more maneuvrability, while reducing machinery space requirements, as well as vibration at the stern, and the need for stern thrusters. The pods themselves (each weighs 170 tons without its mounting) look rather like huge outboard motors that are capable of 360° rotation. When going ahead the pods face with the propeller forward; to go astern the pods can be rotated through 180°, or simply by reversing the thrust when the propeller is in the forward position.
Inside, the general passenger flow is good, and the interior design is clever, functional, and extremely colorful. The bright lighting in the interior decor takes a little getting used to because the color combinations are vivid. The theme of the decor is mythical muses, and composers and their compositions (many of the public rooms have musical names), and the colors, while bright, are less so than aboard previous ships in this series.
As in its sister ships, there is a six-deck-high open atrium appropriately dressed to impress, topped by a large glass dome; it includes a lobby bar with live music.
The splashy, showy, public rooms and interior design are pure Las Vegas. There are public entertainment lounges, bars and clubs galore, with something for everyone, including a large children’s playroom. Busy colors and design themes abound in the public rooms, most of which are connected by wide indoor boulevards and beg your attention and indulgence. There is also an eclectic art collection, much of it bright, vocal, and tacky. The library is a fine room, as aboard most Carnival ships (but there are few books).
This ship is not for those who want a quiet, relaxing cruise experience. There are simply too many annoying announcements, and a great deal of hustling for drinks. Shore excursions are booked via the in-cabin “Fun Vision” television system, so obtaining advice and suggestions is not easy. In fact, getting anyone to answer your questions can prove utterly frustrating.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008
