One of the oldest ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet is set to emerge from a multi-million-dollar cruise ship makeover. Jacksonville, FL based Carnival Elation will soon return to her home-port with several new features including additional staterooms.
Launched in 1998, Carnival Elation is a Fantasy-class ship and the first cruise ship to have an Azipod propulsion system instead of propellers. When she returns to service on October 7, 2017, she will resume a year-round schedule of four- to eight-day cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the eastern Caribbean.
So what’s new onboard? Let’s talk food. The ship will now have a Guy’s Burger Joint which serves up Food Network Guy Fieri’s hand-crafted burgers and fries, which I pronounced the “Best Burger at Sea.” The RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Cantina and Tequila Bar have taken up residence poolside for cold drinks and Mexican fare.
Kids 2-11 will find a new marine-inspired play area called Camp Ocean where they can take part in more than 200 ocean-themed activities to keep them busy and entertained while parents soak up the sun and enjoy one of those burgers and cold drinks I mentioned above!
For fun, a new 300-foot-long Twister water slide and two 82-foot-long racing slides have been added to the WaterWorks water park on the Verandah Deck as well as a new splash zone for younger kids. The ships mini-golf course was relocated to Deck 14.
When it comes to accommodations, Carnival Elation gained 38 staterooms (two Grand Vista suites, 22 junior suites, 2 ocean vide staterooms and 12 interior staterooms). Unlike more modern ships, the Fantasy-class ships were built with only a handful of balcony staterooms. With this recent refit, private balconies have been added to 98 existing staterooms which clock in at 230-square feet. Additionally, all staterooms received a refresh with new island-inspired interiors.