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.

Carnival Elation in Grand Turk. Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Elation in Grand Turk. Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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.

Yea, it really is the best burger at sea - from Guy's Burger Joint on the Carnival Liberty.
Yea, it really is the best burger at sea – from Guy’s Burger Joint on the Carnival Liberty.

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.

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