Carnival Elation Full Review 2026 | What we loved, didn't love, and HATED
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
The crew really takes pride in the work that they do and the type of food that they put out is just top quality.
I was so happy all five nights. Now, one thing that I will say that really stood out about the food in the dining room was the soups.
I would say without a doubt in my mind that, yes, I would absolutely sail on board the Carnival Elation again.
I noticed that there was a very strong smell of a mildew, or something that's been wet for a very long time.
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
Is Carnival Elation still worth sailing in 2026? We recently cruised aboard this nearly 30-year-old Carnival cruise ship sailing from Jacksonville, Florida, and we're sharing our complete review of the experience. In this video, you'll discover what surprised us most about Carnival Elation, from the food and entertainment to the ship's classic design touches that longtime Carnival cruisers will appreciate. We'll cover everything we loved, we didn't love, and a couple things that we hated. Highlights from our sailing include: - Guy's Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Bagels at Sea, and other dining favorites - Fast and efficient main dining room service - Playlist Productions shows including *Epic Rock* and *Heart of Soul* - Silent Disco, trivia, dance classes, and other onboard activities - Sailing from Port of Jacksonville - A return visit to Princess Cays and a stop in Nassau, Bahamas - Casino, bars, lounges, and Diamond loyalty perks - Spacious public areas and classic Carnival décor We also discuss: - Areas where Carnival Elation shows its age - Theater seating and public restroom challenges - Service issues we experienced - The surprisingly small Serenity adults-only retreat And yes... there were a couple of things we absolutely hated, including an unpleasant cabin bathroom issue that impacted our overall experience. Whether you're considering a Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville, researching Carnival Elation reviews, or simply wondering how this classic Fantasy-class ship compares to newer vessels, this video will help you decide if Carnival Elation is the right cruise for you. Have you sailed on Carnival Elation? Share your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe for more cruise ship reviews, cabin tours, cruise tips, cruise news, and travel adventures from This Cruise Life. Thanks for watching! -Mark and Rocky #CarnivalElation #CarnivalCruise #CruiseReview #CarnivalCruises #JacksonvilleCruises