Carnival Elation

The 1998-built Carnival Elation cruise ship is the seventh of CCL's eight Fantasy-class liners, alongside sisterships Sensation, Fascination, and the original “no balcony ships” Fantasy, Ecstasy, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise.

The vessel (IMO number 9118721) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 355831000) and registered in Colon.

History - Construction and Ownership

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) is a US-based shipping company, trademarked brand, and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. Founded in 1972 by Ted Arison (1924–1999, co-founder of Norwegian Cruise Line), CCL operates the Corporation’s largest fleet by number of ships, gross tonnage, and passenger capacity.

As of 2023, Carnival Cruise Line accounted for approximately 9% of the global cruise market by revenue and 19% by passenger volume. In 2024, the parent company Carnival Corporation held a ~51% share of the US$64+ billion cruise industry.

The 2,200-passenger Carnival Elation was floated out on January 4, 1998. She was retrofitted with select "Evolutions of Fun" upgrades, including the Serenity adults-only area, but not the WaterWorks aqua park. Twenty-eight balconies were added (all on Deck 6). While she didn’t receive the full "Evolutions of Fun" upgrade, Elation underwent “Fun Ship 2.0” enhancements in 2014. Elation is the world’s first cruise ship equipped with Azipod propulsion, a technology that enhances maneuverability and optimizes hull space. She is also the first cruise ship to feature a dedicated conference center, accommodating small to medium groups.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Elation staterooms total 1,094 across 25 categories, including 79 Suites, 98 Balcony, 528 Oceanview, and 378 Inside cabins. Most cabins are sized 170–185 ft² (16–17 m²). The ship offers 33 wheelchair-accessible staterooms (ADA-compliant). The largest accommodations, the Grand Vista Suites, measure 350 ft² / 33 m² with an additional 60 ft² / 6 m² balcony and sleep up to five guests. Grand Suites include expansive living areas and bathrooms with whirlpool bathtubs and separate showers, as well as VIP perks.

The ship has 14 decks, 11 of which are accessible to passengers, and 7 contain staterooms.

During the 2017 drydock refurbishment, 38 new staterooms were added (2 Grand Vista Suites, 22 Junior Suites, 2 Scenic Oceanviews, and 12 Interiors). Additionally, 98 cabins received balconies, transforming them into 230 ft² / 21 m² balcony cabins. Total staterooms increased from 1,026 to 1,094, boosting passenger capacity from 2,052 to 2,128 (maximum from 2,462 to 2,554).

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

Carnival Elation does not offer specialty dining; all meals are served in either of the two main dining rooms or the Tiffany’s Lido Buffet. Guests enjoy a simplified experience without the added charges common on newer ships, though dining variety may be limited. Service is highly praised, with attentive bar staff available shipwide.

Tiffany’s Bar and Grill, located on the Lido Deck, offers indoor and poolside seating. Meals are buffet-style and available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additional dining options include a 24-hour pizzeria, 24-hour room service, and a complimentary sushi bar. Carnival continues to offer midnight buffets, a rarity in modern cruising.

For food enthusiasts, the Chef’s Table experience is available for $75 per person. It includes a galley tour, interaction with the executive chef, and a multi-course meal served at a private table within the kitchen.

Dining venues onboard include:

• Imagination Dining Room (650-seat, forward MDR with two fixed dinner seatings and “Your Time Dining”; offers “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts for a $5 fee)
• Inspiration Dining Room (658-seat, aft MDR with traditional dinner seating)
• Tiffany’s Lido Buffet Restaurant (722-seat, self-service venue with multiple food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings)
• Complimentary Sushi Bar
• JavaBlue Café (patisserie/specialty coffee bar)
• BlueIguana Cantina (complimentary poolside Mexican eatery)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar
• Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary poolside burger bar)

Shipboard Entertainment Options – Fun and Sport

Carnival Elation encourages guest participation, offering diverse venues for every interest. From the relaxed atmosphere of Gatsby’s Great Bar to the lively Jekyll and Hyde Dance Club and the always-entertaining Duke’s Piano Bar, the ship offers something for everyone.

Nightly entertainment includes live music in various styles and performances in the Mikado Theater, a Japanese-themed venue showcasing Vegas-style productions, stand-up comedy, and musical acts.

Entertainment and leisure venues onboard include:

• Elation Atrium Plaza (7-deck high midship atrium with Plaza Lobby Bar)
• Internet Café (24-hour access)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery (Pixels digital platform); Formalities Shop; The Fun Shops (Guess, Pandora, souvenirs, duty-free goods)
• Mikado Theater (1,300-seat, 2-level main showroom for musical productions, movies, and games)
• Duke’s Bar (92-seat piano bar)
• Mark Twain Library; 70-seat Conference Room
• Casablanca Casino (450-seat venue with Drama Bar)
• Elation’s Way Promenade and Bar (230-seat)
• Musical Café (72-seat patisserie/coffee bar)
• Cherry On Top (candy and gift shop)
• Alchemy Bar (cocktail pharmacy-style bar)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (featuring ThirstyFrog Red beer)
• Romeo and Juliet Lounge (109-seat karaoke and dance lounge)
• Jekyll and Hyde Disco (230-seat nightclub)
• Gatsby’s Great Bar (92-seat cigar/smoking lounge)
• Punchliner Comedy Club (with brunch shows)
• Lido Pool Area (1 main pool, 2 whirlpools, 2 bars, live entertainment stage, 3-deck Twister waterslide)
• Aft Pool Area (whirlpool, splash pool, and rounded pool)
• Circle C (kids’ club for ages 12–14)
• Video Arcade (24-hour); Club O2 (teens’ lounge)
• Serenity (adults-only retreat with whirlpools and hammocks)
• Camp Ocean (kids’ program for ages 2–11 with themed activities and playgrounds)
• Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark with 300-ft Twister waterslide, 2x 82-ft mini-slides, splash zone)
• Spa Carnival (spa and fitness complex with saunas, steam rooms, massage, beauty salon, and gym)
• Sports facilities: basketball/volleyball court, jogging track, table tennis, 9-hole mini golf, bocce court, shuffleboard

During the 2019 drydock, the Cole Porter Club (540-seat lounge) was replaced by the Alchemy Bar and 30 new staterooms.

Itineraries

Carnival Elation’s cruise program features 4- and 5-day Western Caribbean getaways from New Orleans, Louisiana, with calls to Progreso and Cozumel. On April 23, 2016, she began Bahamas sailings from Jacksonville, Florida.

In December 2017, Carnival announced that beginning May 12, 2019, Elation would homeport year-round from Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida), operating 4-day Bahamas cruises (to Freeport and Nassau) and 5-day cruises (to Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and Grand Turk Island), with departures on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was completed in 2014. In 1998, MS Elation made cruise industry history as the first cruise ship fitted with AZIPOD propulsion (azimuth thrusters/electric podded units). The vessel was christened by godmother Shari Arison, daughter of Ted Arison (1924–1999), co-founder of Norwegian Cruise Line (1966) and founder of Carnival Cruise Line (1972).

Carnival Elation is one of the company's oldest Fantasy-class ships, with sisterships Ecstasy, Fantasy, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise, and Sensation. A unique feature for a Fun Ship is Elation’s dedicated conference center, accommodating small groups for private meetings. As part of Carnival's $250 million "Evolution of Fun" program ("Fun Ship 1.0"), the ship received upgrades in 2009, including the addition of "Circle C" (a youth club for 12- to 14-year-olds), the adults-only "Serenity" deck, and expanded buffet dining venues.

The ship was constructed by STX Finland at Kvaerner Masa-Yards/Helsinki New Shipyard (Helsinki) under yard number 491. It has a volume of 71,909 GT, deadweight of 7,036 tons, and a maximum draught of 8 meters (26 feet). The powerplant consists of Wartsila marine diesel engines (models 12ZAV40S and 12V38) delivering a total power output of 47.52 MW.

Carnival Elation was launched/floated out on January 4, 1998, and delivered to Carnival Cruise Line on March 20, 1998. Her Maiden Voyage was a 16-day Panama Canal repositioning cruise from Miami to Los Angeles, visiting Cartagena (Colombia), Balboa (Panama City), Puerto Caldera/Puntarenas (Costa Rica), and Acapulco (Mexico). The inaugural season began on April 12, 1998, featuring 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

In 2003, the ship began homeporting in Galveston, Texas, sailing 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries. In 2007, she was based in San Diego, California, operating short Baja California cruises to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. In the following years, Elation was also homeported in Mobile, Alabama, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Port Canaveral/Orlando, Florida.

Carnival Elation Refurbishment 2020 Review

From March 2–26, 2019, the ship was in drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport, Bahamas). During this period, 30 new staterooms and the Alchemy Bar were added aft on Deck 9/Promenade, replacing the former Cole Porter Lounge. The new stateroom modules were delivered by ALMACO, which also managed the drydock project.

Other upgrades included the addition of JavaBlue Café (patisserie and coffee bar) and Bonsai Sushi Express (a complimentary takeaway sushi venue).

In the 2023 drydock (January 21–February 10 in Freeport), general maintenance and partial updates were completed, including new carpeting and cosmetic upgrades. The Cloud 9 Spa was refreshed with new steam and sauna rooms, while various staterooms and public areas were enhanced. Hull cleaning and repainting were also conducted, updating the ship to Carnival’s new red-white-blue livery.

Carnival Elation Refurbishment 2017 Review

During the drydock from August 31 to September 27, 2017, also in Freeport, the following upgrades were made:

• 38 new staterooms were added: 2 Grand Vista Suites, 22 Junior Suites, 2 Scenic Oceanviews, and 12 Interiors. Balconies were added to 98 existing cabins on decks 5 (Main), 6 (Upper), and 7 (Empress), increasing passenger capacity from 2,052 (max 2,606) to 2,128 (max 2,554).
• The new cabins were modular and delivered in a block of 7 sub-blocks, pre-manufactured by ALMACO Group (specialists in marine vessel outfitting). Elevator lobbies and staircases were also renovated.
• (Lido Deck 10) Guy’s Burger Joint was added—offering complimentary handcrafted burgers and fresh-cut fries.
• (Lido Deck 10) BlueIguana Cantina was introduced—serving fresh-made tacos and burritos with a salsa bar. The BlueIguana Tequila Bar was also added.
• (Promenade Deck 9) RedFrog Rum Bar was added—offering frozen cocktails, beers, and Carnival’s ThirstyFrog Red draft beer.
• (Promenade Deck 9) Cherry On Top was added near Drama Bar—a candy and gift shop featuring Carnival-branded apparel and souvenirs.
• (Verandah Deck 11) The former Camp Carnival was transformed into Camp Ocean. Also added aft was Carnival WaterWorks—a waterpark with a Splash Zone, two mini racing slides, and the Twister Waterslide.
• (Deck 14) The 9-hole Mini-Golf Course was relocated and redesigned to include a bocce court.
• Retail shops were redesigned and upgraded with new brand boutiques (Guess, Pandora). The Photo Gallery was converted to a digital Pixels-brand platform.
• Technical enhancements included shoreside power capabilities.
• Routine maintenance included hull coating renewal.

The crew areas were also renovated during the 2017 refurbishment.

The vessel's most recent drydocking took place in 2023 (January 21–February 10) at Grand Bahama Shipyard, where routine class work and hotel and machinery maintenance were conducted.