Carnival Elation vs Carnival Festivale

Carnival Elation

Stepping aboard the Carnival Elation, built in 1998 and refurbished in 2017, you're greeted by a distinctly classic Carnival atmosphere. As a Fantasy-class ship, she offers a cozier, more intimate feel compared to today's larger vessels. With a passenger capacity of 2,130 and a dedicated crew of 920, the ship maintains a lively yet manageable energy. Her decor, a blend of 1970s color and geometrics with touches of Vegas flair, evokes a nostalgic charm for many cruisers. It's a ship that prioritizes straightforward, fun-filled experiences without the overwhelming scale.

Carnival Festivale

The Carnival Festivale, set to launch in 2027, promises a vibrant, cutting-edge experience as Carnival's fourth Excel-class ship. Designed to be an event in itself, with a passenger capacity of 5,270 and a crew of 926, she's a true mega-ship focusing on family harmony and innovative features. Powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), Festivale emphasizes sustainability alongside its entertainment. Its six distinct, music-inspired zones, including the deck-spanning Studio 724 multimedia experience, create an immersive and modern environment from the moment you step aboard.

Carnival Elation

The Carnival Elation cultivates a genuinely family-friendly and casual atmosphere. With its more modest size, navigating the ship's 12 passenger decks is easy, fostering a sense of familiarity among guests and crew. The ship's vibe leans towards relaxed fun, where socializing is organic, and the pace allows for both active engagement and quiet moments. The crew, numbering 920, is known for being friendly and attentive, contributing to an unpretentious environment. It's a ship where everyone, from energetic kids to adults seeking a serene retreat on the Serenity Deck, feels comfortable.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale is designed for a high-energy, bustling atmosphere, reflecting its status as a contemporary mega-ship carrying 5,270 guests and 926 crew. The ship's innovative layout across its 16 decks and six distinct zones ensures a dynamic environment with something always happening. This is a ship for families and groups who thrive on constant activity and excitement, from the splashing Waterworks Ultra to immersive music venues. The focus is on creating unforgettable, shared experiences, making it ideal for those who enjoy a vibrant and modern cruising community.

Carnival Elation

Dining on the Carnival Elation offers a satisfying array of complimentary options. Guests can enjoy traditional three-course meals in the main dining rooms, Inspiration and Imagination, where waiters often entertain with singing and dancing. For more casual fare, Tiffany's Restaurant (Lido Buffet) offers diverse stations, alongside popular poolside spots like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina for tacos and burritos. Pizza Pirate serves up pies 24 hours a day. For a special evening, The Chef's Table provides an exclusive, multi-course experience for an additional fee, showcasing gourmet dishes.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale elevates the dining experience with a blend of beloved favorites and innovative new concepts. The Main Dining Room features enhanced menus, including selections from Emeril Lagasse and a new vegan menu, alongside classic Carnival dishes. Complimentary casual options abound, such as Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint, and the diverse offerings at Street Eats with Steam Dream, Mad Sizzle, and Time Fries. Specialty dining for an additional cost includes Bonsai Teppanyaki, Seafood Shack, Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and the upscale Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, providing ample choices for every palate.

Carnival Elation

Entertainment on Carnival Elation centers on classic cruise fun. The Limelight Lounge hosts The Punchliner Comedy Club with both family-friendly and adult-only shows, while Playlist Productions brings vibrant musical performances to the Mikado Main Show Lounge. Live music can be found throughout the ship, from the Atrium to Duke's Piano Bar and the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar. For active fun, there's the WaterWorks water park with its Twister waterslide and racing slides, plus mini-golf and a casino with table games and slots, ensuring a lively atmosphere day and night.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale is poised to deliver a high-tech and immersive entertainment landscape. The new Sunsation Point features the Carnival Waterworks Ultra, Carnival's largest waterpark with six thrilling slides, including raft rides and a splash zone, which transforms with illuminations and a DJ in the evenings. Guests can enjoy interactive game shows like Family Feud Live, or explore new music venues like The Spark and Mix, offering unique cocktails and live performances. The Festivale Casino is Carnival's largest, featuring progressive jackpots. Classic favorites like Alchemy Bar and The Punchliner Comedy Club are also enhanced, promising diverse nightlife.

Carnival Elation

Carnival Elation offers a range of comfortable and generally spacious cabins, totaling around 1,026 staterooms. Standard interior and ocean view cabins, each approximately 185 square feet, provide ample storage and can accommodate up to five guests. Balcony staterooms, at 220 square feet including a 35-square-foot balcony, offer private outdoor space. For those seeking more luxury, the ship features Junior Suites, Grand Suites, and the expansive Grand Vista Suite, which come with VIP perks like priority check-in, immediate suite access, and complimentary laundry service. Some Junior Suites on Deck 11 have obstructed views.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale is designed with an unprecedented emphasis on flexible accommodations, featuring 1,000 interconnecting cabins—70 percent more than existing Excel-class ships. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for larger families and groups traveling together. Beyond standard Balcony, Ocean View, and Interior staterooms, Festivale introduces specialized categories such as Havana Staterooms and Suites with exclusive access to the Havana Bar & Pool, and Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms and Suites offering unique decor, Elemis toiletries, and priority spa access. The Excel Suites provide the ultimate luxury, including concierge service and access to Loft 19.

Carnival Elation

The service on Carnival Elation is characterized by its friendly and attentive crew, which contributes significantly to the ship's warm, welcoming atmosphere. Given its smaller size, guests often experience a more personalized touch, where crew members may remember preferences and faces. The ship's onboard style, while featuring some dated elements with its 1970s-inspired decor, is part of its retro charm. It's an environment that values comfort and fun over sleek modernity, ensuring a relaxed and unpretentious journey where guests can truly unwind and enjoy classic cruising hospitality.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale's service is expected to be polished and efficient, aligning with its modern, large-ship design. Guests in Excel Suites will benefit from exclusive concierge service and access to Loft 19, enhancing their experience with personalized attention. The overall onboard style will be contemporary and innovative, with distinct music-themed zones and cutting-edge features. This ship is built for scale and efficiency, aiming to provide a seamless and engaging vacation for a larger number of guests. The focus is on delivering a diverse range of experiences with a professional and accommodating crew.

Carnival Elation

While specific itineraries for Carnival Elation are not detailed in the provided information, Fantasy-class ships typically offer shorter, value-oriented cruises to popular destinations. These voyages are often ideal for first-time cruisers, those seeking a quick getaway, or budget-conscious travelers looking for a fun and accessible escape. The ship's design and offerings lend themselves well to itineraries focused on port visits and onboard activities that don't require extensive travel, providing a straightforward and enjoyable cruising experience for all ages.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale is set to homeport from Port Canaveral, primarily offering Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. These voyages will include calls at exciting destinations like Carnival's private island, Celebration Key. This focus on Caribbean sailings makes it an excellent choice for sun-seekers and families eager to explore tropical paradises. The ship's extensive onboard amenities, particularly the new Waterworks Ultra and dedicated youth programs, complement these warm-weather destinations perfectly, ensuring that both sea days and port days are packed with engaging activities and memorable experiences.