Ship Comparison
Carnival Elation vs Carnival Liberty
Carnival Elation offers classic charm and value for families and relaxation seekers, while Carnival Liberty delivers a larger, vibrant, and activity-rich resort experience with excellent service.
The verdict
Choosing between Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty largely depends on your preference for ship size and the intensity of the onboard experience. Carnival Elation, a classic Fantasy-class vessel, provides a more intimate and uncrowded feel, ideal for those seeking a relaxed, value-focused getaway with a touch of retro charm. It's a ship where you can easily find your bearings and enjoy a comfortable pace. Carnival Liberty, a Conquest-class ship, is a larger, more bustling 'resort at sea' offering an extensive array of dining and entertainment options. It's designed for guests who thrive on constant activity and a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Both ships deliver Carnival's signature fun, but Liberty provides a broader, more modern selection of amenities, while Elation shines with its cozy, approachable character. For families seeking affordability and a wide range of complimentary activities, both are strong contenders, but Liberty edges out for those desiring more diverse specialty dining and a larger, more active environment.
Choose Carnival Elation if…
Carnival Elation is ideal for families seeking an affordable and fun cruise experience, with plenty of included activities and dedicated kids' clubs. It also appeals to those who appreciate a classic, smaller ship experience, easy navigation, and traditional cruise fun. Relaxation seekers will find peaceful retreats like the adults-only Serenity Deck and quiet spots like the Mark Twain Library. Casual socialites will enjoy its relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere with ample opportunities for live music and comedy.
Best for
- Families looking for an affordable and fun cruise experience with dedicated kids' clubs and a water park.
- Those who appreciate the classic, smaller ship experience, easy navigation, and traditional cruise fun.
- Relaxation seekers who enjoy peaceful retreats like the adults-only Serenity Deck and quiet spots like the Mark Twain Library.
- Casual socialites who prefer a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere with ample opportunities for live music and comedy.
Avoid if
- Guests sensitive to noise, as cabins on Empress and Promenade decks (7 and 9) are directly above or below busy public areas.
- Travelers seeking extensive upscale dining or a wide array of premium shopping options.
- Families who prefer less crowded pool areas, as the single main pool and water park can become very busy on sea days.
- Guests expecting modern, high-tech features and contemporary decor, as the ship has dated aesthetics.
Choose Carnival Liberty if…
Carnival Liberty is designed for fun-loving family adventurers, offering a vibrant, activity-rich cruise with dedicated kids' clubs, teen lounges, a water slide, mini-golf, and outdoor movies. Casual culinary explorers will appreciate its diverse dining, from highly-rated complimentary options like Guy's Burger Joint to specialty venues like Diamonds Steakhouse. Social and entertainment seekers will thrive on its lively nightlife, including popular comedy shows, karaoke, casino action, dance floors, and live music. Value-oriented vacationers will find an abundance of included dining and entertainment for a high-value experience.
Best for
- Fun-loving family adventurers seeking a vibrant, activity-rich cruise with dedicated kids' clubs, teen lounges, a water slide, and outdoor movies.
- Casual culinary explorers looking for diverse dining, from highly-rated complimentary options to specialty venues like Diamonds Steakhouse.
- Social and entertainment seekers who thrive on lively nightlife, including popular comedy shows, karaoke, casino action, and dance floors.
- Value-oriented vacationers seeking an abundance of included dining and entertainment options for a high-value cruise experience.
Avoid if
- Those relying heavily on all hot tubs being operational, as the Serenity hot tubs may not always be available.
- Families prioritizing deep cultural immersion at destinations, as the ship focuses more on onboard entertainment over local cultural enrichment.
- Travelers who prefer a wide range of dining options available at all hours, as choices are limited between main meal times (3:30-6 p.m.).
- Guests who dislike crowds, as popular entertainment venues and pools can become very busy, especially during peak times.
Overall Vibe
Carnival Elation
A classic Fantasy-class ship launched in 1998, Carnival Elation carries 2,190 guests across 15 decks, offering a comfortable, uncrowded experience. Despite some 1970s and Vegas-style decor, its 2017 refurbishment brought modern touches, blending retro charm with contemporary fun. It feels like a familiar, intimate vessel where guests can easily navigate and find their favorite spots, focusing on traditional cruise enjoyment at a good value.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty, a mainstream resort ship launched in 2005, hosts 2,974 guests across 14 decks, providing a more expansive and vibrant atmosphere. Its significant 2011 refurbishment infused it with a wealth of crowd-pleasing options and a carefree spirit. Liberty offers a dynamic, engaging experience with an abundance of activities and dining choices, balancing its larger size with efficient service and an overall excellent value for a family-friendly getaway.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation fosters a lively, casual, and family-friendly atmosphere, reminiscent of classic cruising. With a comfortable capacity of 2,190 guests and a dedicated crew of 920, the ship maintains a more intimate feel, ensuring guests don't feel lost in the crowd. The vibe is genuinely fun, encouraging social interaction without being overwhelming. Families and those seeking a relaxed pace will appreciate the unpretentious environment, where genuine connections are easily made amidst the ship's charming, retro-infused spaces.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty offers a vibrant and carefree atmosphere, well-suited for families and those who thrive on constant activity. Accommodating 2,974 guests with a crew of 1,160, it's a larger vessel designed to keep everyone engaged with abundant options. While bustling, the ship's layout and energetic programming ensure a dynamic experience. The emphasis is on a lively, resort-style cruise where happiness and engagement are paramount, creating a spirited environment for all ages.
Dining
Carnival Elation
Dining on Carnival Elation centers around popular complimentary options like Guy's Burger Joint for poolside burgers and BlueIguana Cantina for fresh tacos and burritos. The main Dining Room offers daily rotating menus for breakfast and dinner, while Tiffany's Lido Restaurant provides a casual buffet with diverse stations. For a special evening, The Chef's Table offers an exclusive experience, and Bonsai Sushi Express provides a la carte sushi, ensuring a satisfying range of choices from casual bites to more refined meals.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty expands on the beloved complimentary offerings, featuring Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and the 24-hour Pizza Pirate. Guests can also enjoy the Mongolian Wok for Asian stir-fries and Ol' Fashioned BBQ for Southern comfort food within Emile's Lido Buffet. For a more upscale experience, Diamonds Steakhouse is a standout, while The Seafood Shack and Sushi at Sea offer additional paid options. The Golden and Silver Olympian Dining Rooms provide traditional main dining, including a popular Seaday Brunch, ensuring abundant culinary variety.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Carnival Elation
Evenings on Carnival Elation are vibrant, with entertainment centered around live performances and social spaces. The Punchliner Comedy Club offers both family-friendly and adult-only shows in the Limelight Lounge, while Playlist Productions brings high-energy musical revues to the Mikado Main Show Lounge. Guests can enjoy live music at Duke's Piano Bar for sing-alongs, or at the RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar for a more casual scene. The Casablanca Casino provides gaming action, and the Atrium often hosts live bands and DJs, creating a lively atmosphere.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty boasts an extensive entertainment lineup, ensuring there's always something happening. The Venetian Palace Main Show Lounge hosts Broadway-style Playlist Productions and Dive-In Movies on the Lido deck under the stars. The Punchlines Comedy Club is a popular spot for nightly shows, and karaoke at The Stage Bar draws enthusiastic crowds. The Czar's Palace Casino offers a range of games, while the Hot & Cool Nightclub keeps the party going late. Guests can also enjoy live music across various venues, including the Piano Man Bar and SkyBox Sports Bar.
Cabins & Suites
Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation provides comfortable staterooms, with standard Interior and Ocean View cabins each offering 185 square feet of space. Balcony staterooms provide 220 total square feet, including a 35-square-foot outdoor oasis. The ship features 10 accommodation categories, from Porthole and Interior Upper/Lower options to larger suites. Guests seeking more space can choose from Junior Suites, Grand Suites, or the expansive Grand Vista Suite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a generous 62-square-foot balcony. Suite guests also enjoy priority services and upgraded bath products.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty offers roomy accommodations, with standard cabins ranging from 185 to 220 square feet. Balcony staterooms feature private outdoor spaces from 35 to 75 square feet, providing ocean breezes and views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The ship offers 11 distinct cabin categories, culminating in luxurious suites like the Ocean Suite, Grand Suite, and the expansive 750-square-foot Captain's Suite, which includes two full bathrooms and a large balcony. Suite occupants benefit from priority embarkation, dining, and upgraded in-room amenities, ensuring a more indulgent experience.
Service & Onboard Style
Carnival Elation
The crew on Carnival Elation is consistently praised for being friendly and attentive, contributing significantly to the ship's welcoming atmosphere. Onboard style leans into its classic Fantasy-class roots, with a decor that blends 1970s color schemes and geometric patterns, occasionally punctuated by more vibrant, Vegas-inspired touches. While not ultra-modern, this distinctive aesthetic creates a charming, unpretentious environment that fosters a relaxed and enjoyable cruise experience, prioritizing comfort and genuine interaction over cutting-edge design.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty delivers excellent service, with a crew dedicated to ensuring a carefree and engaging vacation for all guests. The ship's onboard style, while generally well-maintained, reflects a slightly dated aesthetic with soft peach and yellow highlights in standard cabins. Despite this, the overall impression is one of a vibrant, well-run mainstream resort ship. The focus is on providing a wealth of activities and dining options, with service that consistently keeps passengers happy and engaged, ensuring a high-value experience.
Best Itineraries
Carnival Elation
Given its classic Fantasy-class design and comfortable size, Carnival Elation is particularly well-suited for shorter, value-focused cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Its manageable scale makes it an excellent choice for first-time cruisers or those seeking a relaxed getaway to popular, sun-drenched destinations. The ship's charm and array of activities are perfectly matched for itineraries that emphasize fun in the sun and easy port access, providing a delightful escape without extensive travel.
Carnival Liberty
As a larger mainstream resort ship, Carnival Liberty thrives on itineraries offering a blend of sea days and popular port calls, typically focusing on the Caribbean and Bahamas. Its extensive onboard amenities and diverse dining options make it ideal for longer cruises where guests appreciate a wide array of activities between destinations. Liberty caters well to families and groups looking for a vibrant vacation experience that combines relaxation with plenty of excitement in well-trodden, appealing cruise regions.
What reviewers say
Carnival Elation
4/5Carnival Elation, though an older Fantasy-class ship, offers a charming, uncrowded experience with a strong focus on family fun and value. Its recent upgrades and dedicated crew ensure a good time for those seeking a classic cruise without the mega-ship scale.
Carnival Liberty
4.5/5Launched in 2005 and refurbished in 2011, Carnival Liberty makes the most of its $500 million overhaul with crowd-pleasing options at every turn. The carefree atmosphere and abundance of activities make it a great value.
Itineraries to compare
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Carnival Elation
Carnival Liberty
Read our guides
In-depth guides on the ships and cruise lines in this comparison.
Ship Guide
Carnival Elation: Classic Fun, Great Value for Families
Enjoy an uncrowded, family-friendly cruise experience with dedicated crew and recent enhancements.
Ship Guide
Carnival Liberty: Carefree Cruises with Great Value
Enjoy a voyage filled with crowd-pleasing activities and diverse dining options at an excellent price.
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