Carnival Elation vs Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Elation

The Carnival Elation, launched in 1998 and last refurbished in 2017, embodies a classic Fantasy-class cruise experience. With its 14 decks, it offers a charming, smaller ship atmosphere where guests can easily find their way around and enjoy a sense of familiarity. The decor, a blend of 1970s color and geometrics with Vegas-style touches, provides a retro, comfortable backdrop. It's a ship that prioritizes proven fun and relaxation at sea, offering a comfortable and uncrowded environment for those who appreciate traditional cruising without the mega-ship scale, all while delivering good value.

Carnival Mardi Gras

The Carnival Mardi Gras, launched in 2021, sets a new standard for Carnival's 'Fun Ship' philosophy with its innovative, high-energy mega-ship design. As one of the largest ships, it introduces six distinct themed zones, creating diverse environments for eating, drinking, and entertainment. This ship is a destination in itself, featuring groundbreaking attractions like the first-ever roller coaster at sea, BOLT. The overall vibe is lively, modern, and sophisticated, yet still infused with Carnival's signature fun. It's designed for guests who desire a bustling, resort-like experience with a constant buzz of activity and state-of-the-art amenities.

Carnival Elation

Aboard Carnival Elation, the atmosphere is distinctly family-friendly, lively, and casual, yet generally uncrowded due to its more modest size. Carrying 2,190 passengers with a crew of 920, the ship maintains a comfortable guest-to-crew ratio, allowing for attentive service. Guests tend to be a mix of families and couples seeking a relaxed, fun-filled vacation without the overwhelming crowds often found on larger vessels. It fosters a sense of community, where familiar faces are easily recognized, contributing to a warm and welcoming social environment.

Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Mardi Gras exudes a high-energy, vibrant, and bustling atmosphere, reflective of its substantial size, accommodating 5,282 passengers and a crew of 1,750. The ship's themed zones help disperse the crowds, yet popular areas like the Lido Deck and Ultimate Playground remain lively hubs of activity. The ambiance is decidedly modern and lively, attracting a diverse crowd, including many families with children and teens eager for the latest attractions. Despite its size, the ship is designed to ensure everyone finds their niche, from quiet relaxation to full-throttle party experiences.

Carnival Elation

Dining on Carnival Elation offers a solid range of included options, emphasizing casual and traditional American fare. Guests can enjoy the main Dining Room for breakfast and dinner, featuring a rotating menu and fun waiter entertainment, along with the casual, self-serve Lido Marketplace. Popular poolside spots like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina offer delicious complimentary burgers and Mexican dishes. For a quick bite, Pizza Pirate and Swirls soft-serve are available 24/7. Specialty dining includes the exclusive Chef's Table and a la carte Bonsai Sushi Express, providing a good mix of choices.

Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Mardi Gras elevates the dining experience with an expansive and diverse culinary landscape across its themed zones. Beyond the traditional main Dining Rooms and Lido Marketplace, guests can savor celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse's first at-sea restaurant, Emeril’s Bistro 1396, offering New Orleans flavors for an additional cost. Included options are plentiful, from Guy's Burger Joint and the new Big Chicken by Shaq to global Street Eats food truck-style stations. Specialty choices abound with Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Rudi’s Seagrill, Bonsai Sushi, and Bonsai Teppanyaki, ensuring a wide array of culinary adventures for every palate.

Carnival Elation

Carnival Elation provides a lively entertainment lineup focused on classic cruise fun. The Punchliner Comedy Club offers both family-friendly and adult-only shows, while Playlist Productions brings musical revues to the main Mikado Main Show Lounge. Live music can be found in various lounges, including Duke’s Piano Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, and the Atrium, which also hosts events with a live band or DJ. The Casablanca Casino offers games of chance and tournaments for adult guests. For family fun, WaterWorks features multiple slides, and there's also mini-golf and a video arcade, ensuring options for all ages.

Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Mardi Gras offers an unparalleled array of entertainment and nightlife, anchored by its groundbreaking attractions. The Ultimate Playground zone features BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, alongside an expansive WaterWorks water park and SportSquare with mini-golf and a ropes course. Evenings come alive with Playlist Productions in the Mardi Gras Theater, interactive Family Feud Live, and diverse themed bars like the jazz-filled Brass Magnolia, the mystical Fortune Teller, and the popular Alchemy Bar. The largest casino in the Carnival fleet provides ample gaming opportunities, while the Grand Central Atrium transforms into a vibrant multi-level entertainment space.

Carnival Elation

Cabins on Carnival Elation are generally spacious and comfortable, designed with functionality in mind. Standard rooms, including Interior, Porthole, and Ocean View options, measure around 185 square feet and can accommodate up to five guests, offering ample storage. Balcony staterooms provide 220 total square feet with a 35 square foot private outdoor oasis. Suites, such as the Junior Suite, Grand Suite, and Grand Vista Suite, offer more expansive living areas and deluxe amenities like priority check-in. While bathrooms in standard cabins are basic, suites feature more generous layouts, with some including shower/tub combos.

Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Mardi Gras features modern, thoughtfully designed cabins across a wide range of categories, emphasizing comfort and convenience. Standard Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony staterooms come with contemporary furnishings, USB ports by the bed, and improved bathrooms with glass shower doors. The ship introduces specialized zones for cabins, including Havana staterooms with exclusive pool access (for guests 12+), Family Harbor rooms with lounge perks, and Cloud 9 Spa cabins offering spa benefits. The new Carnival Excel suites provide luxurious space, dual TVs, and exclusive access to Loft 19, some boasting expansive wraparound balconies with private hot tubs.

Carnival Elation

The Carnival Elation's service is characterized by its friendly and attentive crew, which, with a ratio of 920 crew members serving 2,190 passengers, contributes to a personalized and welcoming atmosphere. The onboard style leans towards a classic, unpretentious cruise experience, fostering a relaxed environment where guests feel at ease. The staff, from dining room waiters known for their entertainment to dedicated stateroom attendants, aim to make each guest's vacation enjoyable and comfortable, reflecting the ship's retro charm and focus on traditional hospitality.

Carnival Mardi Gras

On Carnival Mardi Gras, the service maintains Carnival's signature fun-loving spirit on a grander scale, with 1,750 crew members attending to 5,282 passengers. The onboard style is decidedly modern and innovative, with a sophisticated yet lively ambiance across its distinct themed zones. Staff are trained to navigate the ship's extensive offerings, providing seamless experiences, from mixologists crafting personalized cocktails at Alchemy Bar to counselors ensuring fun in the extensive youth programs like Camp Ocean, which is KultureCity 'Sensory Certified'. The focus is on delivering a diverse, high-quality experience with efficiency and a touch of modern flair.

Carnival Elation

Given its classic Fantasy-class design and comfortable size, Carnival Elation is well-suited for shorter, value-oriented itineraries, often sailing to popular destinations in the Caribbean or Mexico. These cruises typically emphasize port visits, allowing guests to explore destinations with ease, returning to a familiar and welcoming ship experience. Its more traditional layout makes it a great choice for those who prefer a relaxed pace and do not require extensive sea day attractions, focusing instead on the joy of sailing and exploring diverse cultures.

Carnival Mardi Gras

As a large, innovative mega-ship, Carnival Mardi Gras excels on longer itineraries where sea days are as much a highlight as the destinations themselves. Its vast array of onboard attractions, from the BOLT roller coaster to its numerous themed zones and diverse dining, means guests will find endless entertainment without needing to disembark every day. These cruises often explore popular Caribbean routes, allowing ample time to experience both vibrant ports of call and the ship's groundbreaking features, making it ideal for those seeking a comprehensive, action-packed vacation at sea.