The Carnival Elation was built in 1998, but has been kept up to date after undergoing a huge refurbishment in 2017. This Fantasy Class ship can accommodate up to 2,697 passengers at maximum capacity.
If you’re planning to cruise on the Carnival Elation out of Port Canaveral, we’ve got a ship overview, travel tips for before and after your cruise, and a discount code to kick off your vacation!
Carnival Elation – Ship Overview
Carnival Elation offers 4 & 5 day cruises to the Bahamas & Caribbean from Port Canaveral. Although part of the smallest ship class in the fleet, Carnival Elation guests will enjoy many of the latest Carnival dining, activities and choice of staterooms onboard.
Ship Stats:
Maiden Voyage: March 1998
Last Refurbishment: October 2017
Size: 71,909 GT
#Guests: 2,697 (max occupancy)
Dates & itineraries:
Departure Months: Year -round
Itineraries: 4 & 5 Night Bahamas & Caribbean
Accommodations
Carnival Elation has a lineup of standard interior, ocean view and balcony staterooms. During the last major dry dock, Carnival Elation also debuted the new categories of Scenic Ocean Views, Junior Suites and Grand Vista Suites.
Dining
You’ll have the plenty of choices when it comes to dining onboard Carnival Elation, including options like the two main dining rooms, Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint, Lido Buffet, Deli and Pizzeria.
Entertainment
There are lots of venues to enjoy live entertainment starting with the Elation Atrium, Mikado Show Lounge, Duke’s Piano Bar, Romeo & Juliet Lounge, Jekyll & Hyde Dance Club, Cole Porter Aft Lounge and on the Pool Deck.
Activities
If you like to keep busy, Carnival Elation has many activities to choose from like the Video Arcade, Kids & Teen clubs, Casablanca Casino, Resort Pool, Carnival WaterWorks, Fitness Center and Mini Golf.
Travel Tips
Choosing an Airport
If you’re flying in for your Carnival Elation cruise, selecting an airport is the first decision you’ll make. There are 3 Orlando Airports: Orlando Sanford, Orlando Melbourne, and Orlando International Airport. Out of all of them, The Orlando International Airport has the shortest travel time to Port Canaveral — making it the most popular choice among frequent cruisers. It’s 45-miles away, but with its direct highway access, you’ll arrive at your terminal in under an hour.
Transfers
After booking your flight, you’ll need to decide how you’re getting to the port. Ship departure days at the airport are always busy, with thousands of cruisers needing a ride to Port Canaveral — so you’ll want to pre-arrange transportation before you land.
A shared shuttle service is the easiest and most practical way to get to your terminal. Besides saving money, you can avoid waiting in long lines for car rentals, taxis, and ride sharing services that charge peak rates for this in-demand time. GoPort.com is the leader in airport to cruise port shared shuttle transportation — known for their award-winning service that costs less than half the price of the cruise lines’. Simply book your ride ahead of time and GoPort will take care of the rest. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll just check in at their counter. In no time, you’ll be enjoying a relaxing ride to your terminal entrance.
Hotel Packages
If your flight lands the day before, or you decide to drive in a day early, you’ll need to plan a hotel stay in addition to arranging transportation and parking. Luckily, with GoPort.com, you can book everything all at once. Their hotel packages are designed to help cruisers save planning time and money. For cruisers flying in, GoPort.com’s Fly Snooze Cruise packages include a hotel stay, round-trip airport transportation, and transfers to your ship for every member of your party. Whereas their Snooze Park Cruise packages are ideal for cruisers driving in from anywhere — complete with a hotel stay, cruise parking, and transfers to your ship.The only thing left for you to do is pick from one of their Orlando or Port Canaveral hotel options featuring brand names you already trust. There’s over 30 to choose from!
Curious about where other cruisers are staying? Here are GoPort.com’s top 4 cruise hotel packages that other Carnival Elation cruisers are booking:
(1) Best Western Titusville: GoPort.com’s Snooze Park Cruise exclusive package at Best Western Titusville is another popular choice for Carnival Elation cruisers, due to its convenient location off of I-95. Some of the top perks of this package are a complimentary hot buffet breakfast, an outdoor pool, as well as close proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Cruise transfers and cruise parking and are also included in this package at GoPort’s parking facility located just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral.
(2) Hyatt Place Orlando Airport: Another top cruise hotel package for Carnival Elation cruisers is GoPort.com’s Fly Snooze Cruise package at the Hyatt Place Orlando Airport. This hotel is just 10 minutes from Orlando International Airport and offers 24/7 dining. Start your morning with a complimentary hot buffet breakfast or enjoy grab-and-go items and quick bites at the Hyatt’s on-site market and bar throughout the day. Some of this package’s best features are a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and easy access to Orlando’s famous theme parks and shopping malls. Airport transportation and cruise transfers are also included in the package. This hotel is also available as a convenient Snooze Park Cruise hotel option for cruisers driving down I-75. Cruise parking and transfers are included in this package at GoPort’s parking facility that’s just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral.
(3) Hilton Oceanfront Cocoa Beach: It’s no surprise GoPort.com’s Fly Snooze Cruise package at the Hilton Oceanfront Cocoa Beach is a top pick for Carnival Elation cruisers. This family-friendly hotel has direct beach access, making it perfect for those looking to enjoy some fun in the sun before setting sail. Some of the Hilton’s top amenities include a heated outdoor pool with a sundeck and tiki bar, aquatic rentals, and an on-site restaurant and coffee bar. Airport transportation and cruise transfers are included in this package. For cruisers driving in, a Snooze Park Cruise package at the Hilton is a great choice if you’re arriving early and want to enjoy the benefits of staying on the beach. Cruise parking and transfers are also included in this package, with the convenience of leaving your car right at the hotel for the duration of your cruise.
(4) Holiday Inn Orlando Airport: The newly-renovated Holiday Inn Orlando Airport is GoPort.com’s most popular Fly Snooze Cruise package choice among Carnival Elation cruisers flying in. Not only is this hotel located just 5 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, but it also has a restaurant on site that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s also plenty of amenities, like a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, and sports courts. Airport transportation and cruise transfers are also included in the package. For cruisers driving down I-75, this hotel doubles as a convenient Snooze Park Cruise hotel option to unwind at on your way to the port. Cruise parking and transfers are included in this package at GoPort’s parking facility that’s just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral.
Cruise Parking
If you have a short drive and just need cruise parking, it’s important to understand how rates are calculated before finding your best option. Most parking facilities advertise a pay-per-day rate and charge you for every calendar day your vehicle is parked. Seems straight-forward, but even though your cruise ship returns back to Port Canaveral early in the morning, you’ll still be charged for a full day of parking at these facilities.
On top of that, this pricing structure often comes with additional hidden fees and unexpected transfer charges. How can you avoid these unexpected costs? When you book with GoPort.com, cruise parking is included with the price of transfers to and from your ship for one flat fee. This can add up to big savings. Located just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral, GoPort’s parking facility is paved and lit with shuttles that drop you off right at your Carnival Elation terminal.