1st time elation - need a guide

[manborn]

we've forgotten about the flu and besides upgrading to a better cabin. what else do i need to bring or add to really take advantage of this great opportunity? i know i can't compare it to a royal carrib ship with central park gardens(put down not intended) but what dining spots are better, what's not worth looking or spending time on?

should i bring swimming googles, binoculars? just trying to avoid saying something like "i should have brought this or that".

so far i've only gathered,
- pack lite,
- bring tons of money,
- meds just incase (since it's expensive),
- use autoTip,
but what else?

any input is appreciated, thanks!

 

[manborn]

should i bring swimming googles, binoculars? just trying to avoid saying something like
"we should have upgraded to that dining spot"
"better if we came earlier in the pool, now it's swamped"
"better if we came this time to the mini golf, now it's packed"

 

[Deborah]

We were on the Elation for the May 24th sailing. This was our first cruise with Carnival. The Elation has no "upgraded" dining spot. You eat inside one of the two dining rooms or eat at the buffet. I hope for your sake you are assigned to the Imagination Dining Room. We ate in the Inspiration at the aft end of the ship and the ship shook the entire time during dinner due to the engines. It became old real quick. The food is average. Nothing unusual on the menu. They do offer flat iron steak, which was good the first time we ordered it. The second time we had it it looked and tasted completely different. The best meal in the dining room is on formal night.They serve lobster and prawns (the best meal during the whole cruise). The chocolate melting cake is good, but it wasn't something I'd get every night. The Elation has a sushi bar. It opens at 5pm every night. It was ok for being offered at no extra cost. However, the sake they offer with it does cost extra. If you don't get there when it opens the line tends to get long. If you like stir fry, the Elation has Mongolian Stir Fry on Lido Deck every day from approx noon til I believe 2:30pm. The stir fry is wonderful. Along with the formal night dinner, easily one of the best foods they offer on the ship. The buffet is ok, if you've ever eaten at a Chuck a Rama or Golden Corral the food quality is similar. Keep checking the daily capers, there is one day when they offer a chocolate buffet. For chocolate lovers it's a must. You asked about binoculars, I'd bring them. There were several mornings when we could see dolphins and seals swimming near the ship. You are aware that the pools are actually ocean water, so if you plan on keeping your eyes open while swimming you may want swim goggles. The Elation also has the new adults only Serenity area at the aft now. Hope this info helps you. If you need any more info I'd be happy to help. Enjoy your cruise!