Jacksonville’s year-round ship for four- and five-day Bahamas getaways.
Best for: North Florida, Georgia and Carolina families who want a quick, easygoing Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville with a waterpark and kids clubs on a small, easy ship. Sails from Jacksonville in 2026 and 2027.
Carnival Elation is one of the last two Fantasy Class ships still sailing for Carnival. Built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, she entered service in March 1998 and now measures 71,909 gross tons and 855 feet, carrying 2,190 guests with 900 crew. A 2017 makeover added a deck of new cabins including two Grand Vista Suites and 22 Junior Suites, put 230-square-foot balconies on 98 existing rooms and brought Carnival WaterWorks, Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina aboard; later dry docks added 30 more staterooms, the Alchemy Bar and a 2023 refresh.
She is a compact, easy ship to get around. The Imagination and Inspiration dining rooms serve dinner, Lido Marketplace handles the buffet, and Guy’s, BlueIguana, Pizza Pirate, the Carnival Deli, Mongolian Wok and Swirls are included, with Bonsai Sushi Express, JavaBlue Café and the Chef’s Table extra. Duke’s Piano Bar, the Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Playlist Productions and the Punchliner Comedy Club fill the evenings, and the Cloud 9 Spa and Serenity give adults somewhere quiet.
Carnival Elation has been Jacksonville’s ship since 2017 and Carnival has confirmed she stays there year-round through 2026, 2027 and into 2028, sailing four- and five-day Bahamas cruises. That makes her the drive-to choice for North Florida, South Georgia and the Carolinas: a short cruise with a waterpark, Dr. Seuss characters for the kids and no airport, on a ship with the scale and pace of a long weekend rather than a big-ship vacation.
Four- and five-day Bahamas cruises year-round from Jacksonville through 2027
Carnival WaterWorks with slides, splash areas and squirters
230-square-foot Balcony staterooms and Grand Vista Suites added in the 2017 makeover
Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Pizza Pirate, Mongolian Wok and the Carnival Deli included
Bonsai Sushi Express, JavaBlue Café and the Chef’s Table
Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Duke’s Piano Bar
Cloud 9 Spa and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
Camp Ocean, Seuss at Sea storytime and parade, and a video arcade
Staterooms and suites
Interior
Standard Interior rooms, Porthole rooms on the lower decks and Interior Upper/Lower rooms with a twin bed and a Pullman; the simplest way to sail a four-day Bahamas cruise.
Ocean View
Picture-window Ocean View rooms plus Scenic Ocean View rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, a comfortable choice for couples who want daylight.
Balcony
About 230-square-foot Balcony rooms created by adding verandas to existing staterooms in 2017, plus Aft-View Extended Balcony rooms looking over the wake.
Suites
Junior Suites (including a few obstructed-view ones), Grand Suites, Grand Suites with an extended balcony and two Grand Vista Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows on the uppermost deck; suites include priority check-in and boarding, a pillow-top mattress, bathrobes, two large bottles of water and a bag of wash-and-fold laundry per cruise.
Carnival Elation deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
Deck 15 - Sun
Deck 14 - Grand
Mini Golf, Bocce Ball, Staterooms.
4I Interior StateroomJT Junior Suite6J Scenic OceanviewGV Grand Vista Suite
Mini GolfImagine a perfect day out on the links, the golfer's zen of the ball, the hole and nothing in between but well manicured fairway, plus one cactus, a treasure chest.
Fitness CenterVacation is actually a great time to hit the gym. And here’s a good gym to hit.
Massage RoomsSelect from different hands-on experiences featuring seaweed for detox, herbal poultice for energy, bamboo for deep tissue penetration, and hot stones for perfection.
Cloud 9 SpaCloud 9 Spa offers a peaceful escape with massages, facials, body wraps, thermal suites, and more, all designed to help guests fully unwind.
Cost: Additional Fee
Restriction: 18+
Camp OceanThe little ones can enjoy the best parts of summer camp, year-round aboard their Carnival cruise. At Camp Ocean kids will have a blast in supervised, age-based groups and give each a cool marine-life label: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years).
Deck 11 - Verandah
Elation Atrium, Carnival Waterworks, Bar, Staterooms.
OB Junior Suite (Obstructed View)4I Interior StateroomJS Junior Suite
AtriumThe Atrium, the entrance to the ship and the heart of the vessel, creates the first impression of the experience to come.
Carnival WaterWorksHundreds of feet of spiraling awesomeness that starts you off high in the air and gets you down low with one of the fastest, wettest rides you'll find anywhere.
Deck 10 - Lido
Pizzeria, Salad Bar, Pool, The Patio, Bridge, Dessert Station,
Elation Atrium, Red Frog Rum Bar, Blue Iguana Tequila Bar, Deli, Tiffany's Lido Restaurant, Blue Iguana Cantina, Resort Pool.
BlueIguana Tequila BarBlueIguana Tequila Bar is the onboard spot to chill and enjoy a slushy tequila drink or an ice-cold Mexican cerveza.
RedFrog Rum BarGuests have told toe hit on something special with the cool Caribbean chill of the RedFrog Pub. So it's taken the best parts and brought them poolside with the RedFrog Rum Bar,
PoolSlide, glide and enjoy a wild water ride.
BlueIguana CantinaNobody knows Mexican dining like a blue iguana. Well, blue iguana, at least. That's why it should come as no surprise that the BlueIguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment.
Guy's Burger JointGuy Fieri to bring all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to Guy’s Burger Joint, the cool poolside spot for hot burgers and hand-cut fries.
Salad BarLight, flavourful and fun - enjoy your veggies topped with your favourite dressing.
Casablanca Casino, Club O2, Photo Gallery, Mikado Main Show Lounge, Stage, Video Arcade, Bonsai Sushi Express, Drama Bar, Dreams Studio, Cherry on Top, Dance Floor, Internet Cafe, Limelight Lounge, Alchemy Bar, Javablue Cafe.
Mikado Main LoungeSit back and enjoy the performance, where every night is an extravaganza.
Photo GalleryTake some memories home to share with family and friends.
Video ArcadeThe video arcade is equipped with the latest and greatest high-tech video and arcade games.
Elation AtriumThe Atrium, the entrance to the ship and the heart of the vessel, creates the first impression of the experience to come.
Bonsai Sushi ExpressBonsai Sushi Express offers quick and convenient sushi options, perfect for enjoying on the go between activities.
Club O2Music, video games,food and new friends; the perfect round the clock hangout for teen 15-17.
Casablanca CasinoYour heart pounds,palms sweat and, if you're lucky, you'll do a victory dance.
Elation's Way PromenadeAn excellent place to regroup and decide which spot to explore next.
Dreams StudioEverybody looks their best, smiles their biggest smiles on vacation… and at Dreams Studio the professional photographers beautifully capture this side of individuals, couples, groups or families.
Romeo & Juliet LoungeEnjoy live music or showcase your moves on the dance floor.
Cherry On TopA cruise is the perfect time to treat yourself to something sweet, and Cherry On Topâ„¢ happens to be the perfect place.
Limelight LoungeLimelight Lounge.
Alchemy BarAlchemy Bar is a vintage-themed cocktail venue where creative drinks are crafted for those open to trying something new.
SerenityYou'll find yourself in is one of complete peace, sea breezes, swaying hammocks, and, of course, a nearby bar. It's the place to get done the kind of stuff you just can't seem to do anywhere else.
Deck 8 - Atlantic
Mikado Main Show Lounge, Stage, Mark Twain Library, The Fun Shops, Imagination Dining Room, Galley, Inspiration Dining Room, Circle C, Duke's Paino Bar, Elation Atrium.
Mikado Main LoungeSit back and enjoy the performance, where every night is an extravaganza.
The Fun ShopsIf shopping is your favorite pastime then you must visit the duty free shops.
Circle CWelcome to the ultimate hot spot for guests ages 12 to 14. And with all this fun happening, they’ll be LOLing in no time.
AtriumThe Atrium, the entrance to the ship and the heart of the vessel, creates the first impression of the experience to come.
Duke's Piano BarJoin in song around the piano bar-with no worries, even if you're slightly off key.
Mark Twain LibraryCatch up on your reading, write family and friend back home, or play board games.
Imagination Dining RoomFeast on culinary delights.
Deck 7 - Empress
Atrium Plaza and Internet, Plaza Bar, Shore Excursions, Guest Services, Art Gallery, Staterooms.
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board Carnival Elation
ZumbiniZSpaWaterWorksWatchesVideo ArcadeTwister WaterslideTurtlesTiffany's Lido RestaurantThe Punchliner Comedy ClubThe Fun ShopsThe Chef's TableThe Carnival Deli
Dining on Carnival Elation
Lido MarketplaceIncluded
The Lido buffet with rotating stations, the Carnival Deli, Mongolian Wok and Swirls soft-serve.
Imagination and Inspiration Dining RoomsIncluded
Two main dining rooms with a three-course menu nightly and Seaday Brunch.
Guy’s Burger JointIncluded
Guy Fieri’s burgers and fries by the pool.
BlueIguana CantinaIncluded
Tacos and burritos made fresh to order.
Pizza PirateIncluded
Made-to-order pizza around the clock.
Bonsai Sushi ExpressSpecialty
Grab-and-go sushi rolls and bowls priced per item.
JavaBlue CaféSpecialty
Espresso drinks, milkshakes and sweets.
The Chef’s TableSpecialty
Chef-hosted multi-course dinner for a small group with a galley tour.
Entertainment and activities
Playlist Productions musical revues and the Punchliner Comedy Club
Carnival WaterWorks slides and splash zone
Duke’s Piano Bar sing-alongs
Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar
Casino and video arcade
Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
Cloud 9 Spa and fitness center
Families and who it suits
Three youth spaces split kids by age: Camp Ocean for 2 to 11 (Penguins 2 to 5, Stingrays 6 to 8, Sharks 9 to 11), Circle C for 12 to 14 and Club O2 for 15 to 17. Seuss at Sea adds Dr. Seuss character storytime, a parade and the Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, and WaterWorks and the arcade cover the sea day.
Best for: North Florida, Georgia and Carolina families who want a quick, easygoing Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville with a waterpark and kids clubs on a small, easy ship.
Sails from: Jacksonville · Regions: Bahamas
Days ashore
Shore excursions in Carnival Elation’s upcoming ports
The ports on Carnival Elation’s next sailings. Pick one to see the tours Shore Excursions Group runs there, book before you sail and skip the line at the pier.
Ports from sailings departing Oct 26, 2026 onward; itineraries vary by date and your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the ports for your sailing. Tours are sold and operated by Shore Excursions Group, an independent tour company; SmartCruiser earns a commission on bookings made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Carnival Elation questions we answer every day
How big is Carnival Elation?
Carnival Elation is 71,909 gross tons and 855 feet long. Carnival lists her at 2,190 guests with 900 crew, and the deck plans show ten guest decks numbered 4 through 14. She is a Fantasy Class ship from 1998, so she is small by current standards, which many short-cruise guests prefer because nothing is more than a few minutes’ walk.
Where does Carnival Elation sail in 2026 and 2027?
She sails year-round from Jacksonville, Florida, on four- and five-day cruises to the Bahamas. Carnival has confirmed Jacksonville as her home port through the 2026-27 season and again in its 2027-28 deployment, so the schedule is stable. Jacksonville’s cruise terminal is a short drive from Interstate 95, which makes her popular with guests from Georgia and the Carolinas.
What was added in the refurbishments?
The October 2017 makeover added 38 staterooms including two Grand Vista Suites and 22 Junior Suites, put private balconies on 98 existing rooms, and brought WaterWorks, Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar aboard. A later dry dock added 30 aft staterooms and the Alchemy Bar, and a February 2023 dry dock refreshed the ship again.
Which staterooms are the best choice on Carnival Elation?
Balcony rooms are limited on a Fantasy Class ship, so book one early if you want it; the Aft-View Extended Balcony rooms are the best of them. Scenic Ocean View rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows are a good alternative. Families often take an Interior Upper/Lower or two connecting rooms, and the Grand Vista Suites on the top deck are the splurge.
What is included in the fare on Carnival Elation?
The Imagination and Inspiration dining rooms, Lido Marketplace, Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Pizza Pirate, the Carnival Deli, Mongolian Wok, Swirls, Seaday Brunch, Playlist Productions, the Punchliner Comedy Club, WaterWorks, the pools and Camp Ocean are included. Bonsai Sushi Express, JavaBlue Café, the Chef’s Table, bar drinks, Wi-Fi, the casino and Cloud 9 Spa treatments are extra.
Is Carnival Elation good for families?
Yes, especially for a first cruise. WaterWorks has slides, splash areas and squirters for different ages, Camp Ocean, Circle C and Club O2 cover ages 2 to 17, and Seuss at Sea puts Dr. Seuss characters in storytime and a parade. Four- and five-day lengths suit school breaks, and parents get Serenity, the Cloud 9 Spa and Duke’s Piano Bar.
Every Carnival Elation departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
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Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.
