Carnival Elation
“A genuine first at sea — the world's first cruise ship with Azipod propulsion.”
Carnival Elation entered service in 1998 as a Fantasy-class ship — the smallest and oldest active class in the fleet — and made maritime history in the process: she was the world's first cruise ship fitted with Azipod electric propulsion, pulling rather than pushing through the water for meaningfully better fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability. She came out of an extended dry-dock refresh in early 2026. Homeported in Jacksonville, Florida, she runs short 4- to 6-night getaways to Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini.
The world's first cruise ship with Azipod propulsion — an electric, azimuthing pod system that pulls the ship through the water, achieving an 8% efficiency gain over earlier Fantasy-class ships when she debuted in 1998.
What’s Onboard
Dining
- ✓Main dining room with rotating menus
- ✓Lido Marketplace buffet
- ✓Guy's Burger Joint
- ✓BlueIguana Cantina
- ✓Fresh Creations made-to-order salads
- ✓Pizzeria del Capitano
Pools & Recreation
- ✓Waterslide
- ✓Serenity adults-only retreat
- ✓Two pools and whirlpools
- ✓Fitness centre and spa
- ✓Sports deck
- ✓Refreshed decor from the 2026 dry dock
Entertainment
- ✓Main theatre production shows
- ✓Punchliner Comedy Club
- ✓Casino
- ✓Piano bar and live music venues
- ✓RedFrog Pub
- ✓Duty-free shopping promenade
Cabins
- ✓Interior, Oceanview, Balcony & Suite
- ✓Compact, easy-to-navigate deck plan
- ✓Family-friendly connecting cabins
- ✓Ocean Suite top category
- ✓Refreshed after early-2026 dry dock
- ✓Classic Fantasy-class stateroom layouts
Family & Kids
- ✓Camp Ocean kids' club
- ✓Circle C and Club O2 for tweens and teens
- ✓Family pool areas
- ✓Connecting stateroom options
- ✓Family-friendly Bahamas excursions
- ✓Arcade and games room
Video Tour
Carnival Elation — Full Ship Tour, Every Public Space
- ✦Jacksonville-area travelers wanting a short getaway
- ✦First-time cruisers testing the waters
- ✦Bahamas itinerary seekers
- ✦Budget-conscious cruisers wanting a compact, simple ship
Travelers wanting Carnival's newest mega-ship attractions — Elation's small, 1998-built Fantasy-class hull has none of the waterparks or thrill rides found on Carnival's Excel-class ships.
4–6 night Bahamas from ~$350/pp (interior) to $1,200+/pp (suite)