My 5-Night cruise aboard Carnival's Elation from Jacksonville, FL to the Bahamas accomplished my primary goal: relaxation. This was my first Carnival cruise, my first cruise out of Jacksonville, FL, and my first Solo cruise! I was impressed with Carnival and would go on them again. The Jaxport was easy to get to and embarkation/debarkation easy. And Solo-cruising...what's not to like? I got to do what I want, when I want!

All I want to do on cruises is find a lounge chair near a pool and hot tub, and rotate reading to swimming, back to reading, then to Hot tub, repeat. Most days on this cruise, you could find me up on deck reading, but no pool/hot tub time; they kept draining the pool in the day and refilling it that night and the heaters on for the hot tubs didn't work (and no staff could explain why). It was a little cooler than my usual January cruises, but the sun was warm!

BUT the Elation is the PERFECT size ship! It's older, but refurbished, with everything within an easy walk! Lots of nightclubs and bars, great nightly entertainment in the theater, two comedians, deck parties, informal food stations (the BEST hamburgers were from Guy Fiero's!!!) and good food (not great like RCL, but pretty good). Read more