We were just on Carnival Elation for a 5 night cruise. Overall the cruise was good, as it had some things we really liked and some things that were kind of lacking.

We did not have any problem with our cabin and our room attendant was attentive and got anything we wanted, i.e. extra pillows , two buckets of ice, and a chair so I could sit up if needed to with my bad back. On the positive note, the entertainment was very good. The singers and dancers were excellent and very talented. They put on shows of different genres and each was amazing!! Also one of the late night comedians was very funny, the other one was just average. The biggest reason I can't give this cruise a 5 star great rating is the food on the buffet on lido deck. Each night they had meat that was carved for you and the only night it was quite good was the first night they had pork roast. that was tasty, but a little bland. The other 2 nights we ate at the buffet the meat that was carved was substandard, tough and dry and very little taste. There also dint seem to be much variety of side dishes, and each night they had over done baked potatoes, no mashed, French fries or red. Nothing but the same baked potato. Also the quantity and quality of the other side dishes was disappointing . Some were very spicy and not labeled that you would know that, and some very tasteless. We did eat in the dining room 2 nights and the food was very good, but the servers , although very efficient were not very friendly. they seldom smiled or interacted with us. Also I don't see why they don't have the burger place open at dinner time. Id much rather have it open for part of dinner than 11 am. In the casino some of the dealers and pt bosses were very nice and friendly and some u couldn't make them smile if u tried. Overall it was a good cruise but could have been great if some of the staff were more friendly and if they work on making the buffet better. The last 2 cruises on carnival I was on slightly bigger ships and the food on the buffet was better. To end my review, I also remember more deck parties and parties in the bars and clubs that were announced and not so much on this cruise and after 11:30 at night there was nothing to do but go to the casino.