Choosing the right cabin can make all the difference when planning your Carnival cruise. Some staterooms are more spacious than others, while certain cabins are more centrally located.
I've had my fair share of bad cruise cabin locations. For example, when sailing on Carnival Vista, I selected a Junior Suite at the front of the ship. While excited about the larger cabin, I didn't realize how much I'd hate staying in a room so far forward.
Though there are fewer stateroom options on smaller Fantasy Class ships like Carnival Elation, extra research can go a long way to ensure you don't end up with a cabin you regret.
Cruise cabins you should avoid aboard Carnival Elation
Cabins on Deck 7
Measuring just TK gross registered tons (GRT), Carnival Elation isn't a large ship. However, it still has its share of rooms that aren't ideal. While staterooms on Deck 7 might seem convenient to the Atrium and venues on Deck 8, the cabins can be subject to more noise.
For example, Duke's Piano Bar is directly above rooms E68 through E78. So, you could be dealing with late-night noise from this popular live music spot if you're staying in one of these cabins.
Certain rooms on Deck 7 are close to the Atrium, too, such as E46 through E66 and E68 through E78 on the port side and E47 through E67 and E69 through E79 on the starboard side.
Interior upper/lower staterooms
While it's fair to say inside cabins are usually the smallest onboard, Carnival Elation has a specific category of interior rooms smaller than traditional inside cabins: interior upper/lower.
These rooms are classified as Category 1A and can be found on:
- Deck 4 — R50, R52, R54, R56, R58, R60, R62, R64, and R66
- Deck 6 — U167, U169, U171, U173, and U175
- Deck 7 — E181, E183, E185, E187, and E189
Because of their size and configuration, they can accommodate just two guests. However, if you're traveling with a partner, note that you can't configure the beds together, as the room features two separate upper and lower bunks.
This also means that someone in your party needs to feel confident climbing onto a top bunk to sleep each night.
Cabins in the front of the ship
Sometimes, Carnival charges less for staterooms in the front (forward) and back (aft) of the ship. However, those in the front are less than ideal for guests who are prone to seasickness.
Staterooms located near the ship's bow tend to experience more motion, especially in rough seas. The last thing you want is to return to your cabin after a few drinks and feel like you're on a roller coaster! Midship rooms are better for those who struggle with motion sickness.
Plus, forward cabins on a lower deck may hear the noisy anchor drop in tender ports like Half Moon Cay, which is something to keep in mind if Carnival's private island is on your itinerary from Jacksonville, Florida.
Connecting staterooms
Adjoining cabins are great for families who don't want to cram into a single stateroom and want the benefits of extra space and two (yes, two!) bathrooms. However, they're often annoying for parties who don't know each other, as the connecting door can allow noise from the other stateroom to seep through.
This means that you could be awoken by a crying child in the morning or kept awake at night by loud conversations, televisions, or other disturbances. Because shorter cruises on Carnival Elation often draw a rowdier crowd, you might experience even more noise from intoxicated guests than on other ships.
Again, don't hesitate to book adjoining cabins for your family or group of friends, just take caution when reserving one of these rooms if you don't know the neighbors, especially if you're traveling at popular times like spring break when more families travel together and younger adults tend to let loose.
Read more: I took a spring break cruise on Carnival's smallest ship
Cabins near elevator banks
Staterooms near elevator banks and stairwells experience more foot traffic than those further down the hall. These areas are busy with passengers coming and going at all hours of the day and night, chatting as they wait for an elevator.
This can be disruptive, especially if you're a light sleeper. With Carnival Elation sometimes drawing noisier crowds, it's not uncommon for guests to return to their cabins as late as 1:00am or 2:00am. Typically, passengers who are awake this late have had a few drinks and may use their inside voices as they walk down the hallways.
Read more: Elevator or stairs on a cruise ship? Your choice could make you live longer, study finds
Staterooms on Deck 9 underneath the buffet
Thankfully, few cabins are directly below the ever-popular Lido Deck on Carnival Elation. There are, however, a few underneath the buffet, which is where many guests begin their morning for breakfast.
Plus, rooms in the aft of the ship on Deck 9 are close to the Alchemy Bar, a popular craft cocktail bar where many guests utilize their CHEERS! drink packages. They're also near the entry to the adults-only Serenity Deck.
While they may seem convenient because of their proximity to venues like the Limelight Lounge, Java Blue Café, and the Romeo & Juliet Lounge, take into consideration the possible noise bleed you could hear from the bustling areas nearby. Those seeking a more restful stateroom may prefer to select a cabin away from public areas.
Junior suites with obstructed views
With Carnival's suite program lacking compared to other lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, I don't want to overpay for a larger cabin just to have an obstructed view!
If you're eyeing a Junior Suite on your upcoming Carnival Elation cruise, take care to avoid certain staterooms with views blocked by various structures, including lifeboats, davits, and crew-only stairs
These suites are classified as Category OB and can be found on Deck 11: V4, V21, V23, V25, V27, V30, V34, and V38.
GTY cabins
Though guarantee staterooms are often the more affordable, they come with uncertainty. Saving money on vacation always seems like a good idea; however, you may regret your decision if you are assigned a room in an undesirable location.
As the name implies, a guarantee cabin guarantees you a room on the ship within your chosen category, whether interior, ocean view, balcony, or suite, but it doesn't guarantee you a specific cabin or location.
Once you're assigned your stateroom, you can't change it unless you’re willing to pay for an available upgrade. This means that you could be given an interior upper/lower stateroom, a cabin with an obstructed view, or a room near the front of the ship.
Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Carnival Elation
Where does Carnival Elation sail to?
Carnival Elation is one of the oldest and smallest ships in Carnival's fleet. Sailing exclusively from Jacksonville, Florida, Elation primarily takes guests on shorter cruises to the Bahamas, including Carnival's private island, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.
The shortest voyages start at 4 nights, whereas the longest—which are more sporadic—are 6 and 7 nights. According to Carnival's website, pricing starts at around $415 per person for a 4-night cruise in January 2026. Balconies are more expensive, increasing to over $800 each.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
