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Ship comparison

Carnival Elation vs Carnival Luminosa

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Carnival Elation is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,190 passengers, in service since 1998. Carnival Luminosa is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,260 passengers, in service since 2009.

Choose Carnival Elation if you want a better-rated spa and gym, better-rated staterooms or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Carnival Luminosa for spa & fitness (6.0 vs 2.0), staterooms (6.0 vs 2.0) and family friendly (8.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Carnival Luminosa if you want a newer ship, more space per passenger or more adventure and nature: it outscores Carnival Elation for adventure & nature (3.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2009 (vs 1998) and it has 41.0 gross tons per passenger (vs 32.8).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Carnival ElationCarnival Luminosa
Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Cruise Line
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 1998 2009 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2015 2022 (better)
Gross tonnage 71,909 92,600
Passengers 2,190 2,260
Crew 900 1,050
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.4 2.2 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 32.8 41.0 (better)
Decks 13 12
Length 855 ft 964 ft
Beam 103 ft 106 ft
Speed 24 mph 26 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 6 / 10 7 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale 5 27
Upcoming sailings 121 68
Cruise lengths 4–6 nights 2–23 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $276 $236 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Elation leads on 8 of the ten, Carnival Luminosa on 1, with 1 level.

  • Active Carnival Elation: 4.0 Carnival Luminosa: 2.0
  • Adventure & nature Carnival Elation: 2.0 Carnival Luminosa: 3.0
  • Cultural Carnival Elation: 3.0 Carnival Luminosa: 2.0
  • Dining Carnival Elation: 5.0 Carnival Luminosa: 2.0
  • Entertainment Carnival Elation: 7.0 Carnival Luminosa: 5.0
  • Family friendly Carnival Elation: 8.0 Carnival Luminosa: 5.0
  • Party Carnival Elation: 8.0 Carnival Luminosa: 5.0
  • Romantic Carnival Elation: 2.0 Carnival Luminosa: 2.0
  • Spa & fitness Carnival Elation: 6.0 Carnival Luminosa: 2.0
  • Staterooms Carnival Elation: 6.0 Carnival Luminosa: 2.0

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Elation

Carnival Elation is designed to celebrate the muses who inspire the arts, themed around literary, musical and film greats.

Highlights

  • Relaxation in the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
  • Listening to beats by DJ Irie
  • Singing along to old classics played at the Piano Bar

Sailing now

5 cruises on sale, from $276.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Luminosa

At 965 feet long and 106 feet wide, Carnival Luminosa — formerly Costa Luminosa — can accommodate 2,260 passengers in 1,130 cabins. Staterooms and public spaces are artfully outfitted in oranges, golds and browns. There are touches of brilliant purples and iridescent fabrics, and artwork is everywhere.

Highlights

  • An expansive and opulent spa
  • An excellent collection of artwork, including 288 original works and 4,733 prints on board.
  • Eleven bars, including a cigar lounge and a coffee & chocolate bar.
  • A vivid and appealing design aesthetic throughout.

Sailing now

27 cruises on sale, from $236.

Questions

Carnival Elation or Carnival Luminosa?

Which is bigger, Carnival Elation or Carnival Luminosa?

Carnival Luminosa is bigger at 92,600 gross tons, against 71,909 gross tons for Carnival Elation. Carnival Elation carries 2,190 passengers and Carnival Luminosa carries 2,260.

Which ship is newer, Carnival Elation or Carnival Luminosa?

Carnival Luminosa is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2009 against 1998 for Carnival Elation.

Which has more space per passenger?

Carnival Luminosa, with 41.0 gross tons per passenger against 32.8 on Carnival Elation. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Carnival Luminosa, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.4 on Carnival Elation.

Which is better for families?

Carnival Elation scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 5.0 for Carnival Luminosa.

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