Elation 7/26 Mobile Review/Info

[alleauna]

We walked. It was not a bad walk at all.

(maybe 10 min)

 

 

Right now in Memphis it is 103° and supposed to hit 105°

with a heat index of 127°. If it was like this,

I would be in a shuttle.;)

 

I feel like I need to go back to Mexico to cool off.:rolleyes:

 

Excellent! I hear you...was just telling someone yesterday that we booked this cruise during the brutal winter, looking forward to escaping the cold. Now we'll use it to escape the heat...and we live in the mtns of NC...it's not supposed to be HOT here! ;) Thanks again for the excellent info. :)

[ohyes]

 

 

[sjn911]

Conchead...

 

Thanks so much on your efforts and review!!! All those great photos...love the Fantasy class because the size is just much better for some...and there is just an unpretentiosness times 10 on them...easy going great Carnival people...thanks again for all your effort....

 

Sincerely, Sarah

[sjn911]

I forgot to say Conchead..Felipe was our CD on the Paradise June 2009. It was fun to see his photos and get your review of his good job. He was good on our trip too, and it looks like he was maybe even more relaxed and continuing to enjoy his job and invloved folks on Elation...it's neat..one sees alot in photos and I think it is so great that these hard workers get recognized for ther efforts..thanks again...Sarah

[conchead]

I forgot to say Conchead..Felipe was our CD on the Paradise June 2009. It was fun to see his photos and get your review of his good job. He was good on our trip too, and it looks like he was maybe even more relaxed and continuing to enjoy his job and invloved folks on Elation...it's neat..one sees alot in photos and I think it is so great that these hard workers get recognized for ther efforts..thanks again...Sarah

 

I am glad you liked it all.

I don't know how long Felipe has been in the role of CD,

but I think he said he has been with Carnival for 6 years??

I think he did a really good job.

 

He got involved more than just a talking host at events..costumes dancing

and things like that. If you wanted to talk to him, he didn't make you feel rushed.

If he thought you wanted a pic of him or something, he would stop doing whatever

he was doing and pose with you or talk.

 

He seemed to be a really nice guy and also seemed totally relaxed

and happy doing his job. Like it was not just a job, but something he truely enjoyed doing.

[sjn911]

I am glad you liked it all.

I don't know how long Felipe has been in the role of CD,

but I think he said he has been with Carnival for 6 years??

I think he did a really good job.

 

He got involved more than just a talking host at events..costumes dancing

and things like that. If you wanted to talk to him, he didn't make you feel rushed.

If he thought you wanted a pic of him or something, he would stop doing whatever

he was doing and pose with you or talk.

 

He seemed to be a really nice guy and also seemed totally relaxed

and happy doing his job. Like it was not just a job, but stomething he truely enjoyed doing.

 

Thanks for getting back to me... still having tech difficulties with site..left it on today for when "better"..but it's tough..hope CC is finding problems...tough for them too I'm sure.

 

Just really want this to get back on page one for a minute (smiles)..I think he just relaxed and got better and better..I too, as another poster stated, saw some less positive impressions of him...I just think it's growing it the job..and he was so obviously enjoying the customer contact..it's just neat to know a little about who is who and see them happy in their jobs isn't it??

 

Thanks again to you and your travel buddy I presume;) for the reviews.

[hockeyluver]

I have read on another thread that the Elation does NOT have hairdryers in the cabin, can you confirm this for me please?

[sjn911]

I have read on another thread that the Elation does NOT have hairdryers in the cabin, can you confirm this for me please?

 

Paradise did not as I recall....sister to Elation and Fantasy class.

[conchead]

Thanks for getting back to me... still having tech difficulties with site..left it on today for when "better"..but it's tough..hope CC is finding problems...tough for them too I'm sure.

 

Just really want this to get back on page one for a minute (smiles)..I think he just relaxed and got better and better..I too, as another poster stated, saw some less positive impressions of him...I just think it's growing it the job..and he was so obviously enjoying the customer contact..it's just neat to know a little about who is who and see them happy in their jobs isn't it??

 

Thanks again to you and your travel buddy I presume;) for the reviews.

 

That was my son:D

 

I have read on another thread that the Elation does NOT have hairdryers in the cabin, can you confirm this for me please?

 

Well according to Carnival's website :rolleyes:

(which is about as reliable as a 1972 Ford Pinto with a blown motor)

There are no hairdryers.

Wrong... we had one in our cabin, sitting in the closet by the safe.

 

Carnival also says the safes on the Elation use a key which you have to get

from your room steward and return on the last night of the cruise.

Wrong again..it is the safe you swipe a card to lock and unlock.

[sjn911]

That was my son:D

 

I thought so!!

 

Well according to Carnival's website :rolleyes:

(which is about as reliable as a 1972 Ford Pinto with a blown motor)

There are no hairdryers.

Wrong... we had one in our cabin, sitting in the closet by the safe.

 

Carnival also says the safes on the Elation use a key which you have to get

from your room steward and return on the last night of the cruise.

Wrong again..it is the safe you swipe a card to lock and unlock.

 

Conchead..Are you putting down the high school commute car of my family of origin...4 girls shared over 10 years on a ranch mind you?? 45 minutes to town but AN HOUR IN THAT CAR.:D 2 miles an hour uphill??? Summer driving only..the silver bullet??? OMG ..thanks for correcting moi on the hair dryers....was not sure if they maybe changed to as their upgrade program as well...sjn.

[dengirl]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review and funtimes.

My husband and I and two friends are all going on the 23...so excited. On the two funtimes that I saw I didn't see anything like the classes to learn how to fold the animal towels. Basically music . Hairy men and alcohol. Lol. Maybe it was and I didn't see it. But do you remember what else they had? Thanks.....

[ohyes]

Happy Cruising to you and your DH! Lucky you!:D

 

The only other Fun Times I saved was the Calica day (7/29) Included was sports trivia, bean bag toss, name that tune..

 

There was a towel folding session (didn't attend) and an ice sculpture exhibition....also at least two dance classes...but i can't remember what days. Seems like one was the Cha Cha.

 

I missed the hairy chest contest this time around - tho i was a judge 5 years ago on the Sensation...still trying to figure out how to work that into my resume. :p

[BigDfromTN]

I have read on another thread that the Elation does NOT have hairdryers in the cabin, can you confirm this for me please?

 

We did NOT have a hair dryer. FWIW...

[Meyer2]

What a great review & wonderful pictures!!

[Kentucky60]

Please forgive and spelling and grammar errors.

I tried to break it down into easy to read section,

sometimes it worked, sometimes not..sorry

 

 

 

Day 1 Embarkation Day

Arrived at port 10:39

Waited until 10:45 to enter.

Through security, checked in

Received zone 2 boarding pass and

In waiting area at 11:00.

Check-in agent said boarding should start about 11:15-30.

Boarding began at 11:25.

First DoD history by 11:50.

 

From the time we entered the Terminal to the Lido deck 44 minutes! Pretty Good.

 

We ate lunch then went to Check out our cabin.

It was V-8 interior cabin at the very front of the ship. It was honestly all we needed. We hung out in there a while and rearranged the "roll away" to the foot of the bed then turned off all the lights and it was dark, very dark...nice.

Then headed out to get ready for the safety briefing which went quick and smooth. Sail away was delayed a while. I think the announcement said we waiting on clearance from the Coast Guard. We walked around a while and soon it was time to go get ready for dinner.

The wait staff was strange. The Head Waiter was Not friendly, almost to the point of being rude. There was no introduction and no smiling. The Asst Waiter was very friendly and constantly smiling, but again no introduction. We seemed to have to wait for everything. We were seated at a table for 3. We were not slow in ordering or eating yet we were almost the last ones out of the MDR.

I didn't see an empty seat anywhere so I don't know if they had a larger crowd than normal for the first night or what, but the experience was far far from normal.

I have made it clear on many occasions that I do not like Carnivals BBQ ribs, so tonight I gave them one last chance to make a good impression. Never again! They were absolutely awful. It was not even the fact they are cooked in an oven. I told my wife they tasted like they were about 3 days old and had been warmed up...even the sauce did not seem fresh. The grilled center cut pork chop was however, pretty good. All 3 of us ordered it and liked it.

My son also ordered the Lasagna which he absolutely went nuts over,

to the point of not finishing his pork chop and he is a meat eater like me.

We went to listen to hear music, see some shows and stuff like that the rest of the night.

We were all tired and went to bed about 12:30.

 

Day 2 Fun Day at Sea

We got up and went outside about 7 am to the "secret deck " on verandah forward deck. My wife went back to bed my son was still sleeping so I went to the Lido deck and ended up getting a little breakfast. I walked around a little and went back to the cabin. The family started waking up and went for breakfast, so I got a little more breakfast. Me and my son came back to the cabin and finally unpacked all the way. We went back to the Lido deck and just hung out til lunch ate then watched the master mixologist contest followed by the hairy chest contest. We went back to the cabin to cool off a bit and all 3 of us ended up taking a nap. Me and my son walked around an hour or so, came back to the cabin and the wife was still sleeping. Tonight is Elegant night in the MDR. Lobster for me, prime rib for my son, my wife ordered the prime rib and lobster. Dinner tonight was good. The service was almost the same as last night. The wife is not happy at all about it.

Tonight was the night for the big show called Rhythm. It was a pretty good show.

 

Day 3 Cozumel

Took our time getting started and got off the ship sometime before lunch. Coz was Coz. Just walked around a while did the usual shopping and got back on the ship and went to start looking for the runners for the Legend. There weren't too many. There was a small group that appeared to have someone missing or late. Some crew members were talking to them. One lady on the group had both legs bandaged at the knees and calf, left arm wrapped, right shoulder and it looked like parts of both feet. I ran into the cabin to get a coke came back in less than 5 minutes and they were all gone, but about 10 minutes later the ship was in the process of pulling in one of the gang ways and had people at the ropes when a man came up also bandaged up on one leg one arm and a shoulder they talked to him a few seconds and he boarded and they pulled in the ropes and gangway. I have no idea but it appeared they were in some kind of accident.

Dinner tonight was good and service was much better and the head waiter was more friendly and had an occasional smiler. The wife is happier.

I think it was tonight that the 2 tables next to us swapped some people around. One table was the parents and the other a 10 top next to us was the kids. 8 teens and tweens 1 little one and one older teen girl who looked like she was not happy about being put there. I understand that they are kids, but putting 10 together and basically leaving them on their own in the MDR is just wrong The parents were right next to them, but might as well have been on the other end of the ship. The kids were constantly stopping the waiter for every little thing making them have to stop what they were doing over and over again and the parents never said a word. You could tell it really was getting to the servers.

Dinner good service better wife happier. Variety Show tonight singing by Yolanda Barber and comedy by Lance Montalto..very funny guy/

Tonight was the big deck party. There was a lot of fantastic music by Music Degree. I think musically these guys are better than Music Manila from the Fantasy cruise, but not quite as friendly.

There was a lot of dancing the electric slide and stuff like that, a loooonnngggg conga line and more music by Music Degree. It was also the night of the Midnight Mexican buffet. Good Food!!

 

Day 4 Calica/ Playa del Carmen

We really liked this port. The one drawback is the taxi fare once you get off the ship .Unlike Progreso where the ship is 4.5 miles from town (long pier) and a free shuttle ride to town, the taxi fare from Calica to Playa del Carmen is $13 for 1-4 pax. ($26rt).

I finally did what I set out to do for the first time in 3 cruises. I ate street food in Mexico!! My wife and I both had tacos de pastor from a street vendor, cooked right in front of us and they were delicious...cheap too at only $1. After walking around and checking things out we were hot and thirsty and my son was hungry so we were going to go to one restaurant and the guy from the place next door said "go ahead but they are French I don't know what kind of cheese they use." He was right, they were French, so we went to his place...Restaurante la Gloria ..Comida 100% Mexicana . My son had quesadilla con pollo, my wife and I had a couple of rita's and chips and salsa

 

Past guest reception was ok, same as it was on the Triumph. Free drinks and food.

Dinner was good, but from the food in PDC and the past guest thing we were not really hungry. Service was much better tonight.

We went to see the show "Spin" tonight. I didn't really care for it too much. They spun a wheel and which ever city the arrow landed on they did some music and dance from that city. My wife was having some stomach problems and left the show early. My son and I finished it and went walking around the ship for a few hours checking things out then went to bed around 1 am.

 

Day 5 Fun Day at Sea

Got up went out on the verandah open deck and woke up and watched flying fish.

Got ready for the day and went for breakfast. Hung out on lido deck until it was time for Filipe's talk about debarkation. I was thinking that since we were cruising out of Alabama it might have some different info, it didn't.

Ok, I say this in the nicest of ways...

For a first time cruiser the stories and jokes are ok. I am still a "new cruiser"

and I am already tired of hearing the same stories about does the crew sleep on board? Does the elevator go to the front of the ship, the lady locked in her cabin. Our ship had a very funny comedian on board, maybe he and others could get together and write something new.

Ok we hit some rain this afternoon.

Me and my son were out on the verandah's open deck at the front of the ship which is about 15 feet from our cabin. We felt like Lt Dan during the big storm in the movie Forrest Gump. We got soaked came back in and just as we finished changing, about 3:35pm. there was an operation "bright star" deck 4 forward...in what sounded like something workshop.

We went to the farewell party where they were serving free drinks. I don't think they had any food at this one but we left early to go get ready for dinner, so they might have brought some out.

Dinner tonight was strange. They took our order and brought out the starters. Then our entire wait staff disappeared, The table to my left was on desserts when our main course came out. The table to my right and the one next to it were on track with us..having the same wait staff. I don't know what happened or where they went and no explanation was offered. As usual they sang their farewell song and as usual, my wife cried as did others.

After dinner we packed up and put our bags out in the hall and went to the Legends Show. I have read good and bad things about these shows, but don't think we went to one on the Triumph back in Jan...if they even had it. We liked it. I think it can be best described as the Karaoke Kings and Queens in costumes of the stars they are performing. Some were good, a couple were bad but a couple were really good. The final performance was Dolly Parton performed by Felipe Couto our CD...hilarious.Time to hit the lido late night buffet for the last time and sit out on the hot sticky humid Lido deck.

 

Time to go home...

We got up showered and went to breakfast and to wait for our number to be called. We got up and went to disembark as soon as they called our number and it was 1½ hours before we got in our car. Luggage seemed to be separated and spread out very good and easy to fine. CBP seemed to be the slow down. They appeared to be in no hurry asked lots of questions, seriously checked and compared photos on the passports to their owners, but did not charge any duty on excessive alcohol as far as I could tell. (I didn't pay any extra).

 

We pulled into our driveway at 5:54pm 101°

 

Just some other things.

We had a really good time. Felipe was an excellent Cruise Director. He is extremely friendly and approachable. He at the very least made an appearance at any of the bigger events if not being a part of them.

 

The Captain was seen several times all over the ship. He was even at the big deck party, not dancing the Electric Slide or anything like that, but he was thee talking with anyone who approached him, even posing for pictures.

 

Yes, the Carnival Elation does have "that smell" in some areas.

 

Overall the food was very good and most of the time the lines were not bad at all except for the peak times and even then they were not that bad.

 

The Warm Chocolate Melting Cake was very good, but...yes there is a but. It was always so hot you could barely eat it. Since we usually seemed to be some of the last ones out of the MDR which was not our fault.

We always were there promptly in line waiting at or before 6:00. I always felt rushed as we were served each course because of the initial wait each night between the time we ordered and were served. We were often served our starters as others were already on their main course. I don't know why, but it appeared all the ones served by our wait staff were also behind the rest of the other tables.

 

Here is a link to the pictures.

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x233/SDZD/Carnival%20Elation%20Cruise%20%20July%202010/

 

Does anyone have any photos of the obstructed suites on Elation?

[conchead]

We did NOT have a hair dryer. FWIW...

 

See how reliable they are...:rolleyes:

one cabin has them, another doesn't.

 

Just when you think you have them figured out,

they getcha!:mad:

 

you would think there would be some consistancy on the same ship.

[sjn911]

http://www.shari.com/2009/06/carnival-elation-cruise-embarkation-to-sail-away.html

 

For obs. suite question..I found this..You can see from some of his photos how it goes when the stuff in front of them gets closer. Had a cabin crawl (imprommptu) from dinner table last night of my fantasy class cruise..my inside 1A..this is just me..felt like more of a getaway than these spendy Cat 11 cabins if obstructed (esp) and just where they are. Empress deck better location...down the hall to the lobby bar etc...quiet end of line 1A.

 

One "freind" at my table brought a neat gal for her first cruise..we are talking Paradise...same ship class. Well the mean girl brought the nice girl to split the $1600 fee.

 

Solo 1A = around $300.00..can not quite remember. Same bathroom as Cat. 11. June 2009 fee structure.

 

 

Always just google your suite/cabin number, type, and ship..it is AMAZING what you will find..

[richcrow]

Thanks for the review. I will be on the Elation in September and December. I will be VIP platinum for the first time. Can anyone tell me if there is a different entrance to go into vip check in or will you be directed once you get inside to where to go. Also how much wash and fold service will I get with platinum status. I would like to know so I can pack less.

 

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

At the Mobile Cruise Terminal, ewveryone uses the same entrance and you will be directed to the VIP area once you get upstairs.