Elation - November 19 - 24, Pictures and thoughts

[DarthGrady]

Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the pics of the pool deck. I miss the Lido deck layout of the pre Evolutions of Fun Fantasy Class ships.

[Naomi John]

Cozumel is Cozumel; been there 7 times. As we were traveling with first timers, a decision had to be made of what to do. Call me selfish, but I asked DD what she wanted to do. She said she wanted to go to a beach that had water fun jumps and she wanted to go horseback riding. From research on these boards I knew of only one place that offered both. I suggested to our group Mr. Sancho’s. We have been there before in 2009. At that time they did not have the Water fun jumps, (I’m not sure what else to call them), but I did remember a margarita they made which was fabulous, (it’s their special, I cannot remember the name at this moment which is aggravating as I have been repeating the name for the past week, and now, a brain fart), and they had horseback riding. I convinced our party we should go there.

The ship docked at Puerta Maya, (right at 9:00 AM), which keeps growing on to the dock itself. DH was a little confused at first when we docked because he did not recognize the port. The Valor was parked next to us, I think the Imagination was at the International Pier, and a NCL ship was at Punta Logusta. 5 ships in port. Busy day for Cozumel.

We exited the ship at about 10 am. By passed the photos, went through the shops on the dock itself, walked passed the shops inside the pier to the Taxi stand. We were a party of 12, but they would only allow 8 in a van, so we used a van and a car, bummer. Off to Sancho’s. Our party advised they had a great time. Sancho’s has two areas, one for the All Inclusive and one for the pay as you go. We chose the pay as you go as some in our party would not eat/drink $50 worth. If you chose the AI, then you sat in one area, if you pay as you go you sit in another. No biggie. It was $12 for a wrist band for the kids to use the water fun jumps and $30 for the horseback riding. Everyone had a good time. We stayed until about 2:30 PM and took two taxis back to the pier.

 

Here are some pictures from Mr. Sancho’s

 

Water fun jumps

 

 

The pay as you go area:

 

The AI area with swim up bar, (don't try and get in this pool without a wrist band)

[Naomi John]

While at in the pier, (Punta Maya), DH saw a t-shirt he wanted, and bought 3. One bonus, the tag actually said, “Made in Mexico”. DD saw Poncho’s Backyard and wanted some fried ice cream, so we got some. Ate that and walked back to the ship. DH needed to be in the Mikado Lounge for a 5 PM rehearsal, so we were on board for about 3:30 PM. He laid down for a bit, DD went with our friends for some Lido pool time and I went up to the FWD deck to watch for dock runners, (bad I know). The Valor was still beside us and a horn war began. Well, not really, Valor was to sail a 5 PM EST, ie: soon, (our ship was on CST), so it was sounding a warning and our ship responded. What happened next was a first for me; I have seen people miss the ship, I have seen our ship pick up Cuban refugees, but I have never seen an ambulance drive up the dock to our ship.

This had to be serious as the Captian came out of the Bridge to observe:

A person was taken off the ship, with family. There were several Carnival employees with bags assisting them into the ambulance. I do not know what happened, did not inquire later. Said a prayer for the family and watch the ambulance leave the pier.

[airlink diva]

Thanks for the review!

I'm kind of looking at booking the Elation later this year for the five day.

Been to both ports,but just need a cruise!!!

Keep it coming!

[Almost Packed]

enjoying your review! Thank you for taking the time to write this. You are correct, there is not a lot out there on Elation.

 

this will be my first time on a ship other than the Conquest Class. So I'm really enjoying your photos.

 

I'm especially interested in any Camp Carnival info you may have if you had kids traveling in your party who participated in CC.

 

Also, how long did it take to cruise down the Miss. River? Any idea how long it was before the casino opened?

 

Also, would love Fun Times.

 

Will they be posted on here or will you have to email them out? if you email them out, please send me copies. the only tam at aol dot com (no spaces of course)

 

Thank you in advance.

[Naomi John]

enjoying your review! Thank you for taking the time to write this. You are correct, there is not a lot out there on Elation.

 

this will be my first time on a ship other than the Conquest Class. So I'm really enjoying your photos.

 

I'm especially interested in any Camp Carnival info you may have if you had kids traveling in your party who participated in CC.

 

Also, how long did it take to cruise down the Miss. River? Any idea how long it was before the casino opened?

 

Also, would love Fun Times.

 

Will they be posted on here or will you have to email them out? if you email them out, please send me copies. the only tam at aol dot com (no spaces of course)

 

Thank you in advance.

 

I have the 9-11 year old camp carnival schedule I will post that at the end as well as the Fun Times. They will be in PDF form.

 

I think it takes around 5-7 hours to sail down the Mississippi. I did not note when th casino openned.

 

I've been on a Conquest class ship and I like the Fantasy class better.

[flynnsport]

very nice so far, thanks for taking the time to write

[Lee & G]

Are there alarm clocks in the cabins?

[Naomi John]

very nice so far, thanks for taking the time to write

 

You welcome

 

Are there alarm clocks in the cabins?

 

No there are not, unless it was hidden like the hair dryer and I never found it.

 

Will finished this up later tonight.

[Trin1103]

OP - absolutely awesome review!! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to post all of this! DH and I are sailing on this same exact cruise in a little under two months - so all of your information was very helpful and interesting!!!!

 

I do have one question for you (or anybody else who has sailed out of NOLA) - what side of the ship do we need to stand on to watch the city at sailaway? I am not familiar with the port, the city of the Mississippi river mouth, and so I have no idea. We would rather watch the city as we sail away, than be on the other side of the ship.

 

..Trin..

[lifesabeachum]

Can't thank you enough for taking the time to do this. Mucho appreciated! We sail on our first cruise ever on the day after Christmas for a 5-day and it was nice to see all the decor. ;) We are a group of 10 and DH and I are in grand suite. Thanks for the hair dryer tip!

 

I was wondering on the dining times what happens if you don't get there right at 6pm which is our assigned dining time for the group. If we are late in all of us getting there at the same time, so what, right?

 

How was the weather? I really feel that the weather can make or break some things - we hope it doesn't get too cold in Cozumel as we have booked Nacho Cocum and I'd like to snorkel the Palancar trip. We almost booked MR. Sanchos but decided we wanted a quieter day.

 

I noticed that you are in Progreso first then in Cozumel. We are the opposite. I wonder why.

 

Can you get nice Mexican vanilla at the port shops without even having to go into the town markets?

 

If I buy the iPad international data plan for Mexico, do I still need to buy a ship data plan also? Will the iPad data plan work in Cozumel without free wi-fi? Nachi Cocum does not have free wifi. I realize you may not know this but I thought I'd ask.

 

You are right - there is virtually nothing on these boards about the Elation - not much about if the iPad works in non free wifi either.

 

Once again, THANK YOU for your time!

[lifesabeachum]

Oh and I second Cool Cruiser's question on which side to sit on to watch the city at sail away. We are booked on the "right" side - not sure if that is port or starboard. You can tell we are so not sailors!

[Stacy_C]

I was wondering on the dining times what happens if you don't get there right at 6pm which is our assigned dining time for the group. If we are late in all of us getting there at the same time, so what, right?

 

Your server will not only be serving your table, but also many other tables around yours. They try their best to keep every table on the same course throughout the dinner. This keeps them on track to have everyone at the early seating out of the dining room at relatively the same time so they can start clearing the table and re-setting it for the late diners. To intentionally show up late would be rude to your wait staff.

[flynnsport]

Oh and I second Cool Cruiser's question on which side to sit on to watch the city at sail away. We are booked on the "right" side - not sure if that is port or starboard. You can tell we are so not sailors!

 

The ship faces the Mississippi River Bridge when docked so the "right" side faces the city.

When it pulls out to go down river leave the "left" side will face downtown.

[Buckett]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review of the Elation, I am really enjoying it. Have been on her twice with my sis down to Cabo and Ensenada when she sailed out of San Diego. Although it's a smaller, older ship, we had a very nice time. Like your pix too. :)

[Yankeegirl]

Thanks for taking time to do a review. As others have stated, there aren't many out there on the Elation!

 

We have been to Cozumel several times also, but this is the first time we are looking to do a all-inclusive beach day. Going back and forth between Nachi Cocum and Mr. Sancho's. We will have our 4 yr old son with us and just want a laid back beach day. I was wondering if you had ever been to Nachi Cocum, and if so, which would you suggest.

 

Again, thanks for the great review!:)

[Almost Packed]

I have the 9-11 year old camp carnival schedule I will post that at the end as well as the Fun Times. They will be in PDF form.

 

I think it takes around 5-7 hours to sail down the Mississippi. I did not note when th casino openned.

 

I've been on a Conquest class ship and I like the Fantasy class better.

 

wow, that long down the river. i honestly have no idea where the port is and then when i read somewhere here on CC that you travel down the Mississippi River...well, i guess that's a treat too. But I had no idea it would be that long. i must study up on my geography of the area:confused: :eek: lol.

 

thanks for your response.

[lifesabeachum]

Your server will not only be serving your table, but also many other tables around yours. They try their best to keep every table on the same course throughout the dinner. This keeps them on track to have everyone at the early seating out of the dining room at relatively the same time so they can start clearing the table and re-setting it for the late diners. To intentionally show up late would be rude to your wait staff.

 

Wow - I hadn't thought of that at all. Thanks for the heads up. Like I said, we are first timers.

[Naomi John]

I will attempt to answer some questions first:

 

OP - absolutely awesome review!! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to post all of this! DH and I are sailing on this same exact cruise in a little under two months - so all of your information was very helpful and interesting!!!!

 

I do have one question for you (or anybody else who has sailed out of NOLA) - what side of the ship do we need to stand on to watch the city at sailaway? I am not familiar with the port, the city of the Mississippi river mouth, and so I have no idea. We would rather watch the city as we sail away, than be on the other side of the ship.

 

..Trin..

 

This is how I learned ship speak. If you are facing forward, (toward the front of the ship), starboard is on your right and port is on your left, (port is four letters, left is four letters).

 

IMHO, the best place to observe NOLA is from the Observation Deck above the bridge all the way forward, verandah deck, (one of those "secret door", places). Once you leave port and turn around, on your left will be NOLA, but there is some nice scenes on your right side as well. Up there you can walk from one side to the other and catch everything, as long as the sun stays up.

 

Thanks for taking time to do a review. As others have stated, there aren't many out there on the Elation!

 

We have been to Cozumel several times also, but this is the first time we are looking to do a all-inclusive beach day. Going back and forth between Nachi Cocum and Mr. Sancho's. We will have our 4 yr old son with us and just want a laid back beach day. I was wondering if you had ever been to Nachi Cocum, and if so, which would you suggest.

 

Again, thanks for the great review!:)

 

Never been to Nachi, sorry. But since he maybe too small to enjoy the water toys, Nachi might be a better choice.

[Naomi John]

Can't thank you enough for taking the time to do this. Mucho appreciated! We sail on our first cruise ever on the day after Christmas for a 5-day and it was nice to see all the decor. ;) We are a group of 10 and DH and I are in grand suite. Thanks for the hair dryer tip!

 

I was wondering on the dining times what happens if you don't get there right at 6pm which is our assigned dining time for the group. If we are late in all of us getting there at the same time, so what, right?

 

How was the weather? I really feel that the weather can make or break some things - we hope it doesn't get too cold in Cozumel as we have booked Nacho Cocum and I'd like to snorkel the Palancar trip. We almost booked MR. Sanchos but decided we wanted a quieter day.

 

I noticed that you are in Progreso first then in Cozumel. We are the opposite. I wonder why.

 

Can you get nice Mexican vanilla at the port shops without even having to go into the town markets?

 

If I buy the iPad international data plan for Mexico, do I still need to buy a ship data plan also? Will the iPad data plan work in Cozumel without free wi-fi? Nachi Cocum does not have free wifi. I realize you may not know this but I thought I'd ask.

 

You are right - there is virtually nothing on these boards about the Elation - not much about if the iPad works in non free wifi either.

 

Once again, THANK YOU for your time!

 

In regards to the dining question, we usually arrived about 5 mins after the dining room openned. This way we missed the cattle call going in. I would not be more then 10 mins late or as was state earlier, you can throw your waiters off for the next service.

 

Our weather was great. Sunny and about 85 during the day, about 60 at night.

 

When buying Vanilla, read the lable. They may say it's real vanilla, but read closer and you see "vanilla extract". Where the best to buy, not sure.

 

I do not know about the wifi. Sorry.

[Naomi John]

I'm typing and scanning the Fun times at the sametime.

[Naomi John]

Back to the review.

DH napped for a bit, then around 4:50 PM, he went down to the Mikado Lounge for his dress rehearsal of WIN. DD and I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich from room service and also napped. DH returned around 7:30 PM just enough time to shower and dressed for dinner. Upon entering our dinning room, we immediately noted it was warmer. Upon taking our seats, Raphael advised the AC in the dinning room was not working. He also said the ship has had more problems after coming out of dry dock, (October 22 – November 4, I think), then it had before going in. It was not too bad, but no one stayed too long after dinner.

We returned to our state room where DH had to wait for his escort to the show. DD and I went to the Lounge where we had reserved seating.

This show was fun, not only because DH was allowed to be a huge part of it, but the concept was fun. DH was a game show contestant, and each time he, “won” the set changed and a song and dance number began. He was dressed in a tux,

(the only picture I got)

a cow outfit, sixty/beatles/hippy kind of outfit and closed the show as Elvis. They would not let me take pictures. Since this was the late show, we were tired and went to bed afterwards.

The last sea day had one show you cannot miss. From what the CD told me, it is only on the Elation right now, but should spread out to the remaining fleet. It’s called “Towel Animal Theatre”, and was really good. It was shown right after the towel folding demonstration held in the Mikado Lounge. Imagine our beloved towel animals as Muppets. It was a family friendly show, but had bits and pieces of comedy only an adult would appreciate, (Example: The Animals are looking out into the audience and one says, “That is one heck of a balcony”, the other comes back, “must have gotten an upgrade”). It really is fun and don’t miss it.

The rest of the day we let the kids swim and us relax. We had a few showers this day, but they came and went fast. This was the day our travel companions encountered the dreaded “smell” on their floor, (upper level, aft of the suites). It smelled as if a sewer was opened and allowed to air out. They were not happy. It was gone by the time they finished dinner. They also had AC problems. One couples room would not cool and the other’s was too cold. Again, this was all on Upper Deck toward the rear of the boat.

DH and I enjoyed the fairwell party which was well attended. I guess word is getting out. Afterwards we saw the family friendly comedian 7:30 show, Lance Montalto. He was very funny. I thought he was taking a risk by discussing the various accents found in Louisiana, (New Orleans, Cajun, Southern, Red neck), but he pulled it off and was funny without being insulting. Dinner in the main lounge then off to pack. DH decided he was going to check out some, “night life” for a change, and went to meet his friend. DD was asleep within 10 mins.

Debarkation day. Big frown. We arrived at port right at 6:00 AM and in about 15 mins we saw people leaving. One note, I never heard them call any floors for self debark until about 8 AM, and they called our floor. Yikes. Bummer!!! We made our way down to the Empress deck were the everyone was at a stand still. Now I know not all of these people were on my floor. I really hate it when people won’t wait for their floor to be called. Plus, they only had one machine going to scan our sail and sign cards for the last time. Two getting on, one getting off? Did not make since. Anyway after about 15 mins of this cattle call, we heard the final ding of our cards. We were through customs and at our car within 10 mins.

[Naomi John]

DD is almost 10, she began her cruising experience at age 6. She loves Camp Carnival. For this trip, she was so excited. We were giving her permission to sign in and out, with guide lines. We obtained the schedule the first day and she started circling all the activities she wanted to attend. She showed the schedule to our travel companions daughter, who was almost nine, and the Camp director was going to allow her to move up a level. At first, the friend seemed interested in attending several activities. But, on the first day, the friend did not want to go at all. Anyway, DD went the first day, enjoyed the scavenger hunt, but never returned for the rest of the cruise in order to entertain her friend. She was very upset the first day, but took in stride the remainder of the cruise.

 

The cost of late night, (after 10 PM), child care did go up, from $6.00 per first child to $6.75, and they are including a 15% tip as well. Then there are also the Teddy Bear Workshops and Night Owls which they tend to push on the children. Both are at an extra cost and Night Owls also includes a 15% tip. I do not care for the hard sell on the children. IMHO, The Night Owl is fun and the children do receive some nice souveniers, but not really worth the $33.00 plus tip. DD enjoyed this program in January of this year, when it was $26.00 for the night, (until 3 AM), and no added tip, (gave one anyway,), and they escorted the child back to your room. I thought this was the better deal.

Camp Carnival schedule attached. This is for the 9 - 11 group.

Camp Carnival.pdf

[Naomi John]

We live 2 hours from port, but was spending Thanksgiving with family in the NOLA area. We're from here, so NOLA is not a big deal to us. No after cruise "fun". We weren't tourists anymore, :(.

 

Still scanning the fun times. Have to get the file smaller to upload.

[Naomi John]

Our Stateroom Steward, Paula. She was fantastic. On Embarkation day we met her, our travel companion's daughter was in the room with us. I asked her if it was posible to get an extra bed one night if she wanted to stay the night with us. Paula said no problem, but instead of a roll-away or got, she was able to make that couch a nice "double" for two children. And I do not have a picture. We had two colapsable, (sp?) ice chest which were kept full. She always answered the phone when we called. Too me, we worked this girl, and she was always pleasent.

 

Prime example: I took advantage of the $15, fit it in to the bag laundry day, which was Progresso. When we returned from the port, DD wanted to go swiming, and I had all of her suits in that bag. I called the number for our steward, a male answered, ( her assistant, I think), told him the problem and within 10 mins our laudry was delivered. Problem was they fail to tell Paula. That evening before dinner, she came to our room saying she was looking for our laundry and will find it before the night was over. Poor thing. I told her we already had it. She looked so upset at first, that we ended up buying a bathrobe for DD from her the next day.