Elation 2/2 - 2/6 recap

[hlb76]

I just wanted to write a quick review of our trip to NOLA and our lovely 4 days sailing on Elation. I don't have any pics to add or at least as of right now. I am going to keep it brief as I am going my memory I did not journal at all on this trip. We really enjoyed Elation much better than our trip on Oct. on Ecstasy. So glad we gave sailing from the big easy another try! Oh I should mention who came with us. We are a group of 4 me the hubby and 2 boys 16 and 11!

NOLA

We got into NOLA about 3pm or so headed straight to our hotel (Drury Inn) via cab. Our room was ready which was great! In Oct. we had issues getting checked in. Once we got semi settled in and changed for the warmer weather and headed to Mothers down the street for a Famous Ferdi..YUM. After that we headed back to the hotel to decide what we wanted to do that evening. We had decided to do a Ghost tour with New Orleans Spirit Tours, we had used this company in Oct. for a cemetery tour and had a great time. So we headed to the FQ about 7pm to do a little touristing before the tour. We enjoyed watching the people and the street performers. We even caught some beads from people throwing from the balconies. We did enjoy our tour, not as much as we did the cemetery but it was fun to learn some more NOLA history. After the tour was done we decided to head to Cafe Du Monde for dessert. I missed this on our first trip down and have regretted it. Well it was worth the wait those beignets are to die for!! Then it was back to the hotel to bed. We had a long day of traveling.

Day 2 in NOLA it rained and rained and rained. So this was a real bummer to us. We did get the all day pass to ride the street cars. We rode them out to the Garden district and back to Canal St. Then we walked and shopped a little on Canal. Since it was still raining after lunch we decided to go see Mardi Gras World. They have a shuttle that will pick you up and drop you off for FREE. We did enjoy seeing Mardi Gras World. They where finishing up some of the floats for this years parades. We got to learn more about MG it was really neat to me to learn it all as I have no idea what it’s all about. I did not even realize there was more than one parade. I’m such a northerner. After that we just headed back to the hotel for the Kick backs and though we would repack and lounge around. As it did stop raining in the early evening we headed back to the FQ for a quick walk, last minute shopping, a hurricane and Café Beignets. Café Du Monde wins in my eyes.

ELATION 4 day Feb. 2- Feb. 6

EMBARKATION

We got to the port about noon and had little to no line at each check point prior to getting on the ship. This was the easiest embarkation I have ever experienced. It was also the latest I have ever shown up. We where able to get right onboard but had to wait til the 130 mark to get into the rooms. I give this an A+

THE SHIP

We have sailed on 2 of her sister ships so we knew what to expect as far as size and lay out. I think the layout is well planned and first time cruisers should have no issue getting around. The biggest issue I can see them having is not all of the decks go through. She seemed in good repair. I did not notice any issues in the public areas. The rooms showed lots of sign of age. The closet doors would not shut all the way flat, the drawers where off track a bit as well as the old TV’s and corner boxes. The staff was good and always seemed to be busy doing something. I would give it a B+ it can’t help that it’s aging.

THE STAFF

We had Jeff Bronson as a CD in the past. I was not overly excited to have him again. I remember him being overly annoying with announcements and his humor. This time was a lot better. He still made more announcements than I cared to hear but don’t they all? The wait staff we had where good. We did have a few issues at dinner not getting what we ordered but it all worked out. The staff on the Lido was good. Bar staff was as they normally are asking every 5 mins if we want a drink but hey they are trying to make a living too. Our room stewards where good. I can’t go on about any one person being wonderful but I also can’t complain about anything so I chalk that up to a great staff. The entertainment did there jobs as well. Nothing to write home about but we where never bored. The comedians where great. Kenny Miller was funny we never saw his adult show but the family ones kept us smiling. It was a great surprise for us to see Jorge Solano on the ship. This was my favorite part about the sailing. We had him as a CD and loved it, though he is a much better comedian!!! I give the staff a good solid B+ no reason to complain yet nothing that said WOW!

THE FOOD

We ate supper 3 nights in the MDR and where happy with all my meals. Breakfast/Lunch was at the Lido for us and enjoyed almost everything I tried. We had room service one night and that really hit the spot. I never had any pizza. We went to get some after a late night show and they had nothing ready so we headed to the room and ordered RS. I had a deli sandwich once and enjoyed that. We went to tea time for the first time and really enjoyed that. So I would give the food a A for this cruise but I have cruised enough to know what I do like and what to avoid.

THE ROOM

We had 2 rooms E85 and E89 both insides. We loved the location no more than 3 floors up to where we needed to be. We could walk the steps with no issues. We where pretty forward on the ship but that was not a big deal. As far as noise goes I wont say it’s the quietest room ever. We had lots of noise from people running up and down the hall but that could happen anywhere that has inconsiderate guests. The art gallery was behind us and if I was in the room alone and nothing was turned on I could hear people in the gallery. Would I choose this room again I prob. would the connivence made up for the noise. The rooms have those old box things in the corner so it was hard for me to get in and out of bed. And the TV’s are the super old box ones and the picture is crap. I will give it a B I took a little off for the noise and that it needs a few updates.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

I already mentioned a little about them under the staff heading! I felt the ship did a good job having plenty for us to do. The fun times where full of different things to do from dance lesson to trivia to bingo to talks. All the same as on other ships but once again handled well. I think there where a few times we could not decide on what we wanted to do. I did enjoy the break dancers this ship had. They where fun to watch! Everyone I meet seemed to like there job so that was great. I will give them an A

COZUMEL

We got off the ship about 930 I would guess and headed to the taxi stand to head to Chank. They taxi driver hooked us up with a “special” they had and it was $23 a person for admission and we got a ticket into the park, a T-shirt, and a drink choice (Coke/Water). We enjoyed the beach at Chank we brought our own snorkel gear and where able to see many fish!! We took in the sea lion show and enjoyed it but it was hard understand the guy hosting as he spoke in Spanish and English. We I tuned him out and enjoyed the animals. I strolled around a few trails with the kids and we saw a few iguanas. The shopping was not great but that was OK we just headed back earlier than we had planned and did some shopping near the port. We had a fun day in Coz!

CAMP CARNIVAL

Both of the kids enjoyed going to club. I did not interact with the staff much but the kids never complained and always seemed to find something fun! Guess you can’t beat that!

SUPER BOWL

This was our 2nd time sailing during the big game. Last year on Spirit they did it great! They had a “living room” set up with chairs, TV, and free buckets of beer! After each quarter they would play a game to get the next winners. They would also throw out prizes to the crowd after touch downs. They had drink specials and food as well. Elation however had drink specials and food but nothing (at least in the 1st half) to make it a fun thing. I did enjoy the snacks they had for us and watching the game with a big group is always fun. But it was missing something after our experience on Spirit. So during the half time show I headed back to pack and get ready for dinner. This I give a C there is plenty of room for improvement!

DISEMBARKMENT

Sadly our 4 days came to end too soon. We where woken up about 7ish for a in room announcement saying they where ready to start with the self assist. I had my alarm set for 730 so I was not too happy about the first announcement. So we got up and went ahead and got ready. We decided to eat breakfast in the MDR to be able to relax a bit on our last day. So we where up ready and out of the rooms by 8 I would say. We had a nice breakfast and soon after we where done they called for groups 1-10. We waited a little bit to head down to get off. There seemed to be a mad rush. Once we headed back to deck 7 there was quite a line to get off. I wish they had a better way to do this. People come down steps, some off elevators some waiting in the lobby. I don’t know how to organize this better it is a problem on every ship I have sailed. Even with everyone wanting to be first we still got off fairly quick. Grabbing our luggage was easy and we where off to grab a cab. Very painless so I give this an A

A FEW THOUGHTS

We really enjoyed our short get trip. I would do this again. Not a huge fan of Mexico but we can find something new to do if we head back a few more times. I had never done a 4 day cruise before. I have heard they are 4 day parties. I would have to agree after sailing it. There where lots of bachlorette parties on board as well as other groups sailing. I think there where more younger people than older but age is just a number so who cares. I did see many people enjoying themselves having drinks and dancing to the music, maybe more than other cruises. I also had no issues with any of it, everyone was still appropriate and respectful. I never felt in the middle of a frat party!

I really enjoyed the WIN production show. It was different than other shows and I appreciated that! We did not make it to the Just Rock as we had planned. The Welcome Aboard was fine.

I really wish the pizza place had pizza ready to go at the ending of shows and events. They have to know once a show is ending people are going to look for a snack and after 11pm pizza is the only lido option.

The casino was not my friend this trip but managed to have a good time while I was there. They have a cool new skills game outside that was fun to watch people try to win!

I can’t think of much else off the top of my head that I need to mention. If you have any question I would be happy to try and answer!

[firefly333]

Im sorry you had rain in NOLA and ruined one of your planned days to explore.

 

I thought Elation was a pretty ship, been on her twice. Glad you liked her too.

[smurfm69]

I'm glad you had a fun cruise and a good time down here in Nola. There's still lots more to see and do,(and eat), so come back again soon.

[hlb76]

I would love to get back someday soon!