Review of Carnival Elation 2/11/12 Valentine's Cruise

[summer_girl]

*This will be my first time attempting to attach photos, so I apologize ahead of time for my lack of smarts in this area!

 

This was my 2nd cruise, my significant other's 1st cruise...and both of my cruises have been on the Elation. My first cruise was out of Mobile, AL...this cruise out of NOLA. No kiddo with us on this cruise...just us.

 

To begin, we are from Missouri and we chose to drive almost 11 hours to NOLA the day prior to our cruise departure. The drive really isn't bad until you actually get into New Orleans and then all the "one way" streets are sort of confusing to me.

 

We stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites on Baronne. It was a nice hotel, not super cheap but not as high as many others. I think our room was $126.00 and we paid an additional $21.00 for valet parking. There was a little bar there called VooDoo II where we had cocktails and then we walked a couple of blocks up to the French Quarter to Deanies for drinks and dinner. Deanies was good...not OUTSTANDING...but tasty. There were tons of people out and streets were blocked off for parades as Mardi Gras was beginning.

 

The next morning we went down to the continental breakfast, which I want to say was "not good". But I was excited for my cruise and didn't let that bother me...just had some coffee and cereal and started getting ready for the fun to begin.

 

We drove to the port around 10:30...got turned around and went to the Julia St. entrance instead of Erato, but that was quickly remedied. We paid the $80.00 to park and the porter took our 2 checked bags and we were on our way. Embarkation was painless...I would say we were on the ship in an hour...nice, courteous folks.

 

The thing I hate most is lugging your carry-ons with you...trying to eat in the crowded buffet area and the waiting on your room to be ready. I had been on this ship before, so I sort of showed my travel mate the ins and outs until our room was ready at 1:30. During this time we had a Fun Ship cocktail down at the Drama Bar. We would end up frequenting the Drama Bar as it has one side that is close to the Casino and smoking is allowed there...and my significant other is a smoker.

 

 

[summer_girl]

I happen to really like the size of the Elation. It is not so big that I will get lost easily...especially when I am enjoying my wine (2 carried on and 1 from Bon Voyage) or all those yummy Drinks of the Day!!

 

I also like the fact that you make friends easier on a smaller ship and run into them. It is nice to chat it up with new folks!

 

Ok...onto the room...ready at 1:30...this was room M11, a porthole room. I was very excited to see the light of day in my room as I had a interior room on my previous cruise.

 

The room had plenty of room and closet space for the 2 of us. I loved the Port Holes and the "dormer like" area that surrounded them. You could get up there and sit and look out. A small child would love that I would think!

 

 

 

We had a wonderful Room Steward who was friendly and brought us wine glasses to our room.

[westcruzer]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. I have been on elation twice and had a great time both times.

 

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[summer_girl]

The Muster Drill (sinking ship class) was held at 3:15...pretty basic except that on this cruise they actually took up outside on the decks where our set of lifeboats were and made us all line up orderly as we would if something tragic were to happen. We did not do this on my cruise this past August.

 

 

We were lucky to have a great Roll Call here on Cruise Critic and we had a Meet n Mingle in Jeckle & Hyde dance club from 5:00 to 6:00...all you could drink and some snack mix...20 people for $12.50 each (including the tip). We got good and tipsy and made our way to the Main Dining Room for dinner.

 

I will apologize ahead of time for not doing the food photos...so many people have great photos of the food so I just didn't take any unless it was something different.

 

We were seated at a table for 10 in the Inspiration Dining room (aft of ship)...and we had wonderful table mates! I always looked forward to our dinner every night. We had a great time. Our head waiter was Robertino from Croatia. He has to be the best waiter in the world!! Seriously...can't say enough positive about him. He helped with food selections and always brought out extra stuff he wanted us to try. We also enjoyed the silly dancing and singing entertainment they provided.

 

So, we had dinner each night in the Main Dining Room, breakfasts in the Tiffany Buffet...I like the Omlete station myself...nothing really to rave about, but it was fine...and we would grab a bit of lunch in the buffet as well.

 

I will include a photo of the Sushi Bar...we didn't eat here this cruise, but I did the last cruise and really enjoyed it.

 

The lobster and prime rib were the most sought after dishes on formal night...both of which are wonderful. The warm choc. melting cake is good, but my FAVORITE dessert is the Bitter and Blanc bread pudding!

 

 

 

 

[summer_girl]

This first night we saw the Welcome Aboard show...it was good, nothing out of the ordinary, sort of a get to know your fun ship entertainment in a way.

 

We went to Adult Comedy...very very funny...both of them were named John.

 

We did order room service...the BLT and chips...yummy at 1:00 a.m...soaked up some alcohol! hee hee

 

We slept well, and awoke to coffee from room service the next morning.

 

This was our first sea day...

We enjoyed breakfast at Tiffany's (cute, huh), but it is too cold and windy this time of year to have breakfast outside like I would want to. We did have a great window view to sit and eat though. Breakfast buffet is just ok...I get the made your way omlets.

 

This day was busy for us. We tried to enjoy the deck, layered shorts, t-shirts, light jackets, but really just a little cool for me. We went out there for my man to smoke, but other than that we stayed with indoor activities.

 

This day consisted of the Casino (Fun 21 and Blackjack), Karaoke, and the Thriller dance class (this was actually fun). Oh, and we lost at a game of Bingo...

 

I have to add that I never felt sea sick at all on my cruise back in August but I did on this cruise...the water was rough and I am prone to motion sickness. After 2 days of this I did get some pills from the medic. The pills work for the motion sickness, but I was drowsy!

 

 

 

[summer_girl]

The first sea day was also formal night. We really enjoyed this (except I had a tough time getting ready being ill from the motion of the boat).

 

We had several photos made and had alot of fun. We enjoyed Duke's piano bar that evening as well.

 

We got to meet the Captain on our way to dinner and got our photo taken with him.

 

 

[Herfnerd]

Looking forward to the rest of your review - we sail her in May!

[summer_girl]

Progreso, Mexico...Monday, February 13th...

 

I will say that our room was on the front of the main deck and you can definitely hear those anchors/lines dropping when you go to port. I was already awake so it was no big deal...but loud.

 

We had breakfast at Tiffany's buffet and headed off the ship. Today was WARM compared to the previous sea day. Shorts and t-shirts for us today!

 

We rode the complimentary shuttle from the ship into Progreso...very long pier. We did tip the driver...TIP TIP TIP TIP TIP..the most common word in Progreso!! Once at the market area, we hooked up with the Autoprogreso tour company who were selling tours. They sort of swarm you like bees out there, but we had already planned on taking one of their tours.

 

We purchased the Salt Flats, Ruins, & Open Bar Beach club for $35.00 each. We paid cash and they give you and arm band. This tour was scheduled to leave at 10:30 a.m. and return at 3:00 p.m. We had some time to kill so we rode the Double Decker bus ($3.00 each)...it is about a 20 minute tour and we had fun with some of our tablemate friends we knew. We sat on the top and we had to duck under wires a couple of times, but we all laughed and had a great time!! Again...TIP TIP TIP...tip the lil tour guide talking...tip the driver!

 

Then we had time for a 30 minute massage for $15.00 each...that was really really nice...and we tipped without them asking! Yippee!! I love that!!

 

And then we proceeded down to Buddy's for 2 for $5.00 margaritas and free chips and salsa and got tipsy. YES...this is all before our tour left at 10:30 a.m.!!! I'm sorry, but I like Progreso!! I'm not at work...I am having drinks and massages and have a great view of the ocean!! Don't be a HATER!!

 

 

 

[summer_girl]

Ok...time for the tour with AutoProgresso...nice folks really, and I think it is a value compared to Carnival's tours!

 

We headed out on the comfortable bus (it has a bathroom too) to the Salt Flats. The Salt Flats in February...no big deal...all the flamingos are nesting for winter. However, back in August this was really nice. We drove right on down to the beach club. We let folks out at the beach club who did not want to experience the ruins. We stayed on the bus...went to the ruins. I find them interesting and think if you haven't seen them you should...walk around shoot some good photos and learn some Mayan culture! Then back on the bus and to the beach club...very nice lil place...pool area, bar, food area set up, and places to sit in front of the beach. The alcohol and food were included. Our bartendar would give us double shots of the liquor if we requested!! Nice!! The food consisted of chicken fajitas, nachos, chips, salsa and a few other things I can't recall. It was a nice place to hang out and get some sun.

 

We were back at the ship by 3:00 I believe. Oh, and tip the driver...

 

 

 

 

[summer_girl]

Cozumel, Valentine's Day, 2/14/12

 

Valentine's Day in Cozumel is WONDERFUL. We were up and ready to get off the ship. This would be my 3rd time in Cozumel and I love it there!

 

We headed out and rented a SCOOTER! Yep...we rented the death trap everyone talks about. This wasn't our first time renting one and my significant other won't have it any other way. We did pay for EXTRA insurance...liability and collision. And we HEAD OUT OF TOWN!!

 

First stop Carlos & Charlies Beach Club... great yard drinks, great view and if you had kiddos with you they could get an arm band for $2.00 and jump on those water toys!! Great deal!!

 

 

 

[sandisue]

Ok, a question totally unrelated. Did you see many "solo" cruisers on the Elation? I am thinking of taking my first solo on that ship. I am a 55 year old widow and love the idea of a ship that is somewhat smaller than the others. My late husband and I loved cruising Carnival so I feel comfortable with it. Sounds like you had a blast--great pictures!:)

[marshhawk]

I am enjoying your review. Just talked DH into this one for next year(can you tell by the amount of days?) I think that the port of Prgresso with the world's longest dock would be interesting any way, but you are making it sound down right FUN! What however are the salt flats?

[mykindaparty]

Yes there were several "solo" people on this cruise. We met a few and they seemed to enjoy it. I would think this being a smaller ship it would be great for a single person. Progreso is great, we did the

Dzibilchaltun - Mayan ruins and tour of Merida. Buddy's is a must stop they have great salsa and he gives free tequila shots!!!!! The salt flats are a huge area where the Yucatan people mine salt and export it. It is really neat to see this area.

[Herfnerd]

We are planning on visiting Uxmal thru AutoProgresso - glad to hear you had a good experience with them!

 

Question, though - what time did you leave the ship and when did the bus actually leave? We were told to be at their site about 8:30 for the 9am departure and just trying to gage when we should be off the ship.....

[summer_girl]

Thank you for answering those questions...I agree with MyKindofParty!

 

I will get back to my review as soon as I can...we have had something come up here and I can't sit and type...

[maldenmusic]

Ok...time for the tour with AutoProgresso...nice folks really, and I think it is a value compared to Carnival's tours!

 

We headed out on the comfortable bus (it has a bathroom too) to the Salt Flats. The Salt Flats in February...no big deal...all the flamingos are nesting for winter. However, back in August this was really nice. We drove right on down to the beach club. We let folks out at the beach club who did not want to experience the ruins. We stayed on the bus...went to the ruins. I find them interesting and think if you haven't seen them you should...walk around shoot some good photos and learn some Mayan culture! Then back on the bus and to the beach club...very nice lil place...pool area, bar, food area set up, and places to sit in front of the beach. The alcohol and food were included. Our bartendar would give us double shots of the liquor if we requested!! Nice!! The food consisted of chicken fajitas, nachos, chips, salsa and a few other things I can't recall. It was a nice place to hang out and get some sun.

 

We were back at the ship by 3:00 I believe. Oh, and tip the driver...[ATTACH]223064[/ATTACH]

 

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We have reserved this tour for May. I'm glad you enjoyed Xcambo and the reef club-these will both be new things for us this time. How long would you say it takes to get from the beach to the ruins?

[summer_girl]

About 15 minute drive from ruins to beach club..not far.

 

We got off boat around 8:30 I believe. We took our time. You will get a better price on those tour if you wait and pay there instead of prebooking.

[summer_girl]

I will add to this soon...we have had a death and things are crazy here...

[must2cruz]

We were on this cruise too. Valentines day and our 25th wedding anniversary. I wrote a formal review and hope to see it posted soon on member reviews. We had a great time.

[missouri_chick]

I will add to this soon...we have had a death and things are crazy here...

 

So sorry Summer _girl. sending prayers your way.

[bay0ugirl]

I happen to really like the size of the Ewtion. It is not so big that I will get lost easily...especially when I am enjoying my wine (2 carried on and 1 from Bon Voyage) or all those yummy Drinks of the Day!!

 

I also like the fact that you make friends easier on a smaller ship and run into them. It is nice to chat it up with new folks!

 

Ok...onto the room...ready at 1:30...this was room M11, a porthole room. I was very excited to see the light of day in my room as I had a interior room on my previous cruise.

 

The room had plenty of room and closet space for the 2 of us. I loved the Port Holes and the "dormer like" area that surrounded them. You could get up there and sit and look out. A small child would love that I would think!

 

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We had a wonderful Room Steward who was friendly and brought us wine glasses to our room.

We were also on that cruise my partner & I , we had a blast, it was our first time cruising, now we are hooked, We never wanted to go on any kind of other vacation cause we own a beach home & a cabin on toledo bend lake, but our freinds talked us into it, now we are looking into taking a trip again, on the island we meet a nice couple that loved the island so much they sold everything an moved there, purchased a small bar & panini shop. Sorry we didnt run into you guys, happy cruising.