Valentine's Day on the Elation - w/pics and Chef's Table

[skidawg79]

After breakfast, we headed to our cabin to change into our suits and then headed to the Serenity Deck. There were no loungers available in the sun, but plenty in the shade. Greg sat while I got into the hot tub.

 

I watched several people come and then leave because of no seats. One couple, who had been sitting on loungers in the shade, had kept an eye on two loungers in the sun that were being reserved with books. According to them, after an hour they went and got the attendant who removed the books so they could use the loungers. I got out of the hot tub and grabbed on of their loungers in the shade. Not 5 minutes later, another lounger in the sun became free, so I moved up there. That was the only time we had problems with seating.

 

Once I had enough sun (and was dry) we went back to the cabin to change and then headed to the casino. This is when I discovered my new favorite - Howling Wolf!! Oh my goodness was it fun!!! Greg played thru his money and wanted to take a nap, so he headed back to the cabin. I hit $1000 on the and didn't want to leave.... lol.... but I did. I took my $1000 and headed up to the cabin to show DH who said woo hoo and went back to sleep. It was still 2 hours before dinner (Elegant night), so I took $100 back to the casino with me. Believe it or not, after several more bonus rounds, I cashed out another $1000!!! I was HOT!!!! We are not ones to take formal pictures, so after dinner we changed and went back to the casino for a couple of hours (hubby was hot now) and then to the cabin for some sleep.

 

We had been told that the Chefs Table would be held on Cozumel night, so I fully expected something in our cabin when we returned to our cabin that evening. But there was nothing there. So I went to Guest Services and while I had been confirmed for the CT, they had to add another night due to so many people being signed up. They would be having dinner on Cozumel night and again on Valentine's night, the last night of the cruise. We would be receiving our confirmation for the Valentine's night CT the next day.

 

Back to the cabin to fill out the room service tag and get some sleep for our day in Cozumel!!

 

This was taken from the Serenity Deck this morning:

 

 

 

And this was taken before dinner:

 

 

 

As you can tell, the seas were still fairly calm. That was about to change!!!

 

Great review so far, congrats on the wins at the casino!! Hopefully you left with some haha Beautiful pics! Love the sunset one, the sunset, water and clouds are perfect...

[chasinraynbowz]

What kind of game is "Howling Wolf"? Slots, cards, dice? Sounds like you made out!

 

 

Its a slot machine and if you look at the pictures of the casino on the first page, I think I posted a picture of it. Google it. I had a ball. I also max betted to win that much. :eek:

[chasinraynbowz]

Great review so far, congrats on the wins at the casino!! Hopefully you left with some haha Beautiful pics! Love the sunset one, the sunset, water and clouds are perfect...

 

 

I am sure I left some, especially in the Lemming slot... LOL!!!

 

The sunset pic and the still water pic are my 2 favorites so far!!

 

Thanks!!!

[chasinraynbowz]

Saturday, Feb 13

 

This morning, the knock from room service woke us up. (I always keep $1 bills in one of the drawers near the bed so I can have a tip ready, especially when I am still half asleep... lol) After getting and drinking our coffee, we headed out on deck to watch our approach to Cozumel. We grabbed omelets and sat inside to eat before heading off the ship. We decided to let the others go first since we had no plans for the day other than shopping and margaritas!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry about the size of the pictures These are from my cell phone and I wasn't able to resize them.

Edited February 21, 2016 by chasinraynbowz

[cincicruisers]

Great review. Looking forward to the rest.

[chasinraynbowz]

After shopping and margarita's we got back on the ship and into our suits to enjoy a private hot tub on the Serenity deck. There were very few people today, but boy was it windy! Once dry, we headed back to our cabin to get dressed so we could stand out and watch for pier runners (yeah, we are bad.. lol). When we got to the cabin, this was waiting for us.

 

 

 

As we left Cozumel, the Captain came on the loudspeaker and welcomed us all back from our great day and told us we were going to be hitting some weather and rough seas in the Gulf. The last time I had a Capt warn us about rough seas, it was really rough. This night was no different. I had taken a Bonine, but needed another one and ended up retreating to my cabin in the middle of dinner. I never felt "sick", but I did feel like I was on the verge of getting sick. Too much more up and down motion and it wasn't going to be a pretty sight, especially in the main dining room LOL.

 

I dont remember much about the rest of that night besides the fact we ordered room service and then slept the rest of the night. I can handle one Bonine, but 2 will make me sleep real good... lol.

 

Next up, the Chef's Table

[chasinraynbowz]

Great review. Looking forward to the rest.

 

 

Thanks!! Working of the rest of it now.

[chasinraynbowz]

Sunday, February 14 - Valentine's Day!!

 

Other than packing, I don't remember much about this day other than a late breakfast at the buffet, shopping and more playing in the casino. The wind was still blowing and the ship was still rocking some, so we staying indoors for the most part.

 

The day before we had received a letter that our reservations for th Chefs Table had been confirmed and we were to meet the Chef at the Atrium Bar at 630pm. The charge is $75 per person and you are asked to wear closed toed shoes and avoid high heels. I will say that every woman except for me wore open toed shoes. I wore my tennies since the only other shoes I had were my sandals. We all met in the Atrium (our cabin was on the same deck, so it was handy!). They gave us champagne while we waited and

when the Chef showed up, he explained how the night would work.

 

I didnt get pictures of the appetizers, but thats ok. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise! :D I will say I enjoyed each one. After the appetizers and the explanation of how the kitchen/galley was run we headed over to see how the Warm Chocolate Melting cake was made.

 

 

After this, they paraded us the dining room and into the Library where we were individually seated for our meal.

 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2016 by chasinraynbowz

[chasinraynbowz]

Here is the entire menu. Pictures of each course will follow.

 

[chasinraynbowz]

Beet Blanket with Spiced Grape Tea

 

 

 

Crab Stack

 

 

 

Duck Textures (not my favorite, but I don't like duck)

 

[chasinraynbowz]

Bisque Our Way (Red and Green tomato) - 2 pictures

 

 

 

 

 

Sea Bass

 

 

 

Wagyu (YUMM!!!)

 

 

 

Dessert from the Pastry Chef (again, yum!!)

 

[chasinraynbowz]

We both thoroughly enjoyed the Chef's Table. We left a nice little tip and headed back to our cabin to drop all of our goodies off.

 

If you noticed in one of the pictures that there were 2 Carnival shot glasses, those don't come with the meal... lol. I had done a shot each night at dinner, but missed the night before because I was in my cabin due to the weather. My wonderful hubby decided to take one for the team (he doesn't really drink) and got one so I would have the shot glass. Christian, our waiter, made sure to send some Warm Chocolate Melting Cake back the cabin with him also, (not sure thats the best thing to give someone who is suffering from motion sickness, but it was a nice thought... lol), so between the plate of cake and the shot glass, Greg's hands were full when he was trying to get into the cabin. Something had to give and unfortunately it was my shot glass. It went flying and hit the floor and shattered. Our room steward was in the hallway, thank goodness, so she got the vacuum and got up all the glass.

 

I happened to see Christian before the CT and told him about the accident. In the middle of dinner, the wonderful young lady who kept our glasses full left the room and came back with 2 shot glasses. She came over to me and said "Here Miss Pam, compliments of Christian. And Mr Greg, he says don't break them this time!!". LOL!!

 

Anyway, once back at our cabin after the Chef's Table, I found this waiting for me

 

 

Now I can't wait to get home to start planning our next trip!!!!

[chasinraynbowz]

Monday, February 15

 

We docked late this morning, but we still did good getting out. Once docked, we did self assist and get thru immigration very quickly. We headed off the ship around 815 and we were in our car and headed out of the parking garage by 830. We got home around 3 -330pm.

 

 

Final thoughts -

 

I understand that the Elation is going in for dry dock. Good! She needs it. The ship was clean and the staff was great, but she is worn out. There were a few more kids than I thought there should be (it isn't summer or spring break) but I found out that the local kids were out of school all week due to Mardi Gras celebrations.

 

I earned over 6,000 points in the casino and still came home ahead. We both had a great time! I got cookies one day, a bottle of wine one day and then the free cruise offer (which I am booking tomorrow!!)

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!

 

Thanks for reading!!

[momonthego17]

Monday, February 15

 

I earned over 6,000 points in the casino and still came home ahead. We both had a great time! I got cookies one day, a bottle of wine one day and then the free cruise offer (which I am booking tomorrow!!)

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!

 

Thanks for reading!!

 

Were the 6,000 points all accrued on Howling Wolf? Have you ever gotten a free cruise before? Let us know where you are going on this free cruise!!

 

The beet blanket looks interesting...I hate beets, I will try it and then probably see if my DH wants it:D Chef's table sounds delish! Thanks for posting your review!

[chasinraynbowz]

Were the 6,000 points all accrued on Howling Wolf? Have you ever gotten a free cruise before? Let us know where you are going on this free cruise!!

 

The beet blanket looks interesting...I hate beets, I will try it and then probably see if my DH wants it:D Chef's table sounds delish! Thanks for posting your review!

 

 

The 6,000 points were accrued on various machines, although I did play the Howling Wolf a lot. I have gotten "free" cruises before, but not on Carnival (although this one was pretty close - $100 pp with $100 OBC.. lol). I am taking my sister on my "free" one. I will be paying to upgrade at least to an OV, so it will cost me $250 with taxes. It's a 7 day out of New Orleans on the Dream.

 

I hate beets also, but couldn't taste them. It was interesting. I didn't eat all 3 of the little squares, just 1 1/2 lol.

 

Thanks for reading!! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[cruiser fanatic]

Monday, February 15

 

We docked late this morning, but we still did good getting out. Once docked, we did self assist and get thru immigration very quickly. We headed off the ship around 815 and we were in our car and headed out of the parking garage by 830. We got home around 3 -330pm.

 

 

Final thoughts -

 

I understand that the Elation is going in for dry dock. Good! She needs it. The ship was clean and the staff was great, but she is worn out. There were a few more kids than I thought there should be (it isn't summer or spring break) but I found out that the local kids were out of school all week due to Mardi Gras celebrations.

 

I earned over 6,000 points in the casino and still came home ahead. We both had a great time! I got cookies one day, a bottle of wine one day and then the free cruise offer (which I am booking tomorrow!!)

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!

 

Thanks for reading!!

 

Elation is very worn out. We sailed on her in June 2012 and she looked the same as she did in April 2004. Nothing changed in that 8 years. Same outdated cabin and no upgrades. Hopefully with the month long dry-dock next year they will renovate the entire ship.

[chasinraynbowz]

Elation is very worn out. We sailed on her in June 2012 and she looked the same as she did in April 2004. Nothing changed in that 8 years. Same outdated cabin and no upgrades. Hopefully with the month long dry-dock next year they will renovate the entire ship.

 

 

I had been on her in 2010 and again in 2013. Other than the flat screen TVs in the cabins, everything else was the same. I hope she gets a full facelift. I love the Fantasy class ships and hope they keep them around for a long time.

[jimbo5544]

Elation is very worn out. We sailed on her in June 2012 and she looked the same as she did in April 2004. Nothing changed in that 8 years. Same outdated cabin and no upgrades. Hopefully with the month long dry-dock next year they will renovate the entire ship.

 

 

I am curious as to what your expectations are with a "full facelift", what would be done above a normal dry dock.

Edited February 23, 2016 by jimbo5544

[chasinraynbowz]

I am curious as to what your expectations are with a "full facelift", what would be done above a normal dry dock.

 

 

Not sure what my expectations are other than the cabins need to be completely redone. As I said, we love the Fantasy class ships and I hope to continue sailing on them.

[tncap]

I am curious as to what your expectations are with a "full facelift", what would be done above a normal dry dock.

 

2.0 upgrades such as the Inspiration just received might qualify.

[chasinraynbowz]

From what I have read, she is up for 2.0 upgrade in 2017.

[mykindaparty]

Been on the ol girl several times and hope they get rid of those awful orange boxes in the corner of the rooms. I know they hold the life vests but gees it sure does hurt banging knees on it in the middle of the night trying to climb over it.

[chasinraynbowz]

Been on the ol girl several times and hope they get rid of those awful orange boxes in the corner of the rooms. I know they hold the life vests but gees it sure does hurt banging knees on it in the middle of the night trying to climb over it.

 

As you can see below that the lower box is still there but the upper one that held the older style TV is gone. They replaced 2 wall panels (that were a different color than the rest of the cabin). The shelf that held the TV wasn't finished (plain wood) so it looks like they are working on things before she goes into dry dock.

 

None of this diminished the fun we had on our cruise. These were just observations.

 

 

 

[snookymom]

As you can see below that the lower box is still there but the upper one that held the older style TV is gone. They replaced 2 wall panels (that were a different color than the rest of the cabin). The shelf that held the TV wasn't finished (plain wood) so it looks like they are working on things before she goes into dry dock.

 

None of this diminished the fun we had on our cruise. These were just observations.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations on your good luck Pam. I see that you had an ocean view cabin. Did the bed go all the way over to the window? We have an OV booked in June but I don't want to have to crawl over the beds to see out the window

[chasinraynbowz]

Congratulations on your good luck Pam. I see that you had an ocean view cabin. Did the bed go all the way over to the window? We have an OV booked in June but I don't want to have to crawl over the beds to see out the window

 

Hi Margie!! I see you are going on the Sensation. Not sure when she was last in dry dock, but the beds are not against the wall. If that box at the end of the bed is gone, you will have no problem walking around the bed to see out.

Edited March 11, 2016 by chasinraynbowz