First Time Cruiser on the Elation

[gollareny]

This is my first cruise and it is an eastern caribbean cruise on the elation. Can anyone tell me about the ship and their experiences on it. I have read alot of reviews and i either get really bad or really great, nothing in between.

 

Also are there any little tidbits that a first time cruiser should keep in mind in general?

 

Any info would be great help as i am so new to this and it is a present for my mom and i want it to be great. thanks alot

 

Nova!

[RSTPOKC]

Hello:

 

Just got off the Elation from a 5 day cruise (nov 19th-24th). The ship is great and the staff is very friendly. This was our first cruise also and I read everything I could about the Elation and cruising. Had a great time. Spent alot of time in the casino. The food was (by my & husband taste) okay. But for some reason ate alot. Alot to chose from. Only ate in the formal area during Formal Nite. We had a balcony view and used it every chance we had. Overpacked! Took bathing suit, pool was COLD and salt water but never used (casino). Daughter thought that the slide was cool. They had a something going all the time at every part of the ship. Some of the people on board were friendly, some were not. Met some people but not until last part of the cruise. Explore everypart of the ship. There is a part on the front part of the ship were (18 and above) were you can go tanning w/w/o top. Alot of kids all ages. They don't bother you if you don't bother them. Take a walkie talkie so you and you mother can stay in touch even if you are apart for a few minutes.. Alot of walking. Elavators took a long time. WEnt to Progresso and Vera Cruz (last minut change due to hurricane suppose to go to Cozumel). Take sea sick medicine just in case. Also enjoy your trip. I am not sure were you are going but one thing most people don't say is 'LEARN ALITTLE SPANISH". It always help to learn a few key phrases. People there that speak english are the ones trying to sell you tours. If you go to Progresso due take the $2 tour of the city. 30 min. Go to the beach.. Explore the different areas that you are going. Travel together!!!

 

Just enjoy your trip. There is not much someone can say until you experience it yourself. Little tidbit is eat drink and be merry... You are on vacation....

 

Have a great trip:D

[travel girl23]

We have been on the Elation twice and both times absolutely loved it. This was before Katrina when she was sailing 7 day cruises to Mexico and Belize out of Galveston. We thought the service and food excellent. The ship was in good condition and we had a wonderful cruise both times. There's plenty to do or not do according to your taste. Lots of photo opts especially on our last cruise. We noticed more photo opts on nights other than formal nights. In the past, the photo opts are usually just the formal nights. We enjoyed the karoke and for the first time went to the art auctions. In fact, we won a piece of art. It was fun. Do take the galley tour. And don't miss the Gala Midnight Buffet. Also, don't miss afternoon tea near the end of the week in the piano bar. Our room steward and head waiter and assistant waiter were the best. On our first cruise we were on the Verandah Deck room V36 and last year on the Empress Deck, room E-6. No complaints with either room. Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

[gollareny]

thanks so much for your responses and advice. The islands I am visiting are Half Moon Bay, Bahamas...Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas...San Juan, Puerto Rico...Grand Turk Island..then back to Miami, Fl.

[racephoto]

thanks so much for your responses and advice. The islands I am visiting are Half Moon Bay, Bahamas...Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas...San Juan, Puerto Rico...Grand Turk Island..then back to Miami, Fl.

 

Wow that sounds like a great itinerary! I've never been to Grand Turk, I hear it's fabulous. I bet you'll have a great trip.

[CruiseFan13]

Im going on the elation April 30th...when are you going on gollareny. Also...whe i got a confirmation letter today it said it was leaving from galveston. On every website it says miami so im a little confused. I cant call anyone till monday tho to find out. Anyone else know any info?!!? Than ks in advance.

[cheshyrkat]

Im going on the elation April 30th...when are you going on gollareny. Also...whe i got a confirmation letter today it said it was leaving from galveston. On every website it says miami so im a little confused. I cant call anyone till monday tho to find out. Anyone else know any info?!!? Than ks in advance.

 

Elation is leaving Miami on April 30th. Does the itenerary on your confirmation letter include the Eastern or Western itenerary? If I am not mistaken Ecstacy will be handling the cruises leaving Galveston...Not Elation. Sometimes with the Elation handling Ecstacy's itenerary it won't list the right ship in some of the websites. I wouldn't worry about it. Contact your PVP or TA to put your mind at ease.

[CruiseFan13]

^^ um im not quite sure what it lists... Im not at home where i can see the letter right now. I do beleive that the whole itenerary is right except the Galveston part. It looks like it was typed up by a person...and was not like a copy or sumthing. Im sure it was just a typo because we are booked on the Elation and are set to leave april 30th 2006. I Am going to call to double check tommorow.

[chasetf]

Im going on the elation April 30th...when are you going on gollareny. Also...whe i got a confirmation letter today it said it was leaving from galveston. On every website it says miami so im a little confused. I cant call anyone till monday tho to find out. Anyone else know any info?!!? Than ks in advance.

So how do you get a confirmation letter and not know where you are leaving from ?? Also seems fishy when in another of your posts you claim to be 15 yrs old. :confused:

[CruiseFan13]

I like how people automaticly jump down my throat without asking me questions first. Here is your answers...YES i am 15 years old. My MOM got a confirmation letter, and when she called today, they confirmed it was a mistake on their part...that it was a typo. I rather speak in First term (using Myself) then keep saying "my mom". thats why "i" got a confirmation. Way to welcome a new member trying to fit in.:(

[CruiseFan13]

double post

[CruiseFan13]

Double post

[CruiseFan13]

Edit

[CruiseFan13]

Here is my other thread so you can stop following me around accusing me of lieing.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=5280217&posted=1#post5280217

 

I also wanted to appologise to EVERYONE here if i did anything wrong but try to talk to a few people about a cruise im going on. Just wanted to chat, didnt think i would have to worry about proving who i am.

[GoinCruisin]

Here is my other thread so you can stop following me around accusing me of lieing.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=5280217&posted=1#post5280217

 

I also wanted to appologise to EVERYONE here if i did anything wrong but try to talk to a few people about a cruise im going on. Just wanted to chat, didnt think i would have to worry about proving who i am.

 

Don't worry Cruisefan, you don't have to prove anything to anyone... looks like you have a stalker ;) Just ignore people like that... I don't think anyone else thought you were lying. Some people have nothing better to do than to come up with conspiracy theories. Enjoy your cruise!!!

[zqvol]

Im going on the elation April 30th...when are you going on gollareny. Also...whe i got a confirmation letter today it said it was leaving from galveston. On every website it says miami so im a little confused. I cant call anyone till monday tho to find out. Anyone else know any info?!!? Than ks in advance.

How did a 15 year old manage to get a confirmation letter? Last time I checked you had to be an adult to cruise alone on Carnival, or did he simply read mail that wasn't addressed to him or is this one playing a game with us?

[GoinCruisin]

How did a 15 year old manage to get a confirmation letter? Last time I checked you had to be an adult to cruise alone on Carnival, or did he simply read mail that wasn't addressed to him or is this one playing a game with us?

 

How about READING the thread??? Seriously... how can fully grown adults act like such children? Why does there have to be a conspiracy? He explained, try reading before jumping the gun. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

He's going on a cruise with his mother... I'm sure they are very excited and I am sure she shared the confirmation with him since it is his cruise too. he came here to get an answer to a question and now gets questioned about something so stupid. Grow up people!

[zqvol]

thanks so much for your responses and advice. The islands I am visiting are Half Moon Bay, Bahamas...Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas...San Juan, Puerto Rico...Grand Turk Island..then back to Miami, Fl.

Hi gollareny,

 

I'm on this itinerary May 14th. I have been to all of these places before, except Half Moon Cay. I think that you will have a lot of fun. I would not worry about learning Spanish though.

 

Have a good time!

[corina27]

I was on the Elation in October she's a beautiful ship you all will have a great time they have taken great care of that ship and the staff is awesome.:) :) Happy cruising!

[CruiseFan13]

Goincruisin, thanxs for backing me up. I too cannot wait to go on the elation. This will we the second time i was on the ship. The last time i went was about 4 years ago when it left from california. From what i rememeber its really fun. I also heard that they remodeled it 2 years ago.

[cheshyrkat]

Here is my other thread so you can stop following me around accusing me of lieing.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=5280217&posted=1#post5280217

 

I also wanted to appologise to EVERYONE here if i did anything wrong but try to talk to a few people about a cruise im going on. Just wanted to chat, didnt think i would have to worry about proving who i am.

 

Nice pic...That's really creative CruiseFan13~ sorry you have been having a hard time. I think it's good that there are some younger people on the boards and I admire that you can stand up for yourself without being rude and not just run away. I hope you don't go away! You don't owe anyone an apology. I am not sure why someone would want to go to such lengths to try to "expose" you as a troll...You should have a great cruise. I'd like to go to some of those places myself some day. I'm glad you got the whole Galveston/Miami thing sorted out.

[gollareny]

thanks for the responses guys! I had a question..is there bingo on the elation? My mom is a big fan and i was just wondering.

Also is there any info anyone can give me about the places i am visiting or a link to where i can get info on them or any info i might want to research before i go?

You all are so helpful thanks so much.

[cheshyrkat]

I think it's safe to say there's bingo everywhere there's a Carnival ship! LOL I find it a bit expensive, myself, but you are winning some super-nice prizes too so in comparison to your average bingo overall I don't suppose the price is that high... Kinda like the high rollers' table at the casino!

 

Is there anything about your destinations in the Ports of Call section of this board? You might have trouble finding a terrible lot of info about Grand Turk as a cruise destination because it's newer than most as a port. The others you should find a wealth of information. Also consider figuring out which ships run Eastern Iteneraries now and read some of those reviews for insight into the cruiser's experience in port. Good luck!

[cruzeluver]

A lack of Bingo will be th least of your worries!! :p

 

My best advice is to enjoy every single second. Cuz its all over before you know it. I try to find the fun in everything, even the muster drill. Check out the ports of call sectionon on this site for great info on where you're headed.

 

Have a great cruise!!!

[phabric]

For the people that have been on the Elation, where else is there to eat beside the main dining room. Going with kids that may not want to eat in the dining room. What kind of food is served there? Is it buffet type? We were on the Spirit and on the Lido deck they had different food stations ie: salads, deli, pizza, grill, Nation of the day, Chinese, desserts and carving, do they have this type on the Elation.