Elation 4/18 part 2

[scorpio1971]

Thank you!

 

 

Inspiration 5/99

Paradise 9/00

Triumph 5/02

Pride 11/03

Elation 5/04

[rez1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dianacatherine:

Hi rez1,

I already have my docs. How exactly did you find your room number? We do not know ours, and we are doing an OV guarantee also. It's too bad you didn't get an upgrade, we probably won't either.

Where is your family driving from?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

DianaCatherine,

I learnt how to find out your room number from another thread. On the back of your sign and sail form of your document there is a long number. It starts with your booking code followed by your room number! This room number can still change, if you have a guarantee.

For the 05/09/04 Elation sailing, Carnival offered a free double deck upgrade at first, and then a single deck upgrade next. So most people who booked a 6A, got upgraded to 6B and 6C! Thus, us guarantee folks remain on the Riviera deck.

I am working in Dallas, but we live in California. DW and DS are flying into Dallas and then we'll drive to Galveston Friday evening or Saturday.

[aggieastrosfan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scorpio1971:

Blyle,

I am cruising the Elation 5/2/04. Do you have the price for the Ruin tour in Progresso and the shark reef alley snorkle tour in Belize?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

scorpio, scorpio,scorpio...*why* haven't you posted on our roll call thread?!?! Come join the party and meet your fellow CCers, we're meeting Sunday (eek! tommorow!!) at 3:00 at the Drama Bar. Come join us!

 

Elation 5/2 Roll Call

 

'Till 5/2 on the Elation...

 

Ecstasy awaits...12/4/04

 

Holiday 12/00 - Baja

Elation 05/02 - Mexican Riviera

Elation 05/04 - W. Carribbean

Ecstasy 12/04 - W. Carribbean

[blyle]

Hope the weather clears for all of you. It was terrible today! Hope everyone has a wonderful time on the Elation. I can't believe we've been home a week!

 

Elation 4/04

Celebration 5/03

Legend 4/03

Victory 4/02

Sensation 7/96

Holiday 7/94

Celebration 6/93

[dianacatherine]

Woohoo!! Mine says E237, rez1. That's higher up so I'm guessing that's a good thing. What do you think is the probability that it will remain that way? I'd kinda like to keep that room.

My husband and I live in Denton. He works at UNT and I am about to start grad school there in the fall. We are also driving down early, probably Friday and are staying at the Hotel Galvez since that means we can leave our car there the whole week of the cruise.

[rez1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Woohoo!! Mine says E237, rez1. That's higher up so I'm guessing that's a good thing. What do you think is the probability that it will remain that way? I'd kinda like to keep that room.

My husband and I live in Denton. He works at UNT and I am about to start grad school there in the fall. We are also driving down early, probably Friday and are staying at the Hotel Galvez since that means we can leave our car there the whole week of the cruise.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

DianaCAtherine,

 

Unfortunately, I have a rental car rented for a month! Since I work in Dallas, but live in CA, that's my only option. I have to leave the car at the pier parking to avoid a steap one way rental fee. Since I'm not staying in a hotel, I can't get free parking either. Any ideas?

Back in 1993 I lived in Denton for a semester! All my buddies went to UNT, so that was my hangout place. I had an apartment on Loop 288.

[dianacatherine]

rez1, if you're coming on Saturday, and you think you might need a place to stay, check out www.galveston.com and they have a list of hotels who do free parking and pier transfers. Some hotels end up being cheaper or the same price as paying for pier parking, so that may be something to consider.

Also, check that website or run a google search, sometimes they have parking discount coupons for that peier for $10 off or so.

It's funny that you lived off 288; my husband and I used to as well. We moved to an apartment off of Teasley, and will be moving into a house in a month, thank goodness!

[tinsel57]

I found a lot of the hotels are cheaper if you book them directly instead of through Gavleston.com, and most still offer the free parking package, some the free shuttle package as well. I only found one hotel that said they would only do the parking if I booked through the web site.

 

Just check and cross check if you're trying to get a good rate.

 

tinsel57

 

[txadmin2]

Thanks for all the great information.

 

Great report. I've got to go find part 1, now.

 

Judy

 

On the beach in Cozumel in...

 

Elated to be on the Elation on 11/14

[rez1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tinsel57:

I found a lot of the hotels are cheaper if you book them directly instead of through Gavleston.com, and most still offer the free parking package, some the free shuttle package as well. I only found one hotel that said they would only do the parking if I booked through the web site.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Thanx for the idea, tinsel57. I'll try that route.

 

dianacatherine, I was planning to stay in Houston saturday since I have friends/family there, then drive down to the pier Sunday AM. Your idea is great since the parking money can be hotel money! Any hotel in particular? We went to Lake Ray Roberts a few weeks ago. Boy has Denton changed..... I was amazed. You can email me directly rez1@hotmail.com, since this thread is getting harder to find.

[blyle]

Part 1 was bumped up. it was written on 4/25/04. Just click on Blyle and then view all posts by this member and you will see it there.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by txadmin2:

Thanks for all the great information.

 

Great report. I've got to go find part 1, now.

 

Judy

 

On the beach in Cozumel in...

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;23;6;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

 

Elated to be on the Elation on 11/14

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;11;14;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Elation 4/04

Celebration 5/03

Legend 4/03

Victory 4/02

Sensation 7/96

Holiday 7/94

Celebration 6/93

[CHARO]

Trying to get back to normal but it is very hard.

 

Excursions: I have the entire brochure regarding shore excursions. There is a write up about each. I also have the price list.

 

PRogresso: I believe this is the most controversial port. I read all the negative reviews and went with an open mind. Basically you take the free shuttle from the pier and get dropped off at a tiny shopping area. Then you can take a quick 15 min tour of the city in a double decker bus for $2/each. I would say that the majority of the people ended up on the beach a few blocks away. There you could buy your beer for $1 bottle across the street or have them take care of you for $2 a bottle. The chairs are free, there are corona girls all over the beach and watersports. The water is not polluted just a bit green not the normal color of the caribbean blue. We saw men swatting flies off of food but many ate in the restaurants and seemed to be ok. No one raved about their excursions here and most used it as a restful day before Cozumel and Belize. The people were extremely friendly and not pushy. It was heartbreaking to see small children trying to sell things along with aged guitar players on the beach. I am sure that in a few years Progresso will improve but I would not go back for this port. Those who went to Merida only stayed a short time and returned. I think everyone has to make up their own mind here. If you like the ruins then I would do that but if you are a beach person just go on your own and you will see everyone else there too. Do your own math. Carnival takes you for $35 (beer included) to the same beach where you can buy your beer for $1. 35 beers is alot to drink in just a few hours. Those who took the jeep tour said it was hot dusty and dirty but if you have never done that it may be for you. I would do all your t shirt, and trinket shopping in Progresso. The prices were the best of all the ports.

 

Cozumel We always go to Chankaanaab and really enjoy it there. We love to snorkel. Those who did the dolphin encounter had a great time. Of course the fiesta party boat takes you to Playa sol and the catamaran sail and snorkel we did last year and had fun. As youcan tell we have cruised a bit and are really beach people. One thing for sure. In every port there are tour companies just waiting for those who did not book tours.

 

Belize- Since Belize is not an island any water tours must be booked through carnival or private agents. We did the Belize snorkel trip and really enjoyed it. Warning the boats used are of various sizes, some covered some open and hold about 30 persons. You snorkel from the boat and then go to Goff's cay where there is more snorkeling and a small food stand. No chairs or umbrellas and limited shade so bring lots of sunscreen. The more expensive tour and Rendezvous cay has chairs and floats. Actually you can choose to snorkel only from the beach if you desire. They give you the option to do both or just snorkel from Goff's Cay. Afterwards we tendered to Belize and purchased a few items at the shopping center in town. National language in Belize is Endlish.

The water was extremely clear here. Those who did the cave tubing liked it but they said they walked carrying their tube for about 30 minutes.

 

Stacey M - we sailed Celebration 10 years ago and then last year. We had great cruises both times but the Celebration is one of Carnival's smallest ships. The Elation is much different and has all the new features even though it was built in 1998. It is larger and has many more amenities. I would definitely sail the Elation after the Celebration.

 

There are so many lounges on the Elation. The Cole Porter is the largest and most comfortable and non smoking . Duke's is great but smokey.

 

SMOKING AREAS AS LISTED IN CAPERS: DUke's, Casino, ROmeo and Juliette Lounge, Jekyll and Hyde disco, Gatsbys- Port side only, lido deck main pool starboard side only, verandah deck forward and aft. All other areas are Smoke free

 

Thought I would pass along comments from other cruisers on the ship. Those that were first timers loved everything. Those who have only sailed the newer ships thought the Elation was a bit small. Those like us who have cruised on all the different categories knew exactly what to expect and had no complaints. We would definitely take another cruise on the Elation since it will only be here for about 2 more years and the Ecstacy is coming next year to replace the Celebration. The crew seemed to think that in a few years a conquest class ship would arrive . Wouldn't that be great!!!!!

 

Disembarkation was a breeze. We were off and in our car by 9:55. Easy to take the shuttle to the parking lot and easy to get a taxi. No worries here. Luggage was easy to find.

 

One thing I would pass along is that though not listed on the menu you can always have a steak and baked potato for dinner. No one seemed to know that and they were pleasantly surprised when we told them. I just assumed that everyone knew that.

 

If I think of anything else I will add to this but I wanted to give as much info as possible.

 

All in all this ship is on top of things. It all runs like clockwork and the crew is happy to be on the ship. They were very thankful for their tips and told you so.

 

I hope that those of you who cruise her in the future have as great a time as we did. It's hard to get back to normal again.

 

Elation 4/04

Celebration 5/03

Legend 4/03

Victory 4/02

Sensation 7/96

Holiday 7/94

Celebration 6/93

BLYE, just read your posting of April about the Elation, I am getting to cruise on it 2 january and have emailed carnival several times about getting the prices for the shore excursions as we are a group of 24, so far no prices. Could you email me the prices so that we have a general idea of the cost.

 

bilhartz@comcast.net