Just off Elation short review

[darleen1421]

DH and I sailed the Elation 1-26 to 1-31. We had a great time! Flew to San Diego on Friday night after work and stayed at Holiday Inn right across from the ship terminal. Just had to walk across the street to board the ship! Boarded about 11:30 and only took a short time to board. Headed to Lido deck for salad bar and out on the back of the ship near pizza place. DH loves to sit out there. It was sunny and nice, but DH had to get our jackets before we sailed. A little cool and windy by then. Got into our room a little after 2pm.

Bags came later. We unpacked and then had the lifejacket drill where I lost a diamond hoop earring taking the jacket off. Dinner was casual that night. Met our tablemates. Four very nice young couples from Utah. We had a great time with them. Meals were excellent. No compaints about any of the choices I made. DH liked the meals also. We enjoyed all of the shows. Didn't do the midnight comedian show. Never made it to any of the midnight buffets either.

Didn't win any money in the casino. Entered both slot tournaments.

 

Formal night was nice. Food was great, especially the lobster. Our waiter Luko and helper Mila were excellent. I ordered a cappuchino the first night and she brought me one each night after that.

 

We ate breakfast and lunch in the dining room. Enjoy meeting different people that way. Always met really nice people.

 

Cabo was nice. Too many street vendors selling silver bracelets, whistles etc. though. Found a place that you could check your email if you bought drinks. Found a new pair of diamond hoop earrings at the Milano diamond store and had lunch at the Shrimp Factory. Got a half hour massage too! Then we went to another place to check internet again but there were too many people using their own laptops so internet was really slow if we could get on at all. Had to tender back to the ship, so headed back to the dock. Got back on the ship and saw people get rescued after three people took a skidoo out and it tipped over. They got it upright but it took on water and only one could ride back for help while the other two bobbed in the water.

 

Sea days were busy with game shows and bingo. Didn't win at bingo either.

The captain's party and past guest party were both fun.

 

We did an excursion in Ensenada. It was Taste of Mexico. We took a bus tour of Ensenada and learned some history. Then we were dropped off at Mango Mango restaurant where we prepared our own salsa, guacamole, chicken tamales and beef tostadas. It was fun and a good lunch. Then we shopped in the shops there. The city was a bit of a mess because Carnival started the next day, but didn't cause any problems. Found an internet cafe there too.

 

Debarkation went pretty smoothly. We went to breakfast in the dining room and didn't rush. We were off by about 9:30 and went back to Holiday Inn and checked our bags and took a ferry to Coronado. When we came back we had lunch at Anthony's on the pier and then got our bags and took the shuttle back to the airport. After we checked our bags we went outside and sat in the sun for about an hour. Being from WA we didn't know when we would see the sun again, so had to soak a bit up.

 

As I said earlier, we had a great time and no complaints about anything, except it was a bit cool to sit outside on sea days. I would do this cruise again with no hesitation, but would probably wait until it would be warmer.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

[nevarez]

Thanks so much for your post! My friends and I are boarding the Elation tomorrow (4th) for a four day to Cabo and back. Your review answered my question about what the earliest time we can board was since my docs said not to come earlier than 30 minutes prior to boarding time ( which it said is 1:30pm). Glad you had a great time. This is our first time on a Carnival ship and first cruise together. I've been with my DH and 3 kids to the Mexican Riviera.

[greenstar]

Thanks for the review. We are also going on the Elation in July. A four-day. But after reading your review, I'm considering changing it to a five-day. We've been to Ensenada. Just can't decide whether to go five-day and have one less day to do things in Southern California. We actually live in LA, but my son's best friend is coming out to visit and there are still things they'd like to so in San Diego. :confused:

[tickles]

Thanks for the review we will be boarding on Friday for the 6 day cabo and La paz trip. This will be my second time on carnival and my dh first so we are really looking forward to it. I am just hoping that the weather here in OR lets us get to cali and we don't get stuck. Where did you go to get your massage and how much was it?

[Dorene1]

Hi

 

I just returned from a cruise out of NJ on RCCL. I booked 6 months ago this cruise on the Elation. The cruise even though I loved it, I thought it was cold, to water in the Caribbean was cold too. I was wondering how the cruise out of San Diego would be since I booked it for Jan 2009. I think I'm going to cancel the cruise and maybe book another date. I know I wont get the great price as I will in Jan but I want warm weather. If anyone else has a view on the weather in Jan please let me know.

 

Dorene

[marty30907]

We enjoyed the Elation when we sailed on her last year.

[Gecko7]

We are sailing in two weeks and I really appreciate your review. We book our excursions last night and optd for the winery tour in Ensanada and whale watching in Cabo.

 

Gecko7

[sassyredhat]

We took Elation last June. Loved the ship, and weather in Cabo was perfect.

Been down there 4 times. We try to go in Feb, Mar or April, before it gets too hot.

You just never know about the weather down there. It can change from year to year. In 2007 June weather was about 80 degrees.

 

Pat

[dommer573]

Love the Elation, will definitely have to take her on a 4 or 5 day soon.:D

[DeBlonde1]

Loved the mini review. Tell me about your massage in Cabo. Price, location, etc. Gecko and Nevarez, would love to hear yours as well. I want to do whale watching in Cabo. I am bummed about the chilly weather, though. I could swear it was supposed to be mid 70s. Of course, coming from Mn, it will be great no matter what!

[CruisinMermaid]

We also enjoyed the Elation last June so we're sailing her again this March. We live in San Diego so this is an easy cruise to take. :)

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for the review.

[darleen1421]

I can't remember the name of the place I had the massage. It was just past the Shrimp factory on the same side of the street. Two gals in uniforms sat out side on chairs. Studio is up stairs. Very clean, and therapist did a wonderful job. I paid $35 for 30. After she started another gal came in and asked if I wanted another 40 min for $30 more. Since DH was waiting I didn't do it. THere was a hotel or something across the street. Shouldn't be hard to find if you find Shrimp factory. Also just remembered if you stop at information booth there are coupons for free margarita at Shrimp Factory. We had shrimp fajitas. They were wonderful.

[MTcruiser]

good review...thanks

[graysladymurphy]

We just got off the Elation yesterday. The weather was warm in Cabo, we wore our swim suits all day. It was too cool to really lay on deck any of the other days. I brought a jacket every time we went out on deck. But we are from up north, today it is only 20 degrees where we live. The warm air felt great to us, but if you are looking for a super warm cruise I don't suggest going in January.

[luv2travel#2]

just got off the Pride Sunday......Left Long beach last Sunday....Was cold all the way to Cobo...the windchill off the ocean is really, really cold. Was nice and warm once we reached Cobo.....On the return, once we passed Cobo, it started to get cold again.....Lots of white caps, very, very rough ride, but quite enjoyable.....Would do it again, but would wait until April.

[Kurbanfan]

just got off the Pride Sunday......Left Long beach last Sunday....Was cold all the way to Cobo...the windchill off the ocean is really, really cold. Was nice and warm once we reached Cobo.....On the return, once we passed Cobo, it started to get cold again.....Lots of white caps, very, very rough ride, but quite enjoyable.....Would do it again, but would wait until April.

 

We sailed out of San Diego on the Spirit in April and it was the same.

Almost regretted booking a balcony:(

We sailed on the Elation last August out of San Diego and it was awesome. We will book again in August....

[Chmie]

Thanks for the review, Darleen.

We sail on the Elation this August so I eat up anything about her. :D

[victory2020]

Hi

 

I just returned from a cruise out of NJ on RCCL. I booked 6 months ago this cruise on the Elation. The cruise even though I loved it, I thought it was cold, to water in the Caribbean was cold too. I was wondering how the cruise out of San Diego would be since I booked it for Jan 2009. I think I'm going to cancel the cruise and maybe book another date. I know I wont get the great price as I will in Jan but I want warm weather. If anyone else has a view on the weather in Jan please let me know.

 

Dorene

We usually book the 4 day cruise down to Mexico in Jan. It will be chilly- I don't think you'd want to do the pool or hot tub. it will be sunny but breezy.

[darleen1421]

I just remembered where the massage place is. I bought diamond earrings at Milano jewelry store and massage place was about two or three doors down. Women in white uniforms sitting out front.

 

Don't think I mentioned the shows on the ship. Some people complain about the entertainment, but we loved it. We weren't paying $150 in Vegas to see the show so didn't expect them to be perfect. The kids really work hard and do a good job. Magician and comedian were good too.

[nicole hannah]

thanks for the review darleen.

 

we're off to our very first cruise this april 19 on the elation.. we're doing 5 nt mexico from san diego- cabo san lucas and ensenada. we live about an hour from san diego so it will be easier.. it's gonna be me, DH, and our two girls age 3 yrs. and 13 months. we're thinking of putting the kids in babysitting while on port.. what kind of activities/excursions can we do between 8-12 coz that's the time they allow babysitting when on port n cabo and ensenada?

[DeBlonde1]

We usually book the 4 day cruise down to Mexico in Jan. It will be chilly- I don't think you'd want to do the pool or hot tub. it will be sunny but breezy.

 

 

Really? SO on sea days, nobody hangs out around the pool?? Is there a place on the ship that may be warmer than others, if we did want to catch a few rays? Something out of the wind, maybe? I would think the hot tub would feel good, but we use our outdoor hot tub in the winter here. LOL It's best when the weather is colder! :)

[DeBlonde1]

Is the formal night on the 2nd night and is that the same night as the Captain's cocktail party?

[Darlipoo]

We took Elation last June. Loved the ship, and weather in Cabo was perfect.

. It can change from year to year. In 2007 June weather was about 80 degrees.

 

Pat

 

 

We were on the Elation June 25-30, 2007 and it was ovef 100 in Cabo.