Elation Review - 11/29 - 12/4 - Mobile, AL

[All4fun&fun4all]

Really enjoying your review. I am obsessed with picture reviews and yours is wonderful so far. :)

[BigDfromTN]

[/color][/font]

 

Really? We have been to Playa del Carmen on landbased vacations many times. It is by far cheaper than Cozumel. Could it have been that the shops realized you were on a cruiseship-based shopping tour? Negotiating is almost impossible in Cozumel, while it is EXPECTED in Playa. We won't buy anything in Cozumel b/c of the disparity in pricing.

 

 

Our experience was the same as the OP, in both July and October when we went to both.

 

Even on 5th Ave. and just walking up and down the street. Prices were higher there than they were at the shops of the port at Puerta Maya.

[zaknzoey]

 

Saturday - November 27, 2010

I won’t get into all the details about the packing and the drive, but suffice it to say we arrived in Daphne by 5pm on Saturday. Daphne is across the bay from the port and the Microtel we stayed in was nice and clean and offered breakfast in the morning

 

 

 

 

 

Just a couple of days ago, I reserved this hotel. I am so glad you said it was nice and clean. I was wondering about it because the price is so good! But all the reviews I read online were positive. Thanks!:D

[brcris75]

Really enjoying your review! Can't wait to see/hear more!

[chasinraynbowz]

Really enjoying your review. I am obsessed with picture reviews and yours is wonderful so far. :)

 

Thanks so much. I will be finishing tonight!!

 

Our experience was the same as the OP, in both July and October when we went to both.

 

Even on 5th Ave. and just walking up and down the street. Prices were higher there than they were at the shops of the port at Puerta Maya.

 

Thanks, I was hoping I wasn't the only one who had experienced this... lol.

 

Just a couple of days ago, I reserved this hotel. I am so glad you said it was nice and clean. I was wondering about it because the price is so good! But all the reviews I read online were positive. Thanks!:D

 

It is a very nice, clean hotel. There is lots to eat around... a McDonalds just down the street, an IHOP across the street and many other places. There is a mall close by also.

[chasinraynbowz]

I'm enjoying your review Pam. Love the pictures. :D

 

 

Thanks Margie!!!

[bigtoeswim'n]

Thanks Margie: That is a lovely review. How did you get your photos on the site, via what online photo company.

 

The Dh and I leave this Thur on Elation for our third trip to Coz. Decided, with much, much though, to book Nachi Cocom, even though the weather is turning chilly.

 

I have stayed at that Microtel Hotel everyone is talking about. Clean and just the basic.

 

ttyl

[chasinraynbowz]

Thanks Margie: That is a lovely review. How did you get your photos on the site' date=' via what online photo company.

 

The Dh and I leave this Thur on Elation for our third trip to Coz. Decided, with much, much though, to book Nachi Cocom, even though the weather is turning chilly.

 

I have stayed at that Microtel Hotel everyone is talking about. Clean and just the basic.

 

ttyl[/quote']

 

 

I am currently using Photo Bucket. I have used other in the past and like them better, but this was easiest as I wanted to separate the pictures into folders by subject.

[Terri102066]

Zaknzoey.....I read your post above. If you on the Elation out of Mobile on Dec 9 come over and join us on the roll call. We would be glad to have you.

[PC Cruisin]

Can't wait to hear more ... we will be on this cruise in 6 more days ... :D

[zaknzoey]

Zaknzoey.....I read your post above. If you on the Elation out of Mobile on Dec 9 come over and join us on the roll call. We would be glad to have you.

 

Thanks, Terri, but I guess I did fail to mention that I'm on the 01/15/11 cruise. I have posted on our roll call.

 

If you're going on 12/09, let us know how it was. I've been both to Cozumel and Progreso, but this is my first time on Elation and first time out of Mobile.

Can't wait! :D Only 39 days to go!!! :eek:

[chasinraynbowz]

Lets continue.... I have more Cozumel pictures to post. Last picture was at the Tequila factory.

 

 

The Norwegian Epic was in town same day. HUGE ship. Too big for me.

 

 

See all the whitecaps? That shows how the water was. It got worse that night and then calmed right now!

 

 

 

Looks like we have company!!

 

 

This was taken at the "beach club" where we had lunch.

[chasinraynbowz]

Back at the port, poor Rover about met his untimely end. But he was spared! lol

 

 

 

Pilot heading back to shore

 

 

After shopping, we were back on board for a snack and to watch sail away at 5pm, which was the same time as the Past Guest Party. We chose to stay outside watching us leave port. We also chose to have dinner in the buffet, just the two of us this night. We checked out the menu for the dining room and then checked out the buffet and they were pretty much serving the same things, minus one or two items. We enjoyed our quiet dinner and then headed to the theater to watch the new show “Win”. It was lots of fun and we both enjoyed it. Greg enjoyed Just Rock better while I enjoyed Win more.

 

After the show, we headed to the casino to play but could not due to the amount of smoke. I quit smoking a year ago (DH quit 9 months ago) and while I fully agree that smokers have rights, I now fully understand how nonsmokers feel.

 

We decided to go shopping for pictures since I had that nice $15 off coupon. We found one we really liked, luckily it was a Christmas shot on the staircase in the atrium. We bought that and ended up getting our Christmas cards too!!

[chasinraynbowz]

Friday – December 3, 2010

 

Our last day was spent sleeping in late (9am!) and then heading to breakfast at the buffet. We shopped more, went the chocolate buffet at noon and had a late lunch. We participated in some of the trivia games and packed before dinner. After dinner we headed back to our cabin to make sure our alcohol had arrived and wanted to finish packing before the 1030 show in the theater. We got packed and got our luggage into the hallway and decided to watch a little TV before heading to the theater. Hahaha, we never made it. We both passed out and slept until it was time to get up the next morning!!

 

Here are some pictures we took around the ship. Some are good, some not so good, but you get the idea.

 

Here are some shots of the casino:

 

 

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

The Promenade

 

 

 

The Atrium

 

 

 

 

Lido Deck

[chasinraynbowz]

Inspiration Dining Room

 

 

 

 

Cole Porter Lounge

 

 

Gatsby's Bar

 

 

The Jekyl and Hyde Club

[chasinraynbowz]

Inside of Jekyl and Hyde Club

 

 

 

Romeo and Juliet Lounge

[chasinraynbowz]

Saturday – December 4, 2010

 

We were supposed to be out of our rooms by 830, so we headed to breakfast in the dining room at 7 and then back to our cabin to get our carry-ons and wait for our call to leave the ship (we were #20). We waited on the Promenade deck (inside) until we were called (it was cool outside). Our number was called at 910 and we were in the van and heading out by 10…. less than an hour. Not bad at all!! We did get a porter who went with us to our car, thank god. Between the 4 of us, we had 8 bags!!!

 

 

Note: As we got up to the customs agent, his “buzzer” went off. He said he knew it wasn’t us and asked us to wait a minute. He walked over to another agent and then to another before finding out what (or who) caused his buzzer to go off. When he got back to us, I asked him what that was for and he stated that it checked for radiation. He said usually people who set it off have recently had a stress test. Learn something new every day!!

 

 

Overall thoughts:

The ship was beautiful and I loved the décor. We had a great time, but until she gets a full makeover, I doubt we will sail on her again. Our cabin was clearly showing the wear and tear of age. Yes, it was clean and we were comfortable but the carpet was worn and the desk was scuffed and scratched. Plus, the "box" at the end of the bed (which held our life jackets) made it impossible to pass unless we climbed ON the bed, which we had to do to see out of our window.

 

The staff was wonderful for the most part. We did have one problem with a young lady at the photo desk when we went to pick up our picture and Christmas cards. It got straightened out.

 

The past few times we have sailed during this time of year, we have had rough water (could be worse but could be better). We will try another time of year I think.

 

Our drive home was uneventful. We had a housesitter here to take care of our house and our animals (2 dogs and 3 birds). I will do that from now on. The dogs were happy, the house was clean and I wasn't stressing. I knew everything was being taken care of.

 

Thats about it. Please feel free to ask any questions. I do have each of the Fun Times, but no time at work to scan and post them, sorry. After being gone for 11 days, my office had a revolving door on it and I had over 400 emails to take care of... haha!!

[WeatherGeek]

Really enjoyed your TR, but the whole thing made me so sad because I should be on the Elation right now! I had to cancel at the very last minute because I came down with pinkeye and the flu of all things. Haven't had pinkeye in 25 years, haven't had the flu in 17 years!

 

Loved seeing your pics and it looks like you had a great time. The Elation looks pretty nice. We'll have to catch another cruise out of Mobile on her sometime next year hopefully.

[oncruisecontrol]

Nice review. Thanks for posting. Great to see pictures of Calica/Playa del Carmen; haven't been there for 3 1/2 years.

[chasinraynbowz]

Really enjoyed your TR, but the whole thing made me so sad because I should be on the Elation right now! I had to cancel at the very last minute because I came down with pinkeye and the flu of all things. Haven't had pinkeye in 25 years, haven't had the flu in 17 years!

 

Loved seeing your pics and it looks like you had a great time. The Elation looks pretty nice. We'll have to catch another cruise out of Mobile on her sometime next year hopefully.

 

 

Well that stinks! So sorry. Glad you enjoyed my pictures. I took LOTS more and cut it down to this many to post!! Hope you feel better sooon!!!

[chasinraynbowz]

Nice review. Thanks for posting. Great to see pictures of Calica/Playa del Carmen; haven't been there for 3 1/2 years.

 

 

Thanks!!! We want to go back to Playa del Carmen... maybe a land based vacation?? Not sure yet.

[chill6x6]

Pam..

I REALLY appreciate your review! We will be on the Elation in May so your review and pictures really helped me out and has me thinking/planning all ready!

[chasinraynbowz]

Pam..

I REALLY appreciate your review! We will be on the Elation in May so your review and pictures really helped me out and has me thinking/planning all ready!

 

 

Thanks so much!! That's why I did it... well that and to relive the cruise of course.. haha!!

[PamperedAshley]

Thanks for taking the time to do this review, I loved it. We will be sailing on the Elation in May! Can't wait!