Elation review-7/14-7/19

[princessdivaapril]

Let me begin with a typo apology. My laptop fell off my nightstand so is dead and gone. DH won't let me use his due to my catastrophic history with laptops and my teenager is at her dad's for the weekend. SOOOOOO...I'm using my Kindle Fire which makes typing difficult, full of typos, lots of periods where they don't belong. So, sorry. Anyway,here goes my review.

PART 1: If you click my name you can find my review of our horrible hotel in New Orleans on night before the cruise. (Chairs on bed and urine smell when we checked in etc etc). But New Orleans was great.

DAY 1: Embark was easy and quick. Made it to parking deck around 11:15, gave luggage and tip to porter and parked. After quickly moving line we were inside and they divide line into one for Sign and Sail cards for those using credit cards and another for cash. We chose cash because I had read on CC about the terrible holds placed on cards. We put $ on our cards and headed to wait for our zone to be called. Happily and to our surprise, we didn't have to wait but got on ship immediately. Parked, registered, on ship in one hour.

MORE LATER......

[princessdivaapril]

On board and head straight to Guest Service because I was card colored as 1st time cruiser. Ive been on 5. No big deal, but yes, I wanted my repeat cruiser free drink but most importantly, I wanted aALL my cruise credits to build up to my eventual Platinum I hope. Guest services was way friendly and fixed up my card. We then ordered a DOD, the Fun Ship Special. Very strong! I drank mine and half of DH's. Lol

I FORGOT TO ADD at guest services I asked what time cabins would be ready. They said "Now". Wow! Rooms were ready before 1!!! We go check out the room, drop off carryon, and head to Lido deck for lunch.

MORE LATER........

[vivavegas]

Welcome Back! Looking forward to reading more of your review!:)

[ward6226]

Hope you enjoyed the Elation. My family and I have had some great times on her. I may take another ride on her while she is still close to home. God bleass.

[Herfnerd]

We had a blast on the Elation this past May - not my fave Fantasy Class but still fun

 

Sorry about your hotel stay at the Cotton Exchange - Tripadvisor showed that most people had the same experience you did........

[princessdivaapril]

We then head to Lido deck for buffet at Tiffany's. It was not good at all! Not even on par with a Ryans or Golden Corral. Salad bar was good though. We decided then that we would do the poolside grill and Mongolian Wok. Both great, plus you could hear the reggae style music. And yes, it appears Lido deck was one man band. Little drum and keyboard set and he sang along with prerecorded tracks. Kids were already in the pool. It was still gloomy and misting rain in New Orleans.

We then explored the ship a bit then unpacked carrying and waited for muster drill. Our area was in the Mikado Lounge so we could sit and relax in the cool air. Drill was only about half hour and you no longer have to take life preserver with you.

And that brings me to the BIG BOX in corner of room. Everything you have heard is true. It IS HUGE and holds preservers which would easily fit on top shelf of closet. Whennthe two beds are converted into one queen the person against wall has to climb over the box to get in and out, or over the other person. I had a huge bruise on front of my calf from hitting the box climbing into bed.

We had an OV room which had plenty of storage. Vanity w/ chair with vanity drawer then 4 roomy drawers down side. Open closet with tons of hangers and two bathrobes. Then a double door closet with safe, several shelves, and another hanging area with hangers and room to stash a big suitcase and bag.

Bathroom had large medicine cabinet to hold lots of stuff. Decent size shower. Mirrors on medicine cabinet, over vanity, and full length one on main door. Only ONE PLUG next to vanity. No plug in bathroom at all-weird. So bring multi- plug adapted or.extension cord.

[karenh1127]

Cant wait to hear more! We will be on the Elation next month....11th Carnival cruise but 1st on this ship!:)

[cruiser fanatic]

I am enjoying your review we were on the 6/25 sailing and had a BLAST!!!

[princessdivaapril]

We went down to see Maitre d' who was available for dining changes/requests. We had booked Your Time Dining and our sing and sail cards had us listed as 8:15 late dining. It was our anniversary so we wanted to sit alone, my DH is an extremely quite introverted person so if we sit with strangers it can be awkward( tried it before), but also we wanted to be able to eat whenever we felt like it in MDR. Maitre d' couldn't change us first night , saying YTD was ful, which seemed a bit odd since YTD is come and go.

But he promised to try to arrange it for remainder of cruise. Which he did. So first night we head to late seating and are at table for six. We are first to arrive, order, have had our appetizers and are waiting for main course when the two other couples show up half hour late which makes serving difficult for the waiters. Also, the couples were best friends traveling together and the woken were sisters. We are both 42 and they were all about 30 years older. They were all very nice but agewise we had nothing in common, plus the four of them were together so there was inner conversation, inside jokes, etc. I am extremely outgoing and talkative(DH says I could have a conversation with a wall) but dinner was awkward.

We then went to make our nightly "donation" to the casino.

By the way-my pork loin was excellent. Chocolate melting cake always a pleasure.