Just back from the Elation 2/20 - 2/25 sailing (long)

[mgasaway]

Just returned from a WONDEFUL 5 days aboard the Elation. From the time we boarded until the minute we debarked we never had anything but A1 service.

 

Embarkation was quick. DH dropped me and the luggage at the terminal about 1:15 and he took our rental car back to Enterprise (We flew in from Chicago Sunday and rented a car for sightseeing). Knowing it would be about 30-45 minutes I settled in on a bench to wait and people watch. Just before 2 the shuttle arrived with DH on board and we headed inside. We had everything filled out and all our documents ready. It was no more than 10 minutes from security to the gangway and the CSR that checked us in was very, very friendly.

 

We found our cabin (M18 - ocean view forward), threw our carryons in the cabin and headed to the buffet. We had requested the bed be made into a king and it was already so when we arrived. We ate some lunch then went back to the cabin to collect our life jackets for the muster drill and our luggage had already arrived. After the muster drill we explored the ship then went on deck to be outside when the ship left the dock. We finally met our cabin steward - Ray - on day three. He kept our cabin in top shape. We always had clean fresh towels, plenty of ice and a well made bed. Communication was done through notes, as we spent very little time in the cabin.

 

Our dining was the late seating (8:30, although we had requested 6:15) in the Imagination dining room. We had decided prior to the trip that we would eat in the dining room each evening as we just don't eat like that at home (how could we, we'd be as big as houses!!!). Our waiters - Roberto for head waiter and Mario as assitant waiter - were great. Roberto was a hoot, always making us laugh. Mario was more formal and seemed to be the one doing all the work. We were very impressed with Mario. mario also worked in the Tiffany's buffet during breakfast and the first morning after meeting us he greeted us with a big "Good morning Miss Mary, Good Morning Mr. Steven". We found the food in the dining room to be very good. The buffet, while standard buffet faire, was very tasty. We tried everything - lol. We were not impressed with the burgers on the Lido deck - they seemed a bit bland. The french fries however were out of this world. The pizza was good, but prefer thin crust pizza and this was thicker crust. It didn't stop me from visiting the pizza bar a couple times in 5 days though.

 

On our first port in Progresso we had booked a Mayan Ruins tour through Carnival. We were taken by air conditioned tour bus to the ruins site about 25 minutes from the ship. The tour was interesting, with plenty of time to explore the site on our own after taking the guided tour. there was a restautrant and bar on site with reasonable mexican faire and KILLER frozen margaritas. We thought the tour was worth the $55 each we paid. There wasn't much when you get off the ship, as the pier is about 5 miles long and you have to take a shuttle to town. There are some shops on the pier, but not many and the prices seemd a bit outrageous. We didn't see much of the town itself, other than just passing through. On the second port in Cozumel we didn't book a tour and decided to go it alone. There use to be a beuatiful state park there but it was completely destroyed by Hurrican Wilma. 3 other couples from the ship were also 'winging it' so the 8 of us hired a van and driver for the day for $25 each. he took us on a city tour, stopped for shopping in the San Miguel area then out to Play del Planacar beach for some swimming and relaxing. So much of the beach area in Cozumel has been destroyed by the huricane. It's sad to see the sheared off, mangled, squat little palm trees. Some of the resortsthat use to dot the beach are now just concrete, roofless shells. Still, we had a good time.

 

Our on board time was spent sunning and relaxing in deck chairs. We saw both stage productions, Spin and Rythm in the Mikado lounge. Both shows were vegas style production, although not of the caliber you see in Vegas. The guests talent show was very enjoyable. The best part of the shows was Jorge, the cruise director. This man is a stitch and we can't remember when we laughed so much. We also took part in the bingo, trivia contests, checked out the lounge entertainment and spent some time in the casino. We also went to the Captains Cocktail party and the reception for past guests. One thing we thought was that the lounges are very under-utilized. Many nights there was nothing going on in some of them. I know we would have spent much more time (and therefore much more money on drinks) if there was some low key musical entertainment in the smaller lounges.

 

When the cruise was over we decided to do the self debarkation since we only had one suitcase each. We were eating breakfast when our cabin level was called, but they had said the day before that if you were eating there was no need to rush - so we didn't. It took about 15 minutes to get through customs then off to the bus back to the airport.

 

All in all, it was a wonderful vacation with no complaints at all (other than we didn't win anything in the casino!). We're already planning the next trip!

[hill6]

Nice review. It is a shame of the destruction that has occurred in Cozumel. Hopefully they will be spared for a few years for the rebuilding to occur.