Just off the Elation....perfection

[texas#1mom]

Just returned from our seven day Elation cruise.

Me, DH, DD and 9 of her 18 year old friends. I've tried to think of the negatives...but can't think of one thing.

 

Parking: We used ezcruiser. com and it was great. It's about a four block walk to the cruise terminal...very easy with wheeled luggage, or you can use their shuttle and they'll take your luggage with you. $35 for seven days. Perfect.

 

Embarkation: We arrived at the ship about 12:00 and waited in line, perhaps twenty minutes to do the business at hand. If you print your "fun pass" make sure you also pre-fill out the S&S credit card information in your docs, one per credit card. Each person using cash or a different credit card must have their own info. card. No line through x-ray, short line for pre-cruise photo. Stood in line at the purser's desk to do the room key shuffle...we were booked in four cabins, and the ten kids wanted to sleep in two next to each other, so we had to remove people from some cabins and put others in so the cabin keys would work. Also went to the dining room and had DH and myself removed from their dining table as they wanted to be on their own. No problem. Signed up for shore excursions and all of us got what we wanted. Do it ASAP and you'll get the one you want. Muster drill was a breeze...on the Jubilee we had to go out to the lifeboats on deck and stand in our particular location. We just had to meet in the Mikado lounge and listen to the spiel about muster stations.

 

Fun day at sea...just what it sounds like.

 

Progresso: When you dock you are at the end of a 6 km pier, so free buses take you into "town". There are shops at this pier if you don't want to leave the ship area. DH took the four hour Mayan ruin excursion, to Dz...something, and he loved it. On the bus trip into the town they will offer you different side trips, so DD and nine friends went to the "resort hotel", with pool, beach and open bar...for $25. They were first taken to a ruins area for about twenty minutes, (optional but free). They absolutely loved it. The resort is beautiful and CLEAN, great drinks, food available ($), and lots of sun time. They would consider it a destination another time. I took the bus into town, wandered the square that they drop you off at, lots of vendors, very poor town. I wandered off the square but didn't find much of interest. Felt safe, but was saddened by the poor conditions. Many people walked to the beach, which was very pretty. I'm sure someone will post about the beach experience. It seemed that there were a number of elderly men "serenading" you if you sat down. I just walked along the water for a few minutes and headed back to the ship.

 

Cozumel: DD and friends took the catamaran sail and snorkel. They were disappointed in the amount of snorkel time, but had fun none the less. The beach they went to was nice, free floats and volleyball, etc. Food for sale. Photographer on the catamaran, developed pics by the time you're back. Make sure you take an ID off the ship if you're 18 and over and look younger, as the bar is open and free on board the catamaran. DH and I did the snuba trip offered by Carnival. It was nice, although we expected to be taken out by boat, we were taxied into town, given directions at a dive shop and walked across the street to do our snuba. It was an interesting experience, but the reef area was just okay. We went back to the ship, changed, ate lunch and went into town. The streets are torn up while their utility lines get buried below surface, so it's a mess. I found the shop owners more aggressive and less willing to bargain this trip. DH bought 8 t-shirts for co-workers and was given NO break...now they were only $6 per shirt, but we didn't argue. They needed the $ more than we did. Went to Panchos for a much needed margarita and guacamole..yum. It was very warm and humid, so this was perfect. Took a cab back to the ship and vegged out at the back of the Lido deck. Heaven.

 

Belize: DD and friends did Cave Tubing through Carnival, just as a precaution to getting back to the ship on time...paranoid Mom! They liked it alot, didn't struggle with the walk..they're young! Enjoyed themselves. They were tendered to the pier and then bussed to the cave tubing area. DH and I chose the Goff's Caye snorkel trip. We were picked up at the ship in the snorkel boat. Lots of people, but not crowded. We were "guided" around the island snorkeling for about an hour and then walked up onto the beach for about two hours of sun, or to continue snorkeling on our own. Hair braiders, t-shirt stand, beer/soda, and grilled food available for $. Diet Coke, $2, t-shirts, $10. Didn't buy food. Returned to the ship by 1:00 and tendered into the pier area, which has an assortment of shops/bars/restaurants. All clean, nicely maintained. We did not go into Belize City after hearing that there was not much to do. Interesting note: There's a pharmacy at the pier area that will sell you any medications at amazingly low prices without a prescription. Retin A cream, $8/ tube, all common meds available, cheap. Sold by the pill..***** .10 each, etch.. Sounded a little scary but a crew member said it's completely safe. We did see a couple of young women (early 20's) buying oxycontin...kind of creeped me out.

 

Last two fun days at sea...recuperate, relax and enjoy.

 

Debarkation: Sad...but painless. We were on the road home by 10:00.

 

Final notes:

Take your driver's license for ID when returning to the ship at the ports of call. That with your S&S card will get you on ship. We only used our passports at embarkation.

 

Cappucino at dinner is free.

 

We were never charged a corkage fee for bringing our wine to the dining room (Only did that twice, though)

 

The nicest people, crew and tablemates!

 

Weather looked a little frightening when we were to leave, but did not have one problem...blue skies, smooth seas. Cozumel had experienced about four days of heavy rains just before we arrived and there was some sort of problem with fresh water. Showers weren't available after our snuba trip.

 

Only a few marauding bands of 12-15 year olds. Annoying, yes, but they have parents that have to LIVE with them...ha!

 

Food: Great! My lobster was perfect, DH should have sent his back...mushy. Warm chocolate souffle was the best dessert by far.

Chauteaubriand was excellent, as well as the filet and prime rib. Grilled black tiger shrimp..yum. Tiffany's grill was good..different country's food each day-Carribean, Indian, Japanese, American. We ususally just did the pizza/burgers.

 

If you have your own snorkel and mask, bring them. They're probably better quality than the ones that are lent/rented.

 

No "free playing cards" and no souvenir Elation pins available.

 

I'll try to answer any questions...I'd not hesitate to recommend this cruise to anyone. Thought DH might think 7 days was too long, but it was perfect. (I keep using that word!) Hope this wasn't took long!

[therainbows1999]

Thanks now I really can't wait to go. We leave Sunday!!! Whoo Hoo!!

 

Elation 6/04

[Capt. Mike]

Thanks for the info, we just got off the Rhapsody yesterday, we beat you to the dock by about 10 minutes. We are doing the Elation on Oct 31, with the Haak Winery/Taste of Texas Group. Kinda interested in comparing the 2 ships. We never miss Carlos and Charlies in Coz. I may be 58 but always act like a teenagerin that dump.

 

Capt mike

 

SS Windward 81

Monarch 98

Monarch 99

Monarch 00

Splendour 02

Rhapsody 04

Elation 04

 

[Kenster]

Thanks for sharing, Mom. BTW, how did you manage to have ten 18 year olds with only two adults. I thought there had to be at least one 21 (or 25?) year old assigned to each cabin.

 

Your link to the parking lot is not correct. It should be ezcruiseparking.com We used them also and were very pleased.

 

Carnival Carnivale -1988

Carnival Celebration - 2001

Carnival Celebration -June 2004

[texas#1mom]

Hey Kentster. We had two family friends of one of the kids go as the other passengers over 25. We lucked out as none of the other parents were up for the job! Worked out well for all concerned. We pretty much ignored the kids, except to have them check in with us one hour before we left each port. The other adults were at their table at dinner...but were no relation!

[tpear3]

Thanks for the review! How did the exchanging the key's work?

 

NCL Sea - 10/00

CCL Inspiration - 11/01

 

12/19/04 Elation cruise

[texas#1mom]

tpear3..everyone got in line at the purser's desk and as we removed a person from one cabin, we replaced that person with another. We then did the second set, etc.. There was no question as to their ages and the pursers were very nice about it. We were then given new recoded S&S cards and we were ready to go! How long have you been in The Woodlands?

[p2lockhart]

Texas#1Mom, thanks for the great review. Can you or one of the girls remember the name of the Hotel in Progreso that they went to for $25?

 

Thanks.

Patti

 

until I cruise on the Elation

 

until I cruise on the Ecstacy

 

Ecstacy 11/25/04

Elation 12/28/03,9/26/04

Celebration 9/5/03

Carnival Conquest 5/18/03

Rhapsody of the Seas 5/02

Norwegian Sea 12/31/99

 

[tpear3]

texas#1mom--my two children and I have lived in the Woodlands since 1998 but moved from Indian Springs to Alden Bridge in 2001. Thanks for the info on the keys--we are planning on having my neice stay with my two and my step-daughter.

[Riviera Deck Randy]

Thanks for the review that is where we ae going in April

[zmanmj]

OUr first cruise was on the Disney Magic with the kids. WE want to go on another cruise without the kids and found a great deal on the Elation for 10/31. I've heard that Carnival is kinda a "party" ship, was there enough adult stuff to do? How were the shows? Casinos? Any other info you have would be great.

[best of show]

I am 29 years old, this was my first cruise and I just got back from the Elation on 6-13. I personally love to gamble but can say I did not gamble on the ship one time as there was too much to do!! I did walk through there and the casino was very nice. The shows were great, especially the midnight R rated comedy shows. We loved them!! During the day we layed out or went to the ports and at night had dinner and did the karaoke and the dance clubs. There is a ton to do, trust me you wont be bored.

I posted a review on here if you want to check it out. Hope this helps. I recommend it. I loved it and am afraid I am hooked on cruises now!!

[Randy & Carmen]

I recommend it. I loved it and am afraid I am hooked on cruises now!!

YEP......I begged Best of show to cruise for years.."NO, she says...I like Cancun".....but ask her now......Hooked like a FISH!:eek: ......Plus she went with my sister (the female version of me) so that can't be too shabby!;)

[best of show]

Your correct. I will never visit Cancun again! But one of our ports was Cozumel and I planning on doing a short 4 day there soon. But besides that, I do believe cruising is the way to go....thanks RB!!

[flossyal]

Thanks for all of the information on your Elation crusie. I am crusing Elation on Oct 17th for my first cruise. Am looking forward to it but have so many questions about dress code, food, beverages and off shore excursions. Your info really helped me- I hope my first experience goes well!!

[leesprincess]

I know, we went on it in May and it is the Reef Yucatan, when you get off the shuttle from Progresso, there should be a guy there, one of their names is Pedro, very nice guy, it is a shuttle he then puts you on then you drive 25 or so miles out into the Yucatan and see the Mayan ruins then the Reef Hotel that is on the beach and you drink for free.

[dancer006]

Thanks for the info! We are sailing on the elation oct.31, and can't wait! Has anyone done a halloween cruise before?