My immediate and extended family sailed from New Orleans on the Carnival Elation, leaving on June 2. For my in-laws, this was their first cruise but the other six of us had samiled before, with most of the trips on Carnival.

We drove to NOLA, arriving at 10:15 and was able to park, turn over our luggage to the porters and was in line to give our documents by 10:30. Embarkation was VERY easy and was told we could expect to board not long after 12:00 which proved to be correct.

We had three cabins and the only problem we encountered the entire trip was the temperature in our cabin (E169) and my SIL's cabin (E171). The temperture was almost warm even after adjusting the fan to blow as strongly as possible. It never really got cold in the room and at times was almost warm. Thankfuly my wife had brought a small fan which helped at night. We asked our room steward to see if something could be done in our cabins and he said he would turn in the request, but we never saw anyone and it never improved. The temp in my FIL and MIL was much better, almost to the point of cold, so I know it was not just my personal preference to the temperature. Read more