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Cruise out of Miami on the Carnival Elation on July 30. My group consisted of 5 adults, 2 teenage boys and 2 pre-teen girls. We arrived a day earlier. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at Bayside Marketplace. The hotel and the marketplace is across the street from the port of Miami. The hotel is very clean. We had no problem with the room. There is a $10.00 charge for parking per day. Bayside Marketplace is beautiful. Lots of shops and restaurants. There are tour boats that for about $17.00/person (children under 12, about $10) that tour you around the port and gives you a tour of the beautiful homes an who they belong to.....nice cruise especially if you take it after 5......nice breeze and you can even catch the sunset. We all decided that if we ever take another cruise out of Miami this is the place to hang out before the cruise.
Embarkation went smoothly. From the moment we stepped inside of the terminal to the moment we walked onto the ship it took about 25 minutes. This was at 11:15 a.m. We went in search of our room as soon as we went on board. The room was not ready, but our steward was there and told us we could leave our carry on. He surprised me when he introduced himself and said our names without us having to introduce ourselves to him. The cabin was an inside on the Upper Deck. No complaints. He spoiled us rotten.
The only bad thing about the cruise was the itinerary. We were suppose to go to St. Thomas & San Juan, but because of Tropical Storm Chris we went to Grand Cayman and Freeport instead. I guess we will just have to book another cruise to get to these islands.
The food in the dining room was superb. Our head waiter Bernie and his assistant Ivan were excellent. After introducing ourselves Bernie did not forget once what our names were. Each evening he suggested we try the best on the menu. Anyone who gets these two fine young men will not be disappointed.
Disembarkment went smooth as well. They first called those people who wanted to carry off their own luggage. Then they called the rest. We was off the ship by 9.
The people at Carnival have done a great job once again for my family. I would strongly recommend this cruise line for anyone.
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