I have been on 2 cruises. The first was out of Galveston and it was in May. I traveled with 11 people, 6 children, 5 adults. We drove down from Nebraska. I remember the crew members, maitre di's, the bartenders, everyone being super, super friendly and helpful. They had smiles for everyone and would go out of their way to help or to say hi. I remember the food being excellent, the steak thick and juicy, and there was always food available. I remember the guests being happy and smiling and just a great groove on the entire ship. That was in 2010 on the ecstasy.

The ship I just debarked was the elation and it sadly did not compare to the ecstasy. The food was bland, tough and dry. The steaks were always cut at 1/4 inch thick. That's right, a quarter of an inch. Maybe I am just a spoiled Nebraskan in the heart of cattle country and maybe new Orleans simply has their steaks made lke that. In comparison to a ship leaving out of glaveston, Texas another cattle state that would have known to keep the steak thick and juicy. The baked potatoes were always dry and hard. I was hungry on a cruise ship. Even the hamburgers were dry and bland. I lived on the mashed potatoes and cheese.

The waiters on the ecstasy were knowledgeable whenever we asked questions about the food on the menu, but when we had questions about the food on the elation we got blank stares and no opinions or answers. We got nothing. Our tablemates asked how fresh the lobster was and the waiter just stared at her. If anything, he could have just said he is not sure but it is delicious or say something, anything. Our tablemate finally said, 'I guess that means its not good so I won't get the lobster. Read more