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Carnival Elation

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I cruised on the Elation from Jan. 14th- 19th. We were on a chartered trip (The Rock Boat), with very different entertainment and pricing so I can't comment on those two aspects. Also, due to the nature of the trip there were very few children onboard. 
The trip was originally scheduled on the Ecstasy out of New Orleans in September but was cancelled, so Carnival gave $100 sail&sign credits to anyone booked on the original. After everyone rescheduled for the Jan. trip, the plans were changed again to move the sailing port to Galveston, TX. More credits were given. The final change came when they switched ports of call from Cozumel/Costa Maya to Play del Carmen/Progreso. 
I was traveling with a person who uses a walker, and we were pleasantly surprised when the staff member at the port directed us to skip the long main line and go to a shorter (actually only one other person) line for disabled people. The staff beyond check-in were not helpful at all, with me holding our documents and such in my mouth at times when I needed to show for both of us, and nobody ever offered my friend any assistance in getting up the gangway which is a very long uphill walk for someone with limited mobility. 
Once onboard the ship, we found our rooms easily enough and were able to explore a bit and have a drink or two before the lifeboat drill. I'd have to say that the lifejackets are absurdly bulky and do not fit women. A few of those round the bottom and the BOAT would stay afloat! I did get a nice picture of the crew member enjoying the drill as much as we did! Dinner was great every night, and one night when I was seasick they even went out of their way to get me just plain uncooked veggies in the dining room. The service varied, as we had open seating. I must have ordered room service at least 10 times for late night munchies because I was not a fan of the pizza on the Lido. The grill, however had great food at all times of the day. 
Our room steward sucked. There's not much to say because he didn't do ANYTHING except come in the evenings to make our beds and turn them down all in one turn. The room was overall pretty run down, and the doorstop on the bathroom door broke (the screw hole was stripped) the first night and after it didn't get fixed the first day I did it myself, only to have it break again and never get fixed despite me mentioning it to the steward twice. We left notes asking for ice every day and got it once. We got very one ambiguous towel animal. 
I didn't get off the boat in Playa because I'd had a long night and there wasn't anything there I wanted to do, and I had an excursion planned for Progreso the next day. Well, seas started getting rough that afternoon, and were so bad by the next morning that we were not able to port in Progreso at all. Carnival gave everyone a $20 S&S credit to make up for it, but since we had plenty of entertainment most of us didn't mind! The staff were, for the most part, very friendly and upbeat. They were very accommodating to our crowd. This was basically a party boat with 30+ rock bands performing until all hours of the night (and usually morning) and most of them seemed to enjoy both the music and the passengers, and even came and hung out with us when they were off duty! There was one drink server from India (whose name was Deep) who seemed to be everywhere we went! He was always smiling and dancing and having a good time. With the exception of the room steward, every time I asked a crew member a question I got a friendly enough, if not completely clear answer. 
One thing worth noting: none of the ladies' rooms had paper towel for the entire trip! Based on this experience, I'd definitely cruise Carnival again though not on this ship. It needs a makeover... I'm glad the Rock Boat has upgraded to the Carnival Legend for next year! 

Carnival Elation - Mexican Riviera

***Here is the short version: We left 1/30/05 on the ELATION from Galveston. Sea Days — the weather was cool and partly cloudy. One sea day, (Friday) it rained. The three port days were excellent .... hot and sunny! 
The staff, service, food, ports, shows and shopping on board were excellent. The ship was in good condition, with the exception being the hallway carpeting near our cabin was in very poor condition. 
We hardly noticed ANY movement except the last night, at sea. Then, we were rocking and rolling. (It didn't bother any of our group!) Other than that, it was smooth sailing! 
Bottom line: It's 14 degrees outside as I write this, with the wind chill being 3 degrees. I had to scrape about a one-inch thick coating of ice off of my windshield wipers this morning ...... I almost slid off the icy roads yesterday-twice! 
The cruise was a wonderful winter retreat and I am ready to go back tomorrow, though I think I will probably have to wait at least a year to go again. This was our SECOND Cruise on the Elation. I love the Elation, the people, the ship's layout and the ports. I especially love warm weather. I give this vacation the highest possible recommendation. 
A lot of how people judge things is based on their personal perspective. I talked to tons of people on the cruise. Most loved every minute of it. I did talk to one person who was miserable. Personally, I LOVED IT!  
Go and have fun!!! I wish I was going with you!!! 

Here is the DETAILED version: We drove to Galveston & spent Saturday night in a nearby hotel in Webster, TX ... The Nasa Best Western. We awoke to rainy, cloudy and cool weather. 
We dropped off our people and luggage at the cruise terminal, while the driver parked the car next to the terminal. (NOTE: Lots and lots of patience required to drive to AND from this terminal ....... I don't think it was ever originally built for cruise passenger pick-up/drop off. Our driver took a shuttle to get back to where we were. 
It takes quite a while to get from the front of the building until you actually board the ship ... probably about an hour. Maybe more. That includes all of the walking into the building, security and check-in. 
Our only problem with security was they X-rayed my film, EVEN after I asked for a hand check .... and even though I had removed the rolls from their plastic containers AND they were all in a clear Ziploc bag. 
We boarded about 1:30 and began enjoying the cruise. Our rooms were fine. They were about mid-section on the MAIN deck. This room and bathroom were actually MUCH larger than the Royal Caribbean room we had several years ago. 
The weather was not good Sunday, 1/30. It wasn't much better Monday. Many people tried to take advantage of the lounge chairs and get some sun/tanning in, anyway. 
Tuesday = Progresso & Merida, Mexico. Most of our group wanted to tour the city on a cruise sponsored bus trip. I didn't, but went anyway. 
We were on an AC double decker bus. It was fine. After it was over, we kind of thought that it was a tour with excuses to stop and let us off the bus to spend money. Our guides and driver were great! We were just glad to get into some sunny and warm weather. 
Monday & Friday were the FORMAL NIGHTS in the dining room. 
We had the 8:30 LATE seating in the Imagination Dining Room. Our waiters were the best -- EVER! 
Most nights there were two shows in the Mikado lounge. The nights there was only one show, it began at 10:30 so everyone, at both dinner seatings would still be able to see it. You won't miss much, if anything if you have a late seating. We preferred it that way ...... it seemed like we had more day time that way. 
In Cozumel I took a taxi to PARADISE BEACH. $13 + $2.00 tip each way. It was PERFECT! Highest recommendation. Plenty of lounge chairs with lots of water toys for kids and adults. (Huge iceberg with steps on one side to climb up and a slide on the other; a water trampoline, a bungee jumping thing -- on land -- many kayaks available too.) The water was so beautiful. 
Belize — Went shopping with my group again. There were MANY locals offering tours. If you don't sign up on the ship for a shore excursion, don't worry about it ...... we talked to one couple who went snorkeling in a van with a local. They had a great time. 
I think crime can be a problem in Belize. I think if you stay in a group AND with a tour guide, you will be fine. I would not ever be there unescorted at night. I haven't ever heard of a tourist having a problem there. Note: The teachers were on strike when we were there. 
There were many official card carrying locals offering tours in the shopping mall area. There were many NON-card-carrying locals offering tours BEHIND the shopping mall, behind a black wrought-iron fence ...... they were very pushy and made our group uncomfortable. I don't know anyone on our ship who used these people. 
Debarking and immigration were detailed and patience is required. Once the line began moving, it went very quickly. After immigration, we went to the dining room for a nice and final breakfast until we could exit the ship. Rather than waiting to take the shuttle bus, our driver walked 8 blocks to pick up our car and drive it back to pick up our group and luggage. He paid about $70 for parking for the week. 
Go, have fun, I loved nearly every minute of it and want to go back! 
NOTE: At breakfast one day, we spoke to a couple who said this was their 18th cruise! They said that on this ship, the entire week, this was the best cruise food they had EVER had! 
My last comment is this: I asked our waiter how much money he made. He told us: $94.00 a month. Please don't cheat the staff. They earn and deserve every single penny (hopefully, dollar, that is) you give them. We tipped the automatic $70 per person AND tipped on top of that for our 2 dining room waiters, our favorite bar waitress and our room stewards. They earned it. If you can afford to cruise, you can afford to tip, and tip well. 
I like the advice I've since read on this website: TIP the waiters AND your room steward on the 1st or 2nd night, with a promise of more at the end of the week and you will be treated like a Queen or King. 


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