Our Family of 6 (us in our mid 40's and 4 kids ages 6-14) plus my parents cruised together on the Elation. We had 2 inside rooms and one ocean-view on the Empress deck (E106, E108 and E216). Great rooms, quiet yet close to everything! My parents live in Louisiana so we drove over from Texas and stayed the night at their place then drove the 2.5 hours to NOLA and the port the next morning. This was our second cruise on the Elation and it was terrific. NOLA has a great terminal and very easy embarkation process. We got to the port about 10:30 and were boarded about 11:30. Our cabins were just standard rooms, nothing too special. The ship was beautifully decorated and the Holiday decorations were still in place. Tiffany's Lido restaurant served up great food. WE had YTD and loved the flexibility that gives us, esp with the kids. We requested the same wait staff each evening and were seated in their area. The little kids all absolutely enjoyed the camp carnival and the older two quickly made friends in Circle C. I recommend making sure you send the kids to the first nights activities so they can start meeting the other kids when everyone is new. The only show we watched was on Formal night (Just Rock) at 8:15 and it was wonderful. The singers were top notch. That was the only early, 8:15, show offered on our 4 nighter so that is the only one we saw. (Showtime seems to be 10:15 ) I do wish they would offer and early show each evening. We did catch Mutzie in the comedy club one evening and he was fabulous. Cozumel was the one port we stopped at and WOW it was gorgeous. We spent the day at Nachi Cocum and I wish I could go back everyday. Great relaxing day. The kids snorkeled and played on the paddleboards, my mom got a massage and I just enjoyed the drinks and my chair under the palapa. We arrived back at the ship an hour before departure and it took us at least 45 minutes to get back on board. All in all it was a very enjoyable cruise. The Elation is a smaller ship, but very family friendly and my kids were never bored.