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Elation Review - 11/29 - 12/4 - Mobile, AL


chasinraynbowz

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About us: DH (52), myself (51), hubbys sister and her hubby (both late 60s). This is my 5th cruise, hubby’s 4th and the third for the inlaws. We booked this cruise about 6 months ago and have been counting down the days!

Also with us was Rover, my grandson’s dog. You will see pictures of him throughout this review. Since Davis could not come with us, he sent along Rover. We all had a good time with him as did “most” of the people we ran into.

 

Saturday - November 27, 2010

I won’t get into all the details about the packing and the drive, but suffice it to say we arrived in Daphne by 5pm on Saturday. Daphne is across the bay from the port and the Microtel we stayed in was nice and clean and offered breakfast in the mornings.

 

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DH (Greg) driving

 

 

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Rover all belted in for the trip!

 

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Rover needed a potty break!

 

 

 

 

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Sunday – November 28, 2010

We got up and after having breakfast at IHOP, we headed to the port which was across the bay. We wanted to know exactly where we were going the next morning. It was fairly simple and straight forward so off to the USS Alabama. We decided not to do the full tour (too much walking for my brother in law) so we walked around the grounds and took pictures and then went into the store for some souvenirs.

 

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Greg in front of a B52

 

 

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Alabama Vietnam Memorial

 

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It was still early, so we headed over to Gulf Shores with a quick stop at the Tangiers Outlet Mall in Foley!

Haha – Outlet mall + sister in law = NOT quick!

But, it ended up being not so bad, I got a sweater and DH got a new shirt. Once we were able to physically force her back into the van (there was some kicking and screaming involved), we then headed to the beach at Gulf Shores (near the Pink Pony). There is a webcam there, so we were able to call my son and have him get online so Davis could see us and Rover. What a treat for my grandson and for us!! He saw us and over the phone I heard him say “I see grandma and Rover. Hi Rover, I miss you!” My heart was broken… haha. I came in second to an orange dog! Rover and I spent some time on the beach watching the waves and just enjoying quiet time. Once the newness wore off and we realized just how cold it was.. hahaha.

 

We headed back for the van and decided on Lamberts for a late lunch/early dinner. Perfect choice for us. If you haven’t heard of Lamberts, google them. They are the official “home of the throwed rolls”… lol. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to repack and try to sleep before embarking the next morning!

 

 

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Monday – November 29, 2010

We had been told on this board to be to the port by 1015am. Let me tell you they will NOT let anyone in before 1030. We got there around 1015 and was turned away, so we turned onto a side street with lots of other earlybirds and waited. Once 1030 came, we got in line and waited our turn with everyone else. The two biggest hold ups were the line to drop the luggage off and then once inside to get our S&S cards. But it wasn’t too bad. We were in line by 1030 and sitting on the Lido deck having lunch by noon. Not bad at all!

Hall doors to the cabins were opened at 130pm on the nose, so we headed up to check out our cabins. We had an oceanview M160 and the inlaws were across from us in M162. To us, the cabin was small (our past 2 cruises we had balconies). If we wanted to see out of the window, we had to crawl across the bed. Not a good set up at all, but we survived… lol. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of the cabin this time.

Saftey Briefing (Lifeboat drill) for us was on the Lido deck, so after some more exploring we headed up there and got a table and DH got the first of several cheeseburgers from the grill… lol. We lucked out and could stay at our table during the briefing. Sail away was promptly at 4ish… and we were off!! Greg and I stayed up front and watched us leave the dock and stayed out as long as we could (it was getting a bit cold) before heading back to our cabin to see if our luggage was there. It was, so we unpacked and cleaned up for dinner.

Note: I had sent a letter off to the Casino Players Club and received a letter back stating that I was eligible for their “standard bon voyage package”. In our room we received a plate of 4 chocolate covered strawberries and at dinner the first night, one of the casino staff brought me a $15 off coupon for a photo.

 

We got to the dining room and had a table next to a window (this proved useless since it was dark by dinner time.. haha). SIL and BIL arrived shortly after we did as did the rest of our tablemates. We enjoyed dinner in the dining room each night but one, when DH and I had dinner in the buffet. People dressed in all different ways. We saw some in camo hunting clothes, some in shorts, and some dressed up in suits and dresses. We were usually dressed casual (DH in dockers and a polo shirt) and me in slacks and a blouse. The food was great, as always. Our waiter and his assistant were both wonderful!

After dinner, the 4 of us headed to the casino and then to our cabins. SIL and BIL went to the Welcome Aboard show and loved it. I was tired and needed some sleep since I had not slept much the night before!!!

 

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Port of Mobile

 

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USS Alabama from the ship

 

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Serenity Deck

 

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LONG Main deck hallway (just outside of our cabin)

 

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Hallway going the other way!

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Pam, so glad to see you looking after Rover:D Can't wait to read more.

 

 

LOL thanks Kerry!! Davis came over tonight to see us and get Rover. He just hugged and hugged him and said "I missed you Rover"!! I asked him if he missed me and he said "yes, but can I just hug Rover please??" hahahaha I got lots of hugs and kisses when he saw the present we brought him!! LOL

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Tuesday – November 30, 2010

 

Woke up at 630am and room service was delivered by 7. Enjoyed our coffee and Danish before cleaning up and heading to the dining room for breakfast with the inlaws. Had a wonderful breakfast (the was a first for me since we usually have breakfast buffet and sit outside but it was a bit too cool still). We all then headed to the trivia game and then to the casino for the slot tourney. I came in last.. haha!

 

Not sure if some place froze over (if you catch my drift) but I was able to get DH and Rover to tea today!! He survived and agreed it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be... lol!

 

We shopped and ate and played some more until it was time to get ready for Elegant night. Had pictures taken all over the ship and then headed to the dining room for dinner. DH LOVED his lobster and I was very happy with my prime rib!! All was very good. After dinner, we headed downstairs to change and then met up in the theater to watch “Just Rock”. Very good! DH and I headed to bed since we had an early morning excursion in Calica.

 

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Rover at a table in the buffet

 

 

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Rover liked his Earl Grey

 

 

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We had rough seas most of the cruise. At one point, the put seasickness bags at each elevator it got so bad!

 

 

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Rover in the theater just before "Just Rock" started. It was pretty good.

 

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A blurry picture of us in the theater (Rover must have taken this one!)

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Wednesday – December 1, 2010

Room service was ordered the night before and I asked that it be delivered between 630 and 7. It was delivered by 7am. Greg and I ate and got ready and were off the ship by 9. We had booked the “Playa del Carmen shopping and Beach tour”. Shopping was a bit expensive. If you take this tour, wait until you get to Cozumel to shop. We did look around the shopping area and Greg got a couple of tshirts for $5 each (good price) before boarding the bus and headed to the resort for food/drinks/beach.

 

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Backing into dock

 

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Across from the dock

 

 

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Calica (across from the dock)

 

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Ziplines

 

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Wednesday – December 1, 2010

We had booked the “Playa del Carmen shopping and Beach tour”. Shopping was a bit expensive. If you take this tour, wait until you get to Cozumel to shop. We did look around the shopping area and Greg got a couple of tshirts for $5 each (good price) before boarding the bus and headed to the resort for food/drinks/beach.

 

Really? We have been to Playa del Carmen on landbased vacations many times. It is by far cheaper than Cozumel. Could it have been that the shops realized you were on a cruiseship-based shopping tour? Negotiating is almost impossible in Cozumel, while it is EXPECTED in Playa. We won't buy anything in Cozumel b/c of the disparity in pricing.

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Really? We have been to Playa del Carmen on landbased vacations many times. It is by far cheaper than Cozumel. Could it have been that the shops realized you were on a cruiseship-based shopping tour? Negotiating is almost impossible in Cozumel, while it is EXPECTED in Playa. We won't buy anything in Cozumel b/c of the disparity in pricing.

 

 

Well, where ever this tour took us, it was expensive. We did get tshirts for $5 each (same as in Cozumel), but at another store. We only had one hour and didn't want to venture too far off.

 

I stand by what I said - IF you take this tour, don't shop. It's expensive. Since it was my first time there, I didn't want to venture too far. We do want to go back and I suspect we will get a cab next time or do something different and I will probably experience what you have experienced on your land based vacations.

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Well, where ever this tour took us, it was expensive. We did get tshirts for $5 each (same as in Cozumel), but at another store. We only had one hour and didn't want to venture too far off.

 

I stand by what I said - IF you take this tour, don't shop. It's expensive. Since it was my first time there, I didn't want to venture too far. We do want to go back and I suspect we will get a cab next time or do something different and I will probably experience what you have experienced on your land based vacations.

 

Yep -- tour operators get kickbacks for bringing people to shop.

 

Next time, when you take a taxi into Playa, ask to be taken to Quinta Avenida. (Fifth Avenue) I even do shopping off fifth, as well. But, for those unfamiliar with Playa, go to Fifth.

 

The BEST places in Playa: El Fogon -- a restaurant, Yaxche -- a Mayan restaurant, and Ah, Cacao! -- a CHOCOLATE cafe. I always get my vanilla from Ah, Cacao! It comes in the form of beans. I soak a few beans (cracked and scraped a little) in a bottle of vanilla vodka stored in the fridge. Best vanilla ever.

 

Xtabentun is available at many shops in Playa. It's a honey/anise liquor. I LOVE it.

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Yep -- tour operators get kickbacks for bringing people to shop.

 

Next time, when you take a taxi into Playa, ask to be taken to Quinta Avenida. (Fifth Avenue) I even do shopping off fifth, as well. But, for those unfamiliar with Playa, go to Fifth.

 

The BEST places in Playa: El Fogon -- a restaurant, Yaxche -- a Mayan restaurant, and Ah, Cacao! -- a CHOCOLATE cafe. I always get my vanilla from Ah, Cacao! It comes in the form of beans. I soak a few beans (cracked and scraped a little) in a bottle of vanilla vodka stored in the fridge. Best vanilla ever.

 

Xtabentun is available at many shops in Playa. It's a honey/anise liquor. I LOVE it.

 

 

Will do.... next time. Thanks for the tip!!

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We headed to the beach and once I changed into my suit, I was in heaven! White sands, sun, and warmish water (it was cold at first but you got used to it real quick!) Only had people coming by wanting you to buy their stuff one time and they weren't even a problem. We got some guacamole and chips and it was wonderful. Our time was over quickly and it was back on the bus and back to the ship by 3. Next time, we will definitely do something different or stay onboard the ship. We left the port around 6pm.

 

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Grandpa and Rover napping

 

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Just beautiful......... it was wonderful!!

 

 

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YUMMMMM!!! Even my DH loved it!

 

 

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Good lord, they are everywhere!!!

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Thursday December 2, 2010

Today is Cozumel day. It was dark and cloudy and about to dump LOTS of rain on us… or that’s how it looked anyway. (The weather did clear up a few hours later and made for a beautiful day!) Room service by 630 and off the ship by 730!

We decided to do a tour today (we usually don’t) and chose the City Tour, Beach break and lunch. My advice – get a cab and do it yourself… lol. It was fun and informative, our guide was great. We went to a church, the military base, a tequila factory, downtown for shopping and then some lunch. Lunch was not great… just ok. Beach break was NOT worth it. It’s a manmade waterfront…. no beach to speak of. Instead, if you wanted to swim, we had to use their pool. The tequila factory was fun. It’s not a working factory, but they explain how tequila is made. You get to sample different types of tequila, including a chocolate tequila…. which was great!!

I did learn something this trip. I had wondered what the difference was in the 3 piers in Cozumel. Our guide explained that the Punta Langosta pier was for NCL, the International Pier is for RCL and Puerta Maya is for Carnival. Each has its own shopping areas and restaurants. Whether this is true or not, I don’t know. I do know that both Carnival ships were docked at Puerta Maya and the Norwegian Epic was docked at Punta Langosta. There was no RCL ship in port that day.

 

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The Catholic church we toured (outside looking in)

 

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Church again, looking up!

 

 

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Park across from church

 

 

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Fountain in front of tequila factory

 

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More pictures from Cozumel. Here is a shot of DH and myself in front of the fountain at the tequila factory.

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Agave plants

 

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Fake Agave root pods. These are actual size, but are plastic to give you an idea. Paco, our guide is on the left and my BIL is on the right.

 

 

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More of the tequila factory - it was beautiful there

 

 

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Mexican Airbase (accorinding to our tour guide)

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Excellent review and pictures Pam! You know -- I get jealous when I see pictures from cruise vacations. I can't wait to take my 4th cruise in 2011 :-)

 

You are such a great Grandma! Taking Rover everywhere for the sake of Davis was awesome!

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Excellent review and pictures Pam! You know -- I get jealous when I see pictures from cruise vacations. I can't wait to take my 4th cruise in 2011 :-)

 

You are such a great Grandma! Taking Rover everywhere for the sake of Davis was awesome!

 

 

Thanks Ryan! We missed you this cruise!!

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