MeLuvDaSea

We returned last Thursday after a 5-day cruise on the Elation. My wife and I were in V4 and our daughters, in V6.

I'd like to know overall impression, did it match what you expected?"

Yes. Initially it was what I expected but a little bit on the not-too-clean side. Every smooth surface, the small table, the vanity area, even the little couch have a grubbyness to it. The couch had crumbs and foods particles. Even the large mirror behind the bed was dirty!! Not sure what happened there. I am not exaggerating. I am pleased to report that by the next day the cleaning crew had it looking great. It was cleaned very nicely by the 2nd day. I think they were just too rushed to spend much time on it during the debarkation/embarkation day. I will give them the benefit of a doubt because it was cleaned and kept so clean there-after

More on the room: I couldn't get over how pretty it was. I loved the color-scheme, the large drape that ran from wall to wall on the balcony side, and the vanity. I want to add that the Elation is such a beautiful ship, and the crew were very nice. I don't have one bad thing to say about anyone I dealt with. We interacted with the purser's desk twice and they were most congenial each time.

The balcony, although small, was nice. We sat there every morning and had our coffee. We both got up at around 6am everyday, and depending on who got up first, that person would order coffee, which was always quick in coming.

Could you talk to your daughters over the divider if you wanted?"

I would never look over the divider to our daughter's room, but my wife loved to do that. She would stand there and tell me what they were doing. And yes, they would also sit outside and chat with us. It was easy to visit even with the little divider there. I would not have wanted to remove it afterall.

It looks like it was pretty quiet and devoid of people according to your pictures, was this true?"

The very first morning I stepped outside and there were a pair of elderly gents (older than even me!), standing on the Lido deck just below our balcony. I decided just to drink my coffee and chat with them. It turned out very nice. One of them complained in a humourous way about the stillness of the sea. He was right; it was very still most of the cruise. Our cabin was not one bit worse, movement-wise, than those on the Empress Deck that we were used to. I took ginger everyday but no one else in our group did and no one got sick.

Immediately after the older gents left a man and woman came out on the Bridge deck. They were about 30 feet from our balcony, in plain sight, and stood for a long, long time running down the cruise. Mind you, this is the morning of the first full day at sea. It seemed from their conversation that they had met on board and apparently it was their idea of fun to bash Carnival as hard as they could. This did bother me, so Mrs. MeLuvDaSea and I went out for breakfast in Tiffany's. I ate bacon and eggs everyday!! Note-worthy only because I have been dieting for 1 year now. No worries, I only gained 3 pounds.

Back to that couple: I think their complaint was legitimate but I would have let it go by now. They flew into Houston and Carnival was supposed to pick them up. They had to wait several hours at the airport in Houston, thereby missing the initial burger and fries meal on the Lido deck, as well as being late for Life boat drill. The beauty of that inital morning at sea, against the backdrop of their complaining over this minor issue was slightly irritating.

For the rest of the cruise our 'private' balcony was largely private. It is really only private in the sense that no one else can walk on it but you. It is not private in that you can sit there naked if you want. I did a test. With the proper lighting, I could be seen lying in my bed, from the Bridge deck. Not a problem. If anyone would have been out there I could have pulled the heavy drape to cover the right-third of the window thereby regaining my privacy. I never had to do that.

I swore I would not talk about this... Here goes: On our pull away from Progresso I was on the Bridge Deck with a lot of other people. On the first small balcony, room v2, was a young couple making out in a very disgusting manner. I promise I am no prude but I have seen dogs with more dignity. I will not describe what was going on but if I did this post would disappear. Nuff sed...

And anything else that you questioned here on CC or were concerned about before you left...

We never tried to figure out how to work the safe. We are used to those with keys. I did find a nice-looking watch in ours and took it to the pursers desk. They promised me every effort would be made to return it to the owner.

I guess that's all about the room I can think of. My step-daughter slept on the little couch which they automatically made up for her each day. Camp Carnival was great and my grandson never minded being there. That's all I have for now.

Sincerely,

Don

Thanks! I had been waiting for your post. Nice pictures. We will be on the Elation in V4 and V6 this Mar. 25th. Until now we have only had Cat 6d cabins so this is an improvement. We received our complimentary upgrades just yesterday. Thanks again!