Elation Birthday Cruise December 15-20, 2012 Picture Journal and Review

[chasinraynbowz]

Thanks for the review. We stayed at the Westin the night after you did (we sailed on the Conquest on 12/16). I was not happy. Elevator service was non-existent once you got to your room. We had to walk from the 14th floor to the 11th floor so we could catch the other elevator to the ground floor. Then when we went to check out, we had to go all the way up to the 25th floor before getting back down to the 11th. Walls were thin. I called for help with the luggage and was told it would be 30 mins. It just wasn't a great stay at all.

 

Can't wait to read the rest of your review.

[Moobaby214]

I appreciate a cruise review, this being cruise critic and all... But when do we get to the cruise? I hope for as many cruise pics!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PC Cruisin]

I will be cruising in 14 days on the Elation! Enjoying your review. Please continue .... :D

[athenasbyshanna]

Having fun through your review. Cant wait till its our turn!!!:D

You'll have a blast!

 

Thanks for the review, I sailed Elation in July but it was a bonding trip with my 11 year old son and my step mom so not so much a drinking trip ;-) You've got a great sense of humor though and I'm really enjoying another perspective! Keep it up!

 

Yeah, its a little different than a lot of CC reviews! ;-P

[athenasbyshanna]

I appreciate a cruise review, this being cruise critic and all... But when do we get to the cruise? I hope for as many cruise pics!

 

It's coming, I promise! Photobucket and my interent were giving me problems, so hoping I can do a lot more today for you all!

 

I will be cruising in 14 days on the Elation! Enjoying your review. Please continue .... :D

You will love her! Small ship but beautiful and soo much fuN!

[athenasbyshanna]

double post oops

Edited December 29, 2012 by athenasbyshanna
double post

[athenasbyshanna]

Ugh, I keep trying to multi-quote and its messing me up! I will try and get a lot more done today and tomorrow. Photobucket is taking a long time to upload my 1000 or so pictures!

[athenasbyshanna]

Ok, I am back for hopefully more than a few more installments. We'll see how photobucket , CC and my internet cooperate!

Where was I??

Ahhh yes, getting onto the boat!!

Lauren and Alex

Could be our luggage! But its not, I don't think. . .

Allllmost!!!!

Lauren walking over the edge!!

 

[athenasbyshanna]

My first step onto the boat (or a mistaken picture. . .):

Atrium staircase

Matt beat me in!

Got to the room and found a bottle of Champagne, Ship on a Stick and a Happy Birthday note from John Heald! I had posted on his page when I first started planning the trip and was obsessed with all things Carnival to tell him how I liked his blog. Later found his facebook page and followed him for the months before my cruise and LOVED his sense of humor and witty posts. Posted again a week ago just to thank him for giving me one more outlet for my cruise obsession/insanity and that I loved his blog. How sweet of him to leave me these gifts!! I was overjoyed when I got into the room! I also had a Beer Cooler gift set from my Aunt and Uncle for my birthday! I’m loved! :cool:

He doesn't waste any time

[athenasbyshanna]

Cabin R120

[athenasbyshanna]

The safe. Super easy to use with your debit card. We used it all week

Making ourselves at home!

We're finally on the boat! Time to get some food and maybe a DOD!

Lauren took pictures of our pizza. I'll have to add them later when I can get them on photobucket. I was too hungry and thirsty to remember to take pics! :eek:

But I did remember to pull my camera out for this:

"Officially the Best day EVER!"

 

[athenasbyshanna]

We walked around the boat a bit before our "Mustard Drill" (One of the girls giving announcements kept saying that!

It really was officially the best day ever!

[athenasbyshanna]

Some pool pics:

Kids already in the hot tub! The weather in NOLA was perfect for this day!!

Atrium from above - Everyone getting their first drinks and already a line at guest services! Sheesh people, relax!

Found a kiosk to check our sail and sign accounts. Had $100 from my aunt and Uncle and my $50 from the Mastercard promo! Changed to a cash account with no problems!

Word to the wise: Don't get excited and slap the lighted signs above your head telling you what's where. Those little lights are sharp and cut my finger!

[athenasbyshanna]

"Mustard" drill pics. . . We were in Jekyl and Hyde Bar, Muster C

Walking to our lifeboats

Look how happy we are

[athenasbyshanna]

The boys, not so much. . .

 

 

Funtimes!

[athenasbyshanna]

The view out our window:

We went to watch sailaway and take lots of pictures!

[athenasbyshanna]

Sailaway Party. Lauren wanted to watch the Wobble but wouldn't do it. . . . this time!

This kid was everywhere! Very sweet and talkative but a little much for me! He befriended Dawna and Savannah one day and Lauren another day. . .

 

[athenasbyshanna]

Other pics we took before sailaway

The Norwegian (I think) boat behind us was HUGE!

Serenity area - we had full intentions of using this but never did

[athenasbyshanna]

Sunset starting

Bye bye NOLA!

[athenasbyshanna]

Fun Pics:

Posin'!

Edited December 29, 2012 by athenasbyshanna

[athenasbyshanna]

These next pics are of some cool boats. Its the only time the entire trip I heard Matt say "Take a picture of that!" Most of the time he was annoyed with all the pictures!

Last bit of sunset and NOLA!

[athenasbyshanna]

 

Since we had late seating we decided to get a snack. Thus begins our crazy Eat all the time rituals! Some pics of Tiffany's and mini food porn coming up!

This station was a mess! It's hard to get Ooey Gooey cheese on your plate while keeping a tray on the counter AND taking pictures!!

Lauren said the cheeseburger was delicious. I never got to try one!

My chicken tenders were ok and I liked the fries and cheese sauce and ranch!

[jamona2311]

Loving all the picsof the boat n Nola too. Love pre cruise stuff. That's part of the fun!!!:D

[athenasbyshanna]

Oh! There WAS live music on the Lido deck about half the time. These 2 guys were great!

These lights down the hallways to the cabins made me woozy looking at them!

Back to the rooms to make a drink and head to the free liquor tasting before dinner!

Liquor tasting:

Lauren and Dawna got some better pictures. I will add them later. Matt and I loved the Sheridans so we did buy a bottle in port along with Godiva White for 2 for $20 which I thought was a great price. Sheridans was 2 for $41.99 on the ship and Godiva White is $36 everywhere at home!

 

[Susiecruisey]

More please. going on Elation in Aug