The amazing ELATION vacation 2/18-23,2013

[jamona2311]

We are sailing on the Elation on 4/4......anxiously awaiting your review and photos !!!

 

Well Im just about done here. hoping to finish up today. thanks for reading:D

[Cruisenkitty]

Am loving your review and will be sorry when it ends :-( we sail on elation In October after 2 nights in NOLA thank you for taking the time to post it really gives us something to look forward to!!

[jamona2311]

 

Romeo and juliet again

 

 

Gatsbys where I did my Martini tasting

 

 

Cole Porter Lounge when I got out of karaoke...hey i signed up, not my fault it ended to soon hha

 

 

Serenity Deck

 

 

Musical cafe. Specialty coffee, cakes and shakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elations way

[jamona2311]

Am loving your review and will be sorry when it ends :-( we sail on elation In October after 2 nights in NOLA thank you for taking the time to post it really gives us something to look forward to!!

 

Thanks for hanging out through it all! hha

 

I know! I loved NOLA sooo much that the girls and I have decided to sail the Sunshine instead of the Liberty for their graduation cruise. I cant wait to show them NOLA.

 

Hope you enjoy your trip as much as mom and I did:D;)

[jamona2311]

 

A couple of blurry shots of the Jeckyl & Hyde club.

 

 

 

 

Drama bar leading to the Casino

 

 

Sushi was served here on most nights. I did try and thought it was really good.

 

 

Mikado theater. This is where all the main shows, dance classes and bingo were held

 

[jamona2311]

 

A couple of picture of the Library. I kinda thought it was funny that it had this Huck Fin Mississsippi river boat theme and that Elation now sails down the Mississippi. hehe

 

 

 

 

Our 1A room E189. It was a great little room. actually having more floor space because of the bunk. The bathroom is standard Elation bathroom and we had the 3 closets, a safe that needs the magnetic card, a box tv, the vanity and chair and the dreaded box which worked great for us as a catch all.

 

I met our room steward once for a second. We forgot to put our cruising sign on at dinner Progresso night and he didnt do turn down and no towel animal. booohooo. I hoped hed make up with two the next night but no such luck and we got the heart Friday night. Wierd since were not a couple but ok.

 

 

 

 

In case you were wondering...lol....we got 2 toothpaste, 3 tres semme shampoo for split enz and a bunch of breathe right strips.

 

 

I drew our door decorations for a co workers welcome back from Austrailia sign and thought the Finding Nemo drawings would be fun to use for door decorations. I also did a mardi gras/ NOLA sign and a Mary & Gena sign.

[jamona2311]

 

Last tour shot. The atrium elevators.

 

At lunch time I met up with mom at the dining room. Today I had the Antipasto, Neptunes chef salad, and the Gingerbread cake. Mom had the Salad, Rainbow trout almandine and Apple Hollander (cake)

 

Mom surprised me by wanting to do the Country Line Dancing class!!! What What??? Ok! Now Im not a country music fan by any means but living where I do there is a lot of it around me and Im one of the strange few. My husband ( a townie) likes to tease me about this. So….yeah…remember that “Mexican” cowboy hat I told you about….well I was wearing it that day( bad hair day after the spa).

 

So heres me freaking out that I cant go to Line Dancing with this thing on!! They’ll think I like this or know what Im doing!!! Eeeek. I know..ok, Gena get a grip! Mom doesn’t ask for much. She let me plan this whole trip and just went with the flow most of the time. If she wants to line dance than we’re going to line dance and we did. LOL she was so dang cute and having a blast! So worth me getting over myself. Hha.

 

 

Antipasto for an app but I forgot to take a pic of the Neptunes salad.

 

 

Gingerbread cake

 

 

Mom line dancing. Isnt she cute??

 

We also made it to the Comedy movie trivia, epic fail there! Ugh. Next we checked out the Motown/Funk hour but it was on the hohum side. Just DJ music. Mom was hoping for a live band. Ok then whats next??? Martini tasting!

So off to Gatsbys Bar. Mom had also been telling me she had wanted to try a Chocolate martini so that’s what she did and I did the tasting.

Being a mom she was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle it even when she saw they were just mini ones. Haha silly mom. I was fine and mom wanted a Tiramisu martini but figured she’d wait till later for that one.

 

 

Mom likey her Chocolate martini!! LOL She actually said in the video" Tell your sister to put that in her pipe and smoke it!"

My younger sister thought mom would be a party pooper on the cruise. For a 67 yo I didnt expect her to keep the late nights I do, but we had a great time!

 

 

 

The bar waitress offered to take our picture and Im glad she did. This is one of my favorite pics from the cruise and the end of a wonderful week with my mom!

[jamona2311]

Time for our last dinner. I had the Spring rolls and the Crab cake, the Penne Mariscos and one last WCMC for the road. Mom had Crab cake, Wild mushroom soup, Flat iron steak and WCMC too. We caught the waiters Goodbye Song and being me I got all choked up.

Id like to say here that we enjoyed every meal we had. The food was good and warm and for the most part the service was prompt. We liked a lot of our servers and we never thought to stay with just one.

I know that Ive heard a lot of complaints about dining room experiences but after 2 cruises now I have not a one. Even from my mom who worked in banquet halls for years as a part time job when I was growing up. Right away she noticed how hard all of Elations people work and that they deserve their tip money hands down.

 

 

Crab cakes

 

 

Spring rolls from the everyday menu

 

 

The waiters doing their good bye song. :'(

 

After dinner we caught the last half of the family friendly comedy and then went back to our room to finish packing. Mom was done for the night but not me. I wanted to see if they were having sing a long with Michael at Dukes!

 

Yay they were!!! I hung out there till the end finding the friends I had made there the other night.

 

Afterwards I went to Jecky & Hyde for a while and although I didn’t find some people to talk to none of my “group” was out tonight. In fact it was a slow night overall. I don’t know…for me it was one last hurrah but I guess for most it was get a good nights rest before travel the next day. Oh well.

 

I did end up at Serenity for a while and then Tiffanys around 1 for some Pizza and hot chocolate but it was easy to see there was a different vibe around the ship. The crew was getting ready for the new passengers the next day and they were all furiously cleaning everything, everywhere.

 

When we hit the Mississippi it was really foggy and we had been hearing the fog horn all night. I decided to end my night with one last cigarette break on the Lido ( my spot of choice) but when that horn when off I totally screamed and jumped and spilled the rest of the hot chocolate! LOL Its like it was right in my face it was soooo loud. I could see some crew guys looking to see if I was ok and I made a gesture as to why I freaked out and they laughed with me. I don’t think those guys even blinked from the noise, they must get used to it. I don’t know how without going deaf!

[jamona2311]

Saturday 02/23/2013 DDs 22nd Bday ( just had to)

 

 

We were up early had a great breakfast and got ready to disembark.

 

It was quick although we were Zone 10 I got a little nervous when at first I didn’t see one of my suitcases, it was in Zone 11. Oh thank god! Then mom hadn’t filled out the Claim form so she got delayed a little.

 

Leaving I got a chance to say goodbye to Erica and Cruisegrammy.

 

Mom took off in a taxi to the air port and I stood there waiting forever for a cab to the train station. They don’t want my little fare, they all want the big Airport Fare so it took a while. Something to think about if you take the train. I finally found someone going to the French Quarter and we teamed up and pounced on a cabbie who was nice enuf to take us. I could tell by his face he wanted airport ppl but I said I had to get to Amtrak somehow… I made sure to tip him a bit more and thank him again for taking us.

 

At the Amtrak station I checked in. I was supposed to ride coach on the way back and checking roomette fares online lately told me it would be an extra $225. I don’t think so but this was do or die time and I thought why not just ask again? $135!!!! Ill take it! I settled into the Magnolia room and went to call my family and let them know everything went great and I was reachable again.

 

We boarded about 1:15 and we were on our way by 1:45 right on time. I was ready to sleep!! Im 43 years old and I know I played hard on this trip. The recovery turn around time after 40 is a couple of days after 1 night out. Sometimes I think Im still recovering LOL

 

For dinner I had Steak and raspberry sorbet and then settled back in my roomette for the night with a glass of wine and Burlesque move I put on my Kindle fire. I didn’t make it though the whole movie before I fell asleep.

 

These are a couple of photos of a freight the derailed the day before and ended up rerouting the City of New Orleans train. Whew just missed that one!:eek:

 

 

 

 

Jackson Mississippi

 

 

 

 

Dusk on the train. It was really pretty with out the blurry...

[jamona2311]

In the AM I had breakfast and then my shower and then we were in Chicago right on time. I grabbed my luggage and a good coffee ( Amtrak coffee = Meh at best) and waited for my bus to Madison.

 

Terry was there to pick me up with a couple of friends in the front seat and he took me to Popeyes for lunch. Ha I had seen one in NOLA but didn’t seem to be the thing to do while I was there but I was happy to enjoy it once home.

 

 

Made it into Chicago right on time

 

 

 

 

The old Union Station in Chicago. Everything is now done across the street from this old building but it is soooo picture worthy. Im sure youve seen it in some movies

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you go this way it takes you to the new working side of Union Station

[jamona2311]

 

In case you were wondering the new working part of Union Station is all underground

 

 

The doors on the right leads to the tracks where you board your train

 

 

1st class Metro lounge. This picture is icky the room is really big and nice and has a fire place and lots of seating. there is also a guarded secure place where you can leave your luggage if you want to explore the station or Chicago its self.

 

 

These were the friends Terry had waiting for me in the car. Im a huge hello kitty fan. Something told me when I saw this that Terry missed me :D;)

 

Ok guys, that’s it! If you have any questions just ask away. I love hearing from you and try to respond where I can.

 

Elation is a great 5 cruise, especially from New Orleans. Im really surprised I don’t hear more about it on Cruise Critic.

 

The end

[LSUcajunmom]

We are sailing on the Elation on 4/4......anxiously awaiting your review and photos !!!

 

Did you mean 4/1? Elation will be in Progresso on 4/4.

[Cruisenkitty]

Thanks for hanging out through it all! hha

 

I know! I loved NOLA sooo much that the girls and I have decided to sail the Sunshine instead of the Liberty for their graduation cruise. I cant wait to show them NOLA.

 

Hope you enjoy your trip as much as mom and I did:D;)

 

Thanks !! We thoroughly enjoyed your review!! Hubby will be both cruising and visiting Nola for the first time. Should make for a great time!!

 

Was wondering if you felt much ship movement in the gulf? Have heard it can get pretty rough lol.

[jamona2311]

There was a bit of sway enuf to make dance classes tricky or wonder if you've had one too many. I saw a lot of people with the patch on but neither my mom nor myself ever had a problem.

[chasinraynbowz]

Thanks for the review!! DH and I will be on the Elation again in May with our 6 year old grandson. Can't wait!!!

 

When we last cruised (in December) we had NO problem getting a cab to take us to the train station, but then again we had a porter with all our luggage get the cab for us... lol. Remember that next time, it might help. :D

[americanmama]

I really enjoyed your review! You did a great job, loved the pictures, and everything!! Glad you and your mom got to share something like this:)

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[jamona2311]

I really enjoyed your review! You did a great job, loved the pictures, and everything!! Glad you and your mom got to share something like this:)

 

Thank you. Im gladyou liked it. doing a review is hard work but so worth it in the end. I am releaved that its done. hha.

 

Mom and I also share a premanent camp site in Door County, Wi. We find ways to spend quality time together :)

[jamona2311]

Thanks for the report!

 

Youre very welcome! :D

[jamona2311]

Thanks for the review!! DH and I will be on the Elation again in May with our 6 year old grandson. Can't wait!!!

 

When we last cruised (in December) we had NO problem getting a cab to take us to the train station, but then again we had a porter with all our luggage get the cab for us... lol. Remember that next time, it might help. :D

 

Hha I heard there had been a porter there earilier but he musta gone to lunch so I was on my own, grrrr. Oh well. it worked out eventually

 

Have fun on your May cruise. So Jelous! hha. Isnt this trip highley overlooked??? What a great port and great ship!!:D

[athenasbyshanna]

 

The waiters doing their good bye song. :'(

 

 

Loving reliving our cruise through your review! The waiter you captured here was one of our waiter's assistants! he actually took care of os all week with Kenneth. They were 2 of my favorite people on the whole cruise!!

[jamona2311]

Loving reliving our cruise through your review! The waiter you captured here was one of our waiter's assistants! he actually took care of os all week with Kenneth. They were 2 of my favorite people on the whole cruise!!

 

Thanks for reading!:D

 

I remember reading your review and it was a lot of fun!

[LSUcajunmom]

How was the muster drill? I read another review that said they are actually counting heads now and that it is taking longer than it had in the past.

[jigger]

Great Review !!

[jamona2311]

How was the muster drill? I read another review that said they are actually counting heads now and that it is taking longer than it had in the past.

 

I didnt notice any counting of heads. Our muster station was in the Cole Porter lounge. We listened to them and then they led us outside to our life boat station. We stood there for a few minutes and then were allowed to go. It was right before sail away. Easy peasy :D