Review of Elation cruise 2/5-2/11 (questions welcomed)

[roadkillbill]

looks like a refurb was just a rumor - could not find where it is scheduled. Thought I saw it somewhere - musta been wishful thinkin

[Robfromcharlottesville]

Too bad, but for what its worth, elation is perfectly fine as is. For exampke, newer flat screens in the cabin would be nice, lol , but watching tv in your cabin is such a low priority on a cruise, who really cares if the tv is 1990s tech! You'll have a great time!

[newcruiser0217]

My husband and I are leaving on the Elation on the 25th from NO!! This will be our first cruise and we are super excited! Thanks so much for taking the time to write the review!! The only question I have is how was the weather while cruising? We are from about an hour south of NO so technically anything below 70 is chilly to us, LOL!

[Robfromcharlottesville]

uh oh, you might be a little cold! during my cruise, it was a little cold in NOLA (50s to 60s) the day we embarked, but by the time we hit the middle of the afternoon the next day at sea, it was plenty warm to walk around in shorts and a t shirt. some people were in the pool, but that was too cold for me, so I stuck to the hot tubs when they weren't packed. In Mexico, the locals told us that it was unseasonably cold. We wore bathing suits but didn't go in the water much past our knees. but it was very comfortable sitting on the beach. hopefully it'll warm up a bit more for you by the time you're on the ship. I should note that the day we got back to NOLA, the weather was beautiful and about 75 degrees.

 

have a great time!

[Robfromcharlottesville]

On the 15 minute free bus ride from the ship to downtown progreso. Very easy, but you have to sit and listen to their 6 minute sales pitch to take a tour somewhere before they let u off the bus.

[Robfromcharlottesville]

Downtown progreso walking to the beach.

[Robfromcharlottesville]

On the beach in Progreso by sharks restaurant.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report! Welcome home.

[grammi]

I agree with everything the OP said. The Funshops were open with boxes being emptied on our sailing. The Elation was beautiful and the public were kept remarkably clean. My favorite entree of the sailing was the beef brisket, never had better. Every single interaction with Carnival stellar was a wonderful experience. I can not wait to go again, just wish they would substitute Costa Maya for Progreso.

[Robfromcharlottesville]

My almost 2 year old niece singing "Let it Go" from Frozen in karaoke in the Cole Porter Lounge on Elation.

[2chilover]

Thanks for the review. We only sail on the smaller ships and am getting ready to book her for October. Your review helped.

[Robfromcharlottesville]

I agree with everything the OP said. The Funshops were open with boxes being emptied on our sailing. The Elation was beautiful and the public were kept remarkably clean. My favorite entree of the sailing was the beef brisket, never had better. Every single interaction with Carnival stellar was a wonderful experience. I can not wait to go again, just wish they would substitute Costa Maya for Progreso.

 

Yes, I did try the brisket - I liked that as well!

 

And I agree about Costa Maya. I am glad I got the chance to visit Progreso and definitely enjoyed my stop there. It was such a different experience from Cozumel it was worthwhile, and I would encourage other people to visit there if you haven't already, but otherwise would feel no compulsion to go back for a second time. I would certainly enjoy returning there again - (I can sit on the beach sipping beers and eating shrimp empanadas with the best of them!) but would probably like to switch it up a little bit my next cruise. Cozumel and Costa Maya would be terrific!

[marimojo]

Thanks for your review! My cousin and I are going on Elation out of Jacksonville in May. We have an Oceanview cabin on the Empress Deck, it looks like it is only 3 cabins from the main areas on the Empress Deck - do you know what they are? Is there a lounge or bar and music on the Empress Deck? I am wondering if it is going to be loud in our cabin, we have cabin E63. We also have FTTF, I'm glad about that. Do you know if there are two main dining rooms on Elation, or just the one?

 

Thank you for the review and the pictures.

[Robfromcharlottesville]

Yes, the atrium bar is at the middle of the empress deck and frequently has a live musician playing guitar every night til 11 pm or 12, as i recall. Guest services is also located right there, so it might b a little noisy.

[nans vacation]

We will be on the Elation April 13th. In the main dinning rooms what are they serving, the American Table or the original menu ?? I was on the Glory two weeks ago there menu was the American table ,which I did not like. I was hoping the Elation still that the original menu.

[diesteldorf]

We will be on the Elation April 13th. In the main dinning rooms what are they serving, the American Table or the original menu ?? I was on the Glory two weeks ago there menu was the American table ,which I did not like. I was hoping the Elation still that the original menu.

The Elation still has the original menu, tablecloths included.

[Robfromcharlottesville]

Do you know if there are two main dining rooms on Elation, or just the one?

 

Oops, missed this part of the question. Elation has 2 dining rooms, one for Your Time Dining that opens at 5:45 pm, and one for the early and late seatings.

[zirka]

I just returned from the Feb 15th sailing on the Elation, and the fun shops closed midway through our sailing for a remodel, not sure when they were due to open again.

[brilamar]

I never made it down to deck 3 so am not sure how that is. I can tell u that we stayed on empress deck 7 in e215 to e 227 under one of the mdr, just down the hall from the atrium bar and guest services, which have elevators to access all the upper decks, and we were really happy with those cabins. Short walk up one flight of stairs to the mdr, 2 flights to the casino and most of the bars n lounges, plus since mdr is empty at night after dinner, there was no noise issue from above. im sure deck 3 is fine, but with the extra flights if stairs to walk to get anywhere, you'll probably be tempted to take the elevators, which sometimes entail a little bit of a wait. But probably not a big deal either way.

 

Are u taking elation out of jacksonville then? Im curious what kind of renovations they'll b doing in dry port when it switches out of nola.

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the info. We will be in Cabin E215 for 3 weeks beginning April 2. Any other tidbits we need to know regarding the cabin, functionality, location, etc. Please Share! Thanks

[Clarea]

Thanks for the review.

[Kasmir]

You will love being on the Empress Deck. It's convenient to everything! We did a back-to-back on the Elation in December and were in E60. In fact, have another booked for January in the same cabin.