ELATION Reveiw - part 2 - borrowing from the PROS and CONC thred

[mpffls]

OK......now to the pros and cons portion thread........I went thru and made notes to other folks coments.....and will not go into their comments just give you my views on some of the subjects they commented on........

FOOD......sorry guys........our week the food was just not up to par.....in fact looking back..... it was bad......we had room service breakfast one morning.....w/ stale cereal......4 mornings in the dinning room......it lacked the luster of a cruise ship...............Lunch ....dinning room....nothing special.........dinner ........sometimes we could not eat it........seafood had a horible smell............beef...."tasted like a wet dog smells"........and it was not just us.........we noticed those that had not cruised before were ok w/ the food....but those that had cruised before were very dissappointed....and by the end of the week.........some of our table mates would leave dinner and head to tiffany's.........can't coment on that food as we only ate their before sail away.........and at that point it was really good....our wait staff was awesome........however they were on lone from the triumph....but they knew we were not pleased w/ some of our food.........and tryed so hard to make things right........they were the highlight of our dining room experiance........and our matre d........was charming........I truley felt as if he tryed to get to know all of his guests.........he made us feel as if he knew us personally.

I was pleasantly surprised w/ the ships decor.....still a little carnival........but very tastful ..as comapred to other fantisy class ships.....w/ its copper theme........I was very impressed.

However....I have realized I do not like the layout ofthe fantisy class ships....just my opinion.....I like the elations way....w/ the disco and casino and large windows....but prefer a deck mid ship that you can go out on....only open decks were up top.

The staterooms got the job done......nice size........clean.....no frills ...no fluff.........just functional.........and excellet steward and staff

Water stains......seem to be a big issue w/ posters.....have yet to be on a cruise where I did not see them........and RCCL does change the carpet during the cruise if it gets soiled......and since I was aware of the problem...I took a good look....and sometimes what was thought to be a water stain...was a shadow because of the lighting in the hallways....mixed w/ soil.

Missed the ineractive TV function........I like to turn on the map and see where we are......also like to buy shore tours and check account in my cabin.

I never really noticed laudry bags

The Water slide did look like fun........however we only went to the pool one day......I realized I like pools that are more luxurius.....for example the adults only pools on RCCL....again this is just me.

Someone commented that on their cruise the cruise director RISA was ill.......I know there are many praises for her....but in my opinion the week she was ill........those folks were so lucky.........her staff...assistant and social hosts are fun and hysterical.........for me she was bland and simply gave information........at times not exactly correct........perhaps it was a bad week........or I did not appreciate her qualities....

I can not say enough about the crew........these guys have to be up at the top for great folks.........they are helpful.....friendly....wonderful folks.........some foks complain about to many picures taken....or the bar watrers and watresses always wanting to sell you a drink........this is their job and they are very efficiant at it.........an excellent staff

I do have one HUGE problem......Risa gave the instuctions for filling out the comment cards.........and it is as follows........

there are 3 catagories - "exceded expectations - "below expectations" - and can not remember what the middle one was-but I think it was "met expetations" . now this is the way she expalined the way you should fill these out.....if you had a problem....a big problem and you went to a senior staff member and the problem was not corrected then you should check...."below expections "....this is the only reason to check below expectations.........she also made it clear that the form was set up that if you checked off "met expectatons......that the ship still failed........so she instructed you that if you enjoyed your cruise........then you r only choice was exceeded expectations.........now I know that they are there to make you have a WONDERFUL time...and if they just met your expectations then they need to try harder.... but there is just something about this that does not sit well...again just me..........

 

Disembarkation was long and hard, we did not leave galveston until noon and not nearly enough porters

 

Would I sail her agian-not sure....if I could guarentee the food would be better the decision would be easier.....

By the way.........sushi........not up to par......it was ok....and it was fresh.....well it was made to order as we watched, some of it, but it really had a grocery store quality.....

One last thing......in comparing food....I am comparing apples to apples.....I am not allowing other cruise lines food quality to influence me...as I said we have sailed carnival 3 times...and in closing about the food.....those folks that we discussed this with aggreed.....they had sailed carnival before and were very diaaappointed........especially because your food expeirnece is a big part of your cruise.

 

any questons let me know

 

hope this helps

 

ttfn

 

trish

[SevenVII]

Good review, but that font is so painful on the eyes :(