January 2015 - 4 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Elation
Perfect fun and relaxing 4 night cruise
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Carnival Elation
Sail date: January 29, 2015
Perfect fun and relaxing 4 night cruise
It was a short winter get-away cruise where everything went perfectly. Bought the Faster to the Fun package. Will never cruise without it again. Getting on the ship was as fast as you could walk on, getting off was extremely easy and fast. No waiting in the mob to disembark! This was our first Carnival cruise – having been on Princess, Norwegian and Viking Riverboat in the past. We had an ocean view stateroom (M146) and it was convenient to the midship elevator. The stateroom – including the bathroom – seemed to us to be larger than other standard staterooms on other cruise lines. Especially the shower. Our cabin steward was right on top of things and remembered our first names. Please note – there are no hair dryers in the stateroom. A quick call to guest services and one was there in a flash. But next time I’ll call for one before I need it! We did a wonderful shore excursion in Cozumel – the Atlantis submarine. This is not a glass bottom boat – it is an actual submarine that goes down over 100 feet. Spectacular. Food was standard cruise fare – not spectacular but not bad. Our dining room staff were great, especially Alma. Bought bottles of wine on the first night and remaining bottles were on the table each night thereafter until they were gone. The emphasis on the cruise is the bars, not the food. No premium restaurants – the only up marketing was for an extra $20 you could get a good/better steak (we didn’t so don’t know if it was worth it or not). Food at the buffet was pretty average, but lots of variety. At the grill things were made to order and good – had an excellent Ruben sandwich. Pizza was not worth eating but probably enjoyed by kids. We went to the family comedy shows and one of the adult comedy shows (too much of the f word there) and enjoyed both comedians. If you are a big drinker the $50 per day unlimited liquor must be a good deal – we just bought what we wanted by the bottle or glass. The Elation is an older and smaller vessel. Showing her age in the stateroom fittings etc. So if you are looking for luxury, try a different ship. The cruise didn’t have a luxury price tag so was fine with us. It perfectly suited our winter get-away needs and I’d do it again in a flash.
Cruise tips
New Orleans is always great. Walk the French Quarter and go to Cafe Du Mond. And Felix's for oysters. Skip Brennans for breakfast - quality has gone down, along with service. Acme is second choice for oysters - right across the street from Felix's.
Atlantis submarine. Then eat lunch in a waterfront restaurant (we ate at Palmeras this time). Three alcoholic drinks, two full course lunches and one dessert (to full to order two) and the bill came to under $50 US. Cabs are reasonable to get back and forth about $8 each way, depending on how far you are going.
Carnival Elation
Ask your room stewad for a hair dryer before you need it. Sandwitches at the deli are fresh made/grilled. Had a Ruben that was better than most shore restaurants. Not a luxury ship - but is priced accordingly and I'd sail on the Elation anytime it fits in with our plans. All things considered A+
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It was a short winter get-away cruise where everything went perfectly. Bought the Faster to the Fun package. Will never cruise without it again. Getting on the ship was as fast as you could walk on, getting off was extremely easy and fast. No waiting in the mob to disembark! This was our first Carnival cruise – having been on Princess, Norwegian and Viking Riverboat in the past. We had an ocean view stateroom (M146) and it was convenient to the midship elevator. The stateroom – including the bathroom – seemed to us to be larger than other standard staterooms on other cruise lines. Especially the shower. Our cabin steward was right on top of things and remembered our first names. Please note – there are no hair dryers in the stateroom. A quick call to guest services and one was there in a flash. But next time I’ll call for one before I need it! We did a wonderful shore excursion in Cozumel – the Atlantis submarine. This is not a glass bottom boat – it is an actual submarine that goes down over 100 feet. Spectacular. Food was standard cruise fare – not spectacular but not bad. Our dining room staff were great, especially Alma. Bought bottles of wine on the first night and remaining bottles were on the table each night thereafter until they were gone. The emphasis on the cruise is the bars, not the food. No premium restaurants – the only up marketing was for an extra $20 you could get a good/better steak (we didn’t so don’t know if it was worth it or not). Food at the buffet was pretty average, but lots of variety. At the grill things were made to order and good – had an excellent Ruben sandwich. Pizza was not worth eating but probably enjoyed by kids. We went to the family comedy shows and one of the adult comedy shows (too much of the f word there) and enjoyed both comedians. If you are a big drinker the $50 per day unlimited liquor must be a good deal – we just bought what we wanted by the bottle or glass. The Elation is an older and smaller vessel. Showing her age in the stateroom fittings etc. So if you are looking for luxury, try a different ship. The cruise didn’t have a luxury price tag so was fine with us. It perfectly suited our winter get-away needs and I’d do it again in a flash.