Roll Call April 21, 2012

Starting this really early! This will be my first cruise and we will leave on my 42nd birthday, so excited!

I can't wait for April to finally get here for you.  You will love the Elation, not only is it beautiful the service and food is very good also.  Found your thread.  Ask away at us if you have any questions about the Elation.  Lisa did some excursions, Heidi and I went to the beaches.  Hope things are going good and the weather is cold again here.. I hope warmer there.

We had some bad weather yesterday. A F2 tornado hit a few miles from my office yesterday morning and another in Baldwin county. The sun is out today!

I imagine I will have LOADS of questions. I actually thought of a few things I was going to post in here. Did you guys happen to read the post from the couple that had paid in full but when they got to embarkation they were told that their stateroom had been double booked? I was planning on having my cruise paid in full hopefully well before the deadline... Should I leave a little owed to bill to my card on file or do you think it's safe to prepay before the deadline date? I realize that this occurrence doesn't happen often just wondering what is the safest way to attempt to ensure there are no issues. I can't remember what the other question was right now.. it'll come to me.

Terry (my hubby) wants to do the Isla Passion by Twister excursion in Cozumel and one of the beach/eat/drink combos in Progresso. I've tried to talk him into doing one of the ruins but it's not working lol. I can beach it no problem with me just thought it would be interesting to do something like that. He doesn't want to take a long bus ride and then walk around somewhere. He says this vacation is going to be ALL about relaxing and chilling and drinking of course. lol

I'm sure I will think of more questions and any and all input is appreciated!

That is extremely rare for them to dbl book.  I have only heard of that one couple since I have been on the forums (a couple of years).  The difference in paying in full or waiting is whether you get the early saver credit (if the price should drop) by paying off what you owe or in a form of OBC.  I had left about 9 dollars on and got a price drop .. they paid off what I owed then gave the rest in an OBC.  If you haven't paid in full, it is easier to change rooms, if you decide to, but do all that before the early saver ends (about 6 months out from your cruise), as you will lose your early saver changing to a more expensive room if it has, or if it has not involved a price drop from early saver.  Because with the early saver price drop you can opt to get obc, or see if you can get a better room.  To me an inside is an inside, an ocean view is an ocean view, they are all the same size.  Though, those that get sea sick, need to say more mid deck and not on riviera if they can help it price wise.

I have heard a lot of positive things on Passion by Twister excursion.  My kids (adult), went on the ATV excursion and absolutley loved it.  Said they had great guides and it was just fun, and saw a few little ruins out in the jungle.  Cozumel the beaches are absolutely gorgeous.  Progresso, they are cleaning it up, but a little murky, and in some places a little dirty.  I think those at the main beach are pretty clean now, they have been workin hard on them (we went to one far out).  I know the long pier is so much prettier and been cleaned up and the dock area than when I went the first time.  When you catch the bus to go to Progresso, it drops you off at a little flea market.  Then you can go up the block and to the left and you will go to the beach areas and a lot of shopping between there and the beach.  If you take the excursion, of course they will pick you up and I believe around the duty free shop.. that is where I saw a lot of lines and guys holding signs.  The prices in Progresso are much cheaper than Cozumel.  I know what he means about a long bus ride... some are almost 2 hours long... thats a total of 4 hours on a bus.... now 30-45 mins wouldnt be too bad.  Sounds like he is starting to look forward to it though.

Now I am even more confused about what I should do! You all know that this is my first cruise. Technically this is also Terry's first cruise, however... let's play a little *get to know ya". He does floor work for a living, installs carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl.. anything except true hard word. He has "worked" on several cruise ships. So he has slept and worked on them while in dry dock. Of course they stayed on the lower decks and roomed with a co-worker. He has been on one once as it sailed from here to New Orleans. To say all this when I FINALLY talked him into going on a cruise he was very particular about where on the ship he wanted to be. He wanted to be midship and not on the bottom few decks.. yada yada. I know nothing and it wouldn't have mattered to me but since he's slept on them and knew what he disliked as far as noises and such I booked E118, Empress deck, midship OV. He's happy with the room choice so I don't really think that I would want to move.. unless maybe given the opportunity for a balcony at a price I could afford which I don't see happening. Elation has balcony rooms right?

Okay so with the early saver.. it works whether you've paid in full or still owe right? Currently the rate for this cruise is UP since I booked. I haven't checked it but I emailed a question to my PVP yesterday and when she answered (very quickly might I add!) she said that she checked my rate and it was currently up a bit.

Gecko....Carnival's customer service is excellent and very seldom there is something that do not get resolved fairly. I am cruising for more then 20 years and on my 28th cruise and never had any problems. Some day you will meet Judy and she is on her 58th cruise and mostly out of Mobile. She did not have any major issues. I got to run but soon I will answer some of your concerns....SUKU

Well my PVP just called and my cruise has been canceled. As of November 5th the Elation will no longer be sailing out of Mobile. The Elation will be moving to New Orleans. My current options are to book another cruise or change my sail date to sometime before November 5th. Bummed!

We are once again booked on the Elation sailing April 21, 2012 stateroom E118... only now we will be leaving from New Orleans. Now I really need assistance from you guys! Who has sailed out of New Orleans? Would you recommend driving straight to emarkation to save the cost of an overnight stay? If we decide to go a day early where should we stay? And parking! Where should I park? Oh boy I liked being on the answering side..

Hi Ms. Gecko.  When I am planning a cruise, SUKU is my Guru.  I am getting to be as good almost as he is.  He is a great teacher.  As for Elation, if you are still planning to sail on her, I am told that the Empress deck is not very good.  The Upper Deck is the preferred deck on this particular ship.

on the upper deck, are the penthouse category cabins. My PVP always says find a floor with buffers.  this deck has at least one deck of “buffer” both above and below it, so noise  from common areas will not be a problem.  But if you are a noise maker, I guess that wont matter.  :-)    Penthouse cabins also have the BEST stewards, so if you cannot afford the penthouse, you can get an inside cabin on that floor and still get the top-treatment.  MIND YOU, I DO NOT LIKE INSIDE CABINS.  Just a suggestion if money is funny.

As for the Empress Deck you will have the stage, galley, and dining rooms over head.  It all depends on what you are looking for though.   Most of the noise takes place when folks are out running around anyway.

I do like midship locations for location as well as less rocking when rocking occurs.

There are several hotels within a mile or so of the pier in Nawlins.  You can get a parking package with your hotel or you can simply park at the pier.  The pier in New Orleans is a little larger than the one in Mobile.  But it seemed easier to move thru the parking and embarkation process in Mobile.

SUku would say fly into Nawlins, because he does not like to drive.  I like the scenery so I drive.  We drove from Mississippi to Orlando Folorida to sail on Dream.  We always drive to New Orleans and Mobile.  We are planning to drive to Houston (8 hours) to get on magic in November. 

Let me read some more and see if I can offer you any answers.

Thank you so much Linda. All so very helpful so far. I am trying to get excited about going to NOLA. I have been trying to get my husband to take a trip over so now I will get a night at least! Bourbon Street here I come! lol