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Carnival Elation 5 Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 4 Part 2             June 11, 2015                 Progreso, Mexico               Scheduled Arrival:  8:00AM               Scheduled Departure:  7:00PM  
                                                                                                              Actual Arrival:  8:40AM                    Rescheduled Departure:  7:40PM           
*** The times we were in port were originally extended by the Captain at the start of the cruise, but our times got further extended due a delayed arrival to Progreso. Details on the delay will be described in this day's review!  ***      
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Getting Back Onboard The Carnival Elation After Visiting Progreso:
             Getting back onboard the ship was a quick and easy process. Before being allowed to enter the cruise ship pier, we had to show our Sail & Sign cards and passports to a local authority. The officer barely glanced at everyone's card and passport. After the quick identification check, we were free to proceed down the pier to get back on the Carnival Elation.
              Since the Pullmantur Monarch was embarking new passengers while in Progreso, the pier was filled with many service vehicles. The Pullmantur Monarch was receiving new food supplies as well as loading luggage for new passengers. Overall, the pier was not congested, but there were many locals working the pier to make sure the Carnival Elation passengers did not interfere with the Monarch's servicing.
Pullmantur Monarch and Carnival Elation
Backs of Pullmantur's Monarch & the Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation
Back of the Carnival Elation
Pullmantur Monarch
Back of the Pullmantur Monarch
Carnival Elation
Very Back of the Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation Gangway
Crossing The Gangway To Get Back Onboard
Lunch At Tiffany's (Lido Buffet):
               There were very few people onboard for lunch, which meant the buffet lines were not crowded. Once again, the buffet had a limited number of lines open. I first went to the grill for some chicken tenders and french fries. There was no line. While in line for the grill, I decided to get some chips & melted cheese dip too.
                 After eating at the grill, I decided to try the Pizzeria again. The Carnival Elation Pizzeria staff was very inefficient and this buffet line is greatly in need of improvement. I wanted "Pan" pizza, but was told by the worker he only had pepperoni. I told him I wanted "Pan" and not pepperoni. He told me it would be a 15 minute wait. There were no other cruisers in front of me and past experience shows it only takes about 5-6 minutes for them to make a pizza onboard. The crew member acted as if he did not want to make the pizza. I then asked if I could have a Caesar Salad (the pizzeria menu shows Caesar Salad is available) and was told it would take about 10 minutes for the crew member to only make the dressing. I took the piece of pepperoni that was already ready after I decided I was tired of dealing with the Pizzeria crew. This is only a minor complaint and represents the only problem with service I had throughout the entire cruise vacation.
Carnival Elation Salad Bar
Salad From the Salad Bar
Carnival Elation Grill
Hamburger With French Fries
Carnival Elation Grill
Chicken Tenders, Fries, and Chips
Carnival Elation Chef's Choice
Assortment of Food From The Chef's Choice Line
Carnival Elation Buffet
Variety of Different Foods
Carnival Elation Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
Carnival Elation Cookies and Cupcake
Cookies and Cupcake
Carnival Elation Cookies and Ice Cream
Cookies and Ice Cream
Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
Ice Cream
Vanilla Ice Cream
An Afternoon Walk Around The Carnival Elation:
               The best time to get pictures on any cruise ship is in the early morning before everyone wakes up or during port day. I decided to take a walk around the inside of the ship to take pictures and see areas I had previously not explored. Here are some pictures:
Carnival Elation Gatsby's Great Bar
Gatsby's Great Bar
Gatbsy's Great Bar
Tables & Chairs At Gatsby's Great Bar
Carnival Elation Cole Porter AFT Lounge
Walking Into the Cole Porter AFT Lounge
                 The Carnival Elation is regarded as an older ship by today's modern standards, but the amount of work crew members did to the ship during my cruise shows Carnival is able to keep their older ships looking new. Throughout the cruise, crew members cleaned and maintained the ship to keep it spotless. The first picture on the row below is of a seat in the Cole Porter Lounge. Crew members were replacing the upholstery to keep the lounge looking as new as possible. 
Carnival Elation Cole Porter
Seat With Upholstery Ripped Out
Carnival Elation Cole Porter AFT Lounge
Stage Area In the Cole Porter
Carnival Elation Cole Porter
Looking From The Stage Area Towards The Back
                 The Elation's Way Promenade was virtually empty and void of people. Here are some photos I took walking through the various areas of the Promenade Deck:
Elation's Way Promenade
Walking Down The Elation's Way Promenade
Carnival Elation
Jekyll & Hyde Disco Entrance
Carnival Elation Disco
Bar Area Inside The Disco
Carnival Elation Musicla Cafe
Musical Cafe Area On the Ship
Carnival Elation Romeo & Juliet Lounge
Romeo & Juliet Lounge
Carnival Elation Romeo & Juliet Lounge
Stage Area At The Romeo & Juliet Lounge
Walking Around On the Outside Decks:
             The weather was very nice in the early afternoon. I decided to walk around to see the Pullmantur Monarch and look over on its outside decks.          While outside on the lifeboat embarkation station decks, I happened to see a very high ranking crew member smoking directly under a "No-Smoking" sign.  The smoking policies were not enforced properly on this cruise, but when the high up crew members don't care to follow the written policies it makes sense as to why the smoking policy was not heavily enforced for everyone below him.
               It was hot outside, but there was a slight breeze that made being outside bearable. I was sunburned from Cozumel day and got a worse sunburn after being in Progreso. Being outside was not much fun with a sunburn.
Pullmantur Monarch
Looking At Pullmantur's Monarch
Carnival Elation Lifeboat Embarkation Zone
Lido Deck Lifeboat Embarkation Area
Carnival Elation Lido Deck
Lido Deck - Walking Towards The Front
Front of the Carnival Elation
View At The Front of the Ship
Progreso
Looking Down the Pier
Side of the Carnival Elation
Looking Down The Side Of the Ship
Progreso, Mexico
Cranes and Shipping Containers In The Cargo Area
Carnival Elation Mini Golf Area
Mini Golf Area
Carnival Elation Mini Golf Course
Outside Mural At the Mini Golf Area
              One thing I have always tried to look for on cruise ships is the ship's coin. I managed to find the Carnival Elation's at the Mini Golf Course area. 
Elation Jogging Track
Jogging Track
Carnival Elation Ship Coin
Carnival Elation's Ship Coin
Carnival Elation
Looking At the Near Empty Pool Below
Carnival Elation Promenade
Sitting On the Elation's Way Promenade
Carnival Elation Promenade
Tables & Chairs at the Elation's Way Promenade
Carnival Elation Atrium
Elation's Atrium
Wheels of the Carnival Elation
Wheels From Car That Was Used In the "Win" Show
Carnival Elation Atlantic Deck
Atlantic Deck
Carnival Elation Shops
Closed Shop - Shops Are Closed in Ports of Call
Dinner in the Imagination Dining Room:
            Once again, we ate dinner in the Imagination Dining Room and had the same waitstaff as the night before.  The waiters remembered our names, drink preferences, and desire to have cheese with baked potatoes. The service was fast and all of the food was very tasty. 
Carnival Elation Dinner Menu
Dinner Menu For Night 4
Carnival Elation Dessert Menu
Dessert Menu For Night 4
Carnival Elation Everyday Dinner Menu
Everyday Dinner Menu
Carnival Elation Dinner Placesetting
Dinner Placesetting
Carnival Elation Breadbasket
Assorted Varieties of Bread
Chicken Tenders Marinated in Thai Spices
Appetizer - Chicken Tenders Marinated in Thai Spices
Shrimp Cocktail
Appetizer - Chilled Shrimp Cocktail
Bing Cherry Soup
Appetizer - Creamy Bing Cherry Soup
Picture
Appetizer - Caesar Salad
Grilled Chicken Breast
Main Course - Grilled Chicken Breast
Carnival Elation
Main Course - Black Bean & Vegetable Enchiladas
Carnival Elation
Main Course - Beer Battered Fish & Panko Crusted Shrimp
Picture
Main Course With Side Baked Potato
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Dessert - Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Carnival Warm Chocolate Melting Cake
Dessert - Warm Chocolate Melting Cake
Cappuccino Pie
Dessert - Cappuccino Pie
Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
Dessert - Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
Ice Cream
Dessert - Ice Cream
PictureTowel Animal & Fun-Time
Nightly Turndown Service For Our Stateroom
            After dinner, I quickly went back to the room to grab some camera batteries. The stateroom steward had already come to turndown the room for the night. I was impressed at the job he did with cleaning the room. He left us a new towel animal and flyers for the next day of the cruise.
             The stateroom's window needed washing, but that was not a big deal. Carnival usually washes windows while the ship is docked in its homeport. Since we were able to see outside the window the slightly dirty appearance never bothered us.

Carnival Elation towel Animals
Towel Animals From The Previous Nights
Carnival Elation Stateroom
Bed
Carnival Elation Upper Bunk
Upper bunk
Outside At The Front Of The Ship To Watch Sail-a-Way:
                Around 7:25pm, we went outside to the Verandah Deck's observation area. The gangway was still out and multiple crew members were standing on it looking towards Progreso. Supposedly, four guests were not yet onboard and the required time was 7:10pm. These guests barely made it back to the ship and when they started walking down the pier the officers rushed them along. Personally, I think the captain would have left these guests if they would not have been onboard by 7:40pm because we were already delayed due to an extended time in Progreso.
                The Pullmantur Monarch was done embarking its new passengers, but they were conducting a muster station drill at the time we were about to set sail. It was interesting watching their drill and seeing everyone have to come to their muster station wearing a lifejacket. This reminded me of the times when Carnival passengers had to bring their lifejacket to the required muster station drill. I am happy those days are over!
Sunset From The Cruise Ship
Sunset in the Distance
Progreso Mexico Pier
A Look At The Pier Below
Luggage Being Delivered To the Pullmantur Ship
Luggage Being Delivered To the Pullmantur Ship
                 The middle picture below slows the Elation's crew members waiting on the gangway looking for the late passengers to come.
Muster Station Drill About To Begin
Muster Station Drill About To Begin
Picture
Elation Crew Waiting On The Gangway Looking For the Late Passengers To Come
Carnival Elation Gangway
The Last Look At the Gangway Before It Was Put Up
Sail-A-Way From Progreso:
             Immediately after the remaining four guests got back onboard, the gangway was brought in and the ropes connecting the ship to the pier were untied. The captain of the Elation wasted no time leaving port. We had this captain once before on the Carnival Ecstasy in 2008 and I remember he was very prompt with the schedule. Sailing away from Progreso was a quick process because we were docked four miles out. Within 5 minutes of our departure we were already in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Carnival Elation Gangway
Pushing The Gangway In
Carnival Elation Gangway
The Gangway Barely Sticking Out
Sunset
The Sun Continues To Set
Carnival Elation
A View of the Ship's Front
Carnival Elation Ropes
The Ropes Getting Untied
Progreso Mexico
The Pier is Empty
Progreso Mexico
Looking Back At the Area We Left
Carnival Elation
Side View Of the Ship & Pier
Pullmantur Monarch
Pullmantur Monarch
Progreso Mexico Pier
Looking At the Long Pier to the Mainland
Progreso Mexico
Industrial Area
Back of the Carnival Elation
Waves At the Back of the Ship
Boat in the Water
Small Boat
Progreso
Progreso In the Distance
Carnival Elation After Dark
Elation's Lido Deck Area Lit Up
Carnival Elation Lido Deck
The Pool Changes Colors At Night
Carnival Elation Pool Area
Carnival Elation Pool Area
Verandah Deck
Verandah Deck Area
Checking Out The Food At Good Eats:
                Around 9:00pm, I went to Tiffany's to get some water, but I could not help stopping to look at the food being served at Good Eats. I tried a slice of the diet Pumpkin Pie and it was alright. After trying the pumpkin pie, I tried a slice of the lemon cake and it was delicious! I wish the lemon cake was being served as a dessert in the main dining room because it was so good!
Desserts At Good Eats
Desserts At Good Eats
Desserts At Good Eats
Desserts At Good Eats
Desserts At Good Eats
Desserts At Good Eats
                  Setup was taking place for the late night Mexican themed deck party. While I did not stay up for this, I walked by the outside buffet lines to see what food was being prepared. I have heard the deck party is a lot of fun, but I have never attended this.
Carnival Elation Deck Party
Food Being Set Out For Deck Party
Carnival Elation Stage
Stage After Dark
Carnival Elation Funnel
Funnel After Dark
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