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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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! ***
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
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.
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.
Backs of Pullmantur's Monarch & the Carnival Elation
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Back of the Carnival Elation
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Back of the Pullmantur Monarch
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Very Back of the Carnival Elation
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Crossing The Gangway To Get Back Onboard
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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.
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.
Salad From the Salad Bar
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Hamburger With French Fries
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Chicken Tenders, Fries, and Chips
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Assortment of Food From The Chef's Choice Line
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Variety of Different Foods
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Pepperoni Pizza
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Cookies and Cupcake
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Cookies and Ice Cream
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Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
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Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
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Assortment of Foods At the Dessert Station
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Vanilla Ice Cream
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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:
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:
Gatsby's Great Bar
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Tables & Chairs At Gatsby's Great Bar
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Walking Into the Cole Porter AFT Lounge
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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.
Seat With Upholstery Ripped Out
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Stage Area In the Cole Porter
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Looking From The Stage Area Towards The Back
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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:
Walking Down The Elation's Way Promenade
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Jekyll & Hyde Disco Entrance
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Bar Area Inside The Disco
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Musical Cafe Area On the Ship
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Romeo & Juliet Lounge
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Stage Area At The Romeo & Juliet Lounge
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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.
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.
Looking At Pullmantur's Monarch
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Lido Deck Lifeboat Embarkation Area
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Lido Deck - Walking Towards The Front
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View At The Front of the Ship
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Looking Down the Pier
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Looking Down The Side Of the Ship
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Cranes and Shipping Containers In The Cargo Area
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Mini Golf Area
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Outside Mural At the Mini Golf Area
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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.
Jogging Track
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Carnival Elation's Ship Coin
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Looking At the Near Empty Pool Below
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Sitting On the Elation's Way Promenade
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Tables & Chairs at the Elation's Way Promenade
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Elation's Atrium
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Wheels From Car That Was Used In the "Win" Show
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Atlantic Deck
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Closed Shop - Shops Are Closed in Ports of Call
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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.
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.
Dinner Menu For Night 4
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Dessert Menu For Night 4
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Everyday Dinner Menu
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Dinner Placesetting
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Assorted Varieties of Bread
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Appetizer - Chicken Tenders Marinated in Thai Spices
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Appetizer - Chilled Shrimp Cocktail
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Appetizer - Creamy Bing Cherry Soup
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Appetizer - Caesar Salad
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Main Course - Grilled Chicken Breast
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Main Course - Black Bean & Vegetable Enchiladas
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Main Course - Beer Battered Fish & Panko Crusted Shrimp
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Main Course With Side Baked Potato
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Dessert - Butter Pecan Ice Cream
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Dessert - Warm Chocolate Melting Cake
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Dessert - Cappuccino Pie
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Dessert - Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
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Dessert - Ice Cream
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Towel 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.
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.
Towel Animals From The Previous Nights
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Bed
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Upper bunk
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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!
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 in the Distance
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A Look At The Pier Below
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Luggage Being Delivered To the Pullmantur Ship
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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
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Elation Crew Waiting On The Gangway Looking For the Late Passengers To Come
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The Last Look At the Gangway Before It Was Put Up
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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.
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.
Pushing The Gangway In
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The Gangway Barely Sticking Out
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The Sun Continues To Set
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A View of the Ship's Front
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The Ropes Getting Untied
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The Pier is Empty
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Looking Back At the Area We Left
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Side View Of the Ship & Pier
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Pullmantur Monarch
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Looking At the Long Pier to the Mainland
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Industrial Area
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Waves At the Back of the Ship
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Small Boat
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Progreso In the Distance
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Elation's Lido Deck Area Lit Up
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The Pool Changes Colors At Night
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Carnival Elation Pool Area
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Verandah Deck Area
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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!
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
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Desserts At Good Eats
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Desserts At Good Eats
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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.
Food Being Set Out For Deck Party
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Stage After Dark
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Funnel After Dark
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