Carnival Elation 5 Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Disembarkation (Day 6) June 13, 2015 New Orleans, LA Arrival: 8:00AM Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Disembarkation (Day 6) June 13, 2015 New Orleans, LA Arrival: 8:00AM Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Last Morning Walk Around The Ship:
I woke up around 5:15am on the last day of the cruise. There were a few things I still needed to pack, such as my toothbrush, after using it onboard for the last time before going home. Once all of my belongings were packed and the suitcase was zipped up, I wanted to walk around the ship one last time. There were no other cruise passengers out at this early time and the line at guest services was non-existent.
In the ship's atrium the equipment for disembarking guests was already setup. The equipment was located on the opposite side of the atrium from where we boarded on the first day of the cruise. This indicated the ship would not be turning around before docking in New Orleans.
I woke up around 5:15am on the last day of the cruise. There were a few things I still needed to pack, such as my toothbrush, after using it onboard for the last time before going home. Once all of my belongings were packed and the suitcase was zipped up, I wanted to walk around the ship one last time. There were no other cruise passengers out at this early time and the line at guest services was non-existent.
In the ship's atrium the equipment for disembarking guests was already setup. The equipment was located on the opposite side of the atrium from where we boarded on the first day of the cruise. This indicated the ship would not be turning around before docking in New Orleans.
Bottom of the Atrium - Bins For Recycling & Food
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Atrium Bar
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Sail & Sign Card Scanners Setup For Disembarkation
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Almost everything onboard the ship was closed and locked, which is normal for the early morning. The ship's library had window shades down and was completely closed. The shops do not open on the last morning of the cruise. This means anything you may want to buy must be purchased on the last sea day before the shops close.
Looking Down At the Bottom Level of the Atrium
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The Ship's Library Is All Closed Up
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The Shops Are Closed
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I know I have already mentioned this, but the piano bar was one of my favorite lounges onboard because of the NYC decor. I never attended any events that took place in this lounge, but the doors were unlocked on last morning of the cruise. Here is a quick look inside the lounge:
Piano Located in the Piano Bar
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Statue of Liberty Head
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Piano Bar
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After looking around the Atlantic Deck, I went up one deck to the Promenade. This deck was also empty and void of people just like most of the other areas on the ship.
Photo Gallery on the Promenade Deck
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Entrance From the Atrium Into The Promenade Walkway
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Elation's Way Promenade
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The next three photos were taken in the mid-ship area of the Promenade Deck. The first picture is of a stage that can be found in the Elation's Way Promenade. When the Fun-Times Newsletter refers to activities taking place at the Drama Bar, it actually means this stage. The stage is located a few steps across from the Drama Bar. The activity hosts will use the stage to help host their activities, but during other times of the day karaoke and live music took place on this stage.
The middle picture is of the Carnival MasterCard desk. Cruisers were encouraged to apply for a Carnival MasterCard during the vacation. During my cruise, everyone that applied got a free bag, lanyard, and raffle tickets regardless of the status of the application. The third picture below is of the Fun Finds desk (formerly known as the Destination Shopping desk). The Fun Finds Desk is where you can learn about shopping in the ports of call. The crew member in charge of the desk is usually the person that gives the Fun Finds Shopping talk as well.
The middle picture is of the Carnival MasterCard desk. Cruisers were encouraged to apply for a Carnival MasterCard during the vacation. During my cruise, everyone that applied got a free bag, lanyard, and raffle tickets regardless of the status of the application. The third picture below is of the Fun Finds desk (formerly known as the Destination Shopping desk). The Fun Finds Desk is where you can learn about shopping in the ports of call. The crew member in charge of the desk is usually the person that gives the Fun Finds Shopping talk as well.
Stage Area In the Promenade
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Carnival MasterCard Desk
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Fun Finds (Destination Shopping) Desk
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While walking through the Elation's Way Promenade, I saw the Faster to the Fun disembarkation meeting spot. It was located in the Romeo & Juliet Lounge. On some Carnival ships, Faster to the Fun guests get mixed with the VIFP Platinum & Diamonds, but not on this cruise. The Platinum and Diamond guests were told to meet in the Mikado Lounge for priority disembarkation. I will discuss this more later.
The Musical Cafe was not yet opened when I walked by. The lights were off and there was not a crew member working yet.
The Musical Cafe was not yet opened when I walked by. The lights were off and there was not a crew member working yet.
Faster to The Fun Meeting Area For Disembarkation
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Musical Cafe Closed At This Time
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Entrance Into The Cole Porter Lounge
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Gatsby's Great Bar - Closed
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AFT Pool
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Looking Up the Funnel
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Walking Around the Outside Decks:
When I first walked outside to take pictures, my camera lenses fogged up. I had to wait a few minutes before I could start taking pictures. As I took more pictures the fogged lenses improved and the quality of the pictures got better. It was nice getting to take a look at the Mississippi River as we sailed back up to New Orleans. It was bittersweet seeing some of the same areas we saw when sailing away from New Orleans a few days earlier because now the cruise was nearly over. Here are some pictures I took while looking around on the outside decks:
When I first walked outside to take pictures, my camera lenses fogged up. I had to wait a few minutes before I could start taking pictures. As I took more pictures the fogged lenses improved and the quality of the pictures got better. It was nice getting to take a look at the Mississippi River as we sailed back up to New Orleans. It was bittersweet seeing some of the same areas we saw when sailing away from New Orleans a few days earlier because now the cruise was nearly over. Here are some pictures I took while looking around on the outside decks:
Small Ship Sailing Next To Us
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The Decking Outside Was Wet
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The Sunrise In the East
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Looking Down at the Lido Deck Below
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Lido Pool
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Looking Towards The Back of the Ship
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Looking At The Lido Main Pool Area
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Open Green Space On Land
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Sunrise
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Mini Golf Course - Empty
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Barges Docked Alongside the River
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View From the Front of the Ship
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Industrial Area
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Mississippi River
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Looking Down Below & Sunrise To The Side
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Last Breakfast At Tiffany's Lido Buffet:
According to our disembarkation flyer, breakfast was being served at Tiffany's from 6:00am - 9:30am. Open Seating was going on in the Imagination Dining Room from 7:00am - 9:00am for those that did not wish to eat in the buffet.
I got to the breakfast buffet between 6:15am and 6:30am. There were no lines because most people were probably still packing and some may have been sleeping. My first stop in the buffet was the general breakfast buffet line. Pancakes were being served again today. The general breakfast buffet line had a variety of choices including bacon, pancakes, sausage, hash browns, oatmeal, grits, ham, eggs, and more. The food was greasy, but delicious!
Immediately after finishing my food, I got in line for an omelet. Normally, the omelet station's lines can be long, but today there was no line. I ordered an omelet with everything. The omelet toppings consisted of bacon, ham, onion, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese. I love eating omelets and a cruise is the only place I ever get to eat these. Here are some breakfast pictures:
According to our disembarkation flyer, breakfast was being served at Tiffany's from 6:00am - 9:30am. Open Seating was going on in the Imagination Dining Room from 7:00am - 9:00am for those that did not wish to eat in the buffet.
I got to the breakfast buffet between 6:15am and 6:30am. There were no lines because most people were probably still packing and some may have been sleeping. My first stop in the buffet was the general breakfast buffet line. Pancakes were being served again today. The general breakfast buffet line had a variety of choices including bacon, pancakes, sausage, hash browns, oatmeal, grits, ham, eggs, and more. The food was greasy, but delicious!
Immediately after finishing my food, I got in line for an omelet. Normally, the omelet station's lines can be long, but today there was no line. I ordered an omelet with everything. The omelet toppings consisted of bacon, ham, onion, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese. I love eating omelets and a cruise is the only place I ever get to eat these. Here are some breakfast pictures:
Hash Browns, Sausage, and Bacon
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Omelet Station
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Another View of the Omelet Station
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Cinnamon Roll, Fruits, and Cheese
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Omelet
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General Breakfast Buffet Line
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General Breakfast Buffet Line
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General Breakfast Buffet Line
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Pastry Station
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Pastry Station
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Pastry Station
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Pastry Station
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Arrival Back Into New Orleans:
As I ate breakfast, I looked outside at the banks of the Mississippi River as we sailed closer to New Orleans. After eating breakfast, I went outside to take a look at the view as we got closer to the cruise terminal. The Crescent City Connection (bridge) was not too far away, which meant we were getting close to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. Here are some pictures:
As I ate breakfast, I looked outside at the banks of the Mississippi River as we sailed closer to New Orleans. After eating breakfast, I went outside to take a look at the view as we got closer to the cruise terminal. The Crescent City Connection (bridge) was not too far away, which meant we were getting close to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. Here are some pictures:
Factory (I Believe It Produces Sugar)
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East New Orleans Area - View From The Ship
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East New Orleans Area
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Boat Sailing By
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Life Preserver Ring
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Barge Sailing By
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New Orleans Skyline
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Elation's Lido Deck Main Pool
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Bar Area on the Lido Deck By the Pool
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View From The Front of the Ship
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Turning The Final Curve on the River For The Cruise
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New Orleans - View From the Ship
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Natchez Docked
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View From the Front of the Ship
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Looking Down the Side of the Ship
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Riverwalk Mall
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Erato Street Cruise Terminal
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Atrium
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Elation's Way Promenade
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Elation's Way Promenade
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All Of The Towel Animals For the Cruise
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Snacks For Platinum & Diamond Cruisers
Disembarkation Spot For VIFP Platinum & Diamond Guests:
For guests that were Platinum or Diamond, the designated disembarkation wait area was the Mikado Lounge. The paperwork that was sent to our stateroom told us to be here by 7:30am. There were snacks and drinks setup on a table for anyone that was hungry or thirsty. Most of the people that were zoned to wait in this lounge came closer to 8:00am.
The bottom level of the atrium (Empress Deck) was blocked off by crew members. This was because the ship's crew did not want guests to wait on this level. For those cruising on the Elation, do not bother attempting to wait on the Empress Deck because the crew will turn you away.
At exactly 8:00am, a ship's crewmember came into the Mikado Lounge to get the Platinum & Diamond guests. Two elevators were being operated by crew members to help Platinum & Diamond guests move their luggage down one level.
For guests that were Platinum or Diamond, the designated disembarkation wait area was the Mikado Lounge. The paperwork that was sent to our stateroom told us to be here by 7:30am. There were snacks and drinks setup on a table for anyone that was hungry or thirsty. Most of the people that were zoned to wait in this lounge came closer to 8:00am.
The bottom level of the atrium (Empress Deck) was blocked off by crew members. This was because the ship's crew did not want guests to wait on this level. For those cruising on the Elation, do not bother attempting to wait on the Empress Deck because the crew will turn you away.
At exactly 8:00am, a ship's crewmember came into the Mikado Lounge to get the Platinum & Diamond guests. Two elevators were being operated by crew members to help Platinum & Diamond guests move their luggage down one level.
Disembarking The Carnival Elation:
Disembarkation is always my least favorite time of the cruise, but it is something that must happen in order for the next cruisers to get their chance to have a great time. Once we were on the Empress Deck we were directed by crew members into the atrium's lobby. The atrium's lobby had the shipboard card scanners in full operation and security was scanning each person's card in order to keep track of the guests remaining onboard. Once my Sail & Sign Card made its last ding, I knew my cruise was officially over and the only thing left was going through customs.
Disembarkation is always my least favorite time of the cruise, but it is something that must happen in order for the next cruisers to get their chance to have a great time. Once we were on the Empress Deck we were directed by crew members into the atrium's lobby. The atrium's lobby had the shipboard card scanners in full operation and security was scanning each person's card in order to keep track of the guests remaining onboard. Once my Sail & Sign Card made its last ding, I knew my cruise was officially over and the only thing left was going through customs.
Side of the Ship & Terminal Building
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Looking At the Back of the Ship - View From The Gangway
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Looking At the Front of the Ship - View From The Gangway
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After walking down the terminal's gangway we were directed downstairs to the US Customs & Immigration checkpoint. The time was 8:02am and this checkpoint was not officially open. This meant we had to wait until the terminal's staff were given the signal we could proceed. At 8:05am, the checkpoint opened and after the agent looked at our passports & declaration forms we were free to leave. Before the parking garage's elevators, there are restrooms that disembarking cruise passengers can use. The restrooms were clean, but not too big.
Getting back to our car was easy. The cruise terminal has three elevators that are large enough to accommodate many people and their suitcases. Once we were in our car, we loaded our suitcases and departed for home. The first photo on the row below was taken in the gangway, but the next two photos were taken from the parking garage.
Getting back to our car was easy. The cruise terminal has three elevators that are large enough to accommodate many people and their suitcases. Once we were in our car, we loaded our suitcases and departed for home. The first photo on the row below was taken in the gangway, but the next two photos were taken from the parking garage.
In The Gangway
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Parking Garage Ramp
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Making The Last Turn on the Garage's Ramp
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Final Note From The Webmaster:
Thank you for taking time to read and look at my Carnival Elation review. I hope you enjoyed this review and learned a lot about the Carnival Elation, Cozumel, Progreso, and cruising. Writing this review was a tedious process, but it was something that I enjoyed doing. If you have any questions about the cruise review please feel free to ask.
RyG's Cruise Guide is a website I started a little over two years ago to help people plan & prepare for their cruise vacations. It is my hope that this review has helped many people prepare for a Carnival Elation cruise. On a normal basis, RyG's Cruise Guide shares a variety of cruise tips and information that relate to various cruise topics.
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for taking time to read and look at my Carnival Elation review. I hope you enjoyed this review and learned a lot about the Carnival Elation, Cozumel, Progreso, and cruising. Writing this review was a tedious process, but it was something that I enjoyed doing. If you have any questions about the cruise review please feel free to ask.
RyG's Cruise Guide is a website I started a little over two years ago to help people plan & prepare for their cruise vacations. It is my hope that this review has helped many people prepare for a Carnival Elation cruise. On a normal basis, RyG's Cruise Guide shares a variety of cruise tips and information that relate to various cruise topics.
Thank you for reading!
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My 2015 Carnival Elation Cruise Review Is Complete!
If you would like to revisit any parts of the review:
Day 1 Part 1 - New Orleans, LA Day 1 Part 2 - New Orleans, LA Day 2 - Day At Sea Day 3 Part 1 - Cozumel, Mexico Day 3 Part 2 - Cozumel, Mexico Day 4 Part 1 - Progreso, Mexico Day 4 Part 2 - Progreso, Mexico Day 5 - Day At Sea Day 6 - Disembarkation (You Are Currently On This Page) |