Need Some Thoughts

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cruizin2paradise

Guest
Ok - so I posted elsewhere the following and I haven't posted on cruise message boards in months so I forgot how people can be . . .

"We will be booking the Elation for May of 2007 on the Eastern Itinerary (providing they are still sailing there). We will book as soon as they open the dates up. Carnival is currently booking through the end of March, so I know it will be a couple of months (I can wait). So, the itinerary looks fairly new --Princess Cay, San Juan, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk -- anyone familiar with this itinerary? Let me know - it's been too long since our last cruise (10 months) and I am glad we finally decided what we want to do. Unfortunately, we have some expenses coming up next year which is why we are putting the cruise off till 2007, but at least we have a concrete decision - now I can't wait to pay my down payment (I must have issues)."

Of course I get the snitty-type responses that say "I hate to be the bearer of bad news . . . Carnival won't open those dates for months. . ." Good Grief - maybe I'm too sensitive, but I guess because I had the nerve to actually say "I know. . ." but you know, what difference does it make when they open up the dates? I'll book it either way.

Besides, I asked if anyone had information on the itinerary and ideas for good things to do! But, I know there are always some people who just can't wait to throw the "you're wrong" towel in the ring.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on the itinerary? We're set on the Elation because of the itinerary and the fact that I don't have to fly to San Juan to sail. I'd like a bit bigger ship, but this will be fine - we've been on the Fantasy and the Paradise, so we're familiar with it. My only disappointment is that they don't have balcony rooms, only mini-suites and suites -- we had a balcony on our cruise last year on the Voyager of the Seas and well, as I was warned, once you book a balcony, you'll never ever go back . . . no biggie - I love having a balcony.

I await your thoughts and ideas. Thanks!
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
A Carnival ship is going to use a private island? I know that Carnival owns Princess, but I have never seen Carnival put a private island in their itinerary. Looks like an interesting ininerary, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I can not help you with your question.
 
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cruizin2paradise

Guest
I was surprised at the private island and I may have put the wrong one in, but it's the first stop - the day after they sail from Miami . . . a nice relaxing day on the beach - works for me!

:)
 
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izzybugs

Guest
Sounds like a great cruise.. I'm not that familiar with the itenerary you speak of... but I was wondering how the Elation is? We're thinking of booking a family cruise for the summer. Our first cruise was on the Conquest with a Balcony Room on the Panorama deck.... for my 25th wedding anniversary so I know anything I book now will be a step back...I just wanted to know about the ship size..did you experience any rough seas & what condition is the ship in?

Any thoughts you could share would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Babushka

Guest
Izzybugs...You mentioned that your first cruise was a balcony cabin on the Conquest. I have been on the Glory, a sister ship to the Conquest, and also had a balcony cabin. I love balconies and it is the way to go on a cruise! You asked if going on the Elation might be a step down for you in comparison to the Conquest. I can only give my opinion according to my experiences. I started cruising on smaller, older ships and had a wonderful time and I have on every type of ship I've been on. However, last year we went on the Glory to the Eastern Caribbean and then went on the Ecstacy, a sister ship to the Elation, a few months later. I have to say that I was a little disappointed in the ship after being on a big, brand new, beautiful ship. We did have a great time because any time you can go on vacation it's great and I enjoyed the company I was with. The Ecstasy does not have balcony cabins unless you are going for a suite and it is a smaller ship. I think for me I prefer the newer ships. It could be that the Ecstacy is more run down than the Elation since it's older and maybe you will enjoy it more. Hopefully the Elation won't appear to be as run down as the Ecstacy did. From what I understand the decor is done more tastefully than the older sister ships. Just my opinion....I'm sure that no matter which ship you choose for you and your family you will all have a great time together. Do you have a good itinerary? It's always a plus if you're going to nice ports. We went to Esenada and well...not a very nice port, but again still had a good time.
 
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maryc

Guest
This is what the Carnival web site says about this new iteniary...........

The 2,052-passenger Elation will take over the program as of Oct. 23, 2006. Four-day cruises will call at Nassau and either Freeport or Half Moon Cay. Five-day cruises will call at Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau throughout 2006 and from May to Sept. 2007.


From Jan. to April 2007 and from Oct. to Dec. 2007, the five-day itinerary will feature Key West and Cozumel.

Grand Turk, part of the Turks & Caicos Islands chain, is a new port of call featuring pristine beaches, turquoise waters, world renowned coral reefs, and an intimate, unspoiled atmosphere. Half Moon Cay is a private island paradise in The Bahamas, featuring beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and an abundance of water sports and beach activities.


SOUNDS great to me, I would just google Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk etc....you can get great forms and info that way.
 
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cruizin2paradise

Guest
What's strange is that when you go into Carnival's site and get the cruise to come up, it's a 7-day cruise. Go figure. It's never as it seems is it?

We may look at the Triumph too.
 
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serene56

Guest
Something else-- you WILL need passports by 2007 so it may be pennywise to get them now before theprice goes higher.
 
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cruizin2paradise

Guest
Have them already -- got one for myself for my 2003 cruise, then brought the DH and 2 DDs onboard with them for the 2004 cruise -- I had a feeling that they'd be mandatory one day. :)

Have been looking at information on Carnival Triumph -- anyone have thoughts about that ship? Would you cruise it over the Elation? Just wondering.
 
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serene56

Guest
HAving sailed the Sensation and the Victory--both are sister ships to the ships you are requesting - I loved my sensation cruise--maybe since its my first one with my whole extended family. Menus are the same in all the dining rooms.
A site that may help is www.cruiseclues.com
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
serene56 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HAving sailed the Sensation and the Victory--both
> are sister ships to the ships you are requesting -
> I loved my sensation cruise--maybe since its my
> first one with my whole extended family. Menus
> are the same in all the dining rooms.
> A site that may help is www.cruiseclues.com


The Sensation is an older sister of the Elation. The Victory is not. The Victory is about 40% bigger than the Elation.
 
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IslandGirl66

Guest
Hello, I cruised on the Triumph this past March (W. Caribbean) I was amazed at this ship. We found it to be very clean at all times. We cruised during spring break at full capacity and never found any area to be overcrowded or long lines of any sort. Food was good in the buffets and better in the main dining room. Ours was a 7 day cruise out of Miami and the three ports were Grand Caymam, Cozumel & Ocho Rios. The cabins were clean all the time and never had to ask for much from our steward he was right on top of it & did his job well. Most of the employees on the ship seemed to enjoy their jobs.
I sail in another 100 days on the Glory for the E. Caribbean itinerary, cant wait.
 
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