While perusing the web offerings, a great rate at this party FUN ship flashed. After comparing the rates with the major web travel sites, just like that, clicked online booking and done with 5 category upgrades. It was a last minute booking for my wife (of 30 years) & I. The anticipated cruise excitement & lowest rate were too good to pass on. This was our third cruise in 5 months.

Embarkation: One surprise we did not expect was the embarkation location. We did not get processed & board at the usual CCL multi-entry point 3 story building in San Pedro. Apparently, CCL did not renew the lease due to the pending move to the new Long Beach/Queen Mary cruiseport. Seven weeks before, 50 Ecstasy December group cruisers boarded painlessly &
quickly in 45 minutes. So now, all passengers waited & lined up outside & boarding took
close to 2.5 hours. Due to the last-minute booking, we opted to pick up documents at the pier. That added to another 30 minute wait.

But, we met our party companions while waiting. Amazingly, we connected, interacted & hooked up all week long. This provided great memories. A negative situation totally turned very positive. It pays to pack a lot of positive mindset while vacationing...& cruising

Activities: Indeed, the strange human surrounding could be intimidating. But we talked, joked, laughed with the mass of cruiser humanity. We ended up partying with them at the top deck parties then hooked up at WILD Senor Frog's Mazatlan .. a la Spring Break style. At Puerto Vallarta, walk quarter mile to upscale Krystal resort and get a 75 minute full beachside massage for $35 bucks. That's better than the ship's price. Shopping? Well, lots of items are available at any California flea market... or the neighbor's garage sale. Naturally, the ladies gotta have that exquisite jewelry. At the last day of the cruise, our newfound group wished the calypso band played. The boogie band decided to take a day off that beautiful party day. Oh well...

In summary, the Elation is a floating west coast party place with touches of glitz & sophistication. Of course, that all depends on one's mindset. As always, the staff is renowned, dedicated & they truly aim to please. We dropped a (thank you for the great cruise & staff) note to the Hotel director & that night the maitre'd delivered a private reserve bottle of wine to us in our dining table. We shared it with our table mates. DO Enjoy your cruise.

Wanna hook up at the Pride on Nov 16, 2003? WE & FunFrenz will be there. ole'