Just Returned 7 days Carnival Elation

[margie]

Hi,

We returned on Sunday from our 7day cruise to the Mexican Riviera (puerto vallarta, mazatlan, cabo san lucas). We had our boys (2yrs and 4yrs) with us. Cabin was spacious (inside no windows 1 king bed and 2 bunk beds).The Safety 1st collapsable portable bed rails we brought for the kids bunks were invaluable (no one fell out of bed but my 4yr old slipped on the ladder - minor) Downside was we couldn't pack them when we got off the ship, cause we needed them for the last night. They were a bit akward to carry. Still would do it again.

Kids both loved Camp Carnival; however, they never changed my 2-yr old's pullups so I had to check on him every 2 hrs or so to do it myself. they never paged us to change him either. he developed a severe diaper rash, fortunately got some desitin in Mazatlan and had bacatracin with us. Once I caught on that they weren't changing him, I brought pullups and desetin each time I dropped him off and requested that they change him or page me, but this was ignored. Other than that, Camp Carnival was great, lots of activities for kids and new toys. My kids couldn't wait to get back there each day. They spent 2 hrs ea. morning and @ 3 hrs each evening there.

Elation was beautiful as was weather in Mexico. We did not do shore excursions because the kids were too little. Hubby and I left kids at camp carnival and went shopping at each port but returned by noon to have lunch and naps/play with kids. Shopping was fun but it's no St. Thomas (no really good deals on jewlery). Food was better than I expected but a little spotty -- some dishes were excellent others poor. The comedian/juggler and the comedian last 2 nights (Happy Cole) were very good.

Kids did not get seasick at all. Loved the play/climb/slide thing and kiddie pool on the aft deck. I did not get seasick either -- one Bonnie per day did the trick. It's Tuesday but I still feel like I'm on a moving ship!

We all had a very good time, would do this again with Carnival, perhaps another destination next time.

Thanks so much for your update. Glad to hear it was a positive experience despite the diaper rash! And yes, those bed rails are great except when carrying them the last day!
We're about the take our daughter on her 10th cruise tomorrow and our seven month old on his first! I'll post an article about it. (Disney Cruise Line)
Smooth sailing!
Luisa Frey Gaynor
Family Cruise Editor