7-4-04 embarkation day---

 We got an early start to the day. Our flight to Houston left at 6:30 am, so we were at the airport about 5:45. We arrived in Houston about 8:30 where we retrieved our luggage, then waited until 10:45 for our shuttle to Port Galveston to catch our cruise ship, Carnival's Elation.

 After waiting through the lines to get through check-in and security, we finally made it on board and into the great atrium.

First up---our cabin.  For a small space, I did like the way the beds were arranged. One day we didn't even leave the room until about 3pm---stayed in bed and watched movies on tv all afternoon. One afternoon we did have some maintenance workers in the room for an hour or so. Apparently a couple cabins down the hall had lost their electricity and they were going through our ceiling to fix it.

 We were in an inside cabin in the very front of the ship. We did feel considerable rocking, but since neither of us had any motion sickness, the rocking was actually rather soothing.

 It was also quite cold in the room and took us awhile to find the air conditioner controls--which were on the ceiling.

Then we went to explore the ship a bit.

 And watch for our luggage to get loaded

 There was lots of loungers on this ship

 and a nice sports deck

 Looking over the Port of Galveston, Texas.

 back to wandering around the ship

 Angie dressed up for dinner and posing around the ship.

 It was a beautiful evening.

 Also checked out the duty free shops.

 So photogenic! 

 Interesting artwork around the ship

 Throughout the trip, we enjoyed wandering around checking out what was going on around the ship. We especially enjoyed the art auctions. They were more like art classes in that they talked extensively about the artists and artworks. I believe we went to 3 of the auctions. Angie even won 2 lithographs and purchased 2 more. Of all the cruises I've been on as of 2012, these auctions were the most interesting.

Our cruise left on Sun., but our first port wasn't until Tues.  But we enjoyed exploring the ship.