CruzinScotty

The last thing I heard, and I can't confirm it 100%; the Sept. 9th sailing is when they were supposed to make the change.

Assuming that is the case; it is an 8 night cruise. Unless someone is reading this while on board; they debark on Saturday, the 17th.

You might want to "bump" this thread then to see if there's any feedback.

I too found this handy tip on CC & my ice cream lovin' hubby can't wait to let his inner child enjoy it at dinner! :D

 

I'm a little late to the review party but I have thoroughly enjoyed your review.

30 days til our turn on the Ecstasy !

I'm glad you enjoyed the review. :)

I love all the wonderful tidbits of information you can find on CC, especially those involving ice cream. :D

Have fun on your cruise!

going on the oct 8th cruise out of Charleston. only other ship I've been on is the dream back in 2014 out of NO. how much smaller is the ecstasy going to "feel" compared to the dream, if you know. I know it physically much smaller, but does it feel cramped and crowded, and do the older ships not have many of the features of the newer larger ships.

I was on the Dream in 2014 (so it's been a while) and was on the Ecstasy in June.

They key is to have realistic expectations on what to expect. The Ecstasy is the 2nd oldest ship in the fleet and amongst the smallest. Remember, you are comparing 70,000 gross tons to 130,000 gross tons. If you look hard enough, you can find a little rust and a few things that need updating. It's scheduled for dry dock in January. That doesn't make or break a cruise for us.

With the size difference and changes in technology; the stabilizers are not as modern. Depending on the seas, you may feel more motion/movement on the ship.

The decor may seem dated; but to me, it was just the hallways that were really "loud" and a little too much neon in the Grand Atrium. The rest of the ship, I thought, was fine.

I was on both ships in June, so think I can accurately compare the crowds. First off, there won't be as many kids in Octobers. That aside, the Ecstasy felt less crowded than the Dream.

Let's start with what the Ecstasy does not have and get that out of the way: Tandoori, Guy's, The Blue Iguana, The Alchemy Bar, or the Dive In Movies (or anything you would watch on the jumbotron).

But, it DOES have: 24hr pizza and ice cream, the Deli, the Mongolian Wok, the Rotisserie, the Grill (hot dogs, burgers, chicken strips fries, etc.), the Omelette Station at breakfast, and of course the Lido Buffet. It also has the Sea Day Brunch.

I found food on the entire ship the best we've had in a long time, and I've been fortunate to get 6 cruises under my belt since 2012.

They do have the Chef's Table, if you are interested in that.

They have the Playlist shows: Motor City and The Brits. They have a Deck Party, and the Comedy Shows. There was always a lot of live entertainment on the Lido, Atrium, Casino, etc. They have a guy on the steel drum, which we really enjoyed.

The Serenity area is on the Aft of the ship. It is small, but has two hot tubs.

I thought Benjamin, the Cruise Director, was great. He got the crowds involved, didn't do too many over head pages and was out and about a lot.

We go on a cruise to relax, enjoy the ocean, and for the thrill of being on a ship. We had a GREAT time. :)

I hope this helps.

If you're interested, and have the time, I did an extensive review of that trip:

Chillin' on the Ecstasy

Have they cruised before?

Do the have any embarkation routines the usually do? IE. have a drink at the Atrium Bar, usually go to the Lido for lunch at a specific time?

I'd try to scout out the Lido and surprise them at lunch.

When you consider what you pay today for a cruise, I do not agree!

 

You get more today, it's as simple as that. :cool:

And you are entitled to your opinion. In your first post, you specifically asked if anyone had cruised as early as you had in 1985. I have.

I have some different opinions than you. That's OK. But, I've seen you post your opinion on this topic and several different threads.

As I just said in a prior post, I usually stay out of these types of posts. But, since I've jumped in the water, I'll expand on my original response to you.

There is no doubt the cost (with inflation, etc) is much cheaper today than it was 30 year's ago. And, there are many, many more options than there were back then.

But, in my opinion, comparing cruises of 30 years ago to today is like comparing apples to oranges.

If new cruisers, or some older cruisers like myself; want to compare cruising from 5-10 years ago to day - in my opinion - that is closer to comparing different varieties of apples instead of comparing oranges to apples.

Just my opinion. Not everyone that has cruised for 30 years or more has the same exact opinion as you.

And, that's OK.

Somehow I put the following words into the post I quoted.

 

"I am done with this silly discussion. Personally, I have a hard time not eating too much free food on a cruise. I am not bothered by any way they decide to shuffle things on their ship. And if I were, I would not be on a blog complaining about it. I would instead be voting with my wallet. Too many other things on my bucket list to be wound up about free food."

 

That mistake gives the appearance that the person who I quoted said those words. They were my words. I edited my post to end with those words. Somehow, I edited the wrong section. This post is here to correct that error. I do not want to ascribe words to another blogger.

 

Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.

Thank you. I knew I hadn't written that paragraph and didn't remember it being in a response to what I had written, either. LOL

I think it's best to agree to disagree. Everyone is entitled to their opinion - and each person's logic may differ and affect that opinion.

I'm obviously in the minority on the effect of this change. I'm fine with that.

Sometimes things just hit a nerve. I don't usually post on these types of threads; I'm more of a "popcorn on the sidelines" kind of guy. :D

Oy! :eek:

 

$6 for fish and chips? Where I live I figure $12-14. Oh, it's no longer free? Well, too bad.

 

Also, what was it like on cruise ships 20-30+ years ago? What was offered? I know, as I started cruising in 1985. Anyone, anyone?

 

Cruise fares are lower than back then, and you still get more included for free, along with your water slides, comedy clubs, and other bells and whistles.

 

Quit complaining, you have it good and don't know it! :cool:

My first cruise as a teenager was in 1974. My first as an adult was in 1985. You're not the only one here that remembers those days. I just don't post about that fact as often as you. ;)

I'm entitled to my opinion. I agree there have been many changes and am happy with most of them. But, you can only compare 1985 to 2016 for so long. At some point, it IS OK to compare 2005, or 2010, or 2015 to 2016 as well. :)

Funny, having spent a cruise on the Vista, my feelings are exactly the opposite. I feel they have reinforced the MDR concept. Of course, one can cherry pick at any one thing and call it the wave of the future.... The fact is they added something more that they have to charge for (unlike them adding more and not charging for like the other lines do (but that is a totally different topic), and it is options (above what they offer all the time.

 

Lastly, I would be happy to discuss the comparison for nickel and diming between lines. I don't think of it as taking pride in the fact that Carnival is better than the other main cruise lines in this area. They were and are the value proposition in cruising, more importantly they are the FUN proposition. All this slippery slope stuff has the conspiracy ring of the grassy knoll and area 51 to it.

 

 

 

Thanks for respecting my opinion without questioning it's "ignorance". :rolleyes:

I love the conspiracy ring comment. :)

No need to further debate the nickel and diming of cruise lines. It's happening everywhere. I thought Carnival was doing it less and this move showed they are increasing it; albeit it gives more options. If I'm wrong in how close it is to other lines in how much they nickel and dime; that's my perception purely from reading info here since I haven't cruised on the other lines in a long time. (The other lines I've been on no longer exist, the last being the Big Red Boat. LOL)

And I completely agree that the price and FUN factor are what keep me coming back.

Great find, Bookbug53!

 

For those that didn't click on the link the first time; please do. There are only 2 posts by OP and absolutely no followup posts.....

 

For those that posted you should do your research before your cruise, you are right. Don't mean to be critical; but OP has set herself up with this one.

 

She did the same ship LAST YEAR. She didn't do her research for THAT cruise. The complaints were very similar to the ones this year. How can you forget so much about a ship you were just on?

 

There was also a complaint last year about the change from Past Guest Party only being for Platinum and above. Further proof she didn't research last year.

 

It seems like someone trying to stir the pot to me.

 

With all the responses this year - it seems to be working. LOL

OMG, this is seriously hysterical. I can think of no other reason for the original post but to stir the pot. :::::shaking my head:::: and LOL

Anyone notice OP hasn't been back to offer any comments?

Her post last year was title "Just returned from the Carnival Miracle". It had a total of 2 posts; both by OP. Yesterday, it had less than 800 views. Because of this thread; it's now up to 900.

But, with most of the same complaints, and a new title of "Carnival is cutting back so much" - in 36 hours - we're up to 76 posts and over 4600 views.

Still looks like someone successfully stirring the pot to me. LOL

Well played, OP, well played. :D

Not true on any level. The BBQ took the place of fish and chips. The fish and chips was free. The BBQ is free. It is a one for one swap. The added seafood corner has nothing to do with fish and chips. The seafood corner is an added spot in a completely different location on the ship. Get a clue and stop spreading malicious lies or ignorant opinion.

Excuse me????????

There is a difference between Fish and Chips, the PLACE and Fish and Chips, the DISH.

YES - the BBQ took the space of Fish and Chips, the PLACE. That is an even swap out of free food options.

It is also a TRUE FACT - and not a malicious lie - that Fish and Chips, the DISH went from free to fee.

Carnival opened a door they can't close when they took a DISH that was free and now make it available as a fee. Carnival set that new precedent. I'm not saying they WILL do it again. BUT, you can't say they will NEVER do it again. And giving some eye-opening EXAMPLES is what I did.

I'm entitled to my opinion, as are you. I'm not into name calling or saying somone's opinion is ignorant. You go right ahead, I'm a big boy. But I think (my opinion - not a malicious lie) you may have lost some credibility in your argument when you made it personal.

Be down to bread and water soon.... Come on everyone knows that Royal and NCL are the nickel and dime kings of cruising.

Yep, Carnival and many of it's customers have prided itself in the fact that they didn't nickel and dime us as much as the other lines.

The changes on the Vista and Conquest show, in my opinion, that they are now ready to head down that slippery slope.

You still have the same number of free stations.

That is true.

But, Carnival set a precedent by taking Fish and Chips (the dish) and taking it from free to fee. Now that they have done this, you can't say that they will NEVER take another free lunch item and make it available only with a fee.

Guy's?

Pizza?

Blue Iguana?

Don't believe it can happen - go back to the the Fish and Chips dish. THEY JUST DID IT.

Can understand charging for premium stuff like that but when they started charging for things that were included like fish and chips' date=' than I have to object.[/quote']

 

I agree.

 

I understand the new BBQ takes the place of Fish and Chips (the place).

 

I. get. that.

 

But, the Sea Shack on the Vista set a precedent. Carnival was the last, or one of the last few, cruise lines that you didn't have to pay EXTRA for anything at LUNCH.

 

With the Conquest; they set a precedent by taking a food product - Fish and Chips (the dish) and moving it from free to fee.

 

Now that Carnival has set this precedent, who's to say they won't take more LUNCH options that are currently FREE and move them over to a fee? They just did it - don't say they'll never do it again.

 

IMHO, I think they should have put the BBQ in the aft of the Lido Deck - it was already empty. Keep the FREE Fish and Chips place as it is (in a separate area up on Deck 10). At DINNER - turn it into a EXTRA FEE seafood restaurant. That would be consistent with the Asian and Italian free lunch options that have a completely different EXTRA FEE menu at night.

 

 

That would have kept the integrity of a FREE LUNCH for all in tact. :D

I thought it went pretty well we were in line to park around 10:45 onboard by 12:00

That sounds pretty good!

I have done the Miracle twice and loved both cruises, so I am interested in what people say. Reading her comments (the 'wording') and certain comments sparked a memory. Clicked on the OP's name and it took just a minute to find the one I had read before. :cool:

I understand what you mean by the wording. Comparing the two reviews; it looked like the same cruise, mentioning 3 connecting balconies each time. I thought OP had made this year's cruise up and wasn't even on the ship what with so many common complaints. :eek:

And the first one saying they would think twice about booking the same ship due to the poor entertainment. I guess they forgot about that and the food options that weren't there last year also weren't there this year. :rolleyes:

Looking at her profile, she posts on many boards and cruises on many lines. Lucky her - maybe she cruises so often she just can't keep them all straight. First World problems. LOL

And, it looks like she DID ask questions here before her cruise last year - about her cabin being under being under the pool and the Steakhouse. But - no questions about lunchtime options. :)

Didn't you remember this from your last cruise on Miracle in May 2015?

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2207161

Great find, Bookbug53!

For those that didn't click on the link the first time; please do. There are only 2 posts by OP and absolutely no followup posts.....

For those that posted you should do your research before your cruise, you are right. Don't mean to be critical; but OP has set herself up with this one.

She did the same ship LAST YEAR. She didn't do her research for THAT cruise. The complaints were very similar to the ones this year. How can you forget so much about a ship you were just on?

There was also a complaint last year about the change from Past Guest Party only being for Platinum and above. Further proof she didn't research last year.

It seems like someone trying to stir the pot to me.

With all the responses this year - it seems to be working. LOL

How did the new staggered check-in go?

We you able to choose the time you wanted? Was it an early time? Did it decrease the lines during embarkation?

Did you drive to the port? If so - did the check in time effect your ability to go thru the line and park ahead of time?

Thanks for the review.

We were on the Ecstasy in June and parked, using the van to get us to the ship and back.

This is the first time I've heard of people walking from the parking garage. I didn't know they allowed that. I didn't notice, are there sidewalks the entire way? It's truly not that far when you think of the walking you do in other ports. Of course give the heat this time of year...LOL

I'm wondering how difficult it was during debarkation since you would have your luggage with you.

I assumed buffet meant anything 'self serve', that is not MDR or room service.

Ha Ha. I didn't start at the beginning, I opened the last page, which was page 5 at that time.

I didn't realize the OP started the thread with an answer of pizza, which of course, supports your theory of anything on the Lido deck.

Well played. :D

Favorite thing on the buffet is melon slices that I wrap in prosciutto slices and eat with various cheeses. I usually wipe out their prosciutto offering first thing every morning. It's a great 7am snack while I wait for the rest of my party to get up and moving for our 9am meet-up in the MDR.

Hey, don't be eating ALL of the prosciutto. ;) That sounds like a good idea, though. One evening, I got the Prosciutto appetizer and ordered the cheese plate as an appetizer as well. That was a great combo.

I'm more than a little ashamed to admit this but I ate tortilla chips topped with an ooey gooey cheese sauce each day after boarding the ship from our excursions.

I've not seen tortilla chips and have seen many other people complain they can't find them on the ship. Where did you find them and what ship? If there's cheese sauce, I'm guessing a Fantasy class ship that still has the grill? But - where are the tortilla chips? LOL

Baked beans for breakfast are a British thing. Heinz Vegetarian beans.

 

I assumed buffet meant anything 'self serve', that is not MDR or room service.

 

 

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same here never for breakfast but have seen people eat them on rolls STRANGE, i watch the travel channel and see it quite often on the buffett on cruises.

Thanks for the information on the baked beans. I just might have to give it a try.

I'm surprised you are surprised about me having smoked salmon on the buffet i may have had it before they stopped. The question is ( WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ITEM ON THE BUFFET)

I'm surprised that you're surprised that beachseasand was surprised about salmon on the buffet. :D

You are correct in that the original question is your favorite item on the buffet.

In the last 2 pages alone, there are mentions of Tandoor, the Deli and even the MDR - so I think it's not unrealistic to say this thread has been opened to food just about anywhere on the ship. :)

To answer the salmon question; at this point in time - you can get smoked salmon on a bagel with cream cheese at the deli. I had one in June. Yum!

I need to look for the pineapple, apple, ginger salad; I don't look at the actual buffet enough and that sounds great!

Since I usually don't eat my main meal from the buffet, to answer the original question. ;) I guess I would say the pineapple upside down cake from The Sweet Spot.

And, I have a question - maybe it's already been answered. I love baked beans, but I have never had them for breakfast. When I saw them appear there a year or so ago, I was surprised. Is this a common breakfast food I'm not aware of? I seen the comments about it with eggs and omelettes - is that what they go with best? Enquiring minds want to know!

onegroundcafe mentioned the Chef's Table is in the Explorer's Club Library on Deck 8. It's next to the entrance to the Wind Star Dining Room, starboard side.

We didn't do the Chef's Table when we were on our 5 night cruise in June.

This is just a guess, but I think it's safe to say it wouldn't be the first or last night. The 2nd night should be Formal Night.

So, if there are two nights, it would the Nights 3 and 4 (that's what we saw in June). If it's just one - it could be either.

The real question is will any ships be retired? Fantasy will be 28 by the time Horizon hits the seas. I don't think it will happen yet, but I could see a Spirit-class or Conquest-class ship being moved to Long Beach, San Juan, or Mobile when the time comes.

 

 

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To me, it doesn't look like Carnival is ready to sell ships. The Fantasy just got the 2.0 upgrades of Guy's, The Blue Iguana and The Alchemy Bar.

Plus they are expanding ports: Mobile, and rumors of some Boston summer sailings coming up. There's room for a new ship, the question is how much "ship dancing" will occur in 2018?

I also see the Horizon on the East coast. The Sunshine is the exception, but it's in a class of it's own. Usually the newest Flagship is in Miami. The Vista will only be 2 years old. Either it goes to New York for a longer timeframe, or they do the "Galveston two-step", sending the 2nd newest ship there and moving the Breeze to Nawlin's or Port Canaveral.

And, I heard China got delayed a year. Is there still a ship going there in 2018?

So many things to ponder. LOL

Ugh! It sounds like there have been some cut backs on Tea Time since our last cruise :(

 

Do they still serve the sandwiches and cakes? I particularly care about the chocolate cake, macaroons, and strawberries with clotted cream (I'm a health food kinda gal :rolleyes: :p )

Someone already mentioned the sandwiches and cakes. I've only been the last few years and don't remember strawberries with clotted cream.

I can understand why they do not have the fancy teas at the Lido anymore but I don't understand why they do not serve them at teatime. It is not like anyone can steal them.

Agree. Even if they are not fancy, true English teas; it was better than the current selection. And they didn't have to take it was from TEA TIME for free.

I echo all of the positive comments on your review. :D

Great attitude, love your writing style, feel like I'm there with you.

Please continue writing reviews on your future cruises!