Review of Carnival Ecstasy 5 Day Cruise 1/9/10 LONG

[Fighterone]

After going through the market with it's Summer "Cleareances" even though we are in the heart of winter,

We hop on the free bus to town and enjoy the speech from the guide who says among other things that they don't drink tequila here but enjoy flor de cana! First time we heard this...

Finally, we arrive at the bus terminal and walk through the local market where 2 nice ladies are hired to do at least 16 braids on 1/2 of my head. This is just something fun for kids to do and it keeps the hair out of the face. After all, I am about to become a 60 year old kid so why not. The price is well worth it too $15. Thelma and Alexandra are very nice ladies who speak very little English and are disappointed to see that our ship leaves at 3:00 p.m. now instead of 6:00 p.m.

 

After seeing a bit of the local tourist market, we can't wait to see the local "real" market! First, we should take a tour of the town, though on the double decker bus.

 

 

Sit upstairs, it's much more fun and much more ...adventurous, especially if you stand up or stick your head out on the side of the bus as shown below: watch out for trees and wires!

 

 

Rene was our tour guide here and really knew how to promote his town. He made a very long stop at the Flamingo and spoke at length about how great the food and the booze were here. A waiter even came out with a magnum of Tequila to show us that they had THE BOOZE!

 

The tour was only a couple of dollars and was really fun, despite the cold day! This is a real town with real people, again...it is NOT a dump as some have described it on the boards.

 

Now we are off for the on foot tour for more local flavor.

 

Here is a real look at some happy folks shopping!

 

[Fighterone]

And now, for a peek at more of the local market with its fish , poultry, flower and fruits and veggie stands.

 

I bought flowers for 25 pesos here. This is where having local money may come in handy although it is not necessary because they will take USD, if you don't care too much about the exchange rate...

 

I bought a cherimoya here, a fruit that I had never tried. They had all types of beautiful local produce.

And this concludes the local market visit.

Now back to Progreso's streets where we felt very safe and welcome. I stopped at a local liquor store and purchased a bottle of Xtabentun, the local liqueur; it was not available at cinco soles, at the port. The cost, 95 pesos.

[ricko19]

Hey JO!

Loving your review. Not sure if I'll do one of our cruise that was 2 weeks after yours on her.

 

I will say this - I COMPLETELY Agree with you about El Capitan. I ran in to him one afternoon on the lido deck around the atrium. I recognized him and introduced myself to him. I told him what a great time my family was having and how much we appreciated all of the hard work that goes in to ensuring we have a great vacation and what a great ship it is that he helms.

 

I am a VERY outgoing and personable person, as you know ;)

 

He could not have been any colder or acted any less interested in me or what I had to say.

 

I know, he probably gets bombarded by people all of the time - but when you are in a position like that it's part of your job to at least PRETEND to give a CR@P!!!

 

Thanks for your review, i'll keep reading as long as you keep posting!

 

BTW, GINA - HEY!!!!

[Fighterone]

Hey JO!

Loving your review. Not sure if I'll do one of our cruise that was 2 weeks after yours on her. I will say this -

 

Please, pretty please, post a review too! I would love to read what your observations were! I know people don't respond and many may not agree with what we write! I especially think some of our die hard friends aficionados of RCI have zero interest in what we mention about Carnival (except for our good friend GD...Gorgeous Don! He is a wonderful guy who loves RCI).

 

Your review and the mention of the different ethnic groups on your cruise might help answer several questions many of us have concerning several issues, namely the port of Galveston as far as the folks who sail out of there and if this is in direct relationship with the fact that we are not getting any new ships...

 

CR@P[/email]!!!

 

Yes, you are a very nice, personable guy and anyone who meets you warms up to you instantly. We had a great time on the Conquest in 2008. If they are going to have a jerk for a captain, then, I think they ought to have two captains. The jerk could live, eat, and sleep on the bridge and not have access to anything but the wheel and the other, Mr. Congeniality Captain could be walking around and giving a "carp" and be the social butterfly. This one sure was a sour puss!

 

I remember the Captain's party where the man used to mention the different percentages of nationalities of both passengers and crew, something Cilento failed to mention. BTW, I lied when I said I didn't go to the captain's party...I forgot! there was no captain's party what we attended was a speech about how the Ecstasy keeps winning the eagle trophy for being the number one in service, and event with which Cilento has nothing to do with, I am sure.

 

Thank you for your positive comments. I 'ain't no writer" but this is a fun to do. BTW, this morning, none of my photos are showing. There must be a problem with the server.

[ecpc1302]

I am really enjoying your review and pics. We sailed on the Elation twice several years ago when it was in Florida before any ships were leaving from Galveston. Our next cruise is on the Conquest on 4th of July. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Elsie:cool:

[Fighterone]

Here are a few more pictures of the town.

In 2004, on our first cruise stop in Cozumel, we went to the Chedraui supermarket and DH really thought about buying one of these bicycles. The cost then, $169. I wish he had. These are great to transport your goods from the grocery store and are the same type used (customized with a padded seat for two) at the ruins in Coba, and at punta Langosta pier to transport those of us who don't want to walk.

 

This one is a classic! Here is an ingenious homemade contraption; I don't see an inspection sticker anywhere but it's a lot more practical to transport the groceries than the modern scooters!

Too cute! I remember riding something similar when I was little...

Now

After all the great reviews, we read about "Le Saint Bonnet" restaurant, we were not about to miss going there and trying out their wonderful food.

We walked about 5 blocks to the beach and here was the palapa roof we had dreamed of. The menu is quite extensive here and I had asked for recommendations as to what to order! I choose to post a few pictures of Le Saint Bonnet, due to its popularity. I was disappointed in this restaurant. Here is why:

Here is a nice homemade wine rack an idea for the handymen out there!

Unfortunately, the aquarium was empty! Hope it's not a sign of neglect.

Here is the back the back of the restaurant where the waiter's station and the bar are located!

Evidently, the previous evening must have been a busy one

[Fighterone]

I am really enjoying your review and pics. We sailed on the Elation twice several years ago when it was in Florida before any ships were leaving from Galveston. Our next cruise is on the Conquest on 4th of July. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Elsie:cool:

You are most welcome! I wish there was more time to do the job. Conquest is a great ship. She was designed for her New Orleans base but...French impressionists' theme but wound up in Galveston after Katrina. I guess she is here to stay. Hope you can post a review when you come back.

[Meyer2]

Thanks for the continued review & pics.

[Fighterone]

We had asked the waiter if he recommended we sit on the beach. He said he didn't. Of course, it would have been a longer walk for him and our food might have been cold when delivered. It was not a particularly warm day and we didn't really care so we chose to sit inside the restaurant...it turned out that it wouldn't have mattered . The food was cold when delivered anyway.

 

Check out the nice children's play area. I just now noticed the broken glass at the entrance to the playground! This area was in a corner, inside the restaurant.

We were disappointed to see that the management let little kids come inside the restaurant and ask us if we wanted to buy bracelets, chocolate bars and other items. I spoke to them for a few minutes; they were well dressed and articulate; I asked them what their parents did for a living and why they were not with them. We were seated by the window overlooking the street and the beach so we could see everything that was happening outside. These kids had quite a business going on and were comparing their sales when I took this picture. One of these little girls told me that her parents were beggars.

 

 

Now for our food; here goes the first course which was delightful. The margarita is not shown but was very good. If you are a purist, you might not be too happy with the stained tablecloth.

 

The business card for the restaurant is very unusual. One side has a pretty shell, or two, glued on.

 

 

The waiter recommended the chef's specials. Instead of ordering what we had our mind set on and somewhat of the classic dish that DH only orders when we have a cruise stop in Mexico, the fried fish of the day, usually snapper or grouper, we went with our nice waiter's most emphatic recommendation which sounded absolutely delectable.

 

 

DH had the brochette of lobster and shrimp: unseasoned, rubbery shell fish, cold rice, staleFrench fries; all in all not worth the 170 pesos charged.

 

I ordered something that sounded absolutely delightful, another chef's special,shrimp wrapped in cheese and bacon with a crab sauce on top.

Oh what a disaster!!! Not only did this dish turn out to be cold, with raw,bacon and shrimp, but I never saw a piece of crab.

 

Fears of Moctezuma's Revenge immediately entered my mind when I compared the looks of the raw bacon and raw shrimp to the very fresh memories of the pictures I had just taken of the raw meat and fish sold at the local market.

 

 

In the 80s, I had been deathly ill, for a couple of days, in the small town of Tajin, sowhere in the heart of Mexico, after eating some fajitas bathing in an unknown substance ...comparable to the dish here. I mentioning to the waiter that I could not stomach this food.

I told him of my disappointment and spoke of the great reputation of this restaurant. I asked if the chef was off today. He said that indeed, the chef was off. It was a Monday. The waiter was most apologetic. I had him remove the charge from the bill, something I was not about to pay for and we left without me having had any lunch; I wasn't about to repeat the mistake by ordering something else.

[Fighterone]

Thanks for the continued review & pics.

 

Hi Meyer, thank you! I missed you this week at WW. I go on Friday evenings now, if I can get out of work early enough.

[Fighterone]

This is the entrance to Le Saint Bonnet!

So sorry that we cannot recommend this place. I don't know that we will ever go back but if we do, it won't be on a Monday.

[Fighterone]

Here we are walking along the beach on this cold day!

A few young ladies asked us if we wanted a massage. They were very polite and did not insist, once we declined. One reason for this long detailed review is that ...once again, I was extremely disappointed in a post I saw on CC, "Progeso is a Dump", where the OP mentioned that she had been acosted by ladies of ill repute among other things. Of course, many came to the rescue of these proud Yucatecans' reputation with a response and I could not agree more with them.

One of the real artificial and true fake spots , in my opinion in the cruise ship ports I have visited is Costa Maja. I cannot stand going to this particular port because of the politics that were involved in building the dock and the comercial area to the detriment of and without any consideration for the neighbors, such as the owner of Chac-Chi who has been out of business in great part because of the builder of the port next door to him and the long illegal cement wall that goes deep enough into the ocean, thus preventing anyone from enjoying the man's beach. Enough of the soap box!

Vendors approached us. I had been wanting one of those purses made with recycled paper and had priced them in many ports. I offered a vendor $12 but he declined my price so we walked on for a while and here he came. I finally had to buy it. Here I am with Luis and my bouquet of 25 pesos fresh canna lillies that will decorate the vanity table in our stateroom when we get back on the ship. Yes, there was no problem bringing those back on the ship. We knew we couldn't take them back into the US and wouldn't even try to.

 

Here is a board of taxi prices from Progreso to several different areas. This was up to date on 1/11/10 should you wish to compare the cost between cruise ship excursions and going on your own to certain areas.

 

Time to get back on go back to the ship. Here is a picture of the inside of the Auto Progreso bus terminal. If you look at the walls, you will not several historic pictures of the town.

As we sail away from Progreso, I am enjoying an Apple-tini, a new drink I discovered as I was nicknamed such during an event at work where I was a good sport and agreed to dress up like an apple...

Oh yes, what fun job I have! The reason I mention this particular libation is because I never knew how "noxious" it would be in affecting my faculties for the upcoming Epicurean evening at the Chef's Table, since I had not had any lunch... How stupid of me!

As we leave Progreso, we sit on the "serenity deck", a new addition after the refurbishment and watch Progreso fade away. The chairs have plush cushions and are much heavier than the ones used before the refurbishment.

The deck is serene until a bunch of drunk, and boisterous young adults show up screaming at the top of their lungs.

Time for me to go before I get thrown in the ship's jail!

 

[Fighterone]

As I get ready for the big evening, poor DH gets ready to eat dinner alone. He cannot attend the Chef’s Table, tonight, because Chef Suresh has decided that this event will be reserved for 12 guests, only. The information in the stateroom says the following…

We are glad to inform you that your reservation for the Chef’s Table is confirmed.

The chef will meet you at the Lobby deck 7, at he lobby bar counter at 6:30pm on 11th January Progreso evening.

$75.oo cover charge applies/per gues

Closed shoes are required, high heels are not recommended

No cameras or recording devices are permitted

Please call #7920 to re-confirm your reservation.

We look forward to providing you an unforgettable experience!!!

Bon Appétit!!!

What, no camera! I am shattered!!!

My ole’ ladies shoes are all open toed too.

When I mention the latter to the assistant to the chef, he gives me a special dispensation to wear my “open toed shoes”…there goes one rule out the window.

We meet Chef Suresh and are escorted to the galley where we are served the appetizers and a nice mild French sparkling wine…10% alcohol, J. Roget, which the waiter called Champagne, a “no no” to any Frenchman with any country pride and who recognizes the bubbly as ONLY coming from that particular region.

We are given a brief look at the galley and the production of the famous chocolate melting cake. Of course, I am already half wasted from the fact that I’ve had no lunch and a sampling of Apple-tinis and margaritas…I am not taking notes as I usually did on this trip, choosing to enjoy the moment instead; when the chef explains what each dish is made of, it goes in one ear and out the other.

We are now escorted to the library where a beautiful table for 12 is set up. The rest of the group is composed of 5 nice couples who are just as interested in the experience as I am and one lady who whites a blog and has a “foodies” website.

***

I am so disappointed that I cannot take pictures; I must have just sounded devastated to the chef. I had brought the camera anyway and was the only one who did so I suppose he took pity on me and said I could take pictures.

Of course, due to the special dispensation and out of respect for Chef Suresh, I will not be posting the dishes and descriptions here. The meal was indeed worth the cost and this is the first time I didn’t see a 15% gratuity added to a bill on Carnival. The other 2 wines were a Pinot Grigio Folonari, I think and my favorite personal choice, a Shiraz, in this case a rather inexpensive Opal Shiraz but one I had enjoyed on other cruises for $26. plus that t 15% gratuity. The wine flowed and everyone kept pouring into my glass. By the time the meal ended, I had to be escorted to the room, something very much out of character for me. I blame Le Saint Bonnet for screwing with my blood sugar on this one …LOL

It was a memorable evening and one that I will hope to enjoy again with DH.

Here is the menu and the group. Just a detail here: the menu was rolled up and wrapped in brown and gold lace. The decoration glued on the lace was a star anise! How original… I bought a jar of this particular spice recently and paid a fortune for it. I use it in my cranberry sauce.

For some reason, I am unable to upload, right now, so the next post will hopefully show the menu and a picture of the group, compliments of Carnival and included in the cost of the dinner.

A great memory!

[Texaslandshark]

Nice job!;)

[Meyer2]

Hi Meyer, thank you! I missed you this week at WW. I go on Friday evenings now, if I can get out of work early enough.

 

I still go on Thursday mornings. My friend goes to the Friday meeting. There is a lady that comes to my meeting that just got back from the Conquest a few weeks ago.

[summergal]

Ooooo can't wait to read the rest!!!

[Fighterone]

Nice job!;)

Ooooo can't wait to read the rest!!!

 

Thank you, will post again this coming weekend! It will include Playa Mia's cooking class.

[ginag]

This has to be one of your best reviews that you've done, J! Just found out we have some friends that will be on the Ecstasy March 15th. Hopefully, they will read your review and get some pointers! :)

[mlmalone3]

So enjoying your review. My husband and I have cruised Alaska twice, once on Princess and once on RCI. We loved them both. We have camped across the USA with our kids and now that they are grown, we thought a quick cruise out of Galveston might be our last family vacation. We cruise on the Ecstasy in June with a 20 yr. old, 17 yr. old and a 15 yr. old. Your review has been very insightful. Thanks for sharing!

[summergal]

My mother took the cooking class and loved every minute of it!!

[Chelseaprincess]

Bonjour Fighterone,

I just found this review. You are doing such a great job! Thanks! Last time I sailed out of FL on the Miracle. Your review helps me relive my cruise. BTW, I was also disappointed with my cheese plate in the MDR.

I am glad you had a wonderful experience with the Chief’s table. I wish we could see your pictures, but I totally understand. I hope I will be able to do it myself during my next cruise. If I understood you correctly, you booked it with the Maître’d on your 2nd day. Is that so? But in some other reviews, I think they mentioned that you should book it at the Pursers desk as soon as you board.

Looking forward to the rest.

Merci beaucoup!

Chelsea

[Fighterone]

This has to be one of your best reviews that you've done, J! Just found out we have some friends that will be on the Ecstasy March 15th. Hopefully, they will read your review and get some pointers! :)

 

Thanks Ginag! It's more of a selfish act than anything else...and in defense of the bad wrap Progreso has received by some of the folks.

 

So enjoying your review. My husband and I have cruised Alaska twice, once on Princess and once on RCI. We loved them both. We have camped across the USA with our kids and now that they are grown, we thought a quick cruise out of Galveston might be our last family vacation. We cruise on the Ecstasy in June with a 20 yr. old, 17 yr. old and a 15 yr. old. Your review has been very insightful. Thanks for sharing!

 

Hello MLMalone

Have not done Alaska and don't know that we ever will! Quick cruises are ideal for us 5 days are better than 7 because of the menagerie at the house. It is so hard to leave the cats and dogs with a house sitter and we really worry about them. Another thing, we love the sun although this last cruise might as well have been to Alaska...good thing we had the windbreakers or we might have gotten frostbite or is it frostbitten...Have fun on her!

 

My mother took the cooking class and loved every minute of it!!

 

Hi Summergal Did your mom post her experience? It's a one time thing to do, I think! He doesn't seem to change his menu very often from what I see on the boards and it is a class that is entertaining. The beach is nice there too but crowded and the buffet looked fairly decent but nothing spectacular. I will post a few pictures, next weekend, unless something comes up.

 

Bonjour Fighterone,

I just found this review. You are doing such a great job! Thanks! Last time I sailed out of FL on the Miracle. Your review helps me relive my cruise. BTW, I was also disappointed with my cheese plate in the MDR.

I am glad you had a wonderful experience with the Chief’s table. I wish we could see your pictures, but I totally understand. I hope I will be able to do it myself during my next cruise. If I understood you correctly, you booked it with the Maître’d on your 2nd day. Is that so? But in some other reviews, I think they mentioned that you should book it at the Pursers desk as soon as you board.

Looking forward to the rest.

Merci beaucoup!

Chelsea

 

Merci Chelsea; how vivid the great memories become when one puts them on paper! Little details like the cheese plate are not something I would have thought about mentioning but I took more notes and photos this time. Yes, we didn't know about the chef's table until DH saw it mentioned somewhere, either on the tube or in the capers, can't remember so we asked our waiter about it and that's when the maitre d' popped up and the chef even stopped by to talk to us for a minute. If they recommend to book as soon as you board, I would do that because 12 covers is nothing when you have almost 3,000 folks on a ship. BTW, I posted the dishes for my friends on Facebook with the exception of the three different appetizers which were consumed in the galley. Je viens de voir que tu es de Quebec; moi aussi, elevee au couvent des Ursulines! Translation: I just saw that you are from Quebec, me too, raised in the Ursulines convent!

[a68vet]

Josette, Lovin your review Lady! Please keep cruisin and reviewin! Say, those bikes were rigged out in Saigon ...... uh ....40 years ago as Taxis! I went all around Saigon in them with 2 seats in front!

 

d

[Chelseaprincess]

Thanks! Merci!

Yes, we live in Quebec, but French is not my first language. I moved here about ten years ago when I got married.

I wish I could do more cruises, but flying is expensive these days.

Waiting for more pictures!

Chelsea

[Fighterone]

Josette, Lovin your review Lady! Please keep cruisin and reviewin! Say, those bikes were rigged out in Saigon ...... uh ....40 years ago as Taxis! I went all around Saigon in them with 2 seats in front! d

 

Allo GD

Thank you, glad you are enjoying it! Bet that bike picture brought back a whole slew of memories of those ole' days when in Vietnam!

 

When I get to the pc with the program that can upload photos, I will post a couple of them just for you...good memories from the VOS...that my behind and elbows still remember! My IT department at home is pretty efficient but unfortunately, this old HP is pretty slow and my cure for insomnia for easy surfing from the bedroom.

 

Thanks! Merci!

Yes, we live in Quebec, but French is not my first language. I moved here about ten years ago when I got married. I wish I could do more cruises, but flying is expensive these days. Waiting for more pictures! Chelsea

 

Interesting that you moved as an anglo to a very French speaking town. Just curious to know where you are from originally. I left Quebec during the days of Rene Levesque and the first referendum to separate La Belle Province from the rest of the country. When I married an anglo, in 1973, some colleagues had some rather unfortunate words for me. If you happen to go to Les Anciens Canadiens restaurant, have a drink for me! I miss the ragout, tourtiere and cretons. Yesterday, I was talking to a gal who works for the airport system, and when she found out I was from Quebec, she said that she tells everyone that they should experience this beautiful city. She mentioned that she could still taste the duck in maple syrup that she had at that restaurant.

 

Well! guess I am locked in until I can get to the other pc. I am dying to finish this review. It is 34 degrees out there and I think I will hibernate today. This weather is just killing my lungs. When we go on vacation, I like to catch up on my vitamin D needs but heck, this last trip, sunshine was very scarce. We froze everywhere, including in the stateroom until we got close to Progreso. I read this on posts from other folks who cruised the Ecstasy too...unable to regulate room temp.

 

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day tomorrow.