Valentine's Day Ecstasy Cruise -- Fog Bound and All -- Review

[capndinghy]

We had (my) pre-dinner cocktails at the “Society Cigar Bar”, which, you guessed it, allows cigarette smoking. While there I had a very interesting conversation with Alan, the Bartender, who is from Lima Peru. He is a very knowledgeable fellow and we discussed Carnival and the company’s different Policies. I suspect Allen will go places within the company. He is very representative of Carnival’s Personnel and their good attitudes towards Guest Relations. It made me feel good about being a Stock holder (sadly my holdings are quite small) and my future value of my investment. I think I shall increase my holdings, as they say on Wall Street.

I dined alone, since Pat was off food. Our table mates were missing as well, so I had the table to myself. The group of eight next to me very graciously invited me to join them for dinner, but I declined. The Hostess, Maitre d’ and even the waiters all inquired about Pat’s well being and wished her a speedy recovery. I must way that my solo dining table service was impeccable and I enjoyed a nice dining experience.

After dinner I stopped by the Casino to wish Pat good luck and headed to bed. I find I usually sleepy by the time the late dinner seating is over, which is usually around 10PM. I think next cruise we may try the Any Time Dining which everyone who says is great.

I thought about how our ship was sadly steaming homeward bound as I fell asleep.

Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 388 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 443 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

I returned to our Cabin to find Pat feeling better as she announced she had recovered from her recent Gluten Poisoning. We were both quite relieved. (One cruise she ended up spending 2 days in the ship’s infirmary, had an ambulance ride to the hospital where she spent 2 weeks on our arrival in New Orleans. ) I must point out this is NOT the Cruise Lines fault. She had experienced a Crohn’s attack and in those days no one was aware that Wheat (Gluten) seriously aggravates the condition.

We happily headed up to the Lido deck and the Luncheon Buffet where she could hand pick her meal, insuring that it was gluten free. She chose Fish, Salad, French fries, Sushi, and some sort of Jello for dessert. Our friends Rick and Linda, the nice couple who invited us to share their table on the sail away day, joined us and we enjoyed a nice meal.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5472364512_0cc29b8624.jpg' alt='5472364512_0cc29b8624.jpg'> Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 432 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

[capndinghy]

Afterwards, with Kindle in hand, I headed to the Serenity Area where I spent the afternoon reading the Latest Nikki Heat Novel while watching our ships wake disappear over the horizon. Sadly this is the last day and our cruise will soon be over. I am not sure if it is me or if the temperature really is getting steadily colder as we steam along.

Alan from Lima, Peru by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

I did tip both the Maitr ‘d and the Jennifer our Hostess because they did go out of their way to insure that Pat’s Gluten Free meals were provided. It was not their fault that the one gluten failure occured and I am sure they took steps to prevent future mishaps. Our two table mates missed dinner again. I suspect they decided they preferred the more relaxed upstairs dining venue. I gave our cocktail waiter one last gratuity which he was so very happy to receive. Just before our dinner was delivered a nice bottle of wine was presented to Pat with compliments from the Casino. Gosh we were sure showered with nice little gifts. I can only hope it was because Pat was a big Winner at the Casino!

 

Our two waiters wished us well and thanked us profusely for the extra gratuities. My theory on gratuities is to tip generously. These folks that provide the service are not well paid. So extra is very highly apprecitated. I have also found that these generous offerings I make do indeed (usually) pay off handsomely. For instance, if a $1 bill is laid down on the bar along with ones sign and sail card one will almost always find that an extra large pour is added to ones libation. In other words almost a double for the price one. That works for me if not my liver.

Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 287 by capndinghy, on Flickr

 

[capndinghy]

Here are some more Photos for everyone's perusal. I am sorry they that they are not posting directly to the page.

Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 421 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

Happy Kids on the Slide

Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 462 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

Aft Dining Area -- A Real Sleeper I think............

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5480202810_6d9d80d311.jpg' alt='5480202810_6d9d80d311.jpg'> Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 442 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

I will try to upload the last of this review later...

(Thank you for your Patience)

[MrSnarkyPants]

Thanks for the photos of crew handling beer - I can't tell you how excited I am to know that they have Shiner onboard Carnival from Galveston! I only drink beer that you can't see through...

 

IIRC, the Shiner is served as part of a "special" TABC-friendly drink menu before you hit international waters. Once you're away from the opressive thumb of the TABC, the rest of the bar opens up.

[capndinghy]

GALVESTON ARRIVAL AND DEBARKATION or EXTRA FREE DAY AT SEA

 

I awakened early on Saturday Morning. There was a beautiful full moon shining down on us. I felt the ship was barely moving. A quick peek outside the Port Hole Window confirmed we were barely making way due to heavy fog. I would estimate the visibility as less than ¼ mile. Every 2 minutes the ship’s Fog Horn would sound.

 

I headed upstairs and using my nifty new chronograph determined the fog horn would sound for 5 seconds at 2 minute intervals. I used my Droid Phone Recorder Application to record the Horn from outside as it sounded. So hopefully I will have a nifty new Ring Tone for my phone. (Yes folks my Droid Phone ring tone is now the Ships Horn!)

Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 283 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

The Captain just came on and said we were still holding awaiting weather minimums to improve so we can make our approach into the harbor. He said he will make another announcement in an hour, which tells me there is not much improvement in the forecast. This is weather and no one can control it. February is Fog Season in this part of the world. I remember 3 “zero zero” landings in a row all in Houston one year.

 

Around 4 PM the ship got underway. The electronic map along with the Mornful Moan of the Fog Horn showed we were proceeding toward Galveston. About 5 minutes later we came to a screeching halt (well OK, we slowed to a stoop). The Captain came back on and annouced that the visibility improved somewhat, then it went back down.

 

Shorty there after the Captain informed us all that we would in fact remain out at sea overnight and would proceed off shore to a point where they could open the Shops and Most Importantly, The Casino. We all enjoyed our extra night at sea as everyones Luggage was returned to them.

 

My FaceBook friend Mach (of Cruis Critic fame) sent me this map of the Ecstasy's Travels while awaiting the fog to clear. You can see where we left and went back out to sea completing a large Triangle Course which returned us back to the achorage where we awaited the Fog to Clear. Thank you Mach!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5477041956_be8e97f179_b.jpg' alt='5477041956_be8e97f179_b.jpg'> Ecstasy Map by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

I must admit I did feel a little guilty eating dinner in the Main Dining Room that would was really intended to be enjoyed by the poor folks stranded on shore in Galveston awaiting our non-return.

[capndinghy]

Since my photos will not post like they should I am posting links to them:

 

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282718523342306

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282732916150658

 

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282691668219410

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282868570260082

[capndinghy]

AN EXTRA ½ DAY and FINALLY HOME

 

I awakened this morning to the feel of an idle ship. A quick peek out of the porthole window confirmed that we were still fog bound. Since the fog horn was not blowing I assertained that we were at anchor.

Around 9AM the Captain came on to inform us that the Port of Galveston was still closed due to zero visibility caused by the sea fog. Finally around 10AM a quick peek out of my porthole window showed the visiibilty rapidly increasig. It was really amazing seeing all of the ships that we were anchored among as they slowly became visible.

We went up and had a nice breakfast on the Lido Deck and I did notice a bit of excitement among my fellow sailors at the notion of going home for real.

[/url] Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 490 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

By 11 we floating were under blue skies and warm sunshine as the ship began to make way towards port. We were informed that there were 3 ships all headed in at the same time and we would be mooring at Pier 10 instead of the Cruis Terminal. The Cruise Director came on and gave us a briefing on how disembarkation would be handled. After docking they would call ½ deck at a time to proceed to the forward showroom where we would clear Customs and Immigration on board the ship. We would then return to our rooms, pick up our luggage and self-disembark where buses would take us to the Cruise terminal.

 

As Platinum guests, we were called in the first group to clear customs and disembark. It worked quite well for us. As we waited in the fast moving line to meet with Immigration I learned there were only 39 Platinum guests on board. I must say this did surprise me. After clearing customs and immigration, we lugged and rolled our wheeled suitcases down to level 3 and were soon off the ship where we boarded an awaiting bus. From the time we were called to clear customs to the time we were in our Car at the was 2 hours, which all things considered was not too bad. I have read that some of the later passengers disembarking that day encountered a horror scene. We did not.

So with smileS on our faces we pointed our Rav4 toward home.

[capndinghy]

AN EXTRA ½ DAY and FINALLY HOME

 

I awakened this morning to the feel of an idle ship. A quick peek out of the porthole window confirmed that we were still fog bound. Since the fog horn was not blowing I assertained that we were at anchor.

 

Around 9AM the Captain came on to inform us that the Port of Galveston was still closed due to zero visibility caused by the sea fog. Finally around 10AM a quick peek out of my porthole window showed the visiibilty rapidly increasig. It was really amazing seeing all of the ships that we were anchored among as they slowly became visible.

 

We went up and had a nice breakfast on the Lido Deck and I did notice a bit of excitement among my fellow sailors at the notion of going home for real.

[/url] Jackson Visit and Carnival Cruise 10-Valentines Day 490 by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282947403966306

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282896659515874

 

 

By 11 we floating were under blue skies and warm sunshine as the ship began to make way towards port. We were informed that there were 3 ships all headed in at the same time and we would be mooring at Pier 10 instead of the Cruise Terminal. The Cruise Director came on and gave us a briefing on how disembarkation would be handled. After docking they would call ½ deck at a time to proceed to the forward showroom where we would clear Customs and Immigration on board the ship. We would then return to our rooms, pick up our luggage and self-disembark where buses would take us to the Cruise terminal.

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577282883364136418

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577283188437905314

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#5577283116911036642

As Platinum guests, we were called in the first group to clear customs and disembark. It worked quite well for us. As we waited in the fast moving line to meet with Immigration I learned there were only 39 Platinum guests on board. I must say this did surprise me. After clearing customs and immigration, we lugged and rolled our wheeled suitcases down to level 3 and were soon off the ship where we boarded an awaiting bus. From the time we were called to clear customs to the time we were in our Car at the was 2 hours, which all things considered was not too bad.

 

Before we knew it we were on the bus headed to the Cruise Terminal.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5472275806_f28e046593.jpg' alt='5472275806_f28e046593.jpg'> 172883_1579206967097_1443339017_1819897_1697739_o by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

I have read that some of the later passengers disembarking that day encountered a horror scene. We did not.

So with smileS on our faces we pointed our Rav4 toward home.

Note: I do apologise for the photos not posting like they should. I suspect it is something I have done wrong. If any of you are interested I am posting this link to my Picassa Page where all of the Photos my be viewed.

https://picasaweb.google.com/capndinghy/CarnivalCruise11ValentinesDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCImPtL2w2Ym-xAE#

[capndinghy]

I do hope everyone enjoyed reading this review and it has answered some questions you may have about cruising. Please feel free to ask any questions however hoots, hollers, rasberries, and obscene gestures will be ignored. :D

[SexyK]

Beautiful review and pictures. Ecstasy was my first cruise back in 95. she still look as beautiful. I will always remember her. Thanks for allowing me along on your adventure.

[capndinghy]

Beautiful review and pictures. Ecstasy was my first cruise back in 95. she still look as beautiful. I will always remember her. Thanks for allowing me along on your adventure.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Sorry the photos did not post properly.

[tazco]

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Sorry the photos did not post properly.

Thanks for your review and don't worry about the photos as we all know how to click a link. Hope your wife is feeling better. Don't know how I would handle not eating toast every morning:)

[mebecindi]

Thank you for sharing your review. I truly enjoyed reading this.

Your pictures are beautiful. What kind of camera were you using.

[GreenZolie]

It was really amazing seeing all of the ships that we were anchored among as they slowly became visible.

 

I can imagine how eerie that was!

 

So with smileS on our faces we pointed our Rav4 toward home.

 

I love my Rav4! Best car I ever had.

 

Thanks again for the great review and photos.

[Gecko7]

For a pilot, you make excellent log entries. I too work in the industry and I hope my colleagues are as well writen as you are.

 

Great recap and review!

[RICKnVICK]

Great review and pics! Thanks for sharing!

 

Vicki

[jenigirl4]

Excellent Review! I enjoyed it very much!

[jackdis]

This was a wonderful review. I love your writing and your sense of humor.