Ecstasy Review -- 4/9 - 4/14

[CTMak]

This was our 3rd cruise with Carnival and we had a FABULOUS time! I will try to point out the good as well as the not so good. I am not being picky -- as I said it was terrific -- but as long as I'm writing I might as well tell you both. Here goes:

 

EMBARKATION. Got to the Galveston port about 11:30 or so. We were on the ship by 12:30. We were like the first group on. While waiting in line to register Carnival kept adding more staff. All in all, no problem. Our luggage was delivered within an hour, so we were good to go. Went to lunch at the deli on the Lido deck. I second what some of the other reviewers have siad: the Rueben sandwiches (plus I also had a pastrami on rye) were absolutely out of this world! And I was born and raised in New York. The downside was they are not the quickest. If there are more than 3 or 4 people in line you will have to wait. But it's worth it.

 

CABIN. Tons of material on Carnival cabins so I won't spend very much time only to say the bathroom was a bit tired. The sink was chipped, and had a bit of rust. The shower overflowed -- but we spoke to our room steward who immediately called the plumber. It was a drain thing, and we never had a problem again. The carpeting needed to be replaced. But the bed was very comfy and the room cleaning was fine. Just want to point out that I read a few reviews recently which said the rooms don't have thermostats. While that may be true there is a heating/air conditioning adjustment knob on the ceiling vent. It's not well marked but it's there if you look for it.

 

SHIP. Ship was fine. Carpeting seemed new. It was clean. You may or may not like the decor, but she's a proud ship.

 

FOOD. As I said this was our 3rd cruise and the food was absolutely great! Far better than I remembered it being. The lobster tail was NOT overcooked. In fact it was perfect. The prime rib (I ordered both the lobster and the prime rib -- my very own surf and turf) was cooked medium rare as ordered. It was juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The soups, the escargot, the veggies, -- all were great. We had breakfast in the dining room a few times and I like my eggs over easy. I like to sop up the yolk with some toast or an English muffin (I know, I know). I hate it when the yolk is overcooked or broken. But on this cruise it was perfect every time. For my wife and me the food exceeded our expectations.

 

CASINO. Overall, I actually came out ahead. I don't do slots just table games. And I agree with many other posters: the odds/payoffs are not as good as Vegas. For example, the roulette wheel has both 0 and 00; the bonus Let-it-Ride payouts are far less than in Vegas (Full-house dollar bonus payout is 200 to 1 in Vegas vs. 75 to 1 on Carnival); 3 Card Poker doesn't allow you to just play the Pair Bonus -- you have to also play the ante. Black Jack is the same -- however if you count cards forget it -- they use 8 decks. So unless you are a professional it's tough. But they had plenty of business.

 

ENTERTAINMENT. I heard that the 2 shows were brand new -- that it had only been a few weeks since they introduced the shows. Overall the performances were fine. The singers were very good (though I thought the female production singer was stronger than the male); the dancers were very good as well, the costumes were Vegas-like and great. While the performances and the production of the first show (called Dream Escapes or something like that) were very good as I said, I just didn't get the show. All of a sudden it was the 20's then Pearl Harbor then Disco. It was entertaining, but I didn't get the connection.

 

The second show -- Extreme Country -- I liked much better. In fact the show got a standing ovation as the end. definately see it.

 

By far the highlight of the cruise was the Piano Bar. We were there every night. Dave, the piano bar entertainer, was amazing. He had the place rocking!!! We had actually seen him before on a cruise. He was better than ever. It was like one big happpy family -- just kinda like friends getting together, sitting around the piano singing, laughing and drinking. Lots of drinking. The last night, it was late, one of the regulars came in with an arm full of Mardi Gras beads. And in fine New Orleans/Mardi Gras tradition, he was awarding the beads to women who had to earn them in ... well ... the fine New Orleans/Mardi Gras tradition. Let me just say lots of beads were awarded!!! So much fun I can;t begin to tell you.

 

EXCURSIONS. We did the Hideaway Power Boat and beach tour at Cozumel. A bit pricey at $100 each, but you get your own power boat (2 to a boat) and you drive that for about 40 minutes to a private beach. Gorgeous beach -- just the group which I'd say were about 20 people total. The water was gorgeous and they cook you a Mexican lunch. You spend about 1 1/2 hours at the beach then you head back. Lots of fun. One warning: the "bathroom" is Al Fresco -- which means in the bushes consisting of a toilet seat on the box. Avoid it unless absolutely necessary. But the excursion itself was a lot of fun. At Calica, we just took a cab into town, shopped, had lunch, and hung out on the ship.

 

OBSERVATIONS/VIEWS (My personal opinions, but what the heck.)

 

1. Formal night. I know it's your vacation; you paid your money and you're going to do what you dang well please. No matter what it says in the literature. But PLEASE at least make an effort. You don't want to wear a tux or suit, fine. You don't want to wear a tie, ok. But al least tuck in that raggedy golf shirt. And as long as you're at it, put on a pair of khakis instead of those jeans with the worn out knees, and how about a pair of loafers instead of those sneakers with the right little toe bursting through. You are not going to spoil my dinner or my night. But I think you look stupid. Sorry, it's what I thought when I saw what I just described. You know you can go to the buffet on the Lido deck if you don;t want to make an effort.

 

2. Lunch. Lady, I know you think you have a smokin' body; and Mister I'm sure you are so proud of that tatoo on your pec, but if you are going to eat lunch inside rather than at the pool COVER UP!!! Wear a wrap and a T-shirt or something. And while you're at it, put something on your feet. Flip-Flops are fine. It's open seating so sitting down across from me is fine. Normally, I would welcome the company. But having to look at your armpit hair and your wife's cellulite while I'm trying to enjoy my lunch -- well please. You don;t want to cover up no problem -- just eat at one of the tables poolside. Stay the heck out of the restaurant. Just plain rude.

 

3. Just found this kinda odd. Let me preface this by saying I am neither single nor am I gay. But as I mentioned before, we hung out in the Piano Bar which went from 7:30 to 8:30 and then again from 9:30 to whatever. Capers listed a "Singles Meet" at 8:00 in the Piano Bar and also listed a "Friends of Dorothy" (which is a gay/lesbian kinda thing) get together also at 8:00 in the Piano Bar. There was nothing formal for either group in terms of an activity, just a place where you can go if you are single or gay to meet, presumably, others like yourself. You see where I'm going with this. Since there are, of course, no name tags saying "Hi, I'm single" or Hello there, I'm gay" how do you know who is who? --- anyway, jsut found it kind of odd...actually kind of funny.

 

Anyway, a GREAT time. And I couldn't agree more with what many posters believe: if you have the right attitude you cannot help but have a great time!

 

Any questions just give a holler.

 

CTMak

[Miss Kitty]

We leave on this ship next Saturday (4/23/05) and CAN'T WAIT!!! Our first vacation w/o kids since having them 5 years ago.

 

I completly agree about attitude - if you wanted a first class ship you should book one - we are simply excited to be getting out of town, having a change of scenery and staying up late and sleeping in! Can't wait to get onboard.

[corina27]

Wow,What a great time you had.Thanks for the review.Im going to be cruising in October, and it is good to hear some good news about the ship.:)

[CTMak]

Miss Kitty:

 

While it is not targeted to the same market as say Siverseas is, it's a pretty good ship. The service is wonderful. Raise the bar a little bit. You will be well served.

 

Ask Dave in the Piano Bar (I believe it is called the Neon Bar) to play The Mailman. But only ask him later in the cruise and after 11:30.

 

CTMak

[stxcruiser]

We are sailing the Ecstasy May 2nd and really appreciate a positive viewpoint. We can't wait and you helped to make me even more excited!:D

[SBBScruz]

We sailed the Ecstasy the week before you 4/4-4/9....and I have to agree It was awesome. I had to write say I agree on the Extreme Country show. It was very cool and our got a standing ovation as well....you couldn't help but stand and be SO proud!

 

All of you getting ready to take off----Have a great time!:)

[hwcruisers]

Thanks for the great review. Will be sailing on the Ecstasy on May 7th. Can't wait. You have my curiosity up about the Mailman. My husband wants to know if he should bring lots of Mardi Gras beads, for obvious reasons??????????lol

Helen

[DreDay]

We're cruising May 2, too, and I am so glad you had a great time!! You mentioned that getting on the ship was a breeze, how about disembarking?

[GoSooners]

We took the New Year's cruise on Ecstasy and were happy with our experience. The Ecstasy was in dry-dock in late 2004 and had a fresh coat of paint and new carpets. The decor has a lot of neon but the ship was in decent shape. Our waiter, assistant waiter and Maitre D were excellent, and we ordered food off the menu every day and we would tell them what to prepare for the next day. We tipped them very well for the excellent service. The dining room breakfast was better than on the Lido deck. The Rueben sandwiches were very good but the service is slow (same experience as CTMak). The 24 hour pizza is pretty good and gets served quickly. The entertainment package was decent although I did not like the comedian

 

This was our second cruise on Carnival and we cant wait to sail again next year to Alaska.

[CTMak]

DreDay:

 

You asked about disembarkation. (Don't know why I didn't include it in the review)

 

Anyway, at first it was a bit confusing as to where to go, and what the drill is. But it turned out to be ok though a little different than other ships. I'll explain.

 

First, you need to put out your luggage in the hall between 10 and midnight the night before debarcation. If you had a Guarantee Cabin deal you would have received silver/gray luggage tags with your original docs. You would need to ask your room steward for new luggage tags. Please make sure you don't put your travel documents in your luggage. The couple next to us had to explain to Immigration that their birth certificates were in their luggage which was picked up the night before. Duh.

 

This will presume you don't need to leave the ship early to catch a flight. If you do you need to make prior arrangements with the purser.

 

Your last capers has the information and the order you are called (by luggage tag color.) We docked around 5:30 AM. They started calling luggage tag colors about 8. Unlike our previous cruises, there was no special place you had to wait. Also, on the Ecstasy, you clear immigration on the ship. The US immigration people set up in the Starlight lounge. When your color is called, you simply go to the Promenade Deck and get in line. Once you get your Customs Card stamped by them (the card is delivered to your cabin the previous night) you wait for your color to be called again. When it is you leave the ship, get your luggage which is lined up by luggage tag color in the terminal and take it through customs.

 

For us, they called our tag color about 9. It took about 30 minutes or so to go through immigration, get off the ship, find our luggage and clear customs.

 

My advice (again, presuming that you don't need to catch an early flight) is to sleep in. Don't get high blood pressure over the process. Sleep in. Go to the dinning room have a leisurely breakfast. You need to leave your cabin by 9:30. I would wait until the end regardless of what tag color you are and then you basically walk off.

[DallasCruisers]

We're booked for a Sept. 05 departure on the Ecstasy. We have a guaranteed room on the upper deck VERY near midship (oceanview). What are the chances for an upgrade? Say from an oceanview to a balcony? Am I dreaming?

 

Do you think the week of Labor Day will be crowded?

 

Any advice on how much cash to have on hand or are there ATM machines for your land activities?

 

Thanks for all the help!

[CTMak]

DallasCruisers:

 

As I understand it, very very rarely do you get upgraded to a different TYPE of room. For instance, you can get upgraded in terms of decks (the higher the deck the more expensive) but hardly ever from say an oceanview to a balcony, or an inside cabin to ocean view.

 

Don't know about Labor Day but the ship was full when we sailed last week. That's in April when school is in session. So I would count on a full ship.

 

In terms of cash, a few things: I am assuming you will use a crredit card for Sail & Sign versus a cash deposit. Other than the casino, you can charge everything on the ship to your Sail & Sign account. In fact, you can actually get cash from the casino and charge it to Sail & Sign but they charge you a 3% fee. So if you need cash just go to the casino -- and think of it as an expensive "ATM" fee.

 

While I'm sure there are ATM's in port they will be dispensing cash in pesos not US dollars. In ports, everybody accepts US Dollars -- from the cab drivers to the shops.

 

If you're buying stuff other than souvenirs (t-shirts etc.) you can use a credit card.

 

You will need cash if you want to tip over and above what they post to your Sail & Sign for gratuities. (For example the Maitre D' is NOT included in the S&S gratuities.) You will need cash if you plan to use the casino. Cash for taxis, gratuties for shore excursions. If your plan in Cozumel, for example, is to go to Carlos and Charlies and get hammered, then you will need cash. It really depends on what you plan to do. A taxi in Calica is $10 to go to downtown (plus $1 or 2 tip). That's for the ride not per person. In Cozumel, it's $10 to the beaches.

 

Figure -- and this is very rough -- $100 for tips (porters at the ship, Maitre D', perhaps a bit extra for the staff, and bring $1's, $5's, and $10's for that. Try giving exact change to taxi drivers) and taxis. Then it depends on how much you plan to gamble at the casino and shop.

 

Hope this helps

[GoSooners]

Hi DallasCruisers,

 

Disembarkation has changed somewhat in the last few years. You have two options:

 

1. Carry out your own luggage off the ship

2. Let Carnival take the luggage off the ship

 

In the first process you have to carry your luggage off the ship but you are the first one to leave the ship. If you do not have too much luggage, have suicases with rollers, and want to head for the airport or to your car early then this is a good option. You will have to carry your luggage to the temporary immigration office on the Promenade deck.

 

The second process is good for people who are not in a hurry to get off the ship or have a lot of luggage. We had booked our air travel via Carnival and were in the first group to be called for immigration. But we had plenty of time to have a nice breakfast before we got off the ship.

 

Going through the immigration and customs was a breeze. Non-US citizens are required to report to immigration early.

[Tracy1]

We cruised April 9-14. We did not use the self-disembarkation, why carry your luggage if someone else will carry it for you? We were off the ship by 9:30 am