Tell me about the Ecstasy...

[jdfloyd]

Just booked the 4 night Baja out of Long Beach. Since we've been on the Paradise and Sensation, I think the ships layout will be about the same.

What night is formal night? Any ideas for shore excursions? How are the shows? Are there lots of shipboard activities?

ANY info would be appreciated.

Joe and Dianna

SENSATION
5/5-5/12 2002

S/S NORWAY
5/18-5/25 2003

Paradise
7/27-8/3 2003

until complete ECSTASY [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;06;28;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[kajsb]

Finally, someone who will be on the Ecstasy when I cruise! I posted a roll call but no one had answered. I've been on the Ecstasy twice and loved it. I do have to admit that those are the only two cruises that I've been on to this point so I have nothing to compare it with. Both times I had a category 11 on the verandah deck with a balcony and realy enjoyed the room and the BALCONY. I enjoyed everything about both trips (3 day and 4 day) EXCEPT when the sun refused to shine. But, then I can't blame Carnival for that. I explored the ship, saw and enjoyed the shows and felt we had excellent service. Hope to see you on the cruise!

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[kajsb]

oops forgot some of your questions. Formal night was nice. The formal was more on the casual side of formal when we were there. My friend that I traveled with refused to wear more than nice slacks and a dress shirt (no tie) and he fit in just fine. I wore very nice pant suits.

Catalina has a lot of nice tours. If you like snorkeling, it's a great place to go. Tours of the island are really great or you can just rent a go cart and drive yourself around.

Ensenada is ok. I've done La Bufadora twice (with differnet people each time) and I've seen enough. But, I live in So Cal and we are just a couple of hours away from TJ and the northern part of Baja. Once you seen it, you've seen it all.

When I cruise this time, I'm taking my mother (again) for an early celebration of her 80th birthday. We will probably stay on the ship in both locations which is just fine with me. There will be plenty of lounges to lay out in the sun.

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[jdfloyd]

Do you remember what night formal night is? Also the cost of a golf cart rental for Catalina?

We booked a 4A guar. but when our confirmation came in from our TA it had R19 as our room number. She's checking into it for us...but right now it looks like the bottom of the boat for us! LOL
That's ok though as long as I'm on the ship!

What type of entertainment was on board? I've heard there's only one "Vegas" style show and one comedian since it's only a four nighter.

Thanks again!

Joe and Dianna

SENSATION
5/5-5/12 2002

S/S NORWAY
5/18-5/25 2003

Paradise
7/27-8/3 2003

until complete ECSTASY [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;06;28;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[jdfloyd]

Forgot to ask...

We'll be flying into LAX from Dayton, Oh. the day before. Then going to book a hotel through priceline in Long Beach..what is a good time to get to the pier for boarding?

Joe and Dianna

SENSATION
5/5-5/12 2002

S/S NORWAY
5/18-5/25 2003

Paradise
7/27-8/3 2003

until complete ECSTASY [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;06;28;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[CruiseFever]

We did the same itinerary but out of the Port of Los Angeles and really enjoyed it.

At the time I remember that being the best food we'd had on any Carnival ship. In fact, I'm not sure if they still do it but that was a training ship where they trained the chefs that went to other ships.

We loved Catalina Island and I'd love to go back there some day. It kinda reminded me of Jamaica in a way, lush and plush. We rented a golf cart and made fools of ourselves driving that thing all around the place but it was fun. Great, unique shopping for sure. There was a store on the main drag that had some of the coolest greeting cards ever, I stocked up but need to go back and do it again.

I'm still not sure how they took overnight to get there from LA when it's so close.

Ensenada, the way we did it, was a dump. I understand the way to go there is to take a winery tour or the tour that goes to see La Bufadora (sp?) the blow hole that is the main attraction.

I do feel for the natives in these poor countries but dog gone it I really don't need them sending their cute little ragamuffin kids up to me begging for anything they can get. Ensenada was the worst in this area that I've experienced.

Jamaica, for example, has a lot of the same income level but they are a proud people that make stuff and sell it.

Like I said, I feel for these people and I always donate something to the little begging kids but these people make me feel like some pious Roman in a bad movie being led through the streets full of beggars who are all starving to death.

I don't like feeling like that because I am way not like that.

This is somewhat like the people that want to pity the poor overworked crew on the ship.

Baloney

They, for sure, know what they're getting into and sign on of their own free will, knowing the days will be long and the work hard. If I think [I]anything [/I]about that it is respect for their good work ethic.

Ok moving on...

The ship herself is fun and if you're looking for a party you'll surely find it here. Lots of locals. We had dinner companions who had done this run 20+ times!

The casino, at that time, was one of the best, most friendly in the fleet. I still correspond with one of the casino hosts from that ship who has since moved on to other ships but still sends me special sailing offers for Ocean Players Club members.

You'll have fun

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[kajsb]

I don't remember which night was formal night but you can narrow it down some- it's not the first night. LOL No, I don't know how much the golf carts are to rent but I seem to recall that it was fairly reasonable.

As for entertainment, I remember the Vegas type show and an adults only comedian. I just know there was so much to do, we never had enough time.

I only live about 1/2 hour from Long Beach and I hope to leave home no later than 10 am. But, then I still have to convince my friend to leave that early. He always chooses to leave at the last minute. Ideally, I would like to do early boarding and check in before noon. I've heard through this website that you can do early check in via the Queen Mary. It sounds like a great way to do it.

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[kajsb]

On Mondays and Fridays you can usually see the Ecstsy in port in Long Beach. On Sundays you can see the Carnival Pride.


[url="http://wx.nbc4.tv/la/sh/wx/popup_frame.cfm?ImageID=8136"]http://wx.nbc4.tv/la/sh/wx/popup_frame.cfm?ImageID=8136[/url]

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[kajsb]

On Mondays and Fridays you can usually see the Ecstsy in port in Long Beach on this website. On Sundays you can see the Carnival Pride.


[url="http://wx.nbc4.tv/la/sh/wx/popup_frame.cfm?ImageID=8136"]http://wx.nbc4.tv/la/sh/wx/popup_frame.cfm?ImageID=8136[/url]

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[candigirl41]

I am doing this cruise for the 2nd time on May 24. I believe the formal night is Monday after Catalina. There is a website that tells about renting the golf carts. I would go to a search engine and type in Catalina Island. I am sure that is how I found out about it last time. I didn't do the golf cart because daughter wanted to shop. It is a nice little cruise. I found myself hesistant to book this again as I am spoiled with 7 days. The price was too good to pass up, so we are going again.

Candi

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=32CD32&cdt=2004;02;29;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[kajsb]

Here is a link I found for some rates on golf carts. I am sure there are a lot of rental places on Catalina, but this gives you a general idea of the cost.

[url="http://www.catalinaclickmap.com/golfcart/Rates/rates.html"]http://www.catalinaclickmap.com/golfcart/Rates/rates.html[/url]

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[jdfloyd]

Thanks Kathy! You too Chris! Thanks for all the help and info!

Joe and Dianna

SENSATION
5/5-5/12 2002

S/S NORWAY
5/18-5/25 2003

Paradise
7/27-8/3 2003

until complete ECSTASY [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;06;28;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[kajsb]

That's what's so great about this board. You just need to act like a sponge and soak everything up. I learn more and more everyday. And in the short time I've been living on this board, soooo many people have helped me so much.

Kathy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03