Ecstasy-Only Thread! Ask questions and post info. here!

[aprildream]

Ship_Addict - Hey neighbor!!!! I noticed you live in Katy, so do I!!!!

what a small world!!!!

 

Kenster- The Texas wine you brought on board...did it happen to be LLano?

 

 

I live in katy too!! It will be the first time on the Ecstacy for me.

[aprildream]

Question about embarkation on the Ecstacy. I have a passport but my daughter doesn't. She has been to the Katy postoffice on a Sat but the line was long, they started lining up at 5AM and they wouldn't take her. She can not leave work for this not even lunch and they close before she is off. Carnival website says BC is OK for now but the actual docs say she needs one. (I think, the wording is odd). I bet if I call Carnival twice I would get two different answers, so have any of you who have actually boarded the Ecstacy without a passport had a problem? Thaanks.

[Border Granny]

Question about embarkation on the Ecstacy. I have a passport but my daughter doesn't. She has been to the Katy postoffice on a Sat but the line was long, they started lining up at 5AM and they wouldn't take her. She can not leave work for this not even lunch and they close before she is off. Carnival website says BC is OK for now but the actual docs say she needs one. (I think, the wording is odd). I bet if I call Carnival twice I would get two different answers, so have any of you who have actually boarded the Ecstacy without a passport had a problem? Thaanks.

 

We just sailed the Ecstasy, and my daughter and I both had passports, but many people going through customs only had birth certificates and they didn't have any problems. The only problem would be if you were to have to fly back to the US (for instance if you missed the ship or had a medical emergency) then you would not be able to do that with a birth certificate. You would have to pay a visit to the American Consulate first for help.

[Kenster]

Question about embarkation on the Ecstacy. I have a passport but my daughter doesn't. She has been to the Katy postoffice on a Sat but the line was long, they started lining up at 5AM and they wouldn't take her. She can not leave work for this not even lunch and they close before she is off. Carnival website says BC is OK for now but the actual docs say she needs one. (I think, the wording is odd). I bet if I call Carnival twice I would get two different answers, so have any of you who have actually boarded the Ecstacy without a passport had a problem? Thaanks.

 

Dreamy, Every announcement about check in and debarkation said "Passport OR Birth Certificate." But.... that can change at any moment, and will be changing for sure in the near future. When are you sailing? You're daughter should have kept going back, even if it means standing in line at 5:00 Saturday morning. They've been talking about this for years, so it should not have come as a surprise, though I understand that the cruise might have been a spur of the moment thing.

[Kenster]

 

Kenster- The Texas wine you brought on board...did it happen to be LLano?

 

Of course, Llano wines come to mind as one of the original Texas wines but these were not from Llano. One was a nice Dry Reisling from the Fredericksburg area (Can't remember the vintner). The other was a great Chardonnay from a nice little winery on the edge of Brenham - Pleasant Hill!

[Kenster]

I was surprised to get a four-bar signal on cell phone even smack dab in the middle of the Gulf. Our son called his mom about noon on Sunday. We were 18 hours out of Cozumel with 18 hours to go to Galveston. Perfect signal.

We have ATT/Cingular. The phone screen indicated "Cingular At Sea."

It's international rates, which on my plan is $1.99 per minute. I also get email through my cell phone so that was a real bonus.

Sure beats ship to shore phone or the ships very expensive wifi internet service.

[benvan2]

I was also on the May 8th cruise with our Girls Get A Way cruise, (33 women from my church), We all had a blast. I won a cruise on the last day after Bingo, I couldn't believe it. We watched the Med. Evac with the coast guard, that was very intense. Does anyone know what happened to the person? We heard all kinds of rumors, the person had a heartache and died; it was a pregnant lady that broke her leg, and so on. We went to Paradise Beach, and I was a little disappointed. There was no running water to take a shower. They said the electricity was off so no Frozen Drinks, but how did they cook the food. It was not very crowded at all but our waiter could never be found. We did the self assist and were the 2nd group called, but it still took a long time. Someone told us the computers had been down. Now to plan my next free cruise:D

[benvan2]

I think it said cellular at sea, not cingular at sea. But I could be wrong. I also have At&t

[Kenster]

I think it said cellular at sea, not cingular at sea. But I could be wrong. I also have At&t

 

Definitely said "Cingular at Sea." Google it. There are a ton of hits for "Cingular at Sea." Most of them are pretty scary.

[hpytxcpl]

Ok, for those who just came off, what is the verdict on what used to be formal night. If we dress in formal attire "tux and evening gown", are we going to be overdressed. Personally, I dont care what everyone else wears as we have always enjoyed having a special night. Just curious as to what the current trend seems to be. Thanks.

[margaritaville4me]

Question about embarkation on the Ecstacy. I have a passport but my daughter doesn't. She has been to the Katy postoffice on a Sat but the line was long, they started lining up at 5AM and they wouldn't take her. She can not leave work for this not even lunch and they close before she is off. Carnival website says BC is OK for now but the actual docs say she needs one. (I think, the wording is odd). I bet if I call Carnival twice I would get two different answers, so have any of you who have actually boarded the Ecstacy without a passport had a problem? Thaanks.

 

 

I know the post office in old Katy only takes appointments Mon-Friday, the good thing is your in and out in no time. My friend went to the post office on Park Row on a Sat. She got there around 7:00 am and was done by 11:30 am. It took 4 weeks for us to get our passports back but that was back in Feb.

 

Have her check the post office in Fulshear, I know they do passports. I just checked and the Fulshear location is open on Saturdays from 9-noon and they only take appointments. I would call first and check though.

Hope this helps, good luck!!

[kwbrad]

I was also on the May 8th cruise with our Girls Get A Way cruise, (33 women from my church), We all had a blast. I won a cruise on the last day after Bingo, I couldn't believe it. We watched the Med. Evac with the coast guard, that was very intense. Does anyone know what happened to the person? We heard all kinds of rumors, the person had a heartache and died; it was a pregnant lady that broke her leg, and so on. We went to Paradise Beach, and I was a little disappointed. There was no running water to take a shower. They said the electricity was off so no Frozen Drinks, but how did they cook the food. It was not very crowded at all but our waiter could never be found. We did the self assist and were the 2nd group called, but it still took a long time. Someone told us the computers had been down. Now to plan my next free cruise:D

 

Hey Michelle! Mom and I saw you win the cruise! I asked your group if it was you (Michelle from cruise critic) and they told me no. I wanted to go tell you congrats and introduce myself! But oh well, I can tell you now, congrats!!!!

 

We didnt do self assist, we did regular debarkation, and we did not get through customs until 115. Mom missed her flight (2:20) and had to take a later one. It was crazy. At least it makes sense that the computers had been down, no one knew what was up when we went through.

 

We heard the same rumors: guy who had a heartattack and eventually died, pregnant lady, and someone who fell and cut open their head pretty badly. Never heard the truth though.

[benvan2]

My sister and friend told me you asked them if it was Michelle from Cruise Critic, but they didn't understand. Thank You, I was so excited I could hardly believe it. Hope you all had a wonderful cruise.

[benvan2]

Ok, for those who just came off, what is the verdict on what used to be formal night. If we dress in formal attire "tux and evening gown", are we going to be overdressed. Personally, I dont care what everyone else wears as we have always enjoyed having a special night. Just curious as to what the current trend seems to be. Thanks.

 

I still saw a lot of Tuxes and evening gowns. As usual there were all styles of dressing. I also enjoy dressing up, thats part of the cruise experience I think.

[Kenster]

Ok, for those who just came off, what is the verdict on what used to be formal night. If we dress in formal attire "tux and evening gown", are we going to be overdressed. Personally, I dont care what everyone else wears as we have always enjoyed having a special night. Just curious as to what the current trend seems to be. Thanks.

 

 

We had early seating in Windstar. I wasn't really looking and taking notes but don't recall seeing much formal wear either during dinner or around the ship afterwards. Probably less than ten percent. This is the first cruise we have taken that we didn't go ultra formal with Tux and evening gown. I went with a navy blazer, dress shirt and slacks. My bride wore a simple black cocktail dress.

 

So hpytxcpl, if you want to go formal, by all means go for it. You won't be out of place, but the norm now seems to be a notch or two down to suits/sports coats (without or without tie) and nice dresses or fru fru pants suits for the ladies.

[Border Granny]

Ok, for those who just came off, what is the verdict on what used to be formal night. If we dress in formal attire "tux and evening gown", are we going to be overdressed. Personally, I dont care what everyone else wears as we have always enjoyed having a special night. Just curious as to what the current trend seems to be. Thanks.

 

My daughter and I just came off the Ecstasy and we both had on long formal dresses, and we saw a lot of them in our dining room (late seating in Windsong). Didn't see many tuxes but a few. A lot of women had on short cocktail dresses, but there were more long formals than I thought there would be. My advise is wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in. We thought we might feel overdressed but didn't. It did seem like most people changed clothes once they were done with dinner and pictures before they went to the shows, casinos and bars, but saw a few diehards in their formal attire into the wee hours of the night.

[Ship Addict]

I know the post office in old Katy only takes appointments Mon-Friday, the good thing is your in and out in no time. My friend went to the post office on Park Row on a Sat. She got there around 7:00 am and was done by 11:30 am. It took 4 weeks for us to get our passports back but that was back in Feb.

 

Have her check the post office in Fulshear, I know they do passports. I just checked and the Fulshear location is open on Saturdays from 9-noon and they only take appointments. I would call first and check though.

Hope this helps, good luck!!

 

 

margaritaville4me -- I am a Parrothead also in Katy!! Please, please, please email me! shipaddict at gmail dot com . also check out my meet the phlockers link at the bottom of my signature.

 

If you want an appointment at the Old Katy post office for your passport, you better plan ahead! I think our appointment was for 3 weeks out! We are all getting ours done next Friday. But, it's still MUCH better than waiting around 4 hours any other place! He said it should take less than 30 minutes for all 4 of us.

[Carguylee]

I give up...:) I've looked through 25 pages so far, and don't know if I missed it or not.....very time consuming...anyway does anyone have an menu's posted anywhere both dining and room service? Thanks in advance!

[wecamp]

Kenster,

I would be very interested in the ratio of the fruit punch, OJ, lemonade you used for "mia tias". We will be on the Veranda Deck, just a hop away from the Lido drinks. I am planning on taking a small bottle of rum. Your mix sounds great.

Thanks

Tammy

[Kenster]

Kenster,

I would be very interested in the ratio of the fruit punch, OJ, lemonade you used for "mia tias". We will be on the Veranda Deck, just a hop away from the Lido drinks. I am planning on taking a small bottle of rum. Your mix sounds great.

Thanks

Tammy

 

Tammy, it's not very exact but something like this.

1 shot of rum to taste

2 shots of fruit punch

about a half shot each of lemonade and orange juice.

I also tossed in a splash of coconut rum, which we also had with us.

 

Fill the glass with crushed ice. We either had the green beverage glasses from the lido buffet or filled up (double recipe) one of the tall "Drink of the Day" glasses.

 

Adjust everything to your taste. Makes a nice drink.

Orange juice is only available in the morning. Lemonade and Fruit Punch start around lunch time. We just filled up a glass from the buffet and took it to our room and transfered it to an empty water bottle and kept it in the ice chest.

BTW, we filled up two water bottles with rum and coconut rum and carried it on board with us.

[wecamp]

Thanks for the drink recipe! I can't wait to try it. Only have 20 more days!!!

[geoblond]

Hello Ectasy Lovers,

I tried the thread search (couldn't get it to work) and skimmed through 20-some pages. Does anyone have balcony pics (suites)? or know of a link?

I was pricing the suites (11?) but not the penthouse (12?).

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

[stx-is]

I think it said cellular at sea, not cingular at sea. But I could be wrong. I also have At&t

 

Cellular at Sea runs the cell phone service but is owned by Cingular who is owned by AT&T.

 

Simon

[monroe2020]

Hello Ectasy Lovers,

I tried the thread search (couldn't get it to work) and skimmed through 20-some pages. Does anyone have balcony pics (suites)? or know of a link?

I was pricing the suites (11?) but not the penthouse (12?).

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

 

I posted this link in message 767 of this discussion.

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/563367193PXbGVH

 

The ninth picture in the series show the Cat 11 balconies. Notice that the views are somewhat obstructed by the Lido deck below and lifeboats (at one end)

[geoblond]

I posted this link in message 767 of this discussion.

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/563367193PXbGVH

 

The ninth picture in the series show the Cat 11 balconies. Notice that the views are somewhat obstructed by the Lido deck below and lifeboats (at one end)

 

Hi Monroe,

 

Thanks for the link to the pics. I think it answers my question. I believe we may do the oceanview. (And save lots of money).

 

Happy Cruisin!