Carnival Ecstasy - Never Again

[kinggartk]

To the OP:

 

You stated that you do not want to die of cancer, therefore you will avoid cigarette smoke.

 

I just want to see if you walk the walk... Since breast cancer deaths and heart disease among women cause more deaths than lung cancer.... have you had your breasts removed? And maybe all that fatty food on cruises isnt so good for your ticker either.... so bad food is not a bad deal....and the Froot Loops are certainly a better option than the eggs benedict, prime rib, high cholesterol shrimp and lobster, high fat salad dressings, etc.....

 

Oh... excuse me.... I suppose your cheesecake and icecream tasted like cigarette smoke too.... but you finished the plate, didnt you?

 

Next time, just have some cheese with your whine.

 

 

I think you have crossed the line with this post...You can disagree and even post your comments here, but you went too far with these comments.

[SheriNtexas]

I'll be on the Voyager. The aft will be facing the camera once the Conquest leaves.

 

 

:o Duh, Sheri! I forgot you will be on Voyager and NOT Conquest! You description of where your balcony is makes perfect sense now!:D :o

[kinggartk]

We sailed with Disney in October - actually boarded on the 31st and that was a great experience. We were in a category 10 room on the Disney Wonder. We also priced the vacation on the Disney site and found a much better deal through our travel agent.

 

Our food was not included for the land portion and wouldn't expect that it would be. Since we had park hopper passes we were able to come and go as we pleased and included parking so we were able to venture to local eateries. We enjoyed the local restaurants as well as those inside Disney.

 

When the Carnival docked in Cozumel we had a great time - I guess you could say we went with the flow as we did not schedule excursions, etc. We visited a few eateries, browsed the market and of course hit Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and Senor Frog's. Both were tons of fun but watch out for those shot girls at Senor Frog's! One shot turns into three! We also tasted very little alcohol in them but it was fun watching the guys get accosted by the shot girls.

 

We did have some good times on the boat and did not mean to infer that we didn't but they were too few for my liking. Karaoke in the Sapphire Lounge was a hoot and I was able to talk this one gentleman into singing Like a Virgin by Madonna. He did a wonderful job!! As for the gentleman that sang a Willie Nelson song - he was referred to as Willie thoughout the trip - he was magnificent and sang both sides of the duet. It was amazing how he changed his voice to sound just like both of them. We left when everyone began singing the slow, sad songs.

 

I can't agree with the statement "it's way overpriced and they prey on families which are willing to pay way more than they should." I do not believe it was overpriced and strongly believe you get what you pay for. It's just like buying a pair of jeans from Wal-mart that cannot stand up to the quality of the jeans sold at Abercrombie & Fitch or the jewelry purchased from Palais Royal compared to that at Tiffany's.

 

Oh well - my opinion remains the same and regardless if anyone is of the opinion that it is exaggerated or not - it is what it is and take from it what you will. It sure didn't feel exaggerated at the time nor does it now. :D

 

(The $2815 breakdown was the value printed on the cruise documentation and did not include other charges for Disney World.)

 

 

Unfortunately...alot of Carnival Loyalists do take it personal when you give a bad review of a Carnival cruise. Instead of just ingoring and go on to the next thing...they attack...that is pretty common here as well as the Princess board, the Royal Carib board and even the Disney board.

 

Don't let then draw you into a fight...you stated you opinion which is your right. They claim they are stating their opinion, but attacks don't = opinions.

 

Now to my opinion...I don't doubt that you had a sub par cruise. I would ask that you not judge Carnival based on that one cruise. There are 22 ships in Carnival's fleet and management is different on each ship. Just like you might get great service at one McDonalds, you might get lousy service at another Mcdonalds.

 

I have seen reviews from many people (Including Disney, Royal Caribbean, Holland America & other Cruiseline Loyalists) that state that Carnival has the best food of all Cruise Lines. My one experience with Carnival the food was excellent. Maybe your experience with the Ecstasy was a fluke.

 

Ecstasy is an older ship. I would suggest you give Carnival one more try. Book a different class of ship. Maybe the Conquest would be a good choice since it sails out of Galveston also. If you still feel the same way about Carnival, then come back here and give us your honest and harshest review. I just think you could be missing out on a Great Value.

[SheriNtexas]

This photo will help. Web camera should be looking direct into my balcony. (Once the Conquest leaves) See the 'O's? The upper one.

 

 

click on photo to enlarge

 

 

Wow, what an awesome cabin you booked! I guess you won't even have to wave anything at us, since the webcam updates every, what, 6 seconds? you will just have to hold your banner or whatever you use STILL, and we should be able to see you! Especially since I know how to zoom in now!!:D :cool:

[whip_cream]

Unfortunately...alot of Carnival Loyalists do take it personal when you give a bad review of a Carnival cruise. Instead of just ingoring and go on to the next thing...they attack...that is pretty common here as well as the Princess board, the Royal Carib board and even the Disney board.

 

Don't let then draw you into a fight...you stated you opinion which is your right. They claim they are stating their opinion, but attacks don't = opinions.

 

Now to my opinion...I don't doubt that you had a sub par cruise. I would ask that you not judge Carnival based on that one cruise. There are 22 ships in Carnival's fleet and management is different on each ship. Just like you might get great service at one McDonalds, you might get lousy service at another Mcdonalds.

 

I have seen reviews from many people (Including Disney, Royal Caribbean, Holland America & other Cruiseline Loyalists) that state that Carnival has the best food of all Cruise Lines. My one experience with Carnival the food was excellent. Maybe your experience with the Ecstasy was a fluke.

 

Ecstasy is an older ship. I would suggest you give Carnival one more try. Book a different class of ship. Maybe the Conquest would be a good choice since it sails out of Galveston also. If you still feel the same way about Carnival, then come back here and give us your honest and harshest review. I just think you could be missing out on a Great Value.

 

 

I loved Disney and definitely think it has been the best cruise experience yet but I wouldn't 'attack' someone that didn't. I don't understand doing so.

 

You had many good points and perhaps I just expected more from the cruise than we received. The cruise was a last minute decision and we went with many of the people from a local winery.

 

My husband and I will look into the larger ships that dock in Galveston for Carnival.

 

I was incorrect regarding the food - my husband did rave about the lobster. Unfortunately we left the majority of our food at the table. Ohhh! And I enjoyed the bread - their butter was great. I guess you could say I lived on bread, alcohol and water.

 

Speaking of water - did anyone else cruise on 1/3 from Galveston on Ecstasy? And if so - thoughts on the water and tea? :confused:

[truecruiser]

Sorry your experience wasn't the best....but I do think it was a little unrealistic to expect the same quality of food as you had on Disney, when you paid a fraction of the price Disney would have cost you???...

 

of the lines i have cruised, disney's food was the WORST, IMO. celebrity's (before it got bought by royal caribbean) was the best.

 

so, it cannot be related to cost considering disney is so outrageously expensive.

 

...True, smoking is permitted on all Carnival ships but I've never once had a problem with it and certainly not to the extent that you described. Some people are more sensitive to smoke than others...

 

i agree.

[Snoozeman]

Hi Snoozeman...great stateroom. I do have a question are the horns still on Voyager? I heard they fell off and if so...too bad I liked them.

 

Sunday is the day they actually debut. Part of the media event.

[Kurbanfan]

My husband and I will look into the larger ships that dock in Galveston for Carnival.

 

Speaking of water - did anyone else cruise on 1/3 from Galveston on Ecstasy? And if so - thoughts on the water and tea? :confused:

 

I'm glad you changed your mind and is giving Carnival another chance:)

I am the one that didn't like the Ecstacy either;)

I have no problem with their tea. But I don't like the water on any of their ships.......

[SheriNtexas]

Sunday is the day they actually debut. Part of the media event.

 

 

What is the media event? I mean, what all are they doing? Can't wait to see those horns!!:cool:

[CREB]

I traveled the Ecstasy in 2007 and enjoyed it. I don't think it's fair to compare a lower budget cruise to Disney and think they are going to be similar.

[tbjl24]

We are also just off the Ecstasy and went to sit in the library Friday night before dinner but left because that night it did have a very strong cigarette odor. We never went in there again, so I do not know if it was always present. One other common area consistently had a strong tobacco odor, which was the stairwell mid-lido going down to promenade, I think it was the one on the starboard side, but I had a lot of trouble orienting myself (don't ask). The casino was very smoky, but it is a smoking area. We know for certain the person in the cabin next to us was a smoker but we were never able to detect the odor in our cabin.

 

Those observations seem to make sense to me. The Library, I believe on the Fantasy class ships is located right next to the Piano bar. I think the Piano bar is the smokiest area on the entire ship. It's really a shame too, because it is a fun atmosphere, but absolutely ruined by the INTENSE smoke. Cigarette smokers can save there money and just breathe the air to get the required nicotine levels.

[Snoozeman]

I traveled the Ecstasy in 2007 and enjoyed it. I don't think it's fair to compare a lower budget cruise to Disney and think they are going to be similar.

 

Exactly:)

 

I think the Piano bar is the smokiest area on the entire ship. It's really a shame too, because it is a fun atmosphere, but absolutely ruined by the INTENSE smoke. Cigarette smokers can save there money and just breathe the air to get the required nicotine levels.

 

Very true. Unfortunately.:rolleyes:

 

 

 

Sheri: go here-

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=688254

[TxMommy929]

Speaking of water - did anyone else cruise on 1/3 from Galveston on Ecstasy? And if so - thoughts on the water and tea? :confused:

 

A yet another detail from my yet unwritten review. At first I thought the water "tasted" funny, but then I realized it has a slight (very slight) odor. Now before anyone bashes me to all get out, I am overly odor sensitive and will admit it to anyone. Once I realized it was not a taste but a smell I drank a lot of water and enjoyed it just fine. I can't speak to the iced tea, I never tried it. And as to hot tea, I am particular and brought my own tea bags, so I can't speak to that. The coffee in the coffee bar and in the dining room was good but I didn't enjoy the coffee from room service. I didn't have any coffee from the Lido deck. I drank lots of water though...

[TxMommy929]

Double post, sorry!

[TxMommy929]

Cigarette smokers can save there money and just breathe the air to get the required nicotine levels.

:D This cracked me up -- clever.

[TexasAlexus]

We sailed on the Ecstasy 12-20-07 and had a great cruise. The ship is in good shape, but I agree about the out of date decor. I don't care, as I won't be taking any decorating tips for my home! The only place that was smokey on our sailing was in the casino. As for the food, the most boring food offerings we have experienced on any of our 11 cruises was on the Disney Wonder( with the exception of the exta fee rest.) Only cruise that I have lost weight on and could not tell you one memorable dish.

[shark Fan]

I just read through each of the postings and unfortunately I giggled often because of the emotion that went into some of the posts. I posted my opinion of the cruise, the 'boat', the food, the service and the atmosphere. Don't take offense - it's not personal. If you enjoy it then continue to cruise with them.

 

My family enjoys quality food and sorry if it offends anyone but my husband I compared eating on the Ecstasy as McDonalds compared to Disney as Fogo de Chao's.

 

I reviewed the website for the Porthole Awards and found that the awards are based on reviews/comments from readers. From recent experience on the board I found that readers do not want to pay extra for a cruise therefore they cannot vote for Disney because they never sailed with them.

 

Regarding the price - I pulled out my travel booklet and below was our price for our cruise. In total we paid $3200.00 for our 4 day land/3 day sea vacation which included park hopper tickets and a room at the Polynesian.

 

2 adults - $978.85 ea (includes taxes)

2 kids - $428.85 ea (includes taxes)

 

Some may feel that is expensive but we do not and would gladly pay this again. We went on the Carnival with a winery and the others I mentioned discussing the food were with the same winery as well as a few other couples we met.

 

As for qprrules and others that chose to take my post personal - I am sorry that you feel that way.

 

I will post comments after my cruise on Voyager.

 

Happy Cruising!

I find cruises out of Galvestion to be very "smokey." More so than from other ports and I like to smoke cigars!:o

[crusinsteve]

Sorry the poster had a bad expierence on this ship. We,ve sailed her three times and enjoyed each one. 75% of Americans don't smoke and most of us dislike it, but there are plenty of places that are smoke free on board. Granted the Carnival Line will never make the Michelin Book on food, but we have always found something to our liking and my DW is very finickey

.:D

Last spring we did a B2B on her and they bumped us up to the PH1 suite (penthouse) 900 sq feet of cabin, so I'm probably a little biased about her. The staff was always friendly and helpful.

I'm sorry they are soured on Carnival, but with 16 sailings down on Carnival and 15 on other lines (No Disney, to many kids), we like Carnival the best. We're booked on the Miracle in April when i get R&R from Afghanistan and when I return in the fall we're going on another to re-afirm our vows:p .

God Bless The USA!:)