Just Back ! Ecstasy B2B 10/17 - 10/26 - Review

[Texas_firefighter]

Here is my review of our cruise on Carnival Ecstasy from 10/17 – 10/26, which was a back to back cruise of a 5 and 4 day for 9 great days on the beautifully refurbished Ecstasy. I don’t always review our cruises, but I know everyone is as curious as we were about the enhancements to her, so I’ll try to get right to the main points.

We got to the terminal about 11:00 am and had a delay due to …pick your rumor….and were on board by just after 1:00 pm. We went straight to our cabin as they were ready to go when we boarded. We were the first in it after drydock which was nice. Then off to the newly remodeled Lido buffet for lunch. It is awesome. Carnival really did a nice job in there and it is totally transformed. There are self service stations in the center for deserts and a large round station for fruits and ice cream, etc. The grill area just outside the buffet area by the pool is also newly furnished with comfortable high back wicker chairs and new tables. The same tables and chairs are lined up against the windows along the Lido deck in the pool area.

Then it was off to check our table in the Windsong Dining Room. We had a table for ten and were pleased with it’s location. We had wonderful table mates who were present each night. We really had a great time .The MDR is very nicely remodeled as well. It has a very warm ambiance and has nice new lighting. As for the food, I’m sorry to say I feel Carnival is slipping a little here. We did not go hungry of course, I just can see a difference in selection and quality from past cruises.This is my opinion.

We spent sea days by the Lido pool and enjoyed listening to the awesome reggae band on the mainstage. There was a live show band that was very good as well. The new resort style pool area is a major improvement. There are new deck chairs and umbrellas scattered around. There are two hot tubs, although mostly occupied by kiddos geared up with goggles and flippers! Oh well, we don’t get in them anyway. The pool is larger and very inviting when it gets a little hot mid day.

We didn’t go to the shows on the first leg, but attended the “dream” show on the second leg and it was as good as usual. We did attend both the family version and the adult version of Dianne Ford’s comedy show on the 4 day segment and thought she was very funny, especially the adult show! We spent most evenings in the Starlight Lounge for Karaoke with Jay, who is a hoot!! It was packed every night.

I know I missed some specific areas of the ship, but all I can say is that the new and improved Ecstasy is very, very nice. There are new large flat screen televisions in numerous places. The new carpeting, wall coverings, furnishings, lighting, tile floors .etc,etc look great!

The weather was for the most part was absolutely gorgeous and the seas mostly perfectly calm. There will always be a little movement on the Ecstasy, and we expect it and don’t dwell on it.

In Progresso, we took a ride for 2 bucks each on the double decker bus for a tour of “downtown” Progresso. Then it was off to the beach for 10 buck massages for my wife and me. We enjoyed both and were glad we did not just stay on the ship as some on CC ‘ers suggest. To each his own, I guess.

In Cozumel, the first cruise we just shopped at the pier area and bought vanilla for friends at home, and a few other clothing items we just couldn’t resist, then headed down to Panchos Backyard and layed out in their deck chairs in the beach area there and let the seniorita wait on us and actually took a little nap…wonderful!! We had plans for our second visit to Cozumel, so we were saving our energy, ha, ha. So… on the second trip to Cozumel we booked the Mexican Cuisine Cooking & Playa Mia Beach Break through Carnival. We got wristbands and had all inclusive use of beach facilities after our meal we prepared which, btw, was great!

Overall, a wonderful 9 days on the “new” Ecstasy. Debarkation… what can I say… always our least fav part. There was a delay, of course, but we were off at ten o’clock and after getting in a sloooooow line, through customs by 11am. Come on folks….fill out your customs form BEFORE you get to the agent at the window. J Anyway, we’re ready to go again !!!!

[James in SA]

How did they handle the B2B part after the first leg? We are doing 2 5's starting on the 9th and I am just curious. Thanks!

[jam82]

Thanks for the review. We would love to hear more about your cooking class. How much time did you have at the beach after the cooking was done? Did they let you take your own taxi back or was it a set time back?

[forwardcabin]

Glad to read your review. We are going again on Ecstasy in Dec and are excited about seeing the new improvements. Do give us some details about B2B cruises. We might want to try this next summer.

[Mrs. Big SOCS]

Ohhh. Where do you go for a $10 massage????

[forwardcabin]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Big SOCS

Ohhh. Where do you go for a $10 massage????

His was on the beach in Progresso.

[Gary&Rox]

We are also curious as to how they handled the B2B. We are doing two 5 days B2B on Feb. 1st., & 6th. next year. I have heard many different ways it is being handled. Glad you had a great nine days we are looking forward to our 10 days next year.
Thanks
Gary I.

[Texas_firefighter]

Originally Posted by Gary&Rox

We are also curious as to how they handled the B2B. We are doing two 5 days B2B on Feb. 1st., & 6th. next year. I have heard many different ways it is being handled. Glad you had a great nine days we are looking forward to our 10 days next year.
Thanks
Gary I.

We received a letter the night before under our door with instructions to meet at 10:30 at guest relations to be escorted off and walked (escorted they said) through customs and right back on board. ....or..... you could just go through customs on your own and go into Galveston and come back through the VIP line when you were ready to re-board(by showing your old sign & sail card)and check in on your own.

Now, this is where things changed for us! The morning after arriving in Galveston , we were in a delayed mode due to bad weather and the crew participating in a drill. First off, my DW had a migraine headache immediately that morning and was holed up in the cabin. I called down to see what time we should meet and was told it would be later than expected and to come about 11:00. .In the meantime ,I had gone down to the nurse and got DW some meds for her migraine. The nurse ordered a wheelchair for DW and a very sweet attendant came to our cabin to assist her.When we got to guest services, we were met by a man there there that indignantly said,"what are you doing here, you're supposed to be off the ship...go to deck 3 and exit" I firmly explained the situation to him and he backed right off and made a call to embarkation crew to expect us. We went through customs with our sweet gal pushing the wheelchair, and exited the terminal and re-entered.We then went through VIP and I checked us in again while DW was taken to an office where I joined her for about 45 minutes until the ship was cleared for boarding. We were the first on, and we went straight back to our cabin and my DW went straight to bed.
She felt better by about 5pm, so I bought her a massage to ease all the tension of her day.We skipped dining in MDR and I brought food down from Lido. The nest day at sea was beautiful and we relaxed by the pool ALL day!

[Texas_firefighter]

Originally Posted by jam82

Thanks for the review. We would love to hear more about your cooking class. How much time did you have at the beach after the cooking was done? Did they let you take your own taxi back or was it a set time back?

It was alot of fun and it was a sold out excursion. We all had fun and met some very nice folks participating with us. Luis the chef is loaded with personality and made it fun. It is a vey nice facility they have built at Playa Mia beach just for this. It is ultra clean and in an AC environment.We fixed Grouper wrapped in banana leaves , also tostadas and a desert. He taught plate decoration as well. When the meal was cooked they transferred it to another dining area upstairs where we ate our meal. Afterward we went down to the beach area. The buffet was open to us as well as an open bar for those who wished to consume more! We had about 2 hours at the beach afterward.The transportation over and back was on a nice bus with a very nice and funny driver.We left at 10 am and were taken back at 3pm.

[Texas_firefighter]

I'll be posting pics soon. Our PC is running slow currently, but the cable tech is coming today.Stay tuned!

[Texas_firefighter]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Big SOCS

Ohhh. Where do you go for a $10 massage????

The beach area is right at the end of the pier where the free shuttles drop you off. Walk a little further than the first canopy you see and the price goes down.

[Gary&Rox]

Thanks Texas_firefighter for the info. That was quite the experience. I hope ours goes smoothly. It should be fun just not having to hurry to try and do everything in 5 days. This will be our first B2B, so we are truly excited.
Thanks again for the info. Look forward to your pics.

Thanks again
Gary I.

[RICKnVICK]

Thanks Texas Firefighter for your great review. Can't wait to see the pictures!

[Texas_firefighter]

Originally Posted by Gary&Rox

Thanks Texas_firefighter for the info. That was quite the experience. I hope ours goes smoothly. It should be fun just not having to hurry to try and do everything in 5 days. This will be our first B2B, so we are truly excited.
Thanks again for the info. Look forward to your pics.

Thanks again
Gary I.

It was great having 9 days onboard,especially with everything being new.We had the same cabin for both which is great. You will love it! It was our second B2B. First on the Spirit was 19 days.On that one we got our new Sail & Sign cards the night before the second leg along with two "In -Transit" passes to use to bypass the regular lines in the terminal. There were over 100 B2B guests on that cruise though.It's nice to kind of have the ship to yourself for a little while anyway. Have a great time!

[RodeoGal]

Since you knew you were going to have the same cabin, were you able to leave everything and come back or did you have to pack up and take everything with you and bring it back? Thanks, Deb

[Texas_firefighter]

Originally Posted by RodeoGal

Since you knew you were going to have the same cabin, were you able to leave everything and come back or did you have to pack up and take everything with you and bring it back? Thanks, Deb

We just left everything as it was, very nice.

[robtnort]

Great review Texas FF. Did you happen to go to the karaoke lounge at all? If so, is Jay still the DJ there? He is sooo funny!

[Falls Cruiser]

Thanks for the review. We are going on Jan. 9 and look forward to that massage in Progresso.

[Texas_firefighter]

Originally Posted by robtnort

Great review Texas FF. Did you happen to go to the karaoke lounge at all? If so, is Jay still the DJ there? He is sooo funny!

We spent most evenings in the Starlight Lounge for Karaoke with Jay, who is a hoot!! It was packed every night.

[Texas_firefighter]

here are some pics related to my review.Hope you like 'em!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=745695327211%3A1641984655