Just back from the Ecstasy

[dlbaqua]

We had a fabulous time, my first on Carnival (previously RCL, HA and NCL). Carnival does some things much better (love the down comforters and the service in the dinning room and our room steward) some things equally well as the other lines (entertainment) and some things were hit and miss (the food and debarkation). The food was delicious in the dinning room and blah in the buffet. The Pizza and the Deli were fantastic. Debarkation was more tedious than I'd experienced before because we were late arriving Galveston and the lines were very long, but they did move fairly quickly even though everything was about 2 hours later than predicted. Overall, it was quite fun and I would sail Carnival again. We throughly enjoyed Paradise Beach in Cozumel as well.

I'd heard that Carnival was the "party" boat but it didn't seem that way to us at all. In fact, we saw much more drunkeness on RCL in April of this year. We didn't really participate in as many activities as before because dh is recovering from surgery but our two teens did and really enjoyed everything.

[Stircrzy]

Thanks for taking the time to let us know!

[cruzinsteve]

Appreciate the update as we are leaving on the 23rd.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

Can you tell me what cabin category you stayed in and where on the ship was it? We are thinking of booking a suite on Veranda deck, but the gym and aerobics room is right above us. Just wondering how much of a problem that would be at 6:00 AM or something like that. Our other choice is a suite on Upper deck, but those are $200 more per person, and for a 5 day cruise, that is awfully expensive.

thanks.

[dlbaqua]

We were going to do a suite but since there aren't any perks that come with it, it just didn't seem worth it. We ended up in Cat D outside cabins and they were very roomy and comfortable and I was glad we'd veto'd the suite. I've been on 4 ships, had inside, balcony, suite & this outside and I'll say Carnival has the best layout I've ever been in, lots of room, the beds were very comfortable, the new comforters are great! The decor was plain and the dresser/desk combo should have been replaced at last remodelling but it was very spacious and had room for everything and then some.

Our room was on the Empress deck, right below the Camp Carnival area which worried me but there weren't many kids on the ship so there was only 1 time I ever heard any noise from them.

[amos3]

Thanks for the review!

dlbaqua - So, what was your cabin number on the Empress? That's where we're going to be.

Thanks again.

[dlbaqua]

We had E236 and the kids had E217
236 has one pull down bunk, 217 has two, both were very nice rooms

[amos3]

thanks

[yoli999]

Originally Posted by Krazy4Kruisin'

Can you tell me what cabin category you stayed in and where on the ship was it? We are thinking of booking a suite on Veranda deck, but the gym and aerobics room is right above us. Just wondering how much of a problem that would be at 6:00 AM or something like that. Our other choice is a suite on Upper deck, but those are $200 more per person, and for a 5 day cruise, that is awfully expensive.

thanks.

We had the mini-suite V9 and there was no noise at any time from the gym that we could hear.

[bobstack]

Dear dlbaqua:

My wife and I are in Galveston right now, looking out over the dark Gulf of Mexico. We board Ecstasy tomorrow (Thursday) in the morning. Your comments which are so positive, have us very exciting and hopeful for a good cruise. Watch our cruise review after we become land 'lubbers in a few days. It really helps when we all share our experiences. Hope to see you all on board soon.

Bob

[Txcruisers04]

Well we went on the ecstasy nov. 11-15 2004 and had a blast!!it was our 4th cruise!!
The only thing i was not crazy about was the lido bar and grill at night!!it was alittle too blue!!
http://community.webshots.com/album/235786602LTzfFW
see our pictures!

[FEMH]

bobstack,

Have a great time on your cruise and looking forward to a review. We sail the Ecstasy on 1/20/05, and I'm getting so excited. Our docs arrived in the mail today! I'll be interested to see how Ecstasy compares to the Princess and Celebrity cruises you've been on. I've sailed both of those lines, and this is my first time on Carnival.

[bobstack]

Hello FEMH and Future Ecstasy Cruisers:

Thank you for your kind words. We are taking this cruise to relax, play, and to give thanks, for all of the good things we have received this year. We expect to keep some records of what we see, because we want you and our fellow Ecstasy Cruisers to know what to expect. I don't sit in judgment of anyone, but myself. So if a waiter says something bad, I don't indict the whole crew.

I am expecting, as you are, a 1991 ship, that was updated for 2-3 weeks back in October. Carnival has a big investment in equipment and people, and certainly wants this 4/5 day product to succeed. So we hope to give you an accurate look at our 4 days in paradise. I will bet that what we say, in combination with what others have said, will be a good predicter of what you will enjoy next month. And as for comparing RCI and Celebrity and Princess, I will look at all of them as different family members---and family members sure can be different!

Have a great time planning your cruise, and a good holiday to you and your family.

Bob