DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 #1 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Carnival Ecstasy: September 6, 2012 Open bar. One of the greatest phrases in the American lexicon. With two simple words it precisely conveys what the spirit of the event will be. The atmosphere will be festive and the beverages will flow in endless succession. Possible boredom will be replaced with boozy camaraderie. Interesting things will be made doubly so by gallon upon gallon of devil alcohol. This was the way of my third annual open bar cruise with the fellas. Our ride down to the pier was uneventful, as was getting parked at the Radisson. There was an unfortunate event on the tram involving a lost cell phone. It was eventually recovered and we set about the embarkation process. Thankfully Carnival has a VIP line for the security check as well as the check-in. Royal Caribbean should really follow suit, it’s one of my favorite VIP perks. After a fast check-in process we were across the gangway and at the Lobby Bar. Beers would be the first round, no sense in rushing things. Our first glimpse of the ship The Sensation, my first Carnival ship, was parked next door The keys to the kingdom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkcor Posted September 12, 2012 #2 Share Posted September 12, 2012 fantastic, i love your reviews... and you always luck into these open bar cruises! can't wait to see what sort of trouble you got into this time :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I immediately felt right at home on Ecstasy after many, many cruises on Carnival’s Fantasy Class ships. Her years spent in Texas were apparently kind. Her cabins were all recently renovated and looked excellent. Carnival’s generously sized interior cabins were a welcome change after several recent cruises on Monarch of the Seas. My only quibble with the room was how hard the mattress was. It’s been a year since I’ve cruised with Carnival, but I recall the bed’s being softer. Our Cabin, U31 Notice the new toilet seats. More like what you'd find in a house. Much better IMO than the old cheap plastic ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted September 12, 2012 fantastic, i love your reviews... and you always luck into these open bar cruises! can't wait to see what sort of trouble you got into this time :D Thanks, it was a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Views around the port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Gotta get back to work. I'll be back this evening with more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manmtnmike Posted September 12, 2012 #7 Share Posted September 12, 2012 fantastic, i love your reviews... and you always luck into these open bar cruises! can't wait to see what sort of trouble you got into this time :D Ditto! Please tell me you heard the band MELLOW TOUCH and what you think of them compared to other Manilla bands...We're on board in 12 days! Looking forward to the rest of your review:) Thanks much! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaGram Posted September 12, 2012 #8 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I immediately felt right at home on Ecstasy after many, many cruises on Carnival’s Fantasy Class ships. Her years spent in Texas were apparently kind. Her cabins were all recently renovated and looked excellent. Carnival’s generously sized interior cabins were a welcome change after several recent cruises on Monarch of the Seas. My only quibble with the room was how hard the mattress was. It’s been a year since I’ve cruised with Carnival, but I recall the bed’s being softer. Our Cabin, U31 Notice the new toilet seats. More like what you'd find in a house. Much better IMO than the old cheap plastic ones. Is this a standard interior cabin or a small one if there is such a thing? I feel like I would be claustrophobic in the bathroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whendoweleave? Posted September 12, 2012 #9 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Can't wait to see more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W. Posted September 12, 2012 #10 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Carnival Ecstasy: September 6, 2012 Open bar. One of the greatest phrases in the American lexicon. That's debatable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manmachine Posted September 12, 2012 #11 Share Posted September 12, 2012 That's debatable. I am sure your friends would agree, Bill W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Arsenal Fan Posted September 12, 2012 #12 Share Posted September 12, 2012 That's debatable. True, maybe not to you and all the friends of you. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Arsenal Fan Posted September 12, 2012 #13 Share Posted September 12, 2012 ah, manmachine, you were quicker... you truly are half-machine. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrigley80 Posted September 12, 2012 #14 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Love the Review!!!!! It is so nice to see a photo review of the Ecstasy.....and pics of the Sensation. I am doing a back-to-back on the Ecstasy and Sensation in December. So excited to see both ships. Can't wait to see more :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcruise02 Posted September 12, 2012 #15 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Can't wait for more! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #16 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Ditto! Please tell me you heard the band MELLOW TOUCH and what you think of them compared to other Manilla bands...We're on board in 12 days! Looking forward to the rest of your review:) Thanks much! Mike I touch on that briefly later on. I was in Chinatown one night, but my memory of the band is pretty hazy. Sorry, but I won't be much help there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oncruisecontrol Posted September 12, 2012 #17 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Grady, your reviews are always excellent. Can't wait to read more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #18 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Is this a standard interior cabin or a small one if there is such a thing? I feel like I would be claustrophobic in the bathroom. Yes, that's a standard room. You'll find those dimensions similar throughout the fleet. I actually like the interior cabins on the Fantasy Class ships the best. The layout is better than on the newer ships. The shower is bigger than on other ships, although it comes at the expense of a full counter around the sink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copper6606 Posted September 12, 2012 #19 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Grady, your reviews are always excellent. Can't wait to read more. Can't wait to read you review either. we were on the Ecstasy 20 years ago on our first cruise!!:eek: I can't wait to see the photos!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbjl24 Posted September 12, 2012 #20 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Looks like the Sensation was docked at the new terminal #6 and not Ecstasy? I thought it was the other way around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted September 12, 2012 Author #21 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Looks like the Sensation was docked at the new terminal #6 and not Ecstasy? I thought it was the other way around? I thought so too. Even stranger is that we pulled up to the new one on Monday when we got back. Probably confused some folks that were parked in the lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbjl24 Posted September 12, 2012 #22 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I thought so too. Even stranger is that we pulled up to the new one on Monday when we got back. Probably confused some folks that were parked in the lot. Very odd! I do know that the folks sailing on the 10th were advised not to show up until 1:30pm due to delayed boarding. And they were notified on the 9th. AH! It just hit me. JH posted a picture of new stage equipment being loaded, maybe that was your sailing? I wonder if there is no room for a crane to come alongside at the new terminal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roe95695 Posted September 12, 2012 #23 Share Posted September 12, 2012 great start looking forward to reading it all. Very entertaining... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alreadypacked Posted September 12, 2012 #24 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Great start, Grady! Keep it coming!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguyforever Posted September 12, 2012 #25 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Its a wonder you remember any of your cruise.... Wow being drunk on a ship for a week what a great vacation!!! Who fills you in on the blackouts and grayouts that come with being drunk all the time?? I bet you are a happy drunk.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.