Ecstasy quick review

[tw67]

Just got back this morning from the 4 day Key West, Cozumel. We had three cabins on the Empress Deck. Husband and I were E180 Oceanview, boys inside cabin E184, and in-laws E244 aft balcony. When we boarded Monday morning it went quickly. My husband, one child and I are gold, younger child, and in-laws are not. So after Diamond, Platinum and FTTF, we were the second group. No delays got on quickly. Husband and I had the Cheers package.

 

Key West was uneventful. Boys did parasailing, all of us did the trolley ride. Have been to Key West a few times, so nothing new there. Had a long line to get back on the ship.

 

Will continue with Cozumel when I have a chance.

[SkyMaster]

THANKS! I'm looking forward to the rest of your review. Used to sail "Ecstasy" a lot when she was sailing out of Port Canaveral, and sailed her once last year out of Miami. GREAT fun on that ship. ;)

 

"SKY"

[tw67]

Glad you like it Sky. We had fun. Small ship and I didn't get lost! I wanted a relaxing time. Didn't want to do to much, and didn't feel pressured to! I will tell you that we had late seating and service was slow. It seemed to be our area, not the whole dining room. This was unacceptable if you are a complainer. My husband and I go with the flow but MIL, not so much! Bar staff was great everywhere but the dining room. I never got my wine with dinner the first night, but hey, problem solved, walked into the dining room with wine the second night.

[tw67]

We arrived in Cozumel an hour late. Rough seas and strong headwinds. We were due in at 1:30 but it was closer to 2:30. Ship stayed in port an hour longer at night. We had planned on going to Paradise Beach for the day, and decided to stay with that plan. Because of the hour time difference we still had a good day on the beach.

[tw67]

Oh I should also mention that my 17 year old has Celiac and must eat gluten free. With a little pre-planning he didn't have any problems. At dinner he would order for the next night.

[OCruisers]

Thanks so much for this!

Helpful to all who have future cruises on Carnival Ecstasy! :D

[tw67]

My favorite place on the ship was the piano bar. Eden Parker is the piano player. He is new to cruse ships. He is on Ecstacy until January sometime. He is a fantastic piano player, and amazing entertainer. Don't expect him to play your everyday cruise ship piano music.

 

My second favorite place was Serenity Lounge.

[Keith1010]

Looking forward to the rest of your review/report.

Keith

[tw67]

Thanks Keith. We are still on vacation in Florida visiting my in-laws, so writing when I get a chance. My husband who will usually gamble a bit here and there, gambled a few minutes, but then he couldn't take the smoke in the casino and left.

 

In Cozumel we looked around and the stores at the pier and made our way to the ship. We weren't pulling out until after 10. I know we pulled out late, rumor that three kids (brothers or cousins) were in a bar drinking and only had $200 on them. Bill was more so restaurant kept younger one and the other two went to the ship to get more money. Who knows if it is true, this could be a rumor at any port!

 

My husband and his parents saw the comedians a few times. I did the first night, didn't feel the need to again. Besides it took time away from the piano bar!

 

My boys really enjoyed hanging with the kids they met in the kids club. They didn't necessarily stick to any of the scheduled things, but used the clubs as a meet-up place. One son is 17 and the other is almost 13. They both had a ball, and the younger one usually ate dinner with his friends.

 

The gf pizza was ok for the older one who has celiac. He described it as a rising crust, as long as you like rising crust, you would enjoy it.

[annawanX2]

Glad you like it Sky. We had fun. Small ship and I didn't get lost! I wanted a relaxing time. Didn't want to do to much, and didn't feel pressured to! I will tell you that we had late seating and service was slow. It seemed to be our area, not the whole dining room. This was unacceptable if you are a complainer. My husband and I go with the flow but MIL, not so much! Bar staff was great everywhere but the dining room. I never got my wine with dinner the first night, but hey, problem solved, walked into the dining room with wine the second night.

 

Had the problem of slow service this past October on the Valor. We had early seating, but were always one of the last tables to leave. Most other tables were cleared and already set up for the late seating. We never did figure out why.

[tw67]

Strange isn't it!