shonuf

Had a wonderful time, no complaints! Mostly read, relaxed, rested. We're still amazed how often we feel like we are the only ones on board when we cruise. Lots of very quiet areas, no matter which ship we're on. We did the Chef's Table & took a morning walk on Half Moon Cay. Highly recommend the park & shuttle package with the Hampton in Mount Pleasant. Loved the ability to walk right into the Charleston cruise terminal rather than shuttle to it. Sending our thoughts & well-wishes to the back-to-backers we met that sailed out again yesterday. Would be happy to answer any questions I can.

So you got to meet Chef Russel? (See sig photo) Hope you enjoyed Chef's Table as much as we have.

50+ cruises - never bought insurance and never needed it:D

OP

Please come back and update

Consider yourself lucky. 25+ cruises, 2 claims due to medical. Money well spent. Husband used to complain about buying it until we needed it.

Hello all first cruise ever!!! on carnival ecstasy jan 2018 I have a few questions

1. I'm doing the chef's table solo is it mostly couples groups.

2. Can anyone tell me if U136 is a good cabin its on deck 6 suppose to be midship

Thank you in advance :)

Congrats on your booking. We've done Chef's Table several times and while it is usually mostly couples, don't worry. The Chef runs the show and the wine causes people to loosen up. You'll be fine.

We usually book in the area of U136, maybe that exact room. Good location, low and midship.

If you are lucky, the executive chef will be the charming fellow in my sig photo, Chef Russel Pereira. He's amazing!

DH and I love the smaller ships and have many cruises both on the Ecstasy and sister ships. Go expecting to have a good time and you probably will.

It's docked now.

Ugly!

Wife's sis was supposed to deliver her kid last week. Didn't happen, and now we have to cancel our departure that was leaving today. Hope my insurance covers this.

Don't understand why you have to cancel.

Received an email late yesterday that my Carnival shore excursion in St. Thomas was cancelled. Looking for something new today, and my excursion is still there, but it's $18/pp more expensive!

 

Really?

 

Read updated reviews and I guess I'm not interested in it anymore anyway. Just find that incredibly odd. Now, I'm back to the "What in the world will we do in St. Thomas" mode.

My hubby would say " go jewelry shopping"!

We did our first CT in 2012 and have always tipped 20%. It was our understanding that the tip was not included. Money well spent.

I just read where someone said, if you want an inside room, to get the starboard side, as the room is larger.

 

If you know, other than asking for an inner state room, do we just as for the starboard side, or what? Since I'm not familiar with it, is it at one of the ends of the ship, or in the middle, etc.?

 

Sorry about my questions, as I have only heard this term, and would like to know more of where it is located on the ship.

Seems like a silly question from a poster with over 3000 posts on Cruise Critic in the last year or so. Have you even been on a ship?

The Lido Deck Panorama Bar and Grill

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Moving forward from the back of the Lido:

 

 

Boy oh boy, did we beat the crowds! Even with all the people lined up in front of us before we got on the gangway; plus the detour to our cabin. It was great. You can see a few food stations, a large one in the middle and a smaller one to the side.

 

This concludes the Main Lido Buffet area. But, there’s still more food options to come.

Enjoying the review, in this photo I got a glimpse of our friend Chef de Cuisine Russel Pereira checking out the Lido!

Since DH needs wheelchair assistance with embarkation, it's nice to be on early and not have to fight the crowd. I like to get him to a table on Lido and then I go down to the room to drop off luggage.

Our first CT was scheduled for one night and the same day I got the notice I got another changing it to a different night. So it's not set in stone.

I for one found it nasty and don't miss it at all. The Baked Alaska parade was fun on my first few cruises.

thank you for answering my question.:) I'm actually surprised at the cancellation policy.

While it is nice that they honor price drops so close to the cruising time, I doubt we would ever cruise with Carnival with that sort of cancellation policy. But it sure does encourage loyalty, you have no choice!;)

Feeling as you do, I certainly wouldn't book with Carnival and wouldn't expect to see you on this board again.

I agree. That is part of my problem.

 

 

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If that's the way you feel, I wouldn't spend the money. On the other hand, I'm not a wine drinker and can only eat reduced amounts of food after stomach cancer but I LOVED Chef's Table and we've done it several times. It's an experience, not just a meal.

 

Then I get to educate them. I explain that I like Carnival better than HAL and why. ( and I am a 3 star on HAL).

 

HAL does have some nice things. Great suite program, awesome drinks with fresh fruits, etc but it comes at a price. This isn't a knock against HAL. But I do like Carnival better.

 

Rant over

 

 

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I, too, am 3 star on HAL, always in a deluxe suite. But I've never been treated better than on Carnival. At least for now, my cruise line of choice.

Considering doing the chefs table on the sensation. It's pricey so wanted to get opinions on if it's worth it or not.

 

Thanks in advance!

I think it's the best money we ever spent. Have done it several times.

For those who did Chef's Table, who presented the meal, the Executive Chef (Chef de Cuisine) or the Sous Chef? Do you remember his name?

Well, since they don't know that Carnival is now Carnival Cruise Line, not Lines, I wouldn't put a lot of trust in the rest of the quote.

It's been a few years but we stayed at Harbor House which is right at the pier and parking was available at a sister hotel. Loved being able to look out the window and see our ship coming up the channel!

We were on the Ecstasy for the 10/5/15 sailing and Chef's table was on the final night (sea day). We didn't do CT this cruise but had a nice visit with Danny, the chef who does CT.

Heard from special needs, question answered.

DH and I will be boarding the Ecstasy next week and he's being treated for back pain and has trouble walking and standing for any length of time. If he can get wheelchair assistance for boarding (the ramp is very steep) I think he'll be fine on board. I've tried the search feature and emailed special needs at Carnival with no response. Has anyone used this service and how do you go about it? I figured I can drop the luggage and then drop him at the door before I go park. If there is somewhere he can sit to wait for me, then we can go through security together. Any help would be appreciated.

Once I left my shoulder bag on the back of my chair on Lido. Nice men at the next table noticed it and turned it in.