First cruise thoughts (Ecstasy)

[tweak89]

Just got back from my first cruise (3rd for wife, but first on Carnival).

 

It was a chilly start and the weather did not really improve until our final sea day. And it was the weather that likely amplified things I may not have noticed had it been nicer, so keep that in mind.

 

Overall it was enjoyable, but there were things I didn't care for. Chief among them is that very little goes on early. I know I'm not the only early riser out of 2000+ guests. I would imagine if the weather was nice during our cruise, it might have been different, but that wasn't the case. Other than eating breakfast and staring out the window, there wasn't much to do until the afternoon. Too cold to swim in the pool, casino is closed and they apparently wait 'til later to start heating the hot tubs so that was a no go.

 

Now I know the weather is obviously not under their control, but there should be an alternative plan when it is inclement enough to affect outdoor activities.

 

The handling of shore excursions due to the weather was another thing I didn't like. Almost all excursions involving the water ended up canceled. But, you couldn't find (they announced some as canceled, the guest service desk had different info, and the shore excursion people had to bolt off the ship to wait on the pier)that out until you were standing OUTSIDE, IN THE RAIN AND WIND. Again, this isn't their first dance, so I was surprised it was so unorganized. Which leads to the third thing, announcements. By the time you know one is happening, it's half over when you stick your head out of your cabin to hear it, why not display them on the room tv's???

 

My only other complaint is very minor, but The Wiz?? Really?? The one show we caught was like being able to see the songs when you are randomly changing radio stations. It was unintentionally funny.

 

We DID enjoy ourselves overall, we met some fun people and once it got later, there was plenty to do on board. We were also able to salvage our day in Cozumel with the ONLY excursion that still allowed snorkeling. We plan on cruising again, so the bad was not enough to outweigh the good.

[elcuchio24]

I hear you on the early riser thing. I am up at 6am no matter if I'm on Vaca or not. I usually go for a run, coffee, head up to grab breakfast and bring it back to the room for DW. The ship is pretty empty that early. I see some ex-marine Gunny types who are up early patroling the decks, thats about it. Ok with me, I'm always first to hit the buffett and there is never any line....

[tweak89]

Had I been able to sit outside and do some reading I think the lack of activity in the early hours wouldn't have been as noticeable.

 

In fact, there is usually too much to do in the evening hours, there were some places I never even got to step foot in. :eek:

[kaisera]

The wife and I were on that cruise as well.

The only thing I had issue with was the way the cancelled excursions were handled.

Our first snorkeling excursion was cancelled over the intercom so we made our way to the desk and the long lines to pick another.

After finding another snorkeling one we were assured it was good to go.

After leaving the ship in flip flops, and swimwear ready to snorkle we made our way to the flag for our excursion. No one was there just us standing in the wind and rain. After a few minute a guy came over and said it was cancelled. We waited around a few minutes till I saw one of the excursion people from the ship. I went over and she broke out the list of things to do. She quickly ran over the options, and I turned to the wife to see what she wanted to do. Before I could turn back around the excursion lady said "if you decide to change come find me" and she ran off. I yelled quickly (as I didnt want to track her down) that we would change.

 

Ended up at the Mayan ruins and shopping in swimwear and flipflops. If I had known before we left the ship that we would not be able to snorkle I could have worn some shoes that didnt make walkign the rest of the cruise incredibly painful.

 

Like you said this wasn't their first dance, and they should have handled it better.