Ecstasy Review W/ Lots Of Pics!!! Oct. 31 - Nov. 5

[nolababe504]

Our cocktail party was over around 6:45 and it was time for dinner. We had the Windstar Dining Room!! The food was good this night and the waiters were the best we had on this cruise (more to come about the following nights). I am not a food junkie so I didn't get a lot of food porn, Sorry guys!!

After dinner we decided to go to the rooms and get dressed into our Halloween Costumes. Well of course I forgot to bring BF's battery pack for his costume and I left my wings at home so needless to say we were a little mad for not having packed everything we needed to pack!! We didn't wear our costumes. BF was so mad because of all the time we put into getting costumes. We went to the stores every other day buying a costume then changed our mind and took it back and got something else.... we did that several times until we found the right one!!! He was beyond mad, I was to. After all that is why we booked this cruise was for halloween. Ok so we decided to go watch the Costume Contest at 10:00 in the Blue Sapphire Lounge. I was amazed at how many people actually dressed up!! There were great costumes!!

 

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

There was even a proposal on the stage:

 

[nolababe504]

After the show we decided to walk around the ship more and get more photos and see what all was going on. So we ended up running into my friends Irene, Carolyn, and Terry!! They were hilarious!!

I took some pictures of the halloween decorations they had up:

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

I took photos of the Atrium to show everyone how it changes colors!! I loved the decor and neon lights!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

 

 

 

 

[djacobson]

Just making sure!! We enjoyed talking to you also!! I agree Cooper's Run was wonderful!! I enjoyed listening to them every night. I loved the fact that they played country music almost the entire cruise!! That's all I listen to. We had wonderful weather and entertainment!! We did have some problems with the MDR (I am posting it so you can just read about it there). It wasn't anything bad that wouldn't make me cruise again!! I am glad you had a restful vacation!!

 

What I like about them is Cooper's Run is not your ordinary cruise ship band. Ashley was a finalist in the New Zealand Idol show and the band opened for Glen Campbell and Lady Antebellum in New Zealand. To me, this is a nice addition to Carnival's line up.

 

I met Ashley when I boarded the ship, as she was on the Empress deck. I was trying to find out about the safety drill. Because of the late embarkation, she told me that we probably wouldn't have one, to which I replied that it was a federal law that the ship have a safety drill.

 

She then asked me if I liked country music. I said some, but it was not favorite. She invited me to hear the band and said maybe I would get to like country music better. I still am not big into country, but I do like their music.

 

I had an inept cabin steward, who I had to ask a few times about my laundry. I also had to deal with the purser's desk to get my milestone card. Really a petty thing, but the hoops I had to go through were funny.

 

When I boarded the ship, first I had to change my dining time. It's supposed to be guaranteed, but somehow they did not have it right. Got that changed and then wanted to get the milestone card. They looked on the computer I saw I had 23 cruises. I showed them my Triumph sail and sign card (I got off the Triumph that morning) but they said the Triumph cruise was not in the computer! So to them I was on my 24th cruise until the computers registered the Triumph cruise.

 

They gave me a new sail and sign card with the new dining time, but instead of having my past guest number on the card, it read, "VH1 Best Cruise Ever 2011". I tried to explain to the nice lady from Romania that VH1 is a music video cable network and they had a chartered a cruise out of Florida and this was not that cruise. She just didn't understand what I was asking about and said this was on my card because it was going to be my "best cruise ever". It was a nice cruise, but not my best one ever. I still would say Alaska was the best one.

 

Anyway, looking forward to more pictures.

[nolababe504]

We went to the lido deck to grab a piece of pizza and we walked around the deck and took some pictures. I love how it looks at night outside with all the lights:

 

 

 

 

 

[R&S]

Great review so far. We were on the cruise with you! We were the 'aged' Scooby Gang. (That's a nice way of saying we got old.) I am really enjoying the pictures.

[scgamecock]

Nice review and great pictures. Will be on Ecstasy in January.

[nolababe504]

 

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

Great review so far. We were on the cruise with you! We were the 'aged' Scooby Gang. (That's a nice way of saying we got old.) I am really enjoying the pictures.

 

Thanks!! I remember ya'll!! That's funny the "aged" scooby gang!! I may have some pictures of ya'll. We were with the ghostbuster and I didn't get any pictures of him on the stage:( I could have swore I did but I can't find them. How did ya'll enjoy the cruise?

[nolababe504]

What I like about them is Cooper's Run is not your ordinary cruise ship band. Ashley was a finalist in the New Zealand Idol show and the band opened for Glen Campbell and Lady Antebellum in New Zealand. To me, this is a nice addition to Carnival's line up.

 

I met Ashley when I boarded the ship, as she was on the Empress deck. I was trying to find out about the safety drill. Because of the late embarkation, she told me that we probably wouldn't have one, to which I replied that it was a federal law that the ship have a safety drill.

 

She then asked me if I liked country music. I said some, but it was not favorite. She invited me to hear the band and said maybe I would get to like country music better. I still am not big into country, but I do like their music.

 

I had an inept cabin steward, who I had to ask a few times about my laundry. I also had to deal with the purser's desk to get my milestone card. Really a petty thing, but the hoops I had to go through were funny.

 

When I boarded the ship, first I had to change my dining time. It's supposed to be guaranteed, but somehow they did not have it right. Got that changed and then wanted to get the milestone card. They looked on the computer I saw I had 23 cruises. I showed them my Triumph sail and sign card (I got off the Triumph that morning) but they said the Triumph cruise was not in the computer! So to them I was on my 24th cruise until the computers registered the Triumph cruise.

 

They gave me a new sail and sign card with the new dining time, but instead of having my past guest number on the card, it read, "VH1 Best Cruise Ever 2011". I tried to explain to the nice lady from Romania that VH1 is a music video cable network and they had a chartered a cruise out of Florida and this was not that cruise. She just didn't understand what I was asking about and said this was on my card because it was going to be my "best cruise ever". It was a nice cruise, but not my best one ever. I still would say Alaska was the best one.

 

Anyway, looking forward to more pictures.

 

Yes, I think Carnival did a great job by adding them to the ship!! They sounded great!! When did ya'll hold the safety drill? I know they are required to do it within 24 hours of departing. I can't believe they gave you a card from the "VH1 Best Cruise Ever 2011". Thats kinda odd. That ship wasn't even holding that cruise. Did you ever get the white card? I would think that since you just got off the triumph and showed them that card that it would be good enough. They know that you can't make a card up like that. LOL. I am sure she didn't understand what you were asking about. That's funny she said she put it that way because it was going to be your "best cruise ever" that is hilarious!!! This wasn't my best cruise ever either!! I still had a great cruise but it could have been better!!

[nolababe504]

I noticed that the pilot boat was coming to pick up the pilot and took a photo of it. The pilot jumped from the Ecstasy onto his boat. Not that big of a jump but I would at least think to give him a rope ladder or something!! As soon as the pilot waved by to the captain he pulled off and our side lights went out and we headed into the Gulf of Mexico!!

After all the pictures we took, I decided I wanted to go listen to Coopers Run in the Chinatown bar. They were really great!! I love country music and I was surprised that this ship played mostly country!! I was in heaven!! LOL. We came back to the room to call it a night around 12:30 and found this little animal!!

[nolababe504]

NOVEMBER 1, 2011 FIRST SEA DAY!!

 

 

We ordered room service to be delivered between 9:00 - 9:30 and it arrived around 9:15!! BF had his coffee and I had my chocolate milk and apple juice and we had our bagels with cream cheese and I had grape jelly!! I opened the curtains to see what was outside and of course it was the beautiful open ocean:

 

 

We then decide to get dressed and go out and see what was happening!! We stayed up on the lido for a little while and then at it was time to go sign up for the talent show!! Randy wanted to sing in it!! Here we are waiting to sign up with him in the neon bar:

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

A few more pictures from the neon bar!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

We then all decided we were getting hungry and went to the MDR for lunch!! The food was good and service was great! After lunch some wanted to go take a nap, some went to sign up for the BlackJack tournament, and I went to watch the hairy chest contest!! It was hilarious like always!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

The winner was Martin!!!

 

 

 

 

[nolababe504]

I took some photos of the lido deck full of people on a sea day!! My favorite place to be on sea days!!!

 

 

BF entered the Blackjack tournament and came in 5th on the board and so he came to find me and we went back to the casino and I could watch him win!! Well he didn't win but he did come in 3rd place out of 7!! Not to bad!! If the dealer wouldn't have got 21 he would have won!!! Oh well it was still fun and at least he made it on the board, right!!

[nolababe504]

Around 2 we decide to go back to the room to rest for a minute and to make a drink and we open the door to our friends cabin and Frank (newbie) was passed out listening to his ipod!! We had a joining room but kept the door closed most of time!! He couldn't handle all of the fun we were having!! J/K.

 

 

[abitaturbodog]

Loving your review! Keep it up!

[luv cruising 007]

awesome review so far, cant wait for more:D & also thanx SO MUCH for posting lots of the pics of the Ecstasy herself! She will be my official Platinum cruise on jan 16th!

[CRUISE0825]

Can't wait for more!

[slybear]

Nice review & pics Nolababe. We may have to join y'all for a cruise next Halloween. We were on the Ecstasy a week before you. I did a slideshow of our voyage with "Queenie". Its about 8 minutes long (in my sig). Enjoyed your review & we have some very similar pictures!!

[nolababe504]

Nice review & pics Nolababe. We may have to join y'all for a cruise next Halloween. We were on the Ecstasy a week before you. I did a slideshow of our voyage with "Queenie". Its about 8 minutes long (in my sig). Enjoyed your review & we have some very similar pictures!!

 

Thanks!! Ya'll should join us!! We are also doing the Magic Feb. 26!!! We are debating going on Dec. 12 on the Elation, but since the Ecstasy I don't think I want to do the fantasy class ships anymore. I prefer the larger ships!! We also booked the Breeze on Nov. 24 out of Miami!! I am so excited for the Magic and Breeze!!! You have to join us!!

 

Can't wait for more!

 

Thanks, its taking some time as I can't sit down at one time and post it all. Work sucks!!

awesome review so far, cant wait for more:D & also thanx SO MUCH for posting lots of the pics of the Ecstasy herself! She will be my official Platinum cruise on jan 16th!

 

Your welcome!!! I am working on platinum but not sure if we will make it. Depends on when they are actually going to change it?

[nolababe504]

I wanted to go walk to the deck above the bridge and hang out up there for a little bit and we decided to take some pictures. Ya'll are gonna hate being bored with all these photos I took. LOL.