Carnival Ecstasy Review - June 22 - 26, 2015

[emdaisy98]

This was a cruise of firsts for me - first time with Faster to the Fun, and first experience with the Cheers program.

 

I'll start with a little about myself - I am 35, and I was cruising with a friend of mine. I live in Mobile, AL, and we drove from Mobile to Miami the day before the cruise.

 

We stayed at the YVE hotel in Miami pre-cruise. It was a reasonable hotel for all that we needed - clean room and bathroom, and comfortable beds. There was a small window in the room, but little to no view from window. I got the sense that the hotel was older and had been renovated.

 

Parking at hotel was valet only and $30/night for overnight hotel guests. Considering there was little to no parking available this night (Marc Anthony concert in town), we gladly paid the parking fee. We also discovered the hotel offered cruise parking for $10/night instead of the $20/night at the port. We decided to leave car at hotel, but after we paid for transportation to and from port (and tips), I believe we would have been better off ($ and time-wise) to leave car at port.

 

The hotel was fairly close to an open-air mall of sorts, so we walked across the street and found a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. There were several homeless people panhandling on our walk to the restaurant. I am always uncomfortable around these people - I don't know exactly what I am supposed to do - should I give them money? (I seldom carry cash with me anymore) should I ignore them?

 

After dinner we made it back to the hotel and fell asleep quickly - the 10-12 hour drive was catching up with us.

 

More about embarkation day next...

[emdaisy98]

We didn't make it to breakfast at the hotel - I believe the cost was $15 or $16 for the breakfast buffet, and we decided to sleep in a little longer and eat some snacks from the day before.

 

There appeared to be a slight misunderstanding about the shuttle to the port - we weren't on the list. I wanted to get there by 10:30, and we were told the night before to be ready at 10:15 for shuttle and it was $6 per person. Luckily we did finally get on a shuttle and arrived to the port by about 11:00 am.

 

After going through the general process of going through security, we were shown to the FTTF line with no one in line in front of us, and were called to the counter very quickly. We had set up our on board account online days before, and all we had to do was pick up our Sail and Sign cards and go sit with the other FTTF guests. There was a little sticker on the back of our S&S cards for FTTF.

 

One thing I did not expect - the terminal was fairly busy before we had gotten there. I knew we would be early because of FTTF, but there were quite a few people already there and waiting to embark.

 

About 10 minutes after getting our S&S cards, they called the weddings and special guests, milestone/diamond/platinum cruisers, cruisers with suites, and then FTTF. After the customary smile for embarkation photo, we were on board. I went straight to our cabin to unload our carry on bags. Of course the doors were closed to the hallways with the cabins, but there was a note indicating that FTTF (in addition to milestone/diamond/platinum guests) were allowed to go through the doors and to their cabins.

 

It was very nice to be able to drop your bags off in your cabin and not have to drag them around until 1:30 or later. We decided to head back to the atrium bar and check out the Cheers program.

[emdaisy98]

There was a little table set up in the lobby to sign up for Cheers. I have a picture of the information about the program, but I cannot get the picture to load right now. I will try to add it later.

 

For four days the total cost was $229.77. That price included the 15% gratuity, but no sales tax. You get a small sticker on the front of your S&S card that says "Cheers". When the ship is in port, or in proximity to a US port, you are charged sales tax for each drink. I had several charges on my S&S card for $0.72, $0.64, $0.60. etc for taxes on drinks I ordered.

 

If I ordered a drink and someone had to bring it to me, I made sure to tip $1.00 each time. If I went to the bar myself to get a drink, I didn't tip any extra.

 

I did not feel like I got my money's worth out of the Cheers program. I never met the 15 drink limit - I don't even think I came close to a 10 drink day. I am not much of a drinker, but I wanted to try the program to see if it was worth it for me. I did enjoy the fact that Cokes are included with the program. I may just get bottomless bubbles instead on the next cruise.

 

Every single drink you order is listed on your S&S printout you receive at the end of the cruise. I had to sign receipts for each drink I ordered - most said $0.00. It was interesting for me to see exactly how many drinks I had over the course of the cruise.

 

After signing up for Cheers, we went to the Lido deck for lunch. I tried the Mongolian grill, but the food was a little too spicy for me, and I generally like spicy food. The cheeseburgers were good, but I did miss the Guy's burgers I have had on previous cruises. We went back down to the atrium lobby to sit down and relax with another vacation beverage.

 

We decided to return to our cabin to see if luggage was there, and it was. There was a note telling us about FTTF benefits, two bottles of water (I am gold, and my friend is red), and a note about gold members getting water and a pin. There was no pin, and I fully intended to go by guest services to claim my pin, but I never did. Since this was only a four night cruise, I didn't expect to get a free drink coupon. Plus, I didn't need a coupon with Cheers.

 

It wasn't too much longer that we were called to go to our muster stations for the safety briefing. We were in the lounge area and then had to walk up a couple of flights of stairs and out on the deck to our lifeboats. We were moving slowly away from the port of Miami by the end of the drill.

 

We had late (8:15 pm) dining in the Wind Song dining room. I had emailed the maitre d a couple of weeks prior to sailing and requested a table for two. I never received an email back from the maitre d, and we were a little disappointed to see our assigned table to be a large ten person table. I ended up enjoying talking to the couple seated next to me, so it all worked out fine.

 

After dinner we headed to the lounge to check out the welcome aboard show. We were exhausted by this point in the day, and went back to our room. The next day was Key West. More later...

[emdaisy98]

I **think** I attached a picture.

[emdaisy98]

I am sorry the thumbnail picture is so small. I have no idea how to make it any bigger.

 

If anyone knows how to make this picture bigger, please let me know!

 

Thanks!

[excited1sttimer]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. Did you happen to use the Internet plans? Is it the new ones or the old way? TIA

[CocoCandy]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. Did you happen to use the Internet plans? Is it the new ones or the old way? TIA

 

I was on the Ecstasy twice this year in March and April and they have the new internet packages.

 

The first trip in March I got the social media package. In April, I got the one that includes email. I found the internet to work fast both times, with no lag for me. I used it on an iphone 5c if that matters.

[emdaisy98]

I didn't personally use any of the internet plans offered.

 

I believe there were three different ones. I think I will do the social plan for my next cruise - it was $5/day and allowed you to use Facebook, FB messenger, Twitter, and Instagram. The social plan didn't allow checking of email, but there was another plan that had email checking.

 

All streaming services (Netflix, hulu, etc) were blocked on all plans.

[emdaisy98]

We didn't get up early for Key West day. I think I was just so exhausted from the day before.

 

I think we got up and had breakfast and were walking around Duval street by about 10 am.

 

We had to be back on board by 1:00 to sail away at 1:30. Never enough time in Key West when on a cruise, IMHO.

 

I was able to get a Sloppy Joe's t-shirt and try some frozen chocolate dipped key lime pie on a stick.

 

I have several photos on my phone, and when I figure out how to post those pictures here I will.

 

The line to board the ship was crazy at 12:45. I stayed back in the shade until the line went down some. I had not put on sunscreen and wasn't prepared to stand in a long line in the sun. Not too much later, another gangway was opened, the line moved quicker, and I was able to get back on the ship at 1:04.

 

We didn't sail away until close to 2:00 pm. I kept hearing over the intercom for five people to report to guest services. I think I heard that announcement about four times before the ship pulled away from the port. I never heard what happened, but I am guessing those passengers may have been left in Key West.

 

This was also cruise elegant night in the dining room. All week long we had great service in the dining room, and I also enjoyed most of the food. Sorry no food pictures on this cruise. I was disappointed we never had bitter n blanc, which is one of my favorite desserts. I got the fried chicken one night because nothing on the main menu appealed to me. I probably wouldn't get it again, but my friend got the flat iron steak one night and it looked very tasty. The flat iron steak may be my go-to entree if nothing else sounds good on the main menu.

 

I am always annoyed with the pushy photographers on the cruise. I learned it is just easier to stand there and smile and get it over with, then try to argue with them. The photographers do not seem to take "no" for an answer. I wish there was a better way to get photos taken without the pressure.

 

We saw the Brits show in the main lounge tonight, and I really enjoyed it. I also went to both comedy shows this evening - Percy Crews II and Billy Dee Washington. The late shows are adult themed and were very funny, but keep in mind NOT to get up and try to leave during either show, the comedians will single you out every time. I also don't recommend sitting close to the front unless you are prepared to be called out.

 

Next up, Cozumel, Mexico

[emdaisy98]

When the ship docked in Cozumel, I was reading a book just outside of the casino. Several announcements were made to NOT make your way to the gangway until it was cleared. We were scheduled to be in Cozumel from 1 pm to 10 pm.

 

The Carnival Elation was already in port that day. The Elation looks very similar to the Ecstasy

 

We had not planned any excursions in Cozumel. I have been to Cozumel several times and just wanted to take some time off the ship for a little shopping. Getting on and off the ship was pretty painless. Walking through the duty-free shops was all about dodging people pushing tequila samples in your face. We walked around the stores just past the duty-free shop for about an hour. Lots of very aggressive salespeople outside of the stores. We walked in one jewelry store just to escape the heat. The sales person behind the counter actually had the nerve to ask me if I liked girls since the person I was with was not my boyfriend. :eek: We quickly left that store, bought a few souvenirs and headed back to the ship. If anybody knows the best way to handle aggressive salespeople, I will be happy to learn. :confused: It makes me not want to buy anything when I am hassled so much.

 

Our late dining time was changed from 8:15 to 9:00 pm. Tonight was also the night for the love and marriage show on board. The show was scheduled to start at 10:15, and I was worried I would miss it because of dinner. There were no comedy shows tonight. The love and marriage show was hilarious, as it always is. There was a Mexican buffet on the Lido deck at 11:00 pm. The food was pretty tasty.

 

Up next: Fun Day at Sea!

[emdaisy98]

I saw on the Fun Times where Bingo would be played in the morning after the towel animal theater in the main lounge. If you are able to catch the towel animal theater, it is cute. The towel folding demonstration was right before the towel animal theater. I missed the demonstration this time.

 

I had these little pink sheets for bingo card packages that gave me an extra card with whatever package I purchased. If you can catch these pink sheets at a previous bingo games, it is a good deal. Gone are the days when you fold back the bingo card numbers - you can either mark the numbers with a pencil or pen, or buy a Carnival ink dauber thing. Bingo is always fun, even though I never win. The winners in these games had to split $50 two or even three ways.

 

I am usually the most unlucky person, but I did win on the pull tab cards this cruise. I was in the lounge without my friend for this bingo game, when I got my pull tab cards. The last card I picked up and pulled the tabs had three beach balls in a row - $500! :D At first, I thought it was a mistake because the row right above the beach balls had "$500" printed on top of a sunshine shape. I asked one of the people selling bingo cards and was told it WAS in fact a winning card! I took a picture of it, but as I have mentioned before, I cannot figure out how to post pictures yet.

 

After not winning bingo, I took my winning pull tab card to the casino cashier. I was given 5 $100 bills. I gave one back and got $75 and an entry to the slot tournament which was ongoing. I didn't do well in the slot tournament, but it was fun.

 

Speaking of the casino, there are these two vault-type machines on the outside of the casino. If you look in the fun times, there is a day when you can get a FREE try at these machines by going to the casino cashier and asking for it.

 

More bingo later in the afternoon - still didn't win anything - but fun.

 

I made sure to go by the Taste Bar each evening before dinner. The Taste bar was just outside of the casino. Everything I tried was very tasty.

 

I did use some of my $ in the casino that afternoon. Some, but not all. I did end up bringing some of the $ home with me. :)

 

I think spending so much time in the casino around so much cigarette smoke made me not feel so well by the time dinner rolled around. I did go to the dining room, but I didn't eat much. I headed back to the room right after dinner, and I didn't make it to the Motor City show or comedians that evening. I called it an early night, setting my alarm for the next day's arrival back in Miami.

 

Debarkation in Miami is next...

[emdaisy98]

I decided to try the continental breakfast room service for debarkation day. I put the little hang tag outside of my room the night before and it arrived promptly at 6:30.

 

We decided to to the self-assist debarkation, and according to the information sheet we received for FTTF, we needed to be in the main show lounge at 8:00 am with all of our luggage. Self-assist requires you to be able to carry off ALL of your luggage at one time - more often times than not - usually requires you to negotiate either up or down at least one flight of stairs. We did make it to the lounge by 7:30 am and by 8:30, we were called to debark the ship. By 8:45 we were in a taxi on our way to the hotel where my car was.

 

Very easy and painless debarkation. In the future, I think I will do the relaxed debarkation instead of the self-assist. Lugging suitcases up and/or down stairways is not the most pleasant way to end a vacation. We were given zone 1 luggage tags and still would have been one of the first ones off the ship.

 

All in all, I enjoyed FTTF and the perks. I never used guest services, but there was a priority line for diamond/platinum/FTTF guests. I would definitely do FTTF again, and I will make sure to get my gold pin even if I had to go to guest services and ask for it. I would not do Cheers again, I just do not drink enough to make it worthwhile.

 

I hope I can figure out how to get photos to post here. If anybody has any questions, I will do my best to answer.

 

I have Fun Times and will scan these in when I get a chance.

 

I actually am leaving on the Carnival Legend on June 30th :D, so I have got to get my clothes all washed and repacked!

[grandmab57]

Thank you for the great review. I am planning a cruise on Ecstacy in 2016 out of Charleston and would love to see the photos if you are able to post them.

[CocoCandy]

Great review @emdaisy98!

 

I did the 3 day cruise that only goes to Nassau both times I was on the Ecstasy this year. It sounds like your route was really fun!

 

Even though the ship is older and smaller, I really enjoyed it and also found the food and service to be excellent.

 

How did you like the bathroom in the cabin? I loved the bathroom because it was spacious and much bigger than the bathrooms in the cabins on the newer ships.

[emdaisy98]

Thanks for reading my review! :D

 

Yes, the ship was older, but was very clean and appeared to be in great condition. The crew was awesome - some of the best I have experienced in many years of cruising.

 

The bathroom was the same as I have had on other carnival ships - I didn't notice it being any bigger or smaller than any other cruise ship.

 

I took a short video with my iphone of the room and bathroom, and when I get back from my next trip this week, I will try to post it.

 

I will be leaving on Tuesday on the Legend, :) but I will respond to any questions/comments upon my return.

[CrusinCarol]

Great Review! We just booked the Ecstacy for our 20th anniversary cruise in December! We were on the Breexe for spring break, so I was a little worried about this ship vs Breeze, but we were looking for a shorter cruise and I liked this itinerary, have never been to Key West and Cozumel was one of the stops on our honeymoon on the Sensation! But I have been seeing some great reviews! So bummed about no Bitter and Blanc, loved that, maybe something will change between now and December. Glad they have Brits, that is the only show I missed on the Breeze. Funny about the pull cards, they are confusing, my ten year old daughter and I thought we won $2000, we were jumping up and down screaming only to find out we won $1...I have won bingo, twice in fact, $500 on my honeymoon and $175 on the Breeze, so I've won twice out of six cruises, will this be lucky number seven for me? Would love to see your pics if you figure that out!

[manmtnmike]

Thanks for reading my review! :D

 

Yes, the ship was older, but was very clean and appeared to be in great condition. The crew was awesome - some of the best I have experienced in many years of cruising.

 

The bathroom was the same as I have had on other carnival ships - I didn't notice it being any bigger or smaller than any other cruise ship.

 

I took a short video with my iphone of the room and bathroom, and when I get back from my next trip this week, I will try to post it.

 

I will be leaving on Tuesday on the Legend, :) but I will respond to any questions/comments upon my return.

 

Great review!

 

Regarding both the Ecstasy and Legend, could you mention what dance/rock band played on board?

or could you post from Funtimes ?

 

Thanks much!!

 

Mike