John Heald plans a goodbye for the Ecstasy on October 10

[KmomChicago]

2 minutes ago, toad455 said:

So since today ends the Ecstasy's journey, I wonder if passengers are being allowed to stay on the ship slightly longer(noon) since there's no need to rush everyone off?

 

Keep it moving, people. We have a ship to dispose of, thank you very much. 

 

Interesting point though. I wonder what the protocols are once they leave? Obviously no loading of any supplies, no restocking gift shops or liquor. How many of the crew contracts end today and/or, who stays a bit longer and what exactly are they doing for the next week or so? Do the room stewards still strip off the sheets to be laundered one last time before going to some storage facility, or do the remaining crew get to move into guest cabins for the next phase of the journey?  Or does everyone vacate permanently today and the cap'n hands over the keys to some pilot contracted by breaking company? 

 

Is John Heald going to tell us the rest of the story?

 

[toad455]

Most of the crew is staying on while the ship heads to Miami. Before it leaves Miami, most of the crew will head home or onto another ship. Curious how long the ship will stay in Miami?

[mz-s]

Just now, toad455 said:

Most of the crew is staying on while the ship heads to Miami. Before it leaves Miami, most of the crew will head home or onto another ship. Curious how long the ship will stay in Miami?

 

Probably a week or so, given the beaching is scheduled for Nov 7 and it takes 17 days to get to Aliaga.

[tidecat]

22 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Probably a week or so, given the beaching is scheduled for Nov 7 and it takes 17 days to get to Aliaga.

Per the Captain, Ecstasy leaves Miami on the 20th. Only around 100 crew will be on the ship then (normal crew complement is 900). This will eventually be pared down to around 25, then down to the last few who get to beach the ship and disconnect everything once she is run aground.

[Cruising89143]

I’m one of the ones that is sad to see these ships head to the scrap yards. I remember how excited I got when reading about each new Fantasy class ships interior Farcus design. Back in the day they were the talk of the cruise industry due to their interior design. I still remember the first time that I boarded the Fantasy just after she entered service. Nothing like her in the industry. The neon was everywhere but in a good way. It was fun. Hopefully the Elation and Paradise have a few good years left. RIP Ecstasy. You did good. 

[Tradestock]

5 hours ago, tidecat said:

You wonder if one day a cruise line will have a ship stay docked after its final sailing and hold a live auction that could also allow for bidding online. It could be highly profitable.

I think this is a good idea and agree it could by very profitable.  I'm surprised the ship boneyard doesn't do this. Or, maybe it does and I don't know about it.😄

[KmomChicago]

2 hours ago, Tradestock said:

I think this is a good idea and agree it could by very profitable.  I'm surprised the ship boneyard doesn't do this. Or, maybe it does and I don't know about it.😄

 

Agreed.  It's not entirely clear what belongs to the scrapping company, however. It may be that the ship contract says it comes with 3000 mattresses or whatever.

[Tradestock]

5 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Agreed.  It's not entirely clear what belongs to the scrapping company, however. It may be that the ship contract says it comes with 3000 mattresses or whatever.

I suspect whatever is left on the ship when it is beached becomes the property of the breakers.  I wasn't thinking about the mattresses, but now I know where some of my hotel stays obtained them. 🤫 I had my eye on the oversized water slide. 😁

[BlerkOne]

12 hours ago, toad455 said:

So since today ends the Ecstasy's journey, I wonder if passengers are being allowed to stay on the ship slightly longer(noon) since there's no need to rush everyone off?

No

[CruiseAdict218]

Basically whatever Carnival doesn't offload in Miami, is the property of the scrapyard. They usually keep the bell and coin, not sure what else. 

[BlerkOne]

I'm getting a no for online auctions. They didn't sell individual items, but lots. And the freight charges could be enormous and buyers balk which is why buyers had to take the junk with them. If they didn't drive to the port, too bad so sad.

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, CruiseAdict218 said:

Basically whatever Carnival doesn't offload in Miami, is the property of the scrapyard. They usually keep the bell and coin, not sure what else. 

Carnival will keep the ship builders plate and more. Everything leased has to be returned - like the casino slots, etc

[mz-s]

I would have shamelessly ripped the cabin door marker for E137 off the wall on my way out. My wife and I booked that room several times and firmly believe that is the best location for a Fantasy class ship - at least, as of now (we have not yet stayed on the Elation's Promenade deck but that seems even better).

[Tradestock]

43 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

..And the freight charges could be enormous and buyers balk which is why buyers had to take the junk with them. If they didn't drive to the port, too bad so sad..

Sounds like a great deal for me!! Just kidding. I'm not sure how well giant slide would be received by neighbors and zoning.  Maybe if I offered one free ride?🤪

[toad455]

Looks like Ecstasy spent the night in Mobile and is now en route to Miami. She's scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and spend three days there offloading whatever is possible.

Edited October 16, 2022 by toad455

[KmomChicago]

1 hour ago, toad455 said:

Looks like Ecstasy spent the night in Mobile and is now en route to Miami. She's scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and spend three days there offloading whatever is possible.

 

We need a cry emoji response option, not just in quote but in the posts.😢

[CruiseScrooge]

I didn't read every post.

I was on the final voyage of the Carnival Holiday. We ran out of some foods the day after the cruise started like the buffet chicken and french fries. Passengers did things like pull the meat out of 2-3 premade deli sandwiches when the crew started to skimp to make one and leave the veggies and bread on the buffet. The bartenders did not give out free drinks. I saw bartenders and crew packing in boxes 1/3 filled booze bottles the final evening. *****? They were packing all the silverware and dinnerware and even the table linen. The tables and chairs were even stacked in the dining room. The video arcade games weren't reset from their one hour free play on the first day and that was fun. Many passengers didn't know it was the final cruise. The shops had discounts but not super duper deals imho. Many of the crew started to show tired or bored faces. One crewmember said they had to stay onboard for a week working and since there wouldn't be any passengers to get tips from they were working for nothing.  

Don't go on a final cruise if having something like milk the entire time or your favorite buffet item is darn important.

 

[Honolulu Blue]

To put a bow on this, I'd like to mention a couple of things.  First, John Heald has been posting some videos and thoughts from this cruise in the usual place.  You'll have to scroll down to hit paydirt.

 

And second, Cruise Critic contributor Peter Knego wrote about this last revenue voyage for the Ecstasy at Fun Ship Farewell: Aboard Carnival Ecstasy's Final Cruise (cruisecritic.com) .  It has some soundbites from passengers; along with the Captain, Chief Engineer, and the Hotel Manager.  Those latter three are all going to be on the E's TRUE last journey, which as I've warned elsewhere, has some graphic details and is not for sensitive audiences.

[toad455]

Looks like Ecstasy left Miami around 5pm EST from Miami and is expected to arrive in Turkey at 4am on November 7.

[Guest BasicSailor]

The king is dead..... Long live the, wait who is the king ???😶

[Honolulu Blue]

2 hours ago, toad455 said:

Looks like Ecstasy left Miami around 5pm EST from Miami and is expected to arrive in Turkey at 4am on November 7.

"This is the end, beautiful friend..." - The Doors 😪

[Joe817]

10 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

"This is the end, beautiful friend..." - The Doors 😪

Incredibly dark song. Very deep and moving. I remember it from Apocalypse Now. 

[toad455]

Ecstasy officially beached at Aliaga this morning. 

[mz-s]

On 10/20/2022 at 9:22 PM, BasicSailor said:

The king is dead..... Long live the, wait who is the king ???😶

 

Well the oldest in the fleet is now Sunshine.

[ninjacat123]

27 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Well the oldest in the fleet is now Sunshine.

It's not Elation?