Ecstasy's social host sam here to answer questions

[subnero]

Nothing personal, but I miss the days before they introduced social hosts. It's like they were created as the buffer between the passenger and the cruise director, making most CD's inaccessible. And then, going to an "event", expecting it to be hosted by the CD, and find out it's not.

 

Sort of like watching the Jerry Lewis national telethon, and then they break to the local stations and you're watching Jerry Vale. :eek:

 

heh heh, i can see what you're saying.

 

i think back in the day it was a little stressful for them to handle it all. i like it better now because the opportunity to provide more for the guests is there. we can give more activities and there are more ears to make the vacation right for everyone.

 

good to see you're still cruising.

 

coming to visit me anytime soon?

[subnero]

Welcome Sam !

 

We've always had a lot of fun with the social hosts at the trivia games,

 

Thanks for posting.

 

it's great to have the feedback. :)

 

you've definitely done a fair bit of cruising. i think it's time to apply for a job. you've been on more cruises than most cruise directors. :)

[nickle831]

Hi Sam Welcome Aboard!

 

My family and I are sailing out on the Ecstasy on Aug 21st of this year. This is going to be our first cruise. I've got a couple of questions. We were going to sign up for the boat snorkling excursion out of Cozumel thru Carnival. My only concern is that it says that it starts at 8am and we don't dock till 8am. Will we make this excursion on time? Do they adjust since it is thru Carnival anyways and I shouldn't worry? I emailed the excursion people, but I never got a response. My other questions is I am still undecided if I want to stay on the upper deck w/a window which is not that important to me or move to the Veranda inside? Any suggestions that might sway me one way or the other? I have heard that you can hear the noise on the Lido deck underneath you on the Veranda, is this true? Thanks for any info.

Nichole

[hdawson]

Hi Sam. In case you aren't familiar with the Port of Progreso and the surrounding area, feel free to email me at hdawson228@aol.com. After two port calls to Progreso on Celebrity and then an 8 day then a 14 day land vacation in the area, I will be glad to offer my experiences to you so you can pass on the info to your guests. Since Progreso is not so well known as Cancun and Cozumel, I'm sure you'll have many questions. There are many options for those visiting this area of the Yucatan. The offer is open to any headed to Progreso. Headed back for 10 days in only one month. Welcome to the boards.

[texas cruise kitty]

Sam, you are awesome to be here. It's great hearing from someone on the inside. The last sea day of our last cruise on the Sensation, the cruise director and some of the social hosts were in the main lounge answering questions about the FEMA situation and life on the ship. It was great.

 

Since the refurbishment, is the casual dining still SOOOOOO BLUE? That was my only complaint on the Ecstacy last time. In pictures I have seen people post, it looks better.

[jetskier]

Hi Sam!:D

Will the Ecstacy be doing any 7 day cruises at all? Do you know what ships will be sailing out of New Orleans when their docks open?

 

Janis,

The Norwegian Sun will be the first to start sailing on a 7-day cruise on Oct 15. The Carnival Fantasy will start on a 4-day on Oct 27 followed by a 5-day on Oct 30.

 

Dave

[Greektreats]

Hi Sam! My 2 daughters and I will be sailing 5/25 and look forward to meeting you! Where do we find you??

[pmor3960]

Hey Sam, Peter here. It was great meeting you this past cruise. Barry is great and so was Tony...or was it Tommy? Still getting over being back on land and for the first time experiecning this diziness. Interesting.

 

I missed the part about odd=red, but good to know you were our fearless leader...GO RED! I won at bingo one night so I think that got us some points, ha!

 

Hope to see you around on here, but if not, glad to see that someone from Carnival is keeping an eye on the Boards. I am definitely writing a follow-up to the comment card as I ran out of space, but for sure wanted to thank you on my dad's behalf. It was his first cruise, celebrating his 70th birthday, what a memorable way to spend it. He enjoyed the events that you hosted very much. Wish I had thought about snapping a photo of you and him, there's always next time...

 

Safe travels and continued success

[jae1969]

I just wanted to say hello. Our family Group of 15 will be sailing with you Aug 7. Can't wait. It will be a first cruise for everyone but 2 people in our group. We will be bringing my DMIL with. She is 65 and terrified of water. :eek: We convinced her by telling her she only lives once and should be able to say been there done that. I hope there are activities on board for older single people. If nothing else she loves to gamble! lol:p

[LHP]

Hi Sam!:D

Will the Ecstacy be doing any 7 day cruises at all? Do you know what ships will be sailing out of New Orleans when their docks open?

We just got off the Conquest last Sunday & they delivered the booze to the rooms.

 

 

The Fantasy heads out of New Orleans the end of October. I just heard from a friend of mine (Noonan) that he and his fiancee' will be on board. Great folks and lots of fun to cruise with. So glad that "our port" will be up and running again soon and with the new parking garage!!!

 

 

Hi Sam!! Welcome to Cruise Critic. The Ecstacy is one of the ships still on our "to do list" and hope to get the opportunity to sail her soon.

[Piggie]

heya piggie.

as previously mentioned you'll be fine with the alcohol thing. go for the tequila. it's great in mexico.

 

make sure you track me down. i'm pretty easy to find.

captain red. :)

you'll see me at the welcome aboard show.

 

Hey Sam,

Thanks for the update. I love :p tequila and I will be looking for a specific kind... Cuervo La Familia. This aged tequila is sooooo smooth...but very expensive in Texas.

 

My goal is to have fun and I am sure you can help me with that. I will be on the ship in 2 weeks, 5/25/06. I will be looking for you.:D

[Rena921]

Hi Sam!

 

Are you still going to be on the Ecstasy in October? I hope so, you sound like a lot of fun! There will 4 of us girls from Kansas sailing on 10/16.

Don't know if this has been asked yet or not, but are there any talent shows on the ship? One of the ladies I'm sailing with is very anxious to find out. :rolleyes:

Hope to meet you soon!

[mbman]

I am a single male who will be crusing on the destiny this june..is Carnival single friendly

[Stircrzy]

Sam,

 

I've just booked for the May 25th sailing. I don't even know where we're going!

 

Is it Calica or Cozumel? If Cozumel, do we tender in or dock?

 

Who's the casino host?

 

 

See ya soon!

[texas cruise kitty]

Hi to the person who asked about 7 day cruises out of New Orleans. I just found out that RCCL's Rhapsody of the Sea will be sailing out of N.O. starting January '08. Not sure, it might be a 7 day cruise (that's what it does now out of Galveston).

[Piggie]

Sam,

 

I've just booked for the May 25th sailing. I don't even know where we're going!

 

Is it Calica or Cozumel? If Cozumel, do we tender in or dock?

 

Who's the casino host?

 

 

See ya soon!

 

Stircrzy,

I am booked for the same cruise and they have just changed the itinerary to Cozumel.

[lalee0523]

My group is cruising on 5/20 celebrating my big 5-0 during the cruise. Hope to meet you there. We have 2 veteran cruisers and 4 newbies and are counting down the hours until we leave for Galveston on Friday and board on Saturday. After the year we have had here in New Orleans, we are all needing some down time before another hurricane season begins.

[jeffdal]

Hi Stir.... going on the 25th too. It stops at Calica which is Playa Del Carmen. Been to the port before. Nothing too fancy but not far from town.

 

I did get an email from the casino host but did not save it...sorry.

He emailed me because I am repeat Ocean Players Club member.

 

Sam,

 

I've just booked for the May 25th sailing. I don't even know where we're going!

 

Is it Calica or Cozumel? If Cozumel, do we tender in or dock?

 

Who's the casino host?

 

 

See ya soon!

[dlbaqua]

Hi Sam, welcome to the boards. We sailed the Ecstacy twice last year and were on the last sailing before Fema. I wonder if all the crew that was on board then is back or did some get reassigned permanetly? It was sad at the end of that cruise with the crew not knowing where they'd be heading next. I LOVE the crew on that ship!

In fact, say hello to Monica in the dining room from "both David's, Nickie and Debe". My whole entire family fell in love with her.

[Stircrzy]

Hi Stir.... going on the 25th too. It stops at Calica which is Playa Del Carmen. Been to the port before. Nothing too fancy but not far from town.

 

I did get an email from the casino host but did not save it...sorry.

He emailed me because I am repeat Ocean Players Club member.

 

Thanks, Jeff!

 

I got an email from David Dionne, casino host. I'm a Platinum VIP member of the OPC (I spend a lot of time in the casino).

 

I've been to Calica (March cruise), so was hoping we'd be doing Cozumel this time.

[Piggie]

Hi Stir.... going on the 25th too. It stops at Calica which is Playa Del Carmen. Been to the port before. Nothing too fancy but not far from town.

 

I did get an email from the casino host but did not save it...sorry.

He emailed me because I am repeat Ocean Players Club member.

 

Hi Jeffdal,

We're leaving 5/25/06 also. :p According to an email Carnival sent and the website, they have changed it to Cozumel. You may want to check it out for yourself. I changed my excursion plans because of it.

 

I am so ready to leave...only 10 days left.:D

[jeffdal]

Hi Jeffdal,

We're leaving 5/25/06 also. :p According to an email Carnival sent and the website, they have changed it to Cozumel. You may want to check it out for yourself. I changed my excursion plans because of it.

 

 

I am so ready to leave...only 10 days left.:D

 

Thank you so much for the heads up. I did not know that. Will have to change excursion plan too. I checked my reservation and the change was there as well. It is funny because the picture is wrong on my reservation. It shows a cruise from LA to Ensenada! Hehe

 

Can you forward me the email? Jeffs75214@aol.com My friends wont believe me unless they see the email.

[Piggie]

Thank you so much for the heads up. I did not know that. Will have to change excursion plan too. I checked my reservation and the change was there as well. It is funny because the picture is wrong on my reservation. It shows a cruise from LA to Ensenada! Hehe

 

Can you forward me the email? Jeffs75214@aol.com My friends wont believe me unless they see the email.

 

Hi Jeff,

I will be sending you the email in a few minutes. :)

[jeffdal]

Hi Jeff,

I will be sending you the email in a few minutes. :)

 

I bet Sam is all busy being a social host.

 

Piggie... do you know which port in cozumel we are sailing into?

[L2J]

I bet Sam is all busy being a social host.

 

 

Well he does find time to post.