Got docs? Posted July 5, 2008 #1 Share Posted July 5, 2008 Just returned a couple of days ago from my cruise that was a celebration for my son's 18th birthday and for his high school graduation. Getting to Galveston ( I drove as I only live about 1 1/2 hours from the port): Had a few stops to make to get last minute items and take care of some banking to make sure I had enough for the casino! It rained a little on us, but it was a pretty smooth ride. Got to EZ cruise parking, was shuttled over to the ship. Embarkation: We arrived at the pier at approx 12:45 and got through the processing and was onboard in about 30 minutes. Got a DOD and made our way to the Lido deck for a bite. After eating, we made our way to our cabin and set our stuff down and then went back to start exploring our home for the next 5 days. We went to the shore excursion desk to get our tickets to Isla Pasion by Twister for Cozumel (did not buy an excursion for Progresso), listened to some music and then went to the cabin for the muster drill. At the alotted time, made our way to the muster station and then out on deck for lifeboat orientation. We started the sailaway while still in drill :(. We went back to our cabin and put the life vests away and went up on deck to enjoy the wind in our hair as we sailed across the Gulf. We had the 8:15 seating in the Windstar Dining room and has the nicest table mates. Matre'd made an announcement that the men could not wear shorts of any kind to dinner as to not frighten the other guests with their white legs. After wonderful food and great conversation, we excused ourselves so we go go and make our contribution to the casino. Neither one of us won any money, but had fun trying. Off to bed so we can enjoy our day at sea. Day 2: Got up and went to the buffet and got brunch (slept in today!). Captain made an announcement that one of the engines was not working properly and that they were trying to fix it. Also they were going to switch the ports around-go to Progresso first then Cozumel-so we could still make both stops. The day in Progresso was shortened so we would have enough time to sail to Cozumel. Our tickets were still good for the change. Then they made an announcement that due to Red Tide, all beach excursions in Progresso were cancelled due to water conditions. Went to the casino to make my contribution and actually won $170! I was excited and cashed out and went back to my cabin and put the money in the safe. Today was formal dinner. I wore a strapless dress and my son wore dress pants, slacks and a tie. We took lots of pictures and went to the Captain's cocktail party. We made our way to dinner and then to the room to change clothes. The Grand Gala Buffet was this night and they opened the dining room for pictures. I took lots of pictures then turned in for the night. Day 3: Woke up in Progresso. We set up a wake up call, but for some reason it did not work. We also had ordered room service, so that was our wake up call. We ate breakfast and thenwent to the shops on the pier to buy a few souveniers. We got back onboard and lounged by the pool and had lunch. We departed Progresso approx 3:30 and we went up to enjoy the music on the Lido deck. We received a letter in our room that our tour time was changed and we needed to be at the end of the pier an hour earlier than what was on our tickets. Today we skipped the dining room and ate at the buffet. Day 4: We got up, ate breakfast and gathered our things and made our way to the pier for our excursion. We were led to the edge of the pier, placed in life vests and escorted into speed boats. They then placed us in a 3 point harness and away we went!!!! They did place our personal belongings in the front of the boat so they would not fly overboard or get wet. After going out a ways in the water, they paused to make sure everyone was secure and did a small briefing on safety. We then continued on our journey to Isla Pasion. When we got closer to the Island, they sped up and started doing 360 degree turns that would make a wall of water soak us..it was sooooo much fun. We made it to the island and there was a buffet ready for us and an open bar with margaritas, island passion punch, sex on the beach, water, dos equis xx ontap. Other stuff was available for a small fee. We played in the water and laid out on the beach. Took a stroll through the shops on the beach and then boarded the boat for the trip back to the ship. After more turns and getting drenched, our excursion was over. We were too tired to dress up for dinner, so we ate again at the Lido buffet. Tonight's entertainment was by the guests on the ship. They had several people sing onstage. Tonight was the mexican buffet and deck party. After some dancing and drinking, I went to the cabin and went to sleep. Day 5: This is the final sea day :(. I am having so much fun I do not want this to end. This day was for taking pictures around the ship, looking at the pictures to see what I want to purchase, and taking advantage of the sales in the shops. Also made my contribution to the casino. Went to the comedian show and then to dinner. After dinner, we bid farewell to our table mates and went to the cabin to pack all of our stuff so we can put our luggage outside of our door. Debarkation day: We did not dock until about 9:30 AM and by the time customs cleared us, self assist debarkation started, it was like 10:30. I did not get called to debark until approx 12:15 and by the time we retrieved our luggage and got through customs, it was 1:45. We made our way to EZ cruise area and got back to our vehicle. We loaded our luggage and waved good bye as we left Galveston. We had approx 800 kids on the ship. A lot of them were reeking havoc running up and down the stairs, commandering the elevators for elevator tag, and almost knocking you down to get past. A couple of them got hurt by falling down the stairs. And guess what.....no parents to be seen. I had a great time and did not let any of this stuff get to me. I just kept saying "I'm on vacation". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jae1969 Posted July 6, 2008 #2 Share Posted July 6, 2008 She was our first and we loved her:D. The only down side was I get vacation letdown on the last day:rolleyes:. It is almost sad to have to say goodbye to all the staff:(. Glad you enjoyed her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imlulu Posted July 6, 2008 #3 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Glad you enjoyed. Someone else reviewed this same sailing and mentioned no shorts in DR. Im surprised as according to new policy shorts are allowed on casual nights. We wore them on our 5 day on the Victory. We just got off the ship on Thursday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted July 6, 2008 #4 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thanks for the review!! Glad you had a good time...sounds like you are a real trooper!! Do you happen to have any Capers that you could take a digital picture of and load into Webshots (it is free)?? We are sailing on Sept 1st. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebeljohn Posted July 6, 2008 #5 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Nice review......glad you enjoyed your cruise......Thanks for taking the time to post your review............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathyoo Posted July 6, 2008 #6 Share Posted July 6, 2008 thank you for sharing your experience. Sounds like you made lots of good memories. Interesting about the shorts especially since I just shared the new dress code with some non CCers. OOOPpps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted July 6, 2008 #7 Share Posted July 6, 2008 yeah I'm confused about the no shorts in the dining room---can the matri di change the written dress code at will? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got docs? Posted July 6, 2008 Author #8 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thanks for the review!! Glad you had a good time...sounds like you are a real trooper!! Do you happen to have any Capers that you could take a digital picture of and load into Webshots (it is free)?? We are sailing on Sept 1st. Thanks!! I kept all of the capers and all of the handouts due to a friend sailing on her later this month and my parents sailing her in November. I even got a spa price list. I will try and get them scanned into my computer and uploaded for anyone to see as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got docs? Posted July 6, 2008 Author #9 Share Posted July 6, 2008 yeah I'm confused about the no shorts in the dining room---can the matri di change the written dress code at will? I don't know, but it was announced on the first night. I just bought my son some new khaki shorts to wear, too. On the last night, guys were still wearing shorts and nothing was said to them. There was even a lady that was wearing short shorts and a tank top. Nothing was said to her either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeFamily Posted July 6, 2008 #10 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Hello! Just popping in for a sec. I was on the same cruise. We had late dining in the WindSong DR. They didn't make any announcements about shorts in our dining room! I did see lots of shorts every night. Well....maybe not lots.....but quite a few younger girls (late teens I guess) wore their shorts and flip flops. I never saw anyone turned away, but I was only at the entrance long enough to walk past. The whole place was very laid back IMO. I mean, how can it NOT be with waiters and diners doing the cha-cha slide while all the lights flash!?:p :rolleyes: :p I'd say just relax about what to wear. Plan to clean up and wear something decent - I'd skip the shorts. People are having too much fun (as they should be) to care one whit what anyone else is doing OR wearing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjkerri Posted July 6, 2008 #11 Share Posted July 6, 2008 We sailed on the Ecstasy in June, and the same announcement was made on our cruise. There were plenty of people that seemed to ignore it however, and we never saw anyone being turned away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p2lockhart Posted July 6, 2008 #12 Share Posted July 6, 2008 I kept all of the capers and all of the handouts due to a friend sailing on her later this month and my parents sailing her in November. I even got a spa price list. I will try and get them scanned into my computer and uploaded for anyone to see as soon as possible. That would be wonderful! Thanks! What date is your friend sailing? We depart on July 26th. If she is on our cruise the link to the roll call is in my signature if she wants to join the roll call. There is lots of info there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted July 6, 2008 #13 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thanks for the review, LOVED our sail on Ecstasy in April!!! I read what the Maitre'd said as a joke...no scaring the other passengers with their white legs....:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovefishsticks4 Posted July 6, 2008 #14 Share Posted July 6, 2008 that was a nice review of your trip, thanks for the share :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punkidoodle Posted July 6, 2008 #15 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thanks so much for your review. My very first cruise was onboard the Ecstacy....she hooked me. Here I sit now with 15 cruises under my belt and with the 16th(Fascination) and 17th (Glory) booked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted July 6, 2008 #16 Share Posted July 6, 2008 I kept all of the capers and all of the handouts due to a friend sailing on her later this month and my parents sailing her in November. I even got a spa price list. I will try and get them scanned into my computer and uploaded for anyone to see as soon as possible. YEA...you are my hero!!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseHealing Posted July 6, 2008 #17 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Got Doc's thanks for the review. We are going on the Ecstasy for the New Year's Eve Cruise, I look forward to your posting of the Capers. You may want to change your name to "Got Capers!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted July 7, 2008 #18 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Just making this thread EASY TO FIND....so the Capers can be added!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got docs? Posted July 7, 2008 Author #19 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Here is the web address of the Capers...... http://community.webshots.com/user/lfsvr0114 I also have the excursion prices if anyone is interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellatj Posted July 7, 2008 #20 Share Posted July 7, 2008 thank you. do you still need a seperate key to open your door or is it the same as your sail & sign card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted July 7, 2008 #21 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Here is the web address of the Capers...... http://community.webshots.com/user/lfsvr0114 I also have the excursion prices if anyone is interested. Thanks so much...you made my day!!!!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeFamily Posted July 7, 2008 #22 Share Posted July 7, 2008 thank you.do you still need a seperate key to open your door or is it the same as your sail & sign card. S&S Card also opens your door. Carnival DOES give you a whole separate card, though, for the fountain pass. I like RCI's little stickers better - less to carry around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEtue Posted July 7, 2008 #23 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Here is the web address of the Capers...... http://community.webshots.com/user/lfsvr0114 I also have the excursion prices if anyone is interested. Thank you so much for posting the link! We sail this Saturday and can't wait :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic/leelee Posted July 7, 2008 #24 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I know the Ectasy and Fantasy are "sister" ships so are the capers pretty much the same??? We will be on the fantasy 8/4 for a 5 day trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhale Posted July 7, 2008 #25 Share Posted July 7, 2008 We had approx 800 kids on the ship. A lot of them were reeking havoc running up and down the stairs, commandering the elevators for elevator tag, and almost knocking you down to get past. A couple of them got hurt by falling down the stairs. And guess what.....no parents to be seen.QUOTE] The last couple of cruises I've been on I've noticed lots of teens playing in the elevator, I'm wondering if this is the new "thing to do" for some. One night, after dinner on the Fantasy, an elevator opened to about 9-10 teens in pajamas, sitting on the floor, having ice cream! Guess I'm getting old because I just didn't get what could be fun about that, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.