1st Carnival cruise

[aggiemomcruiser]

We're looking for any tips or sugguestions since we'll be goiing on our 1st CCL cruise in August. We've cruised RC many time so we're familiar with them but are anxious trying a new cruise line.

 

 

[LHP]

We're looking for any tips or sugguestions since we'll be goiing on our 1st CCL cruise in August. We've cruised RC many time so we're familiar with them but are anxious trying a new cruise line.

 

 

 

I know exactly what you mean. I am such a creature of habit!!!

 

I like knowing what to expect...etc.

 

I hope you have a great time. Actually, the best tip is usually ship selection...but since that part is already decided....I would suggest that you just "go with the flow" and have a good time.

 

I have never cruised on RCCL...but from what I have been told...it is a very Ford vs Chevy comparision.

 

Have a great time!!

[glrounds]

I know exactly what you mean. I am such a creature of habit!!!

 

I like knowing what to expect...etc.

 

I hope you have a great time. Actually, the best tip is usually ship selection...but since that part is already decided....I would suggest that you just "go with the flow" and have a good time.

 

I have never cruised on RCCL...but from what I have been told...it is a very Ford vs Chevy comparision.

 

Have a great time!!

 

I nominate this post for the BEST POST TO A FIRST TIME CARNIVAL CRUISER AWARD. Excellent post . . . didn't rip into RCI . . . didn't go on and on about how great Carnival is . . . just a short sweet welcome. :)

[mizLORInj]

Carnival cabins are a bit larger, but the shower "pod" on RC ships can't be beat! Your gratutities ($10/day) will automatically be billed to the cc you post at check in. You cannot view your onboard account on the tv on Carnival. Carnival has laundromats so you can pack less and wash clothes once (less to pack and unpack!).

Those are a few differences that come to mind.

I love checking out different ships. Hope you have a great time!

[oceanseagle12]

Carnival cabins are a bit larger, but the shower "pod" on RC ships can't be beat! Your gratutities ($10/day) will automatically be billed to the cc you post at check in. You cannot view your onboard account on the tv on Carnival. Carnival has laundromats so you can pack less and wash clothes once (less to pack and unpack!).

 

Those are a few differences that come to mind.

 

I love checking out different ships. Hope you have a great time!

 

Um, yes you can! At least you can on the Liberty. I can't speak for other ships.

[CruiseLover824]

You cannot view your onboard account on the tv on Carnival.

 

I can speak for Destiny, Freedom, and Valor.....You definitely could view your onboard account on your TV on all of these ships:D

[firefly333]

Um, yes you can! At least you can on the Liberty. I can't speak for other ships.

 

The OP is on Ecstasy asking for tips. I dont remember being able to see my bill, but I suspect that after the next dry dock when the ship gets the new tvs and waterworks it will be availalbe.

 

OP you will be on shortly before dry dock. We loved the CD, best of any ship (and Im platinum on RCL). He was a special man and talent imo. The staff won lots of service awards and was also perfect.

 

If you like a decent sized cabin on a less expensive ship and a ship where you can hang out at the pool this will be a great cruise. So far Ecstasy has been my best Carnival cruise, and Iv been on her more than once. Conquest we always seem to be dealing with service issues, staff not up to par, something, but Ecstasy was top notch.

[aggiemomcruiser]

Thanks Everyone!

 

[slkmbz]

We've sailed on the Ecstasy more than any other ship. WE LOVE HER! It is a true "home away from home" feeling. I will admit that the CONQUEST is my favorite ship for decor and itinerary but it is only 7 day itineraries and we can't always get away so for those quick trips - it's the ECSTASY!

 

I've never had a bad experience on the Ecstasy. The staff seem to go out of their way for you (more so than other ships I've sailed). I had an experience where a lady at the Pursur's desk actually walked away from the desk to assist me for as long as it was needed when we were docked in Progresso. She even followed up days later to ensure we were okay. (This is sounding like we did something wrong and we didn't - tried to do something nice in Progresso and it backfired. She was defending our intentions.) The wait staff have been the friendliest we have experienced.

 

My favorite hideaway is behind the lido outside. Okay so it's not so hidden but it's a wonderful place to take your buffet food and sit outside watching the water!

 

Enjoy the Ecstasy - every minute of her!

 

Happy Sailings!

[Max Circus]

We're looking for any tips or sugguestions since we'll be goiing on our 1st CCL cruise in August. We've cruised RC many time so we're familiar with them but are anxious trying a new cruise line.

 

I had three RCCL cruises under my belt before I tried Carnival. Was just like you - kind of anxious based on things I had heard, read, seen, etc. Almost as if a different "class" of people cruised with Carnival. That it would be one constant booze-cruise. That if I dressed up on formal night I'd be the only one. I'm never one to believe rumors - had to experience for myself.

 

Well, none of it was true. I found really nice, friendly people onboard. It wasn't a booze cruise - unless you decided you wanted to get last call at the bar. And there were many people dressed up for the formal (aka elegant) night.

 

As far as tips/what to expect, will try to list some:

 

Cabins (especially inside) are bigger.

Better room service menu (and no charge)

Much better variety of foods. Not sure if Ectasy has the deli - but it was great addition on Freedom and Valor. Grilled Reuben . . .yummy!!

Better rates (although you probably already know this one)

Dining room food was better (I realize this is subjective). Try the vegetarian offerings. My fiance (now wife) had an Indian platter on Valor which was amazing.

[mosweet]

I am a big Carnival person and have cruise RCCL twice. But I like to stick with Carnival. Due to the staff on board, size of cabins, entertainment, 24hr pizza and if you are a person that wants nightlife they are the cruise line! ;)

Yes you can check you account on all Carnival ships on your TV. I think you'll enjoy yourself. Come back and write a review for us :D

[Shipshape7]

The OP is on Ecstasy asking for tips. I dont remember being able to see my bill, but I suspect that after the next dry dock when the ship gets the new tvs and waterworks it will be availalbe.

 

OP you will be on shortly before dry dock. We loved the CD, best of any ship (and Im platinum on RCL). He was a special man and talent imo. The staff won lots of service awards and was also perfect.

 

If you like a decent sized cabin on a less expensive ship and a ship where you can hang out at the pool this will be a great cruise. So far Ecstasy has been my best Carnival cruise, and Iv been on her more than once. Conquest we always seem to be dealing with service issues, staff not up to par, something, but Ecstasy was top notch.

 

I think you're right about this becoming available after drydock. We were just on the Triumph and could see our account on the TV even though it is an older ship. I've never been on the Ecstasy but what you said made me aware of a different attitude that I noticed when I first started reading the Carnival board. RCI's main draw is the Wow factor of their ships. When I used to read the RCI boards (and I readily admit I have not done so for quite awhile now) people there seemed more oriented to wanting the biggest and the newest ships. Carnival cruisers seem to appreciate what each ship in the fleet has to offer while experienced RCI cruisers seem to loose interest in RCI's older ships. It just made me wonder if RCI has not created a financial monster for themselves.

 

To address the OP's original question; we just took our first Carnival cruise and have been on both RCI and NCL previously. I agree with those who say you will find more similarites than differences. One thing that was different on Carnival was that you need a photo ID other than your S&S card to be in the disco after a certain hour at night, so you might want to remember to bring your drivers licenses along with you in the evenings. (Other lines just swipe your card and your pic and age are imbedded in the card - not sure why Carnival needs photo ID too, but that was our experience.)

 

The other difference we noticed was that Carnival's entertainment is more interactive and tries to get passengers up out of their seats to interact with and entertain their fellow passengers. You will probably like this more if you are an extrovert and less if you are a quiet person.

[thelmalou]

Oh, we love Carnival! The Ecstasy is an older ship and isn't as fancy as some of the others, but the people are wonderful! ---Best Cruise Director. He's a hoot! We sailed the Ecstasy the first week in July. Our rooms were comfortable and spotless.

 

Hmmm...... what would be good to know?........

 

There is a sushi bar open from about 5 to 8 on the promenade deck. I saw it before and thought you had to pay extra for it. Sake is sold by the cup or the carafe, but the sushi is free. I NEVER thought I'd try sushi, but my kids (all over 16 and 2 of them Aggies!) talked me into it. I found out that Carnival's sushi isn't raw, but cooked or cured. And really yummy. The pickled ginger there is spicy and yummy and completely took care of my queasies. No more sea-sick pills for me----I'm a true believer in ginger now.

 

There is a quieter deck with another pool on the back (sorry, aft) of the ship where you can read or sleep.

 

Some of the Canival ships do have the Main Dining Room menus and your onboard account on the TV, but not the Ecstasy (yet).

 

You can get a 45 minute massage on the beach at Progreso for $10. They'll ask for at least $20, but bargain easily.

 

The sauna, steam room, showers, weights,workout machines are free in the spa.

 

Tea time is 3:30-4:30 each sea day. It's nice time to relax and the little treats they serve are so pretty. It will be in your Capers (daily brochure of the ship's activities that is left in you cabin each evening.)

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Enjoy!!!

[aggiemomcruiser]

Hi Everyone--Thanks for all the posts and info--it's so good to hear how much eveyone loves CCL and the Ecstacy. We were worried with some of the previous threads about Ecstacy (foul smells and disrepair) We're excited and can't wait to try CCL in only 38 days!

 

[kona_wahine]

I have never cruised on RCCL...but from what I have been told...it is a very Ford vs Chevy comparision.

 

I hope the Carnival is Chevy! We are DEFINITELY Chevy people! :D

[Texaspepper]

Hi Everyone--Thanks for all the posts and info--it's so good to hear how much eveyone loves CCL and the Ecstacy. We were worried with some of the previous threads about Ecstacy (foul smells and disrepair) We're excited and can't wait to try CCL in only 38 days!

 

 

Here is my review of the CCL Fantasy. Perhaps it may be of some help. Enjoy your cruise. We have sailed the Ecstacy.

 

Our July 6-11 Fantasy Cruise From New Orleans

 

New Orleans - We arrived in New Orleans 2 days before the cruise. Stayed in the Four Seasons By Sheraton in Metairie - about 10 miles out of the French Quarters. Ate at Acme Oyster House in Metairie just about 2 miles from the hotel on Veterans Blvd. Excellent. Always eat at the one in the French Quarters, but can tell you the food is the same at the one in Metairie.

 

Arriving At The Port - We choose to park at the Port Of New Orleans Parking Garage as it is the most convenient. Drive up. Insert credit card or pay cash @ $14 per day. Press button. Take ticket drive up the ramp and there are the porters waiting to take your bags. Drive up one more level and park. Ride the elevator down to go through security, Carnival check in and your in the waiting area. We were sitting in the waiting area by 9:25am. A bit early but time went fast. We boarded at 11:30am and was having lunch on the Lido Deck by 11:50am.

 

Our Room U137 Upper Deck Starboard - Room was ready at 1:30pm. Outside room. Large bath room with good size shower space. No frig or sitting couch on the Fantasy class ships. Safe to put your money, etc in and lock with your own 4 digit code. Good closet space and two robes to use. Pool towels fresh every morning. I had a medium size collapsible plastic cooler that our room steward would fill with ice in the am and pm. Tipped her $8.00 extra at the end. Room was clean and quiet. ONLY ONE 110 volt outlet in the room. I took a power strip with 4 plug slots for my laptop, battery charger, night light clock.

 

Food & Dinning - We had late dinning in the Jubilee dinning room. Went the first night and ate. Food and service was good. Table for 10. The rest of the cruise we did not feel like dressing up and so we ate on the buffet for the rest of the cruise. Most nights we looked on the dinning room menu and the buffet had many of the same item. PLUS my wife, Linda loved the fresh cooked hamburger served on the Lido Deck buffet.

For lunch I went to the dinning room once and also for breakfast one morning. Food was good. I was impressed. I am really a Royal Caribbean fan when it comes to dinning. Having cruised also on the CCL Conquest a few times I always preferred RCL but the Fantasy was very good.

 

Ports Of Call - Soon as you get off the ship in Progreso and get through the shopping area there you board the free bus ride to the town. When you get off the bus walk 1/2 block-turn left and walk one block. Ta Da! The beach. We rented a plastic beach lay down chair. $2 each. The first place has padded lay downs for $8. We took the next place for $2.00 as we were only staying 3-4 hours. Shopped for a massage. . .or should I say they shopped me. Got a 30 min (she said 45 min) for $10. It was good. We opted not to do the Corona Beach Party for $39.00 per person. Did not want to drink at 10:30am.

 

Went for a swim in the water. Refreshing. Read other posts about the beach saying . .dirty. . .brown water. No so. The water is shallow and sand is light brown on the bottom. Do go to the beach in Progreso. Very nice time.

 

Cozumel. Not much to say as we have been there many times and seem to do the same thing. Walk, shop (well I watch as Linda shops) and eat at the Casa Brava Cafe on Cale 7th. Went back on board and went for a swim in the ships pool.

 

Entertainment - Did not go to any shows. Really just enjoyed sitting on deck at sunset. . .prefer the aft Lido Deck with a full view of the water at sunset. Did get chosen to preform in the Wed Night Talent Show sing live with the Fantasy Orchestra singing "My Way". There were 6 other guest chosen to preform in the show. Went very well. We all got the 24 carat gold plated plastic Fantasy Ship Trophy and a $5.00 discount coupon to purchase the $29.00 DVD of the show. Hey, the Conquest gave us the DVD for preforming in the Legend Show. . .I did not buy the Fantasy DVD

 

Disembarkation - Packed our bags on Friday night and put them in the hall at about 11pm. We were Zone 7. Breakfast was served in all areas from 6:30am to 9:00am. We both had a nice parting breakfast and headed to the Promenade Deck to wait. Took about 20 min after Zone was called to get to our bags. Had the porter load them and went through US Customs in less them 2 minutes. I declared every thing we bought on board the ship. . .well over the legal limit I might add. . .Customs agent look and said. . .welcome back and have a safe trip home. That was it. Porter took our bags to elevator to the Port Parking and right to our car. Tipped him $1.00 per bag plus a extra $3.00 and I loaded the bags and we were out of the garage in 3 minutes headed to the French Quarters for Linda to shop at the Open Market for a hat and purse. Then lunch at Acme Oyster House for Gumbo and Jambalaya. Oh. . .for got to mention. . .Pat O'Brians first for a hurricane. A must. .maybe 1 or 2 of them. We were at our Sheraton At The Galleria by 2:30pm headed for the pool. Of the two Sheraton's we stayed. . Sheraton At The Galleria was the better of the two. Clean, newer and a full complementary Breakfast Buffet served on Sunday to guests. Other days is is Continual.

 

In closing. .I was surprised and impressed by the Fantasy experience. I did not think it would measure up to a Conquest Class Ship or even to a Royal Caribbean Voyager Of the Seas. . but was a good experience over all. Fantasy will move to Mobile, Alabama in Nov 2009 and I understand the Triumph will replace her in New Orleans, LA. The Big Easy was really EASY. Go there and help New Orleans rebuild their economy back up to pre-Katrina days. Very friendly city and very nice place to cruise from.

[thelmalou]

Just remembered our way of navigating the Ecstasy.

 

The decks are listed at the elevators by the first initial of the deck's name rather than by a number. Our room was on the Riviera deck, so this is how it went for us:

 

R (Riviera)= Room

E (Empress)= Embarkation, Excursion Desk

P (Promenade) = Photo Gallery or Play (Casino!)

A (Atlantic)= Ate there! (Main Dining Rooms)

L (Lido)= Lunch or Lounge by the Pool

S (Sports)= Spa

[mesh06]

i have cruised ccl a couple of times , haven't cruised rccl yet, but dw and i are thinking of freedom of the seas next year. go with an open mind on your cruise and enjoy