great cruise by
An Experienced Travel from Houston TX
Sailing date: Aug 2009 Pros:
Steve Cassell, the cruise director, was the best, most talented of any cruise director on any cruise line that I have been on!!
Cons:
Some of the beef dishes were tough.
Though the Ecstasy is not as "updated" as other ships, it was very pleasant. I hear that it is being overhauled soon.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities To reiterate, Cassell was great- an extraordinary violinist and a juggler as well as running all activities well. The comedians were great.
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A bad cruise by
steve h from Houston Tx
Sailing date: Jul 2009 Pros:
the excursion
Cons:
food
i wold not recemend this ship
Ship Quality
Dining/Food The food was terriable even the water tasted funny
Stateroom Quality room was to small not as it appeared on web site no cold water at the vanity
Ship Staff Quality staff was great
Entertainment & Activities some of the shows was a little laim
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Our Fabulous Family Cruise by
Michelle C from Magnolia, Texas
Sailing date: May 2009 Pros:
Fast and Friendly Staff. Everyone wanted to please :0)
Cons:
That I couldn't stay longer
This is the second carnival cruise that my husband and I booked. This was the first time our children sailed. We all had a wonderful time!
Ship Quality Loved all that the Ecstasy had to offer. It did not disappoint.
Dining/Food We absolutely loved our wait staff and service. The food was "wonderful!" We raved over the bbq ribs, the soups, the lobster, and all the delicious deserts. The dining room had convenient times. We absolutely loved it!
Stateroom Quality We booked a category 12 stateroom and it did not disappoint! It was roomy enough for the four of us with room to spare. Our cabin service was a 10! They greeted us by name and kept our state room impecable! They were kind enough to leave special knick knacks for us every night. When we needed something, it was taken care of right away. We were seriously pampered! Thank You!
Ship Staff Quality All of our staff went above and beyond. From our Wait staff to our stateroom all the way to the entertainment staff. We were so happy with our service, that we actually tipped extra this trip.
Entertainment & Activities We participated in everything we could. We loved all of the entertainment offered to us. Very well family planned and oriented. My kids especially loved family karoke night and bingo!
Children's Programs Our girls enjoyed it. I do have to say that we didn't need to use camp carnival much since the other activities on the boat kept us busy. I can recommend the service as people we sat with at dinner raved about how much their little ones loved the camp.
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Nice cruise by
OMAR S. from Houston Tx
Sailing date: Apr 2009 Pros:
SERIVCE on the ship
Cons:
Not being able to dock at any port due to the SWINE Flu
This was our first vacation alone in the 20 years that we have been married. I booked this cruie a year in advance and we looked forward to it. The food was great the wait staff and stewarts were to AWESOME. We were not able to dock at any port but, it was not Carnivals fault they had to take precautions due to the Swine flu out break. We do plan on going again next year.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food Our waiter Anold and our bus lady Isabella were OUTSTANDING.
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
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a very nice cruise by
Terri N from San Antonio, TX
Sailing date: Feb 2009 Pros:
the staff were exceptionally wonderful
Cons:
the ship was a little small
The ship was a little bit smaller than what I had sailed on before and was a little bit older, but what it lacked in size or age was entirely made up for my the crew. The crew and staff were exceptionally nice and helpful. It was very down to earth.
Ship Quality The ship was a little small and older - but it was very nice and acceptable for the length of the cruise that we took
Dining/Food The food was standard cruise food- nothing exceptional - however, the staff in the dining room made the dining experience truly exceptional
Stateroom Quality We had one of the suites with the balcony. I was very impressed with the size, layout and cleanliness
Ship Staff Quality I can't emphasize enough how exception the staff on this cruise were.
Entertainment & Activities There were quite a few activities, but besides basic bingo and shows at night, the afternoons needed a few more options
Collapse List of Ports
Cozumel, Mexico We did the cigarette boat to the Isla Passion - the private island beach day. This was the absolute best shore excursion in 4 cruises that I have ever done. A must for adventure (the boat) and lounging on the beach
Don't Miss: the Twister cigarette boat ride to Isla Passion
Progreso (Merida), Mexico we did the resort beach day. The food and drinks were excellent. The water was a little chilly. The only thing bad about this was the music playing at the resort. I don't mind rap, but they played one song that was totally obscene and offensive to women. I wasn't the only one who noticed this. - So, wear ear plugs and it will be enjoyable
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Total escape from reality! by
A Traveler from Houston, TX
Sailing date: Jan 2009 Pros:
Limited cell phone, internet, and TV access - just meet new people and have fun! Also loved the ocean gently rocking me to sleep in my cabin each night :-)
Cons:
hmmmm. Difficulty locating my traveling partner when we got separated I guess.
My travel mate is not much of a "live show" person but we both enjoyed almost every one we attended. The first comic on our particular trip was rather lame but the 2nd one made up for it. The cruise director, Steve Cassel, never failed to entertain. What a surprising and varied bag of talents he brings to the ship! He's fantastic!
We were also pleasantly surprised at the varied ages and backgrounds of the other cruisers. We met many fun and interesting people on the ship and excursions.
We're already recruiting our own "posse" for the next trip.
Ship Quality The ship was absolutely emaculate. My only negative comment would be that the decor is a bit dated....but then, I was 30 years old and totally in style in 1991 too :-)
Dining/Food All good. Given the number of people they serve/feed all day long, it's amazing. Dining room staff is outstanding.
Stateroom Quality I had an R level room ("bowels of the boat") to myself. I loved it! If I had to share, it might not have been as pleasant. I live in a nice home but hated leaving my efficient little efficiency. Very clean, aesthetic and well looked after by the steward.
Ship Staff Quality The staff goes above and beyond in the friendly department. And they seem to be sincere. It was nice getting to know a few during the trip.
Entertainment & Activities Didn't take advantage of many since I preferred poolside with a book. The few things I did participate in were totally fun. I was shocked at the turnout for the Hairy Chest Contest - lol! It was like Spring Break for grownups.
Collapse List of Ports
Cozumel, Mexico we took the Deluxe Cat trip and had a ball. Best value for your dollar (if you like free beer/margs and beaches). Downside was we wished we'd had another day in Coz and skipped Progreso. It was too short.
Don't Miss: Don't miss the Fury catamaran trip. They do a fantastic job for a great price.
Progreso (Merida), Mexico I took the shuttle alone to Progreso - stayed 10 minutes being badgered by the vendors - got back on the bus to the ship and relaxed poolside remainder of the day. I heard Merida is a good side trip - i will do that next time instead.
Don't Miss: Don't miss avoiding the aggressive vendors in the market
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We missed the snow in Houston by
Monica S. from Houston, TX
Sailing date: Dec 2008 Pros:
Gambling
Cons:
Stomach flu
Bad weather, very rough seas. All water sports cancelled in Cozumel due to weather. Cozumel doesn't look the same after the last hurricane. Where's Carlos & Charlies? Senor Frog's? All they have now is two no-name places.
I was the 38th person to contract the stomach flu on this cruise. Gotta hand it to the nurse in the infirmary, they did a great job of getting me medication and an IV.
Unloading went smoother than usual.
This is my fifth time to take this ship. Never got sick before.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food The desserts in the dinig room were the best part.
Got sick of seeing some of the same items on the dinner menus.
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities They didn't have nearly as much to do on the Lido deck because of the weather. It was either rainy, overcast, windy, or all of the above.
Collapse List of Ports
Cozumel, Mexico Not the same since the hurricane.
Progreso (Merida), Mexico Nothing to do but a LITTLE shopping.
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Marginal Cruise by
T. Mitchell from Houston, tx
Sailing date: Oct 2008 Pros:
Cozumel
Cons:
The cigarette smell
The reason that I wouldn't recommend this ship is because it's very old and smells of smoke. Everything besides the food you had to apy for including BINGO and the services were highway robbery! The best part of being on the ship was the staff. Our dinner waiter and statesman was extremely nice. At the end of the crusie, I went back and adjusted the tip to make sure that they were tipped well and the others weren't.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food I've had better. Tea and leomnade was included in the meal, but coke and other sodas were $1.75 per can. The drinking water taste like it had chlorine in it. We found out after we got on the boat that you can bring your own water. We will definately be doing that next time.
Stateroom Quality I didn't like the fact that there was only 2 irons on board. We had to walk pretty far to iron.
Ship Staff Quality Extremely friendly. :)
Entertainment & Activities THere was something to do at all times.
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happy sailing by
Nelson L. from vidor tx
Sailing date: Oct 2008 Pros:
complete fun package
Cons:
was nothing not to like
Best fun on the water from Galveston Texas. Complete fun and a great staff. The food and fun are endless.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
Children's Programs
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Great cruise. by
Roberto C from Laredo, TX
Sailing date: Oct 2008 Pros:
On board shows, children's programs and on shore excursions.
Cons:
Time allocated to shore excursions was too short.
The ship is in very good conditions, the crew is very friendly and they go out of their way to make your vacations enjoyable.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
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Collapse List of Ports
Cozumel, Mexico Encounter with the dolphins, expensive but worth it.
Don't Miss: Kissing the dolphin
Progreso (Merida), Mexico Reef beach resort, very relaxing.
Don't Miss: Open Bar!!!
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