Ecstasy - 5 night - Saturday departure - 04/19/2008 - By: Cheryl aka SeaUonboard
This cruise was a surprise for our 17 year old autistic son. He didn’t even realize we were going even when we pulled up and told him twice. Score one for the parents.
We got to the port about 11 – pulled up to the curb to drop off the bags – and SURPRISE. He was shaking – it was too funny. Dropped off the checked bags – tipped the porter and then drove over to Lighthouse Parking where I had reserved a spot online before the cruise ($30 for the 5 night cruise – not bad). Got the carry on bags out and managed to catch the shuttle just before it pulled out. To the pier and off to check in.
EMBARKATION: The porters are great in Galveston (just as I remember them). The embarkation line itself would have moved faster if they had more people working to check in. There was over 30 spots and only 6 people working for quite some time. Finally more clerks showed up and the line moved quite quickly after that. We were onboard about noon. FYI – there is a check-in clerk to the far left end for anyone with a medical need who can’t wait in line. I didn’t notice the VIP check-in but I know they had one as they were separating them from the masses at the x-ray machine. Since we couldn’t go to the cabin until 1:30 we grabbed a drink and some lunch on the lido and checked out some of the exterior areas then it was time to take the luggage to the cabin.
CABIN STEWARD: We were in cabin R152. This was our first opportunity to meet our cabin steward Gabriel or as we called him “Mr. Personality” - NOT. He was the most unfriendly person we meet the entire cruise. He oozed the attitude of “I don’t want to be here and I wish you weren’t either”. At first we thought “Everyone is entitled to a bad day” but this continued throughout the cruise. It took him until the forth night of the cruise to figure out that we had early dining and make our cabin up while we were out. The first 4 nights we would return from dinner only to have to hurry out and hope that he was done with the cabin in time for our son to get his shower and relax while we went to the casino. So it was a game of hurry up and wait. Two nights and 1 morning we got no ice. We had brought a cooler and he knew it the first night. We requested ice along with ice for the cabin. Only 2 nights did he put ice in the cooler and one time we had to ask. It became a joke as to who would make the ice run to the lido deck. We needed a new bar of soap the last night – but I guess he figured he wasn’t going to leave us one for just one night. We look forward to the towel animals but the first three nights you couldn’t even make out what they were suppose to be. Some might say that we were being picky and he didn’t do anything to warrant removing his tip but it was the combination of so many things that just made him poor all around. Everything could have been easily over looked by a first timer (not knowing any better) but this wasn’t our first rodeo and we knew what a good (not even comparing to great) steward was – he didn’t come close and I think mainly it was his attitude.
You might ask why we didn’t report him? Well, we knew we weren’t going to get a new steward and we didn’t want to rock the boat because he truly acted like the conferential type. I wanted to go to the pursers desk on more then one occasion but our son was spending a couple hours each night in the cabin by himself and while we weren’t afraid he would do anything to him we just didn’t want him coming to the cabin when we weren’t there and trying to make up for anything (after getting his butt chewed out) so I let it go. If it had just been my hubby and I then I would have been down there the second day. We couldn’t be the only ones who were getting the attitude and we did put it on the comment card.
I was also concerned when I discovered that he covered part of the cabins that we would have in September so I made mention of it and discovered that he was getting off the ship in August – which to me (and probably him) was not soon enough. So I got to meet the cabin steward for our upcoming girls cruise.
SHIP: It’s been a long time since we have been on the Fantasy class ship but it didn’t take long to figure out the best decks to go through on and which elevators went where. Once I got the layout of the ship figured out it was actually quite easy to get around. I do have to say that I like the tiered layout of the lido deck better on the bigger class of ship.
DINING ROOM: We were assigned to the Wind Song dining room for the 5:45 seating. Earlier then we wanted (asked for 6:15) but when we went to change we found out we were at a table for 10 and Nathan (our son) was so looking forward to meeting new people so we kept it. We ended up with a great wait staff. Alejandro was the head waiter. He has been working for Carnival for 14 years. He was great. We never felt rushed and our tablemates were great. Usually we skip one night – but not this time. We ate in the dining room every night. The one thing that was strange though is the first night – no show by the staff. Second night they didn’t sing until almost everyone was gone. The next couple nights we left right after dessert so I’m not sure. The last night they sang earlier. It was nothing like I remember. It didn’t ruin the experience. Some really don’t like it. I just thought it was strange.
LIDO DECK FOOD: While the pizza is usually one of our favorite parts of the cruise it was really greasy this cruise. The sandwiches were REALLY great. I had the turkey on a roll, my son had a few turkey wraps, the tuna was a little dry (my fault – I should have asked for mayo), and the grilled ham and cheese sandwiches were wonderful. The grill and the lido buffets usually had something we enjoyed. Enjoyed our morning omelets. It didn’t take long for everyone to figure out where to get them. The line grew everyday.
LATE NIGHT FOOD: We stayed up and went to the Gala Buffet. Went up early to get pictures (amazing). We missed the Mexican Buffet.
ENTERTAINMENT:
· We had a great time in the casino. Both my husband and I made deposits.
· We “attempted” to play putt-putt. We were doing fine as we first sailed out of Galveston but the farther out in the Gulf we got the wind picked up more. At one point I putted only to have the ball roll back at me. My husband and son attempted again later in the cruise and had the same problem. It was something that definitely needs to be done while in port.
· We went to the comedy show the first night and the late night comedy. Both were OK. We caught the Newlywed / Not So Newlywed game and a couple of the trivia shows. We didn’t go to the first cast show. According to our tablemates it was not the best. We opted not to go to the other show either. They just didn’t appeal to us.
· We enjoyed watching the action on the Lido. We saw the ice craving demo on the Lido and later that night went to the Grand Buffet in the Wind Star dining room where the sculpture was on display. We also got a kick out of the Hairy Chest Contest. How those men ever get up the nerve to go up there is beyond me.
COZUMEL: We went to Paradise Beach resort. It was fun. I got the wrist band and did some snorkeling. I could have done more but it was just too hot. Almost had hubby convinced to try Parasailing. I guess that will have to wait until I return in September. We spent several hours there eating and drinking. Ended up with a nasty burn on my back. Figured out later that it was probably because the life vest rubbed off the sunscreen. I should have re-applied it. I spent the rest of the cruise rubbing up against things as my back itched like crazy. What a sight that was I’m sure.
PROGRESO: I have to say that I was quite surprised at Progreso.
Originally we were going to do the Reef Club through AutoProgreso - it is the same tour that is offered through Carnival for MUCH less - but we were having issues getting Nate to take his shirt off and he informed us that he wasn't going in the water - so it would have been a waste of money. BUT if you are considering this it is a great deal through AutoProgreso and they are set up right at the pier when you get off.
We decided to just get off and check out the town. We took the free shuttle to town and jumped on the $2.00 double-decker bus. It was a very interesting tour. Afterwards we walked back down to the town square and got some pictures. We passed a couple places that had internet for $1.00 an hour. We stopped into a supermarket but didn't buy anything as we figured even if we figured out the conversion we didn't have close enough change and figured we would get pesos in return. Next time I will take smaller bills as things were cheaper there.
Walked to the beach to check it out and walked around a while. There were many people enjoying the Corona Beach break (which our tablemates did and thoroughly enjoyed). I didn't think the beach (sand) was all that bad. I think a pair of water shoes is all that is needed. They were selling many things on the beach and it looked like everyone was having a great time. It was hotter then hot though so we headed back - but not before buying a set of dominos. I paid $12 (bargained for them) only to find them pre-priced back at the shops by the pier for $7. I guess I'm not a very good bargain shopper.
Yes - Progreso is a poor city. Yes - people will stop you and ask you to buy something every 5 steps. There will be people singing for money and holding donation cans. But a simply no thank you is all that is needed.
DEBARKATION: I think it really depends on which way the wind is blowing and which port you are coming into. We just got back on Thursday off the Ecstasy in Galveston - did self-assist - BOY WHAT A MESS. We were on Riviera and had #24 - the last number so I would say that the farther up you are on the ship the lower your number and the sooner you will get off.
I think they have the process all backwards. The problem is that people start getting pushed out of their cabins and the ones on the Riviera and the next couple decks really don't want to lug their luggage up to the common areas only the lug it back down so the hallways and stairs get congested by everyone just waiting around for their number to be called. Although the people farther up "possibly" paid more for their cabin and maybe for that privilege they should get off first this is a time when I truly believe the process would move much faster if they gave the numbers out with the lower decks going first. That way they can get the heck out of the way.
I also feel that the process is slowed by not enough immigration officials to handle the amount of people getting off the ship.
I know I’ve pointed out many negatives but even all of them as a whole did not put a damper on our cruise. We really enjoyed it. We had a great time. We just relaxed and hung out. We took dominos and got a pack of cards from the purser. I picked up the Sudoku puzzle every morning in the library and made my best attempt the last couple days (they get harder). We didn’t do the past guest party. We didn’t go to the meet the Captain. We didn’t want to feel rushed and we were less stressed because of it. Our tablemates were delightful and we looked forward to dinner each night.
The Ecstasy is a great ship and I look forward to sailing her again in September (just not with the same cabin steward) – LOL).