Carnival Ecstasy Review

3.5 / 5.0
1,057 reviews

Carnival Ecstasy - Western Caribbean

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Ecstasy
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Scooper
First Time Cruiser • Age 80s

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Sail Date: Jul 2007

Background: We are first time cruisers. I did do a lot of research 2 weeks before our trip. I am glad I did. I also read all of the 07 reviews. This was very informational as well. Hotel info: We stayed at the Tremont House (a Wyndam hotel) in Galveston. We did not book ahead. We waited until we arrived Sunday evening.(not recommended, most of them are $170-$200 range.) They had a room for $99.00 a night plus $12.00 parking, but they allow you to park at Hotel Galvez (another Wyndam hotel) for the 5 days for free. We drove to Hotel Galvez Monday morning to park the truck. They had arranged for us a free shuttle from Hotel Galvez to the cruise ship the night before. This was a great deal, because the cheapest cruise parking was $30 at EZ Parking. The Lighthouse wanted $35.00, and Port parking is $50.00. These are also uncovered gated areas. We got to park in a covered, gated garage for free with a stay and 1 night parking at their hotel(very nice).The Fremont House was nice. The ceilings are 14 foot tall, clean rooms, and nice, comfortable beds. They have heated towel racks in the bathroom, heat lamp, etc. We left to eat dinner at the Fisherman's Dwarf. When we came back, the bed was turned down, the radio on soft music, and chocolate candy on the bed. We indeed felt pampered.

Ship info: Carnival Ecstasy- It was larger than I had imagined. 11 or 12 decks,and 2 main dining rooms with different seating times. They also had a 24 hour pizzeria, sandwich shop, and the Panorama Grills (buffet style) for other options. There is plenty to eat whenever you want it, but we were not impressed with the Wind Song dining room. We only ate there twice.The first night and formal night. We ate at the other ones after that. Everything is included in the cruise price except alcoholic drinks, pop, bottled water, gambling, and bingo. Most alcohol drinks range from $6-7 dollars each, (they do have a "drink of the day in a regular glass for $3.75), Beer-$5-$6, bottled water $2.50 a quart (I think), pop $1.75 a can,(We took some bottled water and pop with us), bingo $5 for single card, $20 for 3-5 card game (depending on the night), and gambling (how ever much your winning to lose). Some people said they won. We were in the hole quite a bit in the end. I say- take a certain amount to lose, then know when to get out. The ship was very clean, and they were always cleaning it. They have a complete gym and spa, but I never used them. They also have a running track, miniature golf, puck game, and basketball on the top deck. Activities: There were several (6-8) lounges with several activities going on. They also all played different types of music in each for different people. They leave you an agenda every evening, so you know what is going on the next day. I took a highlighter to mark the activities we wanted to do (tip from reading reviews). We did a lot of activities, but it was impossible to do them all. We and/or me attending 3 art auctions, the Newlywed Game, Battle of the Sexes, Guest acts, Dancing/Singing shows, The Comedy Show, The Bellyflop contest, gambling, Name that Tune, and we saw the Hairy Chest Contest played on the TV. They are always filming activities, so you can watch them later if you miss them. They are also always taking pictures every time you turn around. You can decline though. They process the one they take, and you have the option to buy ($21.99 for 8x10 and $7.99-8.99 for 6x9). They hang them up on one of the levels for you to find and look at. Sometimes it was like finding a needle in a haystack. There were 2500 guest on this trip, so imagine...Service was great. The stewards keep your room clean. They turn beds down at night, leave chocolate candy, and towel animals. There is always someone there asking if you want a drink (go figure). You'll never go dry, but you may go broke if your not careful of your charges. You can carry tea, juices, and other drinks from the grill to other parts of the ship. We did.

Shore Excursions: Never believe anything people in Progresso or Cozumel try to tell you when there selling something. DO YOUR RESEARCH before you go, or you will get ripped off royally. Never get in a cab without asking the price. The cab driver told us $30 for 4 people. The policeman has just told us $15 and the Internet had said between $10-13 for 2-4 people, so this was real close. The cab driver came down to $15 real fast. They are a union there and should all be charging the same rates, but too many of them try to pocket extra cash off cruise guest and others who don't know better. Stay with what the Internet tells you. It is correct. We took a free shuttle in Progresso to the market square in town. It runs back and forth every 20 minutes. Never give them what they are asking for items. Give them what you think it is worth. I asked about a Mexican dress. She told me $35, then $25. I told her I would give $15. She said $17. I said, "NO, gracious." She said, "OK, $15 American dollars." This is how my whole shopping experience went. I paid what I felt it was worth. Prices are a lot cheaper at the market than at the pier, so be careful.We got some t-shirt for 4 for $20.00. Remember, they want to sell it, you don't have to buy it unless it is reasonable for you. In Cozumel, we took a taxi ($15.00 for 4) to Paradise Beach (12 minutes from pier). It is free admission to get in. They do ask that you spend some money on drinks and food for the use of their beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. A guy at the pier selling some other trip tried to lie about the charges to Paradise Beach, etc.- so just walk right on by them. This was a nice, clean, free admission beach. You can also get a wrist band for $9.00 for the day. This lets you use all their water toys (water trampoline, huge blown up igloo to climb and slide down, snorkeling stuff, rafts, life jackets, etc. This is a good price for all you can use. They want you to run a tab and pay Freddy at the end. We insisted on paying cash. For one thing, they don't give you a ticket each time. There is no way to keep an accurate tab of hundreds of people that way. They also will add at least an 18% gratuity fee on the end. Plus, the credit card receipts were in Spanish (go figure). Tons of people were getting taken I'm sure. Trust me, pay cash with all of them. Take plenty of ones. It's a funny thing, none of them seem to have any change......

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