We wanted to try a cruise but not spend a lot in case cruising wasn't for us. Galveston is an hour drive and Carnival Ecstasy offered a chance for a short inexpensive cruise.

Booked a balcony and was upsold to a Grand Suite for very little extra. Would not spend full price for this room unless you really need the space. Room really isn't any nicer than any other. The one perk was suppose to be VIP embarkation/debarkation. Embarkation was nice, but so wish Carnival would realize that not everyone is a repeat cruise and some of us have no idea where to go or what to do. (Thanks you CC for the info I did have) The other first time cruisers I talked to felt the same.

Got lunch, wandered the ship and got my first DOD (drink of the day), now we started to feel like we were on vacation. Also found my favorite bartender (Guru) and he spoiled us all week. Muster ran late and barely got on deck for sail away. Went to room, met steward (George), changed clothes and went to dinner. We had anytime dinning and learned the hard way to only use the door off the atrium. When they finally open the other door, they paraded a couple dozen of us through the dinning room and put us at the end of the line on the other side. This included the anytime and 6pm diners. Food was very good and had my first chocolate melting cake (yes, it is as good as everyone says!) After dinner we wandered the ship and then went to our room to relax. Loved the balcony and would never sail again without it. Next day was sea day and discovered that the only place to get a chair was on the deck where the slide is. (Guess we didn't get up early enough) Yes, eat breakfast in the MDR, it was great! Met our favorite waiter (Arvind) and the rest of the cruise we always asked to sit in his section (breakfast & dinner). Never had to wait more than a few minutes to be seated. Read more