Carnival Ecstasy January 20-24, 2005 Cozumel, Mexico
We were a group of 20 ladies sailing together. This was my first Carnival cruise, with my previous cruises being Alaska on the Celebrity Galaxy (July, 2000), Western Caribbean on the Celebrity Millennium (December, 2000) and Alaska on the Sun Princess (July, 2001).
Arrival/Embarkation -- I flew from Dallas to Hobby, arriving at 8:30 a.m. I caught the 9:30 departure of Galveston Limo ($30.00) and was at the pier at 10:15. I was one of the first ten people there. We were allowed through security and check-in at about 11. My 21" roll-aboard and large tote bag fit through the machine with no problem (very similar to security at the airport). I presented my Fun Pass to the attendant, who did not look at it, but just laid it aside. I then waited another 45 minutes and was finally let on the ship at about 11:45. It would appear that 11:30 would be the ideal time to arrive for quick check-in and immediate access to the ship. When I embarked, I was asked to go to the Lido Deck until 1:00 p.m. I went to my room instead to drop off my bags. No problem, as all the rooms were already ready.