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Copyright ©
1995-2002
Linda Coffman |
Carnival
Ecstasy
Mexican Riviera
April 22, 2002
by LVANGEL113@aol.com
PRE-CRUISE: We left Las Vegas for LA the day before the cruise
and stayed at
the Hilton Port of LA/San Pedro under the Park and Cruise Program. Had
joined the Hilton Honors Club online (free) and was automatically
upgraded to
a balcony room. Champagne and full American breakfast included. Room was
quite comfortable. The Hilton watched our car for the cruise
duration and
shuttled us back and forth to the pier as part of the Park and Cruise.
All
in all…worth every penny.
EMBARKATION: Arrived at the pier at 11:00 and was onboard by
12:30. Carnival is just initiating the Skippers Club in LA, so personnel were
unsure
of the routine for CAT 11 & 12 Suite passengers. Basically,
we got VIP
check-in and boarded among the first cruisers. Curbside porters
take baggage
leaving you with carry-on for the X-ray machines. Security is
tight with
everyone getting checked closely. The embarkation personnel were very
friendly and upbeat. Had to show birth certificates and photo ID
along with
cruise docs. Pier is undergoing construction so it's pretty
basic, but lots
of seating available. This is the place where you get your
"Sign and Sail"
cards (one for each person including children). Just have all
your paperwork
from the cruise docs completed and check-in is quick and hassle free. There
are lines, though, so be patient.
Overall: Efficient process considering the amount of people
checking on
board.
BOARDING: As we boarded the Ecstasy, we inserted our Sign and
Sail card into
a slot and a photo was recorded for the security camera. This is
used each
time you embark and disembark the ship at ports to assure the correct person
is matched with the card. We entered the ship at the atrium
level and were
immediately struck by the bright colors and festive décor. Ship personnel
directed us to the correct elevators for our suite, as there are lots
of
elevators, stairways and hallways to get lost in! We were
impressed by how
clean and well maintained the ship looked. Overall: Exciting, smooth
introduction to the Ecstasy.
CABIN SUITE: Suite U102 - Upper deck. As first-time
cruisers we were unsure
what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised. Walk-in closet
with hangers
provided, shelves to stack shoes, etc. and a full length mirror.
Bathroom
with shelves for toiletries, glass shower doors and whirlpool tub.
Lots of
towels. Two twin beds (a bit firm) with a nightstand in between.
Large
vanity area with 8 dresser drawers. This is where the only plug
in the room
is located, so bring a power strip! TV, VCR, refrigerator (not
very cold)
and bar is attached. Sitting area with pull-out sofa bed
(double) sectional,
coffee table, two side chairs and a large window. Door to balcony is heavy,
bring a bungee cord to hold it open if you want. Balcony has two
chairs and
one lounge chair and worth the price of the suite by itself. We
had seen
postings from other cruisers about the "worn out look" of
the furnishings and
occasionally about unpleasant odors, however we found the furnishings
quite
satisfactory and no odors anywhere on the ship (except the wonderful
smells
from the galley). Complaints about the suite: fridge could
be colder, bars
in the sofa bed might bother a light sleeper. Overall: Great! Our cabin
steward, Anne Marie, was attentive and accommodating. And the
balcony was
WONDERFUL!!
FOOD: We ate dinners in the Wind Star Dining Room with a
wonderful
wait-staff. The menu changes every night so you never get tired
of the same
food. Everything from Steak to Lamb to Chicken to Fish to
Lobster to Pasta
dishes. Our waiter, Regino, made us feel quite special each meal
and made
sure no one left hungry. You can get two or three of anything. We purchased a Soda Card ($18) and had unlimited soft drinks for the
entire
cruise. With soda at $2.50 a glass it was worth it. We
alternated breakfast
at the dining room or the Lido deck where it was buffet style. The Lido deck
breakfast was faster on mornings we had to be ashore for tours. There was
also a buffet-style for lunch with a grill for burgers etc. This is
also
where the midnight buffet and the 24-hour Pizza were located. You
certainly
won't go hungry on the Ecstasy! Complaint: Ice cream bar
needs more topping
choices. Overall: Variety of food outstanding; availability of food
outstanding; buffet typical for that style; dining room meals, while
not 5
star, were certainly a strong 4 star.
TOURS: Try and decide on your tours before you get on the ship
as they fill
up very quickly. The secret is to put your carry-on in your
cabin and
immediately go up to the shore tour desk and fill out the tour request
and
drop it in the box. You can do this even before they open. This way you
are
almost assured the tours you want.
CATALINA ISLAND: Beautiful island. Be sure and rent one of
the golf carts. We got a special: 3 hours for $60 for a four person cart.
You can
go all over
the place in them, although they give you a map with a scenic route to
follow. We signed up for the "Inside Adventure Tour"
which takes you to the
top of the island where you visit an airport. Along the
way you get to see
the buffalo roaming free and the tour guide is funny and a resource of
facts
about Catalina and its famous residents. HINT: This tour,
on a bus, takes
you on a very windy, narrow road with hairpin turns... definitely not
for those
afraid of heights. I found it too much for my level of comfort. My daughter
took the Eco Tour which takes you around the island on a power raft
with the
intention of seeing dolphins and sea life face-to-face. It is a bit rough at
high speeds, but highly recommended. The shopping is wonderful
in Catalina
and there are many places for lunch or drinks. You have to be
ferried from
the ship to the pier, but it goes quickly and you can get some great
shots of
the Ecstasy. Complaint: Not enough time on the Island. Overall:
Enjoyable
day!
ENSENADA: Welcome to Mexico! As we disembarked we were
greeted by a
Mariachi band and some native "savages" for a great photo
opportunity. It
was also raining a bit, which put a damper on the day. At the
foot of the
ship is a grouping of merchants selling everything from liquor to
Mexican
art. HINT: Check the prices in town before you buy here,
plus the prices
seem to get lower here by the end of the day when you are getting back
on
board the ship. We took the "Scenic Gold Coast Tour"
with a great tour
guide, Juan. Great tour and a lot more comfortable with regard
to heights
(the road is fine). It takes you on a private tour of the Casino
and two
resorts. Free drinks (the Margarita is authentic!) and lots of
scenery and
history. My daughter went horseback riding and advises that the
experience
is great with horses for all levels of riders. The shopping is
all you
expect. Great bargains and remember to try and talk down the
prices. I
never paid more than half the tagged price! WARNING: Don't
be upset by all
the little children begging with paper cups and homemade necklaces.
It's just
tourist trapping according to our tour guide. A polite "no
thank you" and
they will leave you alone. Bring good shoes and a sense of
adventure and you
will bargain shop successfully. Overall: Great
shopping, great tours and
great food. Don't forget to visit Papa's & Beers! Bring lots of film, the
scenery is wonderful.
ECSTASY ENTERTAINMENT: The entertainment was varied and there always seemed
to be something to do. Galley Tours, Bingo, Horse Races, Contests, Poolside
dance lessons, Art Auctions and more during the day. Casino,
Shows, Dancing,
great music and comedy into the night. Our Cruise Director,
Matt, was funny
and accessible. Overall: If you wanted to be entertained,
something was
happening all the time. That's why its called the "Fun
Ship" I guess. However, if you wanted to sit alone by the pool or in the
lounge, no
one
bothered you at all.
MISCELLANEOUS: The gift shops were not too expensive and seemed
to be well
stocked. The stabilizers must have been working quite well as movement was
at a minimum the whole cruise. Everyday they posted the photos
taken the day
before by the photography staff. It was great fun trying to find
yourself
among the masses of pix. No pressure at all to buy any. Check the Capers
(ships newspaper) delivered to your cabin each evening for the info
about the
next day's activities. It is probably the most informative
directive on the
ship. Room service is a real treat. We placed an order for 6:30
am coffee
each night at bedtime and really enjoyed the coffee on the balcony
each
sunrise.
DEBARKATION: There is a brief information session the night
before the end
of your cruise given by the Cruise Director. If you follow the instructions,
Debarkation procedures go quickly with immigration and customs. All
the
luggage is put outside your cabin by midnight the last evening and is
picked
up by the porters and miraculously appears at the pier when you leave
the
ship. The morning of debarkation, everything is done in order by
color-coded
groups. We got our color called, papers filled out and stamped
about 8:00
a.m. and then went on to breakfast. At 9:30 our color group was
relaxing in
a lounge awaiting the word to disembark. Unfortunately, a few
reluctant
cruisers failed to get immigration and customs paperwork done and held
the
ship up until 11:30. But eventually we left and met our luggage
and Hilton
shuttle driver.
SUMMARY: We had a marvelous experience. I really believe
cruising is a
state of mind as well as a change of scenery. We expected to
have a
wonderful time, and did. We expected there to be some lines, and
there were. What we did not expect was the wonderful service, sincerely
friendly staff
and moments of pure "fun." Carnival is not for those
cruisers looking for
quiet, elegant, stately sailing. Carnival delivers on its
"Fun Ship"
advertisement. Our little group ranges in age from 30 to 57 and
each found
their own experience to be quite memorable. Would be cruise
again on
Carnival or specifically on the Ecstasy? Lets just say the
Carnival
brochures are back out on the coffee table and we are back on the
bulletin
boards researching!
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Photo
courtesy of Carnival
Cruise Line
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