Ecstasy to Catalina & Ensenada
Written: Nov 09 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap and great for families and first time cruisers
Cons: you get what you pay for
The Bottom Line: Cheap and lots of fun for the kids and the drinkers
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| protonsmom's Full Review: Carnival Ecstasy |
Just a little background on me as a traveler. I have cruised three times before all with the same ship, the SS Independance with American Hawaii Cruises. Those three trips were phenominal and they are what I had to guage this trip off of. I have recently heard American Hawaii had to file chapter 11 due to the attacks on 9/11.
I got a e-mail direct from Carnival's marketing people two weeks ago with a unbelieveable offer for a 4 day trip. I called thinking there had to be a catch and ended up booking a trip for my husband and I for $550 including all taxes and port charges.
Here is my break down of the cruise and my personal feelings on each item.
FOOD: ok, I got this one on here first because I believe it is one of the most important things on a cruise ship. The dinner's in the diningroom were great, I would not say 5 star but maybe a 4. Lobster was tough and flavorless but all in all the presentation of meals and the desserts were great. The buffets could be improved. Mostly fried kid friendly foods and not available all the time. Note one day we had a excursion off the ship till 3pm that did not include a meal, we got back to find out all that was available was hours old pizza.
SERVICE: As with the cruises I had been on before th epeople really make the trip. Everyone is very helpfull and friendly. Even other cruisers turn into friends by the end of the trip. I personally thought the diningroom staff was the best of the bunch. The staff is very young and very International, I mean there are people from pretty much everywhere in the world EXCEPT America. Takes a little getting used to all the accents.
ROOM: We stayed on the Main level and our room was what you would expect. One dissapointment was when they push the beds togather to make a "queen size" they do not put on new sheets. Basically you have two tucked in beds with twin size sheets and blankets pushed togather, why bother. There was a tv which was nice for a movie each night and a little news here and there. They supply plenty of towels and a robe to use during the trip.
EXCURSIONS: On Tuesday we arrived in Catalina and my husband and I went on a bus tour of the island. Supposed to be a nature thing but we saw no wildlife. It got us to the airport up there and then back down the hill. I slept on the way back down the hill.
That afternoon we went out on a Zodiac boat and this was pretty much the highlight of my trip. WE zoomed all over the place and got to follow a pair of finback whales. Also got to see 3 Bald Eagles and there are said to only be 17 on the island.
Wednsday we were in Ensenada. This place is a dump. People begging and pushing stuff at you every 6 feet and that drives me crazy. We went on a winery tour that got us out of town and shopped for a hour. Found some good bargains but I really never need to see that town again.
Thursday was boring for us. We spent that day floating around about 25 miles off the coast in big circles. I am not kidding. The activities planned just were not things we were interested in. Seemed like they floated around that extra day just to get you to blow your last cash in the casino (that had horrible odds on the machines) and to drink all day.
SHOWS: We only went to one show and it was supposed to be the best of the week. We would have left 10 minutes into it if we could have gotten through the tables wihtout bumping people. It was very Vegas and very tacky with bad singing and so so dancing.
PHOTOS: The photographers follow you everywhere. We got some good quality photos but got ripped on the price. I paid over $120 for photos and they only let you buy the big copies so you pay the highest price. I will personally scan them and print smaller reprints to give to friends and family. What the heck will I do with the 6 10x12's?
I know it sounds like I am totally trashing this trip. In reality I am not, we still had a great time and would likely do it again. Just know that if you pay for a cheap cruise it will be a cheaper expierence.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
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Epinions.com ID:
protonsmom
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Member: Cheri
Location: California
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Part time personal assistant, part time housewife, animal lover, automotive fanatic.
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