Hate to disappoint you but the Ecstacy cannot extend to a 7 day cruise.  It would totally screw up the schedule for all later cruises.  I know that it did following the swine flu drama but it won't happen on this cruise.  I was on the first cruise that was 'cruising to nowhere' back in April due to the flu scare and ...

I have been on 5 Carnival cruises in the last 18 months (9 to date) and have seen cut-backs but none to the extent that makes me not want to continue as a Carnival cruiser.  Sure,  the midnight buffets were pretty and photogenic but think of all that wasted food.  As far as I'm concerned they can even do away with the Mexican ...

Please, please..if your family member is as ill as you say...offer another vacation option.  The cruise ship is not equiped to handle medical emergencies!  I have been on 2 cruises where we had to turn back for Coast Guard airlifts in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.  Off the record,  medical personel on board told our ...

I sailed in April out of Galveston.  Our friends won almost $2000 on the Wheel of Fortune slot the first night (of course they gave it all back and then some).  Everyone reported the machines were tight the remainder of the cruise and we were even warned by the waitstaff not to return to the casino. On our second to last night, I played ...

I am an IBC (Islander by choice) and you'll be amazed at how well Galveston has recovered following the hurricane.  A ride on the Boliver ferry is a great place to watch dolphins.  The line for cars can get long so my advice is to park and walk onto the ferry and enjoy the round trip.  Takes about an hour and it's ...

You can't climb it.  It's only a photographic op.  Your call.

The past guest party has been downgraded a bit in the last few months with a noticable decrease in wait staff.  I have cruised on the Ecstasy 4 times in a calendar year and definately see a 'downsizing'.  But it is what it is.  Find a good waiter on the Lido, ask him what part of the room s/he works for the past guest ...

Considering the shuttle guy has been at it for 10 years, he has heard all kinds of cruise related stories.  I am not saying he is a contractual expert, only that he expressed surprise at the offer of no offer!  I'm not crying in my cherrios about the situation and once again, I am grateful that our health and safety comes ...

Our group of 6 sailed from Galveston on Monday April 27 on the Ecstasy.  Within hours we suspected that we would not be allowed offshore in Progreso or Cozumel and kept waitiing for the announcement saying we would either head back or find alternative ways to make us happy.  On Tuesday, it was explained that we were heading to the pilots ...

Go to www.galvestonlimousineservice.com for the rates and schedule for a shuttle to and from the airport to Galveston.  I think it will be about $80 pp round trip but it is a reliable service.  The website is very informative.Island Taxi (409)621-4000 charges $160 for 1-4 people from IAH and $95 for 1-4 peole from Hobby airports.  I ...