Get ready Galveston!

The Carnival Ecstasy will be returning from Dry Dock on October 17th with the following updates:

• Carnival WaterWorks
• Serenity Adults Only Retreat Area
• Resort-style pool
• Circle "C" Young Teens Club (12-14)
• Additional Lido dining options: Mongolian Wok and Rotisserie
• 98 Ocean View staterooms converted to Balcony staterooms
• 8 Penthouse Suites will have their balconies extended
• The Forward Dining Room set-up for "Your Time Dining" (open seating) which will begin on 10/31/09.
• Internet Cafe relocated to Empress Deck 7 mid ship and Wi-FI access, bow to stern.

A variety of cosmetic enhancements (such as new carpeting, wall coverings, tile work and new furniture) throughout the ship, including: the dance club, Lido restaurant, casino, cafe, aft lounge, cigar bar, main lounge, piano bar, corridors, public bathrooms and Owner’s Suites.  

Anchors Away!

For all your Cruising Needs Call:

Richard Recuset, Carnival Cruise Planner, 1-800-438-6744 x 82425, I probably won’t be able to answer your call right away, but If you leave a message I will return your call right away.

ECSTASY churns up the water in Progresso Mexico

Carnival Cruise Line’s 1991 built CARNIVAL ECSTASY is in the latter stages of a multi-million dollar refurbishment being performed during a 28 day drydock which began on September 19, 2009.

When the ship emerges on October 17, 2009 she will sport a new remodeled resort style pool area which will be decorated with faux palm trees, new lounge chairs and new staging areas and sound systems.

For youngsters, or those young at heart, there will be a new water playground called Carnival Waterworks. Features will include a four story slide called the “Twister” which presently will be the highest at sea. For those who prefer some competition the area will also contain twin racing slides of about 82 feet long.

New water playground like this will be added to ECSTASY

Grownups who would like to have some privacy will have an area called “Serenity” which is a adults-only area located all the way aft on Deck 9 with spectacular views overlooking the stern, all of which can be taken in on padded chaise lounges.

Young teens will find a new Circle “C” facility where they can spend time with new friends.

Other enhancements can be found inside the ship like newly remodeled staterooms which will feature flat screen T.V.’s and the popular Carnival Comfort Collection bedding.

Perhaps the most dramatic change which will alter her exterior appearance is the addition of 98 balcony cabins created from existing ocean view staterooms. These cabins are located primarily aft and midship. The only other ship in the Fantasy Class fleet of 8 to receive the new balconies has been CARNIVAL SENSATION.

Over the past year or so the following ships have received the “Evolution Of Fun” upgrades. CARNIVAL IMAGINATION, CARNIVAL INSPIRATION, CARNIVAL FANTASY and CARNIVAL SENSATION.

The ECSTASY sails four and five day cruises out of Galveston Texas.

After the Success of the Turtle Creek Bridge Club Cruise out of Galveston, Texas, we decided to open it up to the whole state of Texas.  We are excited to announce the first Annual State of Texas Invitational Bridge Cruise.  Are you a member of a Texas Bridge Club? email me at rtucker@cruisedeals.com to see if we can get you an invite.   Check out the details below: 

Texas Bridge Cruise 11.28.09

Join us on a Bridge-Filled Cruise Vacation

There is nothing quite like sharing all of the enjoyment of a cruise vacation with others who share your passion for the game of bridge. We have taken cruise vacations to the next level, by filling most of your free time with one of your favorite past-times, BRIDGE. Get all that comes with a typical cruise, Free Food, Entertainment, and transportation to different exotic ports of call. We are proud to offer this very affordable cruise that will feature both Duplicate and Rubber Bridge. All games are ACBL Sanctioned so you will earn Master points. ACBL-accredited teachers will be on hand for extra lessons in between games.

Carnival Ecstasy:
11/28/09 5 nt. Mexico Cruise from Galveston, TX.
Rates including port charges and taxes:

Double Occupancy

Inside Cabin: $450.92 per person including all taxes
Oceanview Cabin: $499.92 per person including all taxes

Payment Dates:
April 20th, 2009: $50 fully refundable per person deposit due,
July 25th, 2009: $200 fully refundable per person full deposit due
September 20th 2009: Full payment due, Cancellation Penalties begin.

Note: You can cancel and get a full refund prior to 9/20/09.

Contact Maria Cruise Consultant: 800.668.6414 ext. 138

Itinerary:

Day Location Arrival Departure
Saturday, November 28, 2009 Galveston, Texas – 04:00 PM
Sunday, November 29, 2009 Fun Day At Sea – –
Monday, November 30, 2009 Cozumel, Mexico 09:00 AM 05:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico 10:00 AM 06:00 PM
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Fun Day At Sea – –
Thursday, December 3, 2009 Galveston, Texas 08:00 AM –

This is a Cruisedeals.com, TCBC, and CruiseSource.us Group Cruise Event.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will undergo an extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment this fall that will include the addition of an expansive new water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, a Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14-year olds, and a redesigned resort-style main pool area. Additionally, 98 balconies will be added to existing ocean view staterooms.

The refurbishment, which will take place during a 28-day dry dock from September 19 to October 17, 2009, continues a series of major upgrades to the line’s eight Fantasy-class vessels.

Carnival Ecstasy will be the second ship to have additional balconies added following the success of a similar implementation on the Carnival Sensation earlier this year.

Carnival Ecstasy operates year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from the Port of Galveston. On this route, four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso.

Exciting Open Deck Features

A signature element of the Fantasy-class upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, a fun-filled aqua park located on Verandah Deck. Designed with an all-ages appeal, WaterWorks encompasses a 300-foot-long twisting, turning water slide – the longest and most elaborate at sea – along with dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides, and a wide variety of water spray toys.

In addition, Carnival Ecstasy’s main pool on Lido Deck – which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools – will be totally transformed to feature a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work will create a decidedly tropical feel.

I just sent out my Wednesday Pack and Go Email, man there were some ridiculous deals!

One was a three day cruise departing Miami starting at $129.00.   Wow!

Because these are unpublished specials, I can not post them on my blog or web site.  I can only email them.

So…if you haven’t subscribed to my click here!

As a reminder, I do not sell, rent, or otherwise allow anyone other than myself access to my email list.

Here are the latest cruise deals for sailings  in the next 90 days.  If you are looking for a different agenda or venue, let me know!

• 4 day Baja departing San Diego departing Feb. 22, 2009 from $169
• Carnival Paradise : 4 Day Baja Mexico from Los Angeles from $239
• 8 day Mexican Riveria departing San Diego on Carnival from $599
• 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean departing from Galveston from $499
• 5 day Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston on Carnival from $349
  

CARNIVAL’S 70,000-TON CARNIVAL ECSTASY OFFERS YEAR-ROUND FOUR- AND FIVE-DAY MEXICAN CRUISES FROM GALVESTON

             MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Lines’ 70,000-ton Carnival Ecstasy – which operates a popular year-round four- and five-day cruises program from Galveston, Texas – offers a truly unique vacation experience, with a host of “resort-style” amenities and an exciting array of stunning public rooms and facilities, each with a character all its own. 

            This fall the Carnival Ecstasy will also undergo an extensive refurbishment that will place during a 28-day dry dock from September 19 to October 17, 2009, continuing a series of major upgrades to the line’s eight Fantasy-class vessels.

            The new features include the addition of an expansive new water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, a Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14-year olds, and a redesigned resort-style main pool area. Carnival Ecstasy will also be the second ship to have 98 additional balconies added to existing ocean view staterooms following the success of a similar implementation on the Carnival Sensation.

            The ship operates year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from the Port of Galveston. On this route, four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso.

            PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
            The Ecstasy features a variety of dramatic public spaces designed by Carnival’s award-winning interior architect Joe Farcus.  These areas range in style from the Chinatown Lounge, with design elements that include pagoda-style street lamps, a 1930s Chinese restaurant supply truck and hanging Chinese lanterns, and Stripes, a pulsating dance club which, like the name implies, employs a décor of black and yellow stripes and features a high-tech sound and lighting system.

            Other venues include the Explorer’s Club Library, a refined reading room offering the perfect venue for curling up with a good book; the Rolls Royce Café, which features an authentic 1934 Rolls Royce as its focal point; and the Blue Sapphire Lounge, a striking multi-level theater showcasing Vegas-style entertainment.

             DINING OPTIONS
            The Carnival Ecstasy offers a wide variety of formal and casual options at sea, including the Wind Star and Wind Song formal dining rooms and the poolside Panorama Bar & Grill, a casual eatery serving full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria. Dining room menus also include vegetarian dishes and children’s menus, as well as Spa Carnival Fare, delicious health-conscious menu items that are lower in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories. The ship also features a patisserie, as well as complimentary 24-hour room service and ice cream and frozen yogurt. 

             ON-BOARD PROGRAMS
            KIDS AND TEEN PROGRAMS – Carnival Ecstasy features the line’s popular children’s program “Camp Carnival,” offering a full schedule of fun, supervised activities, including new programming focusing on art, music, science, geography and physical fitness. The ship also features the line’s popular teen program “Club O2,” catering to 15-17 year olds. A new Circle “C” center aimed at the 12- to 14-year-old set will also be added during the upcoming dry dock this fall and will feature plasma screen televisions displaying movies and music videos, a high-tech sound and lighting system, gaming consoles and a touch-screen jukebox.

            CARNIVAL WATERWORKS- A signature element of the Fantasy-class upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, a fun-filled aqua park located on Verandah Deck. Designed with an all-ages appeal, WaterWorks encompasses a 300-foot-long twisting, turning water slide – the longest and most elaborate at sea – along with dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides, and a wide variety of water spray toys.

            In addition, Carnival Ecstasy’s main pool on Lido Deck – which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools – will be totally transformed to feature a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work will create a decidedly tropical feel

            ADULTS ONLY RETREAT- Another new feature on the Carnival Ecstasy will be Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat located aft on Promenade Deck. With design elements that include teak decking, large umbrellas and thatched roofing, Serenity provides an ocean-going oasis for relaxation and comfort.  Guests can enjoy icy cocktails and frozen drinks while relaxing in plush chaise lounges and chairs. 

            ‘SPA CARNIVAL’ – Fitness has become an important part of people’s daily lives and guests sailing on the Carnival Ecstasy can take advantage of the ship’s renovated health and fitness facility, Spa Carnival.  Among the largest facilities of its kind, the 12,000-square-foot “floating health club” features new private treatment rooms and updated exercise equipment, as well as a mirrored aerobics room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, steam rooms and saunas, and a sophisticated menu of body and facial treatments, including a number of exotic “European-style” therapies.  Also featured is a one-eighth-mile jogging track, along with a beauty salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services.

            GOLF PROGRAM – Through a partnership with Sunrise, Fla.-based Elite Golf Cruises LLC, golfers sailing aboard the Carnival Ecstasy have the opportunity to receive personalized instruction and play top courses in Mexico. Shipboard lessons are conducted at a covered and lighted “driving range” and utilize state-of-the-art “V1” teaching computers featuring side-by-side comparisons with top tour players and sophisticated video analysis.  Lessons are also included during golfing excursions, which feature priority tee times, transportation between ship and course, and cart and green fees.  Equipment rental, including Nike clubs, golf shoes and accessories, is also available.

            ACCOMODATIONS – During the ship’s upcoming dry-dock, private balconies will be added to 98 existing ocean view staterooms to create spacious new 230-square-foot accommodations.  Sixty-two of the staterooms will be located aft – with several of these featuring extended balconies – while 24 others will be located mid-ship and 12 near the stern.  Several of the Carnival Ecstasy’s suites will be modified to feature larger, extended balconies.

            All of the Carnival Ecstasy’s staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, featuring plush mattresses, luxurious duvets, fluffy pillows and high quality sheets and linens, as well as terrycloth bathrobes and in-cabin amenity kits with a variety of brand-name product samples for men and women. 

             INTERNET CAFÉ, WI-FI ACCESS, CELL PHONE SERVICE – Like all “Fun Ships,” Carnival Ecstasy offers an Internet café with private workstations featuring flat-screen monitors, along with Wi-Fi access available in virtually all public rooms and areas.  Guests can also make and receive cell phone calls whether the ship is at sea or in port.

            For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit www.carnival.com.

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