Saturday, February 27, 2010

WaterWorks Aqua Park

Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park is presently on the Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Ecstasy and the Carnival Fascination.

Carnival WaterWorks offers our guests many ways to enjoy their fun time in the sun. Guests can enjoy the rush of our four-deck-high, 300-foot-long spiraling tube water slide, which is the biggest, longest and most elaborate slide at sea, or race on the 82-foot-long double-lane waterslide.

Carnival Waterworks

Carnival WaterWorks also features a large splash area where kids of all ages can play and cool off in the many fun spray apparatus. The area also has comfortable lounge chairs, just right for guests who wish to lounge in the sun and relax while the kids have a blast splashing around.






Friday, February 26, 2010

Resort-Style Main Pool Areas


The Resort-Style Main Pool area is presently on the Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Ecstasy and the Carnival Fascination.

Inspiration for the pool area was taken from the tropical beauty of the Caribbean. The pool area features a “beach” that surrounds the pool area and is made up of blue tile with yellow accents, bringing to mind the beauty of the sun shining of through the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean. Large, sunny yellow umbrellas provide a shaded area for guests to sit and enjoy being on the “beach” poolside.


A whirlpool awaits guests at either end of the pool. One gives guests the option of relaxing in soothing warm water under a thatched roof in the shade, while the other lets guest enjoy the sun under a canopy of whimsical faux palm trees. The area also includes thatched roof spiral stair cases which help to open up the area.


The two bar areas on the forward corners of the mid-ship deck area have also been given a fresh new tropical look. New mosaic tiles along with a thatch roof over head provide shade for guests to enjoy the barstool seating area which was made more spacious by removing the staircases that partially blocked views to the open deck area.


The outdoor food service area to the aft of the resort style pool and the performance stage has also been redone with new tile-work and thatched roofing providing even more of a tropical resort area feel to the Lido deck.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Photographic Experiences

 
The Ship's Photographers take both candid and posed shots all during the cruise. The photos are put on display, usually the very next day, and are available for purchase with the guest's Sail & Sign card. Special requests can be made by appointment. Following is the price list for photographs (prices vary among the fleet):

  • 1 - 8 x 10:         $21.99
  • 1 - 5 x 7:           $7.99
  • 1 - 6 x 9            $8.99

Carnival has converted the photography services to advanced digital, using professional digital cameras by Olympus.
Photo-retrieval kiosks, a new system and first of its kind in the cruise industry, utilizes innovative "facial recognition technology". The technology matches a guest's likeness with stored vacation photos shot by the photographers and displays the images on the computer screen for review and purchase.

Photo printing kiosks allow the guest to simply insert the memory card from their digital camera into a card reader located within the stand-alone printing kiosk. After selecting photo size and quantity, the images are then printed in a matter of seconds on high quality digital photo paper. Guests can also customize their photos with colorful borders, backgrounds and other features.

  • To pay for the photos, guests will swipe their "Sail & Sign" card.
  • Cost: $0.50 per 4x6 print; rates will vary per size/quantity.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

How to Pay for Stuff on the Ship

Sail & Sign On Board Account
Sail & Sign is Carnival's cashless on board credit program, which allows the guest to charge on board purchases and gratuities directly to a personal account for convenience throughout the cruise. The Sail & Sign Card must be utilized for all money transactions on board as cash will not be an accepted form of payment.

Credit Cards - U.S Currency - Traveler's Checks
  • Guests may activate their Sail & Sign account online on FunPass or at Embarkation.
  • For cash accounts, the guest must deposit money at the Guest Services Desk on the first day of the cruise.
  • The following minimum cash deposits (or credit card holds) are recommended:
    • 2 - 4 day cruise: $100 per person
    • 5 - 8 day cruise: $200 per person
    • 9 day or longer: $350 per person
 Personalized Sail & Sign cards will be provided to all guests (including minors) and are valid for use immediately upon boarding the ship.
  • The Information Desk can provide the guest with a balance update at any time throughout the cruise.
  • For cash deposits, as the guest approaches the deposit limit, the Guest Services Desk will notify the guest that additional money must be deposited.
  • All charges will automatically be billed to the guest's credit card at the end of the voyage. The total amount will be applied to the credit card presented during registration.
  • On the final morning of the cruise, a statement detailing all purchases made with the Sail & Sign card will be delivered to the guest's stateroom.
  • For those guests who put down a cash deposit, if there is an overpayment at the end of the cruise, the guest will receive the over payment in the form of a check attached to their detailed statement on the final morning of the cruise.
  • Any inquiries regarding a Sail & Sign Account made after the cruise need to be referred to the Guest Relations Department (71551) for researching.
 
Here is an example of what the Sign & Sail Account Cards look like:
 
 This one is gold because I'm a past passenger.  
If your a past passenger this is what your 
Sign & Sail Account Card will look like.

 
This is what a first time cruisers card will look like.  
Chris' next card will be gold since he is now a past passenger


The following Credit Cards are accepted as a form of deposit to open a Sail & Sign Account at the start of the cruise. There will be an initial hold placed on file as a deposit. During the cruise, additional holds will be added when the Sail & Sign Account exceeds the amount of deposit Carnival has on file. If a credit card is presented, this will reduce the amount available on the credit card for other purchases. If a debit/check-cashing card is presented, the hold will restrict the available cash in the checking account. Any remaining hold after the end of the cruise will automatically be released by the guest’s issuing bank within a time period determined by the bank.

The following credit cards are accepted:
  • Visa Card / Visa Gift Card
  • MasterCard / MasterCard Gift Card
  • An ATM/Debit Cashing Card may be used as long as it is a registered MasterCard or Visa Card.
  • The Discover Card / Discover Gift Card
  • American Express Card
  • Diner’s Club / Diner's Club Gift Card
  • JCB Card
    Note: Gift Cards may also be referred to as "secured" or "pre-loaded" credit cards or “Travel Funds Card”.

Note:  The following are not acceptable:
  • Gift Cards / Travel Funds Cards issued by: American Express; Optima
  • Keychain (mini) credit cards
  • The American Express “Persona Select”
  • ATM/Debit Cashing Card other than those registered by MasterCard or Visa Card.

General Information:
  • The name on the credit card being used for the Sail & Sign account must match the name of a sailing guest; we will not accept credit cards belonging to non-sailing individuals.
  • The cardholding guest must be an authorized signer by the card-issuing bank.
  • Upon completion of the Sail & Sign Application Form, the cardholder agrees to pay for the individuals indicated on the form; it is not necessary for these individuals to be booked in the same cabin as the cardholder.
  • A maximum of three staterooms may be linked to one credit card.
  • All charges will be billed to the credit card or debit/check cashing card at the end of the cruise. Carnival will not be held responsible for any bank imposed overage or insufficient funds charges on debit/check cashing cards or credit cards.


Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)

Automatic Teller Machines are located on the Promenade Deck on all ships.
  • There is a $5.50 fee per transaction for this service, which is controlled by the bank sponsoring the ATM's, Bank Atlantic of Fort Lauderdale, FL. 
  • Guests are able to withdraw funds and make balance inquiries on their checking and savings accounts while the ship is in port or at sea.
  • Note: The supply of money may be depleted prior to the end of the cruise.

The following is a list of major credit cards and Networks accepted:   
  • Honor
  • Tyme
  • Shazam
  • American Express
  • Magic Line
  • Oath
  • Mac
  • MasterCard (Cirrus for Non-U.S)
  • Visa (Plus)
  • Nyce
  • Pulse
  • Yankee
  • Alert

Check Cashing On Board

Guests may use their personal checks on board to acquire a cash advance. Global Cash Access (GCA) provides this service by debiting the guest's checking account, using the account number on the check. The guest must have available monies in the checking account that the check is drawn on.

Important Note: Just like debit cards, the money are immediately debited from the guest's checking account.
  1. For this service, GCA charges 5.5% of the value of the cash advance requested or a flat fee of $5.50 if the amount requested is $100 or less.
  2. Since the guest's checking account is debited (same as if using a debit card), the personal check is returned to the guest.
  3. Both the Information Desk and the Casino offer this service.
  4. Limits are determined by the available monies currently available in the guest's checking account.
  5. We do not accept Cashier's Checks, Bank Checks nor Money Orders


Check Cashing On Board

Guests may use their personal checks on board to acquire a cash advance. Global Cash Access (GCA) provides this service by debiting the guest's checking account, using the account number on the check. The guest must have available monies in the checking account that the check is drawn on.

Important Note: Just like debit cards, the money are immediately debited from the guest's checking account.
  1. For this service, GCA charges 5.5% of the value of the cash advance requested or a flat fee of $5.50 if the amount requested is $100 or less.
  2. Since the guest's checking account is debited (same as if using a debit card), the personal check is returned to the guest.
  3. Both the Information Desk and the Casino offer this service.
  4. Limits are determined by the available monies currently available in the guest's checking account.
  5. We do not accept Cashier's Checks, Bank Checks nor Money Orders.


Traveler's Checks

Traveler's Checks can be cashed on board at the Guest Services Desk; since Traveler's Checks are considered as cash, there is no fee for this check cashing service and no limit to the dollar amount cashed.               

Canadian Traveler's Checks can be cashed on board at the Guest Services Desk at the current exchange rate.


Cash Advance on Credit/Debit Card

Global Cash Access (GCA) provides guests with cash advance services by using the guest’s credit card or debit card, provided that the guest has an available limit.
  1. For this service, GCA charges 5.5% of the value of the cash advance requested or a flat fee of $5.50 if the amount requested is $100 or less.
  2. Both the Guest Services Desk and the Casino offer this service.
  3. Limits are determined by the available credit limit on the guest's credit card or debit card account.

Credit Cards and Debit Cards Accepted
  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • The Discover Novus Card
  • Diners Club International
  • The American Express Card
  • JCB Card
  • Arriva (GCA's own credit card which guests may apply for, on board, in the casino).
  • Maestro
  • Interlink
  • Star
  • Pulse Pay
  • NYCE
  • MAC
  • Cash Station
 




More About the Activites and Entertainment on the Ecstasy

Activities and Entertainment


The "Fun Times" newsletter offers an at-a-glance overview of the day’s events, including activity and entertainment options, dining choices, children’s programming and more. “Fun Times” is delivered to each stateroom, each evening, for the following days scheduled activities.  

The following activities and entertainment are offered fleet wide, unless otherwise noted.

Parties
  • Captain’s Celebration – “Fun Farewell”
o        For details, see section under: On Board Life
  • Past Guest Reception
o        Note: Offered on cruises 5-days or longer
  • Late Night Deck Party

Full Gambling Casino
Gaming Lessons / Tournaments: Blackjack; Slots; Poker
For details, see section under Shipboard Knowledge Menu

Shows and Entertainment
  • 3 Bands and Orchestras (Calypso, Dance Music, Easy-Listening)
  • Karaoke
  • Spectacular stage shows each evening at sea
  • Midnight shows
  • Live music for dancing
  • Bingo Sessions (prices vary; most sessions are $10 per card/3 for $20)
  • First-Run movies featured daily on the in-cabin TV
  • Behind the Fun Tour

Youth Programs
For details, see section under Shipboard Knowledge Menu
  • Camp Carnival - supervised for young cruisers, 2-11 years of age
  • Circle "C" - exclusive program for 12-14 years of age
  • Club O2 for Teens  - exclusive program for 15-17 years of age

Sports
For a list of specific ships, check the Ship Features chart under the Ship Features section
  • Shuffle Board (select ships)
  • Ping Pong (select ships)
  • Volleyball (select ships)
  • Basketball (select ships)
  • Miniature Golf
  • Golf Putting
  • Jogging Track

Spa Carnival
Note: Some classes may not be available on every ship; the classes listed with a $12 fee are not offered on: HO
  • Beauty Seminars
  • Aerobics
  • Step Aerobics
  • Total Body Conditioning
  • Absolute Abs
  • Sunrise Morning Stretch
  • Pathway to Yoga ($12 fee)
  • Pilates ($12 fee)
  • Spinning Cycle Class ($12 fee)
  • Kick Boxing Class ($12 fee)

Fun and Games with the Cruise Director and Social Staff
Note: Games vary and are up to the discretion of the Cruise Director
  • Horseracing                    
  • Trivia                                       
  • Win/Lose/Draw                           
  • Scavenger Hunt                           
  • "Survivor"                     
  • Lido Deck and Pool Games
  • Couples and Lovers Game
  • Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
  • Battle of the Sexes
  • Ship Building Competition
  • Game Show Mania

Instructive Talks – Demonstrations - Classes
  • Fun Ashore Talk 
  • Shopping Talk
  • Debarkation Talk
  • Ice Carving Demonstrations
  • Dance classes
  • Galley Tour (select ships/itineraries - subject to ship scheduling)
  • Art Auction at Sea
  • Scrapbooking (select ships/itineraries - subject to ship scheduling)

Get-Together with Fellow Guests
  • Friends of Bill W. (Alcoholic's Anonymous Meeting)
  • Friends of Jimmy K. (Narcotic’s Anonymous Meeting)
  • Friends of Dorothy (GLBT Meeting)
  • Card Players meet and play
  • Singles Meet and Greet

On Board Facilities
  • Video Arcade
  • On Board Duty-Free Shopping
  • Library (books and board games available to use during the cruise)
  • Internet Cafe