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

What to expect on the "Fun Day at Sea" days

Since we only have one stop on our cruise, your probably wondering what else there is to do on the ship when we have our "fun day's at sea".

There is so much to do, there are activities going on all over the ship and around the pool.  My favorite thing to do is to find a shady spot and read a good book while people watching around the pool.  I sometimes have my camera and telephoto lens so you better be on your best behavior or you'll never know what will show up on Facebook...LOL!!

They have all kinds of games throughout the ship and around the pool during the day.  There are lectures if your interested in learning about Cozumel or Mayan Culture.  Of course shopping in the ship's shops.  You can even learn how to make the towel animals that will grace your beds when you come in from your evening out.

 I've scanned in some of the "Carnival Capers".  This is the newsletter you will find in your cabin every night for the next days happenings on the ship.

I know that these are not really readable.  I've put links to the originals so that you can read them in .PDF format.  You'll need Adobe  Reader to see these if you do not have some form of Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat click here to download the newest FREE version.

**disclaimer:  These "Carnival Capers" are not from our ship.  Most of the activities do not vary much ship to ship though.  This is just to get an idea of what to expect.

Click Here for the readable .PDF version

Click Here for the readable .PDF version

Thanks for stopping by.

The next few posts will give you an idea what to pack for the different occasions on the ship and what to expect for the the we're in Cozumel.

Darla

Drinking Your Way Around the Ship

I know this topic will be pretty important to some of you.  Let's face it, we went to Azle, we drink! (well most of us drink)...LOL!!

Here is a list of the bars on the ship.  Alcoholic drinks are not included in your cruise rate.  Drinks are the normal prices you would find at any other bar.

Atrium Bar

Society Bar

Neon Piano Bar

Metropolis Bar

China Town Lounge

Stripes Dance Club

Pool Bar

Starlight Lounge - This is where they will have smaller shows and sometimes karaoke night.

Blue Sapphire Lounge - this is where they will have the nightly entertainment.  Stand up comedians to Las Vegas style variety shows.  Each night is a different show.

Carnival will add the gratuity automatically to each drink order.  Bartenders, waiters and waitresses do not handle any cash.  All drinks will be charged to your cabin daily. Your bill will need to be settled by the last night of the cruise by cash, debit or credit card.

Eating Your Way Around the Ship

I touched a little on the dining before, now I'm going to go over more detail dining options...

All ships have the main dining rooms...on the Ecstasy they are the Wind Song and Wind Star.  We should all be at the same dining time in the same dining room as a group (not all at one table, just the same area of the dining room).  These are the main dining rooms, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  No bathing suites are allowed for breakfast or lunch in the dining rooms. At dinner no shorts, flip flops, tank tops and other pool type clothing are allowed.  Casual dresses, like sundresses or capri or regular pant suites for women and nice jeans or dockers and polo or button up shirts for guys.

Here is a sample dinner menu:

Starters
The Chef Recommends
Asparagus Velouté
Asparagus Cream Soup
Tropical Fruits
Marinated with Lime Juice and a Touch of Tequila
Cured Salmon and Candied Tomato
Dill Cream, Stewed Apples and Grapes in Lemon Dressing
Fried Chicken Tenders, Marinated Cucumber and Lettuce
Served with a Zesty Honey Mustard Sauce
Heart of Iceberg Lettuce
Zucchini and Vine Ripened Tomato Fritters
Choice of Blue Cheese, Thousand Island, Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, or French Dressing
Beef and Barley Soup with Diced Root Vegetables
Gazpacho Andalouse
Chilled Tomato Broth with Diced Plum Tomatoes
Peppers, Cucumbers and Mediterranean Herbs

Carnival Classics
Fresh Fruit Cocktail
Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail
Served with American Cocktail Sauce
Caesar Salad
Hearts of Romaine Lettuce Tossed with our Caesar Dressing
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese, Anchovies and Herb Croutons

Spa Choices
These Items are Lower in Calories, Sodium, Cholesterol, and Fat. Salads are prepared with
Diet Dressing. Calorie Count and Fat Content can vary up to 10%.
Marinated Fruit with Papaya Smoothie
[130 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0 grams of Trans-Fat]
Gazpacho Andalouse
Chilled Tomato Broth with Diced Plum Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Mediterranean Herbs
[61 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of Trans-Fat]

Main Courses
The Chef Recommends
Pan Seared Fillet of Tilapia
Green Pea and Sundried Tomato Fondue
Vichy Carrots and Mac ‘n Cheese
Sweet and Sour Shrimp
Large Tiger Shrimps in a Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce
Served with Scallion, Garlic and Shrimp Fried Rice Noodles
Chicken à la Grecque
Broiled Boneless Chicken Breast with Herbs and Tomato Confit
Virgin Olive and Basil Oil
Grilled New York Strip Steak from Black Angus Beef
Accompanied by Three Peppercorn Sauce
Mac N Cheese and Vichy Carrots
Linguini with Italian Sausage, Bell Peppers and Mushrooms
Served with Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (Also available as a Starter)
Indian Vegetarian Dinner
Cottage Cheese and Peas, Roasted Vegetables Mash with Indian Spices
Slow Cooked Chick Peas, Indian Bread Stuffed with Cumin Scented Red Onions

Carnival Classics
Broiled Fillet of Fresh Norwegian Salmon
Served with Vegetables of the Day
Grilled Breast of Corn Fed Chicken
Served with Vegetables of the Day
Barbecued Baby Back Ribs
Served with Creamy Coleslaw, Grilled Spring Onion and Fries
Baked Idaho Potatoes, French Fries or Steamed White Rice

Assorted Steamed Vegetables

Spa Choices
These Items are Lower in Calories, Sodium, Cholesterol and Fat. Salads are prepared with
Diet Dressing. Calorie Count and Fat Content can vary up to 10%.
Pan Seared Fillet of Tilapia
Vichy Carrots, Romaine and Melon Salad Dressed with Mango Salsa
[330 calories, 8 grams of fat, 0 grams of Trans-Fat]

Desserts
GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLÉ
Served with Orane Vanilla Sauce
CAPPUCCINO PIE
Coffee Ice Cream Pie with Whipped Cream
DIET APPLE PIE
Dessert is Prepared with a Sugar Substitute
Alternative Selections
WARM CHOCOLATE MELTING CAKE
Served with Vanilla Ice Cream
FRESH TROPICAL FRUIT PLATE
Ice Creams
VANILLA • CHOCOLATE • STRAWBERRY • BUTTER PECAN
*Sugar-Free Ice Cream is available upon request
Sherbets
ORANGE • PINEAPPLE • LIME
Cheeses
PORT SALUT • BRIE • GOUDA • IMPORTED SWISS • DANISH BLEU
Beverages
FRESHLY BREWED COFFEE, REGULAR OR DECAFFEINATED •MILK • SKIMMED MILK
HOT CHOCOLATE • ICED, HOT AND HERBAL TEAS • ESPRESSO • CAPPUCCINO
Liqueurs**
SAMBUCA • KAHLÚA • GRAND MARNIER
AMARETTO DI SARONNO
Cognacs and Brandies**
HARDY V.S.O.P. • HENNESSY V.S.O.P. • COURVOISIER V.S.
FUNDADOR BRANDY
Dessert Wines and Ports**
RIESLING, ZELTINGER SONNENUHR, SPÄTLESE SELBACH OSTER
DOW’S LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE • GRAHAM’S SIX GRAPE
QUADY ELECTRA, CALIFORNIA

**alcoholic beverages at additional charge

The Lido Buffet (Panorama Bar & Grill)::  Attire is casual.  They will have everything from chicken and roast beef to a pizza, desert and salad bar.  Don't forget the soft serve ice cream machines!  If you're a night owl, bring your appetite to the late-night buffet. Also, unlike land resorts, their kitchen never closes.

The Pizzeria:  Featuring salads, freshly baked pizzas and calzones is accessible 24 hours a day.

The Rolls Royce Cafe:  Serves a menu of snacks and light fare, accompanied by a full drink menu.

The Mongolian Rotisserie Grill:  The pool area eatery.  I believe they also serve hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

24 Hour Room Service:  Stateroom Dining, complimentary - and cheerful - stateroom service is always just a call away.  

Every ship also features a complimentary sushi bar and a New York-style deli.   And you can stay slim with the low-fat, low sodium and low cholesterol Spa Carnival meal options.

I got hungry just typing the post..gotta go eat now.  What's bad is my food won't be nearly as good as what they serve on the ship.

Good eating!

Darla

After the Homecoming Game Party Pictures

Jayne Miller ('80), Patty Sinclair, Cindy Sinclair Finch ('80)

Michelle Watkins Johnson (87) (Pam's Sister), Mike Walker (Pam's son), Pam Watkins Walker ('80)

LeAnne Cook Abernathy ('81), Lisa Paulson Polk ('81), Linda Traynham Matthews ('81)

Steve Daniels ('80)

The dude has got some pipes!

Darla Hackney Reger ('80), Chris Reger ('80)

Chris Reger ('80)

Scotty Vaughan ('79), Suzanne Vaughan

Steve Daniels ('80) and his fiance Cynthia Kent

Mark White ('77)

Pam Watkins Walker ('80), Liz Gunter White ('80)

Cruise Tips from Brian Savage

Buzzy, shopping in Cozumel

Cruise Tips from Brian Savage

Bring money to buy us drinks...
(A must!)


Bring a plastic shoe holder to put over your bathroom door to hold your toiletries and wet swim suits etc. since there is little counter space in the bathroom. This is a trick we learned a long time ago.
(Very good idea! There is a retractable clothes line in the shower too. Also they make smaller versions of the the plastic shoe holder for travel purposes. I'll see if I can find a source for those. I have one and don't leave home without it on any trip)


Spend the night before and arrive about an hour early to what they tell you embarkation is.
(Very wise advise, we don't want the ship to leave without you!)


Sea sick...? green apples and most of it is in your head.
(Mr. Reger would have to disagree with the "it's in your head", I have seen him turn the most lovely shades of green. Lots of fresh fruit on board in the buffet restaurant. You can also take the non- drowsy formula of Dramamine or Meclizine-anti dizziness/nausea medicine with you, if you know these don't work check with your Dr for a RX for the patch or other suggestions he/she may have )


Don't bring dress up attire as it takes a whole 'nother suitcase... I don't know if they have a Capt. Dinner on this one, many of the ships are taking this out.
(If you are a past passenger, I believe they still have the "Past Guest" party, be sure to let me know your Past Guest number so you'll get invited to the party)


If you want to purchase something like watches/perfume/camera's etc., check your prices before you go so you know a deal when you see it
(Good idea, wouldn't have thought of that.)


Bring money to buy us drinks...
(Again, a must!)


Let me know if you have any tips or questions and I'll post them on the blog!
Darla

After the Homecoming Party

Buzzy bustin' a groove in the Disco on the ship

Hey Y'all,
We've decided to do an "After the Homecoming Game" party. Homecoming is September 25th. We are going to meet at Marina Del's Tex-Mex & Seafood Restaurant. It's at 6500 Wells Burnett Rd. and the phone number for directions is 817-238-6906.

If it's been a while since you've been to Azle, it's the old Barnes Place and then it was Lauderdales on the Lake. It's the floating restaurant and bar.

So, after the game or sooner if you want, September 25th, Marina Del's Tex-Mex & Seafood in the bar.

Be there or be square!

Darla Hackney Reger