PORT CHANGE ON ECSTACY

[BJC123]

I'm curious ... just returned Monday 10/2 from 4 day cruise on Ecstacy. We were scheduled to go to Cozumel but upon arrival at terminal, were notified that "DUE TO PROPULSION PROBLEMS" our port had been changed to Progreso. Didn't make that much difference to us as we were just trying to get away for a while. But the Monday afternoon cruise left going to - you guessed it - Cozumel and Progreso! I'm wondering how many others that have taken the 4 day cruise from Galveston have had this same change. We heard from about 4 other couples that this had happened to them 2 times on same cruise. Let me hear from you if this has happened to you ...

Did they announce the port change the day before you were to arrive? That's a pretty far detour on short notice. I hope ours stays Cozumel because our only thing we plan to do is snokel all day long and Progresso doesn't seem to have that...

"Propulsion problem"... I wonder what that actually means? Docking propulsion systems broken, someone not top off the fuel tank or what?

[annies]

We are taking the Ecstacy on November 27th on that same schedule. I know we would all be very upset if we had these changes and didn't make it to Cozumel...especially if they were making this a habit!! Thanks for the info!

Besides this detour...how were things on the ship?

[BJC123]

We had also heard that Progreso pays more for them to dock there than Cozumel does ... We didn't hear anything until we arrived at the terminal to check in for the cruise. Not even from our TA ... We did get a $50 per person credit, but still ...

The ship is great ... some of the Carnival employees could use a little attitude adjustment, but overall, we didn't let that ruin our trip. This was our 5th Carnival cruise, 2nd on Ecstacy. Ecstacy was much improved after the revamp from the FEMA loan out. Food was good, shows excellent, personnel in gift shop extremely courteous and upbeat. The ones in the main gift shop were the ones that didn't seem to be to happy to be there... Like I said previously, we didn't let the change ruin our good time. By the way, the sandwiches in the sandwich area on Lido deck AFT, are EXCELLENT!

A word of advise though, we did the CORONA BEACH BREAK. Please be advised if you do this excursion, it is a PARTY. Don't be surprised to see underage drinking, and some risque games. We mostly just chilled and read our books. There was supposedly open bar, but the "mixed" drinks we had, had little to NO alchol in them. We are only occasional drinkers and we had NO effects from 4 of their drinks. Son in Law said the same about the tequila shots they were doing that they tasted like kool aid. Some of the young people on the trip did get wasted though so I'm assuming they were drinking the CORONAS.

Don't bother with the flea market in town. Our daughter went there and she advised it was down right scary, as were some of the other shops with extremely agressive people. The shops that face the waterfront seemed from the people we talked to to be your best bet if you want to shop there. One couple had bought one of the hammocks for $10. The shops right at the terminal in Progreso, don't dicker too much, a couple of them not at all. Shopping right there is not the best to be had except for tee shirts.

Overall, I would give the cruise about an 8-9 and the port maybe a 4-5. We are pretty even going folks and just usually go with the flow.

We are doing the 5 day on Ecstacy in Feb. with the entire family and a couple of friends. Will definitely do something besides the beach.

If I can answer any other questions, let me know! LOVE CRUISING...

Ecstacy 9/06
Conquest 1/06
Sensation 12/04
Celebration 12/02
Ecstacy 5/99

[Cruise Fanatic]

[quote]Originally posted by BJC123:
We had also heard that Progreso pays more for them to dock there than Cozumel does ... [quote]

??????? In all my cruising I have never heard of a cruise line being paid to come to a port. The cruise lines do however pay hefty port fees to the port for the privledge of coming there.

[BJC123]

Maybe daughter got it backwards ... that it cost more to go to Cozumel..sorry for that bit of misinformation.

I didn't notice any difference with the movement of the ship as far as speed was concerned and noticed the wake was larger during the night hours so wondering what exactly was wrong with the propulsion on board.

[annies]

Thanks BJC123!! We are also pretty easy going people...like a drink occasionally! Did our big partying years ago! Got over trying to get stupid!! ha!

Appreciate the info on Progreso. I've heard mixed reviews on this port. My daughter and friends have been there, and they did say there are a few scary places...but also read on here that there are great places to go and great food!

If the ship only went to Progreso and not to Cozumel, did you spend extra time at Progreso? Have you contacted Carnival about this, how it has happened several times now. They need to know their passengers are getting wind of their detours...and don't like it! Once we are on their ship, we are at their mercy!
Thanks!