Brief Ecstasy Review

Went on a 5 day cruise on the Ecstasy out if Charleston. Here are some thoughts.

Port: we didn't park there given some other reviews about parking so just took an Uber from the Hampton Inn. $15 each way so it was a good deal since we just left the car at the hotel. Probably because it's a smaller port and I'm Platinum but it was the quickest I have ever gotten onto a ship. We were at the port at 11:00, stood in line for about 10 minutes, and were at our room at 11:30. So the port gets a huge thumbs up.

Room: we had on ocean view room on deck 7. Similar to most rooms. Temperature was fine for me but I could see how some may have wanted it cooler. And it was cooler at night for sure. My only complaint is, the bathrooms don't have the shelves to put toiletries like other ships. Just one shelf basically. Not a huge deal. No fridge, but we don't use ours when we have one.

Ship: it's a different layout than the larger ships but easy to get used to once you realize deck 9 is basically deck 5 (casino, comedy, etc.). I've read where some folks like the smaller ships because they don't feel as crowded, and I can see why. Not one time in the 5 days did I feel like any wait for something was long when compared to ships like the Breeze, Glory, etc. The staff was excellent. We had YTD and sometimes the timing is a little off in getting each course but not this time. It flowed very well.

Food: the food was typical Carnival. I mean that in a good way. Typical menus, etc. Pizza may have been a little better than some ships because it wasn't as limp. The bacon was hit and miss. Sometimes Carnival bacon is too soft. This bacon was like jerky too often. Still ate it though. Lido deck had a good layout, and never had a problem with lines or seats.

Entertainment: I gamble a good bit, and the casino staff was solid. Not a ton of crap players but had a good time with those who were there. Wasn't as crowded as some other casinos. Drink servers were plentiful and it didn't take forever to get a drink. Not too smoky but again, it wasn't that crowded. There were two comedians who were both good. Fewer shows per night than on other ships I've been on. Maybe that is because it was the same two the whole cruise. We didn't didn't do a main theater show but the band that played in the casino bar was great.

Bottom line: I wouldn't hesitate to sale in the Ecstasy again. I know it's more a port for people who can drive there but it was a great cruise.

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Glad had a great cruise! Thanks for the feedback.

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Nice review. We all cruise for different reasons and I always enjoy reading all perspectives.

Happy sailing.

I was on the same cruise and as a first time cruiser I was very impressed. I will be doing a review with pictures at some point starting this week.

Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the review...we like the Fantasy class ships...Charleston is an easy port for us and we are looking forward to our August cruise on the Ecstasy:) This will be second time on her for me....but first for dh....glad you enjoyed your cruise!

With Charleston only being a 3 or so hour drive for us we have sailed out of this port several times. We always park at port and have had no issues doing so and with FTTF are on ship pretty quickly. We dont mind the smaller ships once in while (prefer the larger ships though) just to have the convenience of a short drive for a cruise. It's all good!!!

Just thought of a question about Charleston and the Ecstasy....what deck did you do embarkation and debarkation on? We usually stay on Empress Deck, but are on Upper Deck this time...It's been a while since we sailed out of Charleston and cannot remember if this is a port where you enter on deck 1 or 2?

Just thought of a question about Charleston and the Ecstasy....what deck did you do embarkation and debarkation on? We usually stay on Empress Deck, but are on Upper Deck this time...It's been a while since we sailed out of Charleston and cannot remember if this is a port where you enter on deck 1 or 2?

Deck 7. We did self disembark and didn't bother with the priority place. Just walked down and got in the line. It moved pretty well.

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Deck 7. We did self disembark and didn't bother with the priority place. Just walked down and got in the line. It moved pretty well.

 

 

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Thanks ....exactly what I needed to know. We may do self disembark too if I can get Dh to umderpack!!

Went on a 5 day cruise on the Ecstasy out if Charleston. Here are some thoughts.

 

Port: we didn't park there given some other reviews about parking so just took an Uber from the Hampton Inn. $15 each way so it was a good deal since we just left the car at the hotel. Probably because it's a smaller port and I'm Platinum but it was the quickest I have ever gotten onto a ship. We were at the port at 11:00, stood in line for about 10 minutes, and were at our room at 11:30. So the port gets a huge thumbs up.

 

Room: we had on ocean view room on deck 7. Similar to most rooms. Temperature was fine for me but I could see how some may have wanted it cooler. And it was cooler at night for sure. My only complaint is, the bathrooms don't have the shelves to put toiletries like other ships. Just one shelf basically. Not a huge deal. No fridge, but we don't use ours when we have one.

 

Ship: it's a different layout than the larger ships but easy to get used to once you realize deck 9 is basically deck 5 (casino, comedy, etc.). I've read where some folks like the smaller ships because they don't feel as crowded, and I can see why. Not one time in the 5 days did I feel like any wait for something was long when compared to ships like the Breeze, Glory, etc. The staff was excellent. We had YTD and sometimes the timing is a little off in getting each course but not this time. It flowed very well.

 

Food: the food was typical Carnival. I mean that in a good way. Typical menus, etc. Pizza may have been a little better than some ships because it wasn't as limp. The bacon was hit and miss. Sometimes Carnival bacon is too soft. This bacon was like jerky too often. Still ate it though. Lido deck had a good layout, and never had a problem with lines or seats.

 

Entertainment: I gamble a good bit, and the casino staff was solid. Not a ton of crap players but had a good time with those who were there. Wasn't as crowded as some other casinos. Drink servers were plentiful and it didn't take forever to get a drink. Not too smoky but again, it wasn't that crowded. There were two comedians who were both good. Fewer shows per night than on other ships I've been on. Maybe that is because it was the same two the whole cruise. We didn't didn't do a main theater show but the band that played in the casino bar was great.

 

Bottom line: I wouldn't hesitate to sale in the Ecstasy again. I know it's more a port for people who can drive there but it was a great cruise.

 

 

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Were you on the June 10-June 16?

We were as well, also on deck 7, and if you were playing craps, I'm sure I shot with you for a while! (and the bacon was horrible this time to me, like strips of gravel, except at Guys Burger)

Were you on the June 10-June 16?

 

 

 

We were as well, also on deck 7, and if you were playing craps, I'm sure I shot with you for a while! (and the bacon was horrible this time to me, like strips of gravel, except at Guys Burger)

Yep, on that cruise. I was the guy with the special brother, Jeffy.

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Appreciate the feedback.

Yep, on that cruise. I was the guy with the special brother, Jeffy.

 

 

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Ohhhh Jim and Jeffy!! We were the couple you sat with at the comedy club. Good times for sure!!!

Ohhhh Jim and Jeffy!! We were the couple you sat with at the comedy club. Good times for sure!!!

Ha, that's awesome. That was a fun cruise. Met lots of great people.

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Ha, that's awesome. That was a fun cruise. Met lots of great people.

 

 

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We went back to the craps table the last night around 10 or so and only 1 guy was shooting. As soon as I bought in, he backed out, so I shot alone for 25 minutes, all a hot streak. Turned $40 into $330 without ever crapping out. As soon as I did, Nikki kicked my leg and mumbled "cashout." That was all I needed to say that I came out way ahead. All in all, good rolls!

I was on the same cruise and as a first time cruiser I was very impressed. I will be doing a review with pictures at some point starting this week.

I'm gonna hold you to that, bro. :D

Did you stay at the Hampton or just park your car there and take UBER?

Nice review.

Recently booked Ecstasy. Have over 50 nights on Fantasy-class ships, so well aware of the layout and what they have (or don't) compared to larger ships. Personally, I love that class. Don't need a steak house (although I enjoy them) and happy to not have a huge, blaring TV on the pool deck (although I don't hang out there.

This will be my first Fantasy-class ship that has Guy's and Blue Iguana, so that will be nice.

Absolutely love Charleston, and am staying downtown this time (close enough to walk to the port). Yeah, the room is going to cost more than farther out, but I just decided to cough up the extra $$ and stay in the historic district. Rarely is parking available for the duration of the cruise, so that's a plus.

It's been almost 4 years since my last Fantasy cruise, but in the past, there was no Plat/Diamond security line. Had to get in line with everyone to get through security, and then branched off to the VIP check-in.

Of course, back then, there was no "check-in" time, either, so everyone tried to show up early to be on before lunchtime because, you know, must get that first "free" meal! ;p

I'm now a Roulette player. Used to be slots only, so it will be fun to see how I like the wheel on this ship.

No rooms on the Fantasy class ships have sofa's besides the Suites.

Went on a 5 day cruise on the Ecstasy out if Charleston. Here are some thoughts.

 

Port: we didn't park there given some other reviews about parking so just took an Uber from the Hampton Inn. $15 each way so it was a good deal since we just left the car at the hotel. Probably because it's a smaller port and I'm Platinum but it was the quickest I have ever gotten onto a ship. We were at the port at 11:00, stood in line for about 10 minutes, and were at our room at 11:30. So the port gets a huge thumbs up.

 

Room: we had on ocean view room on deck 7. Similar to most rooms. Temperature was fine for me but I could see how some may have wanted it cooler. And it was cooler at night for sure. My only complaint is, the bathrooms don't have the shelves to put toiletries like other ships. Just one shelf basically. Not a huge deal. No fridge, but we don't use ours when we have one.

 

Ship: it's a different layout than the larger ships but easy to get used to once you realize deck 9 is basically deck 5 (casino, comedy, etc.). I've read where some folks like the smaller ships because they don't feel as crowded, and I can see why. Not one time in the 5 days did I feel like any wait for something was long when compared to ships like the Breeze, Glory, etc. The staff was excellent. We had YTD and sometimes the timing is a little off in getting each course but not this time. It flowed very well.

 

Food: the food was typical Carnival. I mean that in a good way. Typical menus, etc. Pizza may have been a little better than some ships because it wasn't as limp. The bacon was hit and miss. Sometimes Carnival bacon is too soft. This bacon was like jerky too often. Still ate it though. Lido deck had a good layout, and never had a problem with lines or seats.

 

Entertainment: I gamble a good bit, and the casino staff was solid. Not a ton of crap players but had a good time with those who were there. Wasn't as crowded as some other casinos. Drink servers were plentiful and it didn't take forever to get a drink. Not too smoky but again, it wasn't that crowded. There were two comedians who were both good. Fewer shows per night than on other ships I've been on. Maybe that is because it was the same two the whole cruise. We didn't didn't do a main theater show but the band that played in the casino bar was great.

 

Bottom line: I wouldn't hesitate to sale in the Ecstasy again. I know it's more a port for people who can drive there but it was a great cruise.

 

 

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Thanks for the review, living in Charleston I have always wanted to go out of here. We are on the NYE this Dec and cannot wait! I have also been on the larger ships and I am actually looking forward to 7 days of no big crowds. Happy Cruising!:p

Thanks for the report! I would love to cruise out of Charleston!

Yep, on that cruise. I was the guy with the special brother, Jeffy.

 

 

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We are booked on Ecstasy again for the June 11 sailing. You guys should try to make it also!!

This makes me even more excited about my cruise on Ecstasy next week. Thanks for the feedback. We started on the big ships (Allure) on RCL and slowly moved to the smaller ships (Majesty) and really preferred the smaller ships. This will be my first time on CCL and I'm STARTING with the smaller ship. Have always read mixed reviews (for all lines and ships) but this one is very balanced!! Thanks again for your review. I'll be at the slots!