Ecstasy Review - 3/22 to 3/26

[1maggie1]

This was my and DH second trip on the Ecstasy. Our first time was on her inaugural voyage in 1991. In June, 2011 we took a cruise with the kids on the Pride. That is where most of my comparisons come from. Embarkation was simple and fast. We took the Carnival transport from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral. It was expensive but easy. We were going for easy and relaxation this trip.

 

[Mel1322]

Looking forward to hearing about your trip. We are booked for a 5 night on the Ecstasy in July. And like you the only other CCL ship we have been on was the Pride last Feb. I am interested in hearing how the two compare.

[1maggie1]

Hi Melissa - I had it typed than it poofed! LOL. I am going to try again. THe Pride was definitely better but we enjoyed the Ecstasyl

[1maggie1]

Okay trying again. Embarkation was very easy and fast. Everybody at the port was so friendly. We went up to Lido for lunch. It was always crowded but we never had trouble finding a table. The food was okay but just didn't seem as good as the Pride. The set up wasn't as easy to master. We tried the Mongolian Wok. It was ok but not worth the wait. DH said pizza was horrible. It didn't look like it had enough sauce on it. That poor guy working there needed more help. It seemed like he was the only one there.

Serenity deck is awesome. The attendant did a great job of keeping the kids out. I wish they had a pool there but there is no room for it. The pool on lido was SO crowded lol. There were tons of kids on this cruise but they didn't bother us.

Our stateroom was an ocean view. They were ready at 1:30. We were on the Main Deck. There was always a sewer type smell but I remember that from the Pride as well. Our cabin steward kept it clean and we hardly ever saw him. This reminds me of a security issue we saw that I didn't like. We were walking from our cabin to the elevator and heard a man yelling and banging on a door. He was by himself at that time but we could see him. We got up to Lido and forgot our camera so went back down. At that point he was shouting at a woman who had come out of the cabin. When we left our cabin again he was still yelling and cabin stewards were standing there but not sure what they could have done. We got on the elevatpr and there was a security guard and I asked him if he wasn't getting off. He pointed to the woman who just got off and said she would handle it , it was a medical emergency. The woman was another passenger. There was no medical emergency. It was a domestic dispute. Anyway the security got off at the next floor and there was another carnival employee on the ship and he just looked at us and shrugged his shoulders like he could do nothing. I just hope the guy never hit the woman.

The ports really didn't interest us much. Not much to tell.

Shows were good. We didn't like the comedians as much as on the pride. The Cruise Director is as good a fiddle player as everyone says. He even impressed my husband who doens't like country music.

We played a few trivia games but didn't win.

Casino was very unlucky for me. Enough said lol.

MDR was in the windsong early seating. We had been told we had a table for 2 but ended up at a table for 11. Very very crowded. Thankfully on the 2nd and 4th nights the family of 4 didn't show up. Interestingly it was two diff families. Our other table mates were delightful couples from Canada. They didn't know each other and one couple had a very nice son with them. We ended up happy that we didn't have the table for 2 because we enjoyed their company very much. The food was okay overall. We had a very nice waiter who was in training (we think). No problems with service or anything.

I am not going to try to put pictures on here because I am not very good at computer stuff. I just wanted to share because I enjoy all the review I have read and find them very helpful. T

Thanks for reading.

[Mel1322]

Thanks for the review. I have been concerned about the layout of the buffet area. On the Pride the stations are spread out, which I liked. It helped with the crowds. The Ecstasy isn't as spread out, so I have been concerned about how crowded it will feel.

 

Not too excited about the ports either. Our cruise will be a 5 night which includes Half Moon Cay. That is the only port we plan to really do anything on. We will most likely stay on the ship in Freeport and enjoy the pool. In Nassau we will get off for a few hours to enjoy shopping, but nothing more.

 

I figure, even if the there are problems on the ship with ports, other passengers, food, ect. at least I am not at work. So any cruise is better than being home:)

 

Thanks for the review. I love to read what others think of their cruises!

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. Glad you enjoyed your cruise, that is what it is all about.

[stacieps]

Embarkation was simple and fast. We took the Carnival transport from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral. It was expensive but easy.

 

 

Thanks for the review! I'm planning to use Carnival transportation for the Ecstasy in October - how did it go? What time did you arrive at the airport and what time did the bus leave?

[vivavegas]

Thanks for taking the time to share your vacation with us! Sounds like you had a good time.

[1maggie1]

Thanks for the review! I'm planning to use Carnival transportation for the Ecstasy in October - how did it go? What time did you arrive at the airport and what time did the bus leave?

 

We arrived at the airport about 10:15 a.m. We got our luggage and went to the carnival counter. Waited about 15 minutes for the bus (It was Mears). We then had to go to the other terminal to pick up more people then it was about 45 minutes to the Port. I think we were on and eating by 12:30 p.m.

 

Then on the way home we did self debark. They ended up letting people off much earlier than they said and we were at the airport by 8:40 which was our scheduled time for self debark.