“Live” from the Carnival Ecstasy: Dec 3-8,2012

[MrFunInTheSun]

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to day 4 from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

Arrival at Nassau today was at 8am. Today we don't have any pre booked excursion plans set. However, DM asked me if we could walk over to see Atlantis since she never got to see it the last time she was here 12 years ago. I boldly said "NO", it's way to far to walk! (Those of you that followed my "Live" when I sailed the Sensation & Freedom, saw my blurb about that "Walk" my gf and I did back on 2009.) Well, my DM can't walk anywhere as well as my gf, no way DM is walking there. So I told her we can take the water taxi there for $8.00 round trip. Thinking about it as I type this we won't be taking the water taxi but a regular taxi as even with water taxi would be to much walking. After visiting dirty Atlantis, we'll most likely make our way back to town center and humor the beggars wanting to sell us stuff and maybe go to Señor Frogs briefly. Anything is possible, and subject to change. Our visit here in Nassau has been extended, all aboard is now 730pm and we are scheduled to set sail at 8:00pm. Not sure why our visit got extended, but that's alright. The port here must be making deals with the ships now to stay longer in hopes of the passengers spending more money. My last visit here on November 9th went from around an 8pm departure to leaving at 6am the following morning.

 

 

Today's "Fun Times"

 

 

 

 

 

Your able to book future Carnival cruises on the Ecstasy. My next few cruises most likely won't be on Carnival but on Royal Caribbean. Think I can book my next cruise on RC "Jewel of the seas" cruise in March at the loyalty desk during this cruise and get an RC OBC? :-/

 

 

 

One thing I want to note again that I've said already is Carnival has really done a great job with shows and fun stuff that's very engaging with its audience. Also for a ship that is 21 years old, the Ecstasy is looking pretty good.

 

Guess its time for us to get out there and see Nassau.

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

 

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[Cruzin_Susan]

Thanks for sharing your trip live! It is helping me pass the time til my next cruise. Hope you have fun in Nassau. :D

[Bernie388]

Awesome review! Have a question for you, we just moved to Cape Canaveral a few days ago. We have several cruises under our belt but never been on the smaller ships other than the Imagination. I'm sure we will try both the Ecstasy and the Sensation. In your opinion, which ship is better for us to try first? Thanks and enjoy the rest of your cruise...

[MrFunInTheSun]

Good Morning from Nassau..,

 

The rain and the Carnival Pride are moving in...

 

 

Despite the rain we trended forward as far as Festival place. I'm sitting here people watching, typing this and listening to some of the local island music...DM is walking around looking stuff they are selling here. The Internet is free here in Festival Place which is handy. We are going to take a taxi to Atlantis in a bit.

 

Pride docking

 

 

 

The Ecstasy's home until 8pm

 

 

Carnival Conquest is also with us here in Nassau

 

 

Norwegian Jewel

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Awesome review! Have a question for you, we just moved to Cape Canaveral a few days ago. We have several cruises under our belt but never been on the smaller ships other than the Imagination. I'm sure we will try both the Ecstasy and the Sensation. In your opinion, which ship is better for us to try first? Thanks and enjoy the rest of your cruise...

 

Both ships are equally good in my opinion. Both Fantasy class too, so other than the decor, they are the same. Check out my past live report that has the Sensation if you haven't had a chance. Fantasy class ships though are very easy to navigate around. Also don't think Sensation goes to Half Moon Cay, though I could be wrong.

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Thanks all for the great comments.

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Festival Place

 

 

 

 

 

Local Island Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

 

 

 

 

 

Tropical Christmas Tree

 

 

Entrance and exit to the ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Great place to get some conch

 

 

 

It's pouring out!!

 

 

 

Off to grab that taxi now to Paradise Island and Atlantis.

 

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

 

 

 

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[daijayx2]

Thank you for the live review. I also enjoyed reading the Last one you posted.

 

Those new cabanas at HMC look interesting.

 

Do you have any information on them?

 

 

Melissa

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Good Afternoon from Nassau..,

 

Taxi ride in the pouring rain was fun and entertaining. We walked around Atlantis, Marina Village and of course visited the casino.

 

 

Shortly after I arrived I spotted one of the the Starbucks on the property and had a gingerbread latte. Tis that time of year? A. First one I've had this year.

 

 

Rain had let up and sun came out for a bit, It's a good thing. Karma wasn't on my side in the casino, I was doing well briefly and should have walked away. I'll never learn. Can't blame it on alcohol, haven't had any yet today. One thing I was very happy about is not waking up to this lingering headache I've had the past three days. It ran its three day course as I've had similar in the past and they all last three days. Even with the rain it's been a great day here in Nassau, despite the money I've donated to Atlantis investors that have taken over the property for defaulting on their loans.

 

 

We were able to sit and relax in the outside seating area by Marina Village, just before grabbing our taxi at 2pm back the the village area.

 

 

On our taxi ride to Atlantis we traveled with a family of about 11 from Orlando, originally from Puerto Rico. Nice family, we traveled back with them in the same taxi. Rather than go right back to the ship area they were going to "Twin Brothers" Resturant near Junkanoo beach. I ordered a dozen conch fritters and a cup of conch chowder. This was a funny adventure, Jimmy the taxi driver was a riot.

 

 

At first DM was a bit apprehensive about this, but I said this is part of the adventure. Not just that but getting some good conch fritters away from the pier.

 

Conch Fritters were so good.

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

More of dirty Atlantis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Our city tour in the taxi after Atlantis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Conch time at Twin Brothers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

 

 

 

We then went to Oh Andros

 

 

Very much a local favorite, could tell locals come here a lot

 

 

I had a local beer here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

When we were ready to leave and Jimmy came back and picked us up, the heavens let go again and boy did it pour. Sure did add to the adventure. What a wonderful day in Nassau. What fun will be in store on the Ecstasy tonight?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Made our way back to Festival Plaza. DM shopped some and I was here sitting people watching and posting on CC. It's now time to head back to the ship.

 

Hope the rain is only today as tomorrow in Freeport we had planned on sailing on the historical Windjammer from Germany. Time will tell.

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

 

 

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[SMSACE6]

Thanks for the latest installments! Love the photos! I dont know why so many people say they hate Nassau or Bahamas, and stay on the ship. I love it, and look forward to my next trip there in 2013. Those conch fritters look soooooo good! I will be looking forward to some of those and a Kalik next year!:)

[MrFunInTheSun]

We went to exit Festival Plaza and the rain was just as heavy if not heavier. Port guy kept yelling at people to stop blocking the doorway.

 

 

Outside the doorway was a bus, tons of people and pouring rain. This one bus was stopping at all the ships. This lady in an electric scooter said coming thru at the area we were standing at on the other side of security. More on her in a bit.

 

 

 

So I said to DM do you want to wait for a bus or make a run for the ship? (We are at the very last dock) She said it'll be fast if we just go on our way. So that what we did partially running, walking fast as we trekked back to the ship with many other people.

 

 

With the many people we passed the dock the Norwegian Jewel was docked at we sudden kept hear a person shouting for someone. With us was the lady in the scooter. We finally make it to the last undercover area before we are in site of the Ecstasy and stop for a moment. Lady with scooter rolls up and sees the Ecstasy and the Conquest and was like where's the Jewel? Knowing she went to far had to roll back where she just came from in the pouring rain. Poor lady! Guess that who all the shouting was for.

 

We made our last sprint to the ship where they welcomed us with a nice dry towel. Made our way back to our room where we got dried and I'm now resting up to go to the VIP party where the free regular size drinks should be flowing. DM will wander around the ship while I'm at the party. I'm really not hungry as of yet from our earlier adventures so not sure about dinner tonight.

 

Since we docked and we were off at Atlantis another Carnival shipped docked behind us. With the rain I wasn't able to see what ship it was yet. Hopefully I'll be able to see the ship name at sail away.

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

 

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[Mad Capn Bob]

I enjoyed your visit to Nassau (and I wish I could get conch here in Northeast Ohio), and I'm looking forward to your visit to Freeport. I'm planning an excursion to the Humbolt, whenever me next cruise happens to be. Also, ye might pay a visit to the Robinsons Seafood Delight booth...I had cracked conch there, a salad and an icy bottled water, all of which was excellent belly timber, indeed.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Good Evening..

 

Tonight's been a wonderful evening aboard the Carnival Ecstasy! Todays been a wonderful day. After warming up from our wonderful day in Nassau and a quick rest it was time for the VIP party. DM joined me at the VIP party and enjoyed a " Fun Ship" while I enjoyed four. :-/ or more. :-) We then went to dinner.

 

 

 

 

We had dinner after 8pm with three first time cruises from Indianapolis and a cruiser with a group but eating alone from Orlando. We had a great chat and dinner. Was very enjoyable. I really wasn't hungry so basically had appetizers.

 

Tonight's menu

 

 

Watched us sail away from port, whatever ship docked behind us left before we left. Will have to investigate that upon my return on what Carnival ship it was. My gut tells me it was the Sensation.

 

 

We then went and saw the 2nd addition and if I heard Brent Mitchell the cruise correctly Hasbro the live game show is only on the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Ecstasy. I am most likely wrong, esp after a few fun ships curtsey of the VIP party.

 

 

 

Anyways that show is lots of fun and as I mentioned yesterday it's pretty awesome how Carnival has made their shows (Not just this production) so interaction with its guests. Strolled around the ship some then ran into the mom and dad from the group today in Nassau we had a great time with that assured us it they heard tomorrow will not be stormy like today...

 

Tonight's towel animal

 

 

With that, till a later time!!! Live from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

 

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[Ander026]

Glad to see that you are having a great cruise. When in Freeport today (Friday) you should see RCCL Independence of the Seas. That ship was diverted to Freeport because Nassau was overbooked.

 

Enjoying the "Live" thread.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Good Morning from sunny Freeport!

 

Welcome to day 5 on live from the Carnival Ecstasy!

 

Thursday was a great day and today is only going to be even better dispite it being the last day and night of the cruise! Moving on, after a quick snack of breakfast we are off to Freeport where I've not been since I believe it was 2004. We've got planned the Windjammer Sailboat that's over 100 years old thats from Germany on the list of excursions today for the first three hours. After that unless we end up on some un-chartered island with Gilligan we'll explore Freeport. We've got a fun day in store!

 

Today's fun times!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Ecstasy...

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

What a great day in Freeport!

 

Our first port mate. Carnival Pride

 

 

 

 

 

Sailed on the Windjammer from Germany. Such a great experience. To many pictures to post now but will post more when I'm home on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[gbphatcat]

awesome cant wait to see the other pictures of the humboldt, how far from the cruiseship to the humboldt walking distance

[MrFunInTheSun]

They almost missed the Pride. 8 others delayed the ship 10 minutes or so.

 

 

 

 

Pictures around the port

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our new port mate. Independence of the seas. Her first time at this port.

 

 

 

 

 

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