Carnival ecstasy

[Elaine515]

Can anyone please tell me the good, the bad and the ugly about the Carnival Ecstasy and what we can expect on a Friday - Monday sailing in June..

 

Looking to celebrate my Dads 85th birthday with the entire family of 18 and this is the only time we can all get together. But, I dont want to go if its a "party cruise" and Dad is not going to like it.. Also, is there anything for a family from 10 - 85 years old do on Nassau on a Saturday night?

 

Besides the fact that he is 85, he is a Diamond cruiser, having been on lots of Carnival cruises, but never a short one... Please share your thoughts..

[valandemmy]

We cruised the ecstacy twice last year. One in a GS the other was inside. The GS was great, went to HMC and had a blast the entire time. Food was OK, service was great...no real complains. The last cruise (December) was not so great. Food service was slow in the MDR, it seemed very understaffed. There was a terrible sewage smell the entire cruise that would come and go..but was always there. room stewards did their job, we never saw them...The staff was friendly, never really saw the CD and even commented on it and one of the workers said there were alot of stuff going on he was dealing with. :cool:

[Purvis1231]

We have sailed on this ship 4 times and enjoyed each one. The crew was always hard working and willing to serve. The cruise director on our last trip lost all concern for family entertainment. He had no problem using the profanity on stage even during children and family events. The music was much more of the rap and hip-hop more than we would have liked. A few times they played song with profanity during the day on the Lido deck when many children were present. We did find some of the entertainment that we enjoy and overall had a great time.

[oscar1966]

We were on January 4th Ecstasy sailing out of Port Canaveral. Interior room was great, room steward was exceptional, dining room service and food exceeded our expectations. Overall, great cruise. You will have a wonderful time.

[rushwater7710]

Hello Elaine, my family was on the Ecstasy last June for 5 days. We loved GS with extended balcony. It was huge. I believe it is the only CC ship to have those. Service was good but the crew on Fascination was a little better. Ship was nice and clean. We were in Nassau during the day so can't help much there. We went to Blue Lagoon. Dining was fine. I won in the casino on that cruise. The biggest let down was missing HMC because of the high winds. We had been there before and loved it, wanted to go back. My family thought there shows on the ship was pretty good. Yes people did party but no different then other ships we have been on. Our balcony spoiled me because on other ship they have GS, nice balcony but not extended balcony GS like on the Ecstasy.

[RuthlessBoss]

Not too many people can answer your question. Now that it's in Miami, the ship may take on a new flavor with shorter cruises and it being over a weekend.

[RubyGold]

I did a 4 day on this ship last June (from port Canaveral) I found it lovely as a first timer. I wasn't really a fan of Nassau to be honest, but it stopped in HMC which was the best ever.

 

The dining room was great with hot food and quick service (except when ordering a soda with bottomless bubbles, took forever lol)

 

I didn't find it to be too 'party ship'

[Tapi]

Regardless of the ship, the weekend cruises tend to attract a younger, party crowd. This has nothing to do with the ship or the cruise line, but simply because of the nature of a 3 night weekend cruise. They attract people who can't take more vacation time, who may be on a budget and are attracted by the low prices, and who are just looking for a quick getaway in which to pack as much fun in the reduced vacation time. Younger people tend to match that description, many who go straight from work to the port on Friday and go straight back to work on Monday.

 

I've done the 3 night cruise several times and it is fun (in a "I don't remember being sober during the entire cruise" kind of way :o) but it definitely has a different vibe than longer cruises. If this is the only time your family can get together for a cruise, by all means do it, but don't go expecting the more sedated atmosphere of longer cruises.

 

Finally, about Nassau, keep it safe and stay on the ship at night. While Nassau is still OK to explore during the day along tourist areas, crime has risen considerably recently. Even before the warnings, several incidents of tourists being robbed at gunpoint walking back from Señor Frogs at night (which is a stone throw away from the cruise terminal) have been reported.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Tapi

[TeresaJ]

I don't think you'll see as much of a party crowd on the Mon - Fri itinerary as you would a 3 or 4 night over a weekend.

We liked the Ecstasy. HTC was wonderful!

 

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[Lace]

We sailed her almost 20 years ago and became our favorite Carnival ship at the time, after sailing on the Fantasy, which was our least favorite ship at the time.

 

And yet they were the same class.

 

Go figure.

[SkyMaster]

I don't think you'll see as much of a party crowd on the Mon - Fri itinerary as you would a 3 or 4 night over a weekend.

We liked the Ecstasy. HTC was wonderful!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

 

I agree with Teresa. I sailed "Ecstasy" three times last year, and had a FANTASTIC time aboard each and every cruise. These were all five day cruises out of Port Canaveral.

While I don't care for the Playlist Production shows as much as the old shows, they were VERY well done by the cast aboard Ecstasy, and I think you'll enjoy them. :cool: Have a GREAT cruise, and enjoy one of the best little cruises in the Caribbean.

 

"SKY"

[RuthlessBoss]

We sailed her almost 20 years ago and became our favorite Carnival ship at the time, after sailing on the Fantasy, which was our least favorite ship at the time.

 

And yet they were the same class.

 

Go figure.

 

Well, this post certainly answered the OP's question:rolleyes:

[Lace]

Well, this post certainly answered the OP's question:rolleyes:

 

Not as good as this.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Regardless of the ship, the weekend cruises tend to attract a younger, party crowd. This has nothing to do with the ship or the cruise line, but simply because of the nature of a 3 night weekend cruise.

 

Tapi, I like ya, but I have to disagree with you there. It DOES make a difference which cruise line you go on even if it is a 3 day. My 7 Day CCLs were way way more rowdy and vulgar on the lido deck than my 3 day DCL ever was... and it was Atlanta spring break besides. Cruise line does matter.

[SpeedsterX]

Been on her twice last year. I like to party and there was a lot of partying going on. The ship is nice enough. I booked her for the price. For what you sound like you are looking for, I would lean more to Royal Caribbean's Freedom and itinerary. St. Marteen and St. Thomas. jmho

 

Whatever you decide, have a great time!

[Tapi]

Tapi, I like ya, but I have to disagree with you there. It DOES make a difference which cruise line you go on even if it is a 3 day. My 7 Day CCLs were way way more rowdy and vulgar on the lido deck than my 3 day DCL ever was... and it was Atlanta spring break besides. Cruise line does matter.

 

You know what? That was indeed a generalization in my part and I do stand corrected. I was going by what I've experienced on the other cruise lines doing short cruises. Disney is in a class by itself.

 

While I haven't done a Disney cruise yet, I agree with you. I can't visualize what I've seen on Carnival happening on their 3 night weekend cruises. I'm thinking that because of Disney's higher prices and the family oriented theme, the young, party crowd will stay away from them.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Tapi