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I luv Carnival Ecstasy

2xsin12mths

By 2xsin12mths,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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2xsin12mths

2xsin12mths

Posted
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Just returned today on a wonderful 5 night cruise on Ecstasy out of Charleston. I do not have the time or talent to do a long review day by day with pics so I will give you my random thoughts:

 

Charleston Airport rocks!! Sooo easy to get in and out of...my 2 daughters were traveling with me. My oldest and I flew from BWI to Charleston and my youngest lives in Asheville, NC and picked us up at the airport and drove us to the port. We flew right over Hermine Saturday morning and the weather for the entire cruise was beautiful! Love this small airport. I'm so used to flying in to Miami for cruises and I won't even start on my feelings about that airport...ugh!!!

Charleston port was also very easy. We arrived at port at 11:30 and were on board having first drinks at 12:15! :) We parked in the warehouse...going through the parking lot maze was kinda funny but it works. We walked from the warehouse to the ship with our luggage. We had carry on for a 5 day cruise. No, you do not need to get on the "shuttle" anymore (unless you want to). The walk over the bridge takes about 10 to 15 minutes. We also did this getting off the ship today. And speaking of getting off the ship....we walked off the ship at 7:15 and were in Charleston Airport at 8:00. Are you kidding me??? Amazing.

I am platinum so getting on and off was VERY quick but honestly even if I was not I really did not see long lines and don't think it would have taken long.

The ship was in great shape. People who say she is showing her age?? I don't see it! This was my 4th time on Ecstasy and each time I felt they have some of the best crew shipwide. And I have been on everything from fantasy class to destiny class to dream class and still feel this ship has amazing crew. I picked this cruise for 1/2 moon cay which is scary since I have missed 1/2 moon twice before. This time did not disappoint ... it was amazing! My youngest daughter has been listening to me go on and on about 1/2 moon for the last 10 years and Monday she found out what I was talking about and now completely understands. Enough said on that. If you have the chance...GO!

Nassau was Nassau. We had fun but honestly I would be ok never stopping at Nassau or Freeport again. Took the girls to British Colonial which probably would have been ok if we had stopped here first but the day after 1/2 moon....well let's just say, it didn't cut it! While I'm on ports this was the first time ever in all my years of cruising that when we left 1/2 moon we walked right on a tender..no line. And when we left Nassau, we walked right on the ship...no lines. I have no idea why? The ship sailed full. But it was great!

Misc.......food was good (my one daughter is gluten free and they were very helpful)...the buffet is "meh" but the dining room is very good. Don't get me wrong, I can eat the buffet...I'm just happy I'm not cooking!

The Motor City show was the only show we went to. It was just ok. The comedy shows were amazing and SO funny.

The deck was fun during the day....the usual hairy chest contest, ice sculpting, etc...my girls liked it but I probably would have been back on the Serenity Deck if I was with hubby. They wanted to be in the action which was fine. I don't have problem with the 1 pool (I know a lot of people do). I'm weird about pools. They kinda gross me out so that is not an issue for me. The girls would just jump in and cool off. Bartenders were great on the pool deck and all around the ship. Housekeeping was great. Yes, I was asked if I want morning or evening turndown. I said evening but he still came in and tidied up the room in the morning when he brought ice every day. Whatever....I'm fine with once a day. And while I'm thinking of it....every evening had tablecloths on the tables. Again...don't care about this but I know it's a hot topic? The platinum gift was a Tervis mug (and I did see some people wearing those silly Crock visors...haha).

Also, I should mention I was on the cruise where the woman fell overboard. I talked about that in another thread so will not get into it again. Will say though that Carnival was top notch in the way they handled the situation.. very sad!

In closing I am going to say that this was my 18th cruise and the fellow cruisers were the most friendly and kind people I have ever cruised with. I have definitely realized that the port you cruise from has ALOT to do with the type of people that are cruising with you. I am not going to talk about each port but I have cruised pretty much every eastern port starting up in NY and down to Miami. The people in the Charleston SC area are awesome. Thank you Charleston for having a port! I told my DH when I got home that next fall we are definitely cruising out of Charleston again. We have Glory in November and Sunshine in May but I will be back for my 5th time on Ecstasy....plus she goes to dry dock in January for Alchemy! Can it get any better??

 

In closing if you are on the fence about cruising a smaller ship and cruising out of Charleston don't be....it's awesome:)

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evandbob

evandbob

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Glad you enjoyed your cruise and thanks for posting your review and opinion.

 

I decided to stop sailing the Fantasy Class ships back in 2006 and I haven't regretted that decision once.

 

Goes to show that there's a different ship for different folk, and it's all good.

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missdebi

missdebi

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We leave on 9/21....cannot wait.. cruise #22 for me. I am with you about the Fantasy class love them, we have sailed out of Charleston numerous times and it works for us, just a nice 3 hour drive. Quick question which dining room did you have? Thanks!

Edited by missdebi
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Aubreysmom09

Aubreysmom09

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Thanks for the honest review. We will be going on our first Carnival cruise in October on Valor. I have been thinking about an Ecstasy cruise due to the drive time to Charleston. We were just worried about the age of the ship. Sometimes we just want a short getaway, and driving to FL is just a bit to far, and it seems we can find more deals flying to Charleston.

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2xsin12mths

2xsin12mths

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We had YTD. I'm on the fence about set dining or YTD. I really like getting to know the waiters but I also like going to eat when I want....I knew my 2 girls would never go for "set" dining. My one daughter is ALWAYS late. My hubby and I have late dining in November... I keep switching it up each cruise. How late we are in port makes my decision too.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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The4Cruisers

The4Cruisers

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I got a GREAT deal for an "Ecstasy" cruise a couple of years ago, out of Miami, and was amazed at what a fantastic cruise it turned out to be. One of my all time memorable, and favorites. GREAT ship indeed! :cool: THANKS for posting.

 

"SKY"

 

Sky, are these great cruise deals out there for all, or are they something special like Florida resident type rates?

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desert sand

desert sand

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We were on the Ecstasy the cruise before yours. My DH and I just turned platinum on this cruise.

We found the food very good in the dining room. We had any time dining and service was very good. For lunch, we tried brunch in the main dining room on sea day, tried the buffet another day and also tried the deli. No complaints.

The ship was very clean. While we were in Nassau maintenance was painting the outside of the ship.

We did the comedy club twice and were not disappointed.

The captain announced Thursday evening that we were going to slow down to stay behind Hurricane Hermine and would be late getting back to Charleston on Saturday. He did a fantastic job. We arrived in Charleston about an hour late and never felt the ship rock or pitch in the rough sea.

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DKNE

DKNE

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We were on the Ecstasy when we got off the ship .... you got on the ship. It was our first 'small' ship. We absolutely loved the smaller ship. Our family had a fantastic time and would def sail again on a smaller ship. Even though we know a few people who have sailed on it before, and didn't like it, we certainly did.

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SkyMaster

SkyMaster

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Sky, are these great cruise deals out there for all, or are they something special like Florida resident type rates?

 

As I recall, that one was associated with being a "Diamond" guest. Those were the "good old days", as I haven't snagged another one that good since. The lovely, and talented Mrs. Jones, however, spends a fair amount of money in the casino, and will occasionally get a good deal on a cruise. I just check prices almost every day, and will sometimes find a deal. Not often however. :mad:

 

"SKY"

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SororitySue

SororitySue

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We drove down to Charleston SC from Charleston WV on Aug 20th and did a 5 night. Loved it. Found the staff in the MDR to be some of the best we have had. Would do this again Loved the day on Half Moon Cay.

We're going from Charley West to Charley South also, departing two weeks from today. Can. Not. Wait!

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