Not What We Had Hoped For

Carnival Ecstasy Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

bcardos

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 17

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

5 Night Bahamas (Charleston Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 10, 2017

Ship: Carnival Ecstasy

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: R181

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This was a spur of the moment birthday trip. Charleston is close by so it was something we wanted to try. The crew that we interfaced with were all very nice and helpful. The ship is old and small and doesn't have too many options for things to do given we were at sea two days out of four.

Freeport is a dump and the company they contracted with for beach excursions was not very professional.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Below average unless you wanted to pay extra for the "Steakhouse" options.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Some good, some not. Very limited.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Some good, some not good. Welcome show was great. Farewell show was not. Comedy Club was mostly very good. THe PG shows were tough - the comedians clearly had to work at PG.

Children's Programs

Didn't use it

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Clean but old. Also, I don't think there was heat in the cabin and the last day was cold. I admit I didn't ask anyone. (There was only one knob and I didn't want to have to ask why I couldn't find heat. I turned it both ways!)

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Clean and neat. Small. Level 4. We had hoped to be up higher.

Ship tip

This is an old ship and smaller than most new ones - smaller than all new ones for that matter. So, a lot of the cool stuff you see on TV is not on this ship. No fancy restaurants, limited shopping on board and no fancy poolside TV's. We didn't find lines being an issue for elevators or dining.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Charleston, South Carolina

3 out of 5

If you have time, come a day early or stay a day after. Beautiful city.

Thumbs Up 8

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

3 out of 5

Very nice place. I would space the lounge chairs a little farther apart just to make it easier to sit in them.

Thumbs Up 5

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

1 out of 5

They are struggling.

Thumbs Up 0

5 Comments

gilland 7 years ago

The hurricane definitely tore the island up. We took the jeep adventure... found in very informative and enjoyable

Thumbs Up 0

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cochranp 7 years ago

we enjoyed the actual excursion but the tour lady "Joy", was not very joyful. Our bus driver on the other hand was great.

Thumbs Up 0

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amboyce1969 7 years ago

isn't there a small market right outside the dock? from what I've read, the hurricane did a great deal of damage.

Thumbs Up 0

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sharisullivan 7 years ago

We love Freeport. Unlike most ports, Freeport is industrial and you need to take a taxi into Port Lucaya. There you will find beautiful beaches, great shopping and yummy restaurants and bars. There is a free beach within walking distance of the taxi stand in Port Lucaya.

Thumbs Up 0

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banaford 7 years ago

Do you think Freeport is a dump because of the Cat4 hurricane that went over them in the fall. I found it not a dump before hurricane.

Thumbs Up 0

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Other reviews of this sailing

So much fun!

Destinations where great. No the ship.

Glad it's over