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Item: Carnival Ecstasy
Rating: 4.5
Author: CoralWasserman

Carnival Ecstasy Cruise Review

CoralWasserman

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

6 Night Bahamas (Charleston Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 19, 2017

Ship: Carnival Ecstasy

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: M83

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Cheap and cheerful, and lots of fun. Good food and kind, friendly staff.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

We drove to the port and used Carnival’s parking. The staff made it easy and were very helpful, which is amazing considering they stand out in the boiling heat all day! Parking is inside a locked building with security cameras so we felt safe leaving our car. Only downside was that there was a longish wait for a shuttle bus, or a ten minute walk in the heat with the kids. But, the wait is to be expected considering how many people are there getting onboard in one go. We were moved quickly through the boarding process once inside.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

This was my husband’s first cruise and I wanted him to love it so he would agree to cruise more! I think the food won him over...it was plentiful, great choices and delicious. It’s stress relieving to know the kids have lots of options and can pick and choose what they like and it’s all covered in cost already. We only eat at the buffet to grab quick meals like a breakfast on an early port day, as we are a family who likes the “ceremony” of sit down meals, but the buffet provides great choices and was, in general, tasty. Our waiter at dinner was attentive and friendly but not intrusive. Our only issue was we were any time dining and we could wait a fair amount of time to be seated. However, understandable as we needed a table for 8!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Definitely a downside to sailing on the smallest of Carnival’s ships is that there wasn’t as much to do onboard as previous cruises. My younger kids didn’t enjoy the kids clubs as they would have preferred to be together. They are only a year apart in age and my son was placed in the baby group although he was more mature and capable and would have had more fun in the next up age group with his sister.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

We watched a couple of the stage shows and they were outdated, cliche and cheap looking. We kind of enjoyed them just because they were so cheesy and laughable, but I don’t think that was the intention. A really outdated awful show about Brit Pop through the ages with costumes that looked like they dragged them from a dress up box.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

We didn’t have a huge experience with the kids club because my younger two didn’t go. I wish they would allow a more flexible movement between the ages if you are on the cusp...our son was weeks from his birthday that would have allowed him to move up a group but they insisted he stay in the baby group (which my older son nicknamed The Gulag, for its austere environment).

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Can’t praise the staff enough. They work their tails off to make sure you have a good experience.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Ecstasy is one of the older ships in the fleet and it’s starting to show.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Small, but clean and all we needed for sleeping.