Carnival Ecstasy Review any Questions?

We got to Charleston a day early. we did the park and stay so we can leave our car there for the cruise. We purchased FTTF It was so worth it!! The food was good. The Alligator fritters were amazing. I was mid ship on the main Deck. My room stewart was nice didnt see him much. U do have a choice to make up ur room morning and night. The casino Bar and casino took forever to get drinks. Ray at the bar was awesome.We through him a little extra the 1st night to take care of us. Nassau was ok . We went to Melia Beach we were gonna do a day pass but we walked in and no one said anything to us so we walked to the beach and spent the day out there. Half moon cay OMG was amazing we had a party of 12. We rented the big Oasis It came w/ Butler,chef,Bartender. It was unbelievable .We purchased the Cheers program well worth it!! If I can figure how to upload pictures I will upload later. If u r buying liquor or Cigarettes Charleston port charges or customs charges tax. 10.00 per carton. We waited in line 2 hrs for that worse part about the whole trip. we tried to get off the boat and our sail and sign card flagged them that we purchased them. That line was Hell. Hyia the bartender is the Karoke lounge is great and Corinna at the Hostess desk went out of her way for us. I had a great trip. Carnival Ecstasy ship was ok. wouldnt go back on her. The only problem was the need more staff . 2 bartenders on busy night in the casino bar/smoking area sucks!!

We loved the Ecstasy!

Here's a few from our last time aboard:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/leeusry/albums/72157624429222924

.

Nicely done. Thanks

Thanks for the feedback.

Spotter27 - thanks for the review.

BallFour4 - thanks for the photos.

We’ve stayed at several different park & stays in Charleston & have a different one booked for this September. Would love to hear which one you chose & your experience there. Did you choose morning or night room service on board the ship & how did that work out for you? I just recently started reading the forum & I saw that this was a new change. Thank you for your review!

We loved the Ecstasy!

 

Here's a few from our last time aboard:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/leeusry/albums/72157624429222924

.

Thanks for the pics. That was what I was hoping to find in this thread. We will be on the Ecstasy with our whole family in June.

Thanks for the review. We will be on the Ecstasy one month from today!

Thanks for your review.

Keith

What hotel did you use for the park and stay ? How far away was it from port and what did it cost ? Thanks !

What hotel did you use for the park and stay ? How far away was it from port and what did it cost ? Thanks !

Microbuck, I asked the same question, having stayed at several Park & Stay hotels in Charleston. We're always on the lookout for recommendations.

Here's three I remember that we've used, in order of preference. All were decent experiences & I'd be happy to answer any questions.

1. Hampton Inn Charleston/Mt. Pleasant-Patriots Point

2. Comfort Suites West of the Ashley

3. Hampton Inn Charleston-Airport/Coliseum

We are trying a new one later this year: Hampton Inn & Suites North Charleston-University Blvd.

What hotel did you use for the park and stay ? How far away was it from port and what did it cost ? Thanks !

I know you didn't ask me, but we're staying at MainStay Suites in Mt. Pleasant at the end of the month. They let you keep your car there free while you're on a cruise and are 4 miles from the port. It was $127 a night for us for a room with 2 queen beds. No shuttle but catch an Uber for pretty cheap. You can get an Uber free with coupons you find online as well. :)

From everywhere that I've read, you can check both boxes and have room service morning and night. It's not a "clear option" on the form but you can certainly check both boxes and they will come both times with no problem.

From everywhere that I've read, you can check both boxes and have room service morning and night. It's not a "clear option" on the form but you can certainly check both boxes and they will come both times with no problem.

Awesome, thanks for the info! :)

If u r buying liquor or Cigarettes Charleston port charges or customs charges tax. 10.00 per carton.

Wonder if there's been a change. We sailed on the Fantasy in February and didn't have this. Walked up to the Customs Agent, he asked what we had and DH told him a carton of cigarettes and 3 t-shirts. He asked if we had a good time and we replied. Then he told us to have a save trip home. Took all of 45 seconds.

From everywhere that I've read, you can check both boxes and have room service morning and night. It's not a "clear option" on the form but you can certainly check both boxes and they will come both times with no problem.

There are 3 options on the form; morning, evening & both. Just off the Ecstasy today

The park and stay was the Radisson is was ok nothing fancy in charleston. I think 155. for 1 night and u leave ur car there all cruise no extra charge. free transfer to port on the way home it was 10. It was about 15 min. to the port

Did you happen to get a look at any of the kids club rooms? We were on the Ecstasy in 2014 and will be on her again this September. I read they converted Camp Carnival to the new Camp Ocean program since then. Just wondering if they made any upgrades (paint, decor, etc) to the actual kid club play rooms. We got very spoiled with the Carnival Dream kids club rooms last summer. Our kids loved both ships all the same but I do remember the Ecstasy Camp Carnival rooms being small (which given the ship size is understandable) and kind of plain but would love to know if they have spruced them up at all with the new change!?!

Thanks!

The park and stay was the Radisson is was ok nothing fancy in charleston. I think 155. for 1 night and u leave ur car there all cruise no extra charge. free transfer to port on the way home it was 10. It was about 15 min. to the port

Ok, thank you for the info. Our next park & stay will be actually another 10 minutes further from the port than the Radisson you stayed at. Hope we don't regret it!

Does the Ecstasy have the new or old dinner menu? We're sailing on her in 18 days!

I have sailed several times with the extended aft balcony but on much larger boats (Pride, Glory). We are booked on 10/15 cruise out of Charleston on Ecstasy in the extended aft balcony. Now I am just a little concerned about the ride. I have never experienced sea sickness but wonder if this will be an issue with a smaller boat, October and leaving from Charleston vs Florida ports (more sea time). Any thoughts on that? Will be traveling with 2 first time cruisers in our group. Anything we should do to avoid/eliminate/combat sea sickness?

I have sailed several times with the extended aft balcony but on much larger boats (Pride, Glory). We are booked on 10/15 cruise out of Charleston on Ecstasy in the extended aft balcony. Now I am just a little concerned about the ride. I have never experienced sea sickness but wonder if this will be an issue with a smaller boat, October and leaving from Charleston vs Florida ports (more sea time). Any thoughts on that? Will be traveling with 2 first time cruisers in our group. Anything we should do to avoid/eliminate/combat sea sickness?

You will feel more motion than on larger ships. I also tend to feel more motion if I eat in the rear dining room.

I've cruised since the 70's when the ships were 1/3 the weight of the Ecstasy, so it doesn't bother me. I was on her in June, there were many first time cruisers. I can tell because there were a lot of people with scopolamine patches. There are also bands that people use, bonine works for some.

Honestly, I didn't feel the ocean moving that much this cruise, even with the smaller ship. I never saw or heard of anyone being sea sick.

I hope this helps. Enjoy your cruise!

For those who just got off the Ecstasy, were the aft elevators working? When we were on in Feb, most were off line for repairs. Most irritating.

I will be on again in Sept, hope all is well.

For those who just got off the Ecstasy, were the aft elevators working? When we were on in Feb, most were off line for repairs. Most irritating.

I will be on again in Sept, hope all is well.

I was in an aft cabin in June, so used those elevators often with no problem.

Looks like the repairs are complete. :)

I was in an aft cabin in June, so used those elevators often with no problem.

 

Looks like the repairs are complete. :)

Thank you! I am glad to hear it.