Just Off Ectasy - REVIEW 5/26 - 5/31

[Cruisin'Trooper]

Background: Travelling was my wife, 4 year old son, and myself. This is our 9th CCL cruise (son's 7th) and first time on the Ectasy. Chose this one because it went to Half Moon Cay (our favorite).

 

Port Canaveral/Embarkation: We decided last minute to park at the Radison and utilize their "Park & Cruise" deal. Paud $35.00 to park instead of the port's $90.00+ fee. The Radison people took care of our luggage, transported us to the dock, picked us up this morning, and handled all our bags for us. I parked the car in their secured lot and kept my keys with me. Lot was well lit, paved, and secured with cameras and roaming guard. $35.00 and a couple of tips, was well worth it!

 

The Ectasy's terminal is a make shift temporary dome. Signs all over say that the new terminal for Ectasy is coming soon, but there is no signs of actual construction. Lines moved well, S&S card was issued quickly, and we were on the ship in less than 20 minutes from being dropped off by the Radison shuttle.

 

Ship/Stateroom: The Ectasy is old, but common areas have all been upgraded and were clean. This ship is subdued and calm in decor compared to other CCL ships. All of the elevators were working, Waterworks was a blast, and the Lido buffet and adjoining food stations were well equipped and clean.

 

We had an Extended Aft Balcony on the Empress deck that is the standard CCL balcony room with a little extra depth on the balcony. The steward was only seen once, but kept the room made up and clean for us. We did notice the room was very dusty and could use a good "once over" with a rag, but all in all was fine. Sadly, the neighbors were part of a large group and were in the row of other Aft balcony cabins. My wife and I dont know what was worse, their loud vulgar language between balconies, the marijuana smoking being done when out on the balcony, the very loud sex in the next door cabin and on the balcony late at night, or all the above - sadly by what appeared to be responsible adults (late 30's/early 40's). This behavior prevented us from being out on the balcony a lot since we did not want our son around this. CCL pursur's desk and secuirty personnel were not interested in my complaints either - never addressed any of the noise complaints made by us or other cruisers on our deck.

 

Food: We chose the "Your Time Dining" option which has become a favorite of ours. The Wind Star dining room is 100% "Your Time Dining" folks which was nice. The line to eat began 15 minutes before opening time and it wrapped around the atrium quickly. We had a great wait team who we requested nightly and the food was great.

 

Ports of Call: Bahamas are basically a ghetto in our opinion. Being from FL, the place is like some cities/island stops in FL, so we did not do anything in Freeport and Nassau. Freeport is a very industrial port and there is nothing to do or see that is nearby. Some little shops in the port area, but basically a pit. Nassau is a little better with stuff to see or walk to, but step off the beaten path and you are being asked to buy drugs, fake purses, car rides around the island, etc. The smell of urine and feces is easily found when passing alleys and vacant shops, but the water is gorgeous and the people in the reputable shops are very friendly.

 

Half Moon Cay is a blast! We love this stop and typically choose iteneraries that stop in HMC. We opted for a private cabana this trip which was great except for the people who thought our porch and private shower was for their use too and the teenager that went through our back packs and took off when he spotted me coming out of the water running toward the cabana. I gave chase for about 1/4 of a mile before tackling him and getting our beach towels back. He had no explanation why he did what he did and I did not find anything else of our on him, so I let him go. My wife laughed that he picked the wrong cabana to riffle through, I forgot to mention that I am a cop and triathete! Word from the wise, secure your cameras and sunglasses/valuables if you rent a cabana for a day in HMC. Other than that, its a piece of heaven in the Atlantic!

 

One thing we noticed was that the Tendering line was total CHAOS! We had priority tendering since we had the Cabana and that was not honored by the tender/gangway staff. It did not ruin our day at all, but was still mass hysteria for a while.

 

Entertainment/Camp Carnival: The cruise director is a nice fellow and he plays the violin/fiddle in a couple of the shows. The shows were average, but still entertaining. Our 4 year old LOVED Camp Carnival this voyage and their staff is great. Ashton, a staff member from Texas is super!

 

The other entertainers throughout the ship/atrium/casino bar were horrible - so bad that we got a kick sitting there listening to them for the heck of it and people watching. We met others that were doing the same thing - wondering just how bad the next song would be!!

 

Worth Noting: We got a towel animal and mint on our pillow every night. There was a past guest cocktail party and little items in the bathroom basket, as well as, CCL's very own Tangerine Lemongrass shampoo and body wash in the shower. I only point these things out as some other Cruise Critic folks said these things were gone or leaving the CCL line up.

 

Disembarkation: We did the Self Assist option and were called at 7:20am and was through Customs at 7:30am. The Radison shuttle picked us up 5 minutes later and we were in the car and on the road by 7:50am.

 

Synopsis: Heavy rain here and there and HORRIBLE cabin neighbors, but great ship and awesome food!

[NCTribeFan]

May I ask the name of your server in ATD? I'm thinking of trying it on my 1st leg of the B2B when I'm solo. Sure, the crew might be completely different by November, but maybe not. So I'm compiling a list of "good" server names for ATD.

[Cruisin'Trooper]

May I ask the name of your server in ATD? I'm thinking of trying it on my 1st leg of the B2B when I'm solo. Sure, the crew might be completely different by November, but maybe not. So I'm compiling a list of "good" server names for ATD.

 

His name was "I PUTO" and the lady was "Awpawten"

[FirstTimeCruisr]

I loved that ship when we were on or last year...

[ripjerry95]

Thanks for your review. We sail on the Ecstasy June 14th.

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

Did the inaugural cruise out of PC last November.

 

It is all subjective of course but we wouldn't go on the Ecstasy again, notwithstanding the 6+hour wait in the rain to get on, it was old and smelly when we got on and sailed about 7 hours late, missing dinner and generally starting things off on the wrong foot for many of the guests on board.

 

Staff were nice though and the food in the MDR was quiet nice but the ship is way past its sell by date imo and needs some tlc. You get what you pay for and there are a lot of "bargain" sailings on this one.

[gbphatcat]

thanks for the review:)

[lissa42886]

lucky son!!! hes been on twice as many cruises as he is old ( almost! ) jealous haha

[LBumb]

good job

[RuthlessBoss]

Did the inaugural cruise out of PC last November.

 

It is all subjective of course but we wouldn't go on the Ecstasy again, notwithstanding the 6+hour wait in the rain to get on, it was old and smelly when we got on and sailed about 7 hours late, missing dinner and generally starting things off on the wrong foot for many of the guests on board.

 

Staff were nice though and the food in the MDR was quiet nice but the ship is way past its sell by date imo and needs some tlc. You get what you pay for and there are a lot of "bargain" sailings on this one.

I know the first sailing was delayed when they couldn't get here due to the terrible storms in the Atlantic at that time. In talking to crew members it was "quite a ride" getting here. Just put that comment in, because there was a legitimate reason for the delays.

Yes, the ship is older, but you made it sound like it was in complete decay.

As for missing dinner, of course you did, the ship was still at dock being loaded with it's first food supply. But I bet there was food available.

I've been on her 3 times, hoping for a 4th soon.

[sept2405]

Thanks for the review. We sail on her in Oct also on the Empress Deck extended aft in room E255. I always worry about the neighbors I may get. This time we are on the end but will have them on the right side of us. Some people just don't know how to act. I'm sorry that happened to you especially having your son with you. I was just watching the Ecstasy leaving out of port. Can't wait.

[Cruisin'Trooper]

Thanks for the review. We sail on her in Oct also on the Empress Deck extended aft in room E255. I always worry about the neighbors I may get. This time we are on the end but will have them on the right side of us. Some people just don't know how to act. I'm sorry that happened to you especially having your son with you. I was just watching the Ecstasy leaving out of port. Can't wait.

 

 

Yep - E255 was 2 over from us! Enjoy her!!!

[GradUT]

Sorry you had the noisy neighbors. That would drive me NUTS. We were on the Ecstasy 5/21- 5/26 in an Interior room on the Main deck and it was very quiet all night long (at least until the stewards started working around 6:30 am)

 

We did Anytime Dining too and on the 4th night, we were assigned Table 204 (table for 2) and I Putu was our assistant waiter. The head waiter was Italian and I can't remember his name. They were both so good that we requested them for our final night. If you are a party of 2, I would definitely recommend this table and waitstaff.

[dst]

Thanks for the review - not too much longer for us to wait; I am excited to sail the Ecstasy; a new ship for us.

 

Love the story of the kid with your backpack; did you find out who he belonged to? You go on vacation to relax, sorry you still have to deal with idiots! We have a cabana booked as well; there is no better way to spend a day

 

Can I ask where the Radison was located, we may decide to do that for our upcoming trip. Also for our trip in January we may want a place to stay the night before......

 

Thanks again for a great review

[Mimarian]

Thanks for the review. We sail on her in Oct also on the Empress Deck extended aft in room E255. I always worry about the neighbors I may get. This time we are on the end but will have them on the right side of us. Some people just don't know how to act. I'm sorry that happened to you especially having your son with you. I was just watching the Ecstasy leaving out of port. Can't wait.

 

This is our cabin when we cruise June 28th. We will try not to mess it up for you.:D

[alsys]

I'm actually getting married on her in less than two months! Staying at The Radisson too. Your review makes me even more excited than I already was, lol.

[Frank12]

We had a good cruise on the Ecstasy also. From a fellow SLEO, good catch on HMC! :)

[vivavegas]

Nice review! Thanks for taking the time to write a review and share with us! Sorry about the noise from your neighbors!

[MommaOf3Princesses]

Thanks for the review! We sail on her in July with our 3 daughters, i'm hoping a least one or two of them enjoy some fun time at Camp Carnival.

Was the waterslide area crowded?

[izzypooch]

I'm getting ready to board her Monday. Was wondering if you noticed if there were hair dryers in room?

[RuthlessBoss]

I'm getting ready to board her Monday. Was wondering if you noticed if there were hair dryers in room?

I don't recall. I bring a travel sized one anyway, reguardless. Those on board are so weak anyway.

[Kitty9453]

Is there a cabinet in the cabana which you could lock your belongings if you brought a pad lock with you? What cabana number were you in?

[NCTribeFan]

There are no hair dryers on Fantasy-class ships except in the suites.

 

Have a look at the FAQ on Carnival's website. Lots of useful info there.

 

I happen to love the Fantasy-class ships. I really couldn't care less about the age.

 

I know my way around (6 cruises on three of them). I don't spend 1/2 the cruise trying to figure out how to find the dining room or get back to my cabin! :p

 

I have my favorite spots and I know which areas I'll avoid.

 

For me, it truly feels like I'm coming "home" when I board them. I neither want nor need a supper club, stadium-seating around a pool with a giant TV, and most of the things the larger ships have.

 

Give me the older, smaller ships with my nice, inside, very-dark (great-for-sleeping) cabin and I'm a happy cruiser! :D

[Cruisin'Trooper]

Izzy - no hair dryers, but we requested one and the steward delivered it quickly.

 

Kitty - There are cabinets, but no way to lock your stuff.

 

Frank - Work Safe!!

 

Mamma - The slides were not bad at all. With 3 slides open they balance out nicely.

 

DST - The Radison is located just south of the Port. There are TONS of signs for it and their "Park and Cruise" parking deal - on their website its "Radison Port Canaveral" (sorry cant remember the street).

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

I know the first sailing was delayed when they couldn't get here due to the terrible storms in the Atlantic at that time. In talking to crew members it was "quite a ride" getting here. Just put that comment in, because there was a legitimate reason for the delays.

Yes, the ship is older, but you made it sound like it was in complete decay.

As for missing dinner, of course you did, the ship was still at dock being loaded with it's first food supply. But I bet there was food available.

I've been on her 3 times, hoping for a 4th soon.

 

Oh absolutely and as I said it is all subjective.

 

And you are wrong about food being available when we got on around 10pm, the dining rooms were shut at 9pm and of course the buffet wasn't ready. After the muster parade the Pizza station opened around 11 pm but you can imagine what that was like.

 

Some delays cannot be avoided and weather is one of them I guess but it is how the whole thing was handled leaving people out in the lashing rain for hours on end, a 85 year old woman beside us was almost collapsing by the time she got on, not withstanding the cause of the delay it was a very poor show and handling of clients from Carnival that day/night. Now the boys and girls onboard were a different matter working hard to make sure everything was just so but it was an uphill struggle for them of course.

 

It wasn't our first Carnival cruise but it was the least enjoyable experience as such. I am looking at other cruise lines now.

 

Sorry, can't see where I said it was in decay I said it was old and smelly which it was..fact. I would never sail on it again. I would rather pay a bit more for something larger and newer which is what I am planning to do at the minute but as I said it was all subjective and I hope others booked and you have a lovely time on your 4th trip as you obviously love the ship.