fascination or ecstacy???

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, all Carnival experts.

My sister is looking into a short cruise with her kids.

I know that the best would be one that goes to Half Moon Cay!

 

Looks to be either the Ecstacy out of Ft. Canaveral, or the Fascination out of Jacksonville.. (closer?)

 

I see that the Ecstacy is the oldest ship in the fleet... not sure when it had a major re-furb.

 

Assuming that the Fascination is a bit newer, and I believe that she had a major re-furb a couple of years ago in 2010???

 

Is there any reason to choose one over the other?

 

Thanks!

[funinthesun1964]

I've been on both. I would choose for ports and price. They are pretty much the same and the service you will get depends on the employees that will be serving you. There was nothing at all wrong with Ecstasy - we had a great time.

[cruisenanny]

Ecstasy had a dry dock in the fall of 2011. We sailed on her in Jan of 2012 and are doing the exact same cruise again this Jan because for what we paid vs what we got, the value just can't be beat.

There are no big fancy bells & whistles but she is in great shape & has a great crew. Ecstasy has won many Golden Eagle awards (5, I think?) for excellence within the fleet.

HMC is worth the cruise fare alone, not to be missed if she is considering an itinerary that includes it.

The PT (porthole) cabins are a super deal if any are available when she books.

[laumicmah]

Been on the Fascination twice and LOVE her. Jax port is a nice port (but so is Port Canaveral). There is a Hoiliday Inn at Blount Island that has a park and go package. It is super close to the port (I think the closest hotel to the port). It's a new-ish hotel and very nice. Not sure about the Ecstasy, but they added balconies to the Fascination during the refurb.

 

And I would agree that you may want to get an itin with HMC...very nice...the Fascination 5 day has it.

[wrigley80]

We are booked in Porthole cabin in December on the Ecstasy. The Ecstasy is in the process of getting new shows onboard and the Hasbro Game night.......and with kids that would probably be a fun activity

[AmberTeka]

Been on the Fascination twice and LOVE her. Jax port is a nice port (but so is Port Canaveral). There is a Hoiliday Inn at Blount Island that has a park and go package. It is super close to the port (I think the closest hotel to the port). It's a new-ish hotel and very nice. Not sure about the Ecstasy, but they added balconies to the Fascination during the refurb.

 

And I would agree that you may want to get an itin with HMC...very nice...the Fascination 5 day has it.

 

We were on the Fascination last May. That was the shortest cruise we had ever taken..it was an old ship...so we were ...hesitant. But we live in Jax..and went. WOW! We had the time of our lives...in a laid back..relaxing way. The ship was clean. I saw no signs of wear. The bathroom shower was bigger..loved that. We had an ocean view on the main deck..close to the Mid ship elevators...no sofa in the room..but plenty of room. We were pleased with the cabin. Our room attendant..best one we have had. We tipped him twice extra.

Food..not quite as good as one big ships. Instance...bacon. On the Dream..it is strips of bacon. On the FAscination..it is bacon..onions and ? fried together. The sausage was good as was the ham. I liked the Buffet much better..the salad bar was excellent..and marked on the ceiling so you didn't wander around searching..ditto dessert bar..main serving lines..ice cream...The deli.....GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE........WOW! Saw the turkey wraps the college kids ( who had to be the most well behaved college kids in the history of the world) were gobbling looked good..but my ham and cheese grillers were so good....I ate them every day.

 

I just liked everything about the ship. The casino was small..but never crowded. The production shows were very enjoyable. didn't see any comedians. The ship magican who came around at dinner..cute and charming. Loved him.

 

MOST of the people on board..were southern. Many from Georgia. Many Georgia and Alabama and S. Carolina college and High School grads...WHO GAVE ME NEW HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. SWEET SMART. ALL GENDERS. ALL COLORS. ALL RACES.

 

I heard yes m'am more times in five days as I have heard in a year. Ditto having young people open doors for me...and just be fun. Playing trivia..doing Karokake(sp)

there was a very pleasant southern (IMHO) laid back..relaxing vibe to that ship.......that I loved.

God Willing..we will sail her again..........next May.