Just off the ecstasy Thursday ask away

[bosoxfan5]

We were on this ship too. Had an AMAZING time!!! We spent lots of time in the piano bar. Gilbert was great! The cruise director Ben sang a Bob Dylan anthology complete with harmonica and guitar in the atrium one evening. He was great! The Welcome Aboard show was great. The shows were Motor City (Motown music) and The Brits (songs by British bands). They were also very good. We enjoyed the trivia. It was nice to have the steel drum back. Gave it a nice Caribbean feel. We had late dining which is probably the only thing I'd change. We felt rushed to get to the evening shows/comedy shows after dinner. I'm ready to book again! Have fun!!

[CharlesKru]

If you go to Nassau try to get day pass at Colonial hilton well worth the money

 

Glad to read a good word for them. We will be going there in 20 days or so and was a bit worried...

[CharlesKru]

I can't find anything about self serve laundry.

 

If they have it, what deck?

 

Cost?

 

Thanks so much

 

Hi,

 

There are several self service washing areas on the ship. Deck plans dont show them, but if you look at the negative space on deck 4 and 6 I think you can find them. We have used them before, I just dont recall where.

 

it has been a while since we used them, but I seem to recall it being $2 to wash... dont hold me to that though, as I was mostly just sent to go fetch our stuff when my wife told me it was done.

[IvesGrandmama]

how many cabanna's do they have. Also what are in them?

[Green Boy]

What were the Platinum gifts this time ?

[Bookmarker]

I can't find anything about self serve laundry.

 

If they have it, what deck?

 

Cost?

 

Thanks so much

 

This is where the laundry rooms are on the Fascination and the Elation. Deck plans are identical to Ecstasy, so I'm going to assume they are in the same location.

Upper Deck 6 aft across from U154

Empress Deck 7 fwd across from E2

 

Cost

$3.75 per wash and $3.75 per dry

soap $1.50 and dryer sheet $1.50

 

If they don't take your key card, you can get quarters from either guest services or the casino.

[RogBus101]

What were the Platinum gifts this time ?

 

Got 2 tervis cups we have 6 now.

[CruiseExplorer]

What were the Platinum gifts this time ?

 

 

I know you asked about the Platinum gifts, but I just wanted to mention that the VIPF party was REALLY nice. Probably not even 20 people there. They had 3 games, won a plaque for one & the 3 winners took pictures with the ship's officers. It was a nice gesture that they surprised the winners with the pictures in our cabin on the last night.

1st party since the change & it was very enjoyable for us......

[thecruiserofships]

How were the ship's Playlist Production shows? I have read mixed reviews about Playlist Productions.

[CruiseExplorer]

How were the ship's Playlist Production shows? I have read mixed reviews about Playlist Productions.

 

Hmmmm.......I want to make sure I answer this politically correct. They weren't bad but they weren't good either. We were a little disappointed with the actual singing....However, please understand that it was the exact same show from 4 years ago on Ecstasy so my comment may be jaded because we were expecting something a little different.

BUT, the party after the Motown Show was SO much fun in the Atrium, my husband & I danced & laughed so hard. This is where a very good Cruise Director comes in handy-we thought Benjamin was great!

Edited August 16, 2016 by CruiseExplorer
Typing too fast

[IvesGrandmama]

What is the day pass for?

 

How cabanna do they have.

 

thanks

[IvesGrandmama]

Is there any order which you tender to half moon or is first come first served.

 

Also one food question do they still have the chocolate latte cake.

[ourcruiseyears]

This is where the laundry rooms are on the Fascination and the Elation. Deck plans are identical to Ecstasy, so I'm going to assume they are in the same location.

Upper Deck 6 aft across from U154

Empress Deck 7 fwd across from E2

 

Cost

$3.75 per wash and $3.75 per dry

soap $1.50 and dryer sheet $1.50

 

If they don't take your key card, you can get quarters from either guest services or the casino.

 

Ecstasy has coin-operated machines.

[sjn911]

Was it American Table or the older way...did they serve regular breakfast and lunch in dining room on port days?? Brunch on sea days.??? Great news on Piano bar and Motown show!! And that folks danced!!

[jimbo5544]

Was it American Table or the older way...did they serve regular breakfast and lunch in dining room on port days?? Brunch on sea days.??? Great news on Piano bar and Motown show!! And that folks danced!!

 

 

Just answered under your other thread.

[cruisequenn]

Did you eat in dining room if so did you have a good wait staff?

[T's MOM]

Do you know what the platinum/diamond gift was?

[mamawsnest]

5 night 6 days. We are going to Nassau and Freeport. Been to Nassau in 2011 and we went to Blue Lagoon and swam with the dolphins. We have 2 kids coming, will the Colonial Hilton have enough for them to do to?

 

Not sure about Freeport....never been there. Need to research !

 

My late husband and I loved Paradise Cove in Freeport. They pick up at the port and deliver back in time to not miss the ship. Snorkeling, some water toys, delicious food, not crowded at all.:D

[jd10013]

going on the oct 8th cruise out of Charleston. only other ship I've been on is the dream back in 2014 out of NO. how much smaller is the ecstasy going to "feel" compared to the dream, if you know. I know it physically much smaller, but does it feel cramped and crowded, and do the older ships not have many of the features of the newer larger ships.

[CruzinScotty]

going on the oct 8th cruise out of Charleston. only other ship I've been on is the dream back in 2014 out of NO. how much smaller is the ecstasy going to "feel" compared to the dream, if you know. I know it physically much smaller, but does it feel cramped and crowded, and do the older ships not have many of the features of the newer larger ships.

 

 

I was on the Dream in 2014 (so it's been a while) and was on the Ecstasy in June.

 

They key is to have realistic expectations on what to expect. The Ecstasy is the 2nd oldest ship in the fleet and amongst the smallest. Remember, you are comparing 70,000 gross tons to 130,000 gross tons. If you look hard enough, you can find a little rust and a few things that need updating. It's scheduled for dry dock in January. That doesn't make or break a cruise for us.

 

With the size difference and changes in technology; the stabilizers are not as modern. Depending on the seas, you may feel more motion/movement on the ship.

 

The decor may seem dated; but to me, it was just the hallways that were really "loud" and a little too much neon in the Grand Atrium. The rest of the ship, I thought, was fine.

 

I was on both ships in June, so think I can accurately compare the crowds. First off, there won't be as many kids in Octobers. That aside, the Ecstasy felt less crowded than the Dream.

 

Let's start with what the Ecstasy does not have and get that out of the way: Tandoori, Guy's, The Blue Iguana, The Alchemy Bar, or the Dive In Movies (or anything you would watch on the jumbotron).

 

But, it DOES have: 24hr pizza and ice cream, the Deli, the Mongolian Wok, the Rotisserie, the Grill (hot dogs, burgers, chicken strips fries, etc.), the Omelette Station at breakfast, and of course the Lido Buffet. It also has the Sea Day Brunch.

 

I found food on the entire ship the best we've had in a long time, and I've been fortunate to get 6 cruises under my belt since 2012.

 

They do have the Chef's Table, if you are interested in that.

 

They have the Playlist shows: Motor City and The Brits. They have a Deck Party, and the Comedy Shows. There was always a lot of live entertainment on the Lido, Atrium, Casino, etc. They have a guy on the steel drum, which we really enjoyed.

 

The Serenity area is on the Aft of the ship. It is small, but has two hot tubs.

 

I thought Benjamin, the Cruise Director, was great. He got the crowds involved, didn't do too many over head pages and was out and about a lot.

 

We go on a cruise to relax, enjoy the ocean, and for the thrill of being on a ship. We had a GREAT time. :)

 

I hope this helps.

 

If you're interested, and have the time, I did an extensive review of that trip:

 

Chillin' on the Ecstasy

Edited August 29, 2016 by CruzinScotty

[jd10013]

that helps quite a bit, thank you. I'm not expecting the moon and stars, just hoping not to loose too much on the smaller ship. and it. doesn't sound like I will. vacation for me is about relaxing, so as long as I can do that I'm fine.

[gatormom108]

going on the oct 8th cruise out of Charleston. only other ship I've been on is the dream back in 2014 out of NO. how much smaller is the ecstasy going to "feel" compared to the dream, if you know. I know it physically much smaller, but does it feel cramped and crowded, and do the older ships not have many of the features of the newer larger ships.

 

 

We were on the NCL Breakaway twice just prior to the Ecstasy 8/15 - Breakaway may be twice as large, but we could never find a seat anywhere. The Ecstasy was filled to capacity and we never had a problem feeling crowded. We had late dining, perhaps that helped. The only part of the cruise that was overcrowded was the pool. Seriously, standing room only during the day. The kids had the waterslides and splash area. Never a problem finding a deck chair or a seat at a show. We were unable to get into the comedy show on either sailing on the Breakaway. No issue on the Ecstasy. If you are going to build a ship for over 5,000 passengers, then build rooms to hold them.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[T's MOM]

Do you know what flavors of vitamin water are on the Ecstasy.

[JimAOk1945]

I'm glad you have a great cruise. We have sailed on the Ecstasy twice and really enjoyed it.

 

Does it still have live musicians playing at Sail Away on the first day?