| Overview
Editor's Note: Ecstasy has been chartered by the U.S. government for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. It is scheduled to resume four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston in April 2006, following an extensive 35-day refurbishment of virtually all public areas and staterooms.
As the second of seven sister ships sailing in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet, the Ecstasy entered service in 1991. Identical in all but interior decor to the Fantasy, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Sensation and Paradise, this ship's atmosphere is glitzy, high-energy and alive with neon lights and bold colors.
The Ecstasy features a New York City theme that runs throughout the public rooms. If you seek a lively, active cruise with plenty of nightlife, this ship is for you. This vessel appeals to the young-at-heart of all ages who like a more spirited than subdued holiday. You will find terrific Las Vegas-style entertainment, a selection of theme bars and lounges and some of the largest standard cabins in the cruise industry. Despite the large number of passengers, there is no sense of being crowded on board.
Carnival has made a conscious effort to attract more families, couples and mature singles, and we applaud this decision. You will not find as much of a rowdy, party crowd on the Ecstasy now as you might have several years ago. Carnival continues to improve the quality of their food and it has really paid off. The food on the Ecstasy is excellent and Carnival's food just keeps getting better and better. The service on the Ecstasy is warm, friendly, attentive and professional. Overall, Carnival offers an exceptional value for your vacation dollars.
The Ecstasy experienced a much-publicized fire in 1998, but she has bounced back better than ever. On top of that, she was just in drydock again this winter for some fairly significant nips and tucks, and she looks shiny and new and in even better shape than when we last sailed on her in 1997. Most of her carpets and floor coverings, as well as upholstery and soft goods have just been replaced. Her decor has been somewhat toned down. The most noticeable changes are on her promenade deck, where the former Rolls Royce Bar has been turned into a gourmet coffee/patisserie cafe (as on all of the newer Carnival ships), and where the stainless steel, Art Deco-style diner that used to house the late night buffets, is now the Formalities tuxedo rental shop.
Entertainment
One thing this ship doesn't lack is activity. Carnival caters to passengers with a wide range of ages and tastes. Between the various entertainment venues on the Ecstasy, there is music for every taste and age group. Carnival's entertainment and activities are truly exceptional. The Las Vegas-style reviews in the main show lounge are among the best in the cruise industry.
Cabins
While simple in decor, Ecstasy's standard cabins are among the largest and most comfortable in the industry (at 185 square feet and up) and you'll find ample closet and storage space, color television with closed circuit movies, wall safes, direct-dial telephones and individual climate control. Most cabins have twin beds that convert to queen-sized beds, although the minimum category inside cabins have upper and lower berths only. The bathrooms are also larger than those on other mass market ships. The 26 demi-suites (some with partially obstructed views) are 226 square feet with 36-square foot verandahs. The 28 suites each measure 350 square feet, with 71-square foot private balconies.
If you're contemplating a cruise during school vacation periods and want a triple or quad cabin, book as early as possible -- these cabins sell out first. Carnival is one of the few cruise lines that will permit five passengers to stay in one cabin (a quad cabin with a rollaway cot). The Ecstasy also boasts 20 cabins for physically challenged guests.
Cabin stewards are quite good, and as with the other staff and crew members, they are very warm and friendly. They take great pleasure in doing small things that help make the cruise a memorable experience -- like folding towels into the shapes of little animals and leaving them on the beds with the turndown service.
Public Rooms
Guests embark on the Ecstasy by way of the enormous Grand Atrium, rising seven decks and topped by a glass skylight. Neon lights changes color via computer-controlled dimmers. Neon-trimmed glass elevators transport guests between the decks.
Popular nightclubs include the Neon Bar, the sing-along piano bar, with neon lights reminiscent of many of New York's famous nightspots. The Explorer's Lounge is the ship's library, and perhaps the most attractive public room on board, with a more subdued nautical decor. The Chinatown Bar and Stripes Disco are scattered along City Lights Boulevard. City Lights Boulevard is a glass-enclosed promenade and is the main entertainment thoroughfare on the ship.
Gambling is a very big deal aboard Carnival's ships, and the Crystal Palace Casino is one of the liveliest and largest afloat. Guests can enjoy slot machines, video poker machines, blackjack, craps, roulette and Caribbean stud poker in the casino. There is also a new video arcade that is extremely popular with the younger set.
Fitness and Recreation
Few ships offer more fitness and recreation facilities than the Ecstasy and her sister ships -- at 12,000 square feet the state-of-the-art spa and fitness center is one of the largest afloat. The gym features more than 35 top-of-the-line exercise machines and trained professional staff (including optional personal trainers). There is also a separate one-eighth-mile jogging track and fitness classes are scheduled throughout the day. The spa and fitness center offers separate saunas and steam rooms for men and women, as well as coed whirlpool tubs. The Ecstasy has three pools, including a wading pool for Camp Carnival. The main pool is where the action is (live music, pool games and Carnival's signature water slide). There is a quiet aft pool and two whirlpools for guests who choose to get away from it all and relax in peace.
Dress Code
The Ecstasy is a casual cruise. There is only one formal night, and most gentlemen opt for a suit and tie as opposed to a tuxedo. Most ladies wear a short cocktail dress or a dressy pants outfit on formal nights. The other nights are casual, with most gentlemen wearing a sport shirt and long slacks and most ladies wearing a casual dress or skirt and blouse or pants outfit. Shorts are not permitted in the dining rooms at dinner. The dress is very casual during the day, with swimsuits, shorts and t-shirts being the rule. Swimsuits are not allowed in the dining rooms, but you may opt for casual breakfast and lunch on the lido deck or around the pool.
Gratuity
Suggested tipping is $3.50 per person, per night, for the cabin steward; $3.50 per person, per night, for the waiter; and $2 per person, per night, for the assistant waiter. Carnival automatically adds a 15 percent gratuity to all bar and wine bills. Fellow Passengers
On the Ecstasy you'll find passengers in a broad range of ages and socioeconomic levels, from families with children, young couples and singles up to grandparents. Carnival carries about equal numbers of passengers in the various age ranges, many first time cruisers. The average passenger is in his or her mid-40's.
Family
Because the Ecstasy does short cruises, you will find quite a few children on this ship all year. The Camp Carnival program is one of the best childrens programs at sea, offering supervised, age-appropriate activities throughout the day and into the evening. Carnival's special children's menus in the dining rooms feature such kid-friendly fare as chicken nuggets, hot dogs, french fries, spaghetti, fish sticks and macaroni & cheese. Camp Carnival also offers group baby-sitting (for a nominal fee) between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Infants between the ages of four months and two years can be accommodated at the evening slumber parties, but they are not eligible for Camp Carnival programs. Carnival also offers the Fountain Fun Card, which allows kids to obtain unlimited fountain soft drinks throughout the cruise for one flat fee.
Dining
The two dining rooms, the Wind Song and Wind Star, are totally nonsmoking and each accommodates 650 passengers in two seatings. Casual breakfast, lunch and dinner fare is available in the Panorama Bar & Grill, a buffet restaurant with a whimsical nautical-themed ceiling, which is adjacent to the pools. The Panorama Bar & Grill is also the location of the pizzeria, which offers delicious complimentary pizza and Caesar salad around-the-clock.
Full-service meals are served in the dining rooms at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to the regular menu items in the dining rooms, Carnival offers delicious low-fat Nautica spa cuisine, very tasty vegetarian selections and a wonderful children's menu. Carnival's food has vastly improved over the past several years. The food on the Ecstasy is no exception. Every meal that we had on this ship was delicious. The dining room service is very good -- professional and attentive, yet also extremely warm and friendly. The dining room staff really try to go out of their way to make sure the passengers are pleased with the food and having a great time. |
