proudpatriot07

I got off the Ecstasy today. I also sailed on the Fantasy back in 2010. Both ships are pretty similar in terms of layout, size, and age.

The ships are small, but Charleston isn't a big port. I live here, and we walked off the ship at 8 AM and walked into our front door before 9 AM, including getting through customs, shuttling back to the parking area, and driving home. Convenience has been the big selling factor for us, but I think it would make a good first cruise. Most of the Ecstasy Charleston cruises are only five days (ours was 7) and the smaller ship might be better for children.

I've been to Half Moon Cay as well as Coco Cay, Royal's private island. Half Moon Cay is gorgeous and the port we were most excited about on this cruise (other ports were Grand Turk and Amber Cove). It is the better beach, and Carnival provides lunch for you on the island.

Some areas of the Ecstasy felt crowded, but most did not. I feel like that's subjective depending on who is on your cruise with the age demographics as well as the port nights. Some shows were more crowded than others- the comedy club had far more seats on port days than sea days. Also, the first night of our cruise was a bit choppy- I've never seen so few people at dinner on the first night. You can definitely feel the ship move especially as you sail to/from Charleston. It's not as bad out in the Caribbean, though.

If you have any other Ecstasy or Charleston questions, just ask!

Thanks so much for your review! I just got off a cruise today (Carribbean), but we've done six of those and seen those islands and ports, so we're looking for something different- hence I'm researching NE cruises. Your review is totally selling me on this cruise, too. It looks like you had a wonderful time in Boston before and on the cruise. I want an authentic lobster roll and am glad you showed those pics- looks so good.

You're on a Carnival board, so you might get some Carnival bias... but I've cruised both lines and I would choose Symphony, hands down :).

Our cruise is Oct. 29 and as far as I know (as in, it hasn't changed as of now), we are visiting both ports. I believe we may be the first ship back to Grand Turk.

I'm excited to go to Jack's Shack!

We took a carriage ride and I remember seeing the signs in every other window..........I think the signs were more annoying then the cruise ships.

I see these banners every Sunday when I run downtown as well. The thing is, only a handful of Charleston residents feel that way- and most of them happen to live in the South of Broad neighborhoods where the carriage tours go. Most residents like the cruise ships or have no opinions against them, and if you cruise from Charleston, a lot of locals will be on board. So many of my friends and neighbors cruise from Charleston and enjoy it, and I'm looking forward to my 2nd cruise from here in a few weeks too.

Last October Matthew sent us to Canada instead of the Bahamas. We chose to sail and although it was not what we had planned, we were on a cruise and we had a good time!

That's interesting that you went in the other direction! Were you prepared with clothes and packing? I mean, packing for a Canadian cruise is totally different than going to the Bahamas ;p

Thanks for the review! I hate to hear there's no sports bar because we love college football (and NFL). Thankfully it's not a deal breaker for us. Glad you enjoyed Guy's burgers and Blue Iguana, I can't wait to try those.

Thanks for your review and feedback. We live in Charleston and will be going on the Ecstacy in October. I'm glad you guys found a cruise to book after your other was cancelled due to the hurricane, and looking forward to following along and reading the rest of your review!

I will look into those I didn't see them listed on the CVB site. Thank s for the heads up. I am going to check with the hotel that provided us this service last time which was the Sleep Inn in Mt Pleasant and see if they still have this available.

Someone on my roll call also mentioned North Charleston Marriott, which is a newer hotel and also close to things to do like the Tanger outlets (tons of restaurants around there as well). That's another one you could call.

Is there a link some where with all the stay and park hotels in Charleston?

I wish we had a comprehensive list! I am on another forum for Charleston/Ecstacy and have seen a few places mentioned, including Hampton Inn and Quality Inn near Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant. Any of the hotels near Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant should be safe, nice, and they are close to good places to eat and things to do the night before.

Thanks for your review and glad you enjoyed the ship and Charleston! We go in October.

My husband and I pretty much always do the dining room for breakfast. I like being able to eat with different people at the table and talk about what we're up to that day in port, or just eat alone at a table for two with him. I'm not a big buffet fan in general and like the wait staff- plus sometimes it's fun to see your dinner waiter at the breakfast or lunch service.

If you don't want a big breakfast, you can do room service or you can get something small and simple in the dining room. They even offer things like cereal in the dining room.

Personally, we just give additional tips- but after reading through this post, I can see where a handwritten note or card with the cash might go a long way in making the crew member feel more appreciated. You never know what someone may be going through inside and it may mean a lot to them to know they made your vacation special. As nice are cruise critic members are, not everyone on the cruise ship is nice to the workers and I''ve seen passengers give them a hard time. A handwritten note costs nothing but a few minutes of time.

I wouldn't do a gift. I do live in a cruise port city, though (Charleston) and know that crew members frequent a grocery store near the port with a Starbucks inside. I've seen them in the cafe using the internet. I guess the workers could always use a Starbucks card, but Starbucks does take cash and at least the cash could buy toiletries/food in the grocery store.

 

What I loved about it was Rock the Promade "BAR" Raffel. Basicly every one was asked to follow the CD to the atrium where we were given this paper with a number on it and "tickets" if you will, that you would rip off and give to an attendent. The Cruise director was Ryan, and he led the "march" to the locations. The music was playing and once we arrived at the location, Ryan would tell us a little about the area we were in. You gave your ticket to the staff member there, and Ryan drew a ticket and some one won a drink or some other pirze and then we were on to the next area. It was a great way to show the different bars, disco, Sing a long bar, comdey club and casino bar. Very cool way of seeing the locations and we had a blast. We had a late snack and hit the sack...we were poophed.

That sounds really fun! I'm going to remember to do this when we get on board, good way to see the different areas of the ship too.

We're going on the Ecstasy in October and hubs is thinking of booking chef's table. We did it on Carnival Legend a few years ago (2012). We got a tour of the kitchen as well as a lot of personal time with the head chef. Also, the only type of meat I eat is seafood (no beef, pork, chicken), and they were super accomodating. Courses were small but you'll leave super full.

At $75 pp the value is there. You're in SC and in Charleston (peninsula) something like this would cost much more than $75/pp.

I drove by that hotel tonight so it's nice to come home and see you've written some! The round Holiday Inn has an awesome view, so I'm not surprised you saw the ship from up there. I live here so have never stayed in the hotel itself, but I have been there for a happy hour or two- and I've heard good things about their breakfast.

Good to know the boarding process was seamless too. Can't wait to read more.

We're going in October. I can't wait to read more.

Charleston resident here. We're going on the Carnival Ecstasy later this year. It's our second cruise out of Charleston, although the first was in 2010- when we didn't live here and it was only the 3rd cruise out of our city.

We've lived in Charleston for five years, but we haven't cruised in a few years. I'm excited to go back and to give Carnival another chance (we weren't huge fans of our 2012 cruise from Tampa). We got a steal on the price, so we're giving it a shot.

If anyone needs advice on the city, feel free to ask! I see the Ecstasy all the time when I run the bridge and often run by the port. I've also seen a few other ships call on Charleston, although they don't usually do this in the summer months.

We've cruised 5 times and 3 of those were in May. It's our favorite month to cruise because it's not super hot yet, the kids are still in school, and it's not hurricane season. We've always found great prices at that time of year, too.

Our ship almost missed Coco Cay, but we made it (about an hour late, but oh well). I'm not sure if that happens more or less at certain times of year, but it's good to know that they try to make it on the last sea day if they have to miss it.

Thanks for the review :). We went on the Freedom in April and also a few years ago for our honeymoon. We love the ship because it's big with lots to do, but I'm not sure I'd want to try a bigger ship that required making reservations for shows, dinner, etc.

I'm so glad someone turned your camera in and I hope you get it back soon. I would be freaking out if that happened to me.

I don't think that's too early. We were at the port super early to board Freedom in April (thanks to the hotel shuttle that left at like, 9 AM). We were on at 11ish and eating lunch. We boarded right after the priority guests.

You're super lucky- enjoy the cruise and the time spent with your mom :). I'm sure you guys will have a great time and make some great memories.

I wish I could get my mom on one... I don't even know if she'd go if I paid (I don't know why not, she's never cruised but I think she's a little weary/scared of it).

Thanks, all! I appreciate that!

 

To do 6 miles on the jogging track would make for about 30 laps or so, I believe. Since it's also a walking and lounging track, that could get tedious. I know she could get up at 6am and have less traffic. But she'll be 14 and on vacation, so that's unlikely! I'm sure she'll do some runs on the track, but it's nice to have the treadmill as an option. I SHOULD go and run next to her in the fitness center. But I'll probably just take a book! :)

Kudos to your daughter for running :).

The gym treadmills are *very* nice. They have TVs attached, so I watched the morning show and various cartoon movies each morning when I ran, plus you see the gorgeous view from the windows in front of you.

I also run 5-6 miles a day typically and really enjoyed my treadmill miles on the gym. It was hard to run on the track because it's 2 lanes and people constantly walked the whole width of it or had their chairs out in the lanes, plus the wind out there was crazy. I'm glad your daughter can use the gym.

We were on FOTS a few weeks ago and also went to the ice show. It is amazing, don't miss it. You can reserve it in advance before your cruise, or just go to the guest relations desk on the first day or so and they'll put your reservation in. Only one person from your stateroom needs to go to make the reservation too, I was able to go to the desk and reserve for both my husband and I. It was the best show we saw onboard!

How was the pool chair situation? I'm a little nervous about getting a chair on my upcoming cruise!

Yeah, the chairs near the pool are a hot commodity... if you can catch someone leaving, that helps. I was always able to find one on Deck 12, on the track, on the sea days. It's not right by the pool but still a great location for sun and for seeing whatever's going on at the pool.