Need advise with Cabin Choice on Ecstasy, please.

[parentsof5]

Will be cruising in March 2011 with 20 yo, 3 teens, mom, and dad. We will be taking Ecstasy out of Galveston. I think we are going with 2 cabins, 3 each. Husband and I have have cruised once before. I could use some help on which part of the ship to try and get 2 cabins on.

 

Which is better: forward, aft, or midship. I do have sea sickness that is controlled with medication.

 

And which deck is best. Maybe rate 1 best on down. Empress (1), Upper (2), Main (3), Riviera (4)?

 

Thanks!

[firefly333]

Serene who posts in the cabin help section said, the more you pay, the more you sway. The very middle, lowest deck gets the least motion. I had a friend book the exact middle cabin of the bottom deck for that purpose.

[BallFour4]

Will be cruising in March 2011 with 20 yo, 3 teens, mom, and dad. We will be taking Ecstasy out of Galveston. I think we are going with 2 cabins, 3 each. Husband and I have have cruised once before. I could use some help on which part of the ship to try and get 2 cabins on.

 

The Ecstasy is a great ship, wave to us as you pass the tollway going down 45.

 

For a non-balcony cabin we like the ones aft of center. Our favorite might have been the one at about three from the back, I'd suggest Upper 164-186. Here are my reasons besides being one set of stairs from the Promenade Deck with the lounges and casino.

 

1. a couple sets of stairs from the Lido Deck and Panorama Grill
   
2. easy access to the rear entrance for the dining room
   
3. about 5 min from a late night pizza or ice cream run
   
4. well away from the noise of the atrium
   
   
5. at the end of the hall runners pathway
   

The downside? Stern Thrusters! When you get to Cozumel or Progresso you will hear and feel the power of the thrusters and the crew prepping dock lines for the port. Think of it as an alarm clock for your excursions.

 

We recently took advantage of a three night cruise to nowhere on the Ecstasy and were in cabin U33. It was the same experience for noise with the bow thrusters, but we were awake, and it was back in Galveston.

 

Others hate the cabins towards the rear of the ship, but we've been aboard for 7 trips and 6 of them have been Upper or Atlantic in the back of the ship.

 

Ya got my opinion.

 

 

.

[parentsof5]

Thanks for the quick answers. If motion sickness wasn't an issue, would your opinions differ?

[firefly333]

Thanks for the quick answers. If motion sickness wasn't an issue, would your opinions differ?

 

In fact I am doing a triple on Ecstasy, R299, near the front elevator. Its actually a quad. You might consider that too. Put the 4 kids in a quad with 2 upper bunks and you next door to keep an eye on them.

 

I had to move from a PT because it only held 2. Normally, I think those PTs up front are the best buy, but they only hold 2 people and are better if you dont mind motion.

[firefly333]

PS Ecstasy has trundle beds, low to the ground and rollaways that if you arent carefull you will get for those two triples and then you have no space at night to walk around if you need to. If those kids, 2 can climb into the upper bunks, Id rather a quad with two uppers next to a double.

[parentsof5]

What does PT stand for?

[idlenote]

We normally aim for 140 - 160 on the Empress, always on the port side. You're under the galley, and we have very seldom heard any noise.

 

Puts you one deck below the dining rooms, two decks below the casino deck and three decks below the lido, all easy stair climbing distance.

[BallFour4]

Thanks for the quick answers. If motion sickness wasn't an issue, would your opinions differ?

 

We have sailed on two Fantasy class ships and I cannot feel the "flex" of the ship others describe. The motion seems to be the same regardless of where we are on the ship.

 

For me, just being able to see the horizon makes it better. I cannot tell a difference on a lower level or on the lido deck.

 

On my worst night we were headed back on Thanksgiving eve and the winds from a northern front were hammering the ship and waves were rolling. The bags were out at the elevators and other places on the ship.

 

I sought out a table near on the lido deck covered from the wind and got my sweatshirt and book, a meclizine and read until sleepy time came. That was it for me... none since.

 

 

.

 

[parentsof5]

Very good to know firefly! For $34 difference between 4/2 and 3/3, definately worth it.

[firefly333]

What does PT stand for?

 

PT = porthole category. On Ecstasy the cabins only hold 2 people. You can see out for a inside price, but for someone who gets seasick, I dont think this would be your best choice.

 

They are my favorite choice for myself for a bargain on Ecstasy. Newer ships have some that hold 3 people, but none on Ecstasy.

[DryCreek]

I'm glad that I came across your question. We already are booked on the Ecstasy for Nov. 27th 5-day to Western Caribbean. We have a 4B room (M-34) on the main deck. The upsell fairy just e-mailed me offering an "upgrade" to a higher deck for only $30 per stateroom. After reading posts here, I think that I may prefer to be on the main deck. My wife and I are active and I don't mind climbing stairs. I do it every day at work, and walk at least two miles too (power plant - big place, lotsa stairs). After reading how quiet the main and riviera decks are, I would probably decline. I also am not so sure how the wife will do with seasickness. I wasn't too badly affected while spending six years in the Navy - but that was a looonnng time ago.

 

What do y'all think - go for it or wait for an upsell to a room with a view?

 

We'd like to invite you to upgrade your current stateroom to a higher deck. For $30 per stateroom*, you can enjoy easier and more convenient access to all the spaces and places you love most on the ship - including the pool and Lido deck, Spa Carnival, the Promenade, and much more. It's just another way Carnival is making sure you have the best cruise vacation possible.

[firefly333]

We'd like to invite you to upgrade your current stateroom to a higher deck. For $30 per stateroom*, you can enjoy easier and more convenient access to all the spaces and places you love most on the ship - including the pool and Lido deck, Spa Carnival, the Promenade, and much more. It's just another way Carnival is making sure you have the best cruise vacation possible.

 

If you can upgrade to Lido deck, Id probably do it... hard to say. Im able, but Lido deck is so convenient.

[stewpapa]

We leave for our 4th time on Ecstasy in a couple of days. Already booked for 2011 as well. It is our favorite ship. We always book the Empress OV deck just off the Atrium. E60 area. Everything is just right there within a deck or two and you only have to use the elevators to go up to the pool or buffet. Also, when it is time to get off, we just open our door and when the folks start leaving, we just walk right off the ship. We have never had any noise issues from the Atrium or above or below us. We pay about $50pp more than OV Guarantee for this Deck, but it is worth it.

[DryCreek]

I just read so many posts where the noise from above becomes a nuisance. I like it to be quiet when I sleep. I usually am in bed by 9 or 10 and up by around 5 or so. Just a habit I've had for some time now - probably due to the schedule I work (rotating shifts - night/day).

 

Looking at where M-34 is, it seems to be far enough away from the elevators to miss the noise from folks waiting on or exiting the elevators - and near enough to the end to avoid the hall runners and wall thumpers.

 

I'll have to do some more thinking about it - we have a little less than six weeks to go now.

[parentsof5]

While I realize if our cabins are right next to each other, we won't know when the kids go it or out, it comforts me knowing hey are right next door. So, should I be so caught up on this? I am finding cabins next to each other Aft on Empress, 1 set is at the very back, the other about 1/2 way between mid and aft. Thoughts?

[stewpapa]

While I realize if our cabins are right next to each other, we won't know when the kids go it or out, it comforts me knowing hey are right next door. So, should I be so caught up on this? I am finding cabins next to each other Aft on Empress, 1 set is at the very back, the other about 1/2 way between mid and aft. Thoughts?

 

 

We had a door between our room with our teens, we kept it closed most of the time and had no issues. Others book an inside right across the hall for teens and it saves money as well.

[parentsof5]

Unfortunately, there are no adjoining cabins left. :-(

[firefly333]

I just read so many posts where the noise from above becomes a nuisance. I like it to be quiet when I sleep. I usually am in bed by 9 or 10 and up by around 5 or so. Just a habit I've had for some time now - probably due to the schedule I work (rotating shifts - night/day).

 

Looking at where M-34 is, it seems to be far enough away from the elevators to miss the noise from folks waiting on or exiting the elevators - and near enough to the end to avoid the hall runners and wall thumpers.

 

I'll have to do some more thinking about it - we have a little less than six weeks to go now.

 

Iv never been bothered by the noise from people getting on or off the elevators. Iv even been back to back with the elevators. I have one next time on Ecstasy R299, which is a quad next to the elevators. I know the elevators will face another direction and we should be sound proofed.

 

Once I heard a drunk in my hallway, I think in 2006 on Ecstasy, but that was the only time on Carnival that Iv been bothered by noisy people in the halls

[syh0365]

We enjoyed the Aft Extended Balcony Cabins. I don't know if they have connecting staterooms, but you may be able to have the connect door on the balcony opened.

 

Good Luck!

[USAF&wife]

We had U103 a Grand Suite.

 

Nice room with plenty of space but would not pay full price.

 

They don't tell you, but it is obstructed view.

 

Since it was our first cruise I had no idea that the balcony wall of U101 would block so much of our view.

 

Tamara

[stewpapa]

Please disregard my previous posts in this thread about hearing no noise in the Atrium Area on Empress deck on the Ecstasy !!!

 

We just got back from the Ecstasy! It was our 4th time to have E60 or E62. It is conveniently near everything and right where you get on and off the ship on the first and last day. First to get off the ship.

We have always loved this room!

 

On this cruise the noise was horrible for the first time ever! There was lots of music and noise from the Atrium until well after midnight on a couple of nights. Singing and screaming and running. There was horrible noise from above from Camp Carnival area for 12-14 year olds until well after midnight on at least 3 of the nights.

 

We always go on the Ecstasy in October and there are usually very few teens. This year there was a large group of about 300 people, mostly teens and preteens with families. I think that made the difference. We didn't even know that cabin was just below the teen area before. Move further down the hall for quietness!

 

But the Empress does disembark first if you are Self-Assist, and it is near to everything, so we will stay there but move further down the hall next time.

[JediSkipdogg]

Iv never been bothered by the noise from people getting on or off the elevators. Iv even been back to back with the elevators. I have one next time on Ecstasy R299, which is a quad next to the elevators. I know the elevators will face another direction and we should be sound proofed.

 

Once I heard a drunk in my hallway, I think in 2006 on Ecstasy, but that was the only time on Carnival that Iv been bothered by noisy people in the halls

 

Here's to hoping Firefly sees this post and can help me again. I'm looking at E299 on the Paradise for my next cruise with my parents. I'm assuming it will be identical to R299 on the Ecstasy. So how is it on space for 3 people?

 

Essentially, difference in price between booking 3 separate rooms and 2 rooms (one being a 299) is $200. Would love to save the money and spend it on other stuff on board but unsure if it's worth it. I know I'll never do 3 people in a standard 4A (with a trundle bed) again. But would think a pull down wouldn't be too bad.

 

And yes, I'm bringing an old thread up instead of posting a new topic. :p