Ectasy vs. Holiday

[pantherstud]

Hello all!

Me and a group of my friends, (8 of us, all college aged kids), are planning on doing a cruise this summer before school starts. We are looking at doing a five day cruise with a fairly low dent in the old wallet. We originally intended on driving down to Galveston and cruising on the Ecstasy, because we all live in Oklahoma City and thought this would be the cheapest route. However, the Holiday is running some great deals. It would actually be cheaper for us to fly to Mobile and cruise on the Holiday then drive to Galveston and cruise on the Ecstasy! (Go figure....). Anyway, I have heard that the Holiday is not as nice as the Ecstasy. I'm not going to microanalyze every little detail on the ship, but at the same time, I don't want to cruise on a ship that is ghetto and nasty. I don't mind a little wear and tear on an older ship, but if it is worth paying about 100ish dollars per person more to go on the Ectasy vs. the Holiday, I'll do it. I just don't want to go for a bargain cruise and be disappointed with the accomodations and the atmosphere.

I just wanted to hear back from you cruisers if you've gon on the Ectasy or the Holiday before. And I'd REALLY like to hear if you've been on both so you can compare them for me!

Thanks so much!---P. Stud:D

[Ehpride]

Just a quick question...will you all be 21? Otherwise, you'll need someone 25 or older to book with you.

 

I haven't been on either ship, but I loved the Inspiration, which is a fantasy class ship like I believe the Ecstacy (sp?) is.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Urrrhh...

I was supposed to be going back to work again, but this board just sucks you in somehow.:(

Anyway,

It will help if you give some dates specifically on when you're thinking about.

Also, "cotton" is the expert on Holiday, so if she reads this, then you'll get more specifics.

I have sailed on Ecstasy twice, and these class of ships (Fantasy Class) are a little more condusive to fun/party atmosphere...

It's also bigger than Holiday, so more likely to meet more people (meaning young ladies;) ).

In your specific case, I think it may be more about the ship, and the time of year, than the specific itinerary.

I'd personally go for Ecstasy, but just wait a little while, and see how the Cruise Critic experts weigh in, as you'll get more responses in the next day or so...

I'd personally go for Ecstasy, for college age (and yes, if you're not all over 21, then you'll need a 25 year old for those under 21).

And in your case, I'd definitely make sure that you do some kind of door decoration on your cabins, otherwise, you might have a hard time finding your cabin at the end of the night:rolleyes: .

CJW

[pantherstud]

Yeah, we're bringing dear old 'ma along with us since we're all a little younger. PS. Sorry for my misspellings of "Ectasy"---I hope that's how you spell it. Thanks for the advice everyone. We're looking at either Aug. 7 on the Ectasy or Aug. 5 on the Holiday

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Then, I'd definitely go for Ecstasy (don't worry about the spelling).

You'd have more room to be on your own, and she'd have plenty to do as well. Holiday, is smaller, by far, nuff said.;)

Fantasy class seems to have livlier nightlife (nightime lounges are really close to each other, so you have a lot more people involved, and going back and forth between the clubs).

Hope this helps.

CJW

[pantherstud]

I'm now leaning more towards Ecstasy and not having to put up with airports, security and all that bs, and just driving down there. Sounds like Ecstasy is more of our type anyway. I don't want to be on an old farts cruise with a bunch of prunes, canasta and bridge playing, dentures, and colostomy bags anyway..........

[Curt Jerome Wild]

And words of advice for posting...

Pantherstud...

First of all you are seriously cracking me up.:D

I've gone on cruises my entire life, and the ones in my teen/college years were the most memorable;) (I'm in my late 20s now, so not that far past).

But, just a word of advice for posting here...

Most of the people are not your age, very few posting (so I do commend you on posting, and asking questions).

But, there will be people responding to this tomorrow, who are older than you, and could take offense to your older person derogatory reponse.

So, put on your "flame-proof suit", and be prepared.

In the meantime, keep posting, but try to cut down the "older person derogatory response". They are the ones that will give you expert info.

That being said...

Ecstasy would be good for you.

Good size ship, the two clubs are close together, so you get a better nightlife.

But, in the meantime, you should plan to dress up (pimp it out all the way).

You will get more female attention by doing that.

What cabins are you thinking about, just saying, because I'm expert of Fantasy Class (Ecstasy) ships.

CJW

[Cotton]

I don't want to be on an old farts cruise with a bunch of prunes, canasta and bridge playing, dentures, and colostomy bags anyway..........

 

Ahhh, Panther - I hope you live a long, long life and that nobody calls you any of the above. Think about it. In your little world, I am OLD, but guess what.....? I possess none of the traits nor hobbies nor life-saving appliances mentioned. PLUS, I am not rude, even to folks like you. (It's called 'growing old gracefully'.)

 

Although I believe you and your friends will be better off going on the Ecstasy, I will tell you a little about the Holiday. She is the oldest and smallest ship in Carnival's present fleet. She is just now coming out of drydock after being in FEMA service for the past several months. She will be all spiffed up and ready for her first sailing on 3/27. LUCKY passengers! The Holiday has the friendliest crew and staff I've encountered on any Carnival ship. The production shows and food are hard to beat.

 

One more thing...;) You DO realize that you and your friends MUST be 21 years old to have any alcoholic beverages, right??? Your Sail & Sign cards will be encoded as to your age, so be prepared for lemonade, fruitpunch, and Cokes! You can play in the casino if you're all 18, but they are VERY strict in their policy about NOT SERVING beer or alcohol to anyone under 21.

 

You might want to check further into the age rules for cruising.

 

I don't have to worry about that. I'm one of those OLD folks you'll have to encounter on any ship you choose. Have a wonderful voyage!:)

[jshawnh]

I haves sailed both the holiday and the Ecstacy. I hav to say that the Ecstacy was party central. The Holiday was my favorite of the two. Although it is an older, smaller ship it was better maintained. The crew was friendlier. There did seem to be a few more older passengers, but they didn't hurt anyone. They mingled well with the younger set, but didn't see them in the discos.

[pantherstud]

Didn't mean to offend anyone, just my sense of humor. I know about the 21 year old alcohol rule on board...I think we can manage. We'll just wait until the ports!! Plus, it's not like we're all alcoholics, but we do want to have a good time if you know what I mean. We can have a good time on board without the booze.:) Thanks for all the advice again.

[Cotton]

Just a tiny bit of offense taken. Actually, you seem like a fairly nice young man.

 

We 'seniors' may be older than you, but we're not dead. Don't be too surprised to see ME at Carlos n' Charlie's, having just as much fun as you! :D