Carnival Ecstasy

Launched in 1991, Carnival Ecstasy is the second of Carnival's eight Fantasy-class ships, together with Sensation, Fascination and the “no balcony ships” Fantasy, Elation, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is an US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). Carnival Cruise Lines has Corporation's largest fleet as both number of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). CCL has over 1/5 of cruise industry's worldwide market.

The 70,500-ton, 2,052-passenger cruise ship Carnival Ecstasy cost US$315 million to build. The ship is “original classic” with amenities such as LCD TVs and Internet cafes. Ecstasy offers a lot of dining places and nightclubs, casino and duty-free shops. However, when compared with modern mega-ships, Carnival Ecstasy is relatively small. The ship has only one pool, and has not received many of the newer Fun Ship 2.0 amenities. Right after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Ecstasy ship received new kids' facilities, Lido restaurant, mini golf course, Panorama Bar and Grill refit and newly furnished guest rooms. In 2009, Carnival added to the ship the ”Serenity” adult-only deck, ”Camp Ocean” )kids lounge) and ”Circle C” (kids club).

Cruise itinerary program

The current Carnival Ecstasy itinerary program is based on 3- and 4-day short cruises from Miami, Florida to Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Feature port destinations include Nassau, Cozumel and Key West. Starting February 2016 Ecstasy offers 4-5-7-night itineraries sailing out of Charleston SC to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Grand Turk and Amber Cove (Dominican Republic).

Starting May 2019, the ship will be homeported in JAXPORT (Jacksonville Florida) to operate year-round on 4-5-day cruises to Bahamas. In JAXPORT, Ecstasy replaces Carnival Elation.

Cabins

Carnival Ecstasy has a total number of 1026 cabins (of which 54 Suites, 98 Balcony rooms) in 26 grades. Most Carnival Ecstasy staterooms are 185-sq.foot insides (408), oceanview (466) and balcony (98, with verandas of 35 sq.feet). Ecstasy also has 25 wheelchair accessible cabins. Ecstasy's Grand Suites are the largest cabins onboard (330 sq.feet) and can accommodate up to five passengers. They feature sitting areas and spacious bathrooms with whirlpool bathtubs and separate shower. Suite guests benefit from VIP check-in.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Ecstasy does not offer alternative dining, so every meal onboard the ship is served in one of the two MDRs or the Lido buffet. Passengers can thus avoid the nickel-and-diming, equated with newer and larger ships, but you might wish for more variety. However, excellent service is one of the bright spots: bar servers are close by throughout the ship. Waiters will remember your name and even your preferences from the first meal, so your decaffeinated coffee will be delivered to you with no need to ask for.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Ecstasy restaurants and food bars.

• Wind Star Restaurant (650-seat, forward Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, or “Your Time Dining”)
• Wind Song Restaurant (658-seat, aft Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings; offers themed breakfasts - “Seuss At Sea”, for $5 cover charge).
• Panorama Lido Buffet Restaurant (722-seat, complimentary self-service restaurant with various food stations; operates as bistro in the evenings).
• Sushi Bar (complimentary)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (Lido Deck, Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary poolside food bar serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries)
• BlueIguana Cantina (Lido Deck, complimentary poolside Mexican food bar for fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, with salsa bar and a variety of toppings).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The first impression that cruisers receive onboard the Ecstasy, is ship's grand atrium, which bright lights remind them of the big city - the vessel features the New York City theme which runs throughout the public rooms. If cruisers look for a lively, active sailing with lots of nightlife, this ship is exactly for them. Ecstasy appeals to the young-at-heart of all ages who prefer a more spirited vacation.

Carnival Ecstasy offers great fun for children with a range of supervised activities for the little ones. Adults also benefit from a lot of night bars and a casino. The Serenity Adult Only Retreat is an exciting relaxation spa. There is also a mini-golf course onboard. Rolls Royce is a new coffee shop offering a diversity of designer coffees and milkshakes with amazing prices in the range of 2.50 dollars and 4 dollars per piece. There is also a late afternoon sushi bar and a totally new photo gallery which winds around the Atrium.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Ecstasy lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Ecstasy Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck high midship open area served by Grand Plaza Lobby Bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, special occasion gifts); The Fun Shops (offer “Bon Voyage” store menu, souvenirs, watches, jewelry, logo merchandise, duty-free liquor, fashion boutiques)
• Blue Sapphire Theatre (1300-seat, 2-level main show lounge)
• Circle C (kids' complimentary club lounge with movies, video games, parties, planned activities)
• The Neon Bar (92-seat piano bar); The Rolls Royce Cafe (58-seat); China Town Lounge and Bar (109-seat, with dance floor and karaoke); Society Bar (92-seat cigar bar with piano)
• The Explorer’s Club Library (43-seat; offres board games)
• 24-hour Video Games Arcade; Club O2 teens' lounge for movies, karaoke, parties
• Crystal Palace Casino (450-seat, served by Metropolis Bar)
• City Lights Boulevard Promenade and Bar (230-seat), Jewelry Shop
• Cherry On Top (bulk candy store, also selling Carnival-logoed merchandise and special occasion gifts)
• Alchemy Bar (cocktail lounge served by professional mixologists)
• Stripes Disco and Nightclub (capacity 230 seats Dance Club with own bar, DJ program)
• Starlight Lounge and Bar (540-seat, with dance floor and stage for live performances - Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch shows)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (poolside bar for Mexican drinks - brews, frozens, cocktails, margaritas)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (poolside bar serving best Caribbean rums, bottled Caribbean beers, draft beers (including Carnival's ThirstyFrog Red brew), Red’s Beer Cocktail, frozens, cocktails, mojitos, margaritas, soft beverages)
• Serenity (adults only relaxation area with padded lounges, hammocks and two Whirlpools).
• Ecstasy Lido Pool area; Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (with the 4-deck high Twister Waterslide, 2 racing mini-slides, Splash Zone - fountains, jets, splash pool, kids playground area)
• Camp Ocean (kids' club lounge with complimentary programmeand play area)
• Spa Carnival (Spa and Fitness complex with Relaxation Room, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Massage Rooms, Beauty Salon, Gymnasium with Aerobics Studio)
• Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Tennis Tables, 9-hole Mini Golf Course, Shuffleboard.

• Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades in 2014 and 2017
• The Carnival cruise ship Ecstasy is the line's 2nd oldest vessel of the Fantasy-class. Her sisters are the Carnival ships Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise, Sensation.
• In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina she spent 6 months in New Orleans LA accommodating evacuees and relief workers.
• Carnival Cruise Lines made some upgrades to their Ecstasy cruise ship as a part of their "Evolution of Fun" ("Fun Ship 1.0") program. The first was done after the Hurricane Katrina and included some new children facilities, renewing of the Panorama Bar&Grill, the Lido deck restaurant and the gift shop. All of the Ecstasy's staterooms were newly furnished and on the sport deck was built a mini golf course. The full "Evolution of Fun" was done in 2009. Then the Ecstasy received the adult-only decks "Serenity", 98 balconies were added and the aft lounge was renewed. The amusement for kids was upgraded with the "Circle C" Lounge for passengers between 12- and 14-years-old, "Camp Carnival" and a children' waterpark.
• (July 20, 1998 accident) - a fire in the main laundry room spread to cause the ship to loose its propulsion power, resulting in steering and drifting - 14 crewmembers and 8 guests suffered minor injuries, losses exceeded US$17 mill