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Carnival Ecstasy

Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship
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Specifications of Carnival Ecstasy

Year of build1991  /  Age: 31
BuilderKvaerner Masa-Yards (Helsinki, STX Finland)
ClassCCL FANTASY
Building costUSD 275 million
Engines (power)Wartsila-Sulzer (42.24 MW / 56645 hp)
Speed21 kn / 39 km/h / 24 mph
Length (LOA)262 m / 860 ft
Beam (width)32 m / 105 ft
Gross Tonnage70526 gt
Passengers2056 - 2467
Crew920
Passengers-to-space ratio29
Decks13
Cabins1028
Decks with cabins5
Last Refurbishment2019, Aliaga-scrapped in 2022
Sister-shipsCarnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Sensation
Christened byKathy Lee Gifford
OwnerCarnival Corporation & PLC
OperatorCarnival Cruise Line

Carnival Ecstasy Review

Review of Carnival Ecstasy

The 1991-built and 2022-scrapped Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship was the second of Carnival Cruise Line's eight Fantasy-class vessels. Her sisterships included Sensation and Fascination, along with the "no balcony ships" Fantasy, Elation, Imagination, Inspiration, and Paradise.

The vessel (IMO number 8711344) was last registered under the Panama flag (flag state of convenience) with MMSI 353479000 and homeported in Panama City.

History - Construction and Ownership

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) is a US-based cruise brand and a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, the ship’s owner. Founded in 1972 by Ted Arison (1924–1999), who also co-founded Norwegian Cruise Line, CCL has the largest fleet in the Carnival group by both number of ships and total passenger capacity. In 2023, CCL held approximately 9% of the cruise industry's global revenue and 19% of total passengers. In 2024, Carnival Corporation accounted for roughly 51% of the global US$64+ billion cruise market.

Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship

The 2052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy was a classic liner equipped with modern features such as LCD TVs and Internet cafes. She offered a variety of dining venues, nightclubs, a casino lounge, and duty-free shopping.

The ship featured one main swimming pool and received only some of the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Ecstasy underwent a drydock to add new kids’ facilities, a revamped Lido restaurant, a mini-golf course, updated Panorama Bar and Grill, and newly furnished staterooms. In 2009, the Serenity adults-only sundeck, Camp Ocean children’s complex, and the Circle C kids’ club were introduced.

In 2022, Carnival Cruise Line retired Carnival Ecstasy (31 years old) and Carnival Sensation (29 years old). The announcement was made on February 3, 2022, resulting in the following deployment changes:

  • In Jacksonville, Carnival Ecstasy was replaced by Carnival Spirit (starting April 23). Ecstasy was repositioned to Mobile for sailings from March 5 through October 10. Carnival Sensation’s Mobile schedule (Oct 15, 2022–Sept 30, 2023) was canceled.
  • In Australia, itineraries for Carnival Splendor (June 10–Sept 26, 2022) and Carnival Spirit (June 5, 2022–Oct 5, 2023) were canceled.
  • Carnival Sensation was sold for scrapping and did not return to service. Carnival Ecstasy’s final cruise departed Mobile on October 10, 2022.

A total of 165 Carnival Ecstasy cruises scheduled from JAXPORT (Jacksonville, Florida) between March 7, 2022, and April 29, 2024, were canceled. These included itineraries such as:

  • 4-day Bahamas (Freeport, Nassau)
  • 5-day Bahamas (Nassau and Princess Cays)
  • 5-day Bahamas (Nassau and Bimini)

The final voyage departed from Mobile (Alabama) on October 10, 2022. The 5-day itinerary visited Cozumel (Oct 12) and Progreso (Oct 13), with two sea days. Over her 31-year service, Ecstasy carried over 5.5 million guests.

Following her final sailing, the ship was briefly docked in PortMiami (Oct 18–20), then departed on October 20 at 21:17 UTC for an 18-day Transatlantic crossing to the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in Turkey. She arrived on November 7 (at 4:47 am UTC) and transmitted her final AIS signal on November 8 (12:46 UTC), indicating she was docked in Aliaga.

Note: By Q4 2022, only Elation and Paradise remained in active service among the Fantasy-class ships, following the scrapping of Fantasy, Imagination, Inspiration, Sensation, and Ecstasy at Aliaga.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Ecstasy had a total of 1028 staterooms (in 26 categories), including 54 Suites, 98 Balcony, 466 Oceanview, and 408 Inside cabins. Most balconies were about 35 ft² (3 m²), and the majority of cabins measured between 170–185 ft² (16–17 m²). The ship had 25 wheelchair-accessible staterooms (ADA compliant). The largest accommodations were the Grand Suites, sized 330 ft² (31 m²) with a 115 ft² (11 m²) balcony, and could sleep up to five passengers. These suites featured a sitting area and spacious bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and separate showers, along with VIP services and amenities.

The ship featured 13 decks, including 10 accessible to passengers and 5 with staterooms.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

Carnival Ecstasy had no specialty dining venues. All meals were served in either of the two Main Dining Rooms or the Lido buffet. The onboard service was frequently praised, with staff remembering guest names and preferences.

Dining venues included:

  • 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 seatings; featured "Seuss At Sea" themed breakfasts ($5 cover charge)
  • Panorama Lido Buffet – 722-seat self-service restaurant with various food stations; operated as a bistro during evenings
  • Complimentary Sushi Bar
  • Guy's Burger Joint (Lido Deck) – complimentary handcrafted burgers and fries
  • BlueIguana Cantina (Lido Deck) – complimentary burritos and tacos with homemade tortillas and a toppings bar

Shipboard Entertainment – Fun and Sports

The Grand Atrium was the centerpiece of the Carnival Ecstasy experience, featuring a New York City theme that ran throughout public spaces. The ship catered to guests seeking a lively and active vacation with vibrant nightlife. Activities were available for all ages, including supervised children’s programs, adults-only retreats, and numerous bars and lounges.

Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship

Ecstasy offered:

  • Ecstasy Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck atrium with Grand Plaza Lobby Bar)
  • Internet Café (24-hour access)
  • Art Gallery, Photo Gallery, Formalities Shop, Fun Shops (duty-free goods, logo merchandise, souvenirs)
  • Blue Sapphire Theatre (1300-seat, two-level main show lounge)
  • Circle C (pre-teens club), Club O2 (teen lounge)
  • The Neon Bar (piano bar), Rolls Royce Café (coffee bar), Chinatown Lounge (karaoke and dancing), Society Bar (cigar bar)
  • The Explorer's Club Library (board games), 24-hour Arcade
  • Crystal Palace Casino (450-seat, with Metropolis Bar)
  • City Lights Boulevard Promenade and Bar, Jewelry Shop
  • Cherry On Top (candy shop and gift boutique)
  • Alchemy Bar (cocktail lounge with mixologists)
  • Stripes Nightclub (dance club with bar and DJ)
  • Starlight Lounge (540-seat venue with stage for comedy and live music)
  • BlueIguana Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar (poolside drinks and beers)
  • Serenity Adults-Only Retreat with hot tubs, loungers, and hammocks
  • Lido Pool Area, Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (Twister waterslide, mini-slides, Splash Zone)
  • Camp Ocean (kids' programming and play areas)
  • Spa Carnival and Fitness Center (with sauna, steam rooms, massage, salon, gym, aerobics)
  • Sports facilities: Basketball, Volleyball, Jogging Track, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Mini-Golf (9-hole)

Itineraries

From PortMiami, Carnival Ecstasy offered 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean, calling at Nassau, Cozumel, and Key West. In February 2016, she began 4-, 5-, and 7-night roundtrips from Charleston SC to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean (including Grand Turk and Amber Cove, Dominicana).

In May 2019, the ship was homeported in Jacksonville, Florida (JAXPORT) for year-round 4- and 5-night Bahamas cruises (Nassau, Freeport, Princess Cays), replacing Carnival Elation.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ship was paused for two years (March 2020–2022). Service resumed on March 5, 2022, from Mobile, Alabama, with 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Cozumel and either Costa Maya or Progreso.

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Carnival Ecstasy Wiki

Carnival Ecstasy was introduced in 1990 as the first vessel of the new Fantasy-class for Carnival Cruise Line. Built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland at a cost of US$320 million, she was officially inaugurated in April 1991. After a Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA, the ship was christened in New York City by Kathie Lee Gifford—TV hostess and Carnival's spokesperson at the time. Her maiden voyage commenced in June 1991 from PortMiami.

In July 1998, Ecstasy experienced a major onboard fire that led to a two-month drydock for repairs at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. She resumed service in September.

In 2000, Ecstasy began West Coast USA sailings—3- and 4-night roundtrips from Los Angeles to Baja California. That same year, her flag was changed from Liberia (Monrovia) to Panama (Panama City).

By 2003, Ecstasy was homeported at Carnival Corporation’s newly established Long Beach Cruise Terminal. In 2004, she relocated to Galveston, Texas, offering 4- and 5-night cruises to Mexico. In 2005, she was chartered for six months to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to provide housing for Hurricane Katrina evacuees and relief workers. She resumed cruise operations in April 2006. In November 2007, the vessel was officially renamed “Carnival Ecstasy.”

During a 2009 refurbishment, Carnival Ecstasy received several enhancements including a new water park, a renovated main pool deck, the adults-only Serenity Deck (aft), and 98 oceanview cabins were upgraded with balconies. In November 2011, the ship began homeporting from Port Canaveral, offering 4- and 5-night itineraries. In 2014, she was repositioned to Miami for 3- and 4-night sailings to the Bahamas (Nassau), Mexico (Cozumel), and Key West, Florida.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades began in 2014 and were completed in 2017. Ecstasy was Carnival's second-oldest Fantasy-class ship, alongside her sisterships Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise, and Sensation.

In 2016, following another homeport realignment, Carnival Ecstasy began sailing year-round from Charleston, South Carolina. Replacing Carnival Fascination, she offered 4- to 7-night itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

In January 2017, the ship entered a two-week drydock to receive four of Carnival’s signature food and beverage venues: Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Alchemy Bar, and Cherry on Top.

By 2019, Ecstasy was homeported in Jacksonville, Florida, offering 4- and 5-night roundtrips to The Bahamas. During her final drydock in October 2019, Bonsai Sushi Express and a 24-hour Video Arcade were added.

Carnival Ecstasy (hull number 480) was built at the Helsinki shipyard and powered by Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 8ZAV40S and 8ZAL40), producing a combined output of 42.24 MW.

Carnival Ecstasy Refurbishment 2019 Review

During the 10-day drydock in 2019 (October 7–17, in Freeport, Bahamas), the ship received several upgrades: a 24-hour Video Arcade (featuring arcade games, motorbike simulators, foosball), Dreams Studio (for professional photo sessions), and Bonsai Sushi Express (a complimentary sushi bar open from 5–8 pm). Additional upgrades were made to the Fun Shops, all carpeting was replaced, and most public areas were refreshed.

Carnival Ecstasy Refurbishment 2017 Review

During the January 1–24, 2017 drydock in Freeport, the following venues and features were added:

  • Lido Deck 10: Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside dining venue offering handcrafted burgers and fresh-cut fries.
  • Lido Deck 10: BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary Mexican eatery serving burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, complete with a salsa bar and a wide variety of toppings. The BlueIguana Tequila Bar was also added, serving frozen drinks and beers in a Mexican-themed atmosphere.
  • Promenade Deck 9: Alchemy Bar, Carnival’s signature “cocktail pharmacy” with expert mixologists crafting custom drinks. Also added was the RedFrog Rum Bar, serving frozen beverages and Carnival’s private-label ThirstyFrog Red draught beer.
  • Promenade Deck 9: Cherry On Top, a bulk candy shop also offering Carnival-branded apparel, gifts, and toys.
  • Verandah Deck 11: The former Camp Carnival kids’ area was redesigned and transformed into Camp Ocean. At the aft section, the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park was added, featuring a Splash Zone, two mini racing slides, and the Twister Waterslide.

Technical upgrades included shoreside power capability, hull recoating, and crew area renovations.

During the 2014 “Fun Ship 2.0” drydock, the ship received additional upgrades:

  • Deck 9: RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.
  • Entertainment: New programming including the Hasbro Game Show, Playlist Productions, and the Punchliner Comedy Club.

As part of Carnival’s initial fleetwide renovation program, “Evolution of Fun” (also known as “Fun Ship 1.0”), Ecstasy underwent two upgrades:

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, her first drydock introduced new kids’ facilities, renovations to the Panorama Bar & Grill, Lido buffet restaurant, and Gift Shop. All staterooms received new furnishings. A mini-golf course was added to the Sports Deck (Deck 14).

Her “Fun Ship 1.0” upgrades were completed in 2009. Enhancements included the addition of the Serenity adult-only retreat (aft on Deck 9), 98 new balconies for oceanview cabins, and the full renovation of the StarLight Aft Lounge (Deck 9). Youth areas were expanded with Circle “C” Lounge (for teens), Camp Carnival (for kids), and a children's waterpark.