Carnival Ecstasy Review
Rating by category
Additional details
I want to let everyone know that my wife and I love Carnival. It's hard for me to say anything negative about the cruise line, and we've only sailed once with Royal Caribbean for comparative cruise line purposes.
The port - we've sailed out of Port Canaveral once before on an Eastern Caribbean cruise. We aren't picky people, but this place has a not so nice feel to it that seems as though you've wandered into a neighborhood rather than a tourist destination. The people are nice, and the beach is relatively well maintained so don't think I'm knocking it. Try Fishlipps for great food and drinks right on the harbor. The Key Lime Pie margaritas are great!! We stayed at the Hilton and the hotel is showing it's age. The staff was super nice though, so that always makes for a better customer experience.
Boarding - Hilton has a park and sail option where you can live your rental at the hotel free of charge for the week while you're sailing. They arrange for a cab for you and it's $11 for a couple to get to the ship. This was great and made the trip much easier then taking super shuttle or some other carrier. The hotel doorman also told us about a nearby Walgreen's that had all kinds of information about items you were allowed to take on the ship with you. We grabbed some diet cokes, a couple bottles of wine and some water (if you have a suite you get a fridge - if you don't have a suite this might not be worth it).
Cabin Review
Extended Balcony Grand Suite
Cabin- the grand suite was amazing. King size bed - full couch and chair in a seating area, two closets, a whole wall of drawers, a bathroom with a whirlpool tub and shower, a mid size fridge and a deck with room for two beach chairs, two regular chairs and two end tables. You have so much room you feel like you're at home. The decks have closed in balcony spaces, so you can't even see the people next to you. I think smokers tend to get these rooms, so be aware that you may smell the smoke from time to time if you're outside. They have black out curtains so the sun won't be waking you up - very quiet hallways as well. I'm telling you this room was worth every penny.