Carnival Ecstasy Review
Enjoyed the 7 night itinerary versus the normal 4 or 5 night Bahama only cruise
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I selected this cruise, because it was 7 nights with an itinerary we have never been to.
We live in Jacksonville, which makes it a very convenient port. This was our 3rd time out of Jacksonville, but first time on the Carnival Ecstasy, previously we sailed on the Carnival Elation out of Jacksonville.
The embarkation and disembarkation progress has really been simplified, last year we got passports, so I'm not sure if that helps with the ease, since in the past we had to bring our legal IDs along with birth certificates, etc. A new ramp has been build since the last time we sailed, you now enter the ship on deck 7, previously it was on deck 3. We are in our late 50's early 60's and did not have any difficulty with the new zig zag ramp, They will push you in a wheelchair if you have difficulty walking. Entering the ship on deck 7, the Empress deck is nice, instead of the old way on deck 3.
Cabin Review
Interior
Port Reviews
Princess Cays
Princess Cays - FREE beach day, if you love the beach, you will enjoy this, but you must take the Tender aka Water Shuttle from the boat, since there is not a pier the ship can get close enough too. Free lunch is served in two separate locations. There are pay for extras if you want, but we just enjoy being on the beautiful beach it's rocky so we suggest water shoes. During the lunch, water, lemonade, tea are included, but anything else, you must use your Sign and Sail card and are charged. If you have the Bubbles or Cheers Package, you still have to pay for beverages while on Princess Cays.
Grand Turk
Grand Turk - FREE beach day AGAIN / Pool at Margaritaville. You need water shoes for the beach, also somewhat rocky. We didn't explore as much as we would have liked too, there is plenty of free stuff to do. For food and drinks, Margaritaville you must have money. We enjoyed the beach for a while and then went to the pool, we each got a beverage from Margaritaville. To avoid the crowds and save some money, we went back to the ship early and grabbed some free lunch from the lido deck, by the time we got there, only the deli and pizza was open, which was fine for us.
Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay is similar to Princess Cays, it's Carnival owed, must take Tender / Water Taxi off the ship, everything is the same as I noted above for Princess Cays, BUT the biggest difference is, Half Moon Cay is much more a beautiful and also FREE beach day, the sand it like baby powders, something, I'd never experienced before.