By Susan King
The Carnival Esctasy
The Carnival Ecstasy is a large cruise ship that sails from Galveston, Texas. It has four or five day itineraries that visit either Cozumel,
Mexico or both Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico in the
Caribbean. It is an older ship, built in 1991, but refurbished in 2006. It's capacity is 2617 passengers. Cozumel and Progresso are both located on the Yucatan Peninsula, across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas. They have even temperatures year round so offer good winter vacation destinations.
Features
The Ecstasy has been updated recently and has a shiny new look with neon lights and new feature areas. The Rolls Royce Cafe has a real car to admire in the promenade. The Chinatown dance club has beautiful Asian decor. The shows in the Blue Sapphire lounge include dancing and singing backed by pyrotechnics and lighting effects. There are two main restaurants, the Wind Song and Wind Star, with 24-hour pizza, poolside buffets and room service. Teens have a new Club O2 just for them. The younger children can enjoy the extensive Camp Carnival activities. Another new feature is the hypoallergenic bedding in every stateroom.
Pros and Cons
Carnival is one of the lower-priced cruise lines and it is economical for a family vacation. There is something to do for every age on a Carnival cruise. The food is very good and there is something available for every appetite. There are movies, music, activities and shows all included in your cruise price. The children's clubs are all part of your price too and they let you know if you need to sign up in advance for any activities. Evening babysitting and babysitting while parents go on shore excursions is extra. Carnival has strong safety precautions for its child care staff so you can feel comfortable with your child in Camp Carnival. It may not have all the features as a pricier cruise, but the small amenities really add up to a good experience, such as movies during the day in one of the lounges. There is a huge checkerboard poolside as well as a new water slide. Children can participate in "water wars" where they can launch water balloons at each other.
On the downside, cruise lines don't really make any money off the cruise fees. Drinks, sodas, photos, bingo, gambling and other activities are extra and add up quickly. Sometimes, the push to buy can be a little overwhelming. Photos sessions are free but the finished portraits can add extra expenses to your shipboard accounts quickly. The photographers that roam the ship for photo opportunities can sometimes be a little intrusive.
Bottom Line
The Carnival Ecstasy is a great family vacation. You can unpack once and visit great ports where full of fun and Mexican culture. The food is good and plentiful, available 24 hours a day with food for even the pickiest of eaters. The activities are varied for a family of all ages. There are even great activities to do as a family such as scavenger hunts. The pools and hot tubs are segregated by age so you can soak as a family or be alone for a while. It can also be very economical if you watch what you spend on the extras. There is plenty to do and see included in your cruise price.
About the Author:
Susan King is a teacher with 23 years experience with all ages, grade levels and ability levels, including teaching in China. She has written a book, "The Road to Rebecca," about adopting from China, as well as a blog about teaching science. She graduated from Texas A&M University and has written for Demand Studios for six months.
