Couple 55+ (1st time cruisers) considering 4-night cruise with 90-yr-old relative on Carnival Ecstacy departing Galveston. All we know is that we really want a balcony, since we won't be able to do excursions. Are balcony suites large enough for the 3 of us, or should we book 2 rooms? Any tips?

Nunu:
I have never been on your ship mentioned,BUT I would think the cabin would be adequate for 3 of you. It is only for 4 days---you won't have much luggage, etc.

I am sure others on this forum will be able to add comments though.

Have a great trip. Hope you enjoy your 1st cruise!

My concern with a suite is that it "could" depending on the ship, mean the second bed is a fold out couch and I'm betting none of you want to sleep on that. If money is no object, get two balconies. If it is, get one balcony and an inside across the hall, so that all 3 of you can share the one balcony. Or make sure it's a large enough suite that you each get a real bed. We stayed in a mini-suite on a Princess ship and the second bed was indeed a fold out couch, which was okay for my 80 lb. teen, but I personally would not have liked it.

You can find all the info you ever wanted to know on the message boards at www.cruisecritic.com ENJOY!

How many tattoos do you have? Consider doing a 7 day Mexico out of Florida on Princess or Holland America. The 4 night cruises out to Mexico are geared to the younger drinking crowd!

Julia

The single will pay a substantial premium for single occupancy. You might want to book a balcony suite and a connecting/nearby inside cabin to save some $$.

NO way I would choose the Ecstasy 4 night cruise for a senior. Old ship and party hearty. Yuck.

Without any offense intended to 90 year old relative, I think one bathroom and the limited space available in any cabin would be trying after a very short time. The older we get, the less flexible we all tend to get about personal habits, space, patterns. Elderly people often have disrupted sleep patterns that do not bother anyone at home, but when sleeping 3 feet away from others can be difficult.