Sensation Review - June 28th - July 2nd

Hello just off Sensation about 5 days ago and finally got some time to write a quick review and post some pics.... well here it goes...

We went on the Sensation for my friends 30th Birthday Cruise. We are from NY so we flew in from LGA to MIA the night before and stayed at the Holiday Inn on Biscayne Blvd. This was a great location for a one night stay. Pleanty to do and see as the Bayside Marketplace is right across the street with lots of restaurants, bars, and tours. pier at Bayside Marketplace

had lunch at Mambo

view of Holiday Inn from The Bayside Marketplace

Biscane Blvd just got on the ship! Embarkation was a breeze arrived at the pier around 10:25 and we were on the ship by 11:15 - our time to check in wasn’t supposed to be until 11 but they had us go on an early check in line and we went right through - the port was not busy yet

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our friends 30th Birthday - Cheers to 30 years! That Barrender (I think her name was Tanya?) was great the entire cruise!

After our first drinks on board we headed up to the pool deck had a guys burger and some more drinks and stayed in the pool until rooms were ready which was 1:30

Rooms ready at 1:30 sharp and we have a towel animal waiting for us

When we got back to room luggage was waiting. We meet up with friends later and one of them did not get their luggage. Long story short our friend did have luggage until the second night of the cruise.... they said they put in on the wrong floor in another room....

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Day 2 - Key West

Got off the ship early as we were only in Key West a few hours. Had Breakfast at Blue Heaven which was very good and only a short Uber ride away. Then we visited many bars and went bar hopping for the few hours we were there and finished it off with a Key Lime Pie on a stick dipped in chocolate which was amazing. See some pics of Key West Below

Hogs Breath Saloon

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Does Sensation have hair dryers in the rooms?

After Key West went back on board and went back to the pool - had a burrito at blue iguana which was Delicious.

Later that night went to dinner ordered the crabcake as an app... came out took a bite and it was extremely fishy... after this I felt extremely nauseous but I figured I’ll drink some water and get through it then my Caesar Salad came out. It was warm.. so warm it seemed as if it was sitting out for hours... now even more nauseous. Then prime rib comes out. Full of fat, I had about 3 bites of the whole thing and the rest was fat. That was ok because I was still kind of nauseous from the crab cake and salad. Didn’t feel well most of the night after this. Took it easy the rest of the night and went back to cabin early knowing that I had a full day in Cozumel tomorrow and I have to feel good! Let’s just say this was the worst dinner I have ever had on a cruise..... Thank God the next day I wake up and I feel good!!!

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Does Sensation have hair dryers in the rooms?

No Hair dryers - Definitly bring one[emoji106]

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Day 3 - Cozumel Mexico

Cozumel Mexico was very nice and definitly built up from the last time I was there 10 years ago. We did the Carnival excursion La Casa En La Playa (house on the beach) which was very nice and included transportation to and from the house, all drinks, lunch, the Beach and snorkeling. We had a great day here and when they took us back did a little shopping in port then went back to ship- see pics below

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When we got back to room luggage was waiting. We meet up with friends later and one of them did not get their luggage. Long story short our friend did have luggage until the second night of the cruise.... they said they put in on the wrong floor in another room....

This is exactly why I carry on my own luggage. Sure it doesn't happen often, but it can. They were lucky to get it back when they did. Check in is painless, I carry it on, and ensure it gets to my room.

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Back on board to shower and get ready for dinner. Dinner was a lot better tonight but overall just ok. Carnival’s food used to be a lot better then what is was on this trip...

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Day 4 - Sea Day

Woke up went to restaurant for breakfast which was pretty good ordered an omelette with spinach and feta one of my favorites came out good and tastes great. The rest of the day went to the pool and enjoyed our cheers package. Went to dinner which was pretty good then packed up our bags and left them outside for the crew to take as it was he last night of the cruise.

Overall this cruise was pretty good. I’m on vacation I don’t like to complain and I try not to let the little things bother me. There were a few hiccups here and there (food the second night) and our room having a hole in the bathroom floor that was covered with ductape LoL - the Sensation is still a great ship for a quick getaway. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a new ship but it can still hang and anyone that goes on her can have a fun time. I’ll post some more pics of whatever I have left of my camera that I didn’t post. Thanks for reading! Time to book the next one!

Our Stateroom U118 Mid Ship Oceanview

hole is floor covered with blue ductape

Dirty shower curtain

Band was great! Look at all those people!

Cassidy Rae was great in the touch of class piano bar

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pool deck (lido) at night

and the cruise is over - Goodbye Sensation!!

back to NY

is that the Sensation heading back out to sea!?

Thanks again for reading!!!

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Thanks for the review.

Great review! Thank you, glad you enjoyed your quick voyage on this old ship. We are like you in that we don't sweat the small stuff and agree with you on all points in your review. Looks like you had a good time in the ports as well.

It's nice to see a review that realistically tells what's less than perfect but doesn't exaggerate that into everything being terrible. So helpful for others to then decide if she's the right ship for them. Duct tape is obviously tacky and certain 5 * travelers would simply not enjoy Sensation. But for others the value is worth the occasional hiccup.

Great review! Thank you, glad you enjoyed your quick voyage on this old ship. We are like you in that we don't sweat the small stuff and agree with you on all points in your review. Looks like you had a good time in the ports as well.

 

It's nice to see a review that realistically tells what's less than perfect but doesn't exaggerate that into everything being terrible. So helpful for others to then decide if she's the right ship for them. Duct tape is obviously tacky and certain 5 * travelers would simply not enjoy Sensation. But for others the value is worth the occasional hiccup.

Agreed - if the price was right I would definitely sail on her again

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We were there last week and I agree with your comments. If you want 5 star this is not the ship. For us we went with our kids who had never been on a cruise before. We all had a great time. There were some pluses and minuses but I run into that on all vacations.

I thought the food was good overall but I could see that the food took some time to get delivered. I had the lobster tails one night and thought it was quite good.

I was pleasantly surprised with the kid options for our 8 and 15 year olds. For our 18 year old I was equally miffed that there was nothing organized for them. Carnival should do a meet up or something in one of the open bars or on the putt putt course or something. Would take about 1% effort if that.

You have made my day! We have the Sensation booked for next November to Cuba. I was reading some other reviews today and they were all horrible! Thank you for a great review - not exaggerated. And the pix were awesome. We did this same itin in August and loved it. Would absolutely do it again!

Thank you for this! I'm headed out on Sensation in September and was getting a bit nervous. I've only been on Magic and Breeze, which I loved. This looks just fine for a quick 4 day girls trip!

Michelle

Thanks for your honest review. My husband and I are sailing in Sept and we are fine without the bells and whistles. We are just looking to have fun and relax. I agree with Michelle, I was getting nervous reading the reviews for this older ship.