Sensation Questions

[anjoliza]

I have just booked a 4 day Bahama cruise on the Sensation in January 2010. I can't seem to find a lot of info on this ship. I have sailed on the Liberty and loved the thread entitled "Everything you want to know about the Liberty". I'm hoping this thread will be like for the Sensation.

 

I am looking for whatever information I can get.

 

I do have a couple of questions to start with:

 

is it true that they do not have hairdryers on board?

 

are bathrobes available in ALL cabins?

 

is there a supper club?

 

what is the decor like?

 

what was a favourite place to sit and have a quiet pre/post dinner drink?

 

do they have any specialty food areas? ie: pizza, fish'n'chips, burritto bar, Mongolian Grill? deli, pasta bar, sushi????

 

can you get to the outside deck area at the front of ths ship on the higher floors? I know that the lower decks are usually crew areas but the upper decks are usually open to passengers thru what some call "the secret doors".

 

Thanks!

[Jsme]

I have just booked a 4 day Bahama cruise on the Sensation in January 2010. I can't seem to find a lot of info on this ship. I have sailed on the Liberty and loved the thread entitled "Everything you want to know about the Liberty". I'm hoping this thread will be like for the Sensation.

 

I am looking for whatever information I can get.

 

I do have a couple of questions to start with:

 

is it true that they do not have hairdryers on board? We did not have one in our room but I always bring my own from home

 

are bathrobes available in ALL cabins? We have always had one in our cabin. Not sure if insides get them but we have always had them.

 

is there a supper club? No

 

what is the decor like? Purple and orange very retro

what was a favourite place to sit and have a quiet pre/post dinner drink? I enjoyed the casino bar or the lobby bar

 

do they have any specialty food areas? ie: pizza, fish'n'chips, burritto bar, Mongolian Grill? deli, pasta bar, sushi???? They have pizza, deli and the Mongolian Grill, Sushi is offered every evening past the casino

 

can you get to the outside deck area at the front of ths ship on the higher floors? I know that the lower decks are usually crew areas but the upper decks are usually open to passengers thru what some call "the secret doors". The highest floors are not full floors. But the lido and the one above is a full deck.

Thanks!

 

Maybe this will help. I am sure others will be able to help. I will say the lobby elevators did work the majority of the time a week ago.

 

You must realize this is an older ship and try not to hold it against the ship that the Adult area is not in a good location, they do not have a bar, no bathrooms and you can smell pizza all day while sitting at the Serenity area. That is why we opted for the Lido on our sea day. We spend the port day at the Serenity.

[njmomof2]

We just came home from a 3 nighter so let me see if I can answer some of your questions:

 

is it true that they do not have hairdryers on board?

There were no hairdryers in our room (we had an OV on Main deck). I brought my own as I'd heard that they didn't have them, and that you had to request them from the cabin steward. I did hear someone a few cabins down from me asking the steward for one so they are available but I imagine in limited quantity.

 

are bathrobes available in ALL cabins?

There were 2 bathrobes in the closet in our cabin.

 

is there a supper club?

 

There is no supper club on Sensation.

 

what is the decor like?

I did not find the decor too flashy or over the top. It's definitely more glitz than a Royal ship, but no one in my group (my mom, me and my kids) even remarked on anything about it.

 

 

what was a favourite place to sit and have a quiet pre/post dinner drink?

There are a number of bars around the ship, but I didn't notice any of them to be particularly quiet. There are a number of smaller venues that looked quiet at times, but I don't know if the bars were open for drinks. We had tea in the Touch of Class lounge and it looked like it would be a nice place to check out.

 

 

do they have any specialty food areas? ie: pizza, fish'n'chips, burritto bar, Mongolian Grill? deli, pasta bar, sushi????

There is 24 hour pizza, no fish 'n chips, no burrito bar, there is a Mongolian grill outside on Lido from the buffet, a deli next to the pizza station making great grilled sandwiches. I also noticed a sushi station on Sensation Boulevard before dinner on elegant night.

 

 

can you get to the outside deck area at the front of ths ship on the higher floors? I know that the lower decks are usually crew areas but the upper decks are usually open to passengers thru what some call "the secret doors".

I can't answer this as we never tried. But on our last day, we were up at Waterworks and I looked over the railing and saw that the adult only area was on a lower deck in the front, so it looked nice.

[Blackpink]

:oCould someone please tell me what the Mongolian Grill has to offer?

[anjoliza]

Thanks for the answers so far, I appreciate it.

 

I assume all mongolian grills are the same - on the Liberty they had chefs working with woks and they have all kinds of stir fry items that you can ask for (it used to be that you would go along and put what you wanted in a bowl and give it to the chef to cook but since Norovirus and now Swine they changed that) and they place them all in a bowl and then stir fry them for you. You can pick what type of sauce you want them stirfried in. they have all kinds of veggies and rice or rice noodles and then usually 3 or 4 types of meat or seafood. It is really good!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Don't miss the LASAGNA which is offered on the first night. If you don't want it as an entree, you can have it as a starter as well. Even the starter size is ample --- and it is VERY good.

 

While I am on the topic of FOOD (can you tell I have a favorite topic?) --- as simple as it sounds, keep an eye out for the chicken strips/tenders . You'll find them at the Lido grill... and around the corner from them you will find Honey Mustard sauce. I could make a MEAL out of those (and have)!

 

Don't miss Michael if he is in the piano bar!

 

Tom

[Jsme]

Thanks for the answers so far, I appreciate it.

 

I assume all mongolian grills are the same - on the Liberty they had chefs working with woks and they have all kinds of stir fry items that you can ask for (it used to be that you would go along and put what you wanted in a bowl and give it to the chef to cook but since Norovirus and now Swine they changed that) and they place them all in a bowl and then stir fry them for you. You can pick what type of sauce you want them stirfried in. they have all kinds of veggies and rice or rice noodles and then usually 3 or 4 types of meat or seafood. It is really good!!!

 

 

On the Sensation you still chose your own with your bowl. For those who do not know the vegetable line is like a salad bar and you chose what you want in your stirfry. Once you make it to the chef you have 3 types of meat (?) to chose from. I use the question mark because each day was different. Mainly it was either pork or beef, always chicken and then a chose of seafood. One day it was shrimp, another mussels and clams and octopus. You have 2 sauces to chose from as well. You have Thai BBQ, Schezwan and another one like black bean or something like that. I had this every day for lunch. Awesome and over all a light meal.

[Jsme]

Don't miss the LASAGNA which is offered on the first night. If you don't want it as an entree, you can have it as a starter as well. Even the starter size is ample --- and it is VERY good.

 

While I am on the topic of FOOD (can you tell I have a favorite topic?) --- as simple as it sounds, keep an eye out for the chicken strips/tenders . You'll find them at the Lido grill... and around the corner from them you will find Honey Mustard sauce. I could make a MEAL out of those (and have)!

 

Don't miss Michael if he is in the piano bar!

 

Tom

 

I totally agree with Tom. DH had the Lasagna and it was amazing!!! We never went to the piano bar on either trip for us. I know you have been on the Sensation many times. DD was sick on the first trip and then the second cruise on the Sensation DH was sick.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...You have Thai BBQ, Schezwan and another one like black bean or something like that. I had this every day for lunch. Awesome and over all a light meal.

 

I had it once on our 10/25 sailing - I opted for the Schezwan. They put very little of the sauce in (and I was about to ask for more). Glad I didn't, it packed a bit of heat - good heat! :cool:

 

Tom

[lkayb717]

We were on the verandah deck last year and there was a door that went out to the front of the ship.

 

No robes in our inside cabin

[Jsme]

I had it once on our 10/25 sailing - I opted for the Schezwan. They put very little of the sauce in (and I was about to ask for more). Glad I didn't, it packed a bit of heat - good heat! :cool:

 

Tom

 

lol Dh did that too. I did not ask for more. I really love the grill. I always get some fruit though to help calm my mouth down.

[anjoliza]

We were on the verandah deck last year and there was a door that went out to the front of the ship.

 

No robes in our inside cabin

 

Thank-you!!! I love to stand out on those decks at the front of the ship!!!

I do have an inside cabin this trip - I wonder if you can request a robe and they will bring you one?

[Crusincat]

Since the topic is food and the restaurants, which ones on the Sensation do you have to pay extra for? We will be sailing on her on Dec. 6 and I do not want to be surprized after I have eaten. Thanks I have enjoyed all your remarks. They have been very helpful to me too

[anjoliza]

Since the topic is food and the restaurants, which ones on the Sensation do you have to pay extra for? We will be sailing on her on Dec. 6 and I do not want to be surprized after I have eaten. Thanks I have enjoyed all your remarks. They have been very helpful to me too

 

Generally it is the supper club that you have to pay extra for and since the Sensation doesn't have one, I don't think you will have to pay extra for any meal.

 

Another question to ask previous Sensation cruisers is - is there a coffee bar on board? If there is, then you would have to pay for things that you get from there as well. Cappucchinos, cafe au laits, espressos, etc. & the cakes and pastries.

 

Cappucchinos, Cafe au Lait and Espressos are free in the dining room at dinner.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Another question to ask previous Sensation cruisers is - is there a coffee bar on board? If there is, then you would have to pay for things that you get from there as well. Cappucchinos, cafe au laits, espressos, etc. & the cakes and pastries.

...

 

Yes - it would be Joe's Cafe on Promenade deck. Some very tempting and tasty stuff there! Not super pricey though --- HUGE slices of Carrot cake, chocolate cake (etc..) for ~ $2.25

 

Tom

[jenng1976]

Thank-you!!! I love to stand out on those decks at the front of the ship!!!

 

I do have an inside cabin this trip - I wonder if you can request a robe and they will bring you one?

 

We had an inside 1A cabin on our last Sensation cruise and had 2 robes in the room. I would just ask the steward if they're not in there.

[Jsme]

The coffee shop has some amazing looking desserts. I did not order any but they are in a case which has the prices. Very reasonable.

[gakawgirl]

we were on the Sensation 2 weeks ago. there are no specialty restaurants charging for dinner. we enjoyed anytime dining and never had to wait in a line. as for a quiet place for pre-dinner drink try the Touch of Class lounge-you can't miss it with the 6 ft. tall hands guarding the entrance. at first we thought it was a nail salon! we visited there 3 times and only once was there anyone else there. the waiters use it as a passage from the dining room. they will bring you a drink if you ask. there is a piano and I was caught "tickling the ivories" which is apparently what it is there for. I enjoyed the sushi bar twice which was just outside the casino. the decor on the ship is very purple which I did not find tacky or garish as I have read from others but it did seem very dark to me. as for the "secret door", we were on the Verandah deck and there is a door at the end of that hall that opens right out onto what I guess is one of the "secret decks". it was great out there at night with a glass of wine. also there is a similar deck if you go into the Fantasy lounge and follow the passage to the left side of the stage. there is a crew area along the short passage but no sign said "crew only" so...I first tried to go on the passage to the right of the stage but was stopped by a crew member. loved the comedians. the cruise director is quite a comedian himself, hilarious. no hairdryers in the cabins. if you request robes online they will be in your cabin wating for you. we had 3. we were in a "jr. suite" there cannot possibly be a smaller balcony on any ship. I did not expect more than 2 chairs and a small table but I did not think we would have to crawl over 1 chair to sit in the other. the balcony is so narrow I could not extend my legs and I am 5' 2". if you are sitting in the farthest chair from the door you are literally locked in the corner. I did like the cabin but I would not call it a suite. I have had balcony cabins on Carnival, RC, and Princess. this was my first "suite". it's a cabin and the smallest yet. the Serenity adult area was not what I expected. there were 2 hot tubs, no bar, no bathroom, no outdoor shower to cool off. since there is no pool in that area it can get quite hot. we did take advantage of the day at sea spa special for a facial, foot massage, and shoulder massage. was suppose to have been $119 but they gave us 2 for 1. of course they tried to sell us each some "great lotion" for our puffy eyes and tiny wrinkles. only $64... the gym has some good circuit machines, treadmills, and free weights. I used the steam and sauna once and enjoyed it. initially I was told they were already in use since 3 other women were in the sauna. didn't understand that. the lockers are in the womens hall and the only semi-private changing area is down the hall past the lockers and to the left in a shower room with no door that is adjacent to a huge curtainless window that looks out to the ocean. I guess it is a one way view. if modesty is a problem it could be a little tricky to go past the lockers, to the shower area, change clothes, return clothes to locker, then go back past the shower to steam/sauna rooms. along that route is another hall with an arrow directing to the mens locker room. I guess if they find themselves lost in the womens area...modesty is not a problem for me but no way would my mother go there! hope this helps someone and have a great trip!

[luvtovaca]

the Serenity adult area was not what I expected. there were 2 hot tubs, no bar, no bathroom, no outdoor shower to cool off. since there is no pool in that area it can get quite hot.

 

 

Actually, there is an outdoor shower. At first, I thought it was one of those handicapped lifts behind the dark plexiglass wall, but low and behold, I saw a woman use it and found out what it was! It was a nice, cool shower, which is the reason I was able to stay out in Serenity. I agree, it does get very hot on the back of the ship!

[omgletmeon]

We had two robes on each of our 3 trips on Sensation. Rooms were a 4D, a 5A (well when I booked it was 5A but by time I sailed it was called a 4C) and a 6A.

 

Everyone is correct about Joe's Cafe, the prices are great and you get a huge portion. I love the chocolate covered strawberries! Milkshakes are great too. That is the only food you will have to pay for if you choose to try it.

[xitappers2bx]

I have just booked a 4 day Bahama cruise on the Sensation in January 2010. I can't seem to find a lot of info on this ship. I have sailed on the Liberty and loved the thread entitled "Everything you want to know about the Liberty". I'm hoping this thread will be like for the Sensation.

 

I am looking for whatever information I can get.

 

I do have a couple of questions to start with:

 

is it true that they do not have hairdryers on board?

i'm sorry, i dont know for sure, we packed our own.

 

are bathrobes available in ALL cabins?

as far as i know, they do. we had a cat. 12 (u108) and they had a third one in there waiting for me. (went with parents and my daughter)

 

is there a supper club?

no, but the dining room is great. merwin was the best, ever.

 

what is the decor like?

typical cruise decor...

 

what was a favourite place to sit and have a quiet pre/post dinner drink?

i thoroughly enjoyed grabbing an amaretto sour from the bar, and heading up to the deck with the mini golf, walking all the way towards the front of that deck, there's a plastic shield type thing, and sitting there, danggling my legs over the edge. also, good place to go for sail off.

 

do they have any specialty food areas? ie: pizza, fish'n'chips, burritto bar, Mongolian Grill? deli, pasta bar, sushi????

there was a mongolian grill, delli/pizza and there was sushi somewhere... i don't eat it, so i couldn't tell you where.

 

can you get to the outside deck area at the front of ths ship on the higher floors? I know that the lower decks are usually crew areas but the upper decks are usually open to passengers thru what some call "the secret doors".

yes, i believe that you can. i think thats the side that would also bring you to the spa. and the rooms on the veranda deck. you can also take the center elevator to the top and then up the flight of stairs it seemed most people were missing to get right onto the lido deck and the pool.

 

Thanks!

 

 

i had a great time on her... if you go to the boards on carnivals site, you can find my review from my trip there... theres a thread like this currently on there under fun ships:sensation.

[yogi2929]

............... keep an eye out for the chicken strips/tenders . You'll find them at the Lido grill... and around the corner from them you will find Honey Mustard sauce. I could make a MEAL out of those (and have)!................Tom

 

 

Chicken Tenders are on the kid's menu in the MDR.;)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Chicken Tenders are on the kid's menu in the MDR.;)

 

Right you are - though my mind shifts to other options when in the MDR... :D

 

Tom