3/31/11 Sensation - with Chef's Table fiasco!

[Jumbiecruiser]

Thanks for the review Tom. Enjoyed reading. I prefer this type of review to the 'reviews' that are more of a journal or diary of someone's vacation with no real information on the ships, service, etc.

 

I have read many times about the problem with anytime dining. It seems Carnival is having problems with this; at least on certain ships.

 

As for the comments from others about mentioning you're in a "suite," it just seems you can't ask questions or talk about suites on this board without getting accused of being a snob or trying to make yourself above everyone else. It's a bit silly really. If you are describing your experience and you're in a suite, it kind of makes sense to mention it or the information is useless. Anyway, that won't change unfortunately.

 

Appreciated the effort you made on the review Tom.

 

His comments did not ruffle my feathers. His comments at times sounded very elitist. Mentioning suite once was enough.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

His comments did not ruffle my feathers. His comments at times sounded very elitist. Mentioning suite once was enough.

 

 

Suite... Suite... Suite... :confused:

 

Shakes head... Thinks to self: BOY it's a good thing I didn't relate a few other things that occurred or what I thought about it! :eek:

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Thanks to all who understood that my intent was not to bash the Sensation, or Carnival for that matter. I can only tell the tale from my perspective!

 

Tom

[Wicked_Nurse]

I thought it was an honest review from someone who has alot of experience with carnival. The biggest complaint was with the table mates at the chefs table, which was not a bash on carnival.

 

Thanks for the review and I hope the op ignores the carnival Kool-aid drinkers who find it necessary to defend carnival on every single review.

 

 

I agree:)

 

Thank you for the Honest Unbiased review Tom:)

[firefly333]

Thanks to all who understood that my intent was not to bash the Sensation, or Carnival for that matter. I can only tell the tale from my perspective!

 

Tom

 

It did come off sounding like you might need a break from Carnival... and Im not a Carnival cheerleader.

 

I do think Carnival aims for the masses who want a budget cruise, not for those who cruise all the time. At least you can pick whichever cruise on a equal basis, without considering I can drive to Carnival, but have to fly if I want other lines year round. I dont consider Carnival to be equal to other lines service wise.

 

For instance, Iv been noticing that one side of the buffet constantly went with no one cleaning off tables that were dirty ..this went on daily, not one time. I havent seen this on other lines. Just a observation, and didnt affect me.

[babies12]

Thanks to all who understood that my intent was not to bash the Sensation, or Carnival for that matter. I can only tell the tale from my perspective!

 

Tom

 

Thank you Tom for your review. I do enjoy reading yours as you tell it like it is. Seems like you, Cheryl and your son made the best of your cruise. I look forward to reading more of your reviews :) BTW congratulations on the Milestone!

[H82seaUgo]

Thanks for reading my review.

 

Tom

 

ignore the kool aid drinkers....

 

thanks for your review. sad to watch the decline of a once great line.

[LHP]

Thanks for an unbiased honest review.

 

Personally, I have no problem with a review that mentions "issues", as long as there is enough details to explain what the "issues" were...which you did.

 

By doing this, you have given individuals the facts so that they can make an informed decision about this particular ship and what to expect (or what "can happen").... and then cruisers can dismiss what does not apply to them.

(like the casino would not apply to us since we don't gamble)

 

I don't see this as an any kind of "attack" on Carnival. Just one sailing that had some issues....like our Holiday cruise in December 2007.

 

This cruise was obviously influenced more by the clientele (comments in line, comments at Chef Table, rude neighbors) than the product.

[okwriter]

WOW! Tough crowd this morning! :eek:

 

I'll be honest: I only skimmed your post in the interest of time. But this was my favorite part! :D Happy wife...happy life. :D

 

 

Cheryl asked that I block out her face saying she didn't have make-up on yet, and was just starting with her coffee :D

 

 

:D

[sugarsmacksweet]

great review! we are sailing in august on the sensation :)

 

most of your issues you have (in my own humble opinion) are quite petty (milestone card (which we are reminded of constantly in this review) and not being "properly" greeted etc.)

 

however, i do agree with you with respect to chef's table mates, that is completly unacceptable!

 

perhaps you would be more happy on another line (celebrity or even princess - we have sailed both and were treated like a god ... makes us feel uncomfortable but some people need/like it).

[Nezmo]

While the comments that Tom may be happier on another cruise line are very likely true, and I'm sure Tom would agree, does that change the experience he had on this cruise? No. So I'm not sure what relevance those comments have. This was a review of a Carnival cruise.

 

If there are benefits with Milestone, VIP, etc, and you're not getting them then it's appropriate to mention it so others will know that they may (or may not) experience the same. It certainly seems cruising as much as possible on Carnival to get Platinum is just not worth it to me for the paltry treatment you get for spending all that money with them. All I care about is not fighting lines to get on an off the ship and I get that anyway.

 

It's so funny, had Tom written something that said this was the best cruise ever and Carnival rocks you'd all be patting him on the back.

 

The rudeness of other guests can happen on any line of course. It's a shame but it happens. It doesn't matter where you are, manners and etiquette seem to be slowly vanishing traits.

[H82seaUgo]

If there are benefits with Milestone, VIP, etc, and you're not getting them then it's appropriate to mention it so others will know that they may (or may not) experience the same.

 

i just read them as jealous. they would all love to be vip, platinum, or even milestone. there's absolutely nothing wrong with mentioning one's status.

 

their posts reek of envy.

[Jumbiecruiser]

i just read them as jealous. they would all love to be vip, platinum, or even milestone. there's absolutely nothing wrong with mentioning one's status.

 

their posts reek of envy.

 

And how do you know that they aren't? Maybe some don't feel the need to mention it. ;)

[RenoMom5]

Thank you Tom, I have gained so much of info from you over the years. I remember a couple of years back you helped me so much in picking the right cabin for our Alaskan cruise on the Carnival Spirit, you were so great. Thanks again.

 

I do want to mention that I have been on NCL once and can not wait to get back on one of their ships.

 

Please keep giving us info. As some of us really need it. Good, bad, and indifferent.

[tkportersat]

I enjoyed your review and I have no plans of going on the Sensation, the title caught my eye. I have also enjoyed your posts on the CAS threads...I just found out after posting my recent NCL Spirit review that some just can't handle any negative comments on these boards. Apparently some folks don't enjoy an honest assessment.

 

I didn't think there was anything wrong with mentioning "Armada", "milestone", "suite", etc. And after 50+ cruises I don't think there is anything wrong with expecting people to acknowledge that. I am in banking and those customer's that have been here for a very long time know that I appreciate them, that is how it is supposed to work.

 

Kudos on the way you handled the dinner with those women....not sure I could have been so restrained :mad:

[H82seaUgo]

And how do you know that they aren't? Maybe some don't feel the need to mention it. ;)

 

right. I know a review without details is just so helpful.

 

just as if the op was a first time cruiser would have made the attacks so much different, with most calling him a troll.

[debster11]

I would be proud of that milestone. If I had that many cruises under my belt I would want to share it too. Congrats!

[jhale]

Did you by chance get a pic of the bathtub in you suite? I found after the Ecstasy and Fantasy got their upgrades, the GS tub's weren't changed after it's renovation. I'm just curious what it looked like ;)

 

We've stayed in the Owner's Suite on the Ecstasy, and I will say after that, all of the rooms (while clean, and large enough) are kind of a bummer.

 

I checked out your Epic pics, that suite was AMAZING!

 

We're going to try the Chef's Table next month, hopefully we'll avoid any rude tablemates. Sorry you had to deal with that.

[crusinpsychRN]

That bathroom sounds like a disaster! Do you have a pic of the shower? Who doese that?

 

That trundle thing looked like a torture rack. Looks like you're supposed to flip it over to be on the mattress which has been on the floor. YEWWWWWW!:eek:

 

I always enjoy your reviews. Any chance you'll be on Inspiration Sept. 5 this year?

 

Do you work for VH1? If not what do you do that keeps you honorably at work cruise day?

[mcwebber]

Yep - it's tough after coming off one of our best cruises ever to then be on the Sensation. Though it is what it is - an older ship on a short itinerary. Still, the Sensation will always hold a special place in our heart - being the first cruise we took together, then a 7-night sailing.

 

Tom

 

Great review. The Chef's Table seems a bit stuck on the women on one side, men on the other seating. Probably a good idea to seat groups of people together at one end.

Thought you might enjoy this luck shot I took of the Sensation.

 

[mcwebber]

Whats sad is the people reading these boards think everything is rosie and shiny.

 

Example- most people post about the anytime dining and how great it is=- How many people do NOT write about their bad experiences.(not here at least)

 

I kind of like that. Too many people only post about their negative experiences. e.g. Posting compliments about a restaurant is as important as posting about problems.

[mcwebber]

If there are benefits with Milestone, VIP, etc, and you're not getting them then it's appropriate to mention it so others will know that they may (or may not) experience the same.

 

I do have to agree with other posters that expecting some kind of special greeting in the gift shop is a bit much. I get all the perks I'm entitled to. I don't expect people to kowtow to me because of my status, be it platinum or, someday, milestone. That is something I would keep to myself.

[MLE Litella]

I do have to agree with other posters that expecting some kind of special greeting in the gift shop is a bit much. I get all the perks I'm entitled to. I don't expect people to kowtow to me because of my status, be it platinum or, someday, milestone. That is something I would keep to myself.

 

The past 7 years, they jump through hoops when you hold any "special" card. Make sure you flail it proudly when you get one. It comes with special attention perks, which are the best perks of all once on board!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I do have to agree with other posters that expecting some kind of special greeting in the gift shop is a bit much. I get all the perks I'm entitled to. I don't expect people to kowtow to me because of my status, be it platinum or, someday, milestone. That is something I would keep to myself.

 

Perhaps then it would be better to have no tiers at all.

 

FWIW - I don't expect or require a "Special Greeting", but I am surprised that the training for staff people would not have them make a simple acknowledgement - we have witnessed it periodically in the past, so it's either sporadically taught (and forgotten), or some people are actually happy with their jobs and like to make conversation... OR NOT! Not having such an acknowledgement in no way lessened our cruise experience. More of an internal - hmmmm!

 

 

Tom

[DGP1111]

While the comments that Tom may be happier on another cruise line are very likely true, and I'm sure Tom would agree, does that change the experience he had on this cruise? No. So I'm not sure what relevance those comments have. This was a review of a Carnival cruise.

 

If there are benefits with Milestone, VIP, etc, and you're not getting them then it's appropriate to mention it so others will know that they may (or may not) experience the same. It certainly seems cruising as much as possible on Carnival to get Platinum is just not worth it to me for the paltry treatment you get for spending all that money with them. All I care about is not fighting lines to get on an off the ship and I get that anyway.

 

It's so funny, had Tom written something that said this was the best cruise ever and Carnival rocks you'd all be patting him on the back.

 

The rudeness of other guests can happen on any line of course. It's a shame but it happens. It doesn't matter where you are, manners and etiquette seem to be slowly vanishing traits.

 

Very rare that I can't think of a single thing else to add to a post I totally agree with . . . but I can't. :D . :D

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