Just Returned from Sensation B2B

[TennesseeTater]

My wife and I just returned from 7 days on the Sensation. We did a 4 day cruise staring on Sunday October 7 and then a 3 day cruise starting on October 11. Here are a few notes about our trip.

 

Embarkation - We got to the ship a few minutes before 11. Walked right through Security and right up to the check in desk. Was given boarding zone 9 and walked upstairs to a waiting room. We ended up waiting for about 15 minutes before they started boarding the ship.

 

The only area of confusion is the upstairs waiting room is only for certain zones. For instance when we arrived upstairs only zones 1-9 were allowed. Anybody that arrived after us had to wait downstairs in a separate waiting area until their zone was called upstairs. The was a gentleman downstairs with a microphone who would make announcements like "Zone 10 is now boarding welcome aboard" Everybody upstairs took that to mean it's time to board the ship and the staff was not too happy when everybody in zone 1-9 stood up to get onboard. Obviously he meant that zone 10 was now allowed to come upstairs. This part was not made very clear.

 

Ports of call - Freeport and Nassau. Stayed onboard the ship in Freeport and spent the day going down the waterside several times. Even us adults need to have some fun sometimes :)

 

Nassau, walked over to Junkanoo beach. Not a bad walk and enjoyed several Sands Beers. Stopped by Señor Frogs on the way back and enjoyed ourselves before heading back to the boat.

 

The Transition from first to second cruise was very easy. We received a letter in our cabin asking us to meet at the Guest Services desk at 9:45. Upon arrival they asked us to wait for about 15 more minutes because not everybody was off the ship yet. Eventually us, and another family, were escorted off the ship, walked through the terminal and through customs. Once complete we were given our new cards and walked right back onto the ship. It was very nice being one of only 6 passengers on the ship that morning.

 

We did have to move rooms but our new steward was aware that we were coming and had our new room waiting for us. Our letter told us we wouldn't be allowed in our cabin until 1:30 but our steward told us we could come and go as we pleased since he had our room finished.

 

Food - we did anytime dining and always enjoyed what we selected from the menu. As far as service there were some nights that we had to wait 10 to 15 minutes in between courses and there were some nights that the service was extremely quick. It really does depend on the server. Overall we were very happy with all the service we received.

 

Overall had a wonderful cruise, great weather, and am very happy we did this. We have been on mostly bigger, newer ships lately, and was a little worried about going back to a small older ship. I am happy to say those fears were not recognized and were very happy.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions about Back 2 Backs or the Sensation if anybody has any.

[camper49]

Thanks for sharing..we love the Sensation !! Doing our first b2b in Jan. on the Destiny. Did you get a "gift" in your cabin on the second half??

[TennesseeTater]

Thanks for sharing..we love the Sensation !! Doing our first b2b in Jan. on the Destiny. Did you get a "gift" in your cabin on the second half??

 

We did get the "gift". The Hotel Director had a bottle of Champagne in our cabin staring with the second cruise.

 

I really enjoyed the B2B and am very glad we did it. I think you will very much enjoy yours as well.

[workinggal]

Tennessee Tater: Please tell me more about the Sensation. Looking to book either Sensation or Ecstacy in Feb. to Bahamas Thanks. We are new to Carnival.

[TennesseeTater]

Tennessee Tater: Please tell me more about the Sensation. Looking to book either Sensation or Ecstacy in Feb. to Bahamas Thanks. We are new to Carnival.

 

The Sensation and the Ecstasy are both Fantasy Class ships, so they would be very similar. My wife and I sailed the Sensation several years ago and we have enjoyed our trip both times.

 

Not sure exactly what kind of itinerary the Ecstasy offers, but the Sensation will offer either a 4 day cruise with stops in Freeport and Nassau, or a 3 day cruise with just a stop in Nassau.

 

The ships have the same layout and I am sure whichever cruise you pick you will have a great time.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your review.

[We<3WDW]

Thank you for the Sensation review, they have been few and far between. We will be on the Nov. 18 sailing. Like you, I have wondered how we will like the ship after sailing on the Dream in May 2010 when she was almost brand new and the Legend in April of this year. Thanks again!

[lynnw68]

Do you have the Fun Times for the 4 day cruise?

[TennesseeTater]

Thank you for the Sensation review' date=' they have been few and far between. We will be on the Nov. 18 sailing. Like you, I have wondered how we will like the ship after sailing on the Dream in May 2010 when she was almost brand new and the Legend in April of this year. Thanks again![/quote']

 

Our last two cruises before this one was actually on the Legend. That is I think by far my favorite ship to date. We really like the layout. With that being said I think the layout is very nice on the Fantasy class Ships. The only thing I miss about the bigger ships is the Big Screen TV on Lido Deck. My next cruise is on the Fantasy in January and my wife and I are thinking of taking our son on his first cruise on the Fascination around this time next year. So it looks like Fantasy class Ships for me in the near future.

[TennesseeTater]

Do you have the Fun Times for the 4 day cruise?

 

Sorry, I didn't save any. I can sum them up for you though. Trivia. slot tournament, some shows, and some comedy. Pretty much that on repeat daily.

 

I say that jokingly of course, but on a serious note we were a little disappointed in the amount of activities. There were, on more than one occasion, times when we would look and try to find something of interest to us. We really enjoy the comedy shows, occasionally participate in trivia, and that's about it for us.

 

Entertainment could use an update on this cruise.

[Crusin Karen]

What did you think of Junkanoo Beach? We have a stop in Nassau in Feb. and were thinking of doing the British Colonial Hilton, but have heard about Junkanoo also. TIA

[TennesseeTater]

What did you think of Junkanoo Beach? We have a stop in Nassau in Feb. and were thinking of doing the British Colonial Hilton, but have heard about Junkanoo also. TIA

 

We really like Junkanoo. Not a lot of shade, but if you get there early in the day you can grab a spot under the palm trees. There were several little beach bars along the beach. One of them even offers an all inclusive deal for $40 per person. We decided to buy a couple buckets of beer, which unfortunately was mostly warm.

 

We thought the beach itself was clean and there are some restrooms there as well. They do have chairs for rent, but your best bet would be to just bring a beach towel. We will be back in Nassau in January and I would have no hesitation in going back to Junkanoo.

[LOVECRUISING100%]

Thanks for posting about the process on staying on ship for the second cruise .. I'm Hoping to do the same someday ... : )

 

Welcome Back !

[Crusin Karen]

We really like Junkanoo. Not a lot of shade, but if you get there early in the day you can grab a spot under the palm trees. There were several little beach bars along the beach. One of them even offers an all inclusive deal for $40 per person. We decided to buy a couple buckets of beer, which unfortunately was mostly warm.

 

We thought the beach itself was clean and there are some restrooms there as well. They do have chairs for rent, but your best bet would be to just bring a beach towel. We will be back in Nassau in January and I would have no hesitation in going back to Junkanoo.

Thanks for that info. We have been to Nassau a bunch of times. Did Atlantis (too $$ now!) and Blue Lagoon and Sheraton....figured this time since it is "in the winter" we would just play it by ear, hoping weather is nice and warm. So the Colonial Hilton and Junkanoo both stood out cuz we wouldn't have to do tansportation.

[crazy.cruzer]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

We are sailing this same cruise, B2B in December 2013 and I couldnt find much about it and just happened to stumble upon your review!

 

It seems we have the same concerns and I know your cruse was almost a year ago, but it still puts our minds at ease as to what to expect , especialyl for the B2B transfer. Luckily we are in the same room, so we wont have to move out! lol

 

I was on the Breeze earlier this month...you will love her! :rolleyes:

[crazy.cruzer]

Thank you for the Sensation review' date=' they have been few and far between. We will be on the Nov. 18 sailing. Like you, I have wondered how we will like the ship after sailing on the Dream in May 2010 when she was almost brand new and the Legend in April of this year. Thanks again![/quote']

 

Please come back with a review and pictures....I sail her December 1, 2013! Take good care of her until we can get there! lol

[TennesseeTater]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

We are sailing this same cruise, B2B in December 2013 and I couldnt find much about it and just happened to stumble upon your review!

 

It seems we have the same concerns and I know your cruse was almost a year ago, but it still puts our minds at ease as to what to expect , especialyl for the B2B transfer. Luckily we are in the same room, so we wont have to move out! lol

 

I was on the Breeze earlier this month...you will love her! :rolleyes:

 

I can't wait for the Breeze! We are taking my son on the Fascination in October so I will certainly be getting my cruise "fix" over the next several months.

 

If you can think of any questions you have about the B2B I am happy to help.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Isn't that time when it's a ghost ship so perfect?

I did that last month on the Enchantment of the Seas and that hour that there were only 12 of us on the ship was so neat.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Please excuse any typographical errors.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

Please come back with a review and pictures....I sail her December 1, 2013! Take good care of her until we can get there! lol

 

 

This is not the OP's Sensation review but one that I enjoyed reading. Good information and nice pictures.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1876668

 

 

:)

 

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