Two GAPearl reviews in one! Imagination 3 day 11/15 & Sensation 3 day 12/12- PLATINUM

[gapearl]

A few pictures from Downtown Disney.

 

 

 

I wish I had more time to have check out Quest. It seems like a lot of fun. I saw a story on it on The Travel Channel.

 

 

I was wearing 4 1/4" heels. Didn't do me too much good here.

 

 

A band playing Christmas music.

 

 

Disney food trucks.

 

[alreadypacked]

I have to say, while I always scan through any ship reviews on here and totally appreciate the time and effort people take to write them, I usually don't read through beginning to end unless the review is about a ship that I will be sailing on next. When it comes to GAPearl's reviews, I read every single word and look at every single picture, and am usually sad when I get to that last post.

What an amazing review writer!!:)

 

P.S. - We will be sailing on the Splendor in 2 weeks, and I was thinking about going to Junkanoo Beach when we get to Nassau. Your pictures and review made my decision easy! Junkanoo....here we come!!:D

 

Agreed!!:):) Keep it coming, GAPearl!!

[gapearl]

I wish my friend and I had time to bowl a game or two, but I had other plans coming up and his best friend was in town visiting. We left Splitsville and walked around a few minutes before he had to leave and I had to head to the Cirque du Soleil tent!

 

 

 

The one thing I love as much as cruising is Cirque du Soleil. I saw my first Cirque show last year and Disney's resident show, La Nouba, was my 5th one. First I saw Mystere in Vegas (good), then the traveling show Totem in Atlanta last December (REALLY GOOD), traveling show Quidam (meh), the water show "O" at The Bellagio in Vegas (OMG fantastic), and now La Nouba. Next year, I plan to see KA, Zumanity, Amaluna, and possibly Varekai. If money grew on trees, I'd sail every Carnival ship and see every Cirque show. Perhaps I need to find some cheaper interests. lol

 

I stopped by the Cirque du Soleil store to buy the program book (I always collect them), a lapel pin, and a magnet. $30 for all that crap. I also bought a Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwich for $3.75 as a sweet snack to take inside with me. Bring your own soda or water bottle when you come. They're expensive once you get in.

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

I had an awesome seat in the second row and my ticket was $73 with tax. This seat would have been $101, but I found a promotion on La Nouba's Facebook page. It's always a good idea to check Facebook pages, as they sometimes have specials and deals like that. However if you do ever go see a Cirque du Soleil show, don't think you have to buy the most expensive seat right in the front. There is no bad seat anywhere in the theater. I actually think the seats further back are better, as you get a great view of all the acrobatics without having to strain your neck.

 

 

A hall with pictures of clown from Cirque's various shows. I recognized all the ones from the shows I've seen.

 

 

There's the baby from Mystere.

 

 

From "O".

 

 

 

Another chance for them to take your money if you missed the gift shop.

 

[gapearl]

View from my seat. I was right there at the stage.

 

 

La Nouba has a 6 pm and 9 pm show, and I saw the late one. About 10 minutes before each show, a clown or two come come out and mingle with the audience to get you going. They're really funny. Don't be surprised if you end up a part of the act.

 

 

The show was excellent. These performers come from all over the world and are so very talented. It's hard to fixate your eyes on one thing at a time. There are always performers hanging out in the background of the current act, so the stage is never really empty. Every Cirque show has live music, including singers and a band. Here's a cool piece of trivia for you. Did you know that most of Cirque's music isn't a real language? Nope, it's gibberish put to music with no real meaning.You'd never know it, though. Google "Gamelan" from the "O" soundtrack and listen for yourself. It's one of my favorites.

 

Here's the trailer for La Nouba.

 

There was no intermission and the show was over at 10:30 pm. I would definitely recommend adding La Nouba to your itinerary if you will be doing Disney before your cruise. If you're not coming to Orlando any time soon, go to Cirque du Soleil's website and join their email list so you can be notified of when a show will be coming to your area. They're pretty spectacular. I want to be a contortionist in "O" in my next lifetime.

 

At the end of the show. Photography is not allowed during the show itself. I probably wasn't allowed to take this one either, but hey, I'm a bad girl. That's how I ended up on Santa's naughty list. :p

 

 

 

 

I was hoping to make one more attempt to see Jackie after the show, but she and her fiancé had taken baby Sophia to see Santa at the mall, had just gotten home when the show let out, and were headed to sleep. Bummer. I was so sad I wouldn't get to see them. After our cruise last year, Jackie and I were going to apply to be on The Amazing Race on CBS until she found out she was pregnant. If you like my reviews, could you imagine seeing it all unfold on tv? LOL I still have dreams of making it to that show, if anyone is brave enough to apply with me. haha

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Looks like you're getting off to a good start on your Sensation cruise. The Disney pictures look great. Can't wait to see how the cruise went, and how much fun Nassau was this time :D.

 

Quick question: Which ship had more partying when you went? Imagination or Sensation?

Edited December 23, 2013 by LandlockedCruiser01

[gapearl]

Thursday, 12/12

Day 1- Port Canaveral/ Embarkation

 

It's time finally to do this platinum cruise thing! :D

 

 

I was up at 8 am and out the door soon after so I could make one more stop by Publix and fill up the gas tank before taking the car back to the airport. Ideally, I would have driven the car to Cape Canaveral myself, but a one way rental would have been $200 so no way. I was back at MCO just after 10 am and headed to the ground transportation area to catch my shuttle to the port. There was eventually a small group of us, including two cruise virgins from my city, a couple also taking their first cruise but on Disney, and a guy by himself who has been on more than 30 cruises. His friend was flying in from Phoenix the same day and wasn't due to land until 2 pm. BAD IDEA! That was cutting it way too close, even if nothing went wrong. I saw him again on day 2, and his friend wasn't on the ship. This was going to be that guy's platinum cruise. He should have known better. I hope he had travel insurance.

 

Me waiting on the shuttle.

 

 

I booked my shuttle through travelcocoabeachshuttle dot com. It was $40 round trip plus a 15% gratuity and tax, so $50 total. I was to meet at B28 for the first departing shuttle at 10:30 am. I called the number in my email and spoke with a coordinator named Cindy around 10:15 am. She said the shuttle was on the way. Around 10:35 am, a lady finally comes from inside the airport looking for us. Those of us that prepaid received our receipts, and a couple of people paid cash on the spot. After we took care of the business matters, she pointed us to the shuttle and told us we were still waiting on more people. I was like really? It's 10:45 and we were supposed to leave at 10:30. This Cindy lady got a little attitude with me and was like well the ship won't starting until 2 pm anyways. No ma'am, they don't start boarding that late. They start around 11 am when the last passengers are off and the ship is cleared. She's still like no they don't. :rolleyes: Ok, whatever, you're not supposed to argue with an idiot. The van driver said he's not allowed to leave until she says it's ok. A family of four headed on Ecstacy eventually showed up and my 10:30 shuttle left at 11 am. There was an 11:30 and a 12:30 shuttle, and I think those people should have been put on the next one so the rest of us could have left closer to on time. Also this van was Travel Orlando Transportation. All of us on the shuttle booked through different companies, and it appears they contract out the Port Canaveral passengers to these guys. Overall I felt the service on the front end was fair at best. The guy missing his friend said he's booked with them before and has had problems in the past, and this would be his last time using them. I might have been better off just spending a few more dollars and booking Carnival's shuttle. If I sail from PC again, I'll do just that.

 

Rant over. After a 45 minute ride, I spotted a whale tail!

 

 

[gapearl]

We went to the Disney ship first and then over to Carnival. It was really crowded, tons of traffic. Even though we arrived at the port at 11:45 am, it was 12:15 by the time I was headed to check in. I handed my suitcase and a few dollars to a porter and headed to the priority embarkation line, where I was escorted to the captain's lounge. I was asked to take a seat and someone would be with me shortly.

 

 

Some people have said they've had cookies and juice, etc, in the captain's lounge, however I saw none of that today.

 

 

 

After about 5 minutes, I was called up to get checked in. The lady asked me who is so and so Rodriguez. Ummm, I have no idea. She looked some more. Oh, that's why I can't find you. They upgraded my cabin! The upgrade fairy is still alive and well folks! This was a very last minute upgrade. I checked my booking the night before and was still in my old room. I asked if my luggage would be taken to my old cabin or my new one, and she said my new one. I put down a cash deposit, was given my platinum sail and sign card, and headed towards the ship. WOO-HOO!!! I went through all the priority lines, even though there was no one really in either line by then. I was on the ship at 12:40 pm.

 

Love that platinum sail and sign card.

 

 

Originally, I was in E183, a 1A interior with the upper/lower twin bed and bunk bed. My new cabin was E176, an ocean view with a king. Pretty sweet! I've been in a porthole cabin once and an 4J interior obstructed view once, but never been in an ocean view before. The location was perfect, right by the aft stairs and elevators. It was a short walk to the lido, MDR, and nightly activities on deck 9.

 

 

 

[gapearl]

 

 

This room has a bunk to accommodate an extra guest.

 

 

View from my window.

 

 

 

Selfie.

 

[gapearl]

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

My room was ready but my luggage was not there yet so I headed up to the lido to get something to eat. My suitcase still wasn't there after lunch, so I went by my original stateroom E183, and there it was. I took a quick nap and headed back up to the lido for some pictures and a dod.

 

 

Not quite as scenic as sailing from Miami Beach, but a nice view nonetheless.

 

 

 

I wonder if they'd sell a day pass on embarkation day just for that waterslide.

 

 

Another selfie.

 

 

[gapearl]

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

Before I knew it, it was time for the muster drill already. I had muster station F by the pool, so I was already there when it was time for it to start. This one seemed to take longer than normal. My muster station leader did a mock roll call on what would actually happen in case of an abandon ship.

 

"When I call your name, please raise your hand. Carter! Smith! Johnson! Thank you!"

 

I've never had them do this at the safety briefing, but in a real life situation, I don't know how effective that would be. With so many common last names and about 400 people, I would assume they'd call first names too. The muster took a good 30 minutes.

 

After the muster was the sailaway party with all your dances. I got out there to do the wobble but I only lasted for maybe 47 seconds. My feet were like no ma'am, you're done. I got caught on video while I was wobbling. Back to the room I went for a shower and to chill out a bit before dinner.

 

Break dancers at the sailaway party.

 

 

 

Yes, those shoes feel as dreadful as they look.

 

 

Look at what I see out my window!

 

 

 

Can you spot me in the sailaway party video? I took this on my phone when it played on my tv. lol

 

[teetee6263]

 

Me waiting on the shuttle.

 

 

OMG Kim...I am loving those shoes!!! I'm trying not to over pack this time around, but I have a ton of outfits & shoes just waiting to go in the suitcase.

TeeTee

[gapearl]

Around 7:45 pm, I headed up to the Polo Lounge on deck 9 to enjoy the martini tasting. I really enjoyed this on the Breeze, never got around to it on Imagination, so I had to once more on Sensation. For $17, you get your pick of four mini martinis. While up there, I had a nice conversation with a couple of ladies from Chicago (I think) that were on a girls trip. They couldn't believe I had come by myself. We had a nice time chatting for a few minutes.

 

Here's a visual menu of the eight martinis you get to choose from.

 

 

WOW! What a talented bartender he is! It would be a really bad epic fail if I tried that.

 

 

Has anyone noticed my new hairstyle yet?

 

 

I hated them all. lol

 

 

Bored.

 

 

My dress!

 

 

[gapearl]

I was in the the Ecstacy Dining Room and happy to see I was at a large table, but disappointed when I arrived and no one was there. It took a few minutes but eventually someone else came. Whew! I won't be having dinner alone tonight. Denise came to dinner solo, but was traveling with her partner, who was very seasick already and stayed in bed. Another gentleman joined us, 75 years young Fred from North Carolina. He was a solo traveler and on the second leg of his back to back.

 

I had the gazpacho, chicken a la greque again, and warm chocolate melting cake with two ice creams. When the drink servers came around with the feature shot for the night, Denise and I each had one. I got the B52, which was Bailey's, Kahlua, and grand marnier, and she had some blue shot. Dinner was very enjoyable tonight.

 

 

 

 

Mickey Mouse!

 

 

Warm chocolate melting cake selfie.

 

 

Our waiters doing a conga line through the dining room.

 

 

 

[gapearl]

Tonight was a very important night in tv land. It was the season finale of Scandal. I became obsessed with this show this year, thanks to the media frenzy and all my friends talking nonstop about it. Ironically, the season premiere happened during my Breeze cruise, and now the season finale is when I'm on another cruise, lol. I hurried from dinner and made it back to my cabin just in time, and guess what? A stupid football game was on. Yes, I already had it recording on my dvr at home, but I was dying to see what happened next with Mama Pope and if Huck finished off Quinn. Hey Jane! (Delta Dear) I had to wait until I got home Sunday! :eek:

 

I caught the 11 pm Punchliner Comedy Show of Kelly Terranova and the 11:45 pm show of Kim Harrison. Both of them were very funny. After the last show, I went to the club to see how it was. I wasn't feeling it right then, so I headed out walking around for a bit. I went through the casino people watching for a few minutes, and then ended up at the casino bar hanging out with a group of friends from Connecticut. Two of them were celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary. I asked if they had kids and they said no. I was like maybe you'll have a little souvenir after the cruise, lol. :D All of us then went back to the club, enjoyed a few drinks, and had fun hanging out the rest of the night.

 

 

Things just got real.

 

 

Good night folks!

 

 

Up next: Back to Nassau! :p

Edited December 23, 2013 by gapearl

[tranquilreign]

I noticed the hair but I didn't want to interrupt the review! Love it. I'm thinking of trying something similar for wedding cruise.

 

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Forums mobile app

[gapearl]

Agreed!!:):) Keep it coming, GAPearl!!

 

I sure will tomorrow! :)

 

Looks like you're getting off to a good start on your Sensation cruise. The Disney pictures look great. Can't wait to see how the cruise went, and how much fun Nassau was this time :D.

 

Quick question: Which ship had more partying when you went? Imagination or Sensation?

 

Oh you're going to love the second half. I have a nice surprise to come. ;)

 

I think the Imagination had more of that fun vibe. Maybe it was the leaving from Miami, maybe it was the overnight in Nassau, I don't know. Sensation had a lot of families and was a pretty mild cruise. I'll be comparing the two more at the end.

[gapearl]

OMG Kim...I am loving those shoes!!! I'm trying not to over pack this time around, but I have a ton of outfits & shoes just waiting to go in the suitcase.

TeeTee

 

Thanks! I bought those in October when it was too cool out to wear them. I brought them on the cruise so I wouldn't have to wait until next year to wear them. :D Go ahead and overpack, girl! Can't wait to read your next review!

 

I noticed the hair but I didn't want to interrupt the review! Love it. I'm thinking of trying something similar for wedding cruise.

 

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Forums mobile app

 

I'm loving the new hair, but I'm not loving having to wake up earlier in the morning to do it!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Oh you're going to love the second half. I have a nice surprise to come. ;)

 

I think the Imagination had more of that fun vibe. Maybe it was the leaving from Miami, maybe it was the overnight in Nassau, I don't know. Sensation had a lot of families and was a pretty mild cruise. I'll be comparing the two more at the end.

Interesting. For me, Sensation was more party-heavy, and I made friends with more people. We all partied hard. The 1:00 AM stay in Nassau (which originally wasn't even supposed to happen) had a lot to do with it, I'm sure.

 

Your embarkation day pictures brought back a lot of fun memories. I'll keep an eye out for the surprise. ;)

[angelofsin]

Tonight was a very important night in tv land. It was the season finale of Scandal. I became obsessed with this show this year, thanks to the media frenzy and all my friends talking nonstop about it. Ironically, the season premiere happened during my Breeze cruise, and now the season finale is when I'm on another cruise, lol. I hurried from dinner and made it back to my cabin just in time, and guess what? A stupid football game was on. Yes, I already had it recording on my dvr at home, but I was dying to see what happened next with Mama Pope and if Huck finished off Quinn. Hey Jane! (Delta Dear) I had to wait until I got home Sunday!

 

I caught the 11 pm Punchliner Comedy Show of Kelly Terranova and the 11:45 pm show of Kim Harrison. Both of them were very funny. After the last show, I went to the club to see how it was. I wasn't feeling it right then, so I headed out walking around for a bit. I went through the casino people watching for a few minutes, and then ended up at the casino bar hanging out with a group of friends from Connecticut. Two of them were celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary. I asked if they had kids and they said no. I was like maybe you'll have a little souvenir after the cruise, lol. :D All of us then went back to the club, enjoyed a few drinks, and had fun hanging out the rest of the night.

 

 

 

Things just got real.

 

 

Good night folks!

 

 

Up next: Back to Nassau!

 

 

Hmm... notice something different about this post. usually after you come from the club you go get some late night pizza.. but this time you showed them four drinks then said goodnight.. hopefully those drinks didn't have you in a bad way. I went to one Cirque show (don't ask me which one it was) back in like 2009 or 2010 at the MGM grand in LAS Vegas (still one of my favorite places to visit... i guess that says a lot about my gambling and drinking habits. ;) )

 

I still wonder why women were shoes that hurt yall feet.. I have been told a million times about the sacrifices women generally make to put together their outfits but it still doesn't logically compute for me.. oh well. I haven't been on enough cruises to be upgraded. waiting on the day that happens but at my one cruise per year rate it is going to take a while..

 

Hope you didn't have one too many KMA's again at Nassau. :rolleyes:

[gapearl]

Interesting. For me, Sensation was more party-heavy, and I made friends with more people. We all partied hard. The 1:00 AM stay in Nassau (which originally wasn't even supposed to happen) had a lot to do with it, I'm sure.

 

Your embarkation day pictures brought back a lot of fun memories. I'll keep an eye out for the surprise. ;)

 

I've heard the Sensation sometimes stays in port overnight, even though it's not scheduled to. I wish it did on my cruise!

 

Hmm... notice something different about this post. usually after you come from the club you go get some late night pizza.. but this time you showed them four drinks then said goodnight.. hopefully those drinks didn't have you in a bad way. I went to one Cirque show (don't ask me which one it was) back in like 2009 or 2010 at the MGM grand in LAS Vegas (still one of my favorite places to visit... i guess that says a lot about my gambling and drinking habits. ;) )

 

I still wonder why women were shoes that hurt yall feet.. I have been told a million times about the sacrifices women generally make to put together their outfits but it still doesn't logically compute for me.. oh well. I haven't been on enough cruises to be upgraded. waiting on the day that happens but at my one cruise per year rate it is going to take a while..

 

Hope you didn't have one too many KMA's again at Nassau. :rolleyes:

 

Those four shots weren't all mine. Goodness, no! lol I met a few cool people, but really didn't truly click with anyone that much this trip. The vibe was a little off, for some reason. KA is the show at MGM. That's the one I want to see next. I've spent way too much time out in Vegas myself the last couple of summers. :D As far as shoes, I have like 60 pair of shoes, all with really high heels. It's not about comfort for me, it's about looking cute. haha Stay tuned to read about Nassau.

[seannyice81]

Also I'm thinking of booking Splendor next fall. There's an awesome repo itinerary so we'll see!

 

The San Juan to Miami portion? I've been looking pretty hard at it myself. I was kind of writing-off Carnival for my late 2014 cruise but, DAT ITINERARY.

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Wow Kim, awesome reviews as always. I actually sailed on both the Imagination and Sensation this fall, albeit on opposite weekly rotations if I can remember. I also kind of added in my Imagination trip a few weeks ago to take my 10th cruise and get grandfathered in as a platinum. So did a lot of other folks. Right now the fares are just too good to pass up, especially if you have a flexible schedule as I do.

 

It is interesting to see another platinum traveler's perspective on each ship. I can say that the Sensation seemed to be more of a party ship. Both were fun however, and the food was the standard Carnival offerings. On the entertainment front, I can say both were OK but the comedy can be hit or miss on Carnival. It was generally good on each of my cruises. The live music on promenade was awesome each time. Carnival really needs to realize that good to great live music can turn an average atmosphere into a totally awesome one and put more of it onboard their ships going forward.

 

Port-wise, the Bahamas is the Bahamas. Been there, done that. A good short getaway but not the most desirable port of call if you ask me. I do like Freeport more than Nassau, although Nassau has way, way more history and things to do.

 

All in all, these are good long weekend getaway ships and the value one gets when cruising on them is still really hard to beat.

 

Also, I have to say it. You are an awesome storyteller and writer. I have taken the time to read all of your reviews and they are the best. I like to write and storytell, so I know what good writing is. Your reviews got my attention when I was reading through the boards one time and saw that someone else had been on the southern caribbean sailing out of San Juan. I had taken that same cruise last September, on the Victory and wanted to see how someone else's experience compared. Well, your summary of the complete experience was fabulous. That was one of the best overall cruise itineraries I have ever had. I can't wait to read the rest of your review of this latest adventure.