Carnival Sensation..Looking for Info

[Dallas Bengal]

Hello fellow Carnival cruisers. We will be taking a short cruise on the Sensation in June prior to our week in Orlando. I cant really find any threads about the Sensation. So if you have been on that ship please let me know what you thought. doesn't have to be long just looking for others impressions on the ship and cruise.

 

Thanks everyone, Happy Cruising,

Scott

[IslandBound79]

We had a great time on the sensation last year! We were in town for a business conference so we booked a 4 day cruise after all our meetings were done! For the price I wasn't expecting much but WOW I was wrong! We went with an other couple and had such a good time! I was impressed with our ocean view stateroom because I actually felt like we had enough room. Dinner was really good each night. And our stops at Freeport and Nassau were great! Freeport we went snorkelling and Nassau we walked to Junkanoo beach and hung out at Sr frogs! The only negative i would say is the decor...but really we got over it pretty fast! There was so much going on that really i could care less about the neon colors everywhere! We had enough fun that we are booked on an other cruise (Mexican Riviera) and we leave in 9 days! Hope this helps!

[Freedom2014]

The cruise is fun...if you go with others we went in a big group. The ship itself is the worse ship I have seen. It's old outdated and bad food! It's like going to the cafeteria at a hospital. Personally I would spend the extra money and do another cruise line. Just everything about it is very dated. So if you are going just to get away. Be prepared to have a motel atmosphere, and remember sensation is far from luxury.

[dremn2004]

We have been on the Sensation a total of 6 times, and absolutely love her. As someone else mentioned, the decor could use a redo (unless you absolutely love purple), but the staff are all fantastic and IMO the food was not bad. There were some things that were not all that great, but overall the food was good.

[tattoos]

We have immensely enjoyed every short cruise we have taken on the Sensation, the neon decor only adds to the enjoyment!!

 

The Sensation common areas are all very well maintained as are the staterooms, the ship offers the same food and presentation as on all other Carnival ships, the shows in the main lounge have been some of the best I have seen on any Carnival ship, Motown night had everyone up and dancing near the casino (even the gamblers), the wait staff is efficient and friendly, the water slides are great, Tea Time on Saturday was very good, the Serenity area was beautiful, the rotisserie chicken on the Lido deck is awesome and the carving station had a turkey and all the fixins one day, yum!

 

We always park off-site at a very efficient park and cruise lot which saves us a lot of money.

 

I would not hesitate to sail on the Sensation again and again, don't worry, you will have a great time.

[slord12]

Decor is delightfully tacky, but it is a fun ship and I thought the food was great!! Wee Jimmy (cruise director) is the best around in my opinion!!

[Gtownmom]

Cruised her a month ago. She is in great shape considering her age... very well maintained. The crew all seemed very happy! And, as hard as it is for me to believe, we had the best wait team we've ever had on any ship! And, it seemed that everyone we talked to felt THEY had the best wait team ever. The MDR was a happy place! The food in the MDR was awesome, and the buffets were as expected. We did this ship because we were visiting family, and there were 4 newbies that wanted to do a cruise with us. I would do the Sensation again in a heartbeat!

[New carnival fan]

Loved the Sensation. Took my two kids on a 4 day cruise last year. This was their first so thought we would take a shorter cruise to see if they like it before doing a 7 day. Yep, decor is outdated..but the ship is very clean which is all I care about. I enjoyed all my MDR meals. The buffet I think could have had more choices but - you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong I was very happy with the buffet - but I know I am not going to get the selection that I would from a more expensive cruise. I was talking to a couple who had taken 70 cruises on this ship!!! They are booked for two weeks each month (except June and July I believe) in 2014. They told me the Sensation rated one of the highest in customer satisfaction. You will love it!!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

I went solo on the Sensation in April of 2013, and had an awesome time. It was an older, smaller ship, without bells and whistles, but what it lacked in features, it made up in the atmosphere. It felt like a party college campus for adults, in a good way. The decor was very purple and Las Vegas-like, but I kind of enjoyed it. I found my cabin to be spacious and comfortable. I met a group of fun people, who I hung out with for a big part of the cruise. They had lots of cheesy pool games and line dances. Nightclubs were always packed with dancing cruisers. Having said that, many people seemed to respect the elegant night dress code.

In Freeport, I did a Bahamian cooking class, which included some time to swim on a semi-private beach. The food was great, and much more interesting than the usual Carnival fare.

In Nassau, I did a tour of historic fortresses and a pirate museum. Loved the British-style architecture. At night, I went to Senor Frog's with my new friends, where we danced up a storm.

 

I also have a picture review of the Sensation (first link in signature). Perhaps you'll find it useful.

Edited March 6, 2014 by LandlockedCruiser01

[cruizinisthebest]

She's a favorite of mine. Been on her twice. Would book this ship for a short cruise again in a heartbeat. I love the gaudy purple. ;) Here's the link to my review from last year.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1895429&highlight=carnival+sensation+review

[pauleydm]

The Sensation was our first Carnival cruise. Even though it is one of the smallest ships in the fleet, it did not feel crowded. The staff is excellent and the ship is very clean. The only down side is the decor is dated and is showing its age:)

[camper49]

We have been on the Sensation a total of 6 times, and absolutely love her. As someone else mentioned, the decor could use a redo (unless you absolutely love purple), but the staff are all fantastic and IMO the food was not bad. There were some things that were not all that great, but overall the food was good.

 

We just cruised Sensation for the sixth time!! In Feb we did the four day a week after our 7 days on Liberty. The staff,to us, all seemed to so much friendlier. Love the Sensation!!

[LPYRCRUISER]

We've been on the Sensation the last couple of years. We used it to extend our Florida vacations. Last year, DH's knees were in bad shape and he wasn't up to doing any sites off the ship. We had been to Nassau several times. so it wasn't a big deal.. We stayed on the ship all four days and LOVED it. We go on vacation to rest, relax and recharge our batteries. This fit the bill! Food, drinks and service were all very good.

DH has since had both knees replaced and we are booked on a Mediterranean cruise this fall. Since Carnival is no longer cruising there we had to switch lines. We are looking forward to seeing all the sights and experiencing NCL.

[Not_Done_Living]

we did a Sensation cruise last summer and loved it enough that we are doing it again this year! And i guess i am blind cause i didn't notice, or care, about any "purple outdated gaudiness" -- maybe i was to busy having fun on a cruise ship?

 

The wait staff were awesome as well (my BIL drinks Molosn Canadian, and while they had it on the ship, they had to go down to the store room to get it -- they made sure the three main bars had ample stock once he started ordering them -- and he was known as "The Canadian" for the entire cruise :)

[camper49]

We've been on the Sensation the last couple of years. We used it to extend our Florida vacations. Last year, DH's knees were in bad shape and he wasn't up to doing any sites off the ship. We had been to Nassau several times. so it wasn't a big deal.. We stayed on the ship all four days and LOVED it. We go on vacation to rest, relax and recharge our batteries. This fit the bill! Food, drinks and service were all very good.

DH has since had both knees replaced and we are booked on a Mediterranean cruise this fall. Since Carnival is no longer cruising there we had to switch lines. We are looking forward to seeing all the sights and experiencing NCL.

We also use it to extend our Fl vacation!

[Dallas Bengal]

WOW!!! Thanks everyone for the replies. Cruse Critic folks are the best!

Thanks again

Scott

[RuthlessBoss]

Somewhere on the webcam is Sensation. Huge rain storms and under tornado watch till 7 p.m.

[jgaudette3]

We have sailed on the Sensation several times. The ship today looks much like it did after it was placed into service. Even with the upgrades it still is somewhat dated. Never the less, we will be back on the Sensation very soon.

[2Shoes2Go]

We had a super time. We recently sailed on Sensation and would go again in a minute. Probably a couple or three b2bs, though. Four days is really short. The decor is kinda retro looking to me. Shows are still old style and so much fun. Prices are usually reasonable, except for summer high season. Last minute bookings often show great price breaks. Wonderful, fun crew!