Why I Loved Our Sensation 4 Day

[Mommabear2Five]

We booked a 4 Day on Carnival Sensation with no expectations; we just needed a quick getaway after the holidays. We knew we were going on one of the oldest boats and our itinerary (Nassau/Freeport) was far from exciting. We had been on two other boats in the same class, one we loved and the other, well, not so much. And we knew the Sensation could not messure up to the Sunshine, our favorite boat.

 

We returned yeterday morning and I would have to say, it was our favorite cruise. Carnival Sensation is the happiest little ship to sail to Nassau. Here's why:

 

It didn't feel crowded. I assumed it was because the ship was under booked, but after chatting with a Guest Service crew member, I found out it was an average sailing for the time of year.

 

The ship is clean. Very clean. The crew does a great job of keeping the common areas tidy, especially the lido deck. As a smoker, one of my pet peeves on ships are the small smoking areas with overflowing ashtrays. This was not the case on Sensation as the crew were constantly swapping them out.

 

The "mega" deck party. The entertainment crew did a great jib keeping us dancing well into the night and the deck was well staffed with bartenders.

 

Playlist Performers. Carnival is really stepping up their game with the entertainment and the performers on this ship were spectacular. And I'm not that easy to impress.

 

The crew. Every single one of them from the port when we checked in to the staff in the spa. We were always greeted with a smile, we were often asked how our cruise was going and several went out of their ways to add a little extra fun to our journey.

 

Sensation is old. Its been a long time since its last refurb. Ship activities are basic and the buffet is, well the buffet. However, whoever is managing the ship is doing a great job; the crew seem happy and they take good care of the guests, which makes it really easy to have a great tiem. The perfect example of a Fun Ship.

 

I know not everyone will agree and, for people who don't enjoy the same cruise activies as me, (classes, spa, shows, music, food, drinks) they may not be as impressed. But, Carnival Sensation makes it easy to enjoy the cruise the way you want to.

[Schoifmom]

So glad you had a fantastic cruise!!

[pirate4me2]

Thank your for the positive post! I have yet to sail a Fantasy class ship as I have been afraid that I won't enjoy it, but this may convince me to give Sensation a try!

[cruizinisthebest]

I enjoyed both of my trips on the Sensation. Glad to hear you had a great time!

 

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[sanmarcosman]

Glad you enjoyed the boat.

[busynurse2015]

Sensation is our favorite cruise experience. Just laid back and fun.

[cruiseguys2009]

My partner and I love the Sensation as it was our first Carnival ship we sailed on "together", as we both previously sailed many times on Carnival, but that was before we met.

 

We are going back on her in 45 days and so looking forward to being Home again.

 

You are correct about the crew. There is something about The Sensation and the crew that makes it very happy and special.

 

We just returned from the 2015 Thanksgiving Cruise on the Breeze and for the first time on a Carnival ship, we were not impressed. Lots of little things add up to the not so nice big picture, but that is for another board, not here.

 

I do have a question. Has the Sensation changed over to the new American Table concept in the Main Dining Room?

[slord12]

So glad to hear you enjoyed the Sensation - she holds a very special place in my heart! I am sad to see her leave Port Canaveral.

[Wave61]

I have the same question..... has the ship changed over to the new menu and if not, what replaced the lobster tail on elegant night. Glad you enjoyed your cruise by the way

[RuthlessBoss]

I too love Sensation (and Ecstasy) for the experience. It just burns my butt when snobs come here and call it an old rusty bucket. Some of us love the atmosphere of the small ship and they serve their purpose. I've been on Liberty and was not impressed.

[Mommabear2Five]

I have the same question..... has the ship changed over to the new menu and if not, what replaced the lobster tail on elegant night. Glad you enjoyed your cruise by the way

 

I'm ashamed to say that I do not know the difference between the old menus and the new, but it was our first Carnival cruise that did not offer lobster on elegant night. (Not that I mind, I don't eat it) I really didn't notice something extra to replace it, since I always go for prime rib. (And it was amazing, as usual) What I did find odd was no creme brûlée (only on longer sailings now, I was told) and no spring rolls on elegant night (devastated!!)

 

Otherwise, the MDR was amazing as usual.

[Mommabear2Five]

I too love Sensation (and Ecstasy) for the experience. It just burns my butt when snobs come here and call it an old rusty bucket. Some of us love the atmosphere of the small ship and they serve their purpose. I've been on Liberty and was not impressed.

 

Loved the Ectasy, too! Mostly because of it's amazing crew. We really liked the Liberty, but I think it had a lot to do with it being our first cruise.

[cruiseguys2009]

American Table takes the table cloths off the table for casual meals. Only on Formal Night do the table cloths return. Was this the case on your sailing? Also did you have a water bottle on your table during dinner?

[cruizinisthebest]

I too love Sensation (and Ecstasy) for the experience. It just burns my butt when snobs come here and call it an old rusty bucket. Some of us love the atmosphere of the small ship and they serve their purpose. I've been on Liberty and was not impressed.

Same way I feel about the dissing comments regarding Fantasy class ships.

 

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[Drose716]

Thanks for your post! We leave on this itinerary Sunday! I've been to more exciting ports, but this is the firsr cruise for my kids & I know we'll have a blast!

[Mommabear2Five]

American Table takes the table cloths off the table for casual meals. Only on Formal Night do the table cloths return. Was this the case on your sailing? Also did you have a water bottle on your table during dinner?

 

We had tablecloths on all tables, including our table for sea day brunch. No water bottle on our table; they poured water into our glasses.

[esdoorn]

Thanks for your positive comments.

 

My wife and I are taking our very first cruise ever in 66 days and it happens to be on the Sensation.

 

 

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[OntarioTraveller]

We are sailing on the Sensation in the fall.

Did you use the aft serenity area? We wondered how easy it would be to get chairs on the sea day?

[Mommabear2Five]

Thanks for your post! We leave on this itinerary Sunday! I've been to more exciting ports, but this is the firsr cruise for my kids & I know we'll have a blast!

 

Say hello to Latoya at the Casino bar and Kevin at the piano bar for me! They were both amazing!

 

Have a good trip!

[Mommabear2Five]

We are sailing on the Sensation in the fall.

Did you use the aft serenity area? We wondered how easy it would be to get chairs on the sea day?

 

We did use the Serenity Deck on our sea day. It's small compared to the other ships but we were able to find two loungers. Our boat was not full and, while the sun made an appearance for a bit, the weather wasn't that great. I would suggest getting there early if you want to utilize the loungers on sea day, especially if the weather is nice.

 

I honestly wish you could make appointments for this deck on sea days. I remember our second sea day on the Sunshine, that has the biggest serenity deck I've seen, and we couldn't find a spot, even on the couches!

Edited January 16, 2016 by Mommabear2Five
Terrible spelling...

[OntarioTraveller]

Thanks, we will get up early on the sea day!

I did think it was unusual for any carnival ship to sail not full. I would be happy to sail on a ship not booked to capacity!

[cruiseguys2009]

We had tablecloths on all tables, including our table for sea day brunch. No water bottle on our table; they poured water into our glasses.

 

 

Great news. We like the original Carnival Menu's better than American Table. By keeping the table cloths on at dinner time, the Sensation has not switched over yet, and hopefully in the next 44 days, won't :rolleyes: as we sail on her for Leap Year. So looking forward to 5 "Sensational" Days.

[alymb03]

Thanks for your post! We will be sailing the Sensation as a large group in November. A lot of first timers so I am worried about their impressions of Carnival. Hope they can look past the old ship and have a great time too!

[fabntammy]

Hi, sounds like you had as much fun as we did for our first carnival cruise. I am asking fellow cruisers, if by chance they have any photos or videos of my husband and I dancing on the lido deck on sea day around 1pm. We were the only one's up there for a few songs and it would mean the world to me to find someone with video or pictures. Feel free to email them to me at tammy@bibivu.com

[OhJinkies]

Thanks for the review -- I sail this Thursday! I've not been on this ship before but have read much about it to manage my expectations. I'm just going for a quick cruise getaway. I'm a Disney Cast Member, too, by the way!!