First Time Cruiser Review of Sensation Cruise

[esdoorn]

Flow into FLL two day before our cruise and stayed overnight at the Best Western FLL. The next day took SAS Transport to Miami and stayed at the Port of Miami Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn was a decent hotel and just fine for a one night stay.

 

During the day we spent time playing Tourist in South Beach at the South Beach Marriott. My wife got her finger and toe nails done in the spa and I enjoyed time at the Blue Deco bar and restaurant in the hotel on their outdoor patio. Photo below.

 

 

 

 

Next post will be our embarkation day and we had a 10am check in and FTTF.

Edited April 4, 2016 by esdoorn

[esdoorn]

Embarkation Day:

 

Headed over to the port at 9.20am and left our bags with a porter who told us where to go for the FTTF priority check in line. This is around the corner from where everyone was standing at the sign that said 'Next Check in Time'.

 

At the corner a Carnival rep (a older lady) asked me what I was doing (note this is the only question she asked me...more on this later) and I said we had a 10am check in time. She said go back and line up with everyone else. Having never cruised before, I figured that this was standard and adhered to her instructions. While standing in line, I saw other people pass us and the other people standing at the 'Next Check in Time' sign and they disappeared around the corner of the building. I sensed that something might be amiss, so I asked the person in front of me if there was a priority line. These folks had cruised numerous times before and told me yes there was and it was around the corner.

 

So, I figured we were not in the right place and told me wife we needed to be in the priority line and she told me that the lady told us to be in this line and I said, yes, but she never asked if we had priority boarding etc. So, we got out of line and went back to the corner of the building and the lady looks at my and rolls her eyes and say 'what do you need now'. I told her that we have FTTF and she said, oh, you should have told me the first time around. Go and stand over there. Now, given I didn't know I needed to tell her this, it would have been nice if she asked me the first time around and saved us some grief. Anyway, no bigger, we got to where we were to be at the priority entrance at around 9.45am. They let us into the building at 9.55am and we passed security quickly and headed upstairs to the holding room to check in. Seeing the beautiful Carnival Sensation close up for the very first time (heck this was our very first cruise ship we ever saw and it looked huge!) through the window. We checked in and got our blue cards and sat and waited. We got called to board at around 11.25am and we at the shore excursion desk by 11.35am after getting our picture taken as we boarded, so we could select our HMC Cabana, we were first in line and got Cabana 11 as we wanted. There is nothing than can describe setting foot of this beautiful ship for the very first time....truly amazing and we were both in awe!

 

We dropped off our bags and met our Cabin Steward 'Nelson' who was wonderful. I tipped him $10.00 cash and requested ice buckets for our wine and the beer we pre-ordered. At this point we set out to explore the ship and find the 'ships coin'.

 

Success!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2016 by esdoorn

[esdoorn]

.......after explore the ship and finding our way around. We headed to the Lido deck and grab a couple of drinks and toasted our first cruise!

 

We then headed to the Muster Drill at around 3.30pm. It was quite strange, not really organized and seemed like a waste of time, until they took us up on deck all lined up 4 people deep and the ship horn sounded and that was it. I guess I was expected more and more detail then someone just walking back and forth clicking a little handheld people counter.

 

After this, we went to the forward deck right above the bridge to catch sail away! However, the ship didn't leave until around 6.20pm with clouds and thunder rolling in. I though for sure all was going to be lost and we wouldn't get to enjoy sailing out of the harbour. But the rain held off and we exited the harbour. We went to our room and sat on the balcony and enjoyed a glass of wine until our 8.15pm dining time.

 

The main dining room was very nice and we met Darwin our Waiter. He was awesome! With mixed reviews, we didn't really know what to expect food wise. But dinner was good. I learned my lesson the first night with the portions being on the small side to ask for a side baked potato each night to accompany my entrée dinner. All of the food was wonderful and on par with a Kelsey's or decent chain restaurant. I actually gained 12 lbs on this trip, which was better than the 15 lbs I lost during our week long trip to Cuba and the food there sucked!!

 

We went back to our room and settled in and went to bed after a long first wonderful day on board.

 

 

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[esdoorn]

DAY 2

 

 

To come......

 

 

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[cmecruise1962]

I think everyone remembers "their first time!" LOL :D

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[esdoorn]

i think everyone remembers "their first time!" lol :d

 

 

 

true!! :)

 

 

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[EBONI325]

My first ever cruise was on the Sensation also, that was in 2009, had a blast, now I'm hooked.

 

Glad you enjoyed, and thanks for the review.

[undercat]

 

 

At this point we set out to explore the ship and find the 'ships coin'.

 

 

 

Success!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love it!! I enjoyed hunting for and finding Glory's coin this past January. I plan to hunt down Fascination's coin when we sail on her this winter.

[esdoorn]

DAY 2...

 

 

We woke up early and enjoyed some room service breakfast and coffee on our balcony watching the sunrise......I tell you what a beautiful sight to see! :)

 

We then showered and got ready for the day and headed to the Main Dining room around 10am or our Sea Day Brunch! OMG the Mac and Cheese with the bacon was the best!!!!

 

We then headed to the Sensations' Serenity deck and enjoyed getting some sun and enjoyed being able to use the hot tub without having children in it. Nothing against kids, but we enjoyed the peace and quiet the Serenity deck is made for.

 

We had a bit of lunch around 1pm visiting the Grill by the pool and had a hamburger and French fries then we hit the casino were on my third click on the slot machine saw me win just over $200.00, it was totally unexpected because I don't gamble much and just did it for the hell of it. The best $25.00 investment I've made in quite some time! :)

 

About 4pm we headed back to our room and opened the bottle of wine we brought on board and had a glass along with the sandwiches we ordered from room service that would tie us over until our late dining time at 8.15pm. It was elegant night.

 

We got dressed up my wife in dress pants and a nice shirt and myself in docker pants and a nice dress shirt. There was quite a mix of dress in the MDR from a few ladies wearing elegant gowns and a couple of guys in a tux to a guy wearing golf shorts and a NASCAR t-shirt.

 

We capped of the nice with a glass of wine on the balcony just listening to the sounds of the ship on the ocean.

[esdoorn]

Picture of our view from the Serenity Deck:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[JimAOk1945]

Your review is off to a great start. Your pictures are great. Our first cruise was on the Carnival Conquest in 2007 but it seems like only yesterday.

 

I'm looking forward to reading more about your experience.

Edited April 6, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[OCruisers]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do your review!

So fun to see a cruise through "new eyes"!

Looking forward to more! :)

[Clarea]

Very nice review, thanks!

[Frank12]

Keep it coming! Love the Sensation.

[SMSACE6]

I am loving your review. Sensation was my first Carnival ship way way back in 2000.:) Looking forward to more of your review. Thanks for posting.

[flyawayca]

I'm enjoying your review. Keep it coming.

 

Oh, and let the addiction begin! :D :p

[esdoorn]

Thanks everyone!

 

Hope to post Day 3 tomorrow!

 

 

To tide you over until then.....here is a sneak peak of the beach at Grand Turk taken from the upper deck of the Sensation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do your review!

 

 

So fun to see a cruise through "new eyes"!

 

 

Looking forward to more! :)

 

 

 

I must say after reading some of the reviews calling the Sensation a 'rust-bucked and out-dated I was a little worried!

 

However, having never cruised before or having been on a new ship, I must say I found the Sensation to be far from a rust-bucket or out-dated. In fact, it looked quite beautiful in my eyes and very clean! The crew was amazing!!

 

 

No rust here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

:D

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited April 6, 2016 by esdoorn

[Keith1010]

I have been enjoying your review and will continue to follow each day.

 

Keith

[esdoorn]

Had a late night at work, so will post Day 3 of the cruise tomorrow.

 

Cheers!

[NWACruiser]

I actually gained 12 lbs on this trip, which was better than the 15 lbs I lost during our week long trip to Cuba and the food there sucked!!

 

Ok I need to spend 2 weeks in Cuba before our B2B cruise this year. That way I will weigh the same as I do now, after the cruise.:D

[loubetti]

I must say after reading some of the reviews calling the Sensation a 'rust-bucked and out-dated I was a little worried!

 

However, having never cruised before or having been on a new ship, I must say I found the Sensation to be far from a rust-bucket or out-dated. In fact, it looked quite beautiful in my eyes and very clean! The crew was amazing!!

 

No rust here:

 

 

:D

.

 

Great bow shot! I can even make out the plimsoll line.

[esdoorn]

DAY 3

 

Got up at 5.30am and ordered room service breakfast and enjoyed breakfast on our balcony as we arrived in Grand Turk. By the time we were done and packed up and ready to get off ship and Holland America ship was coming into to dock beside us. It was quite a site to see!

 

Anyway, we got off ship around 8.15am and headed to Jack's Shack since it was 5 o'clock somewhere!

 

Here's a picture the ships in PORT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited April 7, 2016 by esdoorn

[esdoorn]

JACKS SHACK!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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