First Time Cruiser Review of Sensation Cruise

[esdoorn]

After a few at Jacks Shack, we hit Margaritville where we had a Cabana booked and enjoyed lounging around the pool and catching some sun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

We were glad we had a Cabana because we got a pretty good downpour of rain around 12.30pm (we had to be back on ship by 2:00pm to leave at 2.30pm)..........so we sat in the Cabana until the rain stopped after 20 minutes or so.

 

We decided to pack up and head back to ship as most people had done so, but not before getting our passports stamped at the post office and taking a couple of more pictures before leaving Grand Turk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

..back on board we hit the pool deck and enjoyed the sun once it came out just before sail away and bought some drinks and caught some rays.

 

 

Dinner in the MDR was pretty good once again and we hit the late comedy show that was good, but man could that guy swear!

 

 

........DAY 4 is up tomorrow!! :D

[esdoorn]

We did enjoy watching the sun set from our balcony!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[riclop]

Thanks for posting.

[esdoorn]

DAY 4 HALF MOON CAY..........coming up!

 

 

just a couple of helpful hints about HMC before my write up.....

 

 

Half Moon Cay is a great place to rent a Cabana as you get priority tender of the ship. we were on the second tender and had Cabana #11 (see picture) and you will note that there was maybe 15 other people at our part of the beach.

 

FTTF is also a great choice to purchase (unless diamond or platinum) so you get priority embarkation as Cabana locations are chosen on ship at the shore excursion desk. We had FTTF and border right after diamond and platinum and were second in line at the shore excursion desk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Day 4 - HALF MOOM CAY

 

 

Got up at 6am to hit the MDR by 7am so we could have a great breakfast (which you always get in the MDR) to start off our day and then ensure we were at the Fantasy Lounge (forward) by 9am for our 9.30am tender to the island. The lounge is where everyone with a shore excursion or cabana was to meet for priority tender.

 

Captain comes on the horn at 7.30am and say that do to sea conditions during the night we will be delayed from 9,30am to 10.30am, but they moved back the leaving time from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, so no loss of time at HMC.

 

We get to the lounge at 10am, wait til 10.30am and are on the second tender boat by 10.50am and at HMC by 11.05. Our luxury Volkwagon golf cat took us to our Cabana at we were there by 11.20am. One word 'Paradise'!!!!

 

 

This place rocks!!! It is sooooo beautiful!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Most of the tender boats had the remaining folks to the island by 1.30pm. Here's a pic from that time looking down the beach towards Cabana #1 and the tender dock.

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited April 9, 2016 by esdoorn

[esdoorn]

Awesome beach and a great place to enjoy a cold beer!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Picture says a '1000 Words'!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Picture from close to the tender dock at 4.30pm as we headed to take the tender back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

GOODBYE HALF MOON CAY.....UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Lunch on Half Moon Cay was a wonderful beach bbq lunch. really enjoyed the burger, salad and cold drinks!!

 

 

Once back on ship, we headed to our cabin and took a shower to clean ourselves up. Ordered a couple of sandwiches and drinks from room service and sat on our balcony and enjoyed the view of HMC and sail away!

 

Dinner again was late dining at 8.15pm and both my wife and I agree that on our next cruise we will do the early dinner as 8.15pm is just too late in our books.

 

...up next NASSAU on Day 5.

[JimAOk1945]

You're review is great! I'm looking forward to more.

[Star24K]

Enjoying your review, keep it coming!

[esdoorn]

DAY 5.....

 

 

The ship arrived into Nassau around 6.30am and both my wife and I sat on our balcony enjoying coffee and tea while the ship slipped into the harbour, did its turn around and slipped into its mooring place which happened to be mooring number 1 right beside the first port building and a short hop from the ship to the cruise centre.

 

 

We had breakfast once again in the main dining room, I had the Belgian waffles along with bacon and hash-browns. I also enjoyed a glass of pineapple juice (like I did at each breakfast) as it is something that I don't normally have at home.

 

Here is a pic of us arriving, with the Disney Wonder in port, I believe they stayed the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

.....after the main dining room, we headed back to our stateroom to prepare for our day. Gathered up everything we need including our resort for the day papers for the British Colonial Hilton. We headed off ship around 9.15am and before making our way to the Hilton, stopped at the little yellow building to the right upon exiting the cruise centre building so we could get our passports stamped.

 

 

SUCCESS!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

....British Colonial Hilton.

 

 

This is a wonderful hotel and the front desk staff were awesome! We were checked in very quickly and on our way to the beach and pool area!

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

we felt the day pass to the resort was very good value. Total cost was $120.00 ( $60.00pp ) which include a total of $80.00 in food and beverage credit at the bar/grill. I had 3 beers, my wife 1 Bahama Mama and water and for food I had the really awesome beer hot dog so my wife could have the lobster. Total bill came to $105.00 (include tip) and with the $80.00 food/beverage credit, it only cost me $25.00 more, which I consider worth it!

 

 

While at the beach at the Hilton (which over looks the harbour) the Carnival Victory slipped into Nassau harbour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

....looking over the water towards the Lighthouse from the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

...we ended up leaving the hotel around 3.30pm to do some shopping and that means a visit to the Straw Market....

 

 

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In the cruise centre building before heading back to the ship, she lovely lady was available for free pictures, so I figured what the heck and the rest is history....

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

.....walking back to get on the ship....

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

Once back on the ship, I took a picture of Atlantis from the stern....

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

....and we left Nassau just around 5.30pm, so I snapped this picture as we exited the harbour! BYE NASSAU!

 

 

 

 

 

....we spent time on our balcony after having a shower. I enjoyed a couple of beers and my wife finished off her bottle of wine!

 

 

I took this picture just before heading up to the Main Dining Room for our final night on ship to have dinner. Somewhat sad and reflective at this moment given this was our very first cruise and it was almost over and in a few short hours we'd be back on land. :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[esdoorn]

....up next tomorrow.......

 

......morning of debarkation on ship, customs and use of SAS Transport to shuttle us from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and also a quick write up on our hotel in FLL the Hilton Marina which is next to Port Everglades.