Sensation

[Emmy11386]

I'm going on a cruise on Carnival's Sensation. It's 4 days to the Bahamas. This is my first cruise. I was just wondering if anyone else has taken this cruise and what you thought of it. Any input would be helpful. Thank you!!

[Glama]

Hi! I've sailed Sensation twice (Caribbean though, not Bahamas), Inspiration twice (sister ship), and will be sailing Fascination in July. We LOVE these ships, I think you'll find them perfect for your first cruise. They are smaller than the newer ships, and not as "fancy", but they are definately glittery and FUN FUN FUN! The nightlife on the 4 night cruises is the best, it's like total fun from the word GO.

 

If you have specific questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them for you.

[elizablake]

I had a great time on the 4-night Sensation last September!! It was our first cruise also. Here's a link to my review:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=21340

 

 

The only negative thing I can think of was the dated, very purple, decor.

[Drew's Wife]

We love The Fantasy class ships and the Sensation is wonderful! You will have a great time. We've sailed The Fantasy and The Sensation, next up The Inpsiration and after that back to The Sensation for a couple more. Like Glama said, they are not as "big or fancy" as some of the other ships, but that is what we like about them. The three and four days cruises are perfect "getaways" and the best way to book your first cruise, just in case you find out that it is not for you, then you are not out to Sea for a week or ten days!:) Have a wonderful time, and be sure to let us know how your trip goes. Would also be pleased to answer any questions that you might have if I can.

[Honeybear]

DD(mid 30's) and I (mid 50's) sailed on the Sensation twice, and are seriously thinking of going again, third time in three years! The first time I was on the Sensation was my first cruise, when we walked onto the ship (I'll never forget it) I got real teary eyed. I thought it was the most beautiful and awesome place I had ever seen.

The food was very good, the beds were so comfortable, the crew was wonderful, and the ship was absolutely beautiful! There is just no way you can go and be regretful in any way.

Go with a cheery heart and a ton of smiles! You'll love it!

[queenofdasea]

sailed on the Sensation twice and loved it!

[vacationfool]

We loved this ship! DH and I are mid 40's. The nightclub was great! Great music and dancing. So much food! You are going to have a wonderful time.

[Glama]

You'll love the Promenade deck, you can go from club to club (kareoke, band, casino, disco, cigar bar, etc...), all within a short distance of each other!!

[Caliber1]

The Sensation was great! Good choice for a first cruise, not too big to get lost.You'll be addicted like the rest of us.:D

[JDCMN]

I'm going on a cruise on Carnival's Sensation. It's 4 days to the Bahamas. This is my first cruise. I was just wondering if anyone else has taken this cruise and what you thought of it. Any input would be helpful. Thank you!!

 

We were on the Sensation in March and loved it so much that we booked another cruise on the Sensation in October! There's something for everyone and you can do as little or as much as you'd like. As a previous poster said, if you have any specific questions, we'd be happy to try and answer them for you.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

[caesar68]

We just got back form the Sensation last week and had a blast. The service was great, the beds were really comfortable, the rooms sizes were perfect and no real problems with the "chair hogs". We liked the mixed demographics of people of the ship and meeting them all which was easy on a smaller ship. The only things "negative" to say is the we thought the food and the shows were "ok". We ate in the dining room at night, no buffets for dinner. The breakfast choices on the buffet were great from yogurt and toast to omelets.

We strolled along the Bahamas during the day, no real excursions. Just shopped and enjoyed beverages. All of Nassau rolls up the sidewalk at 6:00 (except the bars and the Atlantis) so went back to the ship for the spa and Capt. dinner. Again if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and we will try to answer them.

[heyitsmejudy]

Emmy..

We spent this past Christmas aboard Sensation (Nassau, Freeport... sailed out of Port Canaveral). We had a BLAST. The crew, especially the dining room staff, was wonderful. The ship was super easy to navigate, plenty of on-board activities, the food was wonderful, everything was well organized (debarkation, etc.) everyone was friendly, etc.

We (my boyfriend and I) took my mom, dad and two brothers... it was their first cruise. They're ready to go again.

You'll have a blast! Prepare to be addicted!

[Glama]

Another tip, it's always nice on this class ship to have a cocktail at the atrium bar area a little while before dinner. You'll get to meet alot of nice people, chat with others, see everyone getting ready for dinner, etc... It's just a nice place to be at that time. :)

[cruisinana2]

Just got off Sensation Thursday and had a blast. Lots to do, never a dull moment. The food was great.I really enjoyed the comedy shows ( one was R rated). The 80's show was good, didnt care for the first show of the cruise. I won at Bingo, (champagne and artwork), won in the casino. Make sure you go exploring. I didnt do much of that with the excursions and all and missed out on stores and lounges. We also got lost quite a bit, might suggest printing off the deck plans with the location map of lounges,stores, etc off the carnival web site and "study" them. There is a map at each elevator, but sometimes that elevator does not go all the way to the deck you want and then you have to backtrack......Any questions, just ask. Im ready to go again. Much to quick of a cruise.

[PINEVIEW01]

A tip to getting around, the lower cabin decks go thru, so if you get to the end of the ship you want to be at be for going up helps.

[bguppies]

We also got lost quite a bit, might suggest printing off the deck plans with the location map of lounges,stores, etc off the carnival web site and "study" them. There is a map at each elevator, but sometimes that elevator does not go all the way to the deck you want and then you have to backtrack...

 

Or you can just go to the Purser's Desk and get a copy of the deck plan on a little fold out card. (3X5)

 

We have sailed on the Sensation twice this year.

If we can sneak in another 4 day before our September Glory cruise, we will.

 

Also, make sure to check out the Bahamas board in here for tips on Freeport and especially Nassau.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

 

This thread is very helpful for ideas of things to do in Nassau.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332656

 

Bill

[clgcrusier]

The Sensation was my first ship, and I loved her! I believe she has had a makeover, too, so I'm sure everything should be all freshened up!:) I was on a Western itinerary on her, though. You may want to check out the port of call forums for the Bahamas for more info on the ports!

[jpmaximus]

Im going on her June 3rd! Hope you have a great cruise!

[LI LeeLa]

We were on the Sensation in March and loved it so much that we booked another cruise on the Sensation in October! There's something for everyone and you can do as little or as much as you'd like. As a previous poster said, if you have any specific questions, we'd be happy to try and answer them for you.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

 

I have not booked yet, but looking into also going 10/14/07. I would like to know what is the best way to get from airport to pier - shuttle, renting a car? Also we would be arriving one day before any inexpensive hotels near pier?

 

Thanks

~Lisa

[CYBERPILOT]

What night is formal night on the 4 day. We are leaving on May 20 and are trying to plan our activities.

 

Thanks,

 

Don:cool:

[golf43]

Was on the Sensation last month. We had a ball. One day we went to the dining room for breakfast. That was very nice. We thought the food was really good. Especially lobster night. The Chocolate Melting Cake is so good. Try that for dessert. We enjoyed the shows. They had a neat one on the last night that I did not get a chance to go to. Heard alot about it that it was really good. The beds were very comfortable too. Even the televisions in the room were neat. They were on the wall. Those flat TV's. They did have a movie on the TV each day. Which was nice when we just wanted to regroup in the room for awhile. Enjoy your cruise.

[polly57]

Formal night will be the second night, Monday night.

[Ellanora]

I did that itinerary out of Canaveral twice, once on Fantasy (my first cruise) then again on the Sensation. I loved the Fantasy, but fell head over heels in love with the Sensation. Great service, great food, great time all the way around. Be sure to see the Far From Over 80's show - it was spectacular and got a standing ovation from the entire theater. I didn't see the other show they offered, as they were warning over the intercoms that it was a PG-13 show, and I had my 9 year old DS with me, so didn't chance it.

 

I know a lot of people don't like the neon purple and green colors on Sensation, but purple and green are my favorite colors, so I thought it was awesome.

 

Mexican midnight buffet was very yummy.

 

Have a great time!

[elizablake]

Mexican midnight buffet was very yummy.

 

 

I forgot about the Mexican buffet! I agree it is worth saving room for. I think it was the 3rd night.

[evelynpsilva]

What night is formal night on the 4 day. We are leaving on May 20 and are trying to plan our activities.

 

Thanks,

 

Don:cool:

Formal night is the night you are in Nassau but that's not lobster night. LOL!!!

We returned last month from the Sensation and that was our first sailing with her. We loved it so much, we booked again for later this month and again in November. I think this is the best weekend boat in the Carnival line up. A whole day at Nassau is the best. We did day pass at the British Colonial Hilton which was superb. We were the only Carnival people. The food was great and the drinks were well prepared (no chitzing). Next time we are going to try a day pass somewhere on Cable Beach. I have to admit though, we did not see much of the ship. We spent our time in the casino, dining room, theatres and the pool. But what we did see was great. The remodel turned out great. Get ready for purple though - lots and lots of purple! Feel free to ask any questions.