Carnival Sensation: Review of a first cruise

[sandravb79]

My mom and I went on our very first cruise on the Carnival Sensation from October 21 - 25, to the Bahamas. Well, my mom has been on a Nile cruise, and we have both been on the Jungle Cruise ;) but this was our very first "ocean cruise".

 

Why did we book this cruise? Well, when I started planning our vacation in July, the space shuttle was planned to leave on October 20. Our whole vacation was booked around that date, so I needed a cruise leaving on the 21st or 22nd from Port Canaveral. Price and itinerary made that we chose Carnival over Royal Caribbean; we have no interest at all to visit a private island.

 

After booking our cruise, I came to this website, and got a little concerned by quite some negative remarks. But, it wa sonly a 4-day cruise, so we'd survive!

 

18 days before departure - October 1st. I come home from work, and in an ultimate trial to get a little more into shape before our US-vacation (including the cruise and Walt Disney World), I decide to go upstairs and ride the hometrainer-bike we have. Before I reach the bike, I fall off the stairs, have the ligaments of my foot torn, and a couple of hours later, I have a cast from toes to knee. oops... :eek:

Cast + beach = not so good combination!

 

I lie to the doctor, tel him I have to go to the US to be in a wedding, yada yada yada, so the day before we leave, he takes off the real cast, and I get a ligacast (cast in plastic with velcro, not perfect, but better than nothin!) And so, off we go, after rebooking large parts of the trip (handicapped accessible rooms, economy plus, rental cars instead of shuttles, ...)

 

We arrive in Orlando, spend a night there, do a day of shopping, drive to Cape Canaveral, spend two nights at the Radisson over there (can only recommend this hotel!), visit the Space Center (shuttle is waiting to be launched three days later), and... tada! October 21st arrives, day of our first cruis!

[kidless]

and...................

[sandravb79]

After dropping off the rental car at Avis we take their shuttle to the terminal.

When we got out of the car, we leave our luggage outside (I had the tags printed at home) and walk to the terminal. I am on crutches, and many people asked me if I needed a wheel chair (thank you, but I am fine).

Everyone we encountered was SO friendly, and they didn't laugh with our over-excitement (thank goodness, I know we acted a little stupid, but we were happy to be there, especially after thinking we had to cancel the whole trip because of my ankle!)

 

Check in went very very quickly. Of course, we were there rather early (11 am) and secondly, we had to go through the "international guests" line. Anyway, at that moment, there was no line anywhere. The ladies at check in were very nice, they even gave us directions to an airboat-ride place for when we would be back in Florida!!!

Then we proceeded to a waiting area, and waited until we could embark at about 11.30 am. When we embarked, they didn't take pictures :( I really would have liked a picture, but oh well... During embarkation, they showed us where the elevator was without us having to ask for it. The escalator just scared me, too afraid to fall again. Once onboard we were... waaaw!!! It was really like I know it from in "Love Boat", and not at all as bad (nor purple) as I had read on some sites!

Most Americans ran to the buffet as f they had never ever seen food in their lives, we weren't hungry yet. For as far as I remember, we walked around a litte, sat in the Fantasia Lounge, and around 1 pm, we went looking for our room (M118 - oceanview). The room was ready, and the Bon Voyage presents (two towels) were waiting for us!

 

After freshing up and dropping off the carry-ons (and the crutches - they didn't help my foot, only hurted my back and arms) we went looking for the buffet, and ate a little bit. We were amazed by the way people around us ate... realy as if they had never ever seen food in their lives; it was rather pathetic. After that, we sat on a deck, went to a welcome speech and did the muster drill. My mom was somewhat disappointed that teh ship left port during the drill, she had wanted to "live" that moment a bit more intense :rolleyes:

 

After the Sensation, the Mickey-ship left, and after that one, a RCL-ship left. Oh yes, I forgot, during the afternoon, we had made many many many pictures of the Mickey-ship. I am a huge Mickey-fan (that cruise was too expensive for now though) but I have tons of pictures with the ship in the background!

 

I can't remember too well what we did for the rest of the afternoon/ evening, but at some point we went for dinner.

[sandravb79]

and...................

 

Patience is nice to have. I like to write, have nothing better to do for the moment, so this is going to be loooooonnnnnggggg :D

[kidless]

Patience is nice to have. I like to write, have nothing better to do for the moment, so this is going to be loooooonnnnnggggg :D

 

Sorry was excited to hear about your trip we were on Sensation in September................

[sandravb79]

As asked during booking, dinner was at 8pm, and this was at the aft restaurant. We were there at 8 pm, as the first two of a table of 6. I must admit I was quite impatient/ nervous to find out who would share a table with us. Since I somewhat assumed that two couples would join us, my mom and I got seats opposite each other, so that the couples could sit next to each other.

 

First person that arrives is a man from Florida. He had booked this trip with a friend, friend couldn't come, so he did the cruise alone. He was nice. And then we waited for the next people to arrive. It were two men from India. Who made it very clear, in a very rude way, that they weren't happy to be seated with two women.

Although the food was very good, it didn't taste well because I was so uncomfortable because of them. One of them ignored us completely, the other made very rude and not-done remarks.

 

What did we eat? I had a broccoli/ cheese soup, no salad, beef Wellington and the warm chocolate cake. My mom had baked mushrooms, the beef Wellington, and I have no idea what she had for dessert. At Disney we always take pictures of the food, we didn't do that on this cruise. (not exactly true, I have pictures of what I ate from the buffet that day :p )

We had a big bottle of San Pellegrino, and I ordered a bottle of wine, that they kept for me, so that I could drink from it on the other nights.

 

After dinner, we both felt so uncomfortable, that we decided to ask for another table (something I would have never thought about if I hadn't known from this site that it was possible). Even more, we decided to completely change, and asked for the 8.30 pm dinner seating at the other dining room. We prefer to eat late anyway, so this worked out way better.

 

I don't think we did a lot in the evening, for as far as I remember, we went to our room and slept. It was very exhausting for me to wobble around like a duck (that's the way I waked, lol), and I was very very tired.

[sandravb79]

Sorry was excited to hear about your trip we were on Sensation in September................

 

That's OK :)

Did you like it??

[mommyswenn]

I start my first-ever cruise vacation today -- we're sailing this Sunday on Sensation! Can't wait to hear the rest of your review! :D

[sandravb79]

double quote

[kidless]

Did I like it............well jeez I guess! It was FABULOUS!!! Sensation was the first cruise we ever took and so it was so nice to have gone on her again. I think sometimes there is always something special about that first cruise/ship...................kind of like the first ... well you know what I mean....:D

[sandravb79]

About the rooms.

 

Our room was bigger than I had thought it would be. I had chosen a room on the "Main" deck, because we would then have other rooms under and above us, which I thought would be less noisy than having the casino our dance club above us.

 

The room had two 1-person beds, which can be put together as a queen bed, but we left it the way it was.

There was lots of room to maneuver around. We had quite some luggage with us, we both had a big suitcase, and two big travel bags (the shopping we did in Orlando on the first day there). We managed to put everything in such a way that nobody broke her/ his neck over it!

I had read about rooms smelling weird, but we didn't notice anything about it. The only thing I noticed is that the room was very very clean!

 

I had also read that the showers are so small. Euhm.. that shower is bigger than the one we have at home (we have a regular European shower in the bathroom). Of course, the average American person is at least twice as large as the average European person, so that could make that relatively the shower is small for Americans.

We were both very happy with the shower, I don't like that shower-in-a-bath tub-concept, and the fact that you can't move the shower head lower or higher, so I was very very happy with this one!

There was also a basket in the bathroom with samples of shampoo and conditioner (Fructis), tooth paste, dryer sheets, raisors (for men and women), ...

It was nice to have, but we didn't use it. I thought it's rather weird that a large company as Carnival doesn't have its "own" soap bars or so. Oh well, I'd rather use my own products anyway!

 

The room/ bathroom were cleaned twice a day (I once saw a girl scrubbing the shower. I don't think our shower at home as ever been scrubbed in such a way. And they do it twice a day!)

Sheets were changed every day, towels 2/3 times a day!!! Amazing!

We also received towel animals each evening!!!!

 

What else in the room? I think there was ice, but as Europeans, we don't do the ice-thing, so I never really checked it. There was a big bottle of water, some small bottles, and some cans of Coke and Diet Coke.

In the closet were two bathrobes. I used one a couple of times, it was so soft!!!!!

We never used the safe.

 

We were very happy with the room, no remarks at all!

[sandravb79]

We arrived in Freeport in the morning. This is an "industry port", making it a little less nice to see than those "pleasure ports filled with yachts", but I have no problem with that at all. We were the only cruise ship that day (unless another arrived after us and left before us).

 

After waking up, we went for breakfast at the buffet. The food was good, and many other people must have thought the same thing, since they were eating as if it was their first and last meal ever (this is a trend we saw at every meal... or actually throughout the whole day!).

After breakfast, we got off the ship, and this process was very easy. Give your drink & sink card, and you're good to go!

 

Oh, no, between breakfast and getting off the ship, something else happened. I fell. Not on my face, but almost. OK, I wobble like a duck. The wooden floor around the pool is wet and slippey. I pay a lot of attention to it, but it happens anyway, I fall. My mom didn't even notice me falling, so I had to yell "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOM". Yes, that was me. Because falling is one part of the story. Getting up is a whole other part! I can't put too much weight on the left ankle, and there is basically nothing like a table or so that I can use to pull myself up. I was so glad when two men came to help me, and basically pulled me up. Which is not so easy, because I am about 6 feet tall, and not the skinniest person in the world. I am so thankful for their help!

My knee hurted (it still hurts), and that was also the last time I wore the little white skirt during the trip, because it was all dirty. So we had to g back to the room so that I could clean up.

 

OK. Once off the ship, we followed directions to get a taxi to the Lucaya Market place, I think it was $5 pp, and you share the taxi with some others. Unlike the horror stories I had read on the Bahamas board, all was very easy, with no wait.

The taxi trip is a little long, it takes you out of the port, through some industry to Lucaya.

People on the Bahamas board call this place a "dump". Well, if you call Freeport a dump, I have no idea what to call many places in Texas, California, Oklahoma, and so many other states that I have already visited. I didn't see anything that needed the word "dump" to describe it.

Yes, the touristy places are no adjacant to the port. So what? You'd better never do a cruise that has a day in Belgium (Zeebrugge, Oostende or Antwerp), because our ports are also industria ports.

Yes, you have to drive through not-so-touristy places. I thought it was great to see how the people there live, all these colourful houses. They looked way better than many many many houses I saw in the DFW-area, so no need for the word "dump" here either.

 

The taxi dropped us off at the casino in Lucaya, and told us we could catch another one there again.

First thing we did was shop a little bit in the market place. I don't think we bought a lot, but it was nice to look around. Yes, you get asked many times if you'd like to have your hair braided, a simple "no thank you" makes a good answer if you don't want it, and they don't bother you any further.

I don't understand that some people don't want to come off the ship because of this. But there are so many things I don't understand.

 

Anyway. After shopping, we go to the resort area. We first have a drink there, and see how people from the cruise get chased out of the pool there. You know, using that Carnival towel may not be the smartest thing to do if you want to sneak in the pool there.

After that, we go on the beach, I do some maneuvers to put my bikini on, and then my mom helps me to get in the water. After playing a little bit in the water, she has to help me out again. At this point, I have no ligacast around my foot, and it's rather difficult for me to walk. But I survive!

 

I go into the hotel to change (and I did use one of their towels, oops...) and then we go back to get a taxi to go to the ship.

I had wanted to go snorkling here, but for obvious reasons that wasn't possible. We are not really beach people, and the heat was a little too much for us, so there was not much reason for us to stay there anymore.

 

We wait a little bit before they have a full taxi, and we get back to the port. After looking through the little stands at the port, we get back on board, and relax a bit on deck.

And then... they start calling for names. People who are late. That's the moment we go watch what happens on land. About 10 minutes before the ship is planned to leave, a taxi speeds up, and 4 of the people they were calling run to the ship. They have made it. I have no idea what happened to the other people they called, we didn't see anyone get on board anymore.

Anyway, we leave on time. Watching how we leave keeps us busy, it's fun to see how a person climbs off the ship into a little boat (I don't know what you call them, the people that help get the ship in and out port), and off we go!

That's also the point in time we decide it's time to get ready for formal night, but not before we go ask to switch dining rooms, which appears to be no problem at all!

[kidless]

I don't know if it is just me but I am getting the feeling you don't like Americans, first you talk about how they eat and you mention this several times, then how they are too fat for the showers, then about the dumpy towns in Texas and so forth................ I think I am done hearing about your cruise!!!!

[sandravb79]

A week before we left on the cruise, I went to buy a formal dress. This was a real expedition, because I had to hop on one foot. But after blood, sweat and tears, I had the dress. And the dress made it to the Bahamas!

It was a black strapless dress with purple appliquee flowers (I matched the ship's decorations!! :rolleyes: :D :cool: ) that came until my knee and it was a litle bit poofy. This is THE style now in Belgium, well, it had to be the style on board too!

My mom wore a brownish skirt and a dark brown top/ blouse. She has made that for a Lions Club formal night, and well, it served again on board.

I put on a minimum of make up, my mom didn't want too. Too bad, because... well... it made all the formal pictures not look too well. Oh well... Next time I'll have pictures taken of just me, without her.

Oh, btw, I did wear Crocs with the dress :D That was the only shoe I could wear, that Ligacast thing is rather large. It were dark brown sandals, so it wasn't as bad as the bright pink Disney Crocs I have.

I have pictures somewhere, that I can always post afterwards.

Before dinner, we had our picture taken at some different backgrounds, as long as they didn't look too backgroundish. I don't like those pictures with the fake background, they look cheap.

 

And then dinner time was there, and new dinner mates!

We were seated at a table of 8. There were two ladies travelling together. They were friends from in college, and now, so many many years later, they could still support each other, so they went on a cruise together. They were nice to talk with. And then there was another couple... a man and the girl-he-probably-paid-for-to-join-him-on-the-cruise. Her outfit was smaller than my bikini. After that first night, we didn't see them anymore for the rest of the cruise. They were... interesting. :)

Anyway, no idea what I had for appetizer, then I had lobster, and then I had two desserts: warm chocolate cake and grand marnier souffle. All was very good!

When I told the server I had a bottle of wine from the other dining room, he went immediately to get it.

 

After dinner, we went to a show in the Fantastia Lounge. I LOVED it, but I like everything that is Broadway-ish or includes feathers! My mom left during the show, she didn't feel well, but I stayed until the end, and then I had to wobble back by myself, which was a little scary, but I didn't fall!

During the show, I had a cocktail and...

 

 

Now I know what I forgot to tell about!!! The Captain's party (or whatever it is called). Now, this is a disappointment.

My mom and I were seated at one of the little tables in the back, where the chairs go around the table. The row before us, all tables were taken by families. Table next to us was taken by ladies (from Canada, we talked quite a bit with them later on). The people in front of us had had at least 4 drinks and quite a lot of the little bites before we got a drink (and that's only because I actually went to one of the servers and asked them what we had to do to get a drink). This was really a bummer, we felt all as second-class passengers. In the end, we got two drinks and one little bite. And only because every time I went after them.

Oh well :)

[sandravb79]

I don't know if it is just me but I am getting the feeling you don't like Americans, first you talk about how they eat and you mention this several times, then how they are too fat for the showers, then about the dumpy towns in Texas and so forth................ I think I am done hearing about your cruise!!!!

 

In general, I do like Americans. I have spent many many summers in the US while staying in host families.

However, this was teh first time I was confronted with Americans while they are on vacation (except at Disney, but that is a whole different experience). Things I have never noticed before were very obvious this trip, like how they always run for the buffet as if it's the first food they have ever seen. Btw, the cruise director mentioned this every time he did a speech.

Next to that, I had read many many complaints about the showers and Freeport/ the Bahamas.

 

I have been to many neighbourhoods in the US, nice ones, very rich ones, not so nice ones. It is not fair from Americans to call Freeport a dump, it is not as if it is so much worse than in their own country.

 

Is every twon in Texas a dump? No. But Freeport isn't either, so people shouldn't write that either in their reviews, it gives a way too negative image of a nice destination.

Is every American fat? No. But it isn't fair either to say that those showers are way too small.

 

I am sorry this hurts your feelings. But this is my trip report, it says how we felt during our trip. What we noticed, how things were way different from what you can read in so many reviews and how we were sometimes shocked by certain behaviour. I am sure that there is a big possibility that I can read in another trip report about things that we did and that other people found weird or were shocked by.

 

If you don't like to continue reading, fine, I am sure there are many other threads to be read :)

[Cruise-aholic]

Hmmm I just don't know what to make of this Sensation review.

 

I have read funny reviews that had me rolling outta my chair, serious and to the point reviews that gave a wealth of good and usefull information even the ocassional I will never sail Carnival again bash review which is also to be expected from time to time however this sounded more like aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

Fat, overeating, stupid American review guess we are all entitled to our opinions and this is mine.

[sandravb79]

During the night, my mom got really sick. She had a crisis because of an organ I don't know the name of in English. Every time she eats food that is too greasy/ oily, she has this, and in the US, she really ha sto watch out what she eats. She couldn't get up out of bed, so I went to eat breakfast by myself (didn't fall this time either). After my breakfast, she still wasn't felling better, so I went to lay in the sun, while she stayed in bed. Around noon, she felt better, and we got off the ship in Nassau. First thing we wanted to do was to get a stamp in our passport. Before we found the right place, we had to ask around quite a bit, but we do have our stamp. Then we shopped around a little in that shopping street, followed by a horse carriage ride. I do think he charged us way too much, and we only got a 20-minute tour instead of 30 minute, but it was fun anyway. At some point during the day, we ate conch chowder and conch fritters. Something we also did was visiting an exposition about slavery. It was very very interesting; it was sponsored by Unesco, and it didn't show the slaves as victims, but it showed how they made the best of their situation, and how all that was the beginning of the Afro-culture in the Americas. It was cheap (3 USD I think) and it is a read-exhibition. I can only recommend it.

We also went to the pirates museum, but we found it was too expensive, and we aren't that much into pirates after all.

 

Then we shopped around a bit, but everything is so expensive! I had read that Nassau is tax free. Add to that that we can enjoy the benefits of the cheap dollar, which makes everything that is prices in USD very cheap for us. Well, not in Nassau!!! VErything was twice as expensive then at home!!!!! And we pay 21% sales tax + we should have a +/- 35% profit because of the exchange rate.

This was a big bummer... No purses bought at Nassau. Real ones too expensive, and I'd rather slice my throat than walka round with a fake one :)

We bought some postcards, mugs, a couple of Nassau-polo shirts, ... All touristy stuff.

 

We got back on board rather early, because I was tired, and it was hard to walk around for me. I went in the pool on board, we showered and went to dinner.

 

Apparantly, this was a day that they celebrated Halloween on board. We saw people in costumes... well... we were rather amazed. It was interesting to see some costumes, and we wondered how people brought them on board, because they were huge!

Anyway.

 

That evening, no idea what I had for appetizer, I had the steak with baked potato from the alternative dinner selections, and I had pumpkin cheesecake and the warm chocolate cake for dessert. I do have a picture of that cheesecake somewhere, because it was SO pretty! There was also a second special Halloween-dessert, don't remember what it was though.

 

I don't think we did anything in particular that evening after dinner, I think we just went to bed. I know, rather boring, but we were exhausted from doing nothing :)

[sparrowgirl]

In general, I do like Americans. I have spent many many summers in the US while staying in host families.

However, this was teh first time I was confronted with Americans while they are on vacation (except at Disney, but that is a whole different experience). Things I have never noticed before were very obvious this trip, like how they always run for the buffet as if it's the first food they have ever seen. Btw, the cruise director mentioned this every time he did a speech.

Next to that, I had read many many complaints about the showers and Freeport/ the Bahamas.

 

I have been to many neighbourhoods in the US, nice ones, very rich ones, not so nice ones. It is not fair from Americans to call Freeport a dump, it is not as if it is so much worse than in their own country.

 

Is every twon in Texas a dump? No. But Freeport isn't either, so people shouldn't write that either in their reviews, it gives a way too negative image of a nice destination.

Is every American fat? No. But it isn't fair either to say that those showers are way too small.

 

I don't post to these boards often, but I read them almost every day. I really hate it when someone gives a "review" that turns into a bashing of someone's nationality/culture etc etc.

 

And...truthfully..that's what this is. You had a great time on your trip. That's great. Tell us about that. You don't have to throw the anti-american jabs in there.

[Kurbanfan]

Ok I just read all the posts and I think some of you people are waaay overly sensitive. What the op posted regarding Americans I think she was pretty much right on. I have witnessed the same thing at the buffet on all my cruises. The average American is overweight and possibly that could be the reason some complain about the showers. And we loved Freeport. Just happens it was one of the best beaches we ever visited. But then again it gets the worse rap on here.

She did not call Americans fat or stupid:rolleyes: She is posting her experience as she saw it.

And yes I am American;)

[DGP1111]

What the op posted regarding Americans I think she was pretty much right on. I have witnessed the same thing at the buffet on all my cruises.

 

Ditto!!

And the comment about how CD Matt Ross throws those exact same comments into his dialogue multiple times on the cruise, is absolutely correct (and the vast majority of passengers readily laugh outloud, and not complain). I was on Sensation a week prior to the original poster, and the buffet experience at embarkation was identical to what was described here, and after getting home and watching some of the video I captured, it became even more apparent.

I had a really nice time on my Sensation sailing, and had the great fortune of meeting some wonderful passengers (including two terrific Cruise Critic members), but I know I won't be doing any more 3-day cruises any time soon. Just had a totally different 'feel' from my other CCL voyages.

Have a great weekend, all!! :) :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Ditto!!

And the comment about how CD Matt Ross throws those exact same comments into his dialogue multiple times on the cruise, is absolutely correct (and the vast majority of passengers readily laugh outloud, and not complain). I was on Sensation a week prior to the original poster, and the buffet experience at embarkation was identical to what was described here, and after getting home and watching some of the video I captured, it became even more apparent.

I had a really nice time on my Sensation sailing, and had the great fortune of meeting some wonderful passengers (including two terrific Cruise Critic members), but I know I won't be doing any more 3-day cruises any time soon. Just had a totally different 'feel' from my other CCL voyages.

Have a great weekend, all!! :) :)

 

What a coincidence! We were on your sailing Don ( :D ) - and we happened to me one terrific Cruise Critic member also!!

 

We feel the same way about the 3-day sailings as you do... but we get over it very quickly! (hence our sailing on the Sensation again in just under a month :o )

 

Don - how about you try the 4-night Celebrity sailing on Valentines day? I have high hopes that it will be a little different than the typical short Carnival cruise!

 

Tom

[laura2161]

About the rooms.

 

 

 

I had also read that the showers are so small. Euhm.. that shower is bigger than the one we have at home (we have a regular European shower in the bathroom). Of course, the average American person is at least twice as large as the average European person, so that could make that relatively the shower is small for Americans.

We were very happy with the room, no remarks at all!

 

Actually I'd like to point something out.You make mention that the shower was larger than the one you have at home, so of course you would be happy with it's size. And yes, I've been in London and Paris and the showers are very VERY small compared to American size standards.

 

What I take exception with is you speaking poorly of Americans in general. You were quick to point out that you have stayed with host families in the US so you obviously know the size of our standard showers and bathrooms. Now look at our standard sizes and the size in the cabin and you can see why 'most americans' would say they are small.

 

Instead you insult americans. Not just once but quite a few times throughout your...ahem..'review'.

 

Who's to say that it was all americans rushing to the buffet lines anyway. There are MANY international travelers sailing on Carnival; Im quite sure at least a few were European...but Im sure you wouldnt agree.

 

I agree with another poster, Your review turned into a bash thread and I was very much looking forward to reading your review since I will be sailing on the Sensation in a little over a month.

 

Signed,

 

American woman who thinks the showers are a tad on the small side.

[Kurbanfan]

OP I sure hope you come back and finish your review. Sure would love to hear the rest:)

[KarenMF]

I don't know if it is just me but I am getting the feeling you don't like Americans, first you talk about how they eat and you mention this several times, then how they are too fat for the showers, then about the dumpy towns in Texas and so forth................ I think I am done hearing about your cruise!!!!

 

I think it's just because she's European. I don't see it as a slam, just something she's not familiar with. She's making honest observations and she says that there is a lot she doesn't understand - I think she means about Americans. I think her observations are very on target, too :D

[KarenMF]

OP I sure hope you come back and finish your review. Sure would love to hear the rest:)

 

I would too - I was enjoying your review. Don't let anyone stop you.