Carnival Sensation

[brown28]

Has anyone ever cruised on the Carnival Sensation? Ever been to Freeport Bahamas, Nassau? What are some good places to visit, and is it wiser and more cost efficient to do your own thing at these places?

 

Thanks for any advice!

[DG2004]

we are doing this cruise in October.

In Nassau, we are doing the Atlantis excrusion.....the one where you actually get to go down the huge waterslides

 

you can do Nassau on your own, but it really depends on what you are into

[sms30519]

Check out the cruise reviews...lots of reviews on Sensation.

 

Also check out the ports of call board....lots of info on Nassau and Freeport (aka Grand Bahama Island).

[Jacky4]

We did the beach party excursion in Freeport, booked through Carnival. It was a lot of fun and worth the money. Lunch was included. They had a dj, paddle boat, volleyball, lounge chairs, bathrooms and a covered deck with a bar so you could get out of the sun if you wanted. In Nassau we had to book a room ($$$) at the Atlantis to use the facilities. Atlantis is awsome but too crowded and expensive. A large cheese pizza cost $28. We stood in line at the food stand for about 20 minutes and by the time we got to the front at least 4 out of the 5 sandwiches offered were sold out. The hotdog and hamburger stand line was crazy. This was around noon. The Atlantis is also extremely huge so there is a lot of walking. The aquarium was great (free because we were hotel guest) and the water slides fun. The beach was closed due to strong undertow. Just a note this was in the middle of February which is school break so there were no deals offered and would explain crowds.

[Jacky4]

My mother and sister waited too long to book a tour of Freeport so it was sold out. They just got off the ship and asked a cab driver to take them to somewhere to shop and eat. They said it was a great time and the driver pointed out sights and told them all about the island. They said they saved alot of money not booking the ships tour.

[joybaby]

Take a taxi, you can bargain for price. Try to get a group of 6 or 8 people, price will be less. Make sure the driver's English is good. Our driver took us to Atlantis, dropped us off for 40 min. and it was complimentary w/ the cab ride. You can go to the aquarium and walk around in the facility. Some things are off limits. There is a lovely market in there, pricey but beautiful. Don't eat there, you will run out of money! This gave me a great overview of the island. I've done it twice.

[starstruck05]

link to my Sensation Review with pictures

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=779954

 

if i could re do my excursion in Nassau i would porbaly choose something with a beach or the one to the zoo.

[gtalum]

In Nassau, walk over to Arawak Cay and have lunch. Form the ship, just turn right on the main road, and follow the shore around to the little restaurants and bars that are about a mile away or so. You cna walk there in 15 minutes or less. It's where the locals eat. The food is excellent and cheap, and you won't find a fresher conch salad anywhere. :)

[quest2best]

We were on the Sensation in January and had a wonderful cruise. At Nassau we had reserved a room at the Comfort Suites and had full access to the beaches and waterslides and pools at Atlantis. The total cost for the 4 of us, including the extra taxes they add to the room fee, was around $320. The cab rides over and back were $4 per person. Because the Sensation docked at 7am and did not leave until 6am the following morning, we felt it was money well spent and we thoroughly enjoyed our day. We ate lunch at Atlantis and from reading CC reviews ahead of time, I knew to look for the family meal deal (I think it was four burgers, 2 large fries and 4 drinks for around $25).

 

In Freeport, we opted to stay on the ship, but on a previous cruise we had taken a cab to Lucaya and enjoyed the beach and a bit of shopping.

[lmt0714]

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/NASBS/main.wnt

 

When I went in 2006, we had a taxi take us (group of 9 women) to the Wyndham, where we laid by the pool, used the beach, ordered drinks at the poolside bar...and one friend won $430 on one pull in the casino! It was a great place to relax for the day, and our plan is to go back to the same place when we're on Sensation in July.

[bobsfamily]

Has anyone ever cruised on the Carnival Sensation? Ever been to Freeport Bahamas, Nassau? What are some good places to visit, and is it wiser and more cost efficient to do your own thing at these places?

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Have review from March trip - check review section.... go to Bahamas thread and you will see a wealth of info... basically answering all your questions.

Have a great time.

[war_eagle99]

I second the Wyndham suggestion if you like to gamble. My wife and I won there as well while playing the cheap penny slots. Drinks are free like in Vegas and since its not that crowded you never wait more than a couple of minutes for a new drink. Then when you are tired of gambling step outside onto the beach.

[ntshop]

We just returned in May 08 from this same cruise. In Freeport we did the jeep excursion thru the ship. It was pricey but we had a great time. It lasted between 5.5 and 6 hrs. Lunch was included at a resort and beach. We drove around site seeing with a group of 11 jeeps including the tour guide Chad. He was great. In Nassau we did the City and Pirates tour thru the ship. In Nassau everything is close to the Port and you can do a walking tour or grab a cab to take you around. If we ever go back I would like to go to Atlantis.

[rzyjzq]

We were on the Sensation last June and also did the Jeep excursion through Carnival while in Freeport. It was a lot of fun. I don't know how to drive a manual transmission but the person working the tours desk with Carnival was so helpful and was able to get me a jeep with automatic transmission (as there were only 2 I believe). In Nassau, we went to the Wyndham and spent several hours at the beach and pool and then took the jitney back to the dock area and took a carriage ride. Have fun whatever you decide to do!

[cmecruise1962]

We went in January and did the Sea Snorkle Safari (Catamaran, Slide, Rock Wall) through Carnival and we had a GREAT time! We saw so many fish...the water was soooo beeautiful!!

[golf43]

We were on the Sensation last year. We had a ball. We did the jeep tour in Freeport. That was so cool. I highly recommend that tour. It was through the ship. In Nassau we did the tour of Atlantis. Which again was through the ship. Since we had never been there before, now we know what to expect the next time we go. Next time we will get a room at Atlantis so we can enjoy their playground of fun.