LarBear

Wonderful review, very detailed! We're scheduled on the same cruise leaving January 23rd, this review is extremely helpful.  Thank you so much for taking the time, it is very much appreciated.

My wife and I are first time cruisers. We will be going out on the Carnival Sensation in April of 2019.

 

I have read many reviews about the ship. As usual, some great. Some, not so great. For me, it's about who I am with.

 

I am a planner and do not like to be taken by surprise. Especially, when it comes to finances.

 

We are very excited about this adventure as it is our first real vacation as a couple that we didn't drive to within 6 hours and as empty nesters and over 21 years of marriage.

 

I have read about the Cheers program (not for us), excursion fees, Bubble program, and I think that I've found out about all I can from the Carnival website for add-ons and more.

 

I am curious as to what advice you can give to a first timer. What should we absolutely do? What should we avoid? What is over-hyped? What are some little secrets that the normal folks might not know about?

 

What about waiting in line for hours for a buffet? What about assigned meal tables with people you don't know? Is there a fancy dress night? Are there any adult only areas?

 

What is the best place to fly into? Is there an inexpensive hotel that you like to stay at the night before?

 

Educate me! Feed me knowledge! Thank you so much for your wisdom!

The Fantasy class ships are the oldest ships in Carnivals fleet, but Carnival keeps them in pretty good shape. Expect it to be a little worn, but should seem well maintained. I've never been on the sensation, but the Ecstasy very similar, and we'd cruise it again.

First some misconceptions: You'll never wait hours for the buffet. When it is open (which is most of the time), you'll walk right in, grab a plate, and get food. You'll never wait more than a couple minutes for anything, I promise. But please do eat in the dining room when you can, the food is simply better, service should be excellent, and there is a good chance you'll meet someone fun and interesting. I remember our first cruise and all I learned about cruising from our tablemates.

Don't stress dress up nights unless you want to dress up. I wear khakis and a polo most evenings, spouse a sundress or something like that. You're on vacation, dress how you want(within reason). If you don't want to dress up at all, do the buffet. Oh, while we're in dining, DO eat at Guys Burgers... you're in for a treat!

Yes, the Sensation does have an adults only Serenity deck. Good place if you want to get away from the kids and the noise.

Flying in? Well, Miami international is the easiest, but we've flown in to both Lauderdale and Palm Beach because sometimes we're cheap and not afraid of taking public transportation to get to the cruiseport. Palm Beach to Miami cruiseport is less than $10 per person, but involves a bus to a train to another train to one last bus, so might not be for the faint of heart. Hotels? Lowest price is usually near the airport then cab or shuttle next day to cruiseport, but staying on South Beach, although more expense, is both nice and a very interesting cultural experience.

Well, I could drone on, but I know others will give much better info you can use, but I couldn't resist my two cents! Relax...Carnival is the fun ships, what a great life for your first cruise! I'm betting you'll have a great and relaxing time!

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Just check it, and don’t worry. Make sure it is labeled with your cruise tags. I bought plastic cruise ship luggage tag holders. I bought mine from the Cruise Critic store, but my daughter bought hers on Amazon. If you do not buy them, once you print them and cut and fold them, laminate them with clear packing tape after you fill in all the info. That will make them stronger and less likely to get removed accidentally. On our last cruise when we handed our luggage to the porter outside, he took one look at my plastic luggage tags, and told my hubby “you have one smart wife! We love to see these!” Have fun on your first cruise! I know it won’t be your last!

 

 

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I am something of a tea snob on dry land, but suffer with the tea dispenser tea in the ship. Why? Because it's easy, and because I'm on vacation. Fact is, after a few glasses of the stuff I find it at least tolerable (never great, but at least drinkable). You may decide the tea is not a complete abomination. Try it first, with the understanding that there are always the options others have mentioned if you find it undrinkable. For me, the provided tea is not the worst I've ever had.

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Tampa pretty easy to get around. We've cruised out of there several times. Cab or uber is pretty easy and not bad price wise. When our flight back was later in the day, there's a car rental nearby at a hotel, and we've done that(dropped off car at airport). If it's a Saturday to Saturday cruise, think about staying an extra day, doing something local, out even driving over to Orlando to visit the mouse. I'm sure there's a shuttle, but personally the other options I've mentioned appeal to me more. You'll love the sail away out of Tampa. Nice long slow cruise out of Tampa bay is very pleasant.

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Thanks everybody for replying. I may need to get water shoes before my cruise. Since I wear size 14, I wonder where I can get some.

Although I almost hate to recommend the "Retailer that will someday engulf us all", Amazon definitely has reasonably priced size 14 water shoes (I just checked).

Carbbean... Brown Rocports, which are dressy enough and still comfortable for walking, and some good fitting water sandals (my preference is Chacos, but I've got wide feet. If I think I'll be doing an excursion with lots of walking, I'll bring comfortable walking shoes (sneakers), as well.

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I agree with most everything said. The line matters less than finding an itinerary and a price that's agreeable to you. I will be just a tiny bit contrarian on one point... Where to cruise out of. Miami and Ft Lauderdale are great, and San Juan is another option. But for your first cruise? Give some thought to Tampa. Yes, the ships are a bit smaller (to get under the Suncoast bridge), but it's an easier airport to get in and out of, an easier town (personal opinion) to get around in, and the cruises are sometimes cheaper. Smaller ships sometimes a bit less intimidating for the first cruise, too! By the way, we're not talking tiny ships by any means... Just 2,500 passengers instead of 5,000. Still big, comfortable ships. Oh, and the long sail across Tampa Bay is kind of nice, too! Just another option to consider.

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We've done 2 Alaska cruises, both on the Jewel as it happens, and we used the pool both trips. Pools are both heated, if weather is pleasant, why not? Some will say the air is too cool, but on our first trip (with our high school and college age children), we agreed to use the pool every day, no matter what, and we did.(, dear wife didn't... she hot-rubbed). Go, have fun, use the pool or don't. People will be swimming in July, I promise you.

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Are there any hints for the Jade? It will be our first time on the ship.

Just off the Jade last week. Haven't posted review yet. Glad we weren't traveling with kids, because slide and one pool were closed, as another reviewer mentioned. Other than that, trip was great, service was very good, too. Ship in good shape, shows good, really no issues. Tampa a great port to cruise out of.

Hints? If it's windy out, there are corners at the Bali Hi bar that are wind-free enough to play cards. Some of the servers are from China and training for service on the new Norwegian ship scheduled for China sailings. Those waiters are especially attentive(handy to know since so many cruisers have the uBP, so table service at bars can be slow otherwise.) If they have a " talk with the captain" show, go, it's very interesting. Have fun!

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The road has been repaved in recent years. The traffic control in Belize is speed bumps. It depends how fast the driver takes the bumps how rough it is. Gravel road near the park. Gravel road conditions vary with the weather. Do not have them ride in the back of vehicle if possible but I am sure they already know that.

The Lamanai tour would be memorable for them. There is a drive through the countryside then you board a speed boat for a 45 -60 minute ride on a river. Expect to see crocodiles and birds. At the park entrance is a colony of howler monkeys in the wild. There are four or five ruins. The tallest has steps and rail to climb to the top. Then you board the boat and the guide drives full throttle back to the start. Usually you get a typical belizean meal which is neat for the kids to try other cultures food and usually Fanta to drink. Back on the van and the driver will return you to the port. There are new height and age restrictions at the cave tubing national park. If they are eligible, that also is a great adventure for them and is unique to Belize. I do not believe that there is shore snorkeling at Belize. Most of the tours go to the Cayes and snorkel. I would not recommend wandering around the port. Not much there for kids to be interested in. It is great that you are building memories with the kids. I am sure you will have a great time whatever you choose.

The temperature is 10 degrees warmer than the coast. It was in the 90s when we toured. A gentleman got heat stroke on top of the ruin and had to be carried down by four men. The ruins are tall, natural stone steps that are narrow and steep in places. No railings. I would not recommend for people with balance problems, vertigo, knee or hip issues, fear of heights, pregnant, or do not tolerate heat. If content to look and not climb, than you might want to consider. Still have to climb a hill to get to the complex. The ruins are impressive, I just want you to be practical and safe. Lamanai ruins are not as tall but have a railing and steps on back side. Still get natural photo from front but safer to get to the top and less damage to structure. Colony of howler monkeys at Lamanai. You will enjoy both, I would be cautious about climbing the ruins with knee problems.

We've used this method to get from FLL to Miami Cruiseport. After the cruise we rented a car, so didn't have to use it in reverse. But, it should work!

Take a look...it was really simple for us, and much cheaper than a shuttle or cab! http://www.walktomycruiseship.com/miami.htm#TriRail

If you are trying to save some money, Miami has a pretty darn reliable train service that will get you from either Fort Lauderdale airport or Palm Beach Airport to a stop that is within a short cab/bus ride to the cruiseport. This might not directly address your overnight stay, but could help with transportation the day of your cruise.

Here's a link: http://www.walktomycruiseship.com/miami.htm

We've flown in to Fort Lauderdale and followed these directions to get from the airport to Miami Cruiseport. It may look a little complex, but it really wasn't...actually pretty easy (and cheap!). We are small-town people, but we took our time and it was actually a fairly comfortable way to get from FLL to Miami Cruiseport. Same basic directions work for Palm Beach Airport.

Can find Tri Rail schedules here: http://www.tri-rail.com/train-schedules/stm_wday.asp

Valor was supposed to get Funship 2.0 upgrades at sometime in the past, but it never happened. Valor has Seaside Theater, but that's about it. No Guy's Burgers, no Blue Iguana Cantina, no Red Frog Pub. Glory DID get the Funship 2.0 upgrades. I haven't done Valor yet, but did Glory last spring. Funship 2.0 Upgrades are very nice. If upgraded stuff is important to you, Glory has the upgrades, Valor does not. Both ships are same size and same class otherwise.

Happy cruising!