Review of Sensation Nov 29 - Dec 3, 2009

[Blackpink]

Ok, I will begin my review today, hopefully I will get some pics up by tomorrow but I thought I would begin before I forget everything. We were on the Carnival Sensation out of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

There were 3 of us, best friends, all in early 30s and our very first cruise. Early sunday morning about 3am we left Charlotte, NC driving to Port Canaveral, FL. Drive was uneventful and easy, no traffic at all about 2 and half hours each. It started to warm up right around the FL border and we all started peeling clothes off and rolling down windows. Ahh, Vacation is here!

We booked a room at regular pre-paid rate at the Radisson so we could park our car there for the week and stay one night after the cruise. We originally booked the 12pm shuttle (included in the regular rate) to take us to the port but we didnt pull into the hotel until exactly 12pm, and so we wouldnt be in such a rush I decided to ask if we could get on the next shuttle....No problem. We took our time unpacking the car, parked the car slap in front of the resort and waited right out front for the next van to pull up. We were on our way alast!

It took about 10 minutes from the Radisson to the port, we dropped off some other passengers at another ship before we arrived at the Sensation dock. We unloaded our luggage and I think it was only 20-30 minutes from the time we left the resort, until we were in the line for boarding. The line was not that bad, they did pull me to the side because I had Redbull and juice in my carry-on but she just verified what it was and we were free to go. Up the escalators we went next to fill out a health questionaire, which was pretty simple and then to the next line to get room keys/S&S cards. There we again presented our identification. One friend had Birth certificate and DLs which was no problem. We chose not to use credit cards and were instructed to put cash on our accounts at the Information Desk once on board the ship. No issues at all. Each of us took quick pics for our S&S cards and 3 minutes later we were onboard our very first cruise!!!

 

From the first step onto the ship I think we all felt a little uneasy. The first couple of minutes made us nervous that we may get seasick and the ship was sitting still. The lobby was very nice however, I expected it to be really loud and distastful after reading other reviews but I was pleasantly surprised by the decor and views, the purple with gold trim looked nice to me and the lighted glass elevators were in working order. We decided to make our way down the hall and find our room since the halls were open by that time and the deck we entered the ship on was the Empress deck.....our deck. We chose and inside cabin for our first cruise thinking we didnt need a window but as soon as we got into the room we wished we could slide back the curtain and see more than a wall. LOL A little sunlight would have been nice but of course it was no deal breaker. No luggage yet so we each had a piece of ginger gum to prevent seasickness as we looked around the room.

 

The room was nice and clean, we had two twin beds and a cot up against the wall. There was a mirror on one wall just big enough for all 3 of us to see ourselves in at the same time with pretty good lighting around it. That is where the ONE plug is for the room.....great suggestion for the plug splitter....the power strip may be a better move though because of spacing. We did have 2 robes and later asked for a 3rd and later also asked for a blow dryer. Closet space was ample and the safe was inside the closet. We used an old gift card for our safe and that worked well for us. The bathroom was just enough room for using the toilet, brushing your teeth and taking a shower.......dressing in there is dang near impossible, LOL. Shower had plenty of hot water and plenty of pressure, it also had a detachable hose which is great since theres not much room in there. Carnival did supply shampoo and body wash. I actually used the body wash...it was nice...a nice smelling lemongrass scent I think. I must say, the shoe organizer thing was the best idea because there was very little shelf space in the bathroom for tolietries. Can you imagine how many items 3 girls had. We hung ours inside the closet. Worked perfect!

 

So after checking out the room we decided to head to the Lido and check things out. We walked around a few floors and checked out the club, lounges, casino and entertainment rooms. All beautiful! From there we found our way up to the Lido deck where we were greeted by warm weather, sunny skies, 2 bars, pool and jacuzzi's, cylipso music, fake palm trees and the smell of food. Somehow we knew that if we got something to eat, our stomachs would settle. We made our way around to the back past the burgers and hotdogs and through to double doors where there was more buffet food waiting. We all decided that we would try this area first. We got trays, used the hand sanitizer and began loading up. I must say that I do understand how people feel like others jump in line. I can understand how people may think to just walk staright up to what you want if no one is standing there because of the circular designs of the buffets. I cannot quite remember what we had that day.....but I do remember that no one complained as we sat on the outside part of the deck making our last phone calls to family, letting them all know we made it on board safe and sound. At the end of our meals, we all felt pretty good by that point, stomachs had settled nicely. We were confused for a moment about if we should clean the tables off. We asked a couple of people before we got a definete answer....a lady walked past and evidently hearing our questions....she replied with her nose in the air...."we do none of that!". I was a classic moment, we had a good laugh behind it and for the rest of the trip WE did none of that! LOL

 

After eating we decided to make our way back down to our rooms to see if our luggage had made it to our room or would we have to go to the "naughty room" to retreive it LOL. I guess by that time it was 3:30pm. I knew that soon they would be calling for the muster drill. As we got close to our room we noticed our luggage there in the hallway as everyone elses luggage was outside our door. It was not in the room but no big deal, we pulled everything in the room and we very happy because along with our luggage was everything we "smuggled" in. The party can begin!!! LOL

As we started to unpack over the intercom we hear them calling for the muster drill. So we stopped and proceeded to the deck. I read online that this is optional and you can watch it on your TV in your room if you want to but outside the room I felt that it was not optional. I also read that sometimes during the drill is when the ship starts to leave port and sure enough toward the end of the drill I felt the ship moving. We all made our way to the front of the ship for a good view. I think we all were a little shocked with the fact that this was really happening. We made our way past the golf course and right up front just in time. The sun was setting behind us, the wind blowing threw our hair and all the stress of reality was left sitting back on land! What an AMAZING FEELING!!!!

 

I will continue later tonight.....

[Blackpink]

If someone could tell me the best way to post pics that would be great! Thanks!

[happylady]

As we started to unpack over the intercom we hear them calling for the muster drill. So we stopped and proceeded to the deck. I read online that this is optional and you can watch it on your TV in your room if you want to but outside the room I felt that it was not optional.

 

Great review so far! We sailed on the Sensation a few years ago and loved it. Above you typed that the muster drill is optional and that you can watch it on TV. I know I've read that you don't have to wear the life preservers anymore, but is not going something new?

[Djptcp]

DH and I sailed on the Inspiration for Thanksgiving and the muster drill is not optional! You no longer have to bring your life jacket which is a relief, but the announcements made it pretty clear the drill was not optional. We didn't have to bring our life jackets on our Holland America cruise in Oct. either and I love that.

DH and I are sailing on the 3-day Sensation cruise on Jan. 14th and looking forward to a very short getaway. Am enjoying your review.

[Blackpink]

I will catch up on pics this evening....I think I can figure it out on my own but the pictures are on my home computer.

[Blackpink]

Ok so after staying a little while and watching the view leaving port we thought it was time to go put cash on our cards and get our first drinks because we wanted souviner cups. We headed down to the Information desk and maybe because everyone was still on deck watching the view, the line wasnt long at all. It was a simple process, they automatically took off $40 per person for tips and off we went. We turned right around and moved over to the lobby bar for our first drinks. To my dissappointment they did not serve frozen drinks at the lobby bar. My friends each ordered the Drink of the day which was pre-made but pretty good. We then headed back to the Lido so I could order a frozen Miami Vice (half Pina Colada half Strawberry Daquiri). As the bartender was making the drink I realized that he was putting it in a regular cup, I wanted the souviner cup so I had to order a Drink of the Day also to get the cup. Oh Well ;) Off to a good start. By that time we headed back to our rooms to shower and get dressed for dinner. We were still in the clothes we drove to port in and it was now time for Vacation clothes!

 

We spent several hours unpacking, organizing, setting the safe, hooking up the ipod, looking over the capers, showering and getting dressed. In that time our room steward came to introduce himself along with his assistants, there were two. Very nice but I cant for the life of me remember his name. He brought and extra robe and ice for our drinks promptly. After getting unpacked and dressed it was about time for dinner. We fixed ourselves a drink and headed for the Fantasy dining room and as we got off the elevators I immediately saw a line. The line moved pretty quickly so that was no problem although from first glace I thought we'd be in line forever. I requested Anytime dining on my reservation and somehow there was a mix up and on our card was 8:15 dining. It wasnt a big deal and we were assigned a table with 3 other women. A mother and her 2 adult daughters. As soon as we were seated our waiter presented himself and began to practice pronouncing and remembering our names. We thought is was nice that he made the effort.

 

My two friends both ordered the fried shrimp which were pretty good and I ordered a ceaser salad for our appetizers. Next we ordered the main entrees: BBQ ribs for me, New York Strip for one and Talipia for the other. We all sample and share each others food so I dont remember exactly what sides came with what entree but I dont remember hearing any complaints. The macaroni and cheese was good but different than the typical baked mac & cheese. I think it was made with sour cream and maybe a monterey jack type of cheese. Although my corn on the cob was overdone, I did not send it back. There was a pea cassarole type side with the steak that neither of us cared for but it was not horrible, just not for us. Next was dessert, we all ordered the Chocolate melting cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Pretty good tasting, almost like undercooked brownie but it was good. I dont think I will crave it later like other posters though, LOL. I was kind of looking forward to a little entertainment but the waiters never preformed for us. Maybe they cut that part out. The did however, sing to us on the last night the farewell song. Which made me tear up a little. :o

 

After dinner we took another look around the ship. This time we made our way to the back where the water slides were. We took pictures as the crew proceeded to rope off and close down the slides. We promised that we would all get on those slides the next day....but somehow it never happened...I guess thats another reason we must go back!;) We continued to walk around on different decks of the ship to try and get a feel of where everything was, we walked past the lounges, Michalangeloes(sp?) where they were holding a singles meet and greet. Quite a few people but not the crowd for us. Immediately next door was the Kylidescope(sp?) club. At that time, there was not that many people in there, music was ok though and we figured it would liven up in an hour or so, so we headed back to the room for more drinks and to freshen up. We were back and ready to party by about 11. We ordered a few more drinks and began mingling. It was this night that we met two couples that would end up being our family for the rest of the trip. We all just clicked and seemed to be on the same page. LETS PARTY! LOL There was a pretty good variety of music being played. There was a sign up sheet to request music but at the top of the sheet it said "If we have it, we will play it, If we dont have it we wont play it" plain and simple. LOL. I think we stayed in the club til about 2:30 am and then headed back to the room for the night. I remember turning the channel on the television to the ship camera so when I woke the next morning I could see what time it was and see what it looked like outside. That worked pretty well since I could not sleep, so forced myself to stay in bed until I started seeing people on the Lido moving about.LOL

 

Next, Our day in Freeport.....

[anjoliza]

Great review so far!! Can't wait for the rest and the pics. I will be sailing on Jan. 10th. I am especially interested in what you did in both Freeport and Nassau and also what the weather was like there and if the ocean was warm enough to swim. Also, are the pools warm enough to go in on the ship?

Glad you enjoyed your first cruise and wonder if you are now hooked - like the rest of us! :D

[beemergal]

Enjoying your review from your perspective. I was on her over Thanksgiving. I struggled over posting photos too and started out with attachments from my computer, but they come out really small or only clickable to open. Another poster clued me in on the best way to post:

open up a free Photobucket account and load your photos there. Once you do, you will see a link you need to copy under each photo. It looks like something like this:

<IMG>http://blah, blah.com<IMG>.

 

When you open the screen on this site to write your review, you see symbols at the top like B I etc. Look over until you see the yellow one that looks mountains. Click on that and it gives you a screen to enter the http:// link. Paste the link from the Photobucket photo you want to upload being careful not to duplicate the http://. Also erase the <IMG> at the front and back of the link. You photo will miraculously appear anywhere you put it in your message.

 

It sounds complicated, but it isn't.

[anjoliza]

Enjoying your review from your perspective. I was on her over Thanksgiving. I struggled over posting photos too and started out with attachments from my computer, but they come out really small or only clickable to open. Another poster clued me in on the best way to post:

open up a free Photobucket account and load your photos there. Once you do, you will see a link you need to copy under each photo. It looks like something like this:

<IMG>http://blah, blah.com<IMG>.

 

When you open the screen on this site to write your review, you see symbols at the top like B I etc. Look over until you see the yellow one that looks mountains. Click on that and it gives you a screen to enter the http:// link. Paste the link from the Photobucket photo you want to upload being careful not to duplicate the http://. Also erase the <IMG> at the front and back of the link. You photo will miraculously appear anywhere you put it in your message.

 

It sounds complicated, but it isn't.

 

I was doing it this way too but then a friend clued me in that you didn't need to go to the "mountain" symbol and delete the http etc. All you have to do is paste the link (exactly as you copied, don't delete anything) directly into the message box and your picture will appear. It won't show up as you are typing the message but as soon as you submit it or preview it, the picture will show up. Easy Peasy :D

[skidoogirl1853]

So happy to be reading your review! We sail on Sensation in 17 days!!!!!!

 

Can't wait to hear about Freeport and Nassau! We are still undecided on the Atlantis excursion. Not sure how much to do and what. Would love to hear what you found out.

 

Sounds like a great ship and itinerary for our first cruise!

 

On the edge of my seat for the rest.........

[anjoliza]

Question - is there a mini fridge in the rooms?

[cjankowski]

We were on this cruise also. First time on Carnival. We had a great time and really enjoyed the time with family. Kids are already asking when we can go again. So I think they must have "LOVED" it.

 

I found it a little hard to find my place around the ship to some point, but I managed and would not hold it against them.

 

I would for sure take another cruise on this ship or another Carnival ship, so with that said I wont do a whole review to good / bad. Lets just say it was a nice time all the way around.

[piscesbaby]

Awesome review so far ;)

[Jimmylisa]

:) Hey Blackpink, your review is great and making me want to go on a cruise again. The Sensation was my first cruise also, we were in U174 on the September 13, 2009 sailing. We were celebrating my husbands birthday, also in the Fantasy dining room. Our waiter was a great guy name German, and he was fantastic. I miss the boat and thinking about taking a 3 day cruise to get over the cold in Northwest Indiana. Thanks for the memories, hope you would wait to long before your next cruise. Lisa