Sensation's port of call questions

[lupee13]

hey i noticed that you had already gone on the same ship i'm going to go on with the same ports of call (sensation stopping at freeport and nassau) and i was wondering if you could give me some insight on the ship and what you did in port and what not thanksss!

[bguppies]

hey i noticed that you had already gone on the same ship i'm going to go on with the same ports of call (sensation stopping at freeport and nassau) and i was wondering if you could give me some insight on the ship and what you did in port and what not thanksss!

No problem....

We basically did the 4 night Sensation cruise twice, because it was extremely inexpensive for us, as my parents lived 15 minutes from Port Canaveral and it is only a 6 hour drive down there from here in Charleston.

So we basically had no hotel expenses, parking expenses, etc...

 

We haven't been to other ports yet, but we found Port Canaveral extremely easy and hassle free for embarkation and debarkation.

Both times we arrived early. (between 10:30 and 11 AM)

Both times we were on the ship by 11:30 AM.

 

We tried to differ things on the two cruises. (at least on the ship.)

First trip we ate in the dining room every night and did the whole formal dinner, photos, etc...

Second trip was a last minute thing and we ate whenever we pleased at the Red Sail (lido buffett) every night and skipped packing the extra formal clothes.

We personally preferred eating when we pleased on the 2nd trip.

But dinners on both were enjoyable and good.

 

A couple of tips about the Sensation......(yes it is VERY purple, but I hardly noticed until I got home and reviewed our photos.)

 

1) if you go all the way forward in either corridor on the Verandah deck, there is an unmarked door there. If you go through, it leads to a small forward observation deck above the bridge. (great for sailaway or arriving in port. )

There is another one of these, all the way forward on the deck with mini-golf and the jogging track. (right above the gym)

 

2) Just out the back doors of the Red Sail Buffett, to the left of the Pizzeria and the right of the bar, next to the deli, is a couple of small seating areas, with great views and usually not terribly crowded.

There is also a set of stairs there which lead you up to the.............

 

3) aft pool area.

My wife preferred sunning here, as it was never as packed as the main Lido pool area. (only the two hot tubs there were ever packed)

The pool is tiny, but the deck area is huge and never packed, like the main pool area.

Better breezes back there also, as it isn't enclosed, like the other pool.

 

4) don't miss the 2nd show, on the final night at sea, "Far From Over".

It is a show with mostly songs from the 80's and singers and dancers dressed to correspond with songs.

The first show "Curves" wasn't very good. (IMO and many reviews.)

I found the songs selection strange. IT is basically a Vegas showgirl, thong type review...

The Newlywed game on the sea day was also very good.

 

5) Back to the Deli.

GREAT sandwiches. At the back of the Red Sail buffett, is (from left to right) the Pizzeria, the Deli and a bar....

I went expecting to eat pizza whenever I got the munchies, after reading the raves on these boards.

I found myself addicted to the fantastic Reuben sanwiches on both cruises. (also the ice cream which is located behind the pillar in the center of the Red Sail.)

 

6) We stayed on the Empress deck both times and LOVED it...

Great location.

You board and leave in Port Canaveral from this deck. (it is deck 3, below the passenger decks, in Freeport and Nassau)

There is a bar and the Purser's deck in the atrium here.

It is one deck up to dinner, shopping and the main show lounge.

2 decks up to the casino and various bars.

3 decks up to the Lido deck pools and Red Sail buffett.

We only used the elevators on the formal night and for leaving the ship in ports.

 

 

If you have any specific questions about the ship (such as smoking areas, sports bars, karaoke, etc...) just ask and I will answer anything I know for you.

 

Bill

[bguppies]

In the ports............

 

Freeport -

Our first cruise we just stayed on the ship and enjoyed the less crowded pools and restaurants.

The ship docks in an extremely industrial area, so the views from the ship if you stay onboard are terrible. (nothing but freighters and an old abandoned mine near the ship.

There is a tiny little market area the cruiselines created right there next to the ship, with a bar, a restaurant and a tiny straw market. (go into town for better prices. See next...)

 

Our second cruise I did more research on Freeport.

We got off the ship and got a cab outside. There is a nice, covered area to catch cabs or excursion busses right off the ship.

It was $5 pp each way for a cab (van) to Our Lucaya marketplace and beach. (so for $10 you get the exact same thing that you would get from the Carnival excursion, which we found out at dinner)

The vans will completely fill up before leaving. (in either direction)

You drive for 10 minutes or so, before you leave the industrial area. (gas tanks, etc...) Then past a few small neighborhoods and then to the edge of Freeport. (which still has alot of hurricane damage from a few years ago) Freeport is basically like a small suburban US town, with a KFC, Burger King, etc... as you drive through. Eventually (about 20 minutes) you get past and to ........

 

Our Lucaya

On the right as you arrive is the beach, hotels and casino.

On the left side of the road is the Our Lucaya Marketplace.

 

If you walk between the casino and hotels, there is a walkway straight to the beach.

The beach is gorgeous, with powdery white sand.

Use of the beach is free.

You can rent a chair for $10 on the beach.

Sadly, unlike in Nassau, the 3 hotels here do not offer daypasses or let you use their beautiful facilities. (very nice pools and grounds at all 3 hotels)

 

Across the street is the marketplace.

Either end of the marketplace has a straw market. (with much better prices than the tiny straw market next to the ship)

The main part of the marketplace is air conditioned stores and restaurants. (quite the wide variety of restaurants and bars to choose from)

At the far end of either side, next to the straw markets, are taxi stands, to catch your ride back to the ship. (again they will fill up before heading back, which I can't blame them, with what they pay for gas there)

 

Freeport is definitely a port where you either want to take an ship excursion or do the taxi to Our Lucaya for your day, since there is NOTHING within walking distance of the ship, like in Nassau.

 

Bill

[bguppies]

Nassau

 

Let me preface this by saying you will read many posts of people who have bad opinions of Nassau.

 

I STRONGLY suggest you do your own research, head into town and do what intrests you and then, formulate your own opinion of Nassau, like we did.

We absolutely love the town and the people.

(I have found that the majority of bad posts are from people, who, if you read their whole review, never got farther than the Straw market or shops on Bay Street, which are the two most overcrowded, worst places in Nassau IMO. They then retreat straight back to the ship or run to Atlantis)

 

First....

Definitely read the Bahamas board in here FREQUENTLY.

There are many frequent visitors to Nassau who can help with questions and one member Scubagirl actually lives in Nassau much of the year and can give you definitve answers for almost any question about Nassau.

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

 

Nassau is the type of port where you really have no need to book an overpriced ship's excursion.

The majority of things either depart right from the pier (boating or snorkle/scuba excursions) next to the ship and Welcome center or are within a short walk or Jitney (bus) or cab ride of the ship.

 

The Sensation is in port from 7AM until 7Am, so you really have no time constraints and can do many things throughout your day there.

Our first trip, we docked 30-45 minutes late.

The 2nd trip we docked a bit early.

 

Both trips we ate an early breakfast and got off the ship within a few minutes of docking and did this Walking Tour of the nearby tourist sites.

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

 

The Queen's Staircase and the view from Fort Fincastle above are not to be missed. Both are free and there will be Nassau guides at both, who will give you the history and answer any questions you might have about the island, for a tip.....(the handicapped gentlemen, Phillip, who sits at the top of the Queen's Staircase was great both times we were there.)

Even if you do not do the Walking Tour, somehow (taxi or horse carridge) make your way to at least this site.

 

We hit a few shops on the way back to the ship for gifts for friends and then returned to the ship to drop off our purchases, change into our swim suits and eat lunch.

 

Left the ship around 12:30 or so and headed to the British Colonial Hilton (BCH from here on) to enjoy the warm weather and their $15 daypass. (it is the big hotel just to your right as you are docked)

For $15 cash at the main desk, you get the use of their pool, beach, a towel, loungers, floats, kayaks and pool toys.

There is a restaurant/bar right next to the pool.

There is also hammocks hanging between the palm trees in the hotel's gardens and grounds.

It is literally a 15 minute walk from your poolside lounger back to the gangplank of the Sensation. (or a 2 minute walk to the Straw Market or shopping on Bay Street if anybody in your group are shoppers. Not our thing though.)

A couple of points here....

1) the BCH is a business hotel, NOT a resort, so it has a very quiet, lay by the pool, read a book type vibe to it.

2)There are very few kids there. (which is what we were looking for) Not much for them to do.

3)The beach is smaller than the hotels on Cable Beach and is right in the bay, not on the open ocean. (although I enjoyed the view of the ships docked just to our right and watching the various excursions loading and unloading at the pier)

 

We left the BCH around 4:30 or 5PM and headed back to the ship for dinner and changing again.

 

<<<ALTERNATIVES TO THE BCH (you can run a quick google search for pictures of any of these spots)

1) The Wyndham and other hotels at Cable Beach also now offer the same $15 daypass to use their larger pools (with slides) and larger beaches.

It is a short 15-20 minute drive there, versus a short walk.

You can either catch a cab, or like most do, catch the #10 Jitney (bus) for $1 (exact cash) each way, per person. (do remember the Jitneys stop running at 5:30 or 6PM, as they are public transportation for locals getting to work, mostly)

This is where most groups with kids, or those wanting a more active day head to. (motorized watersports, etc...)

2) Breezes all inclusive offers a $60 daypass when they aren't booked solid. (like spring break)Make sure to get the $5 off discount coupon in the Welcome center if you do decide on this.

Reviews of Breezes vary greatly, but if your group wants to party, the $60 ($55) should be a decent prices for all you can drink and eat.

3) For those who just have to use the Atlantis waterpark and pools, (definitely NOT our thing) many book a room at the Comfort Suites next door, which allows access for up to 4 people to all the Atlantis facilities. (daypasses at Atlantis are only offered sporadically for over $100 pp) You will find a bunch of info about this on the Bahamas board. >>>>>

 

After showering, changing and dinner on the ship, we headed back out and caught a cab to Atlantis for the evening. (around 6PM)

(cost us $11 for two heading over and $10 for both heading back)

 

Got left off at one end of the mall area (if you call Versace and similar Rodeo drive type shops... a mall) and could find no Directory to the hotel with directions, so we wandered until we stumbled on the Casino, went through and eventually stumbled on the main lobby and the restaurant with the fish tank side of the Digs showing and found the entrance to the Digs on the far right.

 

The Digs was very cool, but I would definitely not pay $29 to see this attraction.

It was very cool how they made the passages through the various tanks, look like an archeological dig, with hieroglyphics on the walls and artifacts all over.

The main tank that you see out front, with tons of fish and a huge Manta Ray, is the same tank, that you keep seeing, over and over and over and over and over yet again, from every possible angle, as you meander through the Digs.

You have a window to the main tank, then a tank of Lobsters, a small tank of grouper, then yet another window to the main tank.

A small tank with jellyfish, a small tank with Moray Eels, then yet another window into the main tank.

This repeats throughout the entire Dig.

 

For free after 6PM (ish), the Digs is a great hour or so of your day.(it is free after the guards go home for the day, until 11 PM-ish)

I can't see paying $29 per person for one huge tank and a handful of tiny tanks. (go to your local city aquarium [baltimore, Atlanta, etc]for less. All I have been to were much better, aquarium-wise.)

 

We then checked out the Atlantis lobby area. (HUGE) then headed outside and meandered throughout the grounds, shops, etc. and took a cab back to the dock area and hit Senor Frogs (right there on the pier) for a few drinks and some laughs, before heading back to the ship.

 

We squeezed in very full day for the cost of $30 for the daypasses and $21 roundtrip to get to Atlantis. (plus a few $$$ for drinks at Senor Frogs)

 

 

Other suggestions.....

Just past the BCH, on the way to Cable Beach is Fort Charlotte and the Ardastra Gardens and Zoo. http://www.ardastra.com/index.html

(probably where we are heading this September, as we have a very short stop in Nassau this time on the Glory)

 

There is also a Bacardi Rum Factory.

 

Some random thoughts about Nassau and my reviews....

We found the people of Nassau (away from those working the shops on Bay St. and Straw market) to be EXTREMELY nice and helpful. (on the walking tour, people, trying to walk to work, would stop and ask how we were enjoying their island or if we needed any help or directions, etc.) Many post how they get offered drugs or hassled by people on the pier trying to braid hair or sell trinkets. We found that by being polite, but firm,(a simple "No Thanks") the pushy sellers, were more than happy to move on to the next tourist. (we were never offered drugs once in 48 hours out and about in Nassau)

 

Personally, when we visit a foreign country, we are looking to see some of the actual country and people. So we avoid the close to the ship areas, like the Straw Market and the shops on Bay Street and .....

Atlantis........which to me, is basically just a Vegas type resort and casino. (which if I wanted the fake disney-esque or Vegas vibe, I would just stay home and head to Disney World or Vegas)

The food at Atlantis is ridiculously overpriced. ($12 for a tiny bowl of Mac and Cheese, as an example. Just a HUGE heads up there)

 

There are some parts of town, as you are walking, where you'll see litter.

(like any other town around the world or even in the US)

There are other parts, right next to it, where suddenly, there is a gorgeous stone pathway with beautiful flowers flowing over stone columns.

 

Basically, your day in Nassau will be what you make of it.(like anything on the cruise)

If you sit and nit pick small things all day, you'll miss some of the better parts of the town. (or your cruise)

 

I hope that helps get you started.

Like I said, DEFINTELY frequent the Bahamas board for more differing opinions and great help from the experts. (like Scubagirl)

 

Feel free to ask any other questions and I will try to answer them for you.

(I know we had two great cruises from my research and all the help we got from posters on this message board.)

 

The 4 day Sensation is a great all around choice for a quick, inexpensive cruise getaway.

 

Bill

[bguppies]

Sorry the responses were so long, but as you can see we LOVED both our cruises on the Sensation and Nassau.

[bguppies]

No problem....

Second trip was a last minute thing and we ate whenever we pleased at the Red Sail (lido buffett) every night and skipped packing the extra formal clothes.

2) Just out the back doors of the Red Sail Buffett, to the left of the Pizzeria and the right of the bar, next to the deli, is a couple of small seating areas, with great views and usually not terribly crowded.

There is also a set of stairs there which lead you up to the.............

 

5) Back to the Deli.

GREAT sandwiches. At the back of the Red Sail buffett, is (from left to right) the Pizzeria, the Deli and a bar....

(also the ice cream which is located behind the pillar in the center of the Red Sail.)

 

Sorry.

On the Sensation, the Buffett is the Seaview. (My Glory research was bleeding into my review.) :)

 

Bill

[DGP1111]

bguppies: In a word. . . WOW! Your information was superb. Kudos on a great job with the answers.

[bguppies]

bguppies: In a word. . . WOW! Your information was superb. Kudos on a great job with the answers.

Just returning the favor we were given by other boardmembers before our cruises.

 

Bill

[lupee13]

WOW! you are amazing!!! :D thank you so much! reading this review really really helped me! You are so nice to write this whole review! i really appreciate it!

 

p.s. i may be back with more questions if you dont mind! haha

[lupee13]

already thought of a question! you said that you boarded at 11ish but on the papers that we got from carnival it said that we cant board until 130 at the earliest...was this the same for you? or were your boarding times different?

 

 

THANKS!

[niffer03878]

Wow.. Thanks for all the information on the Sensation. We are going on our first cruise in 48 days and it's great to get what ever information/advice/suggestions we can prior to our going.

 

Keep it coming :D

[crusinmama06]

Bill THANKS!!!!! GREAT info!

 

I am going to copy your info and send it to those traveling with us on Sensation in August.

 

Lots of great stuff!

[tomboyy]

The other poster was correct about just saying no and they would leave you alone, BUT, I was asked no less that 5 times in 2 hours if I wanted drugs or a woman. This all happened when I split from my wife and daughters to head back to the ship to get my dive gear for a excursion I had planed. I guess they thought I was alone and looking for something. When I was with the family though they did hound you about taking tours and such, just be nice and be prepared to say no thank you about a hundred times between the ship and when you actually walk out of the "gates":)

[Ellanora]

bguppies did a great job in outlining everything, not much to add. However, I want to second the suggestions of the show, Far From Over, and the taxi cab to Our Lucaya. Both were stand outs of my family's trip on the Sensation. Far From Over got a standing ovation the night we saw it, and if you happen to be a child of the 80's like me, you'll love it. The trip to Our Lucaya was just a great, relaxing day. Nice shopping area, restaurants to get some local food and drink from, and a beautiful beach.

[MomofBoyz]

Thanks for the great info! We are excited to take our annual girls' cruise soon.

 

My question is important:

Carnival said it redid the cabins but I've heard only the bedding. How were your carpet and other basic cabin drapes, etc.?

 

THANKS!

[tomboyy]

Thanks for the great info! We are excited to take our annual girls' cruise soon.

 

My question is important:

Carnival said it redid the cabins but I've heard only the bedding. How were your carpet and other basic cabin drapes, etc.?

 

THANKS!

 

Everything in my suite was great

[bguppies]

Thanks for the great info! We are excited to take our annual girls' cruise soon.

 

My question is important:

Carnival said it redid the cabins but I've heard only the bedding. How were your carpet and other basic cabin drapes, etc.?

 

THANKS!

 

We stayed in insides on the Empress both trips.

I believe somebody from one of the suites said that the TVs in the suites were replaced with plasmas or lcds .

The TVs in our cabins were the same old ones. (one had a very green tint, but we watch so little TV on the ship, we didn't care)

The beds and bedding were incredible.

 

The cabinetry and carpets are the same.

(I never saw any extreme wear anywhere, but I don't walk the ship looking for scratches or worn carpet either.)

 

Bill

[bguppies]

already thought of a question! you said that you boarded at 11ish but on the papers that we got from carnival it said that we cant board until 130 at the earliest...was this the same for you? or were your boarding times different?

THANKS!

 

It always says that in the paperwork for any cruise from any port.

But as soon as they clear the ship from the cruise before, they start letting people on the ship. (the sooner you are on, the sooner you start buying drinks, etc...)

They just keep the fire doors closed until like 1 or 1:30PM, which blocks access to the cabin corridors and lets the cabin stewards finish their work.

 

Like I said, on one cruise, they started letting us on the ship at 11:00AM and the other was just before 11:30AM.

 

Personally we like every extra minute we can get on the ship.

(plus it is fun running around for the first hour or so, before it starts to fill up. The lido buffett gets pretty crowded by 1 or 1:30PM.)

 

Have a great time and feel free to ask anything else that pops up.

 

Bill

[Snorkel2Much]

Excellent review of Nassau's non-excursion excursions, if you know what I mean. I would add Arawak Cay/Fish Fry to your list of options.

 

If you're the type of person who would enjoy the city walking tour, you should end the tour with a visit to the authentic Bahamian eateries at Fish Fry.

 

Conch Salad.......yummmmmmmmmmmm

[ljchris1990]

Wow, all this information is great especially since I just booked the Sensation today! DH and I have done this intinerary (sp?) before on the Celebration and our kiddies have been to Nassau but not Freeport. so, all this info you guys are passing along is helping to give some idea of what to do with them while in Freeport. I can't waite to see how purple the Sensation:D . Once again thanx again for the info.

 

ljchris1990

[bguppies]

Excellent review of Nassau's non-excursion excursions, if you know what I mean. I would add Arawak Cay/Fish Fry to your list of options.

 

If you're the type of person who would enjoy the city walking tour, you should end the tour with a visit to the authentic Bahamian eateries at Fish Fry.

 

Conch Salad.......yummmmmmmmmmmm

 

We are in Nassau again, the first week of September, but this time, on the Glory we only have a few hours versus the 24 we had on both Sensation cruises.

So I think this time we are going to hit Fort Charlotte and Ardastra Gardens and Zoo, then hit Arawak Cay on the way back to the pier.

 

We want to eventually try all the various options around Nassau.

(anything away from Atlantis, the Straw Market and Bay Street shopping.:D )

 

Bill