*Sensation* Sept 22nd- First 3 day REVIEW with pics!

We booked this cruise immediately after leaving our last February cruise- looking for a quick (cheap) getaway we decided to try out the short itinerary. We booked our first balcony room, and we booked early saver for $369 a person.

I checked rates almost daily every day leading up until the cruise. We did end up getting an upsell call. We were traveling with 2 friends who originally booked the balcony next to ours also. When I mentioned that, they also offered her the same upsell so we both upgraded to junior suites for $150 more.

I was super excited to be able to board VIP! We arrived in Port Canaveral at about 10:30am. Let me tell you...maybe I was really tired, but it was the most confusing 10 minutes! We went down one road and wound up at some rinky dink ports, turned around, got back on the main road, and finally made it to where we needed to be. Every other port we have gone to (Jax, Tampa and Miami) have been pretty much like you drive up and yep there is the ship and done.

Anyways, we pulled up and left our bags with the porters- we did tip $1 for each bag (I like to do more but I forgot about all the tolls I would be paying and that was all the cash I had besides 20s!). We drove around the back of that area and parked. You do not pay for parking prior, which was also different than the other terminals we have been to.

There she is!

We used the VIP section at the front door, being there was no one else in that line and within seconds they let us through. Security was also quick and they directed us to a VIP counter from there. A quick check in at the counter, we have our cards and we are given a zone 3 card. We were directed to a VIP seating area, and before we even made it to the seats, they were boarding! We were on the ship by 11ish, and having drinks on the lido by 11:30!

Some shots around the ship before it gets busy!

The Disney ship also in port

I had read a lot about the lack of cleanliness on this particular ship. I bet with such short cruises and so many turnarounds in passengers, it must be harder to maintain. But jeesh...the funnel-

Exploring the front of the ship while we are still in port, I think it was funny to see this huge ship parked at an intersection!

Surrounding views while in Port Canaveral

Our rooms were ready by 1:30, we actually headed up to them a little early and the doors were open, ready to go!

Our junior suite-

Another example of the lack of cleanliness...this closet door was covered with ummm scum for lack of a better term!

The door out to the balcony- it stayed open by itself. We also left it open all night, and it was fine!

The balcony...it really could have benefited from being even 5 inches bigger! It was really hard to get around out there without tripping or climbing on chairs

Finally time for sail away! Lots of people hollering and clapping as we leave port

Good bye!

Oops, forgot to mention- our room steward. I was less than impressed on this trip with our room steward. When she came to the room the first time, she just mumbled her name, and left. Usually we get a greeting, ask if there are any special needs, etc. She was really cold and really had no personality. Later when it became time for the muster drill she just opened the door to our room without knocking and yelled in "MUSTER!" We weren't even trying to skip it, we were waiting for the announcement to come over, and were about to leave for it anyways. There was no announcement made at this point. I was really shocked by this.

So here is where my trip goes astray! I spent a lot of time relaxing during the cruise. I work full time, go to school part time, have 3 kids and basically no time to just relax. So yes, for some of the day I napped. Which means nothing exciting to add here!

According to the Fun Times Today's Top Ten:

1. Fun ashore and fun aboard (channel 17, a ship and port review to watch)

2. Get to know your ship (2pm, a tour)

3. Welcome Aboard! (Fantasia Lounge, show, band and comedians at 10:15pm)

4. BINGO

5. Spa Raffle

6. Free Texas Hold 'em

7. Learn how to dance, Latin style

8. Inside to port shopping

9. Laser Tag

10. Lightning auction (watches, jewelry, art, etc.)

They did have 4 comedy shows this night with family friendly at 8:15, and the others to follow at 9:30, 11:15 and midnight.

I am interested in catching some good sunsets and sun rises, but today get a storm in the distance with a rainbow

I forgot to mention, one thing that disappointed me this time was the room service. On the first sea day we ordered room service around 5. It was delivered at almost 7pm. We ordered 2 mixed greens, each with a dressing and we did not get the dressing. We also got the veggie sticks with bleu cheese and they forgot the bleu cheese. I called back down and they resent it.

We are scheduled to arrive in Nassau at noon on day 2.

The night before I had hung out our breakfast card, and asked for delivery around 7am. Come 7:30, I check the door to see the card is still there. I called room service and they took my order over the phone and had it sent up.

I ordered a couple things, cereal being one. I quickly asked if I needed to order milk with it, and they did send that. (My friend did not ask, and got a box of cereal and no milk). I asked for strawberry jelly for my bagel and instead got 2 strawberry yogurts. The milk that I asked for was already open a crack and leaked all over. Ok, day one breakfast not a winner.

Upon entering Nassua

Other ships waiting our arrival

Hanging out on our friends balcony...we watch them unloading garbage...

We decide to see if our side has a better view! I will take it!

We find our first towel animal also when we went back to the room

And I start to think, maybe our room steward isn't so bad?

We booked day passes for the Hilton- costing $50 per person, but it included a $30 food/beverage voucher. They say it is a short walk past the straw market so I try to find her from our balcony.

I wonder if that little patch of sand is our destination?

Zooming in I spy

And yes, both turn out to be true.

I also have an epiphany at this point and realize I forgot to print out the confirmation for the Hilton and hope they will be able to look it up!

Making our way off of the ship is easy, no lines at all. We get asked by every person there about tours, jet skis, mopeds, hair braiding...same ol same ol.

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

We make our way past the straw market and ask where to find the Hilton. We are directed to a building directly behind Senor Frogs.

We have to walk through a back alleyway to get to the Hilton and are offered pot and coke along the way. He was actually quite adamant that a trip to the Bahamas would be nothing without some Bahama pot!

To the left, the yellow towards the front is the Hilton, walking to the right brings you back towards the ships.

Once we arrive at the Hilton and I ask her about my confirmation- she gives me a room key to access the business center where I am able to get online and print it out. They were very patient and very accommodating at the front desk. We are given our vouchers and instructed to give one sheet to the towel guy and one to the bartender.

We get our towels and head to the beach to set up. The umbrellas are all falling apart, the chairs are not clean and falling apart. It is for lack of a better term, a hot mess. But we are on vacation and this hot mess is better than a day at work!

For some reason I did not get a picture, but the ships are pretty close to the area they have roped off for swimming. Not super close but enough that I wondered how gross the water really was that we were playing in!

Now the front desk was great here, but the outside bar....not so much. When we first arrived, there were many people obviously waiting to be served. They all looked cranky and hungry. There was a lot of running around, and no one knowing what was going on. I think there were MAYBE 20 - 25 people there at this time. It was really quiet in terms of other vacationers.

It took a good few minutes to be taken care of and while they were getting our drinks, one lady started yelling that she had been waiting an hour for her sandwich. At this point, we decide we better order lunch now!

They keep track of the amount you spend by jotting it down on your voucher. Each time we went to get a drink they could not find the voucher or the person who had it last, etc. It really drove me crazy how unorganized they were, with probably 6 employees to 20some guests.

At any rate, by the time our lunch was ready a storm was rolling in so we only got about 30 minutes on the beach/in the water. We took cover on the deck to have lunch.

While we are eating we here rustling in the bushes...biggest rat I have seen!

We decide to cut our losses short- we learn that after they add gratuities we owe $1.30 over our voucher. We leave ten bucks and GTFO.

This sums up the rest of our stay - it rained all night!

Thanks for the TR! You were more generous than I was about the lack of balcony space, lol. I've said it needs another foot or two of width, better to remove the chairs an make it standing room only. But I'm not complaining, any balcony space is better than none. :p

Your review of the Hilton scared me a bit, that was our plan for my upcoming cruise in 3 weeks.

I'm enjoying, and appreciate your review. I will be sailing the Sensation next spring with my daughters, and hope it will be cleaned up by then.

Was the casino Open at night when you were in Nassau?

thanks

Was the casino Open at night when you were in Nassau?

 

thanks

I cannot say I was in there at all that day, but in the Fun Times, one of the Top Ten for that day was a blackjack tourney from 9-11pm in Club Vegas, so I would have to say yes? Good luck!

Thanks for the TR! You were more generous than I was about the lack of balcony space, lol. I've said it needs another foot or two of width, better to remove the chairs an make it standing room only. But I'm not complaining, any balcony space is better than none. :p

 

Your review of the Hilton scared me a bit, that was our plan for my upcoming cruise in 3 weeks.

Haha, a foot or two would be better but I would take anything!

As far as the Hilton, the first time we went to Nassau we just explored and we said we would never go back. This time was better, but would I book the Hilton again...probably not. Was it an off day for them? Maybe. We just booked Nassua again ONLY to take the kids to HMC. I am going to start researching now what the heck to do Nassau day!

Wow, that balcony looks tiny! Are the JS balconies smaller than the regular ones? You wouldn't think so, but it sure looks like it.

OMG!!!! Thank you so much for posting this review. We have this cruise booked for Thanksgiving weekend and this is such a tremendous help. I know for sure that we will NOT be going to the Hilton.

Thanks again and can't wait to read the rest. :D

Great review & pictures so far, Thanks for sharing. And ACK on that rat, ewww. :eek:

great photos

Enjoying your review but UGH that rat!! Waiting to read the rest. :)

Was the casino Open at night when you were in Nassau?

 

thanks

we were on the sensation 9/18 and we loved the ship...........so sorry you did not have good service, we found the service to be great and our room steward was outstanding.....

yes the casino is open while in nassau........it opens at 7pm

we spent the afternoon at the atlantis casino........not much to do in freeport...... we went to the casino and had some conch fritters and chowder

cheryl

Thanks for the info on the casino, we are heading out late Ocotber on her.....