Just back from the Sensation, our first cruise!

Just back from our first cruise and I have to say that it was WONDERFUL! We enjoyed the show, loved the food, and the service was fantastic. The 6-8 year old Camp Carnival was great! However, the 12-14 group wasn’t the best, a little more structure would have been nice, IMO. Nevertheless, my 13 year old still had a great time! My only complaint was the piano bar, or should I say the singer. He had a horrible attitude. Hated his job, hated Carnival, hated being in a room with smokers, hated the customers, and hated being asked to sing the same songs over and over again (yes, he said all of this). It was a huge disappointment as DH and I love piano bars.

Thanks to everyone on this board who provided such a great source of pre-cruise information. I learned so much before I boarded that I felt like I was an experienced cruiser before I even left!

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

Teresa

Thanks for review "T", we too are thinking of a Carnival cruise. What kind of room did you have?? Was it nice, clean, enough room?? Did you like the pools?? Was there any night life besides the piano bar? I have a 21 year old and a 33 year old, what were the extra things to do on the ship besides gambling and bingo? Like RCL usually has a rock wall to climb, any thing like that?? Was it easy to get from the airport to the cruise line?

Thanks a bunch for your input!:)

Glad you had a good time. The Sensation was our first also but that was 10 years ago. No matter how many come after the 1st has a special place in your heart.

Thanks for review "T", we too are thinking of a Carnival cruise. What kind of room did you have?? Was it nice, clean, enough room?? Did you like the pools?? Was there any night life besides the piano bar? I have a 21 year old and a 33 year old, what were the extra things to do on the ship besides gambling and bingo? Like RCL usually has a rock wall to climb, any thing like that?? Was it easy to get from the airport to the cruise line?

Thanks a bunch for your input!:)

The room (oceanview) was very clean, but very small for the 4 of us. It would have been great for 2 though! We were in E 202. There were clubs, bars, and shows for those over 18. We didn't even get around to doing half of what we had planned, I needed an extra day!

The Sensation is one of Carnivals smaller ships so it doesn't have all the newer things (like rock walls) but there was still plenty to do. We live in Florida, so we drove to the port. However, getting from the port to Orlando is simple, and takes about 45 minutes.

Oh, and the pools were fine, mostly filled with kids though.

Glad you had a good time. The Sensation was our first also but that was 10 years ago. No matter how many come after the 1st has a special place in your heart.

Thanks! We are definitely hooked and I can't wait to plan our next cruise!

The room (oceanview) was very clean, but very small for the 4 of us.

They have some (if not the) biggest staterooms in the industry (disney has fairly sizable ones too). so, if you thought room was too small for 4 on carnival, i wldn't try a quad on another line.

They have some (if not the) biggest staterooms in the industry (disney has fairly sizable ones too). so, if you thought room was too small for 4 on carnival, i wldn't try a quad on another line.

I've read that before about the size of the cabin, but that didn't make me feel any more comfortable while in the cabin. It would have been nice to have just a small sitting area other than the bed. I don't need a large room, just slightly more space. It was very cramped with 4 people.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Sensation! She was our first ship too and has always held a special place in our memories.

I've read that before about the size of the cabin, but that didn't make me feel any more comfortable while in the cabin. It would have been nice to have just a small sitting area other than the bed. I don't need a large room, just slightly more space. It was very cramped with 4 people.

you'll need to book 2 cabins or a suite. these won't be massive either, as you are on a ship. but if you love cruising, i'm sure you'll get used to stateroom accomodations, and the size won't bother you as much. happy cruising:D

I'm glad you enjoyed the Sensation! She was our first ship too and has always held a special place in our memories.

Thanks :)

you'll need to book 2 cabins or a suite. these won't be massive either, as you are on a ship. but if you love cruising, i'm sure you'll get used to stateroom accomodations, and the size won't bother you as much. happy cruising:D

I was thinking about the 2 cabins! But I'm not sure my kids would sleep in another room. Some of the sounds freaked them out a little. What about a balcony room on a newer Carnival ship? I was looking at pictures of those online today and they looked bigger. Maybe that would work?! Thanks :)

i might not be the best person to ask about this, b/c my kids are young so believe it or not, (as crazy as it seems), we always put all 5 of us in one cabin (this is allowed on Fantasy, Triump and Destiny classes). and, it has always been in an standard oceanview or balcony (depending upon the ship and availability of cabins). On other lines (celebrity and ncl), it was just me and dh, and on Disney, my youngest wasn't yet born. so only one room on them, too.

in feb we are getting our first suite on elation (b/4 that, we never cld get a suite on a fantasy class ship -- always sold out too fast), so it'll be nice to have the extra space and still be able to be together in one room. and in december '07 we are going on conquest class and so we have to get 2 cabins. i think we'll like having the space for our clothes, but i think it'll be strange to have us separated.

So, i really can't give advice on how good having 2 cabins would be -- yet -- though i have seen posts from other members that they prefer it. Maybe I'll come back and think it's great, too. But I never really minded too much the lack of space the 5 of us had.

This, of course, will be a completely different story when my kids get bigger.:p

Oh, and i did find the balcony quads on the other classes to be bigger than the oceanviews on the fantasy class. i never looked up the measurements, but they seem roomier to me.

I just returned from the Carnival Liberty, currently one of their largest, and I had a balcony room next to three other balcony cabins - my family. We connected our 4 baloncies and it was great! The cabins were very spacious and had a lot of room for clothes, etc. We loved our cabin. I do not know how it compares to the Sensation or other ships... Glad you enjoyed your cruise!! :p

Gayle,

I read your post that r thinking about cruising with Carnival. I am thinking about cruising with RCCL - not because I was unhappy, but just to see the difference. I just returned from Carnival Liberty for the second time. I prefer the larger ships since they are much roomier and have more to do. It was great. I loved my cabin. We were in a category 8A, balcony and it was very clean, spacious and had a lot of room for clothes, etc. You are able to connect your cabin to the one(s) next door if you have more in your group. After you unpack your suitcases, you can actually just slide them under the bed to get them out of your way. ;o) Although Carnival doesn't offer rock climbing or ice skating, they keep you busy. They have several great lounges (including the Piano Bar, but others besides that) and a great club. Entertainment is great. The Piano Bar on the Liberty was great and it stinks to hear about the guy at the Piano Bar on the Sensation...sounds like he shouldn't be working there! I enjoyed the pools very much on Liberty. They had 3 pools - 2 at the main area and one at the back that was more quiet. The jacuzzi's at the Aft are only for adults. Oh, and the Liberty has a huge TV screen on the main deck, where they play a few movies each night and that is a great perk! Anyway, happy sailing!!

Gayle,

I read your post that r thinking about cruising with Carnival. I am thinking about cruising with RCCL - not because I was unhappy, but just to see the difference. I just returned from Carnival Liberty for the second time. I prefer the larger ships since they are much roomier and have more to do. It was great. I loved my cabin. We were in a category 8A, balcony and it was very clean, spacious and had a lot of room for clothes, etc. You are able to connect your cabin to the one(s) next door if you have more in your group. After you unpack your suitcases, you can actually just slide them under the bed to get them out of your way. ;o) Although Carnival doesn't offer rock climbing or ice skating, they keep you busy. They have several great lounges (including the Piano Bar, but others besides that) and a great club. Entertainment is great. The Piano Bar on the Liberty was great and it stinks to hear about the guy at the Piano Bar on the Sensation...sounds like he shouldn't be working there! I enjoyed the pools very much on Liberty. They had 3 pools - 2 at the main area and one at the back that was more quiet. The jacuzzi's at the Aft are only for adults. Oh, and the Liberty has a huge TV screen on the main deck, where they play a few movies each night and that is a great perk! Anyway, happy sailing!!

Gayle,

I read your post that r thinking about cruising with Carnival. I am thinking about cruising with RCCL - not because I was unhappy, but just to see the difference. I just returned from Carnival Liberty for the second time. I prefer the larger ships since they are much roomier and have more to do. It was great. I loved my cabin. We were in a category 8A, balcony and it was very clean, spacious and had a lot of room for clothes, etc. You are able to connect your cabin to the one(s) next door if you have more in your group. After you unpack your suitcases, you can actually just slide them under the bed to get them out of your way. ;o) Although Carnival doesn't offer rock climbing or ice skating, they keep you busy. They have several great lounges (including the Piano Bar, but others besides that) and a great club. Entertainment is great. The Piano Bar on the Liberty was great and it stinks to hear about the guy at the Piano Bar on the Sensation...sounds like he shouldn't be working there! I enjoyed the pools very much on Liberty. They had 3 pools - 2 at the main area and one at the back that was more quiet. The jacuzzi's at the Aft are only for adults. Oh, and the Liberty has a huge TV screen on the main deck, where they play a few movies each night and that is a great perk! Anyway, happy sailing!!

My computer is acting up...sorry if this posts several times. :o)

Just back from our first cruise and I have to say that it was WONDERFUL! ~Teresa

Teresa: As others have mentioned above, seems everyone really remembers their first cruise, so how wonderful it is that your initial one was so enjoyable. Good for you that you didn't let that one disappointment spoil any of the thrill. I'm sailing Sensation in less than two months, so if that 'stick in the mud' is still wrangling in the piano bar, I'll bite him on the leg, and says "Hey, that's from Teresa".:p Thanks, again, for sharing your post-cruise enthusiasm.

i might not be the best person to ask about this, b/c my kids are young so believe it or not, (as crazy as it seems), we always put all 5 of us in one cabin (this is allowed on Fantasy, Triump and Destiny classes). and, it has always been in an standard oceanview or balcony (depending upon the ship and availability of cabins). On other lines (celebrity and ncl), it was just me and dh, and on Disney, my youngest wasn't yet born. so only one room on them, too.

 

in feb we are getting our first suite on elation (b/4 that, we never cld get a suite on a fantasy class ship -- always sold out too fast), so it'll be nice to have the extra space and still be able to be together in one room. and in december '07 we are going on conquest class and so we have to get 2 cabins. i think we'll like having the space for our clothes, but i think it'll be strange to have us separated.

 

So, i really can't give advice on how good having 2 cabins would be -- yet -- though i have seen posts from other members that they prefer it. Maybe I'll come back and think it's great, too. But I never really minded too much the lack of space the 5 of us had.

 

This, of course, will be a completely different story when my kids get bigger.:p

 

Oh, and i did find the balcony quads on the other classes to be bigger than the oceanviews on the fantasy class. i never looked up the measurements, but they seem roomier to me.

That's great that you were able to get the suite on the elation! Did you get a cat 11 or 12? Are your kids excited about having their own cabin in December?

Thanks for the info about the balcony rooms:)! We're looking at the Legend next if my parents go with us. Otherwise, I think we'll try Disney. My parents love to gamble, so we can't be without the casino if they are there.

I just returned from the Carnival Liberty, currently one of their largest, and I had a balcony room next to three other balcony cabins - my family. We connected our 4 baloncies and it was great! The cabins were very spacious and had a lot of room for clothes, etc. We loved our cabin. I do not know how it compares to the Sensation or other ships... Glad you enjoyed your cruise!! :p

Having 4 connecting balconies sounds wonderful! Thanks for the info on the cabin size!

Teresa: As others have mentioned above, seems everyone really remembers their first cruise, so how wonderful it is that your initial one was so enjoyable. Good for you that you didn't let that one disappointment spoil any of the thrill. I'm sailing Sensation in less than two months, so if that 'stick in the mud' is still wrangling in the piano bar, I'll bite him on the leg, and says "Hey, that's from Teresa".:p Thanks, again, for sharing your post-cruise enthusiasm.

It was a wonderful experience! LOL! Don't forget to ask him to play "his" favorite song and play the most requested songs. He just LOVES it when people ask him to do that ;).

Glad you enjoyed the Sensation!!! My first (and second, LOL) cruise, and I think it will always be my favorite... thanks for the review!!

That's great that you were able to get the suite on the elation! Did you get a cat 11 or 12? Are your kids excited about having their own cabin in December?

 

Thanks for the info about the balcony rooms:)! We're looking at the Legend next if my parents go with us. Otherwise, I think we'll try Disney. My parents love to gamble, so we can't be without the casino if they are there.

ahh ... another trick. but don't know how long this may last (policies may change). we booked a suite guaranty, which shaved off some money. i never book guaranty rooms. i like to pick my stateroom and know that i am mid-ship or aft, so i pay the extra money. with a suite guaranty, you can get either a cat 11 (forward, verandah, i think) or a cat 12 (mid-ship, upper deck). so, if you really do not want a cat 11, you may be running a risk.

however, we are a family of 5, and cat 11s can only accomodate up to 3, so we were assured by carnival and an independent TA when booking a guaranty for this category, we would have to be assigned to a cat 12 due to the fact that we are a party of 5. and, since all cat 12s are all located fairly mid-ship, i wasn't concerned about which one they wld assign. last week i asked my TA to check if we had been assigned. we were, and we did get a cat 12. (all cat 12s are gone already, so that's probably the only reason why we got our assignment this early).

Are your kids excited about having their own cabin in December?

 

My kids will not have their own cabin. They are 5, 8 and 9. So, i will stay with 2, and DH will stay w/ 1, but that'll only be for overnight. We'll all stay together at all other times. I couldn't even imagine my kids staying in a separate room. I still have trouble w/ my 8 yo staying in his own room at home. His imagination runs wild, and he is afraid of everything! He'd never stay in another room (yet). He's too chicken!:p (But, in all honesty, at these ages, i wouldn't be able to sleep a wink if they were separated from us. I'd probably be the most worried of all;) )

Glad you enjoyed the Sensation!!! My first (and second, LOL) cruise, and I think it will always be my favorite... thanks for the review!!

Thanks :)

ahh ... another trick. but don't know how long this may last (policies may change). we booked a suite guaranty, which shaved off some money. i never book guaranty rooms. i like to pick my stateroom and know that i am mid-ship or aft, so i pay the extra money. with a suite guaranty, you can get either a cat 11 (forward, verandah, i think) or a cat 12 (mid-ship, upper deck). so, if you really do not want a cat 11, you may be running a risk.

 

however, we are a family of 5, and cat 11s can only accomodate up to 3, so we were assured by carnival and an independent TA when booking a guaranty for this category, we would have to be assigned to a cat 12 due to the fact that we are a party of 5. and, since all cat 12s are all located fairly mid-ship, i wasn't concerned about which one they wld assign. last week i asked my TA to check if we had been assigned. we were, and we did get a cat 12. (all cat 12s are gone already, so that's probably the only reason why we got our assignment this early).

What a great idea about booking the suite guaranty. That will be a fantastic sized room for the 5 of you! We booked an oceanview guaranty on our cruise, and I was nervous about doing this, but it worked out great! We got Empress deck Aft, it was a great location.