Carnival Sensation

[Pappy1]

Last year, I cruised on the Carnival Conquest and had a great time even though the food was average. Anyone had any recent experience on the Sensation? What did you like or dislike about it? I always like to know a little bit in advance what I have in store.

[GoinCruisin]

I love the Sensation... smaller than the Conquest (some consider this more intimate, I have not been on the Conquest, but the Sensation twice)... The food will most likely be similar, since the menus are fleetwide. There is not a specialty restaurant, but they do have the 24 hour pizza and a deli, as well as the buffet... there may not be quite as many choices on this ship... the crew is very friendly, the ship is clean (although a little "vegasish" :D ), there are lovely downlike comforters.... great lido deck band. Many people really love the Sensation. For an older smaller ship, she is great. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!!!!! Have a great time!

[brcris75]

We too went on the Conquest last year and loved her. We're going on the Sensation in April and would like to know what to expect. I'd like to hear from anyone that would care to share.

Robbie

[Littrells]

:D We are going on the Sensation next month. We are very excited, and we will let you know everything.

 

 

Only 7 days till first cruise!!!!!

[CruiseMark]

We were on the Sensation in August and are now considering the Conquest! From the pictures, the Conquest just looks larger with more dining options and newer furnishings. The Sensation was in great shape, don't get me wrong, it's just an older style of design inside (think 80's Vegas). Just picture the Conquest smaller, with fewer dining choices (no Chinese food station for example in the Lido restaurant) and lots of purple neon and chrome and you have the Sensation!

 

Mark

 

One thing that we didn't like were the facilities and activities for teens (we had two 14 y/o girls with us). The kids club was very small and many of the teen activities were cancelled due to lack of interest (even in the middle of summer). We're looking at the Conquest because it has better teen facilities. Not sure if this would apply to you or not.

[Peyton6]

We leave on the Sensation next Thursday - looking forward to it! I would love to go on one of the larger ships sometime - but this is the first cruise for my girlfriends and I think the Sensation will be perfect! I don't think it has as many amenities as some of the larger ships - but I know it's going to be a blast!

[JudyKa]

I love the Sensation... smaller than the Conquest (some consider this more intimate, I have not been on the Conquest, but the Sensation twice)... The food will most likely be similar, since the menus are fleetwide. There is not a specialty restaurant, but they do have the 24 hour pizza and a deli, as well as the buffet... there may not be quite as many choices on this ship... the crew is very friendly, the ship is clean (although a little "vegasish" :D ), there are lovely downlike comforters.... great lido deck band. Many people really love the Sensation. For an older smaller ship, she is great. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!!!!! Have a great time!

 

 

Am I understanding this right? The Sensation does NOT have a special restaurant like the Conquest does with The Point restaurant?????

 

We were planning to cruise on the Sensation this Summer and was going to eat at what we thought would be their gourmet restaurant instead of going to the Formal night in the dining room. We sailed on the Conquest last June.....and this make the difference in whether we choose the Sensation or not this time.

[leeleent]

we also went on the conquest last year and now we have our next cruise booked on april 9th on the sensation. we can't wait. the conquest was a larger ship, and very crowed. comparing the size of the 2 ships according to the carnival book, the conquest really is not that much bigger than the sensation, they have approx. 1000 more people on the conquest. so maybe we will enjoy the sensation alot more due to less people. also, the conquest is a very drafty ship. can you tell us more on the sensation?

 

thanks

[CruiseMark]

Am I understanding this right? The Sensation does NOT have a special restaurant like the Conquest does with The Point restaurant?????

 

We were planning to cruise on the Sensation this Summer and was going to eat at what we thought would be their gourmet restaurant instead of going to the Formal night in the dining room. We sailed on the Conquest last June.....and this make the difference in whether we choose the Sensation or not this time.

 

 

Sorry, there's no "gourmet" extra-charge restaurant on the Sensation, just the dining rooms (2) Lido buffet/casual eatery, pizza station and room service. Joes cafe has pastries and coffees.

[selucrey]

We have been on both ships and prefer the Sensation. It has a more "Open" deck plan and is much easier to get around. I like the greater choice of food venues on the Conquest but don't cruise for the food.

[raammartin]

I'd like to know more also! We are going on our first cruise via the CCL's Sensation on April 9th. We are very excited! I'd love to see some personal photos of the ship if anyone has some or a link to some.

 

Thanks ;)

Amanda

[selucrey]

This site has some very good photos of the Sensation... http://community.webshots.com/album/95500723UqUpDK

[Kitty34]

I'd like to know more also! We are going on our first cruise via the CCL's Sensation on April 9th. We are very excited! I'd love to see some personal photos of the ship if anyone has some or a link to some.

 

Thanks ;)

Amanda

 

Hey Amanda, I will be getting off the Sensation that day!!! Hopefully with a big smile on my face from a wonderful trip at sea!:)

[CruiseMark]

More photos and reviews than you can shake a stick at here: http://cruiseclues.com/shipstips/sensation.htm

[leeleent]

Hi Raammartin,

My DH and I and some of our family/friends will be on this cruise with you on the 9th. I will be celebrating my 40th Bday on the 11th. well actually, I'll be celebrating the whole trip. Although I'll be turning the BIG 40, I only feel 30. Hope to meet you. Maybe ya'll can join us for a good time. We are really looking forward to it.

 

Alisa

[GoinCruisin]

I'd like to know more also! We are going on our first cruise via the CCL's Sensation on April 9th. We are very excited! I'd love to see some personal photos of the ship if anyone has some or a link to some.

 

Thanks ;)

Amanda

Not sure how much mine will help... not too many of the ship. We had a BLAST, both times... actually had a much better time in October with the Saints and Sinners ;) We are still trying to find pictures from that cruise that can actually be posted :eek:

 

http://groups.msn.com/thesensationgroup/chrisandchrispictures.msnw

[brcris75]

Thanks for the link for pictures. My 8 year old likes to see if there are any pictures of the arcades! Yeah, he's addicted to cruising too! lol

I see the Littrells are from Arkansas. What part of the state are you in? We're in the NE corner.

Is anyone else going April 14th????? We're trying to get a group together. Have 5 definates and 4 more maybe's.

[LHP]

and (personally) I like the Sensation better. We were on the Conquest for New Years 2003 and had a great time...but I just prefer smaller ships.

 

We went on the Sensation for Thanksgiving this year ( 4 day) and had a wonderful time.

 

We have been on 10 different Carnival ships of all sizes and have found the food to be fairly consistant from ship to ship. I always eat the same thing (I know..boring) so it is easier for me to compare apples to apples.

 

If you go within the next 6 months....Max will probably be your Karaoke host. If you are lucky enough to get him you will have a blast. If you have your own karaoke cds take them. Sometimes the song selection is limited.

 

The Sensation was clean and well maintained. I don't get into what kind of "colors" etc...so none of that bothers me. The staff were friendly and room service was prompt every morning.

 

My 13 year old was very pleased with the arcades. There is one by the casino and one in the kids disco area.

 

If Steve is still the Assist CD, you are in for a treat. He has great looking legs....you will get that inside joke on formal night.

 

Although it does not have some of the other amenities (like the fancy dining room or extra lunching options like the Conquest) overall, the Sensation is a good size and lots of fun.

[MikeNBec]

One, its your vacation, and its what you make it. Everyone can find SOMETHING to complain about no matter WHERE you go or WHAT you do.

 

Secondly, there are people who, if given a million dollars, would complain because the money was dirty.

 

Just thoughts to ponder!

[brcris75]

How right you are about finding things to complain about. We had a great time on the Conquest (as with on all our cruises) with only a few minor exceptions that don't even warrant mention. However there was a young couple we talked to that complained about everything. Said they sat in their cabin and played Monopoly all week cause there was nothing to do and they hated the food. I can't even imagine not finding something to do or nothing you would eat.

It's what you make of it!

[zonemasconi]

I have done the sensation twice last year once in may and again in october.

 

both times were great and I would do them again in a heartbeat.

I like the Fantasy class ships the decor is flashy but like anything else you get used to it.

I can tell you this the crew is more attentive on the smaller ships I think. butmaybe it's just me since I dont as many crew to get to know.lol

there are some pics in my link to the sensation just follow the links.

[cruisingdoc]

Just got off the Sensation this morning. Went on the five day cruise that stopped in Calica and Cozumel. Had a blast - there's so much to do and not enough time to do it all. The ship was sold out and it never felt crowded. The Fantasia Dining Room is beautiful. Staff were friendly and personable, ship very well maintained. New Year's Eve was a lot of fun - Carnival went all out. Let me know if you have specific questions.

[JudyKa]

One, its your vacation, and its what you make it. Everyone can find SOMETHING to complain about no matter WHERE you go or WHAT you do.

 

Secondly, there are people who, if given a million dollars, would complain because the money was dirty.

 

Just thoughts to ponder!

 

I reread my post a few posts back on this subject and it did sound a little uppity.....I'm sorry......that wasn't my intention. We were just genuinely wanting to know the dining set-up. We will more than likely go on the Sensation regardless as it does sound like a nice smaller ship.

 

From now on I will check my posts to be sure that there isn't an unintended uppity sound to my posts.

[I Luv Crusin]

We cruised on the Sensation in 2002. Liked her but didn't feel anymore crowded on the Conquest this past Dec. Actually, the Sensation felt more crowded, I think, but we had a bad experience getting off her which could be swaying my opinion.

 

The pizza is better on the Conquest unless they changed the pizza on the Sensation.

[GoinCruisin]

Judy, I don't think your post sounded "uppity" :( It did sound a bit frazzled, LOL... the specialty restaurants are on many of the newer ships... let us know what you decide!!!