Sensation Cruisers

[phatkittykat]

Oh my it has been changed to Fantasy. Im not scheduled to cruise until Mid June. If the change stays in effect. Is this a upgrade or downgrade?:confused:

[REDSOX1]

Has anyone been on both the Fantasy and Sensation to compare the two? I just checked my res. and it states Fantasy on some parts of the website and the Sensation on others. I hope they let us know whether we have to redo the FunPass, we are booked for 5/22. I haven't cruised in 10 years, and boy do DH and I need this one, I hope they get everything squared away. I have sailed on Ecstacy so if Fantasy is anything like her I'm sure I'll be pleased. I am so glad to have found these boards to keep updated :)

[berryberry]

Why? The limited cruising speed on the Sensation will not affect these passengers as Carnival was changing the GT stop to the Bahamas anyway. As far as the other issues they have been addressed. I was told by Carnival that the only thing not operational on the Sensation is the kids play room. Carnival is still running Camp Carnival just not in the kids play room.

 

Other issues addressed ??? My oh my, you believe everything Carnival tells you?

 

I haven't been on this ship - but check out this recent review from the 3/27 Sensation cruise

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=324588

 

The list they provided is a lot more than just the kids play room:

 

These are the things that were not completed during refurb: 1. Waterslide out of order, 2. no basketball courts, until the last day when they finally had finished installing one of the backboard and rim, but the rim was slanted by at least 10%, so your shots would rarely go in. By mid afternoon nobody was interested in playing. 3. One pool side bar was open the other was closed and protected by yellow caution tape. This made for long lines to get a drink during the day at sea. 4. The yellow caution tape salesman was very happy because it was used throughout the lido deck because they were replacing the spacing tar between the boards. So access was a little more challenging. 5. No Ping Pong table, 6. No shuffle board. They were repainting the lines so it was closed. It took 3 days to do this and it still was not done when we left the ship. 7. Card Room was closed and being used for storage. 8. Internet was slower than dial-up. I am not exaggerating here. It really was. It took 10 minutes to check 1 stock price, get the headlines from Drudge Report, and check to see if we had received any email from our neighbor watching our house (This is why I never gave any reviews from the ship). 9. Every window you looked out of was dirty. Carnival buy some Windex and start cleaning. They were dirty when we boarded, and when we left. No one cleaned a window during the whole cruise. 10. During 4 of the 5 nights, the ship turned off the water from 1:00 am to 5:00 am for schedule maintenance. What, the ship was only in service less than a week; they could not have had this done before they set sail on 3/23? If you went dancing or were in the casino, and wanted to take a shower before going to bed, you had to leave by 12:45 am to get that shower. This morning I woke up at 2:00 am to get a drink of water and the pipes were dry. Oh, well back to sleep with a dry throat. Note: I understand maintenance, but 4 of the 5 nights this is happening. Give me a break that is not scheduled maintenance that is major repair work going on. If you are going to turn off the water that many nights provide free bottles of water per passenger per night.

 

like I said - good news for Sensation passengers - but for Fantasy passengers - a MAJOR OUCH !!!

[bobobeagle]

I booked Fantasy 4-30-06. Is anyone else upset? Carnival should provide a refund. I understand port cancellations due to weather and have experienced samewith no complaints. This is not acceptable. I am happy for those booked on Sensation based on the problems. However, the contract does not contemplate ship changes.

[The4Cruisers]

Wow... they switched our 9/30/06 cruise to Fantasy as well. Hmmm, not sure what to think. We were looking forward to Sensation as all of the bugs will be history by then. Oh well, it's a cruise, we're going, we're happy! :p

[Gman2004]

However, the contract does not contemplate ship changes.

 

I am sorry that you were switched and I hope that all the problems stated above are corrected by the time you sail, but actually...........

 

7. Carnival reserves the right to increase published fares without prior notice. In the event of an increase, the Guest has the option of accepting the increased fare or canceling reservations without penalty. Carnival reserves the right to use any substitute ship in the performance of this contract.

 

Here's the link.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templates/ticket_contract.aspx

[Gman2004]

Other issues addressed ??? My oh my, you believe everything Carnival tells you?

 

like I said - good news for Sensation passengers - but for Fantasy passengers - a MAJOR OUCH !!!

 

Not flaming, but what do you suggest Carnival do to correct the situation here? The only other option is taking the Sensation out of service which means cancelatinb thousands of peoples vacation. It's not like they put this ship into service with these problems. The propulsion system started malfunctioning after drydock and a lot of the problems (plumbing) are due to the ship being dry docked. Most of the times those problems are not identified until they occur. It's not like a light bulb that goes out and you know it need to be replaced.

 

I hope that everyone booked on future Sensation and Fantasy cruises can sail problem free, but sometime ch*t happens.:(

[happymomma]

I am going on a 11/27 cruise that was supposed to be Sensation....now appears changed to Fantasy........what is the difference if any in price with the changes?

[Au48]

So here's the deal.

 

As of 4/6, Sensation and Fantasy essentially flip flop itineraries for good. Fantasy will sail the 4 and 5 night cruises from PC, while Sensation will now do the 3/4 night Bahamas from PC. Fantasy will also go to New Orleans for the 4/5 night schedule from there. Due to propulsion problems, Sensation is only able to go at around 80% of max speed, so GT was not happening. The 3 and 4 night cruises can be done with no problem by Sensation.

 

Good move IMHO since the ships are essentially the same. Only other option would be to permanently take GT off the itinerary -- one that many people booked soley because of GT; or take Sensation out of service for another drydock for 2 weeks.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I am going on a 11/27 cruise that was supposed to be Sensation....now appears changed to Fantasy........what is the difference if any in price with the changes?

 

There will no price change. The ships are exactly alike. Same deck plans and everything. The name and the decor of the ships are all that will be different.

 

Bill

[Frequent Cruiser MA]

I am quite happy too. I think that the Sensation will get better with each sailing...every ship that I have been on that has a slide, has it closed for at least some portion of the trip. I hope the bugs get worked out for the Sensation...and the people NOW sailing her from the Fantasy. I would think that the only day there would be problems in port, would be when both ships are in port together...possibly the 4/6/06 sailing...as it is the first day for the change and both ships are in PC together. Hmmm...Hoping things go well at embarkation.

[Super89]

We were booked on the Sensation for September 21st for the four night Bahama cruise. My booking on the Carnival site now says Fantasy. I really don't care as long as I am on a ship but I have friends who want me to send them the info as far as price, etc and I can't get it to come up under either Fantasy OR Sensation. When I put in the dates it says there are no cruises that match your criteria. THAT is making me nervous! Don't want us all to end up on different ships! :eek: Anyone having the same problem? Hopefully it will correct itself in a few days.

[Gman2004]

I would think that the only day there would be problems in port, would be when both ships are in port together...possibly the 4/6/06 sailing...as it is the first day for the change and both ships are in PC together. Hmmm...Hoping things go well at embarkation.

 

Carnival is sending all passenger who are sailing when both ships are in port new tickets and baggage taxes.

[berryberry]

Not flaming, but what do you suggest Carnival do to correct the situation here? The only other option is taking the Sensation out of service which means cancelatinb thousands of peoples vacation. It's not like they put this ship into service with these problems. The propulsion system started malfunctioning after drydock and a lot of the problems (plumbing) are due to the ship being dry docked. Most of the times those problems are not identified until they occur. It's not like a light bulb that goes out and you know it need to be replaced.

 

I hope that everyone booked on future Sensation and Fantasy cruises can sail problem free, but sometime ch*t happens.:(

 

Would you pay full price for a half finished car? How about a new house where the plumbing doesn't work?

 

Carnival should either take the Sensation out of service until it is truly ready to sail - or AT A MINIMUM, let those who booked the fantasy and are now switched to the Sensation a chance to either have a full refund or switch to another ship and pay the difference. That would be good customer service. Instead, Carnival has chosen to screw those who originally booked the Fantasy by sending them off on a ship with significant problems.

[beccadoby]

I am also sailing on April 10. I like many others, got a message today saying my april 6th sailing would be on the Fas. I called carnival because I was wondering about the luggage tags (I can see my luggage sailing off on another ship). Also, asked was everything ok since message had 6th instead of 10th sail date. Talked to 2 different carnival agents and both times they tell me they know nothing and cant even pull up my booking!! :mad: Ok, enough complaining... Anyone else sailing on the 10th with kids? I have a 13 (shy son), 8 , and 5 yr old. ...Hope they have stuff for the 13 yr old... We have suite U104 and U106 across hall. Any neighbors? :)

[zqvol]

We were booked on the Sensation for September 21st for the four night Bahama cruise. My booking on the Carnival site now says Fantasy. I really don't care as long as I am on a ship but I have friends who want me to send them the info as far as price, etc and I can't get it to come up under either Fantasy OR Sensation. When I put in the dates it says there are no cruises that match your criteria. THAT is making me nervous! Don't want us all to end up on different ships! :eek: Anyone having the same problem? Hopefully it will correct itself in a few days.

My guess is Carnival pulled everything out of the hopper until they get the switch over made. Give them a few days and it should work itself out.

[Top-Cat]

Geeeeezzzz. We have had company and I haven't been on here since Friday.

 

What a pleasant suprise!!:D We have not cruised the Fantasy so this is a treat.... We are thrilled about the changes.

 

Does anyone know the age of the fantasy? Not that it matters. We are still thrilled. I was just wondering... I am going to go read some reviews.

 

Can't wait to tell the kids and DH!!

[SunRae]

Hey! Like you, we've been switched from the Sensation to the Fantasy (but we're not leaving until 5/27). The Fantasy is 3 years older than the Sensation (it was built in 1990 - or that was the maiden voyage; whereas the Sensation was built or whatever in 1993). The Fantasy was refurbished in September 2005, and by the accounts I'm reading, looks good.

[Host Caroline]

:D :D I am thrilled... on Fantasy after refurb 2 years ago and it's basically the "Same ship".. I hope they still have the cocktail hour sushi bar:) We are going to GTurk and that was reason for this cruise really.. and Half Moon... so NO PROBLEM, MON !!!:D

 

... with my new DH it would be a great cruise no matter where we went but now it's "perfect" ::sigh::

[KatieRT]

So, I have a quick question:

 

If you were booked on the Fantasy (for JUNE), which I am and now am switched to the Sensation (for June), provided they get the kicks out by then( which I am sure they will) will this be an upgrade/ or downgrade of ship? Or are they exactly the same? When did Sensation last get refurbished?

 

Does Sensation have a teen disco and is anybody have any information about the teen program?

 

Thank you!

[Calgon]

I was to be on the Fantasy and now it says I will be on the Sensation. Not too happy to be on a FEMA ship!:mad: Does it have mini golf? And yes we have a penthouse suite(better still have) on the booking. I wonder if it is still shabby as I hear?! I am sooo angry! Yes this is a 4 day freeport/nassau cruise. This changes all the planning I have done as well we leave in May!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

So, I have a quick question:

 

If you were booked on the Fantasy (for JUNE), which I am and now am switched to the Sensation (for June), provided they get the kicks out by then( which I am sure they will) will this be an upgrade/ or downgrade of ship? Or are they exactly the same? When did Sensation last get refurbished?

 

Does Sensation have a teen disco and is anybody have any information about the teen program?

 

Thank you!

 

The 2 ships are identical. The Fantasy is 3 years older. The Sensation was just refurbished right before she started sailing on 3/27. That is what some of the problems stem from. They weren't done but cruised anyway. Part of the refurbishment is a new mini golf course. The teen place is called club 02 I believe.

 

Bill

[imirish]

Looking forward to sailing the Fantasy on 5/27 instead of the Sensation, especially after hearing about the propulsion problem, ongoing construction, etc...

 

Sailed the Sensation last June and she was a wonderful ship then. I'm sure once these problems are worked out and the refurb is complete she will be again. Carnival just pushed too hard and too fast and she wasn't ready. Carnival brought these problems with Sensation on themselves IMHO.

 

So, who else is sailing the Fantasy now on 5/27? Looking for some fellow cruisers.

[SunRae]

Hey! My husband, brother and sister-in-law and a 6 of their friends are sailing on 5/27. I can't wait!!

 

Do you already have your cabin assignment? Are you flying in or driving?

[CarribbeanTina271]

I am happy just to be on a cruise!!!! 8 and counting!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

ALL FANTASY DEPARTURES EFFECTIVE APRIL 6, 2006

April 1, 2006

Dear Carnival Guest:

We want to advise you that effective with the April 6, 2006 cruise, the Sensation will now operate all of the future 3 and 4 day cruises previously scheduled on the Fantasy.

 

The Sensation is a virtually identical sister ship to the Fantasy offering all the same accommodations, features and amenities. The Fantasy will now be re-deployed to operate the 4 and 5 day cruises scheduled on the Sensation.

 

We are making this change of sister ships due to a cruising speed limitation on the Sensation related to a recent propulsion system problem. However, the Sensation can operate the speeds required for the Fantasy’s 3 and 4 day itineraries and is functioning normally in all other aspects. The ship has been fully certified for operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and Lloyd’s Registry of Shipping, the world’s leading ship classification firm.

We will move your booking automatically to the Sensation on the same departure date in our reservations system. Your booking number and stateroom assignment will not change.

 

If you have already received your cruise documents, they will be valid for travel and new documents will not be issued. In addition, if you purchased air transportation from Carnival, your air itinerary will not change and the E-Ticket receipt coupon will remain valid.

If you have already registered for Fun Pass (our online check-in system), this information will be automatically changed to the Sensation. If you have not registered for Fun Pass yet, please remember to use the Sensation as your ship when completing this important online check-in process.

If you have pre-purchased shore excursions online at Carnival.com, this information will also be automatically changed to the Sensation.

Most importantly, we want to thank you for choosing Carnival for your vacation. We are looking forward to welcoming you aboard the Sensation.

Sincerely,

Vicki L. Freed

Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing