The best part of our First Cruise was CANCELED !! ? !!
Carnival Sensation Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
5 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)
Sail date: November 21, 2016
Ship: Carnival Sensation
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: E74
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 7 years ago
Review summary
I selected this Cruise to go to Turks & Caicos, and had arranged a speaking engagement for myself with local business people upon docking in Grand Turk. But the Ship didn’t even dock, due to high winds. We choose that trip to go to Grand Turk. I didn’t care about going to the Bahamas - but that was far too cold to comfortably snorkel, at both locations. Though Half Moon Cay was warmer, there was no coral in sight there, plus it was still cold.
It seems to me, that the Cruise Company KNOWS that it is too cold to go in the water at this time EVERY YEAR, yet they persist in taking those particular paths for their cruises. I could have flown to anywhere, and given the ridiculous price for the Airfare, other departure venues then MIA would have been cheaper. I talked to a couple on Board, who said that on a previous November Cruise, a different Port of Call was canceled due to wind and cold.
As a first time cruiser, I felt I had been taken advantage of, both by American Airlines, (that doubled their airfare as soon as I booked by Cruise through their travel affiliate), and by the Carnival company, who used the word “Caribbean” to imply warm weather, but who by experience, should know that going to these places will neither be warm, nor will they be insuring that the promised Ports will be visited.
I made this choice, to go to Grand Turk! We never docked! I didn’t know that was an option! People in several Nations were aware that I was holding that meeting on Grand Turks. No one was happy that I never arrived.
The food was generally very good. The food service people in the main dining room did an outstanding job, as they did in the less formal dining area.
Without going into details, the “culture” of the Cruise experience showed the worst of the social changes in America. My mouth dropped open a lot, even though I am very well traveled.
So bottom line, I was disappointed over all. If you are going to say “Caribbean Cruise”, then go someplace WARM!
I could have just as easily flown to Puerto Rica and gone south, but thought that I was headed where it was warm out of MIA. And if the odds are that in November, you won’t be able to dock in a given Port, don’t promise that you can!
It wasn’t impressed, overall.
Neil Nelles
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
I’d tell them about the location of the Gym. If they were going in the Fall or Winter, I’d tell them not to go - too cold - too much chance that you won’t get to dock as promised.
Ports of call
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)
10 Comments
ctav 7 years ago
BDRebel 7 years ago
Sorry your first cruise was a bust, but should you decide to try it again, please take these ideas into consideration:
The cruise will try to go to the planned ports, but many things such as weather, wind or medical emergencies my make a port inaccessible. The cruise never guarantees its itinerary.
If you do not know where something is, ask any staff member. I have never run into a rude or surly crew member; as long as you remain polite, so will they.
The cabins on most ships are much smaller than a hotel room, unless you get a suite.
If you absolutely must be somewhere during a cruise, it is a better idea to fly to the location.
The northern hemisphere is cooler in November than it is in August.
BAK1061 7 years ago
The only person to blame for you missing your meeting is you. You didn't do your research. You assumed the weather would be fine. You didn't read your contract. Cruises can change itinerary for any reason. You would have known that if you spent time on any cruise forum. If you are THAT important that you were missed by so many by your absence, next time, take a private jet to your destination.
BonMike 7 years ago
It would be disappointing to not be able to see a port that you had hoped and planned to see, but the cruise contract is clear about itinerary changes that may happen. Perhaps flying to Grand Turk for your speaking engagement would have worked out better than cruising to do it.
As for the weather, it is still popular for many vacationers to enjoy the water activities all year round, even though you felt it was too cold.
Hope you are happier with any future cruises you take.
DVCruise 7 years ago
Johngold 7 years ago
Wow, First cruise was a bust. You did not read the fine print, ok, I don't read it all everytime either. But what did your travel agent have to say about this cruise when you got back. The cruise line CEOs and Chairman of the Boards do not control the weather, "although they may think they have that kind of power" So November, December is a bit cooler everywhere.
I would suggest that you do your homework next cruise.