Got my cherry popped but it wasn't worth it (as a first time cruiser)

Carnival Sensation Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 28

Overall rating:

1 out of 5
Carnival Sensation

5 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 29, 2017

Ship: Carnival Sensation

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I was A first time passenger on this waste of money cruise, didn't matter how old the boat was or how large the group was, when running a business, legit problems should be solved! That no fault contract that waives basically all ethical rights should be against the law! I talked with people that been cruising on this particular vessel for over 12 years and they said this was the worst it has ever been! That says a lot, more than the people defending this company or that have been working for carnival over 5 years and newbies 6-8 months. It's unfair that passengers don't have no options if a medical situation happen or out of a 5 day total, 2 on land, 3 at sea, all days but 1 was at sea! Internet package I paid for didn't work, when I showered water didn't go down the drain, the whole floor was flooded, sink overflowed while using plus a few more serious problems I don't care to mention. I was happy at the bar for most of the trip! Before the ship sailed, I asked if the problems would be handled before we sail if not, my family can leave the ship, management guaranteed the problem would be handled. Being sophistry and very deceitful, soon as the ship took sail they told me nothing could be done! I guess so, the ship is sailing. For some couples, this was their only vacation time together and it was wasted! All 112 hours on a boat, that could've been almost 3 weeks pay!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

1 out of 5
never made it

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5
Don't have many attractions, maybe need to rethink this place

Traveler Photos

this suppose to fit a person 6 feet 2in and 220? Unacceptable!!! Lawn chair?
Was this review helpful? 28

27 Comments

lsumcizk    7 years ago

Lost 2 days*

lsumcizk    7 years ago

This was on the freedom not the sensation but our last cruise last 2 days and cancelled one of our ports due to FOG in Galveston. Yes it sucked not going to one of the ports but I know it was not carnivals fault and made the best of our trip. It was still better than being at work just saying...

mikeallisong    7 years ago

You all sound like kids

Sherrydb41    7 years ago

WOW! I can't believe that ToriB is STILL complaining! I just got off the Sensation. Had a blast!!

Katievp    7 years ago

We had a perfectly good time on the sensation. Odd layout but otherwise just fine.

MackGordon    7 years ago

I've seen 5 negative reviews on differ my cruises and they were all from you. Not saying it didn't happen, but I'm asking because I'm an avid cruiser and I've never cruised the sensation before and I would Ike to know it you really had a bad vacation and is the boat really as bad as u say it is. I saw what you said about he Norwegian Sky and my wife and I love that boat...

Teamstrong    7 years ago

Ooh that sucks sorry ur cruise was terrible. I like to hear the reviews good or bad. I went on MSC davina and I had some complaints as well. Everyone's entitled to an opinion far as I'm concerned. People shouldn't minimize your complaints. Just take it for what it is. Weigh the pros and cons before making a decision that's it. That's what the site is supposed to be used for. Good or bad

quinnmum    7 years ago

Seriously ToriB? Just stop. As many explained trying to accommodate 42 damn people as if they are only ones on the cruise was a ridiculous expectation . I have 10'people going this summer and I would never demand the crew to cater to my enormous party. As for this review, I understand that people have issues but again a trip/vacation is what you make of it. How can there be so many positive reviews but one person assumes to speak for all the others as to how terrible it was?

MSN16    7 years ago

Yep, very difficult to read. Gave me a headache 🤕

kynyetta85    7 years ago

ok i was thinking the same thing that they are the same ppl lol

Katievp    7 years ago

Totally agree! All the same funky typos are not just a fluke.

tdukes1993    7 years ago

whybother and torib is the same person, just saying.

eddiemac1    7 years ago

he knows people in places 😂

Whybother    7 years ago

Some of y'all can't read!! Lol it's ok, some of y'all are agents for this cruise line, it's ok lol Do u people really think I spent 3k plus for 6-7 hours on Cayman island? On top of the problems I had aboard the ship? Let's be real! Most of y'all complain when Starbucks mess y'all 5 dollar drink up. I'm suppose to shut up and take this? The lawn chair wasn't a sofa bed big guy, I uploaded a picture, nothing like the beds they show online while booking. Y'all option don't matter, this was just a warning to future passengers! Room service was great, bartenders great, at dinner great, tipped in cash even tho I had already paid gratuity! But when it's something not right, I have the right to say something, y'all standards clearly not my standards! If Internet a hit or miss and I paid for it, if it don't work, I want a full refund, thats only right, things do happen, I get it, but I don't get no type of reimbursement! I know people in places, this will not be the end of this story! 

eddiemac1    7 years ago

#1- speed of ship doesn't cause sea sickness. (and rough seas aren't the fault of carnival) #2- I'm 6' 240 and never had a problem sleeping. even on the sofa bed #3- it's in your cruise contract that itinerary may be changed at any time #4- internet is hit and miss on all cruise lines. #5- 42 people can't sit together seeing as how the tables only seat 10 #6- these things happen. land or sea vacations. #7- as far as flights and motels before your cruise, not carnivals problem

mason2x    7 years ago

And FYI.....hats off to you to get that many loved ones on vacation. I'm lucky if I can get just me and my husband on the ship...😄

mason2x    7 years ago

Carnival does not guarantee ports of call. It's in the contract you and your family signed. As far as your tall family member what did you expect Carnival to do? Your on a ship which means everything is compact. The clogged plumbing happens. It's a floating hotel with many rooms. Clogs will happen. Happens to me most of my cruises (11). And when you picked anytime dining there was NO guarantee your family could be placed together. You should have picked assigned dining. To complain you weren't compensated enough sounds like an entitlement mentality. Let the criticism commence. I'm going on my 12th cruise with Carnival so it's safe to say I know what I'm talking about.

ToriB    7 years ago

Myself and 42 of my family and friends  sailed on the “Carnival Sensation Ship” from April 29th to May 4th and we had the worst cruise experience ever.    We booked the cruise with the anticipation of meeting other family members in Ocho Rios, Jamaica because my aunt and uncle were going to renew their vows.    My family spent a lot of money and time preparing for this trip.  The cruise director did not even announce that we did a detour until the next morning so were in the dark and confused about the situation.  We were hearing rumors that a passenger died then we heard that the passenger fell ill, so we didn’t know what was going on with the whole situation which added to our frustration.  The bottom line is that we booked this trip because it was stopping in Jamaica and we never got there. 
 
In addition to the situation that is listed above we experienced more problems that I have tried to list below:
 
1.      We had a few family members to experience really bad motion sickness because the rate of speed the ship was moving, which caused them to have to be in their cabin for a few days.
2.      My family members that were in cabin E64 did not have adequate sleeping accommodations for this cruise, because their son  is 6’2  feet tall and around 220 lbs  and they even went to the customer service before our ship sailed to try and get switched to another cabin.  The customer service rep stated that they would try to move them to another room, but they never did so my cousin wasn’t able to sleep properly during this whole cruise.  My cousin filed a complaint with Carnival and was given the following Reference Number: #### but the problem was not taken care of.
3.      We were only able to stop at one port instead of two
4.      Internet Packages or the carnival hub did not work most of the time, so we were not able to communicate properly as a family.  So, the money we spent on those packages were wasted.
5.      We were told that we would be able to sit together at dinner (we all signed up for “My Time Dining”), but it was frustrating and long waits to sit us for dinner because our parties were so long which we understood, but we would tell them at the dinner check-in process that we don’t care how long we have to wait we just want to be able to sit together as a family.  Even after the long waits we were always scattered a different tables.    
6.      A few cabins experienced minor plumbing issues meaning the sinks were clogged up and toilets were not flushing properly.   Unfortunately, my cabin was one that had  a clogged sink (U27 , E64, and two more cabins)
7. My luggage was lost and later returned to me after it was delivered to the wrong cabin.  This caused me to have to spend almost 2 hours at guest services.
 
In addition to the financial loss that we experienced we also were disappointed that Carnival would try to compensate us with 20% off of a future cruise.  I’m not sure that Carnival realizes how much money, time, and planning went into this trip to offer us 20% off a future cruise is a slap in the face and unfair compensation.  Most of us flew in a day early and booked hotel rooms, rental cars, and our family in Jamaica spent money trying to meet up with us.  Our heart goes out to the family of the injured (or deceased) passenger, but Carnival needs to better compensate us for all of the wasted money and time that we can never get back as a family.
 

MSN16    7 years ago

ToriB, I do not eork for carnival. My first cruise is in a couple of days. I was wondering why the difference of opinions, so I would advise you to read my post again and just maybe you will understand what I was saying.

mason2x    7 years ago

😮

Katievp    7 years ago

Give it up ToriB, none of us work for Carnival. We're just smart enough to spot a chronic complainer.

ToriB    7 years ago

I hope the public reading these posts realize that the same individuals minimize Carnival Cruisers  valued concerns or complaints anytime an unfavorable post is put on here regarding Carnival.  It is very hard to believe that you guys ( MSN16, tdukes1993, and Katievp) don't work for Carnival or have a vested interest when you spend all your days and nights trying to discredit cruisers concerns and complaints.

Katievp    7 years ago

It's because some people go on vacation to have fun and some go looking for problems just so they can complain to get attention.

MSN16    7 years ago

I don't understand why some people have bad experiences while others have good ones. It's the same ship with the same staff, right? Anyway, I plan to have fun on my trip.

Castiel    7 years ago

Maybe you shouldn't cruise if you're worried about a medical situation arising on your one and only sea day. You booked the cruise, carnival didn't do it for you.

mason2x    7 years ago

I've had showers not drain properly on more than one cruise on Carnival. Maintenance always came and fixed it. If we had any other problems with our cabin the room steward always fixed it. Vacation is what you make if it. Go in with a bad attitude expecting the worst then that's what you'll get. I did that on one of my 11 cruises albeit I was sick but I regret having a sour attitude because it ruined our vacation. Lesson learned I won't do it again. Lifes too short to nit pick everything and never stop to smell the roses.

mhutch1212    7 years ago

didn't you know when you booked it that there was all days but 1 at sea? if so, then why did you book it. Carnival doesn't book cruises for people without the people calling them and booking the cruise...hum.

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