Very poor experience

Item: Carnival Sensation
Rating: 2.5
Author: ndigenio1

Carnival Sensation Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

ndigenio1

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 15

Overall rating:

2.5 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 19, 2017

Ship: Carnival Sensation

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: R10

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The boat was old and honestly not worth the money spent. Carnival's product from my experience is absolutely sub-par. The food was a couple of steps above a high school cafeteria. The entertainment was basically unenjoyable, the only exception was the comedy show with the comic CJ (forgot his last name). The boat had one extremely small pool and three hot tubs for approximately 2500 people, and they closed it on our last day at sea when we came back from Nassau. Carnival should be ashamed of putting this product on the market. The de-embarkation process was extremely unorganized. Carnival sells wifi that I purchased, but did not work once on the ship. When I brought this up, I was told sometimes the wifi cuts in and out. It cut out the whole trip, could not get emails or websites until I hit a port and went on a cell carrier. I will say that 98 percent of the staff tried hard to make the best of what they had to work with, but it was impossible thanks to Carnival's product. The room stewarts were very good. The biggest disappointments were the food and entertainment, completely unacceptable!!

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Embarkment was fine, except that there was no food available until after safety meeting. We flew all day and went straight to the boat without eating.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Food was horrible and no variety. It was a couple of steps above high school cafeteria quality.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

1 very small pool and 3 hot tubs for approximately 2500 people, and they closed on our last day at sea, need I say more!!

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Shows were very poor quality, except for the comedy show

Children's Programs

Did not take any kids

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

98 percent of the staff was very good, they tried with what they had to work with.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

The ship was clean, old ship though with not much to offer

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Small what we paid for, no complaints, nothing spectacular

Ship tip

Book with another cruise line or at least go on another newer Carnival ship. This ship should not sail anymore, it is not comparable to others that sail.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Port was fine

Thumbs Up 0

Grand Turk Island

1 out of 5

Just stay on the beach area, rest of the island is a dump, literally.

Thumbs Up 0

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

4 out of 5

Very nice beach and water, Just be aware that if you buy the cheers plan on the ship, it doesn't apply there. Its supposedly Carnival's private island, they should honor it.

Thumbs Up 5

Nassau, Bahamas

4 out of 5

Went to the Atlantis on my own, you can save $60 a ticket if you purchase the day pass there instead of from the ship. Atlantis is a 5 star resort. Just walked around Nassau shop area, nothing special.

Thumbs Up 6

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

unorganized!!!1

10 Comments

Lass1959 7 years ago

I have cruised on the Sensation many times (at least 5 times) from Port Canaveral before and after her upgrades. This ship is one of the oldest...but it is kept up wonderfully! Their food is good, I will not say great. They have a serenity area with hot tubs, just saying even on the the hottest day that pool water is cold! Their private island is awesome...loved it! Turks and Cacios was there 2 times. The first time we went we took a cab to town (very poor) few shops but it was a learning point. The second time a few months later we took the island tour...very informative...then we went to the beach/pool at Margaritaville. Awesome time there! Ok...your internet didn't work...did you ask for help the first day? If not that's on you. You did read that it was satellite based? I haven never purchased it because I knew it was going to be slow. My cruising buddies in the past used the media package...(Facebook, messenger twitter, etc) to keep in touch. Cheers package...again did you not read the agreement...it tells you where and when how they will give drinks. I'm glad you liked your room steward. As for your room size all the rooms except for the suites are about the same size...small...you are in there to sleep and change! With 2 people in there it is fine! 3 people (adults) is still fine a little tight (did that a few times). Did you do any research on what you choose? Ship, ports, room??? If not that is why you were unhappy. Research next time!

Thumbs Up 1

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rummrunner 7 years ago

BTW on Sensation in 9 days. ALL my cruises have been on smaller ships, loved every one of them!

Thumbs Up 2

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rummrunner 7 years ago

for those with limited time, these smaller, older ships are often the only game in town (3&4 night trips) if anything is seriously wrong the crew and Carnival will take care of it. other than that the best plan is to lighten up and remember you're not at work.

Thumbs Up 1

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Teamstrong 7 years ago

What didn't you like about the entertainment? Didn't they have a dj in the clubs? Comedy club and shows?

Thumbs Up 1

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GIL155 7 years ago

Please try one of the many other ships or another line. You tried this one, and were not happy. New experiences await you!

Thumbs Up 1

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cprdnick 7 years ago

They're offering their form of an honest 2 star review on the ship (which is the whole purpose of this section). I'd prefer to see this than no review at all. The "criticism" you two are offering is absolutely useless to the forum, and considering that neither one of you appear to have been on this ship, you really have no idea what the reviewer experienced.

Thumbs Up 1

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DerekMire 7 years ago

Some people just complain

Thumbs Up 1

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KansasCruisers 7 years ago

Complain much?

Thumbs Up 1

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Kimluvs2cruise 7 years ago

Sensation is one of the older ships. Basically those on a budget usually sail on her. Spend some extra $$ & go on one of the newer ships.

Thumbs Up 1

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DerekMire 7 years ago

Don't sail again

Thumbs Up 3

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