Fun trip, bad planning.

Item: Carnival Sensation
Rating: 4
Author: mmadsen

Carnival Sensation Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

mmadsen

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 18

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 30, 2017

Ship: Carnival Sensation

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: E78

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

We enjoyed the cruise, but I am very upset about us missing a port with no form of compensation. It really put a damper on the entire trip. They had already changed our port from Grand Turk to Freeport, and then we missed it all together. There were several things that we had planned for that port, and we did not get to do any of them.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

We waited for several hours to get on the ship, even though we had shown up at the correct time. Other than the waiting around, everything went smoothly.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

They were all great, and very tasty.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

The activities were good, but there was not a large variety of things to do.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The comedians on board were very funny, and the musicians were all very talented.

Children's Programs

I do not have children.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Our waiters especially were fantastic. I was upset by the ship management, as we missed a port.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The ship was clean, but it could definitely use some updating. The carpet and some fixtures look old and worn down.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Very standard stateroom size. The bed was very comfortable and there was plenty of closet space.

Ship tip

Don't go on any cruises on this ship if the weather is bad at all. They skipped a port due to wind, and we did not get any sort of compensation for missing a day we had planned. It was raining several of the days, and many of their activities are outside, which left us with not much to do.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

We did not do an excursion here, but it was a fun city.

Thumbs Up 2

Nassau, Bahamas

4 out of 5

We went to the Atlantis resort on this port, and it was very beautiful and fun. The city itself was a little scary, so there was not much to do there.

Thumbs Up 1

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

4 out of 5

This port was beautiful. We did the stingray adventure and it was a lot of fun, but I wish we had more time with that excursion.

Thumbs Up 3

Grand Turk Island Did not visit port

They cancelled it due to weather conditions.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Very quick and painless.

9 Comments

kmsmom3 7 years ago

We had our ports rerouted last January to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Freeport because the swells were 13ft going into Grand Cayman and Ochoa Rios. Freeport was a disappointment but it was our first cruise and had an awesome time aboard ship and at the other ports. We found the brewery at Freeport with someone we met on the ship. It’s not listed as an excursion but locals will direct you there

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cruisingurl 7 years ago

And there are more children.....

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

shingaling 7 years ago

Plus the rates are higher!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cruisingurl 7 years ago

Cruising during hurricane season is not advised. It's a gamble for sure.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Katievp 7 years ago

I just cannot believe how many people don't read their contracts.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

GIL155 7 years ago

Agree with courtfamily - port fees should have been refunded. Nothing else. No thanks, no sorry, no excuses. Just happens sometimes.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

shingaling 7 years ago

It happens all the time, it's part of cruising. Gotta be flexible and have a good attitude about it. "Put a damper on the entire trip"? If that's all it took, I don't know why you cruise.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

courtfamily 7 years ago

you should have gotten money back for port fees, but that is it.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

olldbob 7 years ago

if you read the terms and conditions it states that ports can be changed or missed and no port is garanteed. it may be for weather or safety concerns. if you read this i dont know why you are expecting compensation , but some ppl now days expect it for the slightest reason

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Terrible vacation

Good cruise but some disapointing elements

Disappointing