I am sorry to hear that Lois found the Sensation to be a "terrible ship."  I have sailed her three times since May 2007 and sailing her again this Thursday and I have not experienced the conditions she mentions.  I hope she has not deteriorated that much in the last 7 months.  Is she a brand new ship, no, in fact she is one the oldest in the fleet, but I have always found her to be well maintained.

The Fascination is a wonderful ship. It is one of the Fantasy Class ships and will undergo a major upgrade that will include over 1000 staterooms, water slide & pool area. if you look at the Imagination the Fascination will look just like it after the upgrade is complete.

Hope this helps

Crazy Cruiser - Please post your assessment of the Sensation after your return? We're booked for Thanksgiving weekend. thanks, Ken

Ken:

Crazy Cruiser - Please post your assessment of the Sensation after your return? We're booked for Thanksgiving weekend. thanks, Ken

Will do.

I found the Sensation to be much nicer than my trailer and the food was better than I normally get with my food stamps. And now that they accept my welfare check as payment, I may move in permanently. Hope this doesn't inconvenience anyone who can afford something nicer than us trailer trash folks.

People actually do live on the cruise ships so you should probably take advantage of the move.  It sounds like an excellent idea.  You'll avoid the drive-by shootings; drug sales; and hookers, too. 

Just back from the Sensation and as requested by Ken, here is my update. 

Lois:

its air-conditioning simply couldn't keep up with the need:  the dining rooms were hot;  the Seaview Grill was hot;  the staterooms were hot.

I had no problem with the A/C in my room.  In fact, my cabin was so cool, that I turned the vent to almost closed when I got into my cabin at night.  (I keep my home a/c at 72).  However, others I traveled with did have a problem keeping their cabins cooled.  It was about 50/50 out of the 6 cabins.  The Seaview was warm, but it was very warm outside.  I did not notice any problem with temperature in the dining room.

Lois:

Overall, our staterooms were OK.  However, the bathroom walls were filthy with stains (some of which appeared to be ***) and mold.  The carpet was simply nasty. 

I had no problem with the cleanliness of my room.  I also had no problem with the cleanliness of the rest of the ship.  The carpet in many areas was worn, but you constantly saw the crew cleaning.  I did notice that sewage type odor, that is mentioned occasionally by other posters, when I first boarded the ship, but I did not notice it for the remainder of the cruise.

The food and service in the dining room was spectacular as always.  I was somewhat disappointed in the food and the service in the Seaview.  In particular, you often had to clear a table to sit at them and locate your own silverware.  I don't necessarily have a problem doing that, just not what I'm use to with Carnival and I'm sure what they intend.

In the past on Carnival, I have always found the crew, particularly the bartenders to be very friendly and go out of their way to take care of you and I found that type of hospitality, not only from the bartenders,  lacking on this cruise.  

The entertainment was excellent.  I've seen the shows before and they were worth seeing again. Although, I am hopeful that next time I sail the Sensation, they will have rotated some new acts on board.

Blood Power (Band) in Michaelangelo's lounge is awesome and not to be missed. 

Overall, it was another great cruise and I will not hesitate to go back, but I just did not feel that same Carnival warmness that I have felt in the past.

Crazy - Thanks for the report, that's about what I'd expect for a ship headed for "refurb" in 2009.  I WAS surprised to hear about the "warmth" of the crew. 

Was yours the 4-Day that included Freeport? If so, did you notice construction in the Freeport Harbor? There are some reports out that they're changing port days, port times and even re-routing some itineraries to Key West vs. Freeport "due to Freeport Harbor construction"???

We're looking fwd to booking the Dream once it moves to not-too-far-away Port Canaveral.

Thanks,  Ken