My husband and I are thinking of going on the sensation in March 09 to the Bahamas or maybe even in November.

 

Which would be a better time to go? Is the Sensation a nice ship? We have been on the Fantasy and the Facsination before.

I've been on both the Fantasy and the Sensation.  Change some colors here or there and I am not sure you would know the difference between the 2 ships. 

I love the Sensation for a quick weekend getaway.  I don't think you will find much of a difference in temperature between March and November - perhaps a little cooler in March.

 In March you usually have some spring breakers on board and the prices tend to be a little higher than November.

You will have a great time on the Sensation. February 2009 will be our 3rd time on this ship. She was refurbished and for a long weekend getaway, you cannot beat it. The staff the last 2 times has been the same team and a few of them actually remembered us. The shows were a blast, and the slots loose. We do the Atlantis Beach excursion and we just had a blast. Cannot wait until February. Our first time was January 07, and the second time was January 08. So both times have been in January and besides the water at the beach being a tad cool, it was warm and relaxing. I cannot imagine March being any cooler than January. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me directly.  Jamie1476@aol.com

As veterans of the Fantasy and Fascination you'll be totally at home on the Sensation. There are some really good Past Guest deals in late November. The 4-day cruise gives you a full day/evening in Nassau, with no stress to get back to the ship in time. ken

You may wanna go in March only because its schedule to dry dock in january to refurbish. This is whats on the website:

CARNIVAL SENSATION TO RECEIVE FULL ‘EVOLUTIONS OF FUN’ UPGRADES DURING JANUARY 2009 DRY DOCK

New Features Include Expansive Aqua Park, Adults-Only Retreat, Resort-Style Main Pool Area, Nearly 1,000 Refurbished Staterooms

MIAMI (August 6, 2008 ) – Carnival Sensation will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment that will include the installation of an expansive water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat and tropical-themed mid-ship pool area, as well as renovations to nearly 1,000 staterooms and cosmetic enhancements to a wide range of public rooms and areas.

The “extreme makeover,” which represents the next phase of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative for the line’s eight Fantasy-class vessels, will take place during a scheduled 35-day dry dock in January 2009.

Are you sure you want to go in March???  Spring Break time!!!!!!  Lots of kids - young and College Age, and from what my PVP advised me, not a kid friendly environment for families.  And, I believe the rates are a bit higher due to the "Spring Break Crowd".

I'm going on the sensation in sept and I dont know which atlantis option to choose people in my party want to water ski and pairasail can they do that thier

My extended family and I (13 of us in 6 different staterooms) returned this morning to Port Canaveral after a three night cruise on the Sensation.  To validify my negative comments, please note that between us, we have well over 100 cruises, (7 in the past year) 80% of which have been on Carnival. Therefore, I feel our opinions are surely entitled to serious consideration.  I offer them to you to provide an accurate portrayal.

I personally found the Sensation to be a terrible ship for the following reasons:   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.   Staff was very aware of the issues but had no explanation and no solution except that we were eventually provided with a box fan from the Purser's Desk for our stateroom.  I suppose we should have become concerned when immediately before we were to embark, several people were asking for refunds, wishing to get off.  

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. 

The room service, dining service and food, as well as on-board activities were fine.  BEWARE:  if you like a sparkly clean ship, the Sensation is not the ship for you.  I felt like it was simply a bottom feeder of the fleet.   I prefer the Glory, Fantasy, Ecstasy, etc. 

 Hi Louis,

Sorry you didnt enjoy your cruise. We were your staterooms?  Was the AC broken in the rooms? Just wandering , going in a few weeks.  Thanks for the input.  But I know I will still have a good time.

I hate that you didnt enjoy the sensation. I am about to go on my 3rd Cruise on the sensation, and we love it. We found the ship to be the complete opposite than what you described. Our rooms were perfect, the air cold, the food great, and the staff was awesome. I would cruise on the sensatioin anytime, anywhere.

I just got back from the 3 night Sensation, room M67 (08/14-08/17). This was my 3rd time on the ship. I have noticed a couple of cosmetic issues, nothing that was a major concern.  The piano bar was quite dirty, but great entertainment.  The bathroom on the promanade deck in the aft of the casino's, the mens stall wouldnt lock.  Friendly staff at pursers desk.  The bathroom did have a little odor, I think it was the drainage system though, but given the infrastructure of the pipes linked up to over 1019 rooms, thats bound to happen.

Jhonny the room steward was great and did the early dining in the Estacy dining room, food was amazing as well as the service from Pankaj. 

 I agree its not the best ship but I look at it from a cost factor, i paid 250 bucks -- breaking it down, its like staying at the econo lodge, cheap rates, a place to lay my head, shower,  no frills.  Going back on Sept. 18th.

jamie1476:

the food great, and the staff was awesome.

   Thanks for reading my message.  Please note that I was happy with the food, service, and the staff.  However, most of the passengers on this cruise  were  aware of the heat in the Seaview and Dining Room yet nothing was done to remedy these problems during the short trip.

We were on the Empress deck.

No one truly takes a cruise and expects a Motel 6 condition or atmosphere.  I have never stayed in one of those and do not believe Carnival advertises itself as a Super 8 or Motel 6.  In fact, Carnival wants its travellers to believe it is a peer of the better lines.  I'm reading between the lines since you mentioned the cheap motel franchises.  Let's be very honest here:   Carnival's rates do allow it to be an affordable vacation to those who  live in trailer parks and on food stamps but it would never advertise itself as "the cheapest cruise you can take".  

My perspective comes from being able to afford other and more expensive cruise lines.  We choose Carnival if it's appropriate for our schedules.  I was very dissatisfied with a filthy ship.  The  lady who initially asked the question was asking what we personally knew of the Sensation.  Hopefully, you will not get E174 when you travel because it comes with ***, as well as other filth, on the bathroom walls.

Has anyone been on the Fascination? I was also thinking of going on it. It leaves from Jacksonville.