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Great Spring Break for the kids! by
Carole B from Lawrenceburg, IN Sailing date: Mar 2011Pros: Kids Activities kept them busy Cons: Cost of shore excursions & photos It depends on what you like. This was our first cruise and we went on it to see if we lie Cruises in general. From a family perspective, the kids activities as a part of Camp Carnival were awesome. The kids were excited, busy and never bored with all of the fun things there were to do. However, when it came to the shore excursions, the cost per person took this out of the reach of a family of five. Some of the excursions would have basically cost us the same as the crusie had we done them. So our shore stops ended up being a lot less fun because we simply didn't want to spend a grand in order to do something for a couple of hours. And for those people not able to afford the shore excusrions, there was no help from anyone to do something else outside of the shore excusrions. Ship QualityShip was very clean and the dining room for dinner was superb. Very up-scale dining experience. The food and quality fo teh stateroom were worth the whole cost of the cruise. Dining/FoodDining food for dinner was awesome. Breakfast and lunch left a little bit to be desired. Lots of burgers and fries, and lots of long lines. Finally did the sit down breakfast on the final day, but the amount of selection was disappointing. Stateroom QualityVery good and while we had 5 people inside, it still was able to acomodate us all. Ship Staff QualityOur stateroom was cleaned and prepped 3 times a day. The towel fgurines were a highlight for the kids (Which animal are we going to have today, mom??). When we came back from one beach excursion covered in sand, it was all gone by the time we got back from dinner an ohour later. Truly remarkable. Entertainment & ActivitiesFor the full day at sea, there were plenty of activities if we wanted. Not very many activities that got you moving, however. All of them were sit down and watch this show, or listen to this music, or watchthis comedian. Not many were ones to get you moving. Children's ProgramsKids had an awesome time, and were completely out of our hair for the most part. They seemed to truly enjoy the time spent hanging out with kids their age.  
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Freeport, Grand Bahama IslandFreeport was a flat island with a small area for shopping and a few very pertty beaches. We couldn't afford the shore excursions, so the Freeport stop was the best one for us as it had things we could do without having to spend a lot of money.
Nassau, BahamasThe Nassau port was overwhelming and hard to navigate if you didn't spend the money. Atlantis for a family of 5 would have cost us half the cost of the cruise. Ridiculous. So we went to a public beach again and it was not anything better than what we had seen on Freeport.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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  We love Carnival! by
Carter from Jacksonville, Florida Sailing date: May 2007Pros: Food and sixe of staterooms. Great experience, the food was excellent, rooms were nice and big (for a cruise). Room could have been vaccumed more but not a big deal. Ship was a little small, not as many stores as I would have liked on the boat. But overall it was good. Great shows to watch, great gameshows, very entertaining! I would cruise again, but would try another Carnival ship and another destination. Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: Small fitnes area but quipment was nice and up to date.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Birthday Cruise. by
Barb from Orlando, Florida Sailing date: Feb 2007Pros: The deck. I could live on the deck! Once again, we had a wonderful cruise with Carnival. I love the service, the food, the layout of the ship, the ports of call, everything! This trip was so great that I did it again a couple of weeks later with my daughter, and had a wonderful time, again! Thank you Carnival! You guys are the best! Entertainment & Activities
Entertainment: I think your karaoke leaves a lot to be desired. (New equipment, for starters...)
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Freeport, Grand Bahama IslandFreeport's Fantastic!
On my first trip to Freeport, we spent most of the day exploring by foot. The next trip, we relaxed on one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Don't Miss: The beach. Nassau, BahamasNassau on my Mind!
My screensaver reminds me every day of my trips to Nassau. I thought Florida had beautiful beaches, but wow! Nassau is amazing! There's pretty good shopping there, too. My husband & I ventured out on foot to get closer to the lighthouse. We didn't get to it, but we saw a side of Nassau that tourists usually don't see. Fasinating!
Don't Miss: The dolphin encounter. 7 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Mediocre was the word of the trip. by
Christine L. from Iowa Sailing date: Nov 2012Pros: The formal dining room. Cons: The food was not very good. The ship was outdated. The food was not very good. The price of the cruise was good. The patio pool was fun. The beaches and Senor Frogs at the ports were excellent. Carnival had photographers that are ridiculous. They just hound you for pictures that you have to pay for. Shows were average with a little bit of cheese. The cruise director was super annoying. Ship Quality
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Superb and relaxing by
Dave H. from Aiken, SC Sailing date: Jan 2012Pros: The excursions and facilities Cons: Main Dining Room service This was our fourth cruise and third with Carnival. We chose this particular one because of the Orbitz price, which was AWESOME!!!! This was the last voyage of the Sensation before drydocking and updating. That may expalin the lack of enthusiasm and professionalism in the main Dining Room. But alas, there are other superb eating locations onboard. We partook of them all (except sushi). The remainder of the staff was very pleasant and helpful. This was the first cruise we took our sons (17 and 22). They had a great time and will definitely go again...if Dad pays. The excursion through Orbitz did circles around those offered by Carnival. Snorkle and swim with the sharks was FANTASTIC!!! Ship QualityJust the right size Dining/FoodOther than what I said about the Fantasy Dining Room staff...Delicious! Stateroom QualityGREAT!!! We had a porthole room and it was comfortable. Ship Staff QualityVERY friendly and helpful. Entertainment & ActivitiesSame as always....Great! 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Great cruise for first time cruisers! by
A Traveler from Charleston, SC Sailing date: Jan 2012Pros: The food Cons: none We just recently cruised the carnival Sensation... For most of our group it was their first time cruising.... This ship had the amenities of a 5 star hotel! The service was great and courteous... We definitely enjoyed ourselves and had a great time! Ship Quality
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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A Great Value by
A Traveler from Central Florida Sailing date: Feb 2010Pros: The price and itinerary Cons: The entertainment If you're looking for a good value then this is the ship for you. Carnival offers one of the best short cruise Bahamas itineraries. One full day in Nassau allows you to stay on the island for nearly 24 hours. Most 4 days cruises at this price only go to Nassau, however, this itinerary also visits Freeport. Ship QualityThis is an older ship but has been recently updated. If age of a ship is important to you, do not book this cruise. The ship is smaller than others I have been on. Staff is always cleaning and the ship is kept immaculate. Dining/FoodFood in all areas was delicious, much better than expected. Stateroom QualityStateroom was larger than expected, immaculately clean but could have been updated a bit. Decor wasn't very appealing. Ship Staff QualityShip staff was fabulous, extremely friendly, and very attentive. Entertainment & ActivitiesWe don't really attend much of the entertainment, however, the music could have been better in majority of areas. Music Asia is musically amazing and one of the comedians was great. 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Nice, but not really designed for me by
Rob C from Orangeburg, South Carolina Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: cleanliness and hospitality Cons: expenses I had a nice time on the Sensation. The staff was extremely friendly and the ship was in very good condition. All procedures (check-in, check-out, dinnning, etc) were very well organized and the common areas were clean and the rooms were nice. The fitness center and spa was an unexpected delight, as it was in great condition and had all that you could ask for. Food was good, but not great...but, then you can't expect it to be perfect when they are cooking for over 1,000 people.
However, because the ship was one of the smaller ones in the fleet, everything is more condensed. Only one pool on the whole ship! And, some of the services were packed, because they were limited by space and what they could offer. Only cruising for 3 days is really more of a hassle than vacation. You get there after lunch the first day, do shore excursions the 2nd day, and the 3rd day you know you are leaving the next day, so you never get to relax and take it all in...unless, of course, you are like my girlfriend and just lounge around. But, I like to do as much as possible and you just can't fit it in.
Also, if you are a drinker (like I am), cruising will kill your wallet. You think you are gettting a great deal when you sign up, but then each drink is expensive with gratuity added on every drink, plus a daily gratuity is tacked on. For instance, two signature drinks will cost you around $15 with gratuity, so $18. Even a Diet Coke cost me $4. My Sail & Sign account was almost as much as the cruise! Plus, I am not married, don't have any kids, but I don't want to re-live my college Spring Breaks, so the "clubs" are not really my thing. If you want to chill, but still enjoy drinks, you better be independently wealthy.
Overall, it was a nice time and I would go on a cruise, again. But, not on a smaller ship and it would be for at least 4 days...you just feel rushed the whole time. Also, I would be wiser about the drinks... Ship QualitySee above, but the ship was very clean and very accesible. Just too small. Dining/FoodSee above. Also, you do not have as many options as you think for dining Stateroom QualityThe room was great! Ship Staff QualityProbably the best aspect of the cruise Entertainment & Activitieslimited
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Nassau, BahamasNassau is a typical 3rd World city with a nice beach. I went snorkling, which was a really good time, and I rented a scooter. It was fun and a good way to see the area, but the people are crazy! Open container and right-of-way do not apply. I would recommend going to the area known as Arawak Cay or "Fish Fry". It is a strip of bars and eating spots that is mostly locals. Don't be scared, you can go to Senor Frogs in the States
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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First Time Cruiser by
A Traveler from Orlando Fl Sailing date: Sep 2008Pros: Free Food, friendly staff, Clean rooms Cons: Shows were very outdated, Decor of Ship (also outdated) I would only recommend this ship for a younger crowd (21-35) with no kids. I traveled with a friend of mine who went on this same boat 2 years ago and she said NOTHING had changed; same shows and comedians. If you have kids it might be hard finding things for them to do. The pool is VERY small and is divided into two halves; one half is where the slide dumps people out so it is rather dangerous. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThere was not one good review at dinner any night. I ended up skipping dinner the last night because I knew I would not be satisfied. Room service is okay food. Stateroom Quality
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Freeport, Grand Bahama IslandI have been to Freeport twice. Once on Spring break in college and once on this past cruise. It was great for college spring break, not so great for snorkeling or sight seeing. I most likely won't do this port again.
Don't Miss: Banna Boat ride Nassau, BahamasPretty good overall
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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A cruise better left undiscovered by
Terry S from D.C. Sailing date: Sep 2012Pros: Nothing Cons: Everything This was a cruise for the unintiated...a party cruise for 3 days. Not relaxing and the clientele was discourteous and unruly. Ship QualityNot the cleanest of ships....food was fair to mediocre. Dining/FoodOne of our party became deathly ill and we attribute it to something eaten on the ship. Stateroom QualityOur room was above average and the attendant was exceptionally attentive, although we made very little requests of her. She was always available and willing to help. Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & ActivitiesIt was a 3 day cruise so we had limited time to enjoy the amenities. 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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