I recently returned from the December 16 seven-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Sensation. Before my review, I have to mention that the message boards are invaluable tools when planning a cruise. Thanks to everyone who posts information regarding cruises. The review will be pretty detailed, but feel free to email me if you have additional questions.

by way of background, I'm 26; I've cruised six times, all with Carnival, and this was my second solo cruise.

I left from Pittsburgh on Sunday AM. Booked airfare on my own with US Airways in July for $180 round-trip. Both flights were non-stop and direct. The flight down was on time, with only about 50 or so passengers. The flight landed in Tampa around 10:00. I proceeded to the ground transportation area and called The Limo. It is actually a shuttle bus. They picked me up within 30 minutes and for $11 I was at the pier by 11am.

	Article continues below

In order to enter the cruise terminal, all passengers must present a valid photo ID. The terminal was bright and modern. I then proceeded upstairs to check-in and set up the sail and sign account. Embarkation was very organized and went well. It seemed Carnival had around 20 check-in terminals and they had representatives ensuring that all documentation were completed prior to check-in. I waited about 45 minutes to get registered, picked up my Sail & Sign card and cabin key (remember that the Sensation is an older ship, so your sail and sign card won't open your cabin door - you need a separate key). At this time I was assigned boarding group 3 and then I waited until boarding began - around 12:25. Basically, you board in groups of 150 people when they call you group number. When they called three, I took a quick picture for the A pass security system as well as one for the photo staff and boarded the Sensation around 12:45pm.

The Sensation uses the A Pass security system. Basically, a computer stores each passenger's photo (taken at the start of the cruise) in a computer. Upon entering and exiting the ship, the guest inserts the Sail and Sign card into the computer and gains entry/exit. This system eliminates the need to present a photo ID every time one wants to leave the ship and re-renter. In my opinion, embarkation was well-organized and efficient. The terminal is comfortable and modern with restroom facilities and snack machines, if needed.

I arrived in the inside cabin M6. It was located in the very front of the ship on Main deck. I had initially booked a 1A guarantee, but had been "upgraded" two levels to a 4B. Overall, the cabin worked out OK. I think it was too close to some of the crew quarters as I could hear people yelling, screaming, and climbing the stairwells as late as 1:30 in the morning. It didn't bother me too much as I was pretty tired when retiring for the evening. Also, you could feel more motion in this cabin, but I'm not prone to seasickness and enjoyed the ship's movement.

After unpacking, I went to the Seaview Bar and Grill for the embarkation lunch. In fact, I ate every breakfast and lunch in the Seaview. The food is buffet style and is decent. Breakfast is the same every day, but they have everything from oatmeal to eggs to waffles to cereal to bagels, pastries, and fresh danish. Definitely try the made to order omelettes (they have egg-beaters on request for the health conscious.) For lunch, there is a salad bar with loads of veggies and fresh fruits, grille w/ hamburgers, hot dogs and, fries, a pizzeria that is open 24 hours a day, a dessert station, and a specialty station where the selection changes daily (tacos, chicken/salmon Caesar salad, crepes, etc.) The pizzeria is located in the back corner of the Seaview. They never seemed to have pizza ready, but in 5 minutes you could have a fresh one made. I don't think it was open 24 hours (during breakfast hours, specifically), but I didn't want pizza at 8am anyway.

The weather in Tampa was hot and sunny, but the pools didn't open until 3:30 or so. Since the lifeboat drill was at 4, I passed on the pool. The lifeboat drill was at 4:00 and was uneventful. On all Fantasy class ships, your muster station is not the same station as your lifeboat embarkation station so you usually meet at the muster station and then proceed to the embarkation station which adds extra time to the drill. However, on this cruise, we only reported to the muster station and within 20 minutes or so, the drill was completed. Probably the most efficient drill I've experienced. Good job!!

After the lifeboat drill, I looked around the ship, my home for the next seven days. I returned to the cabin and prepared for my first dinner. I was assigned the 6:15 early seating. Our dining room staff was ok, although I've had better service on previous cruises. Our maitre'd (whose name escapes me) was basically a cheerleader reminding us to scream and cheer every night if we had the best waiter. I thought it was pretty tacky! My headwaiter was invisible appearing on the final night to provide us with a nice souvenir portrait of the Sensation. Our assistant waiter was switched a few nights into the cruise; we weren't sure why. Anyway, the food overall was pretty good. I enjoyed the lobster tail and prime rib on the first formal night. Other notable items were the soups (french onion, pumpkin, lobster bisque, and iced mango soup). The desserts were also good and well-presented. My tablemates were great (all traveling solo too). We had a great mix of people from all ages and backgrounds. Had some good times in the dining room, even though service could have been better.

Our first evening at sea featured the Welcome Aboard show with our Cruise Director, Simon Prendergast, in the Fantasia Lounge, the main show lounge. It is the usual welcome aboard jokes and audience participation. Tonight's event was the spoon game, where guests in teams of two had to filter a spoon through each others pants and blouses. Simon was a good cruise director. He seemed to be pretty giddy and energetic, but hey, I guess that is his job. I think cruise director's connect more with first time cruisers who haven't heard the jokes and the shopping pitches. In fairness, it is tough to top John Heald, who was our CD aboard the Destiny and Triumph. The social hosts were from Australia and England (I can't remember their names). After the games, the show ended with a comedian Thomas Brown. He was hilarious and his midnight show the next evening was even better. Each evening the Sensation has a midnight buffet and a crepes buffet around 1am. The midnight buffets were usually held in one of the main dining rooms and the crepes usually served in the Seaview. The midnight buffets on this ship were better than those on my previous cruises - more selection and beautifully presented. The crepe buffet featured many different fruits, chocolate sauces, nuts, etc. They were very, very good, and I don't think any of the other ships I've been on served the crepes. I'm not sure why. If you like sushi, however, the Sensation didn't offer the Sushi bar prior to dinner as on the Inspiration and other ships.

Monday was our first of three sea days. The weather was warm as we sailed for Grand Cayman. The activities for each sea day were plentiful and included dancing, bingo, art auction, survivor at sea, and golf. Monday was the first of two formal nights and included Captain Basso's cocktail party in the Fantasia Lounge. It included free drinks and hors d'oeuvres and big band dance music for the dancers. The first Vegas style show was called "Hey Mambo!" and was very entertaining despite many of the bad sight lines. I found it better to sit on the bar stools on the second level of the lounge for unobstructed views.

Tuesday morning we arrived in Grand Cayman. General tendering began around 8am. We were in port with one other ship (Royal Caribbean). Cayman is a beautiful, but expensive, island. I did some shopping, sampled the rum cakes and then headed back to the ship to catch some rays. Good excursions I've taken in the past included a trip to stingray city and snorkeling at Paradise Reef. You can walk there from the ship and the prices to rent gear are reasonable. We left at 1pm and they featured the Sensational Sangria Sailaway Party. If you like wine, it was $2.50 a glass. I didn't try any so I'm not sure how good or bad it was. The galley tour and food and beverage presentaion was held at 4pm. The repeat guest party was held in between main and late dinners in the Plaza Lounge. Drinks were free again and included regular drinks plus after dinner drinks for the early seating guests who had just finished eating. Bravo! Evening entertainent featured a comedian, Carl Faulkenberry, and the juggling skills of Victor Zuniga. They also had a Karaoke party from 7-9:30 in Michelangelo's lounge. Fun!

Wednesday morning we arrived in Cozumel, Mexico to rain. The weather was still warm. I had booked the Mayan Ruins of Tulum tour. I thought the ship dropped you off at Playa del Carmen, but I was wrong. We docked in Cozumel and then had to tender (45 minutes each way) to Playa del Carmen. Be aware of this if time constraints are an issue. After the tender, we took the buses to Tulum (40 minutes each way). The ruins were pretty neat and I am glad to say "I did that", but the tour was $72.00, expensive given all the travel time. Also, the Mexican government will charge you $5 to take your video camera into the ruins. Carnival told us $10, so I'm not sure what happened there. After the ruins, you have the choice of being dropped of in downtown Cozumel or back at the pier.

Upon return to Cozumel, it was neat to see that the Celebration and Fascination had joined the Sensation at the pier. Lots of ships everywhere. We had to be back on board at 5:30 to sail for New Orleans. The mexican party was to be held on Lido deck around 11pm, but the rain moved it to the disco and the Plaza Lounge. The reggae band, Laws, played in the Plaza Lounge to a group of about ten until midnight or so. The mexican buffet was held in the Seaview Bar and Grille.

Thursday morning you could tell we were not in the Caribbean anymore. The winds gusted from 25-35 knots and there was a definite chill in the air. The few sunbathers (me included) wrapped ourselves in blue beach towels while the clouds ruled the day. Eventually, we gave in and went indoors to warmer climates. This day, I attended the art auction. I'm no art expert, so I didn't bid on anything. However, others did and the auctioneer did a good job of moving artwork. I tried my luck at the balloon bingo, but didn't do well. Price was 5 games for $10 so I had to give it a try. Thursday evening was our final formal night. Evening entertainment featured the second Vegas style show, Party Time. We entered the Mississippi around 9:30. Just a heads up, the ship will list from time to time as the Captain navigates the twists and bends in the river. Hang on! At 11:00, Music Unlimited presented Beatlemania, a one hour tribute to the Beatles, complete with costumes. Don't miss it - it was great! Midnight comedy featured Tim Harkleroad.

We arrived in New Orleans at 6am on Friday. Our ship was cleared by US customs before 9am. Weather was sunny and temperature around 55. It was a great day to walk and explore the city. The ship docks next to Riverwalk, a commercialized shopping complex. After a ten minute walk through the mall (yeah it's big), you arrive at Harrah's Casino. From there, you can walk to the Aquarium or continue towards the French Quarter and Jackson Square. It was neat to see the French Quarter all decorated for Christmas. I walked through St. Louis Cathedral just before the 11am funeral mass. It was very beautiful. Afterwards, I walked down Bourbon Street and then back to the Sensation. Just a note, New Orleans is adult-oriented. Public drinking is permitted and encouraged and you will likely see adult night clubs and strip joints. Just go with an open mind and be prepared for this if you are easily offended. Guest talent show was 10:30pm that evening. Afterwards, the ship sponsored a huge Mardi Gras Party. Many guests dressed up in the masks, costumes, and beads. The atmosphere on board was great.

Saturday we were back in the Gulf headed home to Tampa. The weather was still cool, but had improved from two days previous. Tons of activities including the game show, newlywed game, hairy chest contest, and ice carving. At 5pm, there was a Christmas show featuring the singers, dancers, orchestra, Camp Carnival, and Santa Claus. It was a nice ending to the cruise and prepared us for the fast approaching holiday. The main entertainment that night was a balancing act, Lubo and Zoe, and Percy Crews, a comedian.

Sunday the ship docked at Channelside around 5:30am. The first group was called to disembark around 8:50. I did take the Carnival bus to the airport. Lines were long in the airport, but I had no trouble making my 12:45 flight back to Pittsburgh. Overall it was a fabulous cruise. I know it was detailed, but hey, if you are gonna do this, you better be thorough. If you have any questions that I didn't answer, by all means send me an email.

Happy Cruising,
Brian
blcruising@yahoo.com

Other General observations: The Inspiration doesn't have FunVision, an interactive television system that allows guest to access Sail and Sign charges and purchase shore tours from their staterooms. The ship was clean and beautiful. It is about eight years old, but doesn't show excessive wear and tear. Tips are paid in cash at the end of the cruise on the Sensation. This will likely change soon. The ship has an internet cafe. The cafe always had some sort of sale or deal for sending Email or video mail, but we passed. $99 for unlimited access all week. Drink prices are too high. Drink of the day is now $6.25, up from $5.75. For a family of four a round of drinks can approach $30. Ouch!