I found this site very useful in helping me make some decisions about my recent cruise on the Sensation so I thought I would add my "two cents" for those of you that also need some guidance. This was my first Carnival cruise (went on RC four years ago to celebrate my 40th - should have been on the FUN ship then!!) Anyway, I took along my 13 yr old daughter as this was her birthday present and her very first cruise! Needless to say, she was very excited!

I booked this cruise late July and it sailed on Aug. 26 from Port Canaveral to Freeport/Nassau so I did not get the best flights. In fact, after arriving at Orlando Airport at around 1pm and then traveling an hour to the port, we were finally settled in at 3 pm on the ship, just 1 hour before it was scheduled to sail! But all in all, embarkation went smoothly.

I've heard many negative comments - some positive as well - about the Sensation. All I can tell you is that we had a great time, from the moment we walked in to the moment we left (just the dropped jaw, wide eyed expression on my daughter's face as we boarded was enough for me, lol!) Yes it's an older ship and so it looks a little dated, but if your tastes appeal to what's funky and retro and something that has its own unique personality, then you're going to like this ship! This is NOT for snobbish cruise connoisseurs seeking some "high class" cruising experience. It's for down to earth people that want to be shown a good time!! Read more