We chose this cruise because of the ports. We really wanted to enjoy warm weather, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. We visited Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk. I didn't do much research of the ship before booking. I began to read reviews and grew nervous after reading them. However, I kept an open mind and went in with a positive attitude. This was our first cruise and have nothing to compare it to, but we were more than pleased with how our vacation went. Embarkation was smooth. Our stateroom was clean and ready to go, just as stated when purchasing "Faster to the Fun". Our cabin steward I Made, was amazing. He was so pleasant and helpful. Our stateroom had plenty of space and our balcony was amazing. We received our luggage in a timely manner. The dining options were good. Our personal favorite was the deli. We had minimal issues with getting drinks in a timely manner. The bars can get pretty packed at night, and people are quick to sneak in front of you to get served first. But that goes for any bar area. The entertainment was okay. We didn't utilize the shows as much as others, I'm sure. The comedian Tommy Drake was very funny. We went the next night, which featured a women (can't remember her name) and she wasn't great. When they say 18 and older shows, its definitely for a reason. The pool on the ship is very small and it is packed every night. Same goes with the hot tubs. That was a little disappointing. The service we received on ship was great. Each employee was more than friendly and helpful. Definitely be mindful when booking shore excursions. The times differed greatly. We booked the VIP Beach day at Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau. The time slot was from 10 am to 2 pm. When we got our tickets, we noticed it said "departure at 10:30". So we didn't get to the island until 11 am, and the shuttle left at 1 pm. We were not very happy about that, but lesson learned. When we decided to book this cruise, we wanted as little exposure to children as possible. We have children and wanted a relaxing get away. The little amount of children on board were very well behaved. I definitely recommend going during the school year, if you are in a similar situation. On our fun day at sea, we were researching cruises to take in the future. We really enjoyed our time on the Sensation, and the Carnival crew really impressed us. Don't let the negative reviews scare you off. This ship has great potential for a fun and relaxing vacation.