Sensation

P

pnorth

Guest
Hi has anyone been on this ship lately or in March. I am taking my first cruise in March 04. I am taking my son, who is 20, and his 23 year old best friend. We are all so very excited and it is still months away. I would love to hear about any excursions in grand cayman that would include me diving, possibly with rays, and the boys snorkling or intro dives for the boys. Also when we go to Cozumel, when would be the best time to schedule my dolphin swim excursion? Also, should I schedule this with the ship or on my own directly at the dolphin discovery center? Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
K

Kessman

Guest
I was on the Sensation earlier this year (March) and had a great time. One thing to note (and you may have found this out by reading posts or reviews) is to arrive in the Main Show Lounge (Fantasia Lounge) early for shows. There are large columns that block your view and it fills up fast for the shows. I have done only snorkeling in both places and found that Cozumel was better in my opinion. I have been told the opposite so maybe our guide took us to a bad spot in Grand Caymen. It was the Stingray City and Snorkel excursion to be specific (in Grand Caymen.) Not sure if your group is into the bar/club experience but if you are, I recommend going to Carlos 'n Charlies in Cozumel.
 
M

Moonglws4u

Guest
If you do any excursion I would recommend you schedule through the cruise ship. If you don't and you are late getting back the ship WILL NOT wait for you. That point can't be stressed enough. If your with a ship excursion and it runs behind they will wait but ONLY then. For the dolphin excursion I have read that you should do that as early as possible because of the time it takes. Senior Frogs (Cozumel) is also a kickin place if your into the bar scene. Both there and C&C's are a hilarious people watching place. Chakanub Park (not sure of the spelling) is in Cozumel and I have heard pretty good reports about snorkeling there. I believe this is also where the dolphin excursion is. I was unimpressed with Grand Caymen but have heard other people say the Sting Ray city is good but I don't imagine your going to get much coral or anything like that....... too poplulated with people.
 
P

pnorth

Guest
Thank you for your reply. How was the weather in March? And the seas? I get sea sick pretty easy.
 
K

Kessman

Guest
The weather was great. Sunny every day and didn't see one rain cloud. Wait.... it did rain the day we got back into Tampa in the morning. Which was fine because we were leaving the ship and flying home. As for the sea sickness, I am fortunate not to have that problem. However, I did have a couple of friends in our group who experienced sea sickness. I know I can't compare them to you but it only seamed mild for them. They still did things, just felt queasy. They utilized the free sea sickness pills at the purser's desk and said they worked. The ship didn't rock so bad you had to hold onto the railings but you could rarely (for me) feel the ship move very slighty.
 
J

Jeff & Susana

Guest
We also were on the Sensation in March.
The weather was perfect, seas were almost dead calm at times.
I have all excurions info and prices here, along with answers for most questions you could have.
If you like, simply make a list and email it to us.

Or, even easier, I can give you our phone number and you can give us a call.
A few minutes on the phone can be money well spent for cruise info!


CCCoz.jpg
 
P

pnorth

Guest
Oh Please give me your number or you could email me the prices. I want to go snorkeling at stingray city and the reef in Cayman. I am going to do the dolphin swim program in Cozumel and probably try to visit that Charlie's place for a drink. Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thank you very much.
 
A

Annette521

Guest
We are going on the Sensation in February, and I found Jeff & Susana's ship review very helpful: http://www.cruise-addicts.com/reviews/readreview.php?id=0000002105

We are planning a shore excursion to Stingray City at the Caymans, and we're going it on our own in Cozumel. My husband and I went to Cozumel on our honeymoon 6 years ago, and we're looking forward to exploring there again. Our main objectives are to rent a car and tour the island. We had found a little bar on the other side of the island that we really enjoyed, we're hoping it's still there. We also want to do some snorkling and of course, we'll drink a little tequila at Carlos & Charlie's. I've read that a lot of cruisers like to shop in Cozumel, but our experience was that you never tried to shop when there was a cruise ship in port, because the shopkeepers would not deal at all, and their prices were always inflated.

I'll try to remember to post my review before you go in March.
 
J

Jeff & Susana

Guest
Thanks Annette521, glad it helped!

As with all, if you have any questions about the Sensation, shore excursions, times, prices or whatever feel free to email us. I have all of the paperwork and info.
You can also call us if you have a lot of questions. I type ok but I can talk faster! :)

I hope that you all enjoy your trip as much as we did.


SunsetSensation.jpg
 
C

caroliemarie

Guest
I was on the sensation this past january. It was my first cruise. I went with my mom and had a blast. We were unable to go to Grand Caymen due to bad weather. Cozumel was great...just be careful of where you go (we found some bad areas as with any city). I suggest letting the photographers take all the pictures they want...you don't have to buy them and it does give you some options if you do want a keepsake. The best place on the ship to eat, relax, and avoid the crowds is at the very back of the seaview bar and grill - go out the back doors to find quiet tables to sit at. Have lots of fun!
 
B

Bomby

Guest
Just got back from crusing on the Sensation and I had a blast! We booked StingRay city through Nativeway. It was only $25 per person and we also went to coral gardens and did some snorkeling. It would be a good introduction to snorkeling.
You can also snorkle at Chankanaab after your dolphin swim. It is only $6 to rent mask and flippers.
 
C

Cruisin Gal

Guest
Just got back from the Sensation yesterday. We had a great time although we had some rough weather on the last day due to a cold front passing through. It was my first time on the Sensation. I have a few comments about her...she is due in a couple weeks to go into dry dock for a while for some refurbishing...which she badly needs.

She needs to have a thorough cleaning which is understandable since she's out everyday and time has taken a toll on her venitlation system and a general dusting and cleaning.

We had an adventure after leaving Grand Cayman on our way to Cozumel. We were due in Cozumel the next day at 10am, but 3 hours out of Grand Cayman we got a call from the cruise director telling us that a passenger had taken ill or got hurt or something and we had to turn back to Grand Cayman...well, that set our arrival into Cozumel about 4 hours late..which wasn't too bad considering we got 6 hours behind. Unfortunately for those that had excursions booked early in Cozumel...they were cancelled and I suppose you either just didn't go anywhere...or you found another excursion to take.

The people who did the Stingray thingie said it was super...and I believe them. In Cozumel there are tours you can take to do just about anything. I was told that some people who went snorkling in G.C. couldn't because of stirred up rough water...but they enjoyed themselves in Cozumel. I've been in the waters in Cozumel and they are nice waters.

The food was good..although I think it's better on the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral. I was disappointed in the lobster dinner as it seemed the lobster was water logged...but then again...not everyone likes lobster anyway. Everything else seemed to be very good.

The last day at sea after lunch was a doozy...we were rocking and rolling for most of the afternoon until about 11pm. The original Grand Finale show had to be cancelled and another in its place....too dangerous for all the lifts and jumps. The shows were still very very good though.

I had a great time on this cruise and I'm sure everyone else did as well. I'm not too keen on the Port of Tampa...I think it's too hectic compared to Canaveral.

Would I sail the Sensation again? If I were travelling by air and it was 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other compared to Tampa or Canaveral....I would AFTER she gets out of dry dock and spiffed up. Living on the east coast of Florida...I don't think I'd drive over there instead of going to Canaveral though.

The Sensation IS a FUN SHIP...she's older and there are lots of younger passengers on her and more children than on the Fantasy, but everyone that I spoke to said they had a super time.
 
P

pnorth

Guest
I sure appreciate all your reviews on this subject. All and any ideas are welcomed. I also found the list of all shore excursions at http://shoretrips.com It also list prices. Is this the same list Jeff and Susan have?



Post Edited (11-25-03 16:38)
 
Top