First, we are avid cruisers with over 25 cruises. Although we take a few different cruise lines Carnival has been the one we have been on the most. We chose this cruise for my wife’s 60 Birthday because it was only 5 days and we had just came back from the Carnival Breeze 7 day cruise 2 weeks prior. Let me say that we knew it would be a small ship and was one of their first, and we tried our best not to compare till the end. First thing is you should know there is not a great selection of food to eat which was disappointing. There is only 1 buffet for breakfast,lunch and dinner and it usually had the same thing everyday. If it wasn’t for Guys Burgers or the Pizza pirate it would of been salad everyday. The deli although wonderful on other Carnival ships was extremely disappointing on the Sensation. We both ordered a Reuben and it was all and I mean all fat and forgot the saurkraut. We did try a little something from the buffet everyday but one bite you just move the plate to the side you do not want to eat it. To the pizza pirate we go, which is very good. Also, the buffet closes at 2:30 everyday and they don’t care if your in line or not, they just start taking the food away. I went to the sweet bar to get a cookie and as I was reaching the tray went right out from me and the guy said, we’re closed. Not the friendliest crew around. The sweet bar we did try a little of everything, some good some not so good. We went to the restaurant a couple of nights hoping it would be better, well...whatever you do, do not order fish. It is so well done and over cooked you can’t eat it. The best thing we ate was the prime rib and shrimp pasta. Their signature dish for dessert is the Melting cake, which I have every time I go on a cruise. It was well done every time I got one. If you don’t know what it is you would probably love it. The cake should be in the middle filled with chocolate that is just like a liquid. It is usually a chocolate lovers dream. On the last night I figured I try one more time and again well done. I asked our waiter if they changed the receipe and he looked and said, oh my well done,let me get you another, he brought out 3 and finally there it was, The carnival chocolate melting cake the way it should be. The last night was southern fried chicken. You could not chew it, we saw table after table sending it back. Sea day brunch wasn’t bad, but beware of the eggs benidict. It was hard boiled eggs, not once but every time I ordered them. With that being said, even though you have much fewer selections to eat they should at least have the same standards of food they have on other Carnival ships. If they did I wouldn’t even be writing this. As far as our room, we have had all different types of rooms from suites to interior rooms. As long as the room is comfortable no biggie, we only sleep in it. We had a porthole room which to our surprise was extremely roomy. The only complaint is there is no refrigerator so if you bring your own soda or order water there is no way to keep it cold. They will bring you a refrigerator only if you have medication to keep cold and you have to ask. There is a safe in the room but you have to use your drivers license or a credit card to use it. No charge but who wants to carry around 2 important items all the time. Also, if you need a make up mirror bring one, these rooms do not have one like the other ships although they do have a hair dryer. We always bring our own toiletries because they stopped putting them in the room. I mean they give you little packages of soap and there is shampoo and body wash. They will also only do your room once, your choice morning or night. No more morning and night. Also, bring something to stay warm in your room, like a parka lol, You can only control the fan speed, there is no thermostat so you pretty much freeze all the time. The entertainment was ok, comedians so so, nothing great just ok. Although Dion (Cruise Director)is a hoot he can only do so much. The Quest is a lot of laughs so I recommend getting there early and don’t miss it. Although it says scavenger hunt you do not leave the plaza and believe me you have never seen anything like it. Most were first time cruisers so if you don’t know what it is you won’t stay. Everyone we saw that were first timers we told them not to miss it. But if your easily offended it’s not for you and it’s for adults only. Absolutely no children and if you go you will understand why. Now let’s talk about the shops, they have beautiful jewelry but they are extremely pushy and don’t let go. If you go in for one thing they try to talk you into spending thousands more. One guy was chasing me out the door trying to get me to purchase something I just wanted to look at.. so if you ask to look at something that you like and are considering buying they will try to push you into buying something else. Look on the islands first before buying on the ship, although they can be just as pushy on the island they can take no for an answer. Now onto the spa. Enjoyable yes, but wait for their specials or go to the ladies pamper party. That’s were they give you the best deals. Instead of spending 200 on a message at the pamper party it’s 100 dollars. But again also beware, they try to sell you Elemis products for everything. I made the mistake many years ago and bought what they suggested for the tune of 300. Well, you can get they same products on Amazon so beware. Just take the card they write everything down on and if you like it get it elsewhere.

Now the cruise itself was all in all nice and relaxing and we met a great couple to do everything with. The last day of the cruise did not have a lot of activities to do. It was mostly Jewelry blowout sales. We did have a good time and if the food was up to Carnival standards it would of been a great getaway.