Carnival Sensation

Launched in 1993, Carnival Sensation is the third of Carnival's eight Fantasy-class ships, together with Fantasy, Elation, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise and the other “balcony ships” Fascination and Ecstasy.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). Carnival Cruise Lines has Corporation's largest fleet as both a number of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). CCL has over 1/5 of the cruise industry's worldwide market.

The 70,538-ton, 2,056-passenger cruise ship Carnival Sensation is one of the oldest Carnival ships. In January 2009, Sensation spent over a month in refit. Big-ticket additions included a three-hundred-foot-long corkscrew waterslide, kids' aqua park, tropical-themed mid-vessel swimming pool place, 98 balconies to all cabins and adult-only retreat space. The line also renewed ship's cabins with flat-screen TV's and updated numerous public spaces - from the main dining venue to the piano bar.

Cruise itinerary program

Carnival Sensation itinerary program is based on 3-, 4-day and 5-day short Bahamas roundtrip cruises departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Feature port destinations include Bahamas (Freeport, Nassau, line’s private island Half Moon Cay) and Key West FL.

In 2019, the ship offers a total of 17 new 5-day cruises to Cuba leaving roundtrip from Miami. Each itinerary features day-long port stay in Havana. The other ports of call in the Caribbean are Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, and Bahamas (Nassau, Half Moon Cay Island, Princess Cays). With the new voyages was expanded Carnival's Florida to Cuba 2019 cruise program, also including Carnival Paradise leaving from Tampa.

Cabins

Carnival Sensation has a total number of 1026 cabins (of which 54 Suites, 98 Balcony rooms) in 25 grades. Most Carnival Sensation staterooms are 185-sq. foot insides (408), oceanview (564), balcony (98) and suite (54). Ecstasy also has 25 wheelchair accessible cabins. The number of ship's cabin categories is 26. Sensation's Grand Suites are the largest cabins onboard (330 sq.feet) and can accommodate up to five passengers. They feature sitting areas and spacious bathrooms with whirlpool bathtubs and a separate shower. Suite guests benefit from VIP check-in.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

During dinner hours, the two dining rooms - Ecstasy and Fantasy accommodate all Sensation's guests in two seatings (early at 6 p.m., and late at 8:15) or with the flexible option "Your Choice Dining" program - anytime between 5:45 and 9:30 p.m. The Sea View Bar and Grill located on Lido Deck has a big traffic flow, but even when crowded, the tables are enough and offer purple plastic seats. The Star Wars decor meets largely high school clientele. The pizzeria is 24-hour open; fat-free yogurt and ice cream are also offered round-the-clock.

Unlike other Carnival ships, there is no specialty restaurant or Supper Club onboard Carnival Sensation. However, as is also available on all of the Fun ships is Chef's Table - a dining experience that affords a dozen guests a multicourse dinner with a private cocktail reception, a tour of the galley and a master chef. This dining option takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Sensation restaurants and food bars.

• Fantasy Dining Room (658-seat, forward Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, or “Your Time Dining”; offers themed breakfasts - “Seuss At Sea”, for $5 cover charge)
• Ecstasy Dining Room (650-seat, aft Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings).
• Seaview Lido Buffet Restaurant (722-seat, complimentary self-service restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings).
• Sushi Bar (complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Carnival Sensation is still an amazing value for families and first-timers, despite her age. The vessel features line's famous Camp Carnival with programmes for youngsters among the ages of 2 and 17 years, an immensely congenial and up-for-anything crew and worthy sun deck additions (waterslide and adults-only place). Fantasia Lounge hosts always-popular Vegas-style show productions that are high energy, with great lighting and special effects. In addition to Fantasia's song-and-dance revues, a late night comic entertains adults in Plaza Lounge. Classical music is often scheduled in the atrium. Live dance and music venues are available daily. The Touch of Class piano bar boasts bar seats that are shaped like big hands. This unique hot spot often turns out to be standing room as guests enjoy the sing-alongs and can take part in the music without having to face the audience a la karaoke. Even though young people make up much of the bar's audience, some of the music appeals to George Gershwin and Irving Berlin fans.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Sensation lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Sensation Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck high midship open area served by Grand Plaza Lobby Bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Fantasia Theatre (1300-seat, 2-level main show lounge)
• Sensation Boulevard Promenade (230-seat)
• Joe’s Cafe (58-seat specialty coffee bar)
• Michelangelo Lounge and Bar (109-seat, with karaoke and dance floor)
• Kaleidoscope Disco and Nightclub (230-seat Dance Club)
• Polo Bar (92-seat cigar bar with piano)
• Plaza Lounge and Bar (540-seat, hosts Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, special occasion gifts); The Fun Shops (offer “Bon Voyage” store menu, souvenirs, watches, jewelry, logo merchandise, duty-free liquor, fashion boutiques)
• Circle C (kids' complimentary club lounge with movies, video games, parties, planned activities)
• 24-hour Video Games Arcade; Club O2 teens' lounge for movies, karaoke, parties
• Vegas Casino (450-seat, served by Mirage Bar)
• Serenity (adults only relaxation area with padded lounges, hammocks and two Whirlpools).
• Sensation Lido Pool area; Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (features the 4-deck high Twister Waterslide, two racing waterslides, fountains, jets, splash pool, kids area)
• Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge with a complimentary programme and play area)
• Spa Carnival (Spa and Fitness complex with Relaxation Room, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Massage Rooms, Beauty Salon, Gymnasium with Aerobics Studio)
• Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Tennis Tables, 9-hole Mini Golf Course, Shuffleboard.
• The ship's 2017 refurbishment added all the Fun Ship 2.0 venues and amenities, including Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary poolside burger bar via partnership with Guy Fieri), BlueIguana Cantina (complimentary poolside Mexican food bar for burritos and tacos on home-made tortillas, toppings, salsa bar), Alchemy Bar (cocktail lounge served by professional mixologists), BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Mexican-themed poolside bar serving frozen drinks and draft beer), Cherry on Top (Carnival's signature bulk candy shop), Camp Ocean (kids complex for children ages 2-11).

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades were started in 2014 and completed in 2017. Sensation is one of Carnival's oldest (Fantasy-class) liners with sisterships Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise. The vessel was christened by 4 godmothers - all Carnival Cruise Line's vice-presidents (Roberta Jacoby, Vicki Freed, Gerry Donnelly, Cherie Weinstein).

Ship's inaugural cruise/maiden voyage started on November 1, 1993. The vessel was extensively drydock refitted in February 2009 ("Fun Ship 1.0" / "Evolution of Fun") when new balcony cabins were added, as well as the "Serenity" (adults-only resort area), Carnival WaterWorks (aqua park) and the children's complex Camp Carnival. Following Hurricane Katrina (2005) the ship was charted by the US Government to provide accommodation for refugees.

Carnival Sensation refurbishment 2017 review

The ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment (February 9-22( was done in Freeport Bahamas and resulted in the following deckplan changes.

• (Lido Deck 10) Guy’s Burger Joint was added (complimentary poolside dining venue serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries )
• (Lido Deck 10) BlueIguana Cantina was added (complimentary poolside Mexican eatery for fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, with salsa bar and a variety of toppings). Also here was added the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar (Mexican-themed outdoor bar for frozens and beers).
• (Promenade Deck 9) Alchemy Bar was added (Carnival's “cocktail pharmacy” lounge with professional mixologists and made-to-order drinks). Also here was added the RedFrog Rum Bar (rum bar for frozens and beers, serving Carnival’s private label ThirstyFrog Red /draught beer).
• (Promenade Deck 9) Cherry On Top was added (bulk candy store, also selling Carnival Cruise Lines logo apparel, gifts, toys)).
• (Verandah Deck 11) the old Camp Carnival kids complex was redesigned and transformed into Camp Ocean. Also here (aft) was installed Carnival Waterworks (aquapark with Splash Zone, 2 mini racing slides for kids, and the Twister Waterslide).
• Various technical enhancements were also implemented, including shoreside power capabilities.
• Routine maintenance works included new hull coating.
• During refurbishment 2017, the crew area was also renovated.

After the ship's previous (2015) refurbishment (Fun Ship 2.0) was introduced new show programming - Hasbro Game Show, Playlist Productions, Punchliner Comedy Club.

Drydock 2020 (January 6-17, Freeport Bahamas) was a USD 25 million project that included general maintenance works, technical upgrades, new carpeting and tiling (shipwide).