Jera Anderson

Age: 48
Occupation: Information Systems Help Desk Supv.
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: Carnival
Ship: Sensation
Sailing Date: June 4th, 2005
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

Specific Itinerary: Sailed from New Orleans on June 4, 2005 to Costa Maya and Cozumel. This was our 'maiden voyage' taken to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. We went with two of our best friends and their two most excellent teenagers. [I'll be looking for that check, kids!]

Embarkation: Not nearly as bad as expected. Around 45 minutes or so. Great for people watching...and watching...and you get the picture! Went right to our three adjacent cabins which were extremely clean and cozy. I do say cozy because they were exactly the size expected when we chose them from the online pictures. If we had wanted a suite, we could have booked it. It was perfect for sleeping, showering and changing; we didn't anticipate spending the entire cruise or even a large portion of it in the cabin so what would have been the point??

Our cabin was the 2nd from the front of the Main Deck. The Down-side - perhaps it was my imagination but it sure seems like being this far forward causes any motion of the ship to be much more pronounced. Then again, twenty foot swells (western edge of Arlene!) would make any movement pronounced! Being on a lower deck also allows the noise of whoever was chipping paint below us at really odd hours to transmit right up the hull into the cabin. The Up-side - no kids running back and forth past our cabin at 2 AM!!! Hooray!

Our room stewards were incredible! They made us feel very welcome and responded promptly to all our needs. Thank you, Rey and company!

Food: Holy Moly! If you're about calorie counting, don't bother cruising! If you're about letting your taste buds run loose for awhile, this is the place for you!! All you want, any time you want is the motto! I want to echo MW's statement about our wait staff: "many, many thanks to our waiter Gus and his assistant Borika," Sure, he may have written our names down at some point early on but his actually remembering how to pronounce my first name earned big marks in my book! (the extra lobsters sure didn't hurt either, Gus!)

An event not to be missed is the chefs' exhibition. Food sculptures, ice carvings and much more that will wow your senses.

Drinks: Anything you could name, and quite a few you couldn't. Prices were not at all out of line. I would recommend bar management take the liquor bottles off those meters and let the 'mixologists' do what mixologists do! A good bartender knows when a patron desires (and can tolerate) a touch past exactly one ounce. With all the extravagance surrounding you on board this ship, a bar drink is no place to be skimpy.

MW's review is right on about the ship's drinking water and any beverage produced with it. Has that certain 'wang' to it that just puts it over the edge of palatable. Although the bottled water seemed a touch pricey, it is still the sensible alternative.

Entertainment and Ship's Activities: Something was always happening suitable for all ages. From activities on the decks, to Bingo, to the incredibly funny "Newlywed (and not so newlywed) Game show hosted by our Cruise Director, Mr. Greg Hutson. Slightly frightening but rip-roaring funny, Greg had three of the most unusual 'Chippendale Dancers' you'll ever see...and hopefully their wives will ever endure! If you're reading this, Mr. Otis, "Beep Beep!" Greg, Zoë and the rest of the activities staff were tremendous at keeping things hopping on board.

A very special thank you from me to Greg for making our inaugural cruise something we'll treasure. As a musician that performs on a semi-pro level, his convincing me to contribute to the Guest Talent show near the end of the cruise truly made it special. The ship's orchestra was perfection and the 'volunteers' onstage with me were awesome! Most special of all was the opportunity to announce to such a huge audience my appreciation for my wife tolerating my passion for performing rock and roll. (Thanks too, to the light crew for putting her in the perfect spotlight!) Additional thanks to the ship's performing band, "The Dirt Poets" for indulging my passion for just sittin' in! You guys rock!

Super-Shopper's show: Great info is available here on shops at your ports of call. Gentlemen, one word of caution: Beware if Jason calls for a 'good sport'! You had better be a good sport indeed and know someone with nail polish remover PRIOR to raising your hand!

Finally, the floor shows were truly Vegas class! Incredible and an absolute must-see! Hat's off to every member of the directors, actors, dancers and crew!

Staff: From Capt. Fabio Minetti [sp?] to every last crew member, enough cannot be said for their professionalism, enthusiasm and obvious joy they take in doing their jobs. Nothing ever seemed to be taken for granted with this lot. Most impressive of all was how well everyone worked together considering the vast number of nationalities involved!

One thing that sticks with me is an occasion I saw our Captain stop in the hallway and simply take time to chat with a handful of youngsters fascinated by the big man in charge of such a big boat. Thank you, sir. They will never forget your kindness and attention.

Quality of Ship: As MW's review stated, the ship certainly did not look old and worn out. Not sure what boat some previous reviewers were referring to but the Sensation is NOT one of those. Immaculately kept up and constantly being cleaned by someone! As for the lively purple interior decor - It's a FUN SHIP!!

Destinations: Not being able to dock in Costa Maya due to bad weather really was disappointing but really understandable. One look overboard at the harbor pilot's 30 footer bouncing around as if it were in a bathtub was enough to convince anyone that trying to put to port was going to be a VERY bad idea! The cruise director's crew came to the rescue and soon everyone's mind was occupied with plenty of substitute activities. Good save!

Excursions: See MW's review. She was spot on in every detail. Additionally, if you've never tried Snuba, give it a go! Amazing! One word of caution on the shopping in Cozumel: unless you know at least a bit of Spanish and are VERY confident in handling overly forceful salesmanship, I strongly advise against venturing more than one block off the main strip. Treatment can become just a touch hairy back there. Prices are much the same as those on the main strip as is the selection. You might be able to haggle a bit more but stay mindful of your personal safety. As should always be the case, stay very aware of your surroundings and location.

Debarkation: No real surprises here. It took no longer than expected with the exception of locating our luggage. It was a bit scattered in the section we found it. Green canvas seems to be a very popular color and material! Having an extra highly visible tag securely attached to the handles helped tremendously. Be prepared to wait in line trying to get out of the garages. No need to be in a hurry here as you'll only be frustrated and spoil the end of a truly fun vacation!

Final Remarks: To paraphrase the now infamous Terminator line, "We'll be back!!" When we sat down and added up the total expenses versus all the activities, amenities and 5 star treatment received, the value of cruising became immediately obvious! Finally, thank goodness for SEA BANDS! I laughed at first at the concept of acupressure relieving seasickness, but those little things work! If you have any inkling you'll be ill, get yourself a pair.

....Bon Voyage!