Caribbean Cruise

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – On our first dinner aboard the Carnival Sensation, the woman at the table next to me was surprised to see dining room tables without tablecloths. Doesn’t bother me at all. Just think about all the laundry that saves. So much more environmentally friendly. On other cruise ships, I have seen servers changing tablecloths as soon as diners get up to leave so the table is ready for the next diners. On the …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise: Ship’s ‘American Table’ dining room offers no tablecloths but tasty menu choices

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION –  Do you like green eggs and ham? How about moose juice or goose juice? Chances are your children like them. And youngsters know exactly where such creative food came from – Dr. Seuss. Now children of all ages can enjoy an exciting partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Carnival Cruise Lines. “It is fun to have fun but you have to know how,” said Cat in the Hat in the iconic Dr. …

Read moreCarnival Sensation: Dr. Seuss entertains all ages aboard ship

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION –  He used to live in the forest, soaking up the rain. Now he lives on the Carnival Sensation, basking in the sun. That’s the Carnival story about the RedFrog. And they’re sticking to it. In fact, the little tree frog has made himself so at home on the cruise ship that he has his own private label draught beer, custom-brewed specially for Carnival – ThirstyFrog Red. The first pub ever on a …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise 9: Are you a Red Frog or a Blue Iguana?

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – On this beautiful day at sea, Marilyn is buying a special gift for her granddaughter at home. The cuddly teddy bear wearing a Carnival T-shirt that the Florida woman just bought for $25 is for a very worthy cause – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We usually buy the ‘Groove for St. Jude’ T-shirts for $10 but this year I thought I’d buy the teddy bear for our newest granddaughter,” Marilyn said. …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise 8: Grooving for St. Jude helps raise money for children’s hospital

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – Ever have a yearning to try an unusual dish but not sure you want to waste your money and appetite if it turns out you don’t like it? Well, Carnival Cruise Lines has a deal for you. On our Carnival Sensation dinner menu under appetizers is an item called “Rare Finds.” The food listing goes on to explain that these are “foods you always wanted to try but haven’t yet dared.” Very …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise: ‘Rare Finds’ on dining room menu offers chance to try unusual food

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – Relaxing on the Lido Deck while waiting for my cabin to be readied on our first day, I overheard a mother telling her family, “Remember, we agreed this would be a no-phone vacation. We’re not going to use our cell phones for the whole cruise.” What a great idea! So far, I’ve seen that family – including two teens – around ship enjoying cruise activities together and apart. Without any cell phones …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise 6: Board games, afternoon tea, ship activities encourage family phone-free vacations

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – Chrome and silver. Gold and purple. Neon lights. Orange leather seats. Triangle-patterned bar stools. Plush sofas. Squiggles and curlicues galore. The Carnival Sensation décor, to me, looked like retro ‘60s mod. I almost expected to see movie secret agent Austin Powers sashaying down the ship promenade. I lived through those times so I like the styling of the 25-year-old ship. The heart of the ship is the soaring glass-and-metal atrium. Two rocket-shaped …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise 5: Ship décor reminiscent of retro ‘60s mod

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – The tantalizing sizzle of hamburgers frying on a griddle sure caught my attention. I don’t even like hamburgers but I had to try one of these tempting beef sandwiches. After all, this is the famous Guy’s Burger Joint, added to Carnival Sensation on a 2017 ship update. Created in partnership with Food Network’s spiky-haired Guy Fieri, this poolside restaurant is hopping from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. And it doesn’t …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise 4: Guy’s Burger Joint a popular new dining option

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL SENSATION – Ah, sea day! A chance to sleep in, stroll around the ship, check on fun activities and enjoy a leisurely brunch in Fantasy Dining Room. I’m not much of a buffet fan so I decided to skip the busy one on the Sensation. Not really pleasant to start the day by filling up a tray at the noisy crowded buffet and then have to look for a table to sit on the …

Read moreCarnival Sensation Cruise Day 3: Seaday Brunch offers leisurely way to start the day