I guess I'll start at the beginning, there is a flat rate for taxi's in Tampa so don't pay more than $20 to or from the airport. We arrived at the pier at 1pm and were on the ship by 1:45. Hurricane Charlie was bearing down on us so people were made to disembark and move their cars off the ground level of the parking garage, this didn't seem to interrupt the boarding of passengers.
We went to our state room R203 (in the basement) and were pleased to see it had been decorated for our sons 13th b-day as requested. The rooms on carnival are supposed to be the largest in the industry but the difference is so small I didn't notice. The room was clean and closet space ok. Unpack and don't try to live out of your luggage as you might do when staying in a hotel. This was our 1st window room. We've always had a balcony on other ships. We did discover we can cruise more often if we stay in this class.
We went for lunch and to explore the ship. The food was good not great, best meal is on formal night in the dining room ( prime rib or lobster ). We flat refuse to dress up on vacation other than once for the formal wearing a jacket and tie witch is more than acceptable. Do not try to wear a golf shirt this night you'll stick out and will feel underdressed. We ate at the Seaview a lot, food was good and plentiful as was on Disney, and RCCL. The sensation is very clean and comfortable she shows her age if your looking in the right places so don't go have fun. Activities were fun and there were plenty of them. Kids activities were ok and my son went to many on his own.