The last time we cruised on Carnival Sensation was 2004. We wanted to take a cruise to relax and unwind, and celebrate our anniversary. We live near Port Canaveral and drove our car and parked at the port, it was quick and easy. Parking is $15/day. Embarkation was very smooth, quick and we were on board within 20 minutes. We walked around the ship while our room was getting ready. Everything looks pretty much the same as the last time we were on the ship, a little worn but very clean. Our stateroom was on the aft of the ship and had an extended balcony. This was the highlight of our cruise. We spent alot of time enjoying the view, having room service in the morning and drinks in the evening before dinner. A balcony really adds to the experience of cruising. Our room and bathroom were a decent size. As soon as we boarded we stopped by the dining room and requested a table for two, which we received for our late seating. It was nice and romantic. The biggest disappointment for us on this cruise was the food. Most people look forward to experiencing the gourmet food while cruising, and we are no exception. But the quality of food on this cruise was very disappointing. It was subpar at best. We have cruised many times, and have always enjoyed the main dining room experience, as well as the optional dining for an extra charge. But it appears that the cruiseline has cut corners in the food department. Basically the same food that was being served in the buffet lines was being served in the dining room. The two best experiences we had foodwise were the pizza (fresh baked) and the deli sandwiches (also freshly prepared). This was a total bummer for us. We spent some time in the Serenity area, and would have spent more time there but it was so very hot with no breeze. A better location for the Serenity area would make it a much more enjoyable experience. We did not participate in the activities as we just wanted to relax and chill out. We did catch the early comedy show, which was ok. If you are bringing wine on the cruise, there is a new rule that says you much bring it in your carry-on, not your checked baggage. We made that mistake, and they don't bring it to your room until the last night of the cruise. We intended to bring it to dinner and pay the corking fee, but still enjoyed it the last evening. Debarkation was fine, the usual wait for your zone to be called. We had a leisurely breakfast at Seaview dining area and sat out on the deck until we were called. Overall the cruise was very relaxing and enjoyable and we had a great time. We were just bummed about the poor quality of the food and the Serenity area located in such a stifling hot area. We are looking to cruise in December to the Eastern Caribbean, but will look into another cruiseline next time.