We certainly did enjoy our VIP embarkation (by virtue of having sailed Carnival more than 10 times). We were invited to sit at a desk for check-in, then escorted onto the ship. The process took no more than two minutes and we boarded the Sensation just prior to noon.

Our room would not be ready until 1:30, so we schlepped our carry-on and my laptop to the Lido Deck for lunch. The buffet was not particularly appealing with a bizarre assortment of salads and hot dishes. I did enjoy the salad bar and a cheese burger. Then we had the first of many soft freeze ice creams. Lunch was not impressive, but we were happy to be on board.

The Sensation has entirely too much purple in its dEcor. We've sailed Fantasy class ships many times, so were familiar with the deck plan. We did a mini-tour to check out all of the public spaces. The big show lounge is seriously in need of a facelift with a very confusing dEcor (worn upholstery and carpet are both busy patterns which do not coordinate at all). But we had such great times in that space that we forgot how ugly it is. Compared to newer ships, the dining room was a little dull, with very low ceilings, but we still thoroughly enjoyed our dinners there. Service from Joseph and Anna was wonderful as were most of our meals. The lobster was the best we've ever had at sea (sweet and tender). Everything else was very good to excellent, except the chateaubriand which was tough and tasteless. We were served broccoli for a vegetable every night - I guess it was just the dishes we ordered as our dinner companions did get some other vegetables. We enjoyed our evening meals with two other delightful couples our age - dinner companions were a great fit for us. Read more