Three days of open bar bacchanalia on Sensation: A semi-complete report with pics!

[DarthGrady]

Here are some more interiors:

 

The art gallery

 

Circle C

 

Photo Gallery

 

The Casino, the rainbow neons on the ceiling are either broken or Carnival is too embarrassed to turn them on.

 

Jewelery Shop

 

Gift Shop

[DarthGrady]

Most of us arrived at the Fantasy dining room around seven-ish. I think that the hostess sensed something was amiss with our merry rabble; we were lead to the very back corner of the dining room. The staff’s tolerance of our ramblings and shenanigans was admirable. The dining room itself had been renovated since my last cruise, it looked very nice.

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Later that evening we wound up in the hot tub in the Serenity area. Carnival was kind enough to put pager buttons all around the deck to call for drink service. Obviously we used the feature quite a bit. Nothing beats enjoying frozen drinks while soaking in a hot tub on the back of a ship at night. A great cigar topped off my Serenity deck visit.

The first half hour in the piano bar was dicey. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Brad at first. There were no happy vibrations in the air. Once we started giving Brad some input things got going. The songs and the audience participation make or break a piano bar; the player can only do so much.

Why yes Brad, I’d love to sing along to Bohemian Rhapsody. Then maybe some Journey? Yes! Rock and roll!

That was where it started. The sing-a-longs only got better from there. Marko, our intrepid bar waiter kept the libations coming at an excellent pace. The whole thing turned R-rated after a while, and much more entertaining. I was sufficiently twisted when a friend and I left to see the late night comic, a decision I would soon regret.

He just made a fart joke, and now he’s doing card tricks. Sweet Jesus, I’ll bet hand puppets or ventriloquist dummies are next. It’s not funny when Jeff Dunham does it, and it’s not funny now. We have got to get out of here before my buzz is murdered.

I was chomping at the bit to get away. We snuck out the back while the comic was badgering some poor guy on the other side of the room. I was sad to find that the piano bar had already shut down for the night. I would not make that mistake again.

We eventually made it to the Kaleidoscope; I’m not sure how long we were there though. I recall it being packed to the rafters with people. At some point in the ship’s history they converted half of the disco into a conference room. This was an odd decision since I have never seen the conference room used, but the disco is used nightly.

There are disjointed memories of a late night pizza run and a trip out onto the observation deck above the bridge. We loved lying on the observation deck above the bridge. The wind was strong and it was eerily dark. Drunks find simple things amusing.

 

The Touch of Class Piano Bar

 

 

[march272010]

Great review. Wish I was on that cruise!

[DarthGrady]

Day 2, Fear and Loathing in Nassau:

I’m not exactly sure about how long I slept, but I woke around noon on Friday. We were already in Nassau, and the gangways were already open. Of course we had to have some drinks in the buffet along with “lunchfast”. No sense in getting off the ship sober. It is far easier to deal with the haranguing by the locals if one is zonked out of their mind.

We wandered the streets dodging cars, hair braiders, cabbies and junk peddlers. After our new cruisers were satisfied that we had seen all Nassau had to offer we began working our way back to the ship. I stocked up on a few Cuban cigars en route.

Most of us spent the rest of the day occupying various bars and lounges. Although I was well aware that I had an open bar card, it wasn’t until somewhere on this day that I wielded its true power. Like Luke in Return of the Jedi, I became acquainted with the true nature of the Force. I had been receiving my White Russians and other cocktails in whatever manner the bartender chose to give them to me. At some point a little light switched on.

Don’t be cheap! Go for the top shelf stuff man!

After that it was Grey Goose and Patron, no more wells for this boy.

We relaxed for a while at the Serenity area. Serenity gets very hot without the small breeze provided by the movement of the ship. There should be a small pool there. Hot tubs provide little respite from the burning sun. There is a small overhang, and we took it upon ourselves to move some of the loungers under it. That made our experience more tolerable.

Pour 'em girl, pour 'em!!!

 

[DarthGrady]

Our ship in Nassau

 

 

The Destiny Leaving

 

 

[DarthGrady]

That evening was formal night. The dynamics of which are fairly hard for a bunch of alkies to comprehend. We approached the hostess for a table and things went a little sideways. Two of our compatriots came without long pants and we could not be seated.

It was worth a try. Now you drunks have to eat in the buffet and I am going to miss lobster. Great job!

Later in the evening I shifted the drinking into high gear as we enjoyed some cigars in the Polo Lounge. For some odd reason the piano bar was closed so we spent most of the rest of the night in the truncated disco.

Night shots

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Fireworks at Atlantis

 

 

[DarthGrady]

 

Not sure why I took this. Some who have cruised with Carnival for a long time (and were on Sensation back in the 90s) might remember why these panels were relevant.

[DarthGrady]

Day 3, Hangover on the high seas:

It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the cruise was nearing completion. But there was still a whole day, and by God we were going to live it up. It was equally hard to believe that I was up in time for breakfast.

“Yes, bacon please. A few more please. Yeah, just a few more.”

Can I just have the tongs? I am a big boy after all. I won’t steal them, I swear.

The bacon was apparently in short supply.

I enjoyed some delicious frozen beverages with my breakfast. As I ate, I pondered why I saw a yellow “Caution Wet Floor” cone in my friend’s cabin that morning. What impaired line of thinking led to it winding up in a stateroom? Ah well, no harm done. At least it didn’t wind up in the ocean like so many other props used in impromptu drunken amateur comedy shows on cruise ships.

The differences in cabins:

My Friends room

 

Ours:

Three guys in one room is too much.

 

 

[DarthGrady]

I had to maintain a bit of sobriety throughout the early part of the day so that I would be able to compete in the slot tournament. For those that are not aware, the slot tournament is a five minute marathon that taxes the mettle of even the hardest men. Hitting the “Spin Reels” button that much would take supreme mental and physical prowess, but I was up to the challenge. The fact that they cover the $20 entry fee for Platinum cruisers made me feel much better about almost having the lowest score.

With that little gauntlet run finished, I hit the sauce with enthusiasm.

We have to send this cruise, and my liver, off with some fanfare!

After lounging at Serenity we camped out on the Promenade for a while. Lots of sushi and frequent bar service kept the party going. I wandered around the ship and found some other friends at the pool bar. Some tall, cool Budweisers were the best way to enjoy that warm afternoon poolside.

 

Lido areas:

 

Before renovations

 

And after

 

 

Mini Golf

 

[1timecruiser]

This was a great idea and one that I've never heard of. I'm enjoying your "half baked" review, though yours could easily be the "half awake" review, since it was alcohol involved.

 

Wow, it's funny because I was on another thread where an individual was in the restroom and had her S&S card cut off due to "too much alcohol consumption", based on their opinion. However find it funny that they will allow an entire cruise that is directly geared to drinking.

 

Gotta love Carnival!

 

Keep up the good review...quite enjoyable and entertaining...lol

 

p.s. Is that "invisible man" in that pic of your friend's cabin?? LMAO

[DarthGrady]

My shorts-clad friends were welcomed into the dining room that evening. Our last dinner on the ship was excellent. Our servers took our revelry in stride and knew to have the bar waiter stop by frequently.

The Polo Lounge was our post dinner destination for cigars and drinks. Afterward it was time to party at the piano bar. Brad was already playing the hits when we arrived. We sang along to some of the best piano songs ever made, and some that were never even meant to be played on a piano.

A rival tribe of young guys came in later in the evening and inhabited one of the “hand cave” booths across the room. They thought they could out party us. They could have never known that we had cards for unlimited party ammo. Marko was Johnny on the Spot with reloads. The battle was over in less than a half hour. Their booth was empty, their popped collars and faux-hawks fell in disgrace. We were the victors, and to the victors go the spoils. It was time for R Rated piano bar, and we were ready for action. I won’t list the songs we sang for the sake of decorum. It was Brad’s last night on board, so his level of concern about complaints was understandably low. We shut down the piano bar, extra tips going to Marko and Brad for showing us a fine time.

It was difficult packing my stuff up that night. Not just because I couldn’t see straight with both eyes open. I had been looking forward to this odyssey for a long time, and it was coming to an end.

[DarthGrady]

This was a great idea and one that I've never heard of. I'm enjoying your "half baked" review, though yours could easily be the "half awake" review, since it was alcohol involved.

 

Wow, it's funny because I was on another thread where an individual was in the restroom and had her S&S card cut off due to "too much alcohol consumption", based on their opinion. However find it funny that they will allow an entire cruise that is directly geared to drinking.

 

Gotta love Carnival!

 

Keep up the good review...quite enjoyable and entertaining...lol

 

p.s. Is that "invisible man" in that pic of your friend's cabin?? LMAO

 

The beverage package was just part of the group booking we were with. The whole ship didn't have it. We can't promote non-CC group cruises here, but they are out there. We just lucked into this one, a friend of a friend got an invite so we all signed up.

 

Yes, that is "he who shall remain nameless".

[DarthGrady]

Day 4:

We had to wake up early, that chucklehead Skippy destroyed any hope of sleeping in with his incessant announcements. Apparently my requests to keep the announcements out of the cabins on the last morning have fallen on deaf ears. Not a pleasant way to send folks off from their vacation.

Breakfast was had in the buffet again.

JUST GIVE ME THE TONGS! I WANT BACON!

Another thought I kept to myself, even though the crewman seemed less than happy about having to reach down five different times for more strips.

After eating we headed to the gangway and were off the ship in a few minutes. No problems at all. We were in the car and driving away by 9:30 AM. Everyone had a great time. I can not wait to do it again next year.

[nothomeonacruise]

This has got to be the funniest review I've read. Thanks for sharing! :D

[big_duck]

Sorry but that is just one butt ugly ship.

 

And I'm one who usually :rolleyes: anyone who complains about ship decor.

[DarthGrady]

Sorry but that is just one butt ugly ship.

 

And I'm one who usually :rolleyes: anyone who complains about ship decor.

 

Prince likes it, I've been told he has his own suite on board.

[ebonniekins]

I am like you with the bacon. Keep it coming until I say stop. Do I look like I only want 2 pieces? LOL. Seriously though. Great review. I am going to scour the internet to find a friend of a friend who knows a friend who is connected to a friend and hopefully be a part of a booze cruise!

[oncruisecontrol]

Thanks Grady. As always, your review is a good read.

[alreadypacked]

As always Grady, great review!!:) I always enjoy your descriptions and humor. I'm with Ebonniekins, I'm going to keep my eyes open for a friend of a friend of a friend who can hook us up with a booze cruise!:D

[scottydog123]

But I got a hangover just reading it, I'd end up drinking like that the first night and then sleeping it off for the next four.:o

[MzOhioLady]

Grady - As usual, you always write good reviews and provide MANY Pictures. I'm with Ebony, I need to find a friend of a friend, who's got a friend and do a Booze Cruise!

[DarthGrady]

Grady - As usual, you always write good reviews and provide MANY Pictures. I'm with Ebony, I need to find a friend of a friend, who's got a friend and do a Booze Cruise!

 

Thanks Mickey! And everyone else for the kind words, I'm just glad I made it back to tell the tale.

 

I might be able to introduce you to a "friend of a friend". Shoot me an email, its my screen name plus @cox.net.

[darth frosty]

Loved your review. It reminded me of a tucker max story.