Getting back on the saddle

Or should I say a new saddle!  The boy is getting back into shape after our vacation, going out almost every day doing at least 10 miles.  Well the Mohican 100 is just 2 months away so he can't waste any time in training.  Aaron and his new toy (and Team Spin jersey)

CRUISE 2012: Signing off...

March 25, 2012

Aaron and I are on our way to Orlando, Florida  and Port Canaveral where we are boarding the Carnival Sensation and taking our first cruise together!!  We are actually leaving our cell phones and the internet off for the duration of our vacation.  Let's see how that goes!!

OK I never went to sleep.  Looking for a snooze on the plane.

I'll load up all the pictures we take as soon as we get back.  Aloooooha!

CRUISE 2012: Day 1 CLE-ORD

Sunday, March 25

 

Cleveland security and flight was easy breezy!  It took us 15 minutes to go through check-in and security. Orlando's airport experience was another story.  We couldn't find the baggage claim area right away and the Carnival rep was missing in action!  I had to ask another cruise rep for help and we ended up having to walk to the other end of the terminal to the Carnival counter and the shuttle bus.

The shuttle ride to Port Canaveral was nice.  Nothing really to see on the way there but we were comfy in an air conditioned bus.  We caught a glimpse of Cape Canaveral before we got to the cruise terminal. 

There's our ship, the Carnival Sensation! 

Standing in line to the ship security and check-in

Oh what is that smell?  The sewage, yuck.  Security and check-in was fast and easy.  We decided to go to our room first before looking for some lunch.  Our baggage arrived soon after getting to our room and Aaron changed into shorts.  We headed to the Lido deck for a lunch buffet. 

 

Today it's Italian at the Taste of Nations with the usual Mongolian Wok, Rotisserie and Off the Grill.

My stir-fry made to order was ono!

LUNCH: Aaron - Szechuan noodle stir-fry and penne pasta;  Me - Thai noodle stir-fry, roasted chicken, mash potatoes and corn-on-the-cob

 

After lunch we walked around.  We are truly on a ship because I can feel it swaying.  Aaron said I'm making it up.  Honestly I can feel it!  I got weak kneed looking over the edge.  I think we were on deck 10 out of 14.

 

At the Waterworks slide on Verandah deck 11.  I can't believe passengers are already swimming and sunbathing!  We better get hustling!  It's a bit windy and smelly.

We went back to the room to change into our swimsuits and headed out at the Serenity Adults only area on Promenade deck 9.  Unfortunately there's no pool, just two jacuzzis.  But no screaming kids!  We were able to rest for several hours in the sun.  We were so relaxed we didn't realize we left the port! 

The view above us from the Serenity Adults Only deck.  Need to check the bikini top action!

Aloha Florida and the U.S.A.!

Time to get ready for dinner!

CRUISE 2012: Evening 1 Sailng to the Bahamas

Sunday, March 25

This is the view from the top, looking down the Grand Atrium.  Fancy lights... very Art Deco.  We headed for dinner at the Fantasy Dining Room.  It's a sit-down, all you can eat from the menu-style restaurant.  I can get used to this service!

 DINNER: Aaron - Escargots, Lasagna, chocolate melting cake and ice cream;  Me - Caesar salad, pot roast, a diet orange cake and coffee.

 After dinner I wanted to walk it off and explore more of the ship.  I seemed intrigued with all the nautical looking parts of the ship.  This looks like a navigational tower.

I'm happy that all the exhaust comes out of the whale tail tower behind me!  No nauseous feelings!

 

There's a mini golf course inside of the jogging track.  We should play it one day.  But we are going to bed early tonight in order to make an early start tomorrow!

CRUISE 2012: Interior Stateroom

This is what an interior room looks like entering it.  It's the cheapest option of rooms.

The locked wooden cabinets against the wall are optional extra beds that can open up.

 

 

The toilet reminded me of the ones on airplanes but with space.

The shower was cramped even for me but it had instant hot water and great pressure.

 

The makeup vanity-slash-laptop desk-slash-breakfast table

It was a bit small for Aaron's taste but it was doable for us.  It took some getting used to.  It was always clean and not stuffy or smelly.  Great ventilation!

Our choice to be "Mid"-ship was great.  Half way to eat at the buffets and the Serenity area at the "Aft" (back of the ship) or half way to the gym at the "Forward" (front of the ship).  We were also upgraded one floor up to the "Main" deck.