Dessert Menu Pictures Carnival Sensation Cruise

I think this was from the Captain's Dinner. The desserts were so good!

Shrimp and Lobster Entree Pictures Carnival Sensation Cruise

My son ordered the shrimp and lobster entree during our cruise on the Sensation to the Bahamas. It was so good I think it was gone in about 3.2 seconds!

Prime Rib Entree Pictures Carnival Sensation Cruise

I love Prime Rib and this meal did not disappoint. This was cooked to pefection and served with real horseradish. My husband tried the Prime Rib at the Captain's Dinner and he really liked it too. It was his first time trying this cut. I'm ready to go on another cruise just so I can order this meal again!

Proscuitto Ruffles and Melon Appetizer Pictures Carnival Sensation

Here is an appetizer that I had on our Carnival Cruise during the Captain's Dinner. I found the combination of the salty Proscuitto and sweet melon to be very pleasing. I also learned that I am not a huge Proscuitto fan. I wouldn't order it again but I'm glad I tried it.

Strawberry Bisque on Carnival Sensation Cruise Picture and Recipe

My son tried the Strawberry Bisque one night on our Carnival Cruise at dinner. It was served cold with mint. I never thought something like this would be an appetizer but it was fantastic! Very tasty and a great starter to a wonderful dinner. Don't be afraid to try it!

 


Copy Cat Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream ( whipping cream)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• fresh mint

Directions

1. Puree strawberries, milk, cream and sour cream in blender or food processor until smooth.
2. Stir in sugar.
3. Chill 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator before serving.

Food from Mongolian Grill Carnival Cruise

My husband was ecstatic when he found out they had this buffet line. Noodles cooked to order. Wide selection of sauces, ingredients all cooked fresh. The only problem is is closes at 3 pm!! We only got some the first day upon boarding and the last day. Next cruise, if they have the same asian food buffet, we will make it much more of a point to get there several times. Much better than the hamburger line. (ignore the spillage - husband did that).  On the left is squid.

More dueling wizards at Harry Potter Land - Universal Studios, Orlando Florida - the men

Two wizardy schools battled it out at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.  The men went first.  It might not look as impressive here as it did there.  The area they performed in was very small and they could have accidentally hit anyone with those sticks.  They were quite good.

Harry Potter Land Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida - Dualing Wizards, the girls.

Two wizardy schools dual it out at Harry Potter Land at Universal Studios. This was taken in July 2010 right after the land opened.  This was in between the castle and the town setting.

Piano Bar on the Carnival Sensation Cruise Ship

We never visited here at night on the cruise, when there was music but what a neat and odd place to hang out. Hands everywhere. Piano keyboards everywhere. It could use some updating - looks like something from the late 80's, but fun none-the-less.

Pictures of the bathroom in our stateroom on Carnival cruise ship - Sensation

Honestly - we really loved this bathroom on our cruise.  Here are some pictures.

The first thing we noticed was how absolutely spotless it was. Not a spec anywhere. The chrome shined. The walls were polished. Like someone had wiped the place down with clorax or pinesol without the smell. The shower was amazing. Very hot water was available but easily controllable. The Shower Massager head had many settings. The shower head also moved up and down on the vertical bar. I want one at home! The floor was made of some kind of plastic or rubber so you don't slip and if water overflows from the shower, it is a non-issue. The sink was very modern and the small shelving area perfect for your bathroom necessities. There was a small selection of samples too. Bic razor, crest toothpaste, daisy razor, shampoo samples. I was told that we could ask for more as well if we needed them. While small, this bathroom is so efficient and again CLEAN. I'm not sure what I expected on a cruise ship, but this definitely exceeded anything I had imagined.

Recipe for Eggs Benedict - Easy and fast

Found this recipe on allrecipes.com.  Must try it soon.  Eggs Benedict on Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 4 slices Canadian bacon
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 dash ground cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 English muffins, split and toasted

Directions

1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, fry the Canadian bacon on each side until evenly browned.
2. Fill a large saucepan with about 3 inches water, and bring to a simmer. Pour in the vinegar. Carefully break the 4 eggs into the water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until whites are set but yolks are still soft. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter until bubbly in a small pan or in the microwave. Remove from heat before butter browns.
4. In a blender or large food processor, blend the egg yolks, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, and salt until smooth. Add half of the hot butter in a thin steady stream, slow enough so that it blends in at least as fast as you are pouring it in. Blend in the lemon juice using the same method, then the remaining butter.
5. Place open English muffins onto serving plates. Top with 1 slice Canadian bacon and 1 poached egg. Drizzle with the cream sauce, and serve at once.

Breakfast on the Carnival Sensation Cruise Ship

We only had breakfast once in the dining room. Wish we had taken the time to do it more but on island days we went straight out. We'll know better next time. I had the eggs benedict of course and husband had a ham and cheese omelet. Croissants and small pastries were served before hand. I'm a tough critic on eggs benedict. My eggs have to be extremely soft poached and runny. I thought there was no way this would happen in a mass production kitchen like on a cruise ship but they came out perfectly!

 

Pictures of Stateroom on the Carnival Sensation Cruise Ship - Ocean View room

Here are a few pictures from inside our stateroom. We had an ocean view room on the Upper deck. Coffee from room service was always very prompt in the morning. Such a nice litle perk. Decent artwork and a nice sized tv for the room. I liked that it was high up on the wall.

 

Pictures of Port Canaveral from the Carnival Cruise Ship, Sensation

Here are a few photos looking back at Port Canaveral from the cruise ship, Carnival Sensation. You can see the Disney Cruise Ship as well as the Royal Carribbean ship, Freedom of the Seas. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside of Port Canaveral so this is all I have.

Carnival Cruise Rum Punch Pictures

Shortly after boarding the Carnival Sensation, on the Lido Deck, waiters came around with the drink special of the day - Rum Punch. these were really yummy. I think they were about $7.50 each and you keep the glass. Refills at $6.75.

 



I can't seem to locate a recipe for this.  I'd love to make it myself.  It appears Carnival keeps this drink a secret.?.?  I'm guessing it is fruit punch and a couple of different rums.  Barcardi 151 I think.  It is very good for a fancy, sweet drink.

Carnival Cruise Ship - Sensation - Pictures of Mini Golf on the Sports Deck

Following are some pictures of the mini-golf, putt putt area on the top of the Carnival Cruise Ship - Sensation. It is much larger than it appears. Plenty of room for several groups to play putt putt at once. Golf clubs and golf balls are check out at the towel stand on the Lido Deck. Beware though, it is hot up there!! There is also a jogging track that is cushioned to lessen impact that circles the mini golf area on this cruise ship. It was a great place to go at night for an evening walk.

Hilton Cocoa Beach Ocean Front - pictures out on the enormous deck.

The restaurant at the Hilton Cocoa Beach serves outside as well as inside. This hotel has an enormous deck that goes from nearly the front of the hotel, completely down one side, all the way to the walkway to the beach. There are many tables and as well as lounge chairs and a full bar / tiki hut. Music is sometimes brought in during early evening.

 

Pictures of food at Cocoa Beach Hilton's Restaurant

Three of the four of us ordered their burger.  The fries came in a cool little 'fry basket'.  These wedge fries were seasoned well and cooked to a perfect crisp.  The hamburgers were cooked perfectly as well, and topped with a small pickle.  We were eating outside and still got real plates!

One of us ordered their four cheese pizza.  It was surprisingly large for a one person serving.  It was very tasty as well.  

Some have posted reviews that this restaurant is overpriced but really, for a beach front Hilton Hotel, on a fantastic deck outside near the pool and Tiki Hut bar, accompanied by fantastic service, I'd say it was quite a deal.  We'd definitely eat here again.

Boombay Smash – Prop Club in Our Lucaya, Bahamas

This was the best drink of our entire cruise.  Boombay smash at the Prop Club.

Boombay Smash at Prop Club at Our Lucaya, Bahamas

This is the room in the Prop Club that we sat at overlooking the beach.

Boombay Smash – Carnival Sensation’s Umbrella Drinks & Drink Specials

My favorite drink on our Bahama cruise via Carnival Cruise Lines was the Boombay Smash.  Of course it was better on Grand Bahama Island than on board the Sensation, but it wasn’t bad on the ship either.  Pineapple juice, dark rum and some other ingredients make up a nice cocktail on a warm evening with an ocean breeze.

Here is a recipe I found for a Boombay Smash that sounds like the good one I had at the Prop restaurant in Freeport, Bahamas.

BOOMBAY SMASH DRINK RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• 1 part Dark rum
• 1 teaspoon Cointreau®
• 1 part Malibu
• 2 parts Lemon juice
• 3 parts Pineapple juice
• 1 Lemon slice
• Pineapple chunks
• 5 Ice (crushed)

Boombay Smash - Carnival Sensation - 3rd day drink special.

Pictures of the Hilton at Cocoa Beach Florida Ocean Front

Hilton Cocoa Beach, Florida

This hotel answers the question:  Where to stay before a cruise at Port Canaveral?

We stayed one night at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.  This was the night before our Carnival Cruise.  They have shuttle service to the port I am told, but we did not use it.  We rented a car from Avis instead so we had a little freedom and it was cheaper than 4 cruise line transfers from the airport.

Upon arrival I asked if we they were able to upgrade us - we were staying on a HHonors certificate and we are Gold HHonors members.  We had been upgraded to an Ocean View but the wonderful clerk took a second look and found us an even bigger room.  A king two room suite!

The above picture is obviously the living room.  Chair, fold-out couch with bed, table and chairs.  Very spacious.  No balcony.

Our view wasn't spectacular due to the roof, but really - we hardly noticed it.  Cocoa Beach was gorgeous.

The rest of the living area - there was a refrigerator and microwave.

There was a small, but reasonable closet in the 'hallway' between the front door and the bathroom.

The bathroom appeared to be updated with nice granite.

and ceramic tile.

The bedroom didn't have doors.  It was very spacious and had a 2nd TV.

Cute granite coffee stand.

The Hilton Cocoa beach was very easy to find off of A1A highway.  It is only a few minutes from Port Canaveral and an ideal place to stay before or after a cruise.  The Bellman was extremely nice and willing to help.  Valet parking is offered and there is a parking attendant at the front trying to keep the lot and beach for guests only.  There is a new, small gift shop in the lobby.  This Hilton hotel has a very nice, onsite restaurant as well.  We were offered two free breakfasts, but we opted not to use them.

More on the outside of the Hilton at Cocoa Beach Ocean Front in an additional post soon.  

We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend this hotel.  It could be a vacation destination in itself if you are looking for a relaxing, beach vacation near Cocoa Beach, Florida.  Less than an hour away from Orlando, you could easily visit amusement parks, Disney, Universal Studios and still get a beach vacation too!