In October of 2003, DeAnna and I decided to try a 7 day cruise from Tampa on the Carnival ship "Sensation". This was our first cruise, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. The ship leaves and returns in Tampa, so there was only minimal travel to the dock.

The first pictures are our cabin aboard ship. I purchased a mid-priced cabin that have a big window. Nice cabin, but you can see how small they are from the pictures. This is my bed.

Another picture taken from my bed shows the rest of the cabin.

And here is how the cabin will look after you unload your luggage in it.

And here is the spacious bathroom.

And here I am, enjoying my first drink and rock hard bed. Good Times!!!

Every cruise starts with a Life Boat Drill. It means everyone on board puts on their life jackets, and stands in the hot sun for about an hour. It is not fun. 

First stop was the Cayman Islands where we went to feed the stingrays. Here we are on the boat holding the bait container (stinky squid parts)

Here I am in the water with a hungry stingray coming my way. You just hold the food in a closed fist, and they will suck it out of your hand.

The strong suction made me a bit jumpy, and I pulled my hand away. The ray already had the food and was happily on his way.  I got better at feeding them as the day went on.

After the stingray feeding, it was time for us to eat.

Next stop was the sunny Island of Cosumel, where we boarded the Fury Catamaran for a day of adventure.

First part of the catamaran ride was a dive to feed fish at the local reef. This is about the only good pitcure I was able to get underwater. Yes, that is my actual hand.

The second part of the trip involves drinking and cruising. We found that out tablemates from dinner were also along on the catamaran trip.

DeAnna enjoys her usual non-alcoholic beverage.

And I enjoy emptying the boat of all available beer.

We are now coming along side of our cruise ship, and another Carnival ship.

Meanwhile, I have run out of beer. The bartender has run out of glasses, but happily finds a way to dispense Margaritas.

As we return to the docks, you can see our boat and the Ecstasy. They are much bigger than the picture makes them appear.

Another picture of our ship as we prepare to dock.

And here is DeAnna heading back to our ship..

DeAnna and I are heading back up the dock to our awaiting ship.

After a full day of fun in Cosumel, I pass out in the room. DeAnna decides this is the best time to take this wonderful picture.  Is that a woody?

Next stop, New Orleans. Here we are at the dock.

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As we walk towards the French Quarter, DeAnna stops to call home..

No trip to New Orleans would be complete without Cafe Du Monde.

SSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRR.

And here we head up towards Bourbon Street.

Back at the RiverWalk area, we enjoy some snacks while waiting to get back onboard. 

The sun has set, and it's time to get back aboard our ship.

There is always a Mardi Gras party on board as the ship leaves New Orleans. DeAnna and I grab our masks and party!

A picture of DeAnna and one of our tablemates at the party.

I'm not sure who this person was, but he seems to have lost his pants.

And here I test the old tongue to ice myth. Yes, it sticks.

DANGER!.......... White boy dancing! 

And the official Carnival formal picture. Is that the staircase from the Titanic behind us?

Let's now take a moment and experience the wonderful towel art that we found in our cabin each day. I call this one "Ashead"

This is "Boneless Doggie"

And I leave you with "Happy Bunny"