On Thursday afternoon, a group of 10 of us boarded the Carnival Sensation!
For those who live within driving distance of a cruise port, cruises are a great way to go on an inexpensive vacation since we only need to park at the port and hop aboard. No flights! I’ve gone on a small handful of cruises, never paying more than $300 which includes a small room and every single meal.
Most cruises charge extra for drinks, spa services, fitness classes and excursions. Since we typically bring our own liquor aboard the ship (you can prepay for bottles to be in your room upon arrival and every guest is allowed to bring a bottle of champagne or wine aboard a Carnival cruise) and do the cheapest excursions imaginable (booze cruise!), a weekend cruise ends up being quite affordable when compared to flying somewhere, paying for a hotel and lots of meals and drinks out at restaurants. It always seems like at least half of the people aboard cruise ships leaving from Florida are from Florida.
Our cruise group included me and Ryan, my sister Leslie and her boyfriend Ross, my former sorority sisters and friends Laurel and Leah, Leah’s fiancé Ricky, Leah’s sister Jenn, Ryan’s cousin Daniel and Daniel’s friend Ryan.
Got that? 
It was a fun group!
Carnival Sensation Cruise: Day One
When we arrived aboard the ship, we hit up the lunch buffet before we dropped off stuff in our room and mixed ourselves drinks using the vodka we preordered. We then took our drinks to the Lido Deck at the top of the ship to get the fun started!
We didn’t have long before all cruise passengers were required to participate in a safety drill just in case the worst should happen while we were at sea.
Once the drill was over, we went back to our rooms to see if our luggage was delivered, changed into our bathing suits, refreshed our drinks and headed back to the Lido Deck where we spent the rest of the afternoon.
Our group had an 8:15 p.m. dinnertime and headed back to our rooms a little before then to get ready for our first dinner aboard the ship.
Since I wasn’t in blogger-mode at all, I didn’t snap any pictures at dinner but enjoyed the first of three three-course dinners on the Carnival Sensation. I loved the food and dinners were always one of my favorite times on the ship!
After dinner on the first night, we headed out to one of the clubs aboard the cruise and had a good time watching people perform karaoke (we even saw a proposal!) before calling it a night.
It was a great start to a great cruise!
Looks like fun! I wish I lived in FL and could go on weekend cruises! Love that pink dress too!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance
Vodka drinks on the lido deck?? Can you sneak me in your suitcase next time?
Brittany (healthy slice of life)
Adorable dresses on both you and your sister! I’ve only been on a Carnival cruise once, but didn’t know about the BYOC/W rule. Thanks!
Heather @ Housewife Glamour
i think it’s new!! we just learned about it this year… previous years we’ve just been a little… um… discreet about bringing on alcohol.
peanutbutterfingers
I wish I knew about the BYOB rule, too! I love cruising but the airfare definitely makes them a less common occurance for me.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
This sounds like so much fun! And it’s awesome that you had such a big group of friends all together. You girls all look super cute dressed for dinner! I’ve only been on one cruise, and the three-course dinners were definitely some of my favorite things about it – so decadent. Can’t wait to see pictures of your America-themed dinner
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde
Lucky you got to bring liquor! I went on a cruise in college and you weren’t allowed to bring on any liquids!! Luckily we ran into some guys who managed to sneak some through… Haha.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
where there’s a will, there’s a way.
peanutbutterfingers
Ok not only am I loving the cruise but even more your outfits are so cute! The dresses especially.
Alex @ therunwithin
Such a cute swimsuit, where is it from?! I have been on the hunt for a swimsuit all spring
Maggie
victoria’s secret!
peanutbutterfingers
So fun!! My husband and I are heading out on our 3rd cruise May 20 on Carnival. So excited for a fun get-a-way! Tell me more about this pre-ordering alcohol bottles!
Beth
if you plan ahead you can order bottles of certain brands of liquor! they upcharge you, but it’s still cheaper than buying tons of drinks aboard the ship!
peanutbutterfingers
Ah looks like fun! If I lived down south- the cruise thing would be so much more attainable- *sighhhhh… one day
Katie @ Katie Moves
love love love the pale pink sundress in the first pic and the hot pink tube dress! where are they from?
Rachel
here’s all the info: http://www.pbfingers.com/2012/04/30/cruise-day-one/ and thank you, rachel!!
peanutbutterfingers
Since they started running cruises out of the Baltimore port, I’ve been wanting to take advantage of living so close! My boyfriend and I came very close to booking a cruise during my spring break but, unfortunately, it was SUPER expensive (since we’d be leaving during peak-vacation time). We’re thinking we might try again next summer!
Looks like a great time!
Hillary
Ooooh, you and your sister’s dresses are so adorable! Please update the fashion page when you have a chance!
Amy
updated!
peanutbutterfingers
Thanks, Julie!
Amy
I never new about the alcohol rule
very cool! Looks like you all had a great first day.
Becca
Looks like a fun first day!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
That pink dress you wore is totally adorable! It looks great on you! Looks like you started your cruise with a bang! Cant wait to see the rest of the pics:)
krystal@coffeecardiogoddess
Have you ever considered posting a how-to for your hair?! I love the curls!!
Lindsay @ LindsayInNYC
yep! here ya go: http://www.pbfingers.com/2010/10/16/how-to-curl-your-hair-with-a-straightener-video/
peanutbutterfingers
Wow, I never would’ve guessed that a straightener made THAT good of curls!!
Lindsay @ LindsayInNYC
I’m cruising Carnival in 24 days, glad you posted about the pre-ordering liquor! I knew about the wine, but not about that! $60/bottle is pricey, but I suppose it’s cheaper than if we bought all our drinks – we were just planning on being… ahem… discrete.
Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe
Your cruise already sounds awesome! I’ve never been on a cruise before…but I’m thinking I would enjoy it
. I love both of the dresses that you and your sister wore!! You ladies are so pretty <3
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health
I love that dress your wearing! where did you get it from?
chelcie @ chelcie’s food files
thank you! i’m not sure which dress you mean, but i updated all the info for both on the fashion page: http://www.pbfingers.com/2012/04/30/cruise-day-one/
peanutbutterfingers
That is so great that you get to do cruises b/c they’re so nearby! Cute dress!!
Annette@FitnessPerks
I’ve never taken a cruise before, but it seems like a really reasonable way to take a vacation (and an ideal way to relax!)
Alysha @Shesontherun
Cruises are my sure way of gaining 4 lbs in 3 days while still exercising. But I love them. And their 24 hour soft serve machines.
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run
no kidding!
peanutbutterfingers
Wow that’s awesome! That looks amazing
Wish I lived in Florida so I could go on some of these!
Angela
I know you’re getting a lot of pleas to update your fashion page, but I just wanted to add don’t forget to mention your sunglasses! Very cute
)
Lauren
updated!!
peanutbutterfingers
You are so lucky that you live so close to a cruise port! I would totally go on a cruise if I didn’t have to pay for airfare!
I didn’t know about the BYOB! That is pretty cool. Sounds like a fun first day so far!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope
Looks like day 1 was a lot of fun and I’m sure the rest were just as great!!! We love going on cruises and go every year over Thanksgiving. My husband proposed during our first cruise together, Thanksgiving Day, on a staircase in front of about 20 of our friends/family and a lot of others, and now it has become our tradition to celebrate that day on a cruise
Jennifer
How fun! That is good they let you BYOB- good to know!
Carley
I’m a little jealous that you live so close to a cruise area! The closest one to me is 10 hours away but I’m thinkin I may roadtrip it one of these days. I love the BYOB rule, sounds like a lot of money saved that way.
Katie
I love cruises! Most cruises leave from LA but since that’s just a short flight away, they are really cost efficient. I’d never heard of buying liquor for the room but that’s a great idea to save some $! You all look so cute in your formal outfits and everyone looks like they are having a blast! Can’t wait to hear more!
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola
So far I’ve only taken vacations with friends or a significant other and think combining both would be sooooo much fun.
Also, I LOVE Leslie’s day dress!! Where is it from?
Mel
h&m!
peanutbutterfingers
I use that aerolatte frother every single morning! It turns regular coffee into a latte and just tastes that much better! To get the most froth you have to froth the milk while it’s cold and then either microwave it or just pour your coffee in. I find that it stays frothy way longer than when I used to froth it while warming it on the stove top! Then I grate Trader Joe’s coffee/chocolate/sugar grinder on top and it tastes super gourmet for a homemade cup of coffee
Mila @ loftyappetite
Agreed with others on the fashion page update! I need to know where the red dress is from!
Amy
done!!
peanutbutterfingers
Pink dress is gorgeous!!! Also loving the day 1 outfit.
Michelle
I love your swimsuit top b/c it’s my FAVE color! You look really good in green btw!
I really would love to try a cruise where I spend overnight (been on a dinner cruise where I was proposed to teeehee), but I always get scared of getting sea sick. I was traumatized on a sailboat once! 
Ellie@Fit for the Soul
awesome! As Floridians, we love not having to pay for flights to get on a cruise. Have a great time (it looks like you already are)!
Lyndsi
I also love the dress you wore when you first boarded! Where is it from??
Angela @ Health, Happiness & Harmony
just updated the fashion page w/ all the info: http://www.pbfingers.com/2012/04/30/cruise-day-one/ and thank you!!
peanutbutterfingers
Love your dress!
Yellow Haired Girl
Great dress! Sounds like a fun trip!
Sarah @ RunningChickago
I love your dress too! What a great time you must have had!
Gen
Please do a fashion post! I’m loving both dresses and your suit!
Helen
just updated the fashion page!
peanutbutterfingers
We just booked a December cruise on board the SENSATION! I can’t wait! Been on two cruises but was under 21 for both and I am SO excited to hear about this new alcohol rule! Each person is allowed 1 bottle? Excellent!
Gabby
A proposal during karaoke?? That is one brave man!!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
Loove your outfits! I’m on my way to check out the fashion page!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie
You and your sister always look great! I hope fashion updates are coming!
Ali
Being land locked in North Dakota cruises are not cheap. Boo! It looks like a ton of fun!
Brianna @ Don’t Eat Crap
Looks like so much fun! I live in Indiana, so a flight to Florida can be a little pricey!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy
Being close to all sorts of great vacations is one of the reasons I love living in Florida! It’s great deciding at the end of January that you want to go on a spring break cruise at the beginning of March and not needing to worry about anything travel-related but driving to the port
Your cruise looks like so much fun! My family took a cruise on the Imagination a few years ago and I loved Carnival.
Katie
You betta update that fashion page with all your vacay duds!
Kat
How do you go about booking a cheap cruise? Everyone always talks about how they do it but when I go on cruise websites it’s always more than $300. I just don’t know where to look!
Brittney