Cruise to Key West, Fl. and Cozumel, Mexico. Part 1

The adventure for our 4-day cruise begins with Part 1: Our flight to Miami Fl. and our first day aboard ship. This also covers our morning in Key West, Fl. and second evening on ship during our cruise on the Carnival Sensation. March 5th, 2020.

Leaving N.C.

I stayed at Donna’s house the night before our flight. Therefore neither of us got much sleep. Our flight left Raleigh at 3:45 am and her daughter dropped us off at the airport. We checked our bags and went threw security and boarded with no problems and short wait times.

We had a 2 hour layover at the Charlotte Douglas Airport. While we waited, I grabbed a coffee and Donna found potato chips. Neither of us wanted to eat much since everything cost so much and we knew there was plenty of food waiting for us on ship.

They began calling passengers to board. Donna uses a cane so they allowed us on the plane first. It was strange entering an empty airplane. However soon the plane filled to capacity and we were on our way to Miami.

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Miami

We arrive at the Miami airport at 11:55. I had never been to the Miami Airport before however I found it easy to navigate. In a short amount of time we had our checked luggage and were in an outdoor tunnel area exploring transportation options. We chose the airport shuttle to the port terminal for $15 each.

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Our designated board time was between 12:30 and 1pm and we arrived at the terminal at noon, gave them our luggage and began going thru customs which you are not allowed to film. I took this after we had finished everything and was about to exit the building to the gangway. As you can see, there was no crowds and no waiting.

Finally on board!

One of the best feelings in the world is when you see the entrance of the ship just ahead, and then you’re finally on board. All the planning, traveling and worrying is over… you have arrived!

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Our first destination is Guy’s Burger Joint on the Lido (pool) Deck. I don’t understand what makes them so good, but they are the best damn burgers on the planet.

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The Carnival Sensation was just like another cruise ship we had previously been on called the Carnival Ecstasy, therefore we didn’t feel the need to rush around exploring the ship. We were also stuffed with Guy’s burgers and fries. So we found a table near the Red Frog Rum Bar, (as we have done on past cruises) and hung out on the Lido deck until they announced our rooms were ready.

Room Lay-out

If you book a cabin with 2 twin beds, they will be set-up side by side, and it makes the room feel crowded. By turning one bed against the side wall, you will create more space for maneuvering around. It’s the first thing we do when we get to our cabins!

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After we settled into our rooms it was time for muster. Fortunately our muster area was located in the Fantasia Lounge, and it was over shortly. Afterwards Donna and I went to the Upper Lido deck to enjoy the sunshine and watch Miami as we sailed away.

We heading to the Fantasy anytime dining area for dinner. The food was great and the service prompt, but we noticed that our wait team didn’t seem as happy as we’ve experienced on other cruises. We didn’t take any pictures.

We then headed to the Mirage Bar. I ordered this delicious chocolate drink, (if anyone knows the name of it please tell me in the comments!) and while enjoying it, someone gave me this duck. Donna was handed one on our last cruise. When you find one or a stranger gives you one, you are instructed to take a picture of it and then hide the duck or give it away again. You then post the picture on Carnival Cruising Ducks on Facebook and #cruisingducks on Instagram.

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We headed back to our rooms to catch up on missed sleep so we could be up and ready to go when we arrived in Key West early the next morning.

Key West, Florida

At sunrise we watched as the Carnival Sensation pulled into the port of Key West, Fl. while enjoying our coffee and hot chocolate in our cabin.

Usually Donna and I will book excursions for ports of call however we decided against it for Key West. We knew we wanted to see the Southernmost Point and the Hemingway House and Museum, but we also wanted to just walk around and explore. So after researching the bus lines and other transportation options, we decided to check out the different trolleys being offered near Mallory Square. We left ship and headed that way.

It was a slightly cloudy and breezy morning, perfect for sightseeing. And didn’t Donna look really cute in this hat?!

Mallory Square

When you leave the docks you enter Mallory Square. Next to the Custom House there’s a courtyard with a “Pathway Thru the History of Key West” walkway and lots of fun statues to pose with.

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We decide to pay $42.48 each for the Hop On Hop Off Tours trolleys that made 13 stops around the touristy areas. These trolleys stop at each point every 15 minutes. It was costly, but we knew Donna’s hip would begin hurting if we walked a lot.

Key West Lighthouse

The first stop we hopped off at was near the Key West Lighthouse. The cost to go up the lighthouse was $10. We choose to skip that and visit the gift ship instead.

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Ernest Hemingway House

Next we walked over to the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum. It was $15 for general admission with just a short line. Once entering the home we had the option to wait for the a guided tour than ran every 30 minute or not, we decided to not wait and started exploring on our own.

The house and gardens

Among the original furnishings on both floors were displays of possessions and memorabilia of Ernest Hemingway. I think Donna was more interested in reading the displays than I was, but I loved the house with it’s wrap around porches.

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The Famous 6-toe Cats

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is home to approximately 40-50 polydactyl (six-toed) cats. There were cats laying around everywhere, they looked posed and ready for the pictures. I loved the cats! However you could smell cat piss everywhere you went on the property.

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The Southernmost Point of the U.S.

Our main and next destination was the Southernmost Point of the U.S. When we arrived there was a long line however it moved at a good pace. The line passes the Southernmost Southernmost House in Key West and local artwork. Everyone was polite and courteous to each other as we took turns with the marker. Donna and I exchanged cameras with the young couple in front of us to get photos with us both in it.

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We headed back to our trolley stop and shopped at a nearby gift shop while waiting for the next trolley.

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General Sightseeing

Mile Marker 1

The official end of U.S. Hwy. 1. We both wanted to hop off and get a picture with the signs. However it was time to get back to the ship before departure.

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I continued to take photos as we returned to the ship on the trolley.

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Afternoon and Evening on the Carnival Sensation

After a fun morning of sightseeing, we returned back to the ship. We headed up to the Lido deck to wave goodbye to Key West, Fl.

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We had dinner in the dining room with the same wait staff we had the night before and again they didn’t seem happy. They were still very polite and prompt, but after observing them for a while we determined that it was because the team captain didn’t seem to be fun to work for.

We wouldn’t be arriving in Cozumel the next day until noon so we didn’t need to get up early the next morning. Therefore after dinner Donna and I walked around on the Promenade Deck and went to the broadway musical in the Fantasia Theatre. The show was called 88 Keys based on piano musicians like Elton John and Billy Joel and I enjoyed the songs but not the lead female singer. The brunette in the back was far better.

Fantasia Theatre

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Comedy Club and Nightclub

Afterwards we headed to the Comedy Club in the Plaza Aft Lounge for the adults only late show. We even stopped by the Kaleidoscope Discotheque for a little dancing before heading back to the room.

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After Thoughts

I really enjoyed my first time in Key West! However I didn’t like only having the morning to explore it. Most places hadn’t opened yet when we first arrived to port, and we felt rushed getting back to the ship by 1pm. I liked the Hop On Hop Off Trolley but too expensive if you can only utilize it for half a day.

Now that I’ve done the main tourist attractions, I think I would enjoy doing a little bar hopping down Duval Street for an afternoon and listening to some local music in the evening. Maybe wake up and do it again the next day too, lol. I hope I get a chance to come back to Key West again one day.

Ready for part 2: Day 3 and 4 on our cruise including our excursion to the Tabasco cooking class in Cozumel? Let’s go!