Carnival Destiny, February 2-6 LONG Review with Pictures

I seriously think that some people expect to be wowed every time they cruise no matter how many times they take the same ship and the same line. As if you should expect the same level of excitement after you see the same movie 10 times.

We love Carnival, and know what to expect. In fact it is the familiarity that makes us feel secure.

So knowing that let me tell you about our first leg of what is turning out to be our best vacation ever!

Carnival Destiny, February 2-6, 2012

We arrived in Miami the day early. I always rent a car because I like to shop the Walmart and Target stores. Basically what would be cruise wear in Winnipeg (and cost so much more) is just clothes in Miami. We also get some bottled water, and a few of the single serving liquor bottles. We also got a couple of the big thermos mugs. We pick up the car at the airport, and drop it off as close to the port as possible.

It is a short cheap cab ride to the port from there.

We got to the ship at 11:30. I seriously think that is the best time.

We gave our luggage to the porter on the street. He mentioned how heavy the three bags were. I explained that we are doing three cruises back to back to back. They were not too heavy for two adults doing 14 days at sea...three cruises seemed to impress even him, he gave me a high five and called me 'doctor love'. I thanked him, tipped him $5 a bag and we were off to the security line.

The security line is where they check that you have your documents and you go through the metal detectors. This was the only line, and it was short. The rest of check in was no lines and we were on the ship in 20 minutes. It is simply a fact that both embarkation and debarkation has improved 100 fold over was it was even six years ago.

Yes a lot of that is the internet and the fact that now everyone has a Carnival computer station in their house. But it is also how they have

streamlined the process.

We went straight to the Lido deck, aft pool and were drinking our DOD's in no time flat. The refill price is cheaper than the big souvenir glass. However the bar waiters are not carrying around the regular glasses for sale, so you have to get them yourself at the bar.

No big deal to save a couple of bucks per drink.

We decided to splurge for the first DOD's

to be continued

At 1:30 we went to our room. Our luggage was already there in the hall. We had 9208, a balcony room in the Lido.

A really great room/location. Security had left a love note in each bag. They searched each bag. Two out of three passed, but they found 3 of the 10 little single serving bottles of rum that I threw in the one bag. That note explained where I could claim them on debarkation day. Well we won't be debarking then so when I claim it, it will be perfect for the next week.

To be continued

It was almost time for the life boat drill. After the Costa accident they are being very serious about making sure everyone takes part and pays attention.Despite that many still show up with double distinguished drinks and talking on their cell phones. You can lead a house to water, but you can't make it drink.

We looked for the others from the CC roll call, but having no idea what anyone looks like makes meeting up very hard. Plus everyone wants to go to the sail away party. So it turned out "right after the lifeboat drill" is a bad time.

We had late seating, so it was change into out bathing suits and get into the hot tub. A few more DOD's and we were feeling no pain. Sail away party is for the younger crowd, or the newbie. We were happy to see Miami in the rear view mirror (so to speak). The real start of our adventure begins.

Dinner was really nice. We were seated with two other couples and we had a lot in common with them. It was nice to meet people that way. We ate dinner with them every night, and the conversations flowed easily. The waiter and staff worked well together, and the food was good. Overall the Universal Dinning room is well managed and directed.

Clearly most people love the show that is put on by the wait staff just after dessert is served. I admit to be of two minds. Everyone does seem to be having a good time, but really is it really OK to expect it from professional serving staff?

"Your resume looks good."

"Thank you I have worked in many four star restaurants."

"Yes well this is a cruise ship, so we expect just a little more. To get this job you are going to give a little extra. You do want the job don't you?"

"Yes Sir, I want the job very much."

"OK, then why don't you jump up on that table and shake your money maker for me. Let's see what you got going on there."

Just saying.

Key West is nice. The ship ports at the naval base, so everyone gets a tram ride into town. This comes with a short tour. I am sure the locals are thrilled with the trams and loudspeakered tour guides...

We took a cab to the southern most point, took the mandatory pictures

and walked back to town. "Are you sure you remember where they dropped us off?" "Yes dear I am sure."

We found a few shops and even a Walgreens. Topped up with suntan lotion, and a few other items. "Are you sure you remember where they dropped us off? I don't recognize any of this." "Yes dear I am sure."

It is a decent walk back, but as promised, I did know where to go in order to find the trams back to the ship. We sat for a bit, and then got on a tram back to the ship for about 2pm.

I am sure that there is more to do on Key West, but we were pacing ourselves.

to be continued

Great Review :)

Once we got back to the ship, we again had a bit to eat and got into the hot tub in the aft deck. It was here that a woman had some trouble. Just as the ship was about to leave, she slumped forward and was suddenly very hard to understand. They carried her out of the tub, and a passenger who was a doctor checked here out until the ship's SIERRA team was called. They put ice on her and, using a streacher carried her off. Some people thought she was just over heated or drunk, but it turned out to be more serious. While steaming towards Mexico they announced that they would be slowing down so that the Coast Guard could take her off the ship. Within the hour, a Coast Guard helicopter, hovering overhead, lowered a basket and a man to lift her off the moving vessel.

It really was incredible. The staff and crew of the Destiny performed well, and the Coast Guard really showed what they are made of. There was an extra serving of patriotism served up that day.

We really enjoyed the casino and quickly got our 1500 points to qualify for the free drinks.

We talked to the casino hostess Maria about accepting these points on our next two cruises, instead of making us qualify all over again, and she told us she would do this for us for the next cruise, but we would have to see about the third. I get it, I really do. She probably gets a lot of people making themselves to be more than they are. We however are the real deal. We don't spend on spa treatments or fancy excursions. We would rather spend money in the casino. By the start of our next cruise, Maria was our best friend. We received both a lovely fruit basket and two of the big bottles of water with her compliments.

That was just the start. Once she got to know us, she was really the hostess with the mostest. My wife and I have known many casino hosts, and she impressed us with her professionalism and attention to detail. She is a real Carnival asset.

It is a really long way from Key West to Cozumel. The ship probably peaks out at 20 some miles per hour. As it is, the itinerary gets us there in the early afternoon. The ship was late leaving Key West, and with this additional medical emergency and delay, we didn't get there until 2:30. This meant that most, not all, excursions were cancelled. We didn't have anything planned anyway, so we were not inconvenienced. However I am sure it cost Carnival and the excursion operators a "boat load" of money.

After dinner that night I looked for the Maitre d. I wanted to find the best dinner seating I could find and reserve it for our next two cruises. The universe dining room has two levels, and I thought a table for two, overlooking the main seating area would be perfect. A great view of the shows, and a quiet spot for the two of us. It was no problem, and he arranged the table I requested right then and there. Sorry other couple who had been automatically assigned that table. You will never know what you missed.

The day at sea was next, as we headed back to Miami. This gave me a chance to talk to Noonan the cruise director. I wanted to introduce ourselves as b2b2b passengers and ask him if he could get the aft hot tubs temperature turned up a bit. He said that it was a corporate policy as people are drinking in them and Carnival was concerned. I asked him if maybe they could increase it a bit each day, and then only when people started dying just back it off a bit. Well I thought it was funny. He looked at me kinda stern but promised to look into it. He also told us that he was going off ship for five weeks right after the next cruise. Both he and the assistant CD "Shorty" were abandoning us for awhile.

On the last night before debarkation morning, they let you buy liquor duty free and take it back yourself to the room. Basically they expect that you are getting off the ship in the morning. We were not getting off, so a big bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream was a nice treat for the next ten days of our cruise.

It is a strange feeling watching all of the people you have been cruising with getting ready to leave when you know you don't have to. However the next cruise includes our favorite port, Half Moon Cay. This is the port that really defines why we cruise. A beach that is only accessible by cruise ship. A beach that is an extension of the cruise ship itself.

On the morning of debarkation I went down early to claim my liquor from the bad boy room. I was fascinated by the shear number of irons and hair straighteners confiscated. Anyway I claimed my three tiny bottles, and we went for breakfast. The debarkation processes looks great, and the number system means the elevators are not jammed, and the customs line gets fed only when it needs more people. Everyone is off the ship by 9:30-9:45am.

At 9:30 we back to back cruisers meet at the big theater at the front of the ship. This time there were only 10 of us in total. A crew member takes us through customs, where they glanced at our passports and took that blue customs form from us. We were guided right back on to the ship and given our new keys. New security pictures are taken, and the rest of the morning is ours.

TO BE CONTINUED

We are doing a back to back in June on the Valor. Seems as several people in the past few weeks have had to be airlifted off of cruise ships.

Great Review, cant' wait for the rest. Sailing on the Destiny in Jun:)

Love Your Review! Can't wait for the rest!!!

We cruise on the Destiny in August..Just one cruise though..;)

Loving your review we sail a week from tomorrow on the Destiny!!! Good to know that the Casino hostess is great as we tend to spend a lot of time in there. Do you know where she is from?

I was on that cruise, had a wonderful time. I do remember seeing you and your wife at The Southern Most Point, my friend took the picture of you and your wife and then you took a picture of us-----4 ladies. I love Key West!!

We did not see the helicopter pick up we were at dinner. Do you know what happened to her? I heard that she was drunk and fell out of the hot tub and did not realize how bad she was hurt until she sobered up.

I was on that cruise, had a wonderful time. I do remember seeing you and your wife at The Southern Most Point, my friend took the picture of you and your wife and then you took a picture of us-----4 ladies. I love Key West!!

We did not see the helicopter pick up we were at dinner. Do you know what happened to her? I heard that she was drunk and fell out of the hot tub and did not realize how bad she was hurt until she sobered up.

That is so cool. Yes I remember you. The next time I cruise I am going to have Cruise critic swag. We really need to have a way to recognise other CC members while on the cruise.

In the end she was not drunk, I was told it was a serious heart problem. Don't know how it turned out.

Im enjoying your review very much! Looking forward to more! I admit to being a tad bit envious of b2b2b. I am dreaming of doing a b2b some day, but b2b2b; that is really dreaming!:)

Great review! Can't wait for the rest...

I asked him if maybe they could increase it a bit each day, and then only when people started dying just back it off a bit. Well I thought it was funny. He looked at me kinda stern but promised to look into it.

Personally, had I been the CD and you said this to me I would have cracked up. Classic!

Great review! This part about the waitstaff had me in hysterics:

"Your resume looks good."

"Thank you I have worked in many four star restaurants."

"Yes well this is a cruise ship, so we expect just a little more. To get this job you are going to give a little extra. You do want the job don't you?"

"Yes Sir, I want the job very much."

"OK, then why don't you jump up on that table and shake your money maker for me. Let's see what you got going on there."

And I agree with where you are coming from.

We are on the Destiny soon, so I am really enjoying your review. Looking forward to more pictures.

Nice start. Can't wait for more.

Great review so far. I too am looking forward to more. We are sailing on Destiny May 24th. We are very excited. The comment about the waiters interview...so funny!

Oh how I would love to do a b2b2b!!! So jealous!!!!

YAYYYY! A Destiny review :D...I was so excited I immediately clicked on this...and to my surprise a b2b2b <<((Enter jealousy here))>>...Thanks for taking the time to write this up - looking forward to more! I pray the lady air-lifted is doing alright.

Check out the continuation of our best vacation EVER.

Carnival Destiny Feb 6 -11th Long review with pictures

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1574072

Loving your review we sail a week from tomorrow on the Destiny!!! Good to know that the Casino hostess is great as we tend to spend a lot of time in there. Do you know where she is from?

Philippeans, however she might be on vacation when you get there.

Great review, both parts 1 and 2! You mentioned you saw hair straighteners in the "bad boy room". I have carried one on every cruise without problem and will be very upset if they start confiscating them! You don't want to get between a frizzy haired woman and her flat iron in the hot, humid Caribbean!!

Sounds like a fun trip, especially the part about being able to buy booze at the reduced duty free price during the first cruise and have it for the rest of the trip!!

I'll look forward to part 3!!

Nice !1

Philippeans, however she might be on vacation when you get there.

I hope not I love it when they have a female casino hostess. I also wondered if it was the same hostess I had on another ship but she was from Romania. Thanks for the info can't wait to read more:)