Finally...My Destiny Review from Jan. 24th

[berryhillmom]

Hello my Cruise Critic friends...I'm going to start my review tonight and I'm hoping that I can remember how to post some pictures with my review. I'll give it a shot.

 

Just a little background info: I called our group the Mid-life cruisers. I'm 41 and my husband is 48. We cruised with 6 other couples and we all left the kids at home . My 14 year old and 17 year old tried to make me feel bad for leaving them, but it didn't work (well a little.lol)....they've both been on 5 cruises, so I don't feel too bad!

 

Pre Cruise Stay: We stayed at the Red Roof Inn Miami Airport. It was definately nothing fancy, but clean and convenient. The hotel offered a shuttle to the port. We paid 90 a night. However, the shuttle usually takes guests to the port at 1:00pm We wanted to get their earlier and asked them to take us at 11:00am. They said it depended on how many people needed the shuttle. We were going to just take a taxi if they wouldn't take us early, however, we get a call at 8:30 saying to be ready to leave at 9:30.

They said that 2 Miami police officers were killed and the funeral was today and many roads would be closed for the funeral. Thank goodness they found out this info because traffic was horrible and many roads were already being closed at 10:00am. I can't even explain how many police officers were at the AA arena. When we sailed away at 4:00 the funeral procession was leaving the port area. There were hundreds of police cars in this procession. It was very sad. I'm not sure if the road closures kept anyone from actually making it to the ship.

 

Embarkation: This is my 10th cruise and I have to tell you that this was the easiest embarkation ever. We arrived around 11:00 to find that there was no line....not a short line...No line!!!! We went up to the terminal, straight to the kiosk, over to the counter to pick up our sign and sail card and within 5 minutes we had our #2 boarding pass. By 11:30 we were on the ship and in the buffet line. I have read many reviews about the buffet lines being terrible, but again...no line!!! I must be living right...it's going to be a great cruise!

 

Just us Girls! I'm the one with the crown. Since I did all the planning my friends made me the Cruise Queen for the week!!!

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[berryhillmom]

Oops...that didn't quite work the way I wanted. So how do I downsize the review and pic so that they don't spread across the page so far?

[berryhillmom]

We were with friends that have never cruised before and it was so fun to see their faces upon entering the Destiny. I know she is an older ship, with a few bumps and bruises...... but I was pleasantly surprised after some of the reviews. The only complaints I have is that the windows always seemed dirty. All my other cruises it seemed that someone was always cleaning the windows.

 

Day 1 Sail Away: It was a little cool and windy but at times the sun would shine and warm me up. We have done other cruises in Jan. and usually from Miami we have a warm sail away (even in January) I was disappointed but not going to let it get me down. The problem with the cool weather and clouds is that some didn't realize how much sun they were really getting and ended up getting sunburned on the first day.

 

FYI: They don't have the calypso band out on the deck very often. They mostly were just playing music via sound system. Carnival...please bring back the Calypso Bands!

 

So in a nutshell, our first day consisted of lunch, unpacking, safety briefing and the Sail Away Party.

 

After dinnner, we went to the Welcome Aboard show and to the casino.

 

Dining: We chose the late seating just so we wouldn't be rushed to get ready for dinner, but I really wish we would have chosen Anytime Dining. We were not getting out of dinner each night until 10pm and then it was a rush to get to our show. I think on our last cruise we did the Anytime Dining option and usually went to dinner around 7:15....I'm definatley going back to that on our next cruise. We were a group of 14 so I though it might be difficult to do the Anytime Dining.

 

Their are two dining rooms on the Destiny and they are both on Deck 3, the Universe Dining room is Deck 3 & 4 aft and the Galaxy is 3 & 4 Fwd, which means you will not get from the front of the ship to the back on Deck 3 or Deck 4, so just plan on using Deck 5. I have heard many people on other reviews gripe about this...but really it isn't that big of a deal. Just use Deck 5 or 2 or 6.lol It would take a lot more than this to make me not like a ship or enjoy a cruise!!!!

 

We were happy with the food choices in the MDR. Honestly...from all 14 of our group...not a single complaint with the food. We usually went to the MDR for breakfast because we did find the lines too long at the buffet in the mornings. The deli makes a great sandwich and the pizza line usually was too long, unless it was late at night. If the main buffet line is too long, you can go to the very back of the lido deck and you will find a couple of smaller stations that pretty much have the same items. The line back there was never as long. I think a lot of people just didn't realize it was back there.

 

Our wait staff was great! As I said earlier, it was like 10pm every night before we finished in the dining room. I think the reason was that if someone ordered 2 appetizers or entrees she would only bring out 1 at a time. On past cruises our waiter would just bring them at the same time. You will see in my pics that I post that we aren't a bunch of skinny people....so maybe we just ordered too much!!!!

 

Beautiful Miami!

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My friend Roy...1st time cruiser...now hooked!! I made each person in our group a sign for their door...it made it easier to find each others room!

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[berryhillmom]

I'm going to add a few more pics to photobucket and I will work on the rest of my review tomorrow night. Happy Cruising!!!

[cmille3]

What a fun review! 'm looking forward to the next installment. We're sailing on the Destiny this Monday (2/21) so I'm jumping on all the reviews I can find. Thanks!

[spideyfam]

Great review so far!

 

We had a good time on the Destiny in December.

 

And her is a message for your husband....GO RED SOX!!!!

[Peg_S]

If the main buffet line is too long, you can go to the very back of the lido deck and you will find a couple of smaller stations that pretty much have the same items. The line back there was never as long. I think a lot of people just didn't realize it was back there.

 

 

Great tip! We're onboard in 21 days!!!!!!!!

 

Can't wait to hear more.

 

Oh yeah - GREAT pics too!!

 

thanks, Peg

[berryhillmom]

Day at Sea: Chair hogs were out in full force. We went out on deck around 10 and their were blue towels everywhere on chairs and not too many people in the chairs. We found our place on the sun deck and kicked back. We had a good view of the Hairy Chest Contest.lol We never got in the pool because it was way too cold. They also did a nice ice carving demonstration out on the deck this day.

 

This was formal night and the Captain's Celebration. Carnival used to have this in the showroom but now they have this on the Promenade deck. They don't give out free alcohol at this even like in the past and I never saw anyone get their picture with the Captain who was standing by the Casino door. Honestly, I didn't realize it was him for awhile. They have a lot of photo backdrops out everynight and we took several pictures.

 

We then went to our 8:00 dinner. It was yummy as usual. Really I felt like Carnival did a great job with the food. You will see some complaints on here sometimes about the quality of Carnival's food....maybe I'm just not picky?

 

GRAND TURK: Loved it! We purchased a snorkel/stingray excursion from Carnival and had to meet at 8:00 am. There was probably 20 people on our boat. They took us out to a reef and we snorkeled for about 40 minutes. After that we headed to a uninhabited beach where we were able to swim with several stingrays. Each person got their picture kissing the stingray. You can purchase a picture, but they don't mind if you snap your own.

 

After the excursion was over, we just found some beach chairs and relaxed for about an hour........then came a pretty heavy rain shower. At this time we just headed into a couple of the shops in the Margaritaville area. After the rain finished, we wandered over to watch people on the flowrider. I think the price was 30 dollars for 1 1/2 hours.

 

The pool was beautiful and their were several available chairs. This was our first time in Grand Turk and we really liked the port. It seemed that the Margaritaville restaurant was pretty busy. We just waited and had lunch when we returned to the ship.

 

That evening we had another enjoyable time in the MDR. All the waiters entertained us with dancing. It wasn't the usual macarena dance that we've seen over and over on cruises. Three of the waiters jumped up on the counter and started dancing. It's hard to explain....but it was much better than the macarena!!! (I'll post a picture tonight)

 

This was the night they had the Game of Love. I was trying to volunteer our friends who have been married 30 years and in the process of me yelling PICK THEM, PICK THEM...it backfired. The cruise director decided to make me and my husband play. We have been married 21 years and he has always wanted to volunteer, but I would never let him. I decided to have fun.....and just had to remember...these people don't know me anyway!!!

 

Oh wait...I'm traveling with 6 other couples that DO know me!

 

The first thing my husband said was "Are we playing to win or are we playing for the laugh" I said "Both" It was fun and we won a ship on a stick.lol One of the questions..."Where is one of the craziest places you have made woopie?" Well...I went for the laugh this time. I answered my friends camping trailor...they were in the audience so I figured they would get a laugh out of it.lol My friend stood up and yelled "WHAT!!!" I think my husband was going for the laugh too...he answered trampoline (that was a fib)haha ...at least my answer was true.

 

That night at 10:45 they also had a Mega Deck Party with music and line dancing.

We finished the night spending some cash in the casino at the craps table!

 

I'm at work and can't post pics from here, but tonight I'm going to spend some time reducing the size of some pictures and I'll get them posted tonight or tomorrow.

 

Happy Sailing!!!

[berryhillmom]

Great review so far!

 

We had a good time on the Destiny in December.

 

And her is a message for your husband....GO RED SOX!!!!

 

LOL...rough year last year for your boys!!! I'd love to see a Yankee/Sox game. We went to NYC in July last year and went to 3 games. We had a blast!

[Froufie]

Love hearing about your cruise - also just off the Destiny and working on my review! :D

[Ashala]

Love the review so far! Definitely keep it coming. I sail in 8 short days (which somehow seem long) and can't wait. Although I'll be doing the opposite ports as the ones you visited, I'm very excited to hear about your experience and the ship!

[berryhillmom]

Day at Sea Fun

 

 

[berryhillmom]

GRAND TURK: Loved it! We purchased a snorkel/stingray excursion from Carnival and had to meet at 8:00 am. There was probably 25 people on our boat. They took us out to a reef and we snorkeled for about 40 minutes. After that we headed to a uninhabited beach where we were able to swim with several stingrays. Each person got their picture kissing the stingray.

 

After the excursion was over, we just found some beach chairs and relaxed for about an hour........then came a pretty heavy rain shower. At this time we just headed into a couple of the shops in the Margaritaville area. After the rain finished, we wandered over to watch people on the flowrider. The pool was beautiful and their were several available chairs. This was our first time in Grand Turk and we really liked the port.

 

 

 

 

 

[berryhillmom]

 

 

 

[berryhillmom]

That evening we had another enjoyable time in the MDR. All the waiters entertained us with dancing. It wasn't the usual macarena dance that we've seen over and over on cruises. Three of the waiters jumped up on the counter and started dancing. It's hard to explain....but it was much better than the macarena!!!

 

This was the night they had the Game of Love. I was trying to volunteer our friends who have been married 30 years and in the process of me yelling PICK THEM, PICK THEM...it backfired. The cruise director decided to make me and my husband play. He has always wanted to volunteer, but I would never let him. I decided to have fun.....and just had to remember...these people don't know me anyway!!!

 

Oh wait...I'm traveling with 6 other couples that DO know me. The first thing my husband said was "Are we playing to win or are we playing for the laugh" I said "Both" It was fun and we won a ship on a stick.lol

 

 

 

 

That night at 10:45 they also had a Mega Deck Party with music and line dancing.

 

We finished the night spending some cash in the casino at the craps table! (Imagine That)

[headhurt]

I was on that cruise!!

 

I agree with the chair hog thing. Kinda annoying, but if Carnival doesn't do anything about it, I guess its just something we have to live with.

 

Do I need a new pair of glasses, or does your ship on a stick say Paradise??

[jrmende63]

Thanks for the review...we are boarding the Destiny in 39 days!! Yippeee

And Froufie..I am watching for your review esp the Back to Back part!

[KirkNC]

Nice pictures!

 

Kirk

[berryhillmom]

HALF MOON CAY: OMG...I didn't want to leave this island. It's so beautiful and the sand is so soft. this was basically a do nothing but relax day for us. We paid 20.00 for a clamshell shade, which we ended up not needing, but I can see how it would be very beneficial if it would have been a hotter day....there really isn't any shade near the beach. You can rent snorkel equipment or swim mats, or ride horses, or parasail.

The ship is anchored about 200 yards from the shore and makes for an amazing photo background.

 

Carnival sets up a barbeque which consists of jerk chicken, hamburgers, and hotdogs. They also offer lots of fruit and salads. They have several covered seating areas for you to sit and enjoy lunch.

 

Some other fun things to do at HMC is sign up your group of 40-50 year old husbands to play in the volleyball tournament. It was great!!! I will definately have to post a pic of our hubbies and the other team...let's just say the other team looked like the Stanford Volleyball team. We got our butts kicked...but I laughed so hard..it was great. After it was over...our guys challenged the other (lean) team to sumo wrestling!!! Carnival also had sand castle contest and beach olympics.

 

The water was so clear!!! It was cold!!!! but I took the plunge and went in head first. You can pay 200.00 at HMC and rent a private cabana, but I think they only have like 12 of them and they go quick.

 

This evening the show was the Passenger Talent Show. It was entertaining. I'm not positive but I think this is the night we went to the late comedy show. Their were 2 comediens onboard and they both had family shows and the R rated late comedy shows.

 

 

NASSAU: We have been to Nassau several times and have already toured Atlantis so we opted for a beach day. We took the local bus (1.25 a person) to Cable Beach. I knew that the Sheraton charges 25.00 for a daypass so we decided to do this. We went directly through the Sheraton and went down to the beach. A lifeguard approached us and asked if we had a daypass. When we told him no...he said we could take care of him and he would take care of us. We tipped him 20 per couple and no one ever bothered us for the 4 hours we lounged. We spent a little time shopping in the straw market...that's an adventure everyone should experience at least once!!!

 

 

That evening we had another great experience in the MDR. Great food and lots of laughter with friends. I've now had the Warm Chocholate Melting Cake everynight!!!

 

Oh..now that I think about it...this was the night that we went to the comedy club. We also went to watch some Karaoke and spent some more money in the Casino. This was actually the first night that we won at the Craps table. It was lots of fun!!!

 

This was the night that we had to start packing to head home :( I prefer the 7 night cruise, but we had friends with us that weren't ready to take a 7 day cruise for their 1st cruise....but now they are hooked!!! They've been asking me when our next cruise is going to be...they want to make it an annual trip. (and they are insisting on the 7 day cruise)

 

DEBARKATION: Most of our 14 were staying in Miami for the night, but 2 couples had a late flight back to OK. We decided to book a Miami excursion from Carnival. It was to take a airboat ride through the Everglades. It was 40.00 each and worked perfect for us. We boarded a bus with our luggage, went to the Everglades, took airboat ride, saw some alligators and afterwords they take you to the airport. So then our friends were ready to catch their flight and the rest of us just took our hotel shuttle.

 

Just a few misc. things!! Our cabin was very roomy. We were in an interior cabin on Deck 2. The showers were very large. There are no shelves in the bathroom so I'm glad that I took my over the door shoe organizer. I put all my bathroom junk/toiletries in the pockets. I read so many reviews before my trip and never did I see a warning about the hair dryer. If you don't get anything out of this review ...at least get this...TAKE YOUR OWN HAIR DRYER!! I have always used the ships hair dryers, but never in my life have I seen a dryer like this thing...it was horrible! Just trust me on this one...just find room in your luggage for your own hair dryer.lol You won't regret it!

 

There was plenty of closet space. You will have a small safe in your closet. You will be given 2 beach towels to use on the islands, but make sure you return them to your room or you will be charged for them.

 

Overall, we loved the Destiny. She's not the newest ship around...but honestly people...anytime you can cruise with great friends and make great memories...you can overlook a few dirty windows!!!

 

I bet if my group would have realized that we were coming home to the Blizzard 2011 and a record breaking snow in Oklahoma of 24 1/2 inches...we wouldn't have complained about our 70 degree weather we got on our cruise (we were hoping for upper 80's)

 

I hope that you have as much fun on the Destiny as we did!!!

God Bless!!!!

 

I'm at work today and can't post pictures...but I have so many great pics of HMC that I will try and post some tonight.

[berryhillmom]

I was on that cruise!!

 

I agree with the chair hog thing. Kinda annoying, but if Carnival doesn't do anything about it, I guess its just something we have to live with.

 

Do I need a new pair of glasses, or does your ship on a stick say Paradise??

 

 

Nope you don't need glasses....we laughed about that too! I guess Carnival is having financial troubles and not ordering any new ships on a stick!lol It wasn't until the next day that we noticed it said Paradise!

[Froufie]

You are so lucky to have made it to HMC - just off the Destiny and minutes after anchoring captain came on to announce the winds were to hgh to tender in and off we went :( I love that place and guess I will have to wait for another cruise to visit once again!

 

As for the dryer - I always bring my small travel dryer, just in case - and this time I was aware of the bathroom hairdryer 'thing' - In my case I can't imagine trying to dry my hair in a steamy bathroom - even if the dryer was acceptable!

 

And I guess a 'new' order came in cuz both my ships on a stick say Destiny! :D:D

[berryhillmom]

You are so lucky to have made it to HMC - just off the Destiny and minutes after anchoring captain came on to announce the winds were to hgh to tender in and off we went :( I love that place and guess I will have to wait for another cruise to visit once again!

 

As for the dryer - I always bring my small travel dryer, just in case - and this time I was aware of the bathroom hairdryer 'thing' - In my case I can't imagine trying to dry my hair in a steamy bathroom - even if the dryer was acceptable!

 

And I guess a 'new' order came in cuz both my ships on a stick say Destiny! :D:D

 

Oh how sad you missed HMC :( That was by far our favorite day. Just curious have you been there before? If so, you know what you missed and that would have made it that much harder for me.

 

I hope that everything else went well on your cruise...I will be looking for your review now.

 

....and I feel completely ripped off that I got the wrong Ship on a Stick.lol

[Froufie]

Yes have been there before so I DEFINITELY know what I missed and it did make me sad - I was so looking forward to it! (and my friend had booked a horse back riding excursion there which he really wanted to do!).

 

Everything else went great! (we did a b2b feb 3/7 so had 9 glorious days on the ship). And weather was phenomenal the whole time!

[berryhillmom]

 

 

 

 

[berryhillmom]

 

 

My husband and I at HMC