Carnival Destiny Review; B2B 20th Anniversary Cruise

[PaulMedik]

Those of you who like to read on deck three will be pleased to know they have plenty of deck chairs out there as well;

 

 

And photo op chairs as well;

 

 

And they have comfortable photo op chairs inside on deck three too;

 

 

After walking the ship for a while we decided to take a nap before arrival in Cozumel. We could see Cancun in the distance as we approached the coast so we knew we'd be arriving on time. When we woke up, we had already docked in Cozumel;

 

 

Still amazed at this point by the lack of anything other than ripples on the ocean surface;

 

 

When we went up on deck we were greeted by two Carnival ships docked beside and near by. Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Holiday or just Holiday;

 

[Oakman]

Great to see that they have chairs on Deck 3. On the Legend, there were no chairs for reading. We were disappointed since it is nice to get away from the noisy pool area every once and a while.

[kzulpo]

Love your review! We were on the Destiny in September, and it's nice to look at your pics an revisit thoughts of my vacation.

 

Thanks for taking the time to entertain me!

[Blissed Out]

Paul,

 

I've been awaiting your review. I meant to wish you and Karen a great trip before you left but never got to it. We've lots in common, my husband and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary this past April (Splendor swine flu cruise to nowhere.), BUT for our 10th Anniversary we were on Destiny. I totally get what you mean when you said that it seems like you've been together forever, but that it also seems impossible that you've been together forever, but rather for a few months. We were highschool sweethearts and it boggles my mind that we've been best friends since we were 17...but that I still feel like I'm that young...save the creaking ankles and toes when I step out of bed in the morning.

 

Also, I emailed you right before your Spring Break cruise with your boys, asking you for hints on where to take a cruise with our three boys. We took your advice (as well as Wennfreds) and are sailing on Liberty this coming February, which will be going to Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Grand Turk. It was supposed to stop in St. Maarten, but now that is taken off the itineary. ANYWAY,,,just wanted to give you a big thank you for suggesting this particular cruise to us, as I wanted something 3 teenage boys would be interested in. So thank you thank you so much, we can't wait! (hoping we don't get swine flu right before we go, after our first swine flu cruise I have to say it worries me that this thing might threatens our first family cruise). :eek:

Thank you for this review! And Happy Anniversary, here's to many, many more! 1989...what a great year!

trece

[hill6]

Paul do you remember where the hand rolled cigar place was in Key West. I told DH and he is seriously interested in going there.

[mamasue]

Paul.... thanks so much for your wonderful review, and beautiful pictures!!

DH and I were on the Destiny last year... straight after the much-maligned refurb!!

We had a wonderful B2B... it was our first ever balcony.... we have so many great memories of that cruise.... thanks for bringing it all back to us!!

 

YOUR REVIEW ROCKS!!!! :):):)

 

 

 

 

 

.

[amcjeep4life]

Paul, awesome review as always! I have to say, I do sort of miss your boys tho. But I understand how important it is to get away from the kids, especially when celebrating such a milestone. COngrats on the 20 years! We leave in just 8 short days for our cruise, so I'm hoping you'll be close to finished by then. But take your time, I love the details and photos. It gives me something to read to make the time go by faster as well. Keep up the good work!

[PaulMedik]

Paul,

 

I've been awaiting your review. I meant to wish you and Karen a great trip before you left but never got to it. We've lots in common, my husband and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary this past April (Splendor swine flu cruise to nowhere.), BUT for our 10th Anniversary we were on Destiny. I totally get what you mean when you said that it seems like you've been together forever, but that it also seems impossible that you've been together forever, but rather for a few months. We were highschool sweethearts and it boggles my mind that we've been best friends since we were 17...but that I still feel like I'm that young...save the creaking ankles and toes when I step out of bed in the morning.

 

Also, I emailed you right before your Spring Break cruise with your boys, asking you for hints on where to take a cruise with our three boys. We took your advice (as well as Wennfreds) and are sailing on Liberty this coming February, which will be going to Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Grand Turk. It was supposed to stop in St. Maarten, but now that is taken off the itineary. ANYWAY,,,just wanted to give you a big thank you for suggesting this particular cruise to us, as I wanted something 3 teenage boys would be interested in. So thank you thank you so much, we can't wait! (hoping we don't get swine flu right before we go, after our first swine flu cruise I have to say it worries me that this thing might threatens our first family cruise). :eek:

Thank you for this review! And Happy Anniversary, here's to many, many more! 1989...what a great year!

trece

 

 

Blissed Out,

 

Thank you.

 

Karen and I also started dating in High School at the same age!

 

Get the H1N1 vaccination and wash our hands a lot and you'll be OK. I remember thinking before each Flu Swab test I did the week before we left that I was taking a chance on ruining our anniversary by doing my job. :o

 

 

Love your review! We were on the Destiny in September, and it's nice to look at your pics an revisit thoughts of my vacation.

 

Thanks for taking the time to entertain me!

 

Kzulpo,

 

Thank you. My pleasure!

 

 

Great to see that they have chairs on Deck 3. On the Legend, there were no chairs for reading. We were disappointed since it is nice to get away from the noisy pool area every once and a while.

 

Oakman,

 

I brought six books along with plans to use those chairs, but didn't crack a book! :o

[PaulMedik]

Paul do you remember where the hand rolled cigar place was in Key West. I told DH and he is seriously interested in going there.

 

hill6,

 

At the far end of the brick mall area where I took pics and talked about the 'Key Wasted' folks there is a brick building with photo op places out back (the back faces the brick mall area). Look for the photo op area and enter in the middle;

 

 

To get there you will need to exit the ship pier and turn left then left again at the next corner walking back toward the ship, but not on the ship pier. From there just follow the red line I drew on the pic below and you'll be in the general area;

 

 

 

 

Paul.... thanks so much for your wonderful review, and beautiful pictures!!

DH and I were on the Destiny last year... straight after the much-maligned refurb!!

We had a wonderful B2B... it was our first ever balcony.... we have so many great memories of that cruise.... thanks for bringing it all back to us!!

 

YOUR REVIEW ROCKS!!!!

 

Thank you. B2B on Destiny makes for a great itinerary.

 

 

Paul, awesome review as always! I have to say, I do sort of miss your boys tho. But I understand how important it is to get away from the kids, especially when celebrating such a milestone. COngrats on the 20 years! We leave in just 8 short days for our cruise, so I'm hoping you'll be close to finished by then. But take your time, I love the details and photos. It gives me something to read to make the time go by faster as well. Keep up the good work!

 

amcjeep4life,

 

Thank you.

 

We definately missed having the boys along and we also miss seeing them in the pictures.

[PaulMedik]

As we got closer to the aft of Destiny we discovered it was raining back there;

 

 

Dry at the front and raining at the back. That's a large ship!

 

 

Our perfect day in Cozumel was starting out a bit dark and dreary;

 

 

With the rain approaching from the aft we opted to head back forward and lined up all three Carnival funnels;

 

 

We will never again have an opportunity to get a pic of Holiday;

 

 

 

Undeterred by the weather, we headed down to deck 0 and met the Carnival photogs on the gangway;

 

[PaulMedik]

It was a bit crowded along the pier after exiting the ship;

 

 

 

Ropes were stretched everywhere across the pier;

 

 

Our boys would have been swinging on the ropes;

 

 

I don't recall them being so haphazard and low before;

 

 

I wish the sky had been blue behind Holiday;

 

[PaulMedik]

Dark skies don't make the best backgrounds for ship pics;

 

 

It looked like the skies were clearing ahead of us;

 

 

We quickly made our way through the pier shops area and out to the taxi loading area;

 

 

We requested a cab for two to Paradise Beach and as you can see Karen was a bit hesitant to approach the designated van. We usually need a van for the five of us, but we expected a small car;

 

 

Just a few minutes after getting in the van we arrived at Paradise Beach. The cab costs $13;

 

 

As is the custom at Paradise Beach we were greeted warmly and led to our chairs;

 

[PaulMedik]

Since two ships had already disembarked passengers we expected seating to be limited at Paradise Beach, but it seems they kept two lounge chairs open just for us right up front;

 

 

Paradise Beach has added even more water toys and we knew the boys would want to see pics of the new additions;

 

 

We enjoyed watching Paradise Beach Tom at his job discussing ways to improve existing water activities;

 

 

 

 

While at Paradise Beach, Karen took advantage of the free internet to check her email;

 

 

Tom is always busy working the crowds at Paradise Beach;

 

[hill6]

thanks for the info about the cigars.

 

Paradise beach looks great. I am considering Paradise or Mr. Sanchos for our time in Cozumel.

[pacificoclan]

I came home from work expecting to get the latest installment on your cruise but sadly their is none. Hope your back soon just love reading it!!!!

 

Tammy

[Buffettfan 225]

Thanks for the review so far....from the pics looks like you guys had a great time! Happy Anniversary!

 

Oh and I just wanted to point out something. Maybe it's the paranoid banker in me, but we see so much fraud and identity theft, it may not be a good idea to have your full name and signature on such a public board. (page 1, showing your paperwork with the H1N1 questions) I'm not saying anyone on CC would do anything, but you just never know who's looking on these boards. It's up to you if you want to keep the pic up of course, but like I said, as a banker it was the first thing I thought of when I saw that pic! :)

I agree. Thought of exact thing as we have to watch HIPAA at work so much. You are so careful Paul on not violating others space and secuirty, I think you should blur it or cut & paste over it. Thanks for review, we are sailing her in 12 days and counting.

p.s. how was temperature control in room? Before drydock the a/c had trouble getting cool enough IMO.

[Buffettfan 225]

[/url]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also checked out deck three's outside deck;

 

I have similar advertizing for Roatan- With all your photos Paul, your wife should charge Carnival :rolleyes:

[fruity drinks]

Thoroughly enjoying your review. My son and I were on the Inspiration at Cozumel the same day you were there. It's fun to see that perspective of all 3 Carnival ship funnels. Nice review, can't wait for more.

[PaulMedik]

hill6,

 

You are welcome.

 

 

I came home from work expecting to get the latest installment on your cruise but sadly their is none. Hope your back soon just love reading it!!!!

 

Tammy

 

Tammy,

 

Sorry for the delay. I'll try and at least get through the first cruise today.

 

 

I agree. Thought of exact thing as we have to watch HIPAA at work so much. You are so careful Paul on not violating others space and secuirty, I think you should blur it or cut & paste over it. Thanks for review, we are sailing her in 12 days and counting.

p.s. how was temperature control in room? Before drydock the a/c had trouble getting cool enough IMO.

 

buffetfan,

 

Thank you. It really isn't my legal signature.

 

Temperature control was better than any other ship we've been on so apparently they have fixed that issue. In both rooms the AC vents and controls had multiple markings that appeared to be recent test results. In both rooms we kept the AC set on the least amount of cool air and both rooms remained very cool. I would guess the temp to be sub 70 even while leaving the balcony door open a few times. It worked so well on the Spa balcony that I sat outside on the balcony and watched TV with the door open and was cool on the balcony! No kidding. I cranked the AC on one control in the suite one day to see if it changed the temp and it got much colder; I would guess around 60. Both of our rooms had two AC vents with controls.

 

We also checked out deck three's outside deck;

 

I have similar advertizing for Roatan- With all your photos Paul, your wife should charge Carnival :rolleyes:

 

 

 

I have her signed release for that item on our marriage license so any fees would come to me! :D

[PaulMedik]

Thoroughly enjoying your review. My son and I were on the Inspiration at Cozumel the same day you were there. It's fun to see that perspective of all 3 Carnival ship funnels. Nice review, can't wait for more.

 

 

fruity drinks,

 

Thank you.

 

It sure was nice to see the rain clear up wasn't it?

 

 

 

 

I had to try out the new beach toys because I knew our boys would have questions about them;

 

 

Karen enlisted the photography assistance of a nearby Paradise Beach goer to get pics of us together out on the toy;

 

 

After we came back in I checked in with Cruise Critic via the free internet while our lunch was being prepared;

 

 

Paradise Beach food proved once again to be quite tasty;

 

 

I realize this angle is a bit odd for a picture, but this was my view as I ate lunch;

 

 

Karen's hunger satisfied;

 

[PaulMedik]

Climbing to the top of the new slide for an after lunch dip in the Caribbean;

 

 

I knew I was getting a little thin on top, but really had no clue until I saw this pic that I was a hair club for men candidate (and obviously not a client). ;

 

 

Karen swimming out to meet me;

 

 

Paradise Beach always has a lot of people, but there's always something for people to do and toys available for young and young at heart. We always plan to get the beach side massages, but haven't yet;

 

 

Karen spends too much time looking at Facebook / MySpace pictures that people take of themselves;

 

 

We also rented a JetSki at Paradise Beach. It's hard to get pics of each other while on a JetSki;

 

[gaylensgigi]

Yaya! You finally got on a jet ski:)

[PaulMedik]

Yaya! You finally got on a jet ski

 

 

gaylensgigi,

 

Yes I did!

 

This is a shot of Karen just before she tried to turn the JetSki upside down;

 

 

After our JetSki ride we dried out for a while in the sun then gathered everything up and caught a cab back to the pier area to do some shopping. We did catch Tom sitting at his computer and talked with him briefly before we left. Always the gracious host Tom apologized for not catching up ealier, but I assured him I knew he was hard at work; I didn't tell him I got candid pics of him.

 

The cab ride back is always super quick;

 

 

Back at the taxi area we took time to watch pier workers and a man's friends load the unconscious man in a bike for a precarious ride back to the ship. The poor man fell out five times that we saw. His body was limp and much larger than the Mexicans who were trying to keep him in the bike;

 

 

I was pretty sure they wouldn't let him back on the ship in that condition, but I didn't say anything because his friends were nearly as intoxicated as he was and I am sure they wouldn't listen to reason.

 

After picking up a few shirts for the boys we headed back toward the ship;

 

 

It is a safe bet that the intoxicated male didn't reboard the ship, but instead received an amblance ride to the nearest hospital via this ambulance;

 

 

Another great sunset;

 

[DGP1111]

With the rain approaching from the aft we opted to head back forward and lined up all three Carnival funnels;

 

 

 

Oh, very nicely done!!!:)

 

A few weeks ago, I was on Carnival Inspiration with the same line-up of three CCL ships in Cozumel, and I wanted to get a cool shot of the three funnels, but since we were in the middle, it wasn't possible except from the shore, and that angle was nowhere as attractive as yours.

 

Holiday was my very first Carnival experience, and I was glad I got to take a few pictures in Coz, since it will be my final time to see that ship as well.

 

Carnival Destiny had not yet arrived (could see her in the distance) when I went ashore, so the only ropes to navigate under were our own. On the return to the ship later, I was definitely in Wow mode.

[PaulMedik]

Karen enjoying the view;

 

 

We spent a long time in that area enjoying a view. It's hard to walk away from it;

 

 

I have a hard time now picking out which pics I like the best;

 

 

No Platinum reboarding lines were needed at this time in Cozumel;

 

 

Another view of Cozumel;

 

 

Hand sanitizers at the end of the gangway are always handy. IMO they should have someone there making people use them;