Carnival Destiny Review; B2B 20th Anniversary Cruise

[PaulMedik]

The ride back from Half Moon Cay is beautiful even on a rainy day;

 

 

I think I got most of the cabanas in this shot;

 

 

Another tender;

 

 

As we approached the ship, it became apparent that the rains had just passed and weren't as far off as they had appeared;

 

 

Fourteen years earlier she was the largest cruise ship in the world. Today she's just average, but you can't tell she's average by this pic;

 

 

As we approach the ships crew tosses a roap to tie off our tender;

 

[PaulMedik]

After we're tied off, they pull out the gangway;

 

 

Half Moon Cay from our balcony as we begin to sail away;

 

 

After we pulled away and headed out to sea, the clouds ahead of us had started to break up;

 

 

Karen freshly showered and Carnival robed snoozing on the bed;

 

 

I don't think Karen's hat suits me;

 

 

Our evening meal;

 

[PaulMedik]

No need for seconds when you get enough firsts!

 

 

After we ate we spent some time in the cigar bar disposing of contraband and enjoying live music;

 

 

When we returned to our room we found a monkey hanging from the ceiling;

 

 

And our capers for Nassau were waiting for us as well;

 

 

They had a midnight buffet that night and I think the entire ship attended and danced all night;

 

 

I'm not sure where the CD and his staff get all their energy, but they had everyone dancing, singing and partying all night on Lido;

 

[PaulMedik]

I don't know what time we arrived in Nassau, but when I woke up the next morning people were alreading getting off the ship. Lots of people. How did they party all night and still get up and off the ship so early?

 

 

Atlantis looming in the distance;

 

 

As you can tell by the very long shadows, the sun hadn't been up for very long yet the pier was full of people heading out across Nassau;

 

 

The sand dredging was in full swing preparing the sea floor to allow the Behemoth of the Seas to enter Nassau and make it to the pier. I don't know, but when the sea floor isn't deep enough for the ship, then the ship is too big for the sea. Build the malls on land where they belong;

 

 

My light breakfast;

 

 

Karen's carbs and protein breakfast;

 

[PaulMedik]

paul - i'm honored to have made it into your review

 

and that.. we both took approximately the same photo...

 

 

and i'm glad that you got to see it... if not on the plane, on the ship...

 

not bad, eh? ;)

 

 

 

oh, i see it! :eek:

 

how uncouth :rolleyes:

 

 

Mark,

 

I was planning to watch it on the return plane trip, but as it turned out that planed didn't have seat back monitors so I'm glad I got to watch it on the ship.

 

Believe it or not, I don't think I noticed that cup holder until today when I was posting the pic. I may have though and just blocked it out of my mind! She sure looks like she knew what I was taking a pic of though LMAO.

[jules815]

Congratulations on your 20th, and thank you for the great review! :D

 

We'll be sailing on Destiny in March (Dream in June!), and are very excited!

[Payd]

Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary!

 

Great review, thanks for including the pictures.

[jtdlmc]

You sure do have great reviews! I also read your one on Carnival Freedom. I'm trying to decide between a few ships for my family's first cruise (kids ages -DS 9 and DD19). The Destiny (Eastern) and Freedom (Western) are included on my short list. Did you like one better than the other? Would you recommend one over the other for kids? Thanks :)

[PaulMedik]

Congratulations on your 20th, and thank you for the great review! :D

 

We'll be sailing on Destiny in March (Dream in June!), and are very excited!

 

jules815,

 

Thank you.

 

 

Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary!

 

Great review, thanks for including the pictures.

 

Payd,

 

Thank you.

 

You sure do have great reviews! I also read your one on Carnival Freedom. I'm trying to decide between a few ships for my family's first cruise (kids ages -DS 9 and DD19). The Destiny (Eastern) and Freedom (Western) are included on my short list. Did you like one better than the other? Would you recommend one over the other for kids? Thanks :)

 

 

jtdlmc,

 

Thank you.

 

I would choose Carnival Freedom; 7 day vs 5 day. More buffet options thus less lines on Freedom. I can honestly say I did not like one better than the other; Freedom was new, but Destiny is maintained so well that her age is irrelevant.

[sdirector77]

Paul

 

So good to hear that the Destiny is still in fine shape. We sailed her years ago from San Juan on the southern route and have booked her again for a mid January getaway from the snow and cold. We are booked for the eastern route Cat #11. I cannot wait. Your review was fabulous. Gonna try to talk the DH into a Cabana...

[deborah grimes]

Paul, Thanks for the great review so far. And happy 20th anniv. I know what you mean about it only seams like a few months. My anniversary was Nov. 1st. 29 years! We will be celebrating it on the 28th of this month. We will be on the Fascination. We was looking into going to Blue Lagoon. Can't wait for that review. I have seen your pictures and if that is any indication to what is in store I can't wait. Keep it coming! Also my granddaughter will be celebrating her 1st birthday and first cruise!(Nov 3rd was her b-day)

[bipper40]

Enjoy reading your review. Just wondering if you will be finishing it?

[crusinpsychRN]

Congrats on the anniversary!

 

Did Cahill stay on the cruise or just while in port?

 

You do have one of the nicest looking families and I do miss picutres of your sons! But you deserve a break too.

 

I could see pix on page 1 but after that they don't show. Anyone know why? Some filter work puts on the computer?

[Naomi John]

For the review and Pictures. I think I have convinced my DH this cruise for March of 2011.

 

Thanks again.

[deborah grimes]

What happen to the rest on this review? I'm still waiting for Blue Lagoon! Did I miss it?

[KroozFoolz]

Paul, I really would love to read about your day at Blue Lagoon - please finish your review!

[jdawsonrn]

Yes Paul- Please finish your review!!! :D

 

I'm waiting patiently!! (ok not really patiently ;))

[PaulMedik]

Congrats on the anniversary!

 

Did Cahill stay on the cruise or just while in port?

 

You do have one of the nicest looking families and I do miss picutres of your sons! But you deserve a break too.

 

I could see pix on page 1 but after that they don't show. Anyone know why? Some filter work puts on the computer?

 

 

crusinpsychRN,

 

Thank you.

 

I assume Gerry was just on in port.

 

My guess would be a filter?

 

 

 

 

Sorry for the delay in finishing. Each time I get started something interrupts or one of the sites won't cooperate.

 

 

 

After breakfast we watched Glory backing in to the port;

 

 

 

Looking forward to aft wraps;

 

 

When we made our way down to the gangway, the Carnival photogs were waiting;

 

 

Should have used wide angle to get both ships;

 

 

The young lady at the desk made all of our arrangements for Blue Lagoon;

 

[PaulMedik]

We had to catch a taxi to Paradise Island to the water taxi;

 

 

In about five to ten minutes, we were there;

 

 

 

We had plenty of time to relax and people watch;

 

 

Our taxi soon arrived;

 

 

And soon we were underway;

 

[PaulMedik]

Our last visit to Salt Cay aka Blue Lagoon was twenty years ago. Our ship was at anchor in the distance and unless I am mistaken it was on the opposite side of the island;

 

 

Even though we were approaching from the opposite direction, it did start to look familiar;

 

 

 

The dolphins provided a friendly greeting;

 

 

 

The view was what we remembered other than the stretch of land across the water from us;

 

[PaulMedik]

 

 

This view on the back side is more like what it used to be;

 

 

Later in the day this is where we would eat our lunch;

 

 

Many areas of the island are still under development;

 

 

After a while we found the area of the island we were looking for;

 

 

We also found the 'stay out' signs;

 

[PaulMedik]

The rocks jutting out into the sea are designed to break the waves and catch sand;

 

 

Twenty years ago there was a lot more sand;

 

 

Are these pictures of the same area?;

 

 

I know we weren't as far down the beach, but it looks like the same area;

 

 

One thing that remained the same was the sand. When you stand still, you sink in the talcom powder;

 

 

Walking along the hurricane carved ravine dividing the island;

 

[PaulMedik]

 

Apparently the area we were in was off limits;

 

 

The lagoon makes for a calm place for a nap;

 

 

Twenty years ago the seas were calm enough to nap, but I had less built in flotation;

 

 

We swam and explored the lagoon for a while then headed inland for lunch;

 

 

The island buffet area is in the same place (I think), but the menu has changed a bit over the years;

 

[PaulMedik]

There was plenty of seating in the buffet area and in the shady areas around it, but we headed to our side of the island;

 

 

Present day docks;

 

 

The docks / dolphin swim area from twenty years ago;

 

 

 

The water taxi ride back from Blue Lagoon;

 

 

Karen on the tender back to SS Majestic (gotta luv the 80s hair);

 

[PaulMedik]

When we arrived back at the water taxi depot, the crew advised everyone returning to Carnival ships to stay on board and they would transport us directly to the ship's pier. Along the way we enjoyed some great views;

 

 

 

 

Our ship waiting in the distance;

 

 

 

Sensations' balconies. I like balcony cabins and will have one some day on Sensation, but I think I'll enjoy sitting on them looking out more than looking at them;

 

 

We checked out a few of the shops near the pier and picked up a few items for the boys. Nassau is Nassau and will never change. I can't find our pics from twenty years ago, but it may just be that I can't tell which ones are new and which ones are old?

 

We considered a horse drawn carriage ride, but instead opted to reboard;