Destiny Review from 4/9-4/14

[snebel84]

Just off the Destiny last week and had a WONDERFUL time!!! I have read a few reviews of how Destiny is an older ship and has had negative reviews but we thought it was beautiful and everything was well put together. This my first review so it might be a bit all over the place but here goes!!

 

Pre-cruise- We stayed at the Best Western on the Bay in Miami 4/8-4/9. Lovely little hotel. The room was very clean, pool was great and has a beautiful view of the bay. There was even manatee swimming right outside by the dock! The staff at the hotel are excellent as well, they picked us up at the aiport and even made us dinner reservations for a restaurant down the street. It's called the Crabhouse and the food was DELISH! They took us to the port the next morning as well.

 

Embarkation-Very easy and simple. We arrived at the port around noon and it took us about 20 minutes to actually get on the ship and our rooms were not ready so we ate at Lido Buffet, which was very good and walked and explored the ship.

 

On the Ship- Our room was very nice. We were located on the Lido deck which was a great location. The staff on the ship are wonderful as well. We ate in the main dining room every night and the food was of course, excellent. We told the hostess the first night it was our honeymoon and the second night we received a cake a they sang to us :). They remembered us and called us the Honeymooners everytime we ate. Waiters are excellent and they sing and dance during meal times. And yes, the famous warm chocolate melting cake I read so much about is the most fantastic thing ever. We ate it every night! There are MANY activities going on around the ship during sea day and at night. Comedy clubs, dancing, music, deck parties, shows, all of which were very enjoyable. During sea days we layed on the chairs on the Lido deck and enjoyed the live music and sun.

 

Ports of Call-

Jamaica -Getting off and on the ship for both was very easy and quick as well. We went to Dunn's River and Falls, but not on an excursion. We took a taxi there and payed for entrance to the falls and went on our own time, which was very nice. I think the only thing I did not care for during the entire cruise was how aggressive the people in Jamaica are. They are very pushy and it can be very irritating. We went to the shops in Island Village and to Margaritaville for the rest of the day and the beach is small, but decent. The food at Margaritaville is very good as well and they have entertainment too.

 

Grand Cayman-Very different from Jamaica but what a beautiful island! We did some shopping first right off the port and then took a shuttle to Seven Mile Beach, it was about $5 bucks a person. We did not do an excursion here but when we got to Seven Mile Beach there were TONS of things to do. You could rent snorkeling equipment, kayaks, jet skis, and paddle boats. We rented a paddle boat for an hour ($30) and paddled way out into the beautiful teal water. The water is so clear you can see fish swimming at the bottom.

 

Debarkation at the end of the cruise-Very easy, again took us about 20 minutes to get off the ship, with no hassle. We carryed our own luggage out and found a shuttle right outside to take us to the Miami aiport for $20.

 

All in all, we were EXTREMELY pleased by Carnival and we loved every minute of it and plan on booking another cruise for Carnival next year. If you have any questions, please ask!!!!

[jtyerspc]

Thanks for the POSITIVE review. I set sail on the Destiny next week and judging from some of the reviews I have read, I was beginning to think that I may have picked the wrong ship. Glad your experience was good.

[luv cruising 007]

Thanks for the POSITIVE review. I set sail on the Destiny next week and judging from some of the reviews I have read, I was beginning to think that I may have picked the wrong ship. Glad your experience was good.

 

I was just off the DESTINY in nov. of this past year & shes fine! the DESTINY gets a bad wrap for no real reason carnival several ships older than the DESTINY but yet people complain just about her??? hmm...... I really enjoyed my eastern carib. cruise on her! everything was spic & span clean & in working order! all the pools were operational & hot tubs worked & were hot! the public areas & carpet were in good condition, a lil dated but so what its vacation & brings excitement lol! Just dont go in with perceived notions & you will be fine! Sorry to rant I just hate all these negative things I hear including the long buffet lines, every cruiseship will have lines at peaktimes & coming from vegas we have the same issue with buffet lines! Plan around the rush & you will be fine in the LIDO as well! & again have a great cruise

[snebel84]

I agree! I was a little nervous too with the reviews I had read and after reading them I am not sure where all that negativity came from!! I could not have asked for a better experience. Enjoy your Destiny cruise next week, you'll love it!! Here are a few photos I took, specifically of the ship. I have ALOT more I will put up soon!

[mouche]

I've sailed the Destiny twice and I love this ship!!! :D

[abisha]

Glad to read your positive reviews (along with the others). I am sailing on the Destiny with my DH and my 17 year old twins in August and cannot wait. I have not let any negative reviews bother me. A cruise is what you make of it (like any vacation) and I go with an open mind. For me, it's a chance to get away and relax and enjoy a different pace and different scenery. An older ship doesn't phase me either...as long as it's not terribly run down, falling apart everywhere and extremely dirty (and I haven't heard that from anyone about the Destiny), then I'm ok and good to go! I have actually heard/read more positive things about it lately. I look forward to seeing more of your pics! Thanks for sharing.

[chachi]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. I will be on it in 3 1/2 weeks. Were there refrigerators in the room? Thanks

[craigp]

Thanks for the review. I am actually looking at booking another Carnival cruise and the exact itinerary you had is one I am looking at also. I did do Cayman islands while on the Carnival Inspiration in April 2009 and have wanted to visit it again.

 

 

Craig

[beachseasand]

thanks for the quick review. My friends and I are getting very excited about our cruise on the Destiny this June.:D

[gorockets2]

thanks for the quick review. My friends and I are getting very excited about our cruise on the Destiny this June.:D

 

When are you cruising this June? We are also cruising on Destiny this June and are getting real excited about it.

[gradmabee]

We were on the same cruise as you and I did a review the day we came back and it disappeared so not sure what happened to it. Your review of the cruise where the exact same as our feelings. We had a wonderful time. We were on the Empress deck with a balcony and loved it. We had no complaints what so ever about the cruise and would have no problem booking again on the Destiny. :)

[darth frosty]

Cool ill be leaving saturday

[snebel84]

To answer the above question, there was not a refridgerator in our room....I am not sure if thats the case for all rooms though. I hope you ALL enjoy Destiny cruises!

[chachi]

To answer the above question, there was not a refridgerator in our room....I am not sure if thats the case for all rooms though. I hope you ALL enjoy Destiny cruises!

 

Thanks. I wish it did for my pop. It is difficult to keep the ice bucket full. It seems like they only fill it at night.

[fas64]

I was on the Destiny from 4/14 to 4/18 I also enjoyed my cruise, but do feel that Carnivals entertainment and food have went down hill.

[Froufie]

Did a b2b on the destiny in feb. Nothing wrong with the ship . I loved it!!! (check out my review and pics in link near my signature)

[darth frosty]

What night is elegant night on this cruise?

[cherjoe5]

dh and i are just off the destiny 4/18........it was our first time on the destiny.......we had a great time and thought the ship was in very good shape and very clean.......we didn't do much in the ports as we had recently been to key west and cozumel..........we thought the food and service in the main dining room was very good and the buffet was the usual carnival buffet.....we had a great time in the casino and dh won the slot tournament.....oh and by the way after you earn 1500 points in the casino you get a card that gives you free drinks while playing in the casino............

ignore any negatives and you will have a great time...........

cheryl

[Appleton]

Great review! Our first cruise will be on the Destiny with the same itinerary.

 

How much did you pay for admission to Dunn's River Falls on your own? How much was the taxi you took there? Did they charge by person or by carload, and did you have to "haggle" over the price, or was it set? I've heard you have to negotiate with some of the Jamaican cabbies before you get in the car.

[swimmom32]

I was on the Destiny from 4/14 to 4/18 I also enjoyed my cruise, but do feel that Carnivals entertainment and food have went down hill.

 

I have to disagree..Anyway Im glad the OP had a great time...We were on the Destiny as well Last December and loved it..Food was Excellent and so was everything about it...We loved it so much we are now booked on the Liberty and cant wait...

[molole]

Great review! I was also on the 4/9 cruise and also had a wonderful time! I know Destiny is not brand new but the only true inconvenience I noticed was one of the aft elevators was often stuck and it always seemed to be stuck on our deck so even other elevators wouldn't stop there.

 

To answer some of the questions:

 

The formal night was the second night. There was no fridge in my room but I only had an OV room. Maybe balconies and suites have better furnishing. I was told the DRF's admission was $10 pp. I have to admit, Jamaica is NOT an island I am in a hurry to return to. GC was very nice. I had to cancel my excursion due to an injury but I am sure I will be returning now I am hooked on cruising! ;)

[hannibal54]

I just booked the Destiny for a solo cruise in October, this will be my first Carnival Cruise.

[deb4kids]

I'm not sure if this has been asked, but is there a basketball court on this ship. My husband and son would love it!!

 

Thanks for any responses!!

[angel61]

There is a small basketball court.

[cam1998]

Does anyone have the Funtimes from their Western sail on Destiny that I could see. Looking for to our August cruise.

 

camillestacey@yahoo.com