Destiny Spring Break Review March 10-15, 2012

[Ours91]

Nice pictures.

[gelo7]

Excellent review.

[ahoys]

Day 2 At Sea

Windy, really rocky day. I feel sorry for those who are prone to seasickness. Today must have been a really bad day for those folks.

 

Got up fairly late and got moving around 10 am (Really 9, but with the clocks “sprung ahead” it turned out to be later than we would normally get out and about. Note to self: if moving late on sea day, go to dining room for breakfast. We had absolutely no chance at getting a hot breakfast this morning. We found a table to wait out the very long line. And waited. In the meantime, I had a Danish, some coffee, and a bowl of fruit with yogurt. The line never let up, so that ended up being my breakfast.

 

 

 

 

Went on to the shops and bought some logo items and some $10 Bijoux Terner things. Was able to get out free entry to the slot tournament and quickly took part in that. No success there at all. Lunch time was early due to the absence of a hot breakfast. Taste of Nation was American and it was pretty good. I had chicken and pot roast. Desserts were great-key lime pie and napoleon.

 

Went to the shops for the raffle. No luck there. Where was lady luck?

 

Well, I found her. I was playing one of my favorite machines and just knew it was going to pay off. Just knew it. Yet I was surprised when it did. Awarded me $360 on a payoff. Woo Hoo!!! I immediately cashed out my players bank and went to the kiosk to put the money on my sail and sign account. Ended up with a positive balance. Now, I just have to be smart with the rest of the trip and not spend it all. Went to the room to get ready for elegant night. Everyone looked really good tonight. The only trouble was the rolling ship made for very shaky heels.

 

Here we are...myself, Letha, Anita

 

 

Dinner was great. Stuffed mushrooms, strawberry bisque, lobster (shared a prime rib) and bitter and blanc. My favorite dinner.

 

The strawberry bisque.

 

Lobster, of course.

 

Bitter and blanc.

 

 

Went to the showtime. They really need to retire the couch. It was obvious that the number of dancers has been cut when they had 5 horses and only 4 male dancers riding the horses. The “orchestra” is now called the “show band” and is only 5 members. Sad really. The singers were good and the dancers were good. This production gives the best songs to the male singer and the female singer ends up with icky songs. Really, they should retire this show altogether. Hopefully, with the refurbishment and morphing into the Carnival Sunshine they'll develop a new show.

 

After the show we went back to the casino for a little while and then called it a night. Late arrival in Ocho Rios tomorrow due to heavy winds.

[jewels4488]

Thank you for the wonderful review.. can't wait for more! We sail may 24th! You have asked if anyone has questions? I have acouple. What is the best way to navigate this ship? We are staying on deck 8, near Rotunda elevators, midship. What's the best route to get to dining room? Tips for getting around....

 

Also, I read when you are getting back on the ship from port, you should not wait for an elevator on that deck, but rather go up one floor where there would not be a long line. Any thoughts on this?

I noticed you mentioned the long line at the buffet. Several posters have mentioned this as well. I hope to eat breakfast in the MDR and maybe avoid the lines.

One last question, did you book with a TA, or with Carnival? I am hoping to get an upgrade, or upsell, but fear booking with a TA might prevent that?? Still hoping.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to write this up. Great pictures!

[ahoys]

Thank you for the wonderful review.. can't wait for more! We sail may 24th! You have asked if anyone has questions? I have acouple. What is the best way to navigate this ship? We are staying on deck 8, near Rotunda elevators, midship. What's the best route to get to dining room? Tips for getting around....

We found that DECK 5 is the best way to get anywhere. Go straight to deck 5 (Promenade) and then walk forward or aft and then go down to deck 3. Of course, if you are in the Galaxy Dining Room, you'll just go down those elevators to deck 3.

 

Also, I read when you are getting back on the ship from port, you should not wait for an elevator on that deck, but rather go up one floor where there would not be a long line. Any thoughts on this?

 

If you went up to deck 1, you'll probably wait. The elevators that stop for you will probably be full. It's not a terrible wait. Just get an elevator on deck 0.

 

I noticed you mentioned the long line at the buffet. Several posters have mentioned this as well. I hope to eat breakfast in the MDR and maybe avoid the lines.

 

We had a lovely MDR breakfast when we stopped in Grand Cayman. I'd definitely opt for that instead of Lido, especially when going at crowded times. When we went to Lido earlier than everyone it was great. No lines and terrific, fresh food.

 

One last question, did you book with a TA, or with Carnival? I am hoping to get an upgrade, or upsell, but fear booking with a TA might prevent that?? Still hoping.

 

I always book directly with Carnival, so I don't have a lot of advice there.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to write this up. Great pictures!

Thanks so much for the compliment! I'm actually enjoying my first review!

[jillpra]

Did you have James Dunn as cruise director? How was he?

[KirkWN737]

Wonderful review so far. Congrats on the upgrade!

[LBumb]

great pics

[OKLandShark]

Great Review! While I don't have that many cruises under my belt yet, I do enjoy reviews of a ship that I have been one(only 2 so far)! The pictures always bring back some fun memories. Thanks

[ahoys]

Did you have James Dunn as cruise director? How was he?

 

I really liked James. He was professional and visible. He wasn't the most dynamic cruise director I've had, but he was accessible, and I like that.

[ahoys]

Thanks, everyone, for the compliments. This is my first review and it's harder than it looked. No matter how tired I was at the end of the evening, I made myself write in my journal so I wouldn't forget anything. The problem I've discovered is that I didn't take pictures of the things I should have. I know I kept intending to walk around the ship and take pictures of everything, but never got a chance. Lessons learned for my Liberty cruise!

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

please come back and finish your review :D

[Creole Girl]

Ahoys, I understand you must have planning and papers to grade. Hopefully you can add to the review this weekend. I'm looking forward to it.

[tayzia00]

My family has cruised for the first time on the Destiny August 2011. We are going back in December 2013 for a full out family cruise. I love this ship and love reading reviews on it even more. I am looking forward to the rest of your review. Also, looking forward to sailing Sunshine in the next year or so:D

[ahoys]

Yes, things are crazy here (Mom just got out of the hospital and we're packing her to move across the country to live with my sister)....but I'm happy someone's reading my review!

 

I'll have another installment up this morning. Thanks for reading!!

[ahoys]

Day 3: Ocho Rios

 

We got up early and headed for the Lido buffet. Good timing as no one was in line yet. Lots of good breakfast type food and then we decided to hit the casino while we waited to get to Ocho Rios. We played the slots until the casino closed (we were very close to port) and then headed for the Paladium lounge to wait for our excursion. Everyone seemed to be cooperative or tired, and waited patiently. They finally called our excursion and we left the ship.

 

It is a very, very long walk to get to the end of the pier in Ocho Rios. If you have any kind of mobility issues, ask for a wheelchair and they will take you to the end of the pier. It really was difficult for me to walk it. We reached the end and had to wait for a shuttle to take us to the rainforest.

 

You go into this hut and the kind folks will put a shore excursion wristband on you, then direct you to the right line for your bus.

 

 

 

Waiting in line. We had to wait for an earlier shuttle bus to return. It wasn't a very long wait. It was overcast and windy, and I was a bit nervous about being on a ski lift in bad weather.

 

 

 

Above the Costa Atlantica is Mystic Mountain. The top of the mountain (top left corner of the photo) is where we're going.

 

 

The shuttle bus drops you off where you'll board the ski lifts to the top of the mountain. This wait was somewhat long. I'd hate to be here in the heat of the summer!

 

 

Letha, Anita and I while waiting for the ski lift to the top.

 

 

We took the Mystic Mountain Sky Explorer excursion and it was a good choice. However, when you are on a ski lift and it begins to gust and rain, it will make you a bit nervous. We did make it through without incident and then hung out for a while on the top. We took pictures, did some shopping in the gift shop and ate a snack at the restaurant.

[smjlt]

Lovin the review so far! Cruising the Destiny for our first cruise ever in August! Can't wait!!!! :)

[ahoys]

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I know you'll have a great time in August. The Destiny is a really good-sized ship for your first cruise!

[Daddyfto]

Wow ..I've never read a review of a cruise that I was on ..this is too cool...did you guys get a $27.40 credit per person? We did and the only thing I can figure is it was compensation for being late to Ocho Rios because of the strong winds...

[ahoys]

We did...I have no idea why...but it was nice to have!

[mousey]

What a nice review and such nice pictures of some lovely ladies!:D

 

Maybe the money was for a refund of port fees??? Whatever, I'm sure it was a nice surprise!:D

[FLSteve11]

We did...I have no idea why...but it was nice to have!

 

Hi Ahoys!

 

Never saw you onboard, missed the teachers reviewing papers *grin*

 

We also got the $27.40 for each of us, I also suspect it was for the ship being so late to Jamaica (and Grand Cayman by 2 hours)

[girlscruise2011]

Great review, love the pics. I'm on the Destiny in May but going to Grand Turks, HMC and Nassua. No kids this trip. So my question is, did you notice how much it was to call home from the ship? I have the Funtimes from another post from November 2011 and at that time it said it was .99. I was going to do the Carnival Forums but people say the internet is so slow, I'd rather just do a 5 min call each day to say hi and check in.

 

Keep up the great review!

[Creole Girl]

Love the continuation of your review. I'm not sure if I could have done the ski lift. I have been to Ocho Rios twice land based. I love Jamaica!

[ahoys]

Mousey: thanks for the compliment!

 

FLSteve11: Those blasted papers took a Caribbean cruise, and I never got them out to grade!

 

girlscruise2011: When you use your cabin phone the cost is $1.99 a minute. It's much more reasonable than it used to be. I brought my ipad and used the forum to post to my husband. It was slow, and at times it was frustrating, but it was okay. I didn't have a set time for Dave to look for my posts, so I just posted each night before I went to bed. It wasn't bad.

 

Creole Girl: If you have trouble with heights, this probably would have freaked you out. You can find videos of the ride on YouTube, and if I have a chance, I'll post my own. It's a slow, easy ride...but it does go pretty high up over the trees.