Carnival Destiny Report/Review

[TxG8r]

Just giving a "Reader's Digest" condensed version of our cruise. Our trip was from Sat., May 28 - Sun., June 5, 2005:

 

Sat., 5/28/05 - San Juan, PR - We were scheduled to stay at the Wyndam El San Juan Resort & Casino. During check-in, the clerk directed us to one of the hotel managers. Apparently some rooms were being renovated & we were the "lucky/chosen" ones. We were informed that we would be staying at a sister property with transportation and accomodations paid for by the Wyndam. Our journey took us next door - the Intercontinental! We were registered in the club level (concierege level). Good start to a week's vacation!

 

Sun., 5/29/05 - San Juan, PR - Embarkation aboard the Destiny at the new (at least to us) terminal. Long lines - yes, but manageable. Stateroom was on the forward port side Lido Deck. Nice accomodations with a balcony. The shoving off party was fun.

 

Mon., 5/30/05 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI - Boarded a taxi & went to Sapphire Beach for a few hours of snorkelling. We stayed a week last year at the Sapphire Beach Resort & were pleased with the facilities. No crowds & good snorkelling. Ate lunch in Red Hook at Duffy's Love Shack (a tradition for us). Good jerk chicken sandwiches, bushwhackers & guavaberry smashes. Taxied back to the ship & went downtown. Visited Liberty Jewelers in the Drake's Passage Mall. No compensation from the guys that run the shop, but (to us) they are the best little jewelry store on the island. Very good selection, very fair pricing, and adjustments and repairs can be arranged.

 

Tues., 5/31/05 - Rosseau, Dominica - Took a cruise-sponsored tour. Last time we visited Dominica was in 1998 (Carnival Fascination) and the town left a lot to be desired. A massive clean up & focus on ecotourism has ensued and our tour to Trafalgar Falls & Emerald Pool was highly enjoyable. Prepare to get wet from rain sometime & somehow. The guide & driver were most informative. First formal night tonight.

 

Wed., 6/1/05 - Bridgetown, Barbados - Using information from Cruise Critic & Trip Advisor, we previously booked a snorkel & lunch sail on the Heat Wave. A highlight of the week! Two stops - one at a reef & another where green sea turtles were. Only drawback (for me) - the crew member in the water with the 10 of us (only 12 passengers!) would "chum" the water with bread (at the reef) & fish (for the turtles) to get the sea critters swimming around us. I could have done without that. Lunch was catered barbecue chicken, fried turtle (no thanks), rice & veggies, scalloped potatoes, salad, bread & an open bar! Loads of fun splashing head on into the swells on the return. That evening, we went to The Boatyard for food & drinks. Good beach fare & libations. At 6:30 PM, the folks made an announcement that anyone 16 or under had to leave. The party was starting. College party hijinks ensued with a Mardi Gras contest: women get 2 strands of beads & could "earn" more. You get the picture. We headed back to the ship. All in all - a great day!

 

Thurs., 6/2/05 - Day at sea #1 - HOT, HOT, HOT (and not the song, either)! Our course was about due west, the breeze was from the east and slower than what we were sailing. If you remember your geography & science from middle school - the Doldrums exist! Second formal night tonight.

 

Fri., 6/3/05 - Oranjstead, Aruba - Two tours today. First one on the Jolly Pirate. Used the 'net to book (Cruise Critic & Trip Advisor suggestions) and had a great time. Took a taxi to Moomba Beach to meet the tour. Three snorkelling stops: two over reefs & rock formations and the last over a sunken WWII German freighter. Our first wreck snorkel. WOW!!! Good food & drinks. Lunch was grilled chicken & pork ribs, cole slaw, pasta salad & bread. Got to swing out & try to dive into the Caribbean. That evening, we booked a cruise-sponsored tour: the Kukoo Kanuku party bus. Four stops: 1 - a beach for a champagne toast (frivolity began in earnest); 2 - dinner at a former political envoy's home (okay meal); 3 - drinks at the U-Wannabeer-Bar (frivolity continued & insanity ensued); 4 - drinks at Carlos & Charlie's (complete frivolity & abundant insanity). At 10:00 PM a general announcement by C&C's folks that the Destiny passengers had to leave for the ship & get aboard by 10:30 PM (11 PM sailing). FYI - C&C's is at the docks where the Destiny gets berthed. Best fun of the cruise. (Note: We were aware of the young lady's disappearance before our day's activities via CNN TV in the cabin. The Aruban's seemed very concerned about the situation. No sense of danger for us.)

 

Sat., 6/4/05 - Day at sea #2 - Windy day. Dodged some t-storms. Good time to pack.

 

Sun., 6/5/05 - San Juan, PR - Booked a tour of the city & Bacardi distillery. Recommend this in order to get off the ship early (we had a 4:50 PM flight). Tour of Old San Juan via bus (only 14 on the trip!). Went to San Cristobal fort - nice upgrades by the U.S. National Park system & got to stroll down Fortazella Ave. The Bacardi tour was very interesting. A good time by all. Tour took us to the airport for our trip home.

 

All said & done, the cruise was great! A review of the ship:

 

Our cabin stewardess & her assistant (Lumita & Alfred) were very professional and accomodating. The towel animals were a hit with my wife.

 

Our dinner seating was in the Universe Dining Room for the late seating. Dexer & Ayok were our waiter & assistant. Very capable. Both servers were not overtly outgoing by nature (not much kidding around & cajoling), but very professional. An enjoyable experience for meals.

 

We passed on the show featuring a singer from the Platters. He was on board three years ago (we sailed the destiny in 2002). From what we heard, in the photo gallery outside the Palladium Lounge, the show was the same. Time for carnival to update.

 

We skipped the magician & comedian as well. From what we heard from others who went to the shoss - they were the same - again.

 

We attended the productions that featured the ship's performers. One featured a range of nightclub music & the other show featured Parisian clubs & music scene. Only negative (to me) is the use of canned background vocals and filler orchestrations. I say let the band play it all & get singers & dancers who can provide actual harmonies. I didn't want to listen to professinal karaoke.

 

We opted not to go to the nightclubs since they allowed smoking inside. We're staunch nonsmokers and couldn't put up with the stench. Carnival has made all common areas nonsmoking (except bars, the casino, sundeck & staterooms). Wish they alloed a smokers area only outside & aft. Just my opinion & I'm sticking to it.

 

Okay, I'm finished. Hope y'all weren't too bored by the report & review. Looking toward our next voyage,

Later,

TxG8r

[BettyB2]

thanks for the review...loved hearing about the ports of call..sounded liek you had a really great time! I hope to sail from PR one day..

[pholter]

Thanks so much! Loved getting to go back "home" again :)

[Morning glory]

Thanks so much! We're sailing the Destiny on the 19th. Can't wait!

Also, thanks for the tip on when the kiddies have to be off the beach at The Boatyard. We were thinking of going in the afternoon, but I heard that it was adult only at some point. We'd be off the beach by 6:30 anyway, so will probably leave it on our itinerary.

[sixthree]

Great Review !!!