"Past, Present, and Future Destiny Cruisers for the cold and impersonal"

[youngtraveladdict]

Please post your Q & A here on all things Destiny. The other thread on the Destiny has gotten very hard to navigate through. This thread and title have been suggested by Carribean Sue. Thanks Sue!

[BlueJacketsFan1]

Good idea with the new thead. I haven't been able to read any good information on the other one because it's become a chat room.

 

Now for my question. I've been trying to find a nice hotel in San Juan for a two night stay before our cruise. We have looked at both hotels offered by Carnival. The Sheraton looks the best from reviews on tripadvisor, but my wife and I would really love to be at or at least near a beach. Plus, we would like to still be near Old San Juan for a day trip site seeing. Thanks for your help.

[kathy32259]

I stayed at the Marriott Coronado prior to my Destiny cruise in 2005. It was a nice hotel - has it's own private beach and pool. It is only about 10 minutes from the pier and Old San Juan by cab. (A lot of cruisers stay there! So book early!)

 

They have a Casino and live music every night in the lobby bar. All the locals come in to dance. It is great fun to watch them danicing the Salsa!

 

Right across the street is a great Ice Cream store - best Ice Cream I have ever had!

[Fun~N~Sun]

We sail on Destiny May 28th from San Juan. We paid air fair through Carnival. I wish we would get info soon so we knew more about our travel arrangements for that day. I would really like to know how much time we are going to have in San Juan before sailing. This is our first cruise and we are really excited. I kind of wished we would have made our own flight arrangments so we could have known ahead of time when we would be coming and going but since we booked this a year ago I'm sure I would have ended up spending more for air fare. Has anybody taken this cruise before and what are some of the best excursions or things we should not miss? I don't want to do an excursion at every port because I just want to have some beach and shopping time. What are the best ports for that as well?

[KenMo]

Fun~N~Sun: I cruised on Destiny last May. This is what we did....

 

St Thomas: We just took a cab to Coki Beach. We prearranged with the driver to pick us up at 1pm.....no problem! There are huts to get eats/drinks, restrooms, souvenier (sp?) shops, etc. We really liked it here!

 

Dominica: We hired Beno. You can contact him at benox265@hotmail.com . He's probably booked up for your date....I'm assuming your going this coming May? We went to Trafalgar Falls, Titou Gorge, Emerald Pool, Mr. Nice's Fruitstand. These places are pretty much standard for that island. It's not known for it's beaches....black sand and it's hot! If you can't get Beno, there are other good drivers....

 

Barbados: We did the Silver Moon catamaran.....this was wonderful! Their website is: www.oceanadventures.bb Worth every penny!! For beach time....I've heard the Boatyard is lots of fun!

 

Aruba: Here, we just hired a driver to drive us around. In the evening....tried to find CnCh's.....ended up at Cafe Bahia. Had a live band and good drinks! If you want beach time.....just take a cab to the high rise hotel strip, all the hotels are along the beach.

 

Now....I'm just doing this from memory, of course! Hopefully, pholter will come to this thread....she has lots of good advice and info!!

 

Have a great cruise!!

[Fun~N~Sun]

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. Aruba is where I really want to have a beach day and shop. Do the hotels let you access the beach if you are not staying there? I know we went to the Bahamas last fall and if you weren't staying at one of the hotels the beaches were not easy to get to.

[KenMo]

Here's a link to Moomba Beach in Aruba: www.moombabeach.com . It looked like a nice area, although we didn't hang out here.

 

You do not have to be a hotel guest to use the beach here....not sure about the other beach areas.

 

Hope this helps!!

[sue2002]

I too am glad that a new site was posted. We're on the 6-11 sailing. Can anyone tell me if there is a liquor store near the port so we can pick up a couple of bottles of wine to take on the ship? Also, things to do during the day would be much appreciated (in San Juan)

[KenMo]

Hello sue2002!

 

After you check in and get your S&S card, you'll go upstairs. There is a liquor store right there........can't miss it! The liquor is very cheap and you can just put it in your carry-on and walk on the ship! Also, there will be someone there with a cart giving free rum shots....different flavors.

 

We didn't do anything in San Juan pre-cruise....we headed right for the ship and stayed there. We stayed in San Juan one day post-cruise. The hotel we stayed at was real close to the beach, so we hung out there. Also went to El Morro. The beach was free....rented a chair for $5. I think it was $3 to tour El Morro. If you want to do both El Morro and San Cristobal....I believe it was $5 for both.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

[saltydreams]

I don't want to do an excursion at every port because I just want to have some beach and shopping time. What are the best ports for that as well?

Barbados has some wonderful beaches!!

Check out this website- it has some good info!

http://www.barbados.org/beaches.htm

 

St Thomas has some of the best shopping!

http://www.*****/stthomas/shopping/

 

 

(by the way- great idea about starting this thread!)

[caribbean dreams]

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. Aruba is where I really want to have a beach day and shop. Do the hotels let you access the beach if you are not staying there? I know we went to the Bahamas last fall and if you weren't staying at one of the hotels the beaches were not easy to get to.

 

all the hotels have beach access, you just can't used their beach chairs because they are for hotel guests only.

Be aware that there are public topless beaches just incase you have kids.

The Sheraton in San Juan is a very nice hotel on the water front and right in old San Juan, after you see all the great things to do and places to see, you may not want to just spend the day at the beach anymore.

 

You can get away with no shore excursions in all the ports except Dominica, if you get a chance have a taxi take you to the rainforest, it is beautiful and you can spend the entire day walking the trails, swimming in the base of the waterfalls and soaking in the hot sulfer springs.

one of these days i will figure out how to post my pictures for all to see.

[Fun~N~Sun]

 

all the hotels have beach access, you just can't used their beach chairs because they are for hotel guests only.

Be aware that there are public topless beaches just incase you have kids.

The Sheraton in San Juan is a very nice hotel on the water front and right in old San Juan, after you see all the great things to do and places to see, you may not want to just spend the day at the beach anymore.

 

You can get away with no shore excursions in all the ports except Dominica, if you get a chance have a taxi take you to the rainforest, it is beautiful and you can spend the entire day walking the trails, swimming in the base of the waterfalls and soaking in the hot sulfer springs.

one of these days i will figure out how to post my pictures for all to see.

 

 

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Is there any good shopping or other sites to see in Dominica? I understand that is not a place to plan on a beach day. I am a little concerned about the rain forest and waterfalls because my husand as EXTREMELY bad asthma and I don't think the rain forest and humidity will be good for him at all.

 

Thanks for the info about San Juan too. I am anxious to get our flight info from Carnival so I know how much time we will have there. Yes, I will have my "kids" with me but I am sure my 20 year old son will have no problem with the topless beaches!

[caribbean dreams]

I have not found any good shopping in Dominica, the street venders and shops have the same items over & over again.

I told my Husband that everybody in town must order from the same company.

I Don't have a problem with the topless beaches either, me & my daughters 19 & 20 just join it, but i see how embarassed some people get just walking by without realizing.

[pholter]

I have not found any good shopping in Dominica, the street venders and shops have the same items over & over again.

I told my Husband that everybody in town must order from the same company.

I Don't have a problem with the topless beaches either, me & my daughters 19 & 20 just join it, but i see how embarassed some people get just walking by without realizing.

 

What we did find out is that had we waited to buy the items we did in St.Thomas, we would have saved $2-$5 per item buying the same items in Dominica.

 

It is a shame regarding the other thread because it was 2 years in the making just for the last 15 pages or so to become the "chatroom" as someone else posted here. They are awesome folks on that thread and it's very near and dear to my heart :) Actually, the first 10 pages have so many awesome links, it's hard not to pass up the opportunity to read them for sure. And, of course, all the recent reviews are a great way to keep up with the changes.

[caribbean dreams]

Yes, the prices were cheaper in Dominica, The taxi's were cheapest in Aruba, i wish all the islands had price regulations for their trans.

[Sue L]

Hi

 

We just went on the Destiny in Feb.

 

San Juan: right across from the pier ( the road where the Sheraton is) there is a FREE trolley bus, look for the trolley sign on the street and make sure you get on the one that says EL MORRO> It will take you to El Morro or San Cristobal ( both forts) and you can tour them, a couple of bucks to get in. We have been to both and like San Cristobal better.

 

St Thomas: We did the "Hiking, snorkeling, and Kayaking tour" through Carnival. Absolutely wonderful tour. All in a nature sanctuary.

 

Dominica : River tubing!!!! Absolute blast!! Very well organized and setup!

 

Lots of local shopping in Dominica, If you like hematite jewelry ( silvery black stone) which is quite pricey here was like 5$ for necklace and 3$ for matching earring. Lots of cute knick knack stuff.

 

Barbados: We did the bike tour. I would not reccommend this, the roads they took you on were horrible, full of gravel and pots holes. You go mostly down hill and after gripping the break for dear life I couldn't feel my hand for hours. At one point I thought I was going to be the headline "tourist breaks body in sugarcane field" as my bike decided to change gears all by itself. The beach afterwords was great though!!

 

Aruba: Went on the beach break tour through Carnival, go YOURSELF we took a catamaran to the beach area by the holiday inn, it was a public access beach. We met a couple there who had taken the public bus there for a 2$pp rt.

 

 

The cruise was good and the islands were wonderful.

 

 

Sue

[nitenurs2]

I found this on another board about beaches in Aruba--I know where we will be spending the afternoon after our morning island tour

 

""... we asked a cab driver to bring us to a beach on Palm Beach with facilities. He brought us to the Radisson where locals rented us umbrellas, chairs, floats, etc. There were water sports available such as banana boating, tubing, etc. You could use the Radisson's bars, restaurants and bathrooms. "

 

Followed by

"Radisson: You will not actually be renting from the Radisson. The taxi driver will let you out next to the Radisson where there is a formal walkway to the beach that leads to where you want to be.

You will be on the beach on the edge of the Radisson property (the actual beach in Aruba is free to anyone) renting a chair and shade and whatever else you need (float) from an independent who is there every day and must be tolerated...(it's legal)...but everyone wants your business for drinks and for lunch...and, once you are considered a customer by buying something you can ask where the restroom is...or you can just find it on your own. (Now this may seem silly to you but if you go looking for the restroom on your own, don't carry your towel or they will know you are not a Radisson guest and they will not let you use it.)

The Radisson is located on a beach that has been adored for decades...Radisson bought from Tulip who bought from another...anyway, IMHO it is the BEST beach on the island and is centrally located so you can walk either direction and see resorts...you will have all watersports...but best of all it is fabulous for just what you described wanting to do! It also retains what some of still think of as the "essential Aruba experience". You will feel independent, with your own shade, on a relatively quiet but well-located beach where you can read to your heart's content or choose to do nothing or do watersports or have a drink or a meal.."

 

 

_____________________________________________________________

Sue

[Fancy_Goods]

--Re-posting from old board--

 

Hello everyone! I've read nearly every one of these pages and am really excited! I'm about to book my first trip on the Destiny and had a question you might all be able to help me with. I am a 40something year old single female most likely traveling alone. This is my third cruise (I've sailed on the Carribean Princess [as a single] and the Pacific "Love Boat" Princess [with my family]). I'm wanting to book the Nov 19 sailing...that's the Thanksgiving cruise. Do you think the ship will be totally inundated with families with kids? Should I plan the 26th instead?

[pholter]

--Re-posting from old board--

 

Hello everyone! I've read nearly every one of these pages and am really excited! I'm about to book my first trip on the Destiny and had a question you might all be able to help me with. I am a 40something year old single female most likely traveling alone. This is my third cruise (I've sailed on the Carribean Princess [as a single] and the Pacific "Love Boat" Princess [with my family]). I'm wanting to book the Nov 19 sailing...that's the Thanksgiving cruise. Do you think the ship will be totally inundated with families with kids? Should I plan the 26th instead?

 

I'm afraid the ship will be absolutely packed with children on this particular sailing and I'd consider avoiding the 26th as well if you want to avoid this situation. We usually travel in October and have some pretty good luck, but you should be safe trying maybe the 12th sailing.

[Snowball]

For those of you that just came back from last week's cruise or that are cruising next week, can you let me know if ship time varies at all from island time at any of the ports? Now that daylight savings time has taken effect, I want to make sure that we have our times right for the private excursions that we have booked.

 

Thanks!!! :)

[chrly]

Does anyone have any information on the wale watch tour in Dominica?

[pholter]

Does anyone have any information on the wale watch tour in Dominica?

 

I found this thread over on the POC boards. Hopefully, it helps a little :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=245466

[pholter]

I'm going to start working on copying and pasting all the really useful information from the main thread over here this evening. Anyone else who has some extra time is more than welcome to help :)

 

I would like to just suggest that we consider changing the name of this thread to maybe- the total information place or something like that vs. cold and impersonal. I do love it the way it is, but newbies might not get the joke ;) Just a thought- hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

[y3anks7]

Hey all past guest on the destiny

I will be cruising on her in august 13, 2006... Looking for all and any information on the cruise. Looking for recent carnival capers, shore excursion prices and if you can use the stateroom tv to order shore excursions. Any body out there have these items that i can look at...... If you have it please post here or email me at y7anks3@aol.com

thank you in advance

[youngtraveladdict]

My airline has changed our departure time out of San Juan from 3:30 to 1:30. Anyone have any experience with disembarkation in San Juan? Will we have enough time to get to the airport? Thanks in advance for the info.