Destiny 5/4/08-Awesome Cruise

[bonniemari]

We had a great time. I'll try to point out the highlights and since there were so many this may be long.

 

We flew into San Juan on Saturday and spent the night at the Sheraton in Old San Juan. Cab fare from airport to Sheraton was $25.00. This included taxi, 3 suitcases and tip. I requested a Bayview Suite at the Sheraton and while the rooms are a little outdated and slightly musty the suite was huge with a seperate living area and bedroom. Best part was the double doors looked right out on the bay and the Destiny.

 

We were supposed to meet a few people from CC roll call at the Coach store-but who knew there were 2 Coach stores in SJU and we ended up at wrong one at the huge mall. Thrilled my DH don't you know. But we still ended up meeting the CC's from our roll call on the ship which just made the cruise even more enjoyable.

 

Embarkation was a breeze-got to the VIP lounge around 12:30 and after waiting about 15 minutes we were onboard.

 

We had a Cat 11 suite cabin 7148 on the Empress deck and it was a good location. Our room steward Niko was a sweetheart and took care of us. The first day I asked her to take out all the soft drinks out of the refrigerator and just put in diet coke and she kept me stocked in cold diet cokes all week.

Open dinner seating the first night was really nice cause we sat with a mother and grandmother of a couple of children that were with a group from Puerto Rico that were in a baton and drum group. They were going to perform in St Kitts and were hoping to be able to perform on the ship. To Carnival's credit they did let the kids perform on the lido deck the first day and they were really good and I think everyone on the Lido thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

 

ST THOMAS

We had been to St Thomas several times and had originally planned to go to Meagans bay but decided since the cruise was so port intensive we would just walk around Havensight Mall. I bought a piece of jewelry from my favorite jewelry store Dynasty Dazzlers and then headed to the little outdoor bar and just had a few pina colodas and people watched.

 

We had late dinner-8:00 in the Universal Dining room-table for 2. Our waitstaff were DeDe and Easy and they were great and worked so well together. I have been on many Carnival cruises and one thing on this one I noticed was that a lot (and I mean a lot) of people thought that your assigned dinner time was a suggestion. People were showing up anywhere from 10-45 minutes after 8. To me this was just plain rude and according to our waiter just slowed everything down and made them stay later than they really usuallt had to. So please be kind to your waitstaff and show up for dinner on time.

 

DOMINICA

I had most of our excursions planned so I let my DH pick this one and he choose a Carnival sponsored excursion. He choose River Tubing and I highly reccomend it. It was a blast and even tho one member of the group had an accident and hit a rock he was quickly taken out of the water and taken to where he got medical attention. Had a nice stop at Mr. Nice's fruitsand. You can really taste the difference in the fruit fresh off the tree and what we get at home.

 

BARBADOS

We and a couple of our fellow CC's grabbed a taxi ($15 incl tip) to the Malibu rum factory and beach. We purchased the wristband ($10 pp) which included chairs and umbrella and tour of the rum factory. The tour of the rum factory was not all that but the beach and the water were beautiful We had several drinks and ate and the total bill (for 4) with tip only came to $80. It was my favorite day of the cruise.

 

ST LUCIA

We and a few other CC's did the tour on our own with Cosol Tours. This was my second favorite day. Our driver Baptist was very informative and for $55.00pp it included a great brunch (well kind of a brunch) and all the rum punch, beer or soda you can handle. I highly reccomend Cosol-you will get your monies worth. The tour included a stop at a resort for snorkeling and swimming.

 

ANTIGUA

A few of us decided to do a Day Pass at the Pineapple Beach Resort I wish now we wouldn't. We were told one price when we got there were told the website was wrong and the price was $10pp more. No big deal and I was not going to argue over $20. Although the beach and pool were nice this is not a resort I would not stay at if I was to do a land vacation. The lunch they served was not very good and the drinks were just ok. Would not really reccommend this resort for a Day Pass.

 

ST KITTS

We had originally booked the Fan Ta Sea excursion through Carnival but to be honest by this time we were sun, beach and just plain pooped out. Carnival was nice enough to refund our original purchase if we purchased another excursion even tho we were within 24 hrs. So we choose the 2 hr Highlight Tour that involved no sun or water or alcohol (LOL). We went up to Frigate Bay where the Carribean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and the view from up there is awesome and Frigate Bay is a place I would love to go back to for a few days land vacation.

 

Debarkation was a breeze and we used the Baggage Service. We were in the 8:30 group and where back at the Sheraton by 9:15. Our bags arrived back in Memphis on time with our flight.

 

We didn't attend any of the shows as we have seen them on other ships. The band playing at the Destiny bar by the Casino were I spent quite a bit of time was really good and I did hear the Midnight Comedian was good. All the annoncements are made in Spanish and English but this never bothered me since I don't understand Spanish. Muster drill was over pretty quick and since it was at 9:30 at night it was not as hot as if it was held during the day. Although the Casino staff was great, the casino was not my friend this week although they were pretty good to my hubby. The casino at the airport was a little more friendly and gave me back what I left on the Destiny.

 

PROS

The staff, the food and the overall friendliness of the crew and cleanliness of the ship. The ports although intensive were great. Meeting several of our rolll call group and being able to share this awesome cruise with them after so many months of talking was a great part of our cruise. We made friends that I am sure we will cruise with again.

 

CONS

The only one is that this great cruise had to end.

 

So if you have a Destiny cruise planned before the it moves to Miami you are in for a treat.

[powderqn]

Thank you for a preview of our cruise next week...

 

Sounds like you had great seas and gentle winds.

[ruskatab]

Hi Bonnie! So glad we got to met yall and hang out on the cruise. I posted on the Antigua board about our bad experience at the Pineapple. They also charged my credit card 266 so if you paid by CC check your statement. I am so angry! Other than that the rest of the cruise and excursions were great!

[phinfan63]

Debarkation was a breeze and we used the Baggage Service. We were in the 8:30 group and where back at the Sheraton by 9:15. Our bags arrived back in Memphis on time with our flight.

 

Bonniemari ~ what airline were you flying on? We are doing this same cruise on the Victory next March and would love to use this service too. We will be flying nonstop on Northwest.

 

Thanks and glad you had a wonderful cruise!

 

ps.... we're practically neighbors :)

[phinfan63]

double post

[bonniemari]

We fly Delta. If I am not mistaken NWA was not one of the airlines that use the bags service. But by next March NWA will be Delta so you should have not problem.

[phinfan63]

Thanks!

[wwakla]

Great review!

 

We had a blast doing the river tubing in Dominica also! The guys doing the tour were great with us.....we had a few bottoms hit bottom! :eek: STUCK! hee hee