Just back from the Destiny 4/16-4/20/09

[mommaC82]

My dh and I just returned from the Destiny yesterday. We did the 4 day, Western (Key West, Cozumel) itinerary. We had a blast!

 

Embarkation was extremely easy! We flew in the day of the cruise and took Carnival's transfer (I know, neither is recommended on this board), but didn't have a problem with either. We were at the Port by 1130am, and on the ship by 11:45am. It was the smoothest embarkation we've ever had.

 

Once on the ship, we grabbed some lunch at the Sun and Sea Restaurant, and walked around and checked out the ship. Rooms were ready at 1:30pm, and once they were, we decided to take a nap (we had been up since 3am). There must have been a bunch of latecomers, because the muster drill wasn't held until about 3:50pm, and I thought we were going to miss sailaway, but we didn't. We finally left port around 4:20pm or so.

 

The food overall was pretty good on the ship. We didn't have any complaints. Our waiter in the dining room was only ok. He did his job, but he didn't interact with us hardly at all. There was a group of about 20 split between 2 tables right beside us and he paid them a lot of attention (we were seated at a table for 4). He barely spoke to our table at all. So little, in fact, I couldn't even tell you his name. Our assistant waiter, Iguigi, was great, and very personable, though!

 

Our cabin was exactly what we expected it to be, since we had stayed in a balcony cabin on the Victory before and knew the ships were fairly similar. We were in balcony cabin 8184. We didn't have a problem with the shower curtain sticking to us, or the bathroom flooding like I had read in other reviews on here before we left, but we did have issues with our shower staying at a consistant temperature. I felt like my showers took twice as long as normal because the water temperature kept changing from hot to cold, and then back again, and I had to keep adjusting the tempature to my liking. Wasn't anything that ruined our cruise, but was slightly annoying. Our room steward, Klinkert, and our assistant room steward Ackmahd were AWESOME! They were the best we've ever had. Very friendly and accomodating, and I expressed my feelings on both the comment card, as well as to them personally at the end of the cruise (both verbally and monetarily).

 

Key West was fun, but I wish this was made into an evening port (not sure they could though since we docked at the Navy base). We didn't do any excursions, just shopped and had a drink and some wings at Sloppy Joe's bar. We had to be back on the ship by 1:30pm, so we went up to the Lido deck and laid out, watched the hairy chest contest and the Spring Break games.

 

I must say, we never had a problem finding a deck chair. You couldn't always get one on the Lido deck, but go up a deck or 2, and there were plenty! Only saw one person lay there stuff down on a deck chair and walk away, and after 45 minutes or so, the guests next to them had no problem tossing her towel aside to make room for another person who wanted to use that chair.

 

We went to the Piano Bar and did sing a longs with Brad. He was fun! It was the first time we had ever gone to the Piano bar, but it definately won't be the last. We had a great time!

 

Cozumel was FUN! We did the Isla Passion by Twister excursion offered on the ship. We road on speed boats (while being strapped in like we were on a roller coaster) out to Isla Passion. Once we were close to the island, the drivers did high speed spins in the water. It was fun! We then went to the beach for a few hours, which had a buffet lunch and open bar. The beach was gorgeous, and was not crowded at all. There were plenty of beach chairs, hammocks, and cabanas available. There was a water trampoline, as well as a trampoline on land, a swingset for the kids, and had kayaks and pedal boats available (although we couldnt use the pedal boats that day since it was kind of windy). We sat next to a group of 22 crew members on the beach (golf pro, casino staff, spa staff, entertainers, ect). They were a lot of fun! After our excursion was over, we went back to the ship to freshen up and grab a quick bite on the Lido deck, and then went to Fat Tuesdays at the end of the pier. We had a great time there! After that, we went to the deck party and danced the night away.

 

The following day was a Sea day, and we kind of laid low. At the end of the debarkation talk, a woman who worked at guest services was promoted (she had no idea it was coming), so that was fun to see. I also did the "On deck for the cure" walk, which I thought was awesome that Carnival even offered that. They've raised over a $1 million already (and at $10/person, that means quite a few cruisers have participated, so way to go to those of you who have)!!!

 

We went to both late night comedy shows, and thought both were really good. We only went to one evening show, which was a typical Carnival Cruise show. We aren't big show people, so while the dancers and singers were good, we weren't completely wow'd. Later in the evening though, one of the singers from the show came out to the Atrium bar and sang some duets with Kevin, who was performing (he sounds a lot like Dave Matthews...he was great!). They did an amazing job together, and we really enjoyed listening to them!

 

Debarkation was just as easy as embarkation. Once our luggage tag number was called, we were off the ship in minutes. Longest wait of debarkation was waiting for our luggage on the carosel. Once we got our luggage, we cleared customs in under 5 minutes. Once outside, we boarded our bus back to the airport, and vacation was over.

 

Overall, we had a great time. I would not hestitate to cruise on the Destiny again. In fact, we are already considering doing her 5 day itinerary (we are debating between that and the Pride sailing next-we really want to go Grand Turk and HMC). If anyone has any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer them.

[wrighka]

Hi! Sounds like you had a great trip! We're thinking of doing the same itinerary as you, or the 5 day down to Turks/Half Moon, etc.

 

Did they happen to have the "Sangria" party on the Destiny as I've heard some of the other ships have?

 

Thanks!

 

Kim

[mom2girls]

Thanks for posting your review! It's interesting that the was muster was so late. But, when I think about it all the Musters I have ever been to start at least 15 minutes after the posted time. I've learned to arrive at the scheduled time so as to not be frustrated during the wait.

[mommaC82]

I don't recall there being a Sangria party at all. That definately sounds like something my dh and I would have gone to!