 |
First Cruise by
Fred W. from Rogers, AR Sailing date: Dec 2010Pros: Service was fantastic, especially at dinner Cons: Pictures were taken at every port This was our first cruise so we do not have anything to compare to. We absolutely enjoyed the service by the crew, especially the dinning room crew and our steward. Our room was cleaned twice a day and we took advantage of the formal dinning room where you received excellent service and your table was always ready for you upon arrival and the service was superb. Although I budgeted over $3,000.00 to spend on the trip (and that was sufficient), there were a lot of things you have to be aware of as a first time cruiser. You must pay for all drinks (i.e. wine, beer, liquor and soda) that you have on the ship and on shore; however, if you like ice tea and lemonade, you can avoid the drink expense. Also, the excursions can be a little pricey; however, you can get off the ship and lay on the beach without cost. Overall, my wife and I had a great time and enjoyed the cruise very much and plan to go back in the future with our daughter. Ship QualityVery large ship that took little time to get use to getting around on. Dining/FoodTo me this was one of the best features. You have the option to dine in the formal dinning room or the informal buffet style dinning room. I would highly suggest Stateroom QualityIt is a little small, but overall is a good size for two people. My room had a balcony off the back of the ship that helped make the room seem much larger. Has a private toilet, sink and shower for each room. Ship Staff QualityExcellent service from the whole crew. Entertainment & ActivitiesI thought the excursions were a little too expensive, but they were on time and prompt at each location. I thought the entertainment that we attended on board the ship was excellent.  
Collapse List of Ports
Grand Turk IslandAnother great beach location. It was also very commercial
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)Great beach, but very commercial.
Nassau, BahamasHas some shopping. We enjoyed the tour of the town and the history of Nassau.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
  Can't wait to sail again!! by
Candy H. from Indianapolis, IN Sailing date: Aug 2010Pros: The courteous, friendly crew and the efficiency of providing all the amenities to a large number of people. Cons: That we did not choose a cabin with a window. This was my first cruise so I can't make comparisons YET!! But everything was so great that we can't wait to go again. We especially enjoyed the shops and the casino. The lounges were comfortable and the stage was visible from everywhere! The main dining room was very nice and the staff was awesome. Ship QualityAgain, can't make a comparison until we go again!! But, the size of the ship was adequate--we weren't exhausted when going from one end to the other! I was very impressed with the ship's cleanliness (restrooms, restaurants). Dining/FoodThe variety of food was outstanding: different themes frequently. Dining times certainly accomodated out needs. Main dining roon ambiance was excellent. We were disappointed with the Chinese food specialty restaurant but the others were fine. Stateroom QualityThe size of our stateroom was larger than I had expected and it was very comfortable with the exception that there were no chairs (just a stool). Our location was great relative to dining room! That was especially nice in the a.m. The condition was outstanding; decor was nothing special. Ship Staff QualityWe never once encountered a rude staff/crew member. That really impressed me.Our steward was so efficient and courteous (always referred to us by name). Our waiter was the BEST!!!! His assistant was also great. Entertainment & ActivitiesWe never had any difficulty finding something to do. There were many activities involving guests and those were fun to watch!! Children's ProgramsWe did not have children on the cruise, but it sure seemed like they did a great job. We would occasionally see the group of children out (i.e., restaurant) and the staff was in control and the children seemed to be enjoying theselves. They presented a dance program that was awesome!
Collapse List of Ports
Grand Turk IslandWe are not swimmers/divers; I think those guests enjoyed Grand Turk much more than we did. We did a tour that was adequate but nothing outstanding. We would probably not go ashore there again.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)Again, I think the beach was the draw for the guests and it seemed very nice (cabanas, etc.). The shops were nice here. We did the glass bottom boat and really enjoyed it, but wouldn't consider it a "don't miss". The barbecue that the cruise line did was absolutely wonderful. We were impressed with the food, but mostly with the efficiency and the availability of seating (picnic tables/shelters).
Don't Miss: Barbecue!! Nassau, BahamasWe would like to go back to Nassau because unfortunately there was a huge downpour while we were there. There was ankle-deep rushing water in the streets/sidewalks. We were not comfortable finishing our excursion. Shopping was not enjoyable because of the rain. We were soaked and exhausted by the time the rain stopped and returned to the ship. The historical tour was a wate of time but I regret that we weren't able to go to the shops.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Absolutely AMAZING 1st Cruise Experience by
James B. from Indianapolis Sailing date: May 2010Pros: Everything! The food, the crew, the excursions, the tours! Oh! And the Penthouse Suite! :-) Cons: Should have booked a longer cruise! Destiny is a beautiful ship! No doubt about it. Yes, the decor, in some respects, reflects that Destiny is an older ship. BUT, by no means are you going to get on board and think, "Wow! This ship is old."
The ship is increbibly clean, the crew extremely attentive and friendly, and it is truly a FUN SHIP!
We booked the "Behind the Fun" tour, and I must say --- DO NOT miss this! What a great opportunity to meet AND interact with the crew --- the Chef, the Environmental Officer, the dancers and stage crew, the Facilities crew, and certainly the Bridge Officers and Captain. And last, but not least, Dejan, the guide! What a great guy! So friendly and entertaining!
We truly enjoyed our 1st cruise experience, and would definitely book another cruise on Destiny again! Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityWe stayed in 7198, Penthouse Suite on Empress deck. GREAT room and balcony size! Very clean and very comfortable! Ship Staff QualityEVERY member of the crew, staff, and officers were friendly and always had smiles on their faces. Stewards (Nelson and Erwin) were AMAZING! They took great care of us, and remembered our names from the moment we boarded and entered our cabin. TOP NOTCH crew, staff, and officers! Entertainment & Activities
Collapse List of Ports
Grand Turk IslandGreat shops, friendly people, and beautiful beach!
Don't Miss: The beach, of course! Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)Don't Miss: Again, the beach! Nassau, BahamasBecause we did the "Behind the Fun" tour, which conflicted with one of the tours we had planned in Nassau (cancelled, and DID get full refund! Special thanks to Roy at the Destiny Excursion desk!), we just enjoyed Nassau by walking around and visiting the various shops and meeting/interacting with the locals.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Amazing Time! by
A Traveler from Miami, FL Sailing date: Apr 2010Pros: Food, Friendly Staff, Lido Deck Theatre Cons: Maintenance Repairs My husband and I celebrated our one year anniversary April 29, 2010 - May 3rd on the Carnival Destiny. We had an amazing time! We strongly recommend sit down breakfast, lunch and dinner since the selection is much better than in the Lido buffet. One favorite is a huge plasma on the Lido deck which plays movies at night. One negative - our cabin was on deck 8; we had an interior stateroom. Our AC did not work at all! We called room service who called a tech who took off the vent and said we would be able to feel the AC but we didnt. We told our steward and he didnt do anything about it. We stuck it out and just enjoyed the rest of our cruise. Overall, the dining staff was great and they really went above and beyond. We would definately recommend the CArnival Destiny to everyone! One small note worth remembering.... choose the self assit debarkation and you will get off the ship sooner =o) Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
best one yet by
lacy b from marion, ohio Sailing date: Mar 2010Pros: service, service, service Cons: some of the entertainment was a little weak Very nice ship. Smoking was bad. Ship QualityNeed more maps The ones beside the elevators are poorly lit. Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityHad a banging noise the first night that kept occuring two or three times every hour waking us. I complained to the info desk and had to try to resolve the issue by calling someone the next night when the noise returned, costing me another nights sleep. Third night I got moved and had no more problems. Ship Staff QualityDid an excursion and missed it because the information of me changing rooms was not forwarded to the excursion people. Entertainment & Activitiesone female dancer looked anorexic.. one comedian was not very good. called to disembarking talk and had to listen to 30 min of bingo. 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Magical Cruise by
Eric E. from Hickory, NC Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: I friendly Staff From the time I entered the ship I was amazed. Everything about the Carnval Destiny was magical. The ship had anything an individual could want as far as activities, and attractions. The state room while I opted for a lesser expensive inside cabin, I would have to say that I haven't slept that good in a long time. This is a ship I would definately sail on again. Ship QualityEverything was top-notch Dining/FoodThe food was exceptional, and taking into consideration the number of guests on the ship I would say they did a fabulous job in preperation. Stateroom QualityBeing that you are really only in your state room to sleep I would have to say that it was a better than most hotels I have stayed in. For the price I couldn't have stayed in a great hotel for two nights let alone be on a 4 day cruise. Ship Staff QualityAside from one individual in the duty free shops, all the staff that I interacted with was exceptional. I would have to say that one person in this case did not spoil my impression of the rest of the staff. The wait staff in the formal dinning room were amazing. I wish I could get that kind of service our of a 5-star restaurant. Entertainment & ActivitiesShows were amazing. Not something I would normally jump at the opportunity to watch, but I loved every minute. Activites were varied, but when not taking direct part in them, they were fun to watch. 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
A wonderful cruise by
Herbert M from Toronto, Canada Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: The service in all areas of the ship Cons: Going home This was the most wonderful vacation I ever had, the ship staff was amazing and the service was outstanding
There is not one moment of the cruise we did not enjoy
Well organized staff and the food was outstanding
We plan to go on a cruise every year from now on till the day we die Ship QualityThere was enough room for everyone on board to do whatever they felt like Dining/FoodOutstanding.......... Stateroom Qualityalways neat and the staff were great Ship Staff QualityAmazing service,all the time Entertainment & ActivitiesVery profesional
Collapse List of Ports
Grand Turk IslandWe enjoyed swimming in the ocean with the ship a few hundred feet away,wow
Don't Miss: Ocean was the best Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)The best day of swimming in the ocean
Don't Miss: View and the ocean Nassau, BahamasWe enjoyed Atlantis but needed more time
Don't Miss: Atlantis underwater park 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Cant get much better than this... by
Ivan B. from miami, Fl Sailing date: Jun 2009Pros: food was great..service was great...boat was awesome Cons: all of the ice cream dispensers should have strawberry.. This ship was great. Its huge. The gym was excellent. The room was super spacious with enough room for 6 yet it was only 3 of us. The staff was all excellent and the food was delicious. Ship QualityThe crew was cleaning 24 hours a day. If there was more time in the day they would keep cleaning. Dining/FoodDining was great. 24 hour ice cream and frozen yogurt. Doesnt get much better than that. I recommend the new york deli with the pastrami and corned beef on ciabata bread. Excellent every time. Stateroom QualitySize was pretty darn big. Everything was always clean. I found a penny under the bed but it doesnt mean they didnt clean as much as possible, Ship Staff QualityEveryone I encountered was very friendly. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe club could use some better dj's but I blame that on the fact that Im from miami. They ended up playing the cha cha slide multiple times on the same night and older dance music. would have liked to hear more hip hop and reggae. It is a cruise to the carribean after all. DJ Florin was pretty good.
Collapse List of Ports
Cozumel, MexicoYou must go to isla passion on the twister speed boat. Awesome excursion. I cant wait to go back for the open bar, fresh guacamole, and super quiet pristine beach. Oh yeah and the boat ride is awesome. Dont forget to ask for more twisters. And yes you will get soaked but under that nice hot sun you want nothing else.
Don't Miss: Isla Passion and three amigos bar and grill. Key West, FloridaMust rent a scooter as soon as you get there and drive around the whole island for 35 bucks for the day. Go to albertsons and buy some supplies for the boat like water and soda. Go to Big Johns pizza for some great pizza. Try the stuffed pizza. One slice is more than enough. Go to margarittavile for a pina colada and conch friiters. And dont forget to visit the white street pier. Its nice and good for fishing at times.
15 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
GREAT Cruise!!!! by
Jennifer M from Kentucky Sailing date: Jun 2009Pros: The Staff - they wait on you hand and foot! Very friendly! Cons: The pools and hot tubs close early. It would be nice if one set could stay open until 1am. This ship was more elegant than the last I cruised on. I loved the panio room and the music Brad played in there up until midnght. Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityAWESOME!!!! I wish the melting cake was on room service!!!! Ship Staff QualityThe BEST! Entertainment & ActivitiesThe activities are awesome be sure you get involved in them!!!
Collapse List of Ports
George Town, Grand CaymanLOVED IT!!! The people were great and the island is Beautiful!!!!
Don't Miss: Go Parasailing!!! You are able to see the ENTIRE island when in the air!!! Ocho Rios, JamaicaI'm glad I can say I've been to Jamaica but the people there were a bit rude - atleast the one's selling items out of the huts.
Don't Miss: Dunn's River Falls - Be sure to take the climb!!!! Also go to Mystic Mountian for great sights and some of the best shopping deals!!!! 8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Great Time by
Mary P from Mt. Airy, MD Sailing date: May 2009Pros: Can't think of just 1 thing that stands out Cons: Can't think of anything The ship was fantastic. It was clean and inviting. There was a great selection of dining options, activities, music, etc. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodI can't even begin to describe just how awesome the food was! Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityNot a single person looked unhappy or unwilling to assist. Everyone seemed to truly enjoy what they were doing and went out of their way to help. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe activities staff seemed to put forth more than 100% of their time to all the activities offered. KEEP THE BAND!
Collapse List of Ports
Grand Turk IslandThe beach was nice as was all the activities at the bar/restaurant.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)This is the most beautiful beach--the sand was like silk.
Nassau, BahamasI didn't realize what a great shopping opportunity this was and missed it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
|
|
