Luke, it is your DESTINY! 01/21/10, Pictorial Review

[DarthGrady]

Our ocean view cabin was #2140 located on deck 2, port side forward. It was a very good size with a king size bed and a couch. The couch itself was probably my favorite feature of the room; it’s very nice not having to sit on the bed all the time. The room also had a radio system, with a little control panel at the head of the bed. It only got three stations, but it was a feature I have not seen on any other ship. The swiveling reading lights above the bed both worked, but fell off if you tried to turn them. This was also the case in our friend’s rooms. I never used them, so this was no big deal. In the bathroom the shower was very big compared to the ones I have had on the Conquest Class ships. It spans the depth of the bathroom, as in the Fantasy Class. On the newer ships they have made the shower a corner unit to allow for more counter space. The bathroom sorely needs a refurbishment though, as it still has the old style tile work which has gotten mildewed. Although we never experienced it, two of the other couples reported slow drainage issues in their showers. In both cases crewmen had to be called out to fix it. The one problem I observed was when our soap dispenser fell off the shower wall. It got replaced the next day, and there were no other problems.

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Day 2, At Sea:

This was the day we were supposed to visit Key West, so the planned activities were fairly light. After an excellent breakfast in the main dining room we headed to the lido deck. As with the day before we spent a lot of time on deck, in the pool and in the (lukewarm at best) hot tubs. In the afternoon we watched the Carnival Olympics on the Promenade. Lunch was in the Lido buffet and the chicken tenders were great.

Our Platinum pastries arrived in our room before dinner, they were eaten within minutes! We had a wonderful formal dinner; the food was excellent as usual. After dinner we went to the disco for the 80’s dance party. We stayed until midnight and then attended the “R Rated” comedy show in the Criterion Lounge. Hank McGauley’s comedy show was hilarious. The rest of the night was spent back at the disco, followed by a 4 am pizza run.

[DarthGrady]

Day 3, Cozumel:

This was stop #7 at Cozumel for me, so I was in no great hurry to walk on Mexico’s sunny shores. We woke up late and had a leisurely breakfast at the buffet. Two of the other couples went SCUBA diving at Chankanaab, they had a great time. After they got back to the ship, we all debarked and went to Poncho’s Back Yard for lunch. We did a little shopping, a little drinking, and then went back to the ship. I watched Navigator of the Seas and Carnival Inspiration leave port shortly before we did. Dinner was another excellent experience. We briefly stopped by the late night deck party before turning in for the night.

 

There were many ships in port with us, my old friend the Inspiration was right next door:

 

 

 

 

The Navigator of the Seas and Fantasy were at the next pier

 

 

[DarthGrady]

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

The Inspiration lost her Carnival logo too.

 

The gangways

 

 

 

[Nunu]

Young Darth you have a nice eye for photos.

[DarthGrady]

Young Darth you have a nice eye for photos.

 

Thanks very much!

[DarthGrady]

 

The Puerta Maya pier complex

 

[Yankeegirl]

Darth ~ I just have to know, what kind of camera do you use? Your pics are AWESOME!!!! Soo clear!

[DarthGrady]

Day 4, At Sea:

This was another late morning for us, so we ate in the buffet again. I used my complimentary entry for the slot tournament and made it into the finals. I did not win the prize, but it was still a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, around this same time we all learned that one of our fellow passengers had suffered a heart attack and required immediate medical help. The Captain told us that we would be changing course so that a USCG helicopter could pick him up. About two hours later, we all watched as the helicopter hovered over the aft of the ship and brought the man and his wife aboard. The Captain told us that he would be taken to Key West for treatment. The passengers on deck all cheered for the man as he was taken by gurney out to the open deck, and again as the crew walked back in. It was a fine showing of good spirit.

After sushi we all met at the Criterion Lounge for the Farewell Party. Our server did a great job of keeping us well stocked with beverages. The party was a lot of fun, its nice to have one last get together before the end of the cruise. We had one last dinner with our awesome wait staff. The rest of the night was spent packing. We did briefly visit the disco, but did not stay long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Darth ~ I just have to know, what kind of camera do you use? Your pics are AWESOME!!!! Soo clear!

 

Thanks, its a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28.

[b_bay_girl]

Thanks for this. We are going Feb 8 and got the email last night about the propulsion problem and a change in itineraries. This made me sad but I have had time to mull it over and be OK with it. The pictures look really nice and I am looking forward to it.

[DarthGrady]

Love and Marriage game show

 

Carnival Dream, a few miles off

 

and Navigator, our weekend running mate, she was rarely out of sight

 

Oops, missed these from the night before in Cozumel

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Towel animals every night!

 

 

 

 

Not sure what this one was, I guess it doesn't have to be something.

[DarthGrady]

Day 5, Miami:

After our experience with the “Neverending PA Story” on Liberty, the last morning on Destiny was thankfully quiet. The announcements were kept to a minimum, and lasted only a few seconds. We had a peaceful last breakfast in the dining room, and then left the ship. We were apparently some of the last off, since the crowds at the gangway and customs area were very light. I really can’t say enough about how well both processes work at Miami. They have everything there down to a science.

Final Thoughts:

Despite the issues with the ship, my wife and I had a great time, as did the rest of our group. I want to stress one last time that these were almost totally maintenance issues, not ones of cleanliness. The Destiny is a nice ship, but does need a fair amount of repairs and renovations. I hope she gets the same treatment that the Fantasy Class got during the Evolutions of Fun upgrades. That would do wonders for her, especially in the cabin bathrooms and worn pool areas. Had I not just been on Carnival Spirit and Liberty these faults may not have been as glaring, but I was and they were. She needs an extensive dry docking to fix her ongoing engine problems, so I hope they do take time to fix her other issues. Leaving the ship in service when she can not reliably make her scheduled ports is a disservice to the passengers and crew alike. Mostly due to the former tending to abuse the latter when unexpected and unwelcome changes happen. I would love to cruise on her again one day, but I hope she gets some TLC between now and then.

 

 

Well thats it folks, I hope it was enjoyable and useful. Ask away if you have any questions. On that note, I will bid you all good night.

[runamuc]

Thanks for another wonderful review. I always enjoy reading your reviews. I have been sitting here reading it as you were adding to it.

Never done that before. :D:D

[DarthGrady]

Thanks for another wonderful review. I always enjoy reading your reviews. I have been sitting here reading it as you were adding to it.

Never done that before. :D:D

 

Thanks for reading, glad you liked it!:)

[Engagechad]

Very nice review Grady. I like how you keep the photo's small and the reviews short and sweet. High res photo's are great but in a forum, it loads soooo slow..

 

kudos bro

[Yankeegirl]

Darth ~ I agree with everyone else, great review! It's been tough on here for the Destiny lately and even tougher to read all of the negativity. Hopefully that will change very soon. I am now even more excited for our upcoming cruise!

 

Thanks!! :)

[peachhead11]

As usual your review and pics of the Destiny were great. Was on her in 2008 & will be again in July. I'm curious how I'll feel about her since I was also recently on the Liberty. That cruise was awesome.

 

Sue

[Nunu]

Does anyone else picture Grady walking around the ship in the early morning taking his pics while wearing the Darth Vader mask? :confused::p

[Wants to be rich]

Does anyone else picture Grady walking around the ship in the early morning taking his pics while wearing the Darth Vader mask? :confused::p

 

Which is how he gets those wonderful shots of the public areas with no one in them! Guess he scares them away:)

[DarthGrady]

Very nice review Grady. I like how you keep the photo's small and the reviews short and sweet. High res photo's are great but in a forum, it loads soooo slow..

 

kudos bro

 

Thanks Chad.:D

[DarthGrady]

As usual your review and pics of the Destiny were great. Was on her in 2008 & will be again in July. I'm curious how I'll feel about her since I was also recently on the Liberty. That cruise was awesome.

 

Sue

 

I'm sure you will have a great time, especially since they are going to dry dock her and fix her problems. I agree, Liberty was an awesome ship!

[lisabug08]

Excellent review! Thanks for all of the pics.... we are sailing on the Destiny in July.