#My1stCruise - My Date with Destiny Journal / Review

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

A ball of nerves is the best way to describe us all the night before. You see, while running errands on Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving no less) I ran into an issue with my state issued ID. Thankfully, as of Monday afternoon, we were able to get that settled. Although I was in Miami, it wasn’t a guarantee that I’d be on the Carnival Destiny by 3:00p. All the same, I’m grateful that I made it – as I’m here writing this review.

 

Mom, Doug & Evelyn took the shuttle from the Holiday Inn-Doral Area to the Port of Miami that was suggested by the front desk agent (Nia). It was $12/pp with 2+ people. Mom said they were there in no time, as the hotel is only about 10 miles from the POM. I, on the other hand caught a $40 taxi, but I didn’t complain – I was on my way to #My1stCruise!!!!

 

Sidenote: Again, I can’t stress how awesome the staff was at the Holiday Inn-Doral Area. They offer a complementary airport shuttle every hour and even allowed us to utilize this shuttle to go to a nearby Walmart to get snacks and such for our hotel room and the cruise. So, if I’m ever in the area again, I’ll definitely stay at this hotel.

 

In the taxi headed to the Port of Miami…

 

At this point, it’s well after 1p. In a perfect world, and after all the reviews I read – I had wanted to get to the POM early morning, but soon realized I had to go with the flow and all that mattered was that we were there. We made our way into the first set of security and breezed through and into the big room where you can actually see the ship through the glass.

 

After virtually no wait, we walked right back to the desk to check in. Here we opted to place cash on our Sign & Sail account as opposed to using a credit/debit card. I remember I had made a post about which was the best option – we went with good ol’ cash.

 

I MADE IT!!!

 

 

It wasn’t long before we were stepping onboard the beautiful ship. I could breathe. I made it, this is real and my Mother is with me.

 

Stepping inside the Atrium…

 

 

LET THE FUN BEGIN!!

 

We reported to the Lido deck for a much needed drink & some LUNCH.

 

Everything but the fries were tasty…

 

My first and one of only Drink of the Day – most had coconut in some form so I couldn’t partake after this day ((allergic)).

[smplyblessed619]

Loving your review!

 

Can;t wait for embarkation

 

I haven't sailed on Destiny, but I will be sailing on Sunshine. Looking forward to it. First time I'll be on a 2.0 ship.

 

I am loving your review! Can't wait to read more! I love the way you are loading your pictures and I don't have to click on them and wait for them to load and then click out of them - thanks!

 

MsMaj-Thanks!! Thank you for taking the time to read it.

 

Deedle-I'm working on that today, that and sailaway...

 

King-I'm looking forward to sailing on Sunshine too! Ironically enough, I said my next cruise will probably be out of NOLA so that I can have another vacation before the vacation, and what do you know that's where she'll be. It must be fate :)

 

 

Pamelab-Thank you!! Thank you for taking the time to read & reply. I hope they're not loading too large, I'm not sure how to adjust that, or otherwise you'll have the click and open issue I think. thanks again :)

[smplyblessed619]

Come on, let's have some more review today, its a lot more fjun than working

 

Great start to your review! I love your excitement so far!!

 

Great review, I love your pics of Miami and South Beach!!! Brings me back to my own trips down there. South Beach is my happy place.....aaahhhhh. Thanks for taking the time to do this review!

 

Great review. LOVE all the pics! I am not even planning on sailing that ship or even sailing out of Miami any time soon, but really love a review chock full of pictures.

 

Deedle-You've got that right! LOL, working on it now ;)

 

NCB-Thank you for taking the time to read & reply! This was the best vacation, by far and I'm enjoying writing about it.

 

Ash-I loved it too! I had been to Ft. Lauderdale a long time ago but never Miami. So I really enjoyed my vacation before the vacation. I'm looking forward to visiting my friends again, maybe this summer.

 

All4Fun-Aww thank you!!! :) Hopefully you'll enjoy the rest.

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

The music was going, drink in hand and food in our bellies – now, where’s Doug & Evelyn? They had shuttled here together, and Mom told them to go on while she waited for me, yet they weren’t anywhere in sight. They weren’t answering the phone and we were starting to get worried. It was already after 1 and the rooms were available so we tried to search for them there, no luck. Our room! Let’s try our room – 1157. No luck there, so Mom decided to try their phone again. She got through to Evelyn just for a moment, to discover Doug didn’t have his birth certificate (or Passport), for some reason he thought his military ID would suffice. They were in a room, awaiting it to be faxed, she’d call as soon as they were onboard.

 

Trying not to worry (we had done enough of that all weekend) we tried to relax.

 

Room 1157 – Rivera Deck

 

No idea why this was blurry...

 

 

 

In all of the reviews, I didn’t recall anyone mentioning this step UP into the restroom…

 

 

The goodies – that lotion is still sitting on my vanity actually…I use it on my lips prepping to apply makeup, lol.

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Room 1157 – Rivera Deck

 

 

Mama trying to cool off…

 

 

Exploring the Destiny

 

Rivera Deck

 

Weird to know these details won’t be there the next time we sail her…

 

Some say they easily get lost on Destiny; however that wasn’t the case for us. Maybe it was the convenient location of our room?

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Exploring the Destiny

 

I’m on a cruise and the Christmas décor is up! Which reminds me, I hadn’t put up my décor before leaving…That is usually up on Black Friday in my house.

 

 

Aft pool – where our CC Meet & Greet was to take place after Sailaway…

 

After exploring (and checking in with Doug & Evelyn, who were now onboard and in their room) we decided to check on our luggage… and there it was!

 

[re-re]

Thanks for sharing your review, i thought i would never see another review of the Destiny, Yay i loved the Destiny, your review is starting out great.:)

[smplyblessed619]

Thanks for sharing your review, i thought i would never see another review of the Destiny, Yay i loved the Destiny, your review is starting out great.:)

 

Thank you!! :) I'm enjoying writing and revisiting the photos... I had to break my albums on FB into albums by days because I had so many...So bare with me, please. :D Thanks again for reading & replying!

[deedle7544]

Bringing back such great memories - thank you

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

After watching all of the youtube videos and pics from everyone’s sailaway, I decided to hang out on deck to capture it all. This was one of the highlights for me, so there will be quite a few pictures. For those who have left POM, I’m sure not much has changed for you, but this was all new to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

 

 

Yes there was live music!! I remember reading a post here on CC saying they wish it would come back... Every time I caught this band, I liked them! ((They're not there when I took the pic b/c of the DJ/line dances they were doing at sailaway))

 

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, We’re moving!!

 

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Thanks for posting, we were on Destiny in April '12 for DH 50th birthday, great ship, fun staff...had a great time with a great group of friends & family.

 

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

See that empty space....I think I'll build my house there!!

 

Hey I drove by there last night!

 

The Miami-Dade Police showing us out…

 

 

 

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOTS

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

Sure, I’ll take that one too…

 

 

Ahh the seagulls…

 

Folks were honking and waving as we were leaving…

 

 

Would you like to live on Fisher Island? They ferry over every day…

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

 

PS the name of the boat – almost my last name! lol.

 

 

 

We must be getting close now…

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

 

 

 

 

The open sea…

 

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

 

 

One of my favorites of South Beach…

 

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

Sailaway...

 

 

Last stretch of something before we’re out in the ocean…

 

Windblown & all…here I am

 

So, let it be said, I was snapping pictures while my mother was busy dancing closer to the pool. She even got some beads for participating in the contest of sorts.

 

I went to the aft pool area for our CC Meet & Greet but ultimately never seen anyone looking as if they were looking for me. So, I just decided to enjoy the sunset there...

 

 

Goodbye Miami…

 

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

I decided to hang out by the aft pool and just enjoy the sunset. I struck up a conversation with 2 lovely ladies I'd continue to see throughout the cruise... My mother tried the pizza, even though we were headed to the MDR soon, she said it was just okay, enough for a snack.

 

See, I didn’t see anyone looking for anyone, LOL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was back by the pool that I discovered a backpack someone had left. I set it to the side while I enjoyed the sunset, trying to wait for someone to reclaim it. After about an hour, no one had come by looking for their belongings and I decided (while on the way to our room) I'd just drop it off to one of the staff and be done with it. The bartender told me I'd have to take it to Guest Services, and then I was off to find Guest Services, LOL.

 

Again, this ship was not hard to navigate at all for me. We went down the aft elevators to 3, thinking we'd be able to walk right over, but weren't able to. We ended up going back up to 5 (back by the comedy club if I remember correctly) and walked over that way, and down in the atrium. This was our ONLY time having to re-direct ourselves.

 

Guest services took the bag, and examined its contents. There were DSLR lenses as well as other very important items, I couldn't imagine going through the entire cruise without them, or much less losing them for good. I was shocked when they asked for my Sign & Sail card and information. I just wanted to be a nice person and turn it in. The agent assured me it was protocol and I provided the info as requested. My Mom thought that was strange, as did I, but the agent said sometimes the people reclaim the item and like to thank those who turned it in. I wasn't expecting that, and it never happened. I just hoped the proper owners found their bag.

 

 

We returned to our room and discovered our steward had turned down our bed and left our Fun Times for the next day. We decided to spruce up and head to the Main Dining Room (abbreviated MDR from now on). We decided very early on that we wanted that dining experience and opted to have dinner there every night. I promised food porn, and I hope I’ll deliver to your liking!

 

NEXT UP: Our 1st Night in the MDR (and food porn, lol)

[travlngrl1996]

It was a year ago Tuesday (3/19/2012) that we were on the Destiny. It was my and my DH 4th cruise and my mom and nephew's 1st cruise. As usual, DH and I had a good time and my mom and Nephew had a blast.

 

Thank you for allowing me to relive our cruise through your wonderful review and lovely pics. I can't wait to read the rest.

[deedle7544]

Bring on the food porn! I am the WORST at taking pictures, so I have to enjoy everyone else's

[smplyblessed619]

It was a year ago Tuesday (3/19/2012) that we were on the Destiny. It was my and my DH 4th cruise and my mom and nephew's 1st cruise. As usual, DH and I had a good time and my mom and Nephew had a blast.

 

Thank you for allowing me to relive our cruise through your wonderful review and lovely pics. I can't wait to read the rest.

 

Bring on the food porn! I am the WORST at taking pictures, so I have to enjoy everyone else's

 

Travlngrl1996-I have loved your reviews and thank you for taking the time to read & reply to mine! :) I hope I can bring back some lovely memories for you!

 

Deedle-I'm working on that now :)

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

 

Our 1st Night in the MDR (and food porn, lol)

 

 

I have all of the Fun Times from the cruise – if anyone is interested, I’d be happy to share. Even though she’s in dry-dock now, it’s nice to have bits & pieces of her Destiny Days…Especially with it being my first cruise.

 

 

 

We selected “Your Time Dining” and were very happy with that choice. The only night we experienced a wait was Monday (the 1st night). All other nights, the hostess essentially knew us by name and had our table (with the same server, as requested) every night.

 

The MDR – Main Dining Room, Floor 4

 

I happened to catch them as they kissed…The servers were singing, “Happy Honeymoon!”

 

For Starters: Spring Rolls

[smplyblessed619]

Monday, November 26th, 2012 – Embarkation Monday, Fingers Crossed

 

 

Our 1st Night in the MDR (and food porn, lol)

 

For Starters: Head of Iceberg

 

Main Entrée: Pork Steak; Cream of Peas (very good); Loaded Baked Potato (that we ended up getting with just about everything, every night, LOL); Mac & Cheese; Carrots… The pork steak, I’m not a huge pork chop/steak fan, and I think this was just too big for my liking. I was perfectly fine with just the sides and the beauty of it – I could’ve ordered anything else.

 

After Dinner: WCMC of course! LOL, this was my 1st cruise and the only thing ya’ll lovely folks talk about; I had to see what all the hype was about.

 

Dessert - Warm Chocolate Melting Cake = HEAVEN

 

I realize this picture is blurry; I was still adjusting to the settings on the camera. I just thought it was hilarious that they had Monday Night Football on the big screen. The Mister would have been happy, because the thought of missing a game is always a bit much for him.

 

 

Walking around the ship a little more… Mom decided to hit up the casino, and I was just ready for a shower and bed…