#My1stCruise - My Date with Destiny Journal / Review

[lhuggi1]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Great Pics and great review:)

[caro1998]

I traveled on the Destiny last summer to Cozumel and Key West.... From looking at your gorgeous pictures, I think I like your itinerary better! LOL.

C-

[smplyblessed619]

I'm loving your review Love all your pictures.

 

 

Franklissa-Thank you very much for taking the time to read & reply! Hopefully you'll enjoy the rest as it's posted. :)

 

 

[quote name=

 

Post card worthy... Don't ya think? LOL

 

 

These two are not only post card worthy, but CCL should ask you for permission to use these. LOL

 

We saw the man in the tux on the beach. We thought someone was being romantic until we figured out that it was just a cute photo op. My husband and I managed to get a picture of us with these photographers and thus is one I just had to buy.

 

 

Ahhh Travlngirl - you are too sweet! Thank you!! Day 3 gave me some of my favorite shots, especially tendering from her to HMC. The man in the tux was funny, but I was mid-nap when I noticed him (and caught a few pics) so I didn't rush him for a photo op. HAHA.

 

 

Thanks so much for this review, as we will be sailing out of miami for our first cruise! Now all we need is our own personal tour guides of miami! Can't wait, this made me even more anxious!

 

 

Thank YOU for reading & replying! :) Miami was such a lovely port, and truly a destination city. So, if you're going before, hopefully you'll be able to enjoy some of the sights, even if it's just South Beach. Do you know where you're staying pre/post cruise? PS-My friends were very awesome, and for them to have been in the city only a few months they were great tour guides!

 

 

I am loving your review and your pictures are awesome!!

Thanks for taking the time to write it

 

 

Mountainbreeze-Thank you! I am enjoying reliving this vacation while writing it, so it's my pleasure :D

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Great Pics and great review

 

 

Thank you Lhuggi!!!

 

 

I traveled on the Destiny last summer to Cozumel and Key West.... From looking at your gorgeous pictures, I think I like your itinerary better! LOL.

C-

 

Haha, you know, my niece said the same thing. She took a cruise to Jamaica & Grand Cayman out of Ft. Lauderdale (her 1st cruise) last summer and her pics were awesome (to me, I was anticipating my cruise!) and when I posted mine on FB she said she was jipped. I thought it was cute. All the same, thanks for taking the time to read & reply & I'm glad you're enjoying the review.

[deedle7544]

Love your review, are you going to post some more pictures (hint, hint)

[smplyblessed619]

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 – Day 3: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

 

Day 3: Dinner in the MDR

 

For Starters: Mango Bisque – it wasn’t as good as the Strawberry…

 

Main Entrée: Jerk Pork Loin – UMMM DELICIOUS

 

After Dinner Dessert: My “Custom” Cheesecake – I really wanted the NY Style Cheesecake I had seen on a previous night’s menu but they didn’t have it yesterday. The hostess said she’d put in the order and have them make one for me tonight. Sweet!

 

 

Mom and I were determined to STAY UP! Every day I had taken a nap after the ports (and loved it) and was in bed fairly early, especially for me. I hadn’t gone “out” to any of the parties, clubs, casinos, bars or anything up until tonight and I was determined to make it. In my defense, I would go to karaoke each night (something I enjoy at home) but sleep would soon knock on my door, and to prevent being rude I'd just go on back to the room. First up, the family-friendly comedy show. We’ll see how far I get… LOL.

 

 

 

While she was funny, I was looking forward to the later act…

[smplyblessed619]

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 – Day 3: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

 

My attempt at "staying up"...

 

We were just a quick hop away, so we went to the casino between acts… At some point, I gave my only $10 to the casino. It was my first cruise, and my first time in a casino. I should have stopped while I was over $25, instead I let the penny machine get the best of me and “cashed out” with .40. My Mom’s friend Evelyn had good luck in the ship’s casino though, winning almost every night. Imagine that.

 

 

 

I clearly didn’t make it long, LOL.

 

 

 

 

Final photo for day 3 – take me back!

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Woke up to rough seas...

 

I woke up to a dark room, and feeling a little nauseous. I decided to look out and noticed this ---

 

 

 

 

While we were close to Grand Turk, I was not as excited as the other ports. I decided to try to grab some breakfast on the Lido and couldn’t help but stare at the waves out on the ocean. I have a video of the water sloshing about in the pool… For now, the photos will have to suffice, LOL. Those behind the ear patches would have been nice right about now.

 

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Woke up again and we're HERE!...

 

I decided to go back to the room, take some Dramamine and lay it DOWN. I was not feeling well at all. We were scheduled to arrive at Grand Turk around noon, so I told Mom to wake me up before then and I was down for the count.

 

 

Look who joined us in GT!

 

I was amazed at the water!

 

 

 

The rain had cleared and it was turning out to be a beautiful day after all. Now, to find Jack's Shack!

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Woke up again and we're HERE!...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Lovely review, looking forward to the rest!

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

 

And we’re off to find Jack’s Shack…All of the reviews I read included this to be the gem of the island, and I was looking forward to my free shot of rum, to say the least. That was, until I had my first round of seasickness, and rum (or any alcohol) wasn’t exactly tickling my fancy at the moment. Look at our neighbor-ship in port!

 

 

 

 

Walking along a path beside Margaritaville, headed in the direction of Jack’s Shack, I found these beauties…

 

 

 

Apparently GT has a new casino… They were open for business while we were in port.

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

Taking a moment to enjoy the sand between my toes :-D

 

Is that it?! Jack’s Shack?! Nope, just a shack along the way…LOL.

 

 

 

 

THERE’S JACK’S DOG!

[alpal1993]

This will be our first Carnival Cruise(reason being all the problems they have encountered through out the years)Will be on Carnival Sunshine for the June 7 sailing.Mind you we booked in August 2012 before this round of troubles plagued Carnival.We have cruised on HAL and Costa as well.

The ships design is awesome and cant wait to sail her to the Med.Very port intensive.Only 1 sea day to enjoy ship.

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

 

Paradise Indeed!

 

The view from Jack’s Shack – which is indeed, just a shack. Friendly people though.

 

 

This was the highlight of our GT day. Walking down to Jack’s Shack and walking back closer to Margaritaville.

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

 

 

How many folks can you get on a Banana Boat, you ask?!

 

 

Lounging – in the shade – because I felt like a mama lobster.

 

 

A storm is on its way…

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

 

Well, this is my version of my feet on the beach...I had to be in the shade in Grand Turk....the sun had won!

 

 

 

 

[deedle7544]

OMG! That sunburn looked painful, I hope you recovered enough to medicate with some rum.

[smplyblessed619]

Love your review, are you going to post some more pictures (hint, hint)

 

OMG! That sunburn looked painful, I hope you recovered enough to medicate with some rum.

 

Thanks Deedle! The sunburn wasn't as bad as it looks. Being out in the sun made me a little hot, other than that I slept just fine. I usually "burn" in the summer once and tan after that...so 3 port days in a row of sun just helped me "tan" more. I still have the tan lines from this cruise! HAHAHA There are plenty of photos and I appreciate you sticking with me throughout the review! :)

 

Lovely review, looking forward to the rest!

 

Thanks Disney! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the review :)

 

This will be our first Carnival Cruise(reason being all the problems they have encountered through out the years)Will be on Carnival Sunshine for the June 7 sailing.Mind you we booked in August 2012 before this round of troubles plagued Carnival.We have cruised on HAL and Costa as well.

The ships design is awesome and cant wait to sail her to the Med.Very port intensive.Only 1 sea day to enjoy ship.

 

Alpal-This was my first cruise and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. In fact, I plan on cruising Carnival in the future. I feel that accidents can happen, and while more maintenance would probably avoid some of the recent events in the news, I still believe I'll enjoy any future vacations with them.

 

I'm looking at other cruises, including on the Sunshine. The 3 days of ports back to back was great, minus the sunburn part. That can be prevented in the future, though, so no complaints here. LOL.

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

 

Here comes the Banana Boat!

 

Did they lose anyone?!

 

 

The wind is blowing, but I’m loving it! (I’m the weird-o that loves storms)

 

 

Double the pleasure, double the fun!

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

 

Folks are headed back to the ships…It’s just a little rain!

 

We started to head back too, but decided to hang out in Margaritaville instead.

 

Cupid shuffle?!

 

Oh no, it’s the Wobble!!

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Hello GT!

 

Walking back out into the welcome center courtyard, we stopped at a few shops. Unfortunately, we didn’t venture very far into GT, as originally planned, but there will always be next time. I’d really like to rent the golf cart and do a tour of the island next go round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Enjoying this beautiful island...

 

 

 

Breathtaking

 

I loved every bit of this beach…

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Enjoying this beautiful island...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Enjoying this beautiful island...

 

From the port – that’s Jack’s Shack

 

Just a little journey…Through the sand...

 

I loved this shot of the Liberty!

 

 

 

One of my favorite pictures!

[smplyblessed619]

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 – Day 4: Grand Turk

 

Enjoying this beautiful island...

 

 

Someone on the Liberty had the same idea – but they got to keep their animals each day! LOL

 

 

 

My almost decapitated towel-animal, thanks rough seas!

 

The view of the beautiful BLUE water from our window…

 

NEXT UP: Back on board - Dinner and finally staying up past 10p!