Just Got Back From Destiny Cruise 6/12-6/19

[agd38]

Dear All,

 

I would like to thank you all for sharing your tips, I definitely benefited from them. I would be more than happy to answer any questions regarding excursions(only did two) wacky rollers in dominica and a snorkel cataraman in Barbados).

 

My waitstaff was excellent if any future cruisers happen to get a team of Constantine from Romania and Veronica from Poland tell them Adrian says hello--universe dining room 8pm seating on 6/12-6/19 cruise.

 

After inquiring about their jobs and responsibilities Carnival workers are definitely underpaid and would recommend to all that if your budget allows, please tip your cabin steward and waitstaff at the end of their week.

 

The waitstaff works 7 days a week 14 hour days and get paid 75 dollars a month only by Carnival as salary.

 

Than Carnival divides the guests per week mandatory tip charge of $70.00 to over 1000 workers. This brings their salaries to around $221 per week only if the ship is at capacity (3000?) + their $75.00. The workers stay on the ship for 6 months and are off 6 weeks and start over again. A lot of workers have families at home and the cost of travel is typically a month's pay. My waitstaff informed me that many Carnival guests do not tip in addition to the $70 mandatory tip charge per person at the end of the week. As a fellow waiter as many of you might have been back in the day, please do..it makes a difference to their lives.

 

If you plan on shopping, I highly recommend to do this in St. Thomas--definitely a great deal on fine jewelry especially watches--I saved over 500 on a nice watch. Also your best deal in liquor would be at the duty free shop in San Juan upon leaving. Also before boarding the cruise in San Juan you can load up as much as you can in your carry on at the duty free. I bought lotsa minis rums and used them all week. Trust me their prices were the best and they do not care how many liters you buy or bring back to the US--I found this odd but I took advantage of it!!! A Captain Morgan liter was only $7.95 duty free!!! Feel free to ask away and I do have pics to share I had an 11A empress deck suite.

[pholter]

Adrian-

 

So glad to hear you enjoyed your Cruise!! I totally agree with your thoughts on tipping and feel that I tipped pretty generously. They deserve it :)

 

So, what did you do in Aruba?? Did the investigation hinder your plans at all??

 

I'd love to hear your detailed account if you get a chance to write one and see your photos... Thanks for sharing!

[MAGNUM PI]

Welcome back!

 

We are going on a January 2006 Destiny cruise, so I would appreciate your sharing of your recent cruise.

 

It is my understanding that passengers embark at three ports: San Juan, Barbados, Aruba? If so, is there still any type of sailaway party from San Juan?

 

What type of entertainment did they have?

 

Any comments on your dining experience?

 

Did you hear anything, about the Destiny's scheduled refurbishing, in September?

 

Thanks!

[Cruisin Dave]

I usually tip generously. I leave the standard tip on the S&S and then give each person an additional amount. This varies according to the service and the attitude of the staff. The friendlier the service, the more I tip.

[SouthernCaribbean]

Welcome back!

 

We are going on a January 2006 Destiny cruise, so I would appreciate your sharing of your recent cruise.

 

It is my understanding that passengers embark at three ports: San Juan, Barbados, Aruba? If so, is there still any type of sailaway party from San Juan?

 

What type of entertainment did they have?

 

Any comments on your dining experience?

 

Did you hear anything, about the Destiny's scheduled refurbishing, in September?

 

Thanks!

 

Yes, there is a sailaway party when leaving San Juan.

 

Kenmo posted a link for Destiny capers

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/monakenny

 

That should give you an idea of what goes on each day.

[tenbylin]

Hi Dave, I was on the same cruise as you. i too enjoyed myself and well as my family.....we had the universe early seating....and i can't say enough about it....the wait staff, stuart, recreation staff, casino employees, absolutely everyone that i encountered on the ship were so nice.....i will write a review soon.....i didn't encounter any rude people, no wild kids running wild.... after reading some of the reviews about people being rude and kids running all over the place i was a little worried....but either we had a great bunch of people on this cruise or some people only see the worse in people.....i had a great time on and off the ship and can't wait for our next cruise.

 

Linda

[SouthernCaribbean]

Hi Dave, I was on the same cruise as you. i too enjoyed myself and well as my family.....we had the universe early seating....and i can't say enough about it....the wait staff, stuart, recreation staff, casino employees, absolutely everyone that i encountered on the ship were so nice.....i will write a review soon.....i didn't encounter any rude people, no wild kids running wild.... after reading some of the reviews about people being rude and kids running all over the place i was a little worried....but either we had a great bunch of people on this cruise or some people only see the worse in people.....i had a great time on and off the ship and can't wait for our next cruise.

 

Linda

 

Linda

 

Welcome back! Glad you had a great time. I have never experienced the rude people and I have sailed Destiny 4 times. Who were your Dining Team?

[tenbylin]

Linda

 

Welcome back! Glad you had a great time. I have never experienced the rude people and I have sailed Destiny 4 times. Who were your Dining Team?

 

We had Juanito and Petra......wonderful people....we did tip them, our stuart Jorge, and the maitre'd in addition to the $70.00 pp.

 

When we left, we decided to not do the 2 formal nights.....but both Juanito and Petra told us to come...that some people wear formal attire and some people just dress casual....so thats what we did, and we were fine...so any people who do not like to pack dressy clothes, wear something nice to dinner those nights...its ok...also someone posted that on Wednesday (Barbados) and Friday (Aruba) shorts are allowed in the dinning room...this was still in affect.....:)

[agd38]

So glad to hear you enjoyed your Cruise!! I totally agree with your thoughts on tipping and feel that I tipped pretty generously. They deserve it :)

 

So, what did you do in Aruba?? Did the investigation hinder your plans at all??

 

I'd love to hear your detailed account if you get a chance to write one and see your photos... Thanks for sharing!

 

In Aruba we took a $10 cab to Palm Beach and decided to beach it all day. There was a bar/food service right on the beach and every imaginable water sport activity you can do. We paid 6 bucks per beach chair and 12 for an umbrella which is definitely needed. Aruba sun can be brutal, especially since its breezy most of the time you may not feel the sun. In addition to the umbrella and to beach lounges we got two floaties for free and let me tell you--it was the most fantastic moment of my cruise lounging in the ocean with drink in hand on a water floatie lounge--personally I can't sit out too long in the sun, I get too hot so getting the sun while on a lounge float is the way to go for those who feel the same...As far as the investigation, nobody really mentioned anything at all surprisingly. We came back to the boat around 5ish to change and get off once again. We walked to the main strip and ate a fabulous dinner at a place called Rhumba directly behind the Rennaisance hotel. A small bar and grill but excellent seafood! My girlfriend and I would love to visit Aruba again and stay at the Rennaissance hotel marina which is in the heart of Aruba and has its own private beach island getaway. This hotel looked fabulous from its free forming pool to its lounges. They even shuttle you back and forth to its sister property in minutes on the beach and you can use all their amenities. In addition, the Rennaisance property had its own private beach island for guests. If anyone ever stayed here, I'd love to know how their experience was?

[agd38]

I will post pics and a more detailed trip experience soon. I will discuss all the pros and cons and hope this helps all. Please feel free to ask anything regarding the Destiny Cruise experience.

 

:)