Carnival Destiny Review

Destiny Delivers

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Destiny

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Sail Date: Apr 2008

EMBARKATION AND DISEMBARKATION Embarkation: Sunday - 3pm. Taxi was about $22.00 From hotel to the pier. A porter asked to take our bags getting out of the cab (I was going to tip the handler anyway). Now San Juan Pier is nothing like I experienced before. The drop off area is very cramped and far from the terminal. I didn't quite understand as most passengers were lining up with their luggage, while I had no idea where mine went (I could only hope the porter was legit and did take my luggage on board. Before he left, he did make it known I would see my luggage on board. People - for a couple of dollars, let these guys take your luggage. It's a very long wait in line and a very long walk to the ship - don't drag your own bags; its very humid in san juan. Once inside we breezed through (we completed our e-documents online). OMG, there are free samples of every type of booze imaginable. It was great. Now if you are hoping to get a fine wine at the duty free store prior to boarding, think again. There is very limited selection and IMHO, not very good (we ended up throwing out both bottles it was so bad). Liquor is very reasonable in that store and if you are cruising on weekends you carry the liquor on in your carryon. Wine can be carried on in plain view. I found out this is only on weekends, when the port security works the xray and manometers. Other days if carnival is working the equipment, they will confiscate it. The liquor store workers are very quick to tell you how and where to put the bottles so you can get them into your room. Muster - Done at 9:30 in both English and Spanish. The cruise was very rocky once we left san juan.

San Juan Disembarkation - We did self assist and was told to meet at the shore excursion desk at 7:15. I went up to that desk just so I could kick start my blackberry at 6:15 a.m. and noticed the line was wrapping around the deck already, so we hurried up and got in line. Taxi from pier to airport with 4 bags was $24. We made our 9:30 a.m. flight home. PORTS OF CALL

SAN JUAN We flew in a day early to avoid any flight snafus. (you wouldn't believe how many folks we ran into boarding in St. Thomas because they missed the ship in San Juan). We stayed at the Intercontinental resort (Priceline $140) great deal. Ocean and pool view). Excellent - location - lots of restaurants, pharmacy, everything nearby. We enjoyed our arrival day and most of the next day on the beach and hotel pool. Stocked up on soda and water for the cruise ship. We boarded the ship around 4 and went right to our cabin and within a half hour had all our luggage delivered (again, let the porters near the drop off takes your bags for you). We went back out to the open market in old san juan, looked at the knockoffs, since I forgot my watch, I bought a mondavo for $20. Tee hee hee. It's still keeping good time. Around 6:30 we headed off to universe dining room (the first night you can eat at any time and are seated with whomever). Dinner was nice. We walked around and became familiar with the ship. We have stayed in all types of cabins, balcony, OV and inside and actually prefer inside and that is what we had this trip. Carnival's cabins seem larger than RCCL especially their shower which is rather large. Water was strong and good and hot. We had no problem with our cabin at all. Everything was in good shape, clean and our cabinstewart Ed was great. We had a large soft side cooler with our soft drinks and wine and he kept it filled with ice twice a day.

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