This cruise was booked as a gift for my wife's 40th birthday. We had been on the Destiny on our honeymoon, in 2001, and may I say the ship is showing it's age. Our trip began with an overnight stay at the Miami Airport Marriott, which was as usual, nice and easy. We arrived at the port where we went through security and up the escalator, and were handed a Zone 6 tag. We got in line where you check in via a kiosk (another cost cutting move by Carnival, to keep from hiring actual humans to check you in). once complete with the kiosk, it spits out a receipt whic you take to another line, and wait for an actual human to get your sail and sign cards. Do you see a pattern here? Maybe they are preparing you to stand in line for most anything you want on this ship? Once we were give the cards, we were corraled into another area, it wasnt long before they called our zone for embarkation. We waited in another line to get on the escalator, and got in line to get on the ship. I wondered why it was taking so long to get on the ship, but alas, they were taking everyone's picture for security inside the ship, which makes no sense. Carnival should send someone to Ft.Lauderdale to study the way RCI gets 6200 people on Oasis and Allure in record times. When we were on Allure in March, we went from the shuttle bus to ship in 15 min. flat! They have their act together. (they also use actual humans to check you in!).

Now for the ship, it is definitely showing it's age, and need refurbished in the worse way. We had a very good time, but were not at all impressed with cleanliness, maintenance, ect... Most of the staff seemed overworked and not all that friendly except for a few who I will mention a little later.

We booked the aft view extended balcony, which was of ample size and had a great view. That is where the fun stopped in regards to our stateroom. The first night we dis overed that it was DIRECTLY over the criterion lounge, and everything that went on down there, we could hear and feel in our room. I crawled out of my vibrating bed at 12:30 am the first night and went to guest services. I was informed that the ship was full, and they had no where to put us, but not to worry, this was the last night of Karaoke, as the rest of the cruise, these events would take place on the Lido deck. Oh how wrong they were!! Each night there were events in the lounge which lasted until at least 12:30 or 1:00 am!! The next tomlast night, i called again to complain, but was told not to worry, because it woild be over soon!! The young lady also informed me I could be relocated to an inside room on Deck 1 if I would like. I asked if someone had jumped overboard, because I had been told there were NO empty rooms the first night. I again called on the last night of the cruise to complain, and was told by the man at the desk, "we have no record of you complaining before tonight". I assured him that I had called and told him I felt as if there should be some sort of compensation, since I had paid extra for tnis room, and was not told about this room, and others on this deck are marked at night owl rooms! He said he would look into it and get back to me. I recieved a letter under the door that stated I would recieve $88.00 credit!! I did not go argue with them about it, because at this point I realized, you cant fix stupid!! All this is said to tell all, avoid deck 6 aft unless you plan to stay up all night!!! Read more