We have just completed a 5 day/4 day back to back cruise on the Destiny. Our first cruise left on February 11th 2012. This was our 16th and 17th Carnival cruise. The back to back experience was great and seamless. They have you wait until everyone is off the ship, then they escort you off through Customs and back on the ship. No hassle and the whole process is done in less than 20 minutes.
I have to say that no matter what ship we sail on the Carnival crew are the friendliest people we ever meet and this ship was no exception. They really go out of there way to make this a perfect vacation in sometimes difficult conditions. I wish the guests treated them better, but I try to make up for it by treating them all as friends. One of my favorite parts of cruising is meeting the staff and getting to know what their life is like on and off the ship. I have come away from a cruise feeling that I am leaving friends.
James Dunn the cruise director was one of the best we had in our 17 past cruise history. He is certainly in the top six. We first met him on the Dream as assistant cruise director while he was serving with Todd Wittmer. Todd must be a great teacher because James is a rising star for Carnival. I miss the HIYA though.