Cruise Talk: Carnival Destiny

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Seabourn Quest has returned to service following the most comprehensive interior refurbishment ever undertaken on a Seabourn vessel, with updates spanning suites, public areas, dining venues and the spa. The project, completed during a recent drydock, introduces redesigned spaces intended to create a more contemporary and residential onboard environment...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas has begun its inaugural Alaska season following its arrival at the Port of Seattle in May. The deployment marks the first time the Voyager-class ship has operated in the region since entering service in 1999. Through early October, the 3,430-passenger vessel is sailing a series of seven-night itineraries from Seattle. Two routes are being...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new pool area and updated brand identity for Isla Tropicale, its exclusive destination in Roatán, Honduras. The new Mangrove Bay complex adds 48,000 square feet of recreational space at the center of the destination, marking the latest phase of development at the site formerly known as Mahogany Bay. Mangrove Bay features a large pool with a swim-up bar, a dedicated splash...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Carnival Destiny

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Carnival Destiny

Evan
Just Boarded
Member # 1211

posted 04-03-2000 11:17 PM

Did anyone else "experience" the 3/26 Destiny cruise? We have been on over 40 cruises, and this was by far the worst. Embarkation was delayed over 5 hours due to another mechanical failure, and Carnival never contacted us the day before when the problem occurred, during the long wait in the terminal (full of 2000 people) there was no ongoing communication from anyone at Carnival except a letter at the terminal stating that a refund was available and that there were some tours planned during the wait - the itinerary was changed removing St. Croix and adding Nassau (there was then no way to cancel reservations made in St. Croix except by using the ship telephone at $9.95/minute (why do calls cost so much when internet access aboard other ships is only $2.00/minute?); we were told at check-in not to check the "past guest" box since we had a past guest number and would be invited to the past guest party based on that number which we had given during the reservation process - after we had not been invited to the party that had occurred a day earlier we were told that the box should have been checked at check-in and that the past guest number was merely for "record keeping purposes" (what "record?" - if there was any record, they would have known by the number that we had taken several previous Carnival cruises - after all it is a "past guest" number....); disembarkation was delayed for 2.5 hours upon arrival back in Miami (so we all just sat in the common areas); elevators full of people often got stuck (which was particularly bad during disembarkation); several elevators did not work at all; it seemed like few of the employees except for the cruise director and purser staff (which generally was unresponsive) spoke English so asking questions was an exercise in futility; there was no breakfast room-service except danish, plastic plates and cups were used throughout the ship instead of regular dishes and glasses; security guards were everywhere on the ship, as were interesting odors from time to time (and the smells often mysteriously appeared in the cabins); the 2 formal night dining opportunities for many meant wearing a clean t-shirt and jeans; the queen bed was merely 2 twins, with twin sheets, pushed together; soda and ice machines did not work; pay per view videos often didn't work and yet we were charged for them even after we were told we would not be; the in-room music had such a loud hum you couldn't listen to it....it was quite a cruise, and many many other passengers, including 1st time cruisers, expressed to us their extreme disappointment as well. On the plus side, the cabins are large, the bars are located conveniently together, the exercise area is great, the dining rooms are nice (but service was poor) and the pizza is very good. However, overall, for a fare that was comparable to other cruise lines that have much better service, this cruise was quite a negative experience.

Posts: 2 | From: Longboat Key, FL USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

patty
Just Boarded
Member # 1239

posted 04-17-2000 05:23 PM

You are very right about the lack of ongoing communication. I was not on your cruise, however, I got off the ship the day you got on. So, I know exactly what you are saying. We have cruised before too, and never again on this ship. After being told this was a 25 and older cruise, there must have been 250+ kids with only walkie talkies as supervision. Dont get me wrong, I have kids, love kids, but went to get away from them. It might have been tolerable had the parents (some) been watching (protecting) them. Then when they announced on Sat. we were delayed due to mechanical trouble, we knew we would not get our flights out. They used the medical emergency that night as the main reason we were delayed. That was so tacky on thier part, since we were allready too far behind. Then they hurried to get us off the ship so the new crew of guest (you) could get on, shipped us to a motel to meet with a carnival rep. who never showed up until the next day.(Monday) Told to wait some more, then told we had an early flight out that we missed, so had to wait some more. The communication from the staff to the guests was just horrible, not to mention all of the things you stated, I ditto.I am sorry your experience was a negative one, as I am sorry for the other 4,000 (your group and mine) that were treated like cattle and continually kept uninformed. We have written to Carnival, but have not heard a word, I don't expect we will. Good luck on your next one.

Posts: 1 | From: Corning NY USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Ms Montreal
Just Boarded
Member # 1241

posted 04-17-2000 09:27 PM

Well, I wasn't on the Destiny but in January I took a Panama Canal cruise on CCL. We arrived at Miami and had a 2.5 hour wait there just to get to the boat! Not a good start! When we got to the port area our ship wasn't at the terminal. We had to board through the service entrance and we were taken to a lounge for sign in. It was slow but at least we were sitting down! Seems like there are alot of complaints about CCL lately! Not my favorite that's for sure!

Posts: 1 | From: Montreal, Canada | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 04-18-2000 11:13 AM

Evan, a few things surprise me for you being on 40+ cruises. First, I've been on NCL, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival and all beds convert yet they are still mearly twin beds. I've not been on a cruise yet that didn't have singles that coverted to a large bed...still having individual sheets etc. While on the Grand Princess and NCL Dream plastic dishes were common on deck, at the pizzarias, etc., not just Carnival uses them. Soda machines? Never once saw a soda machine on ANY cruise I've been on. I've always had to pay the bar staff for sodas. Yes I'm sure embarkation was bad considering the ship didn't get into port until late due to mechanical problems. I can't imagine ANY cruise line calling 3000+ people the day before unless the ship just wasn't going to show up at all.

Patty, what kind of travel agent do you use? I've never been on any cruise (especially during Spring Break) where there weren't kids. A travel agent wouldn't/couldn't possibly know that a cruise (especially Carnival) would be 25 year olds and older only! And if your writing to Carnival was reasonable they WILL respond. I got off the Paradise the same day you got off the Destiny, wrote a letter immediately and have gotten a response along with a certificate for a discount on a future cruise and for the most part my comments were positive as the Paradise was simply put...PARADISE!

The Destiny has had it's share of mechincal problems lately but overall can you really say you had a BAD time? Or did a day or two ruin the whole trip for you?

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 04-19-2000 08:53 PM

Carnivals policy is - if you are under 21 you must be in a cabin with someone 25 or older. This cuts down on the teen population (especially during spring break time) but doesn't mean no one under 25 will be on the cruise.

Cruiseman - I agree, have been on all major lines and have always had two twin beds put together. Might come across a true queen or king in a suite but not in a regular cabin. Also if you travel in March and April you are in Spring Break time and will have loads of kids, cannot believe a TA wouldn't bring this to your attention.

[This message has been edited by jwine (edited 04-19-2000).]

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...