I almost canceled this cruise because I didn't know what I was doing. I still drove to the port and when I saw the ship, I wasnt about to cancel. This is where I wanted to be after all.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
I arrived at the port before 10am and sat in the car for about 30 minutes before I decided to check in. This was my first cruise so my learning curve was just begaining starting with the check in. The porters took my luggage and I made my way to the check in line that went fast and then it was up some steps into this vast area full of questions and finally got checked in and with my Sail and Sign.
Some guy came up to me asking if my cruise mate was still in line and I let him know that I was alone and he gave me a card the said Zone 7 and showed me to go up the steps to a Lobby. NIce, I didn't realize it but he gave me priority boarding. I was on board and first in line on the Lido deck by 12:30pm
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
I went to the MDR for breakfast and evening meals. I use the buffet only once on Embarkation day the New York sub window for a snack after port days
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
The only activity I did was the Behind The Fun tour on our sea day. It was a well spent 3 hours of seeing the ship but I would have liked to see the engine room.
Entertainment
I didn't go to any shows
Children's Programs
No kids
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I meet my steward after I was able to get in my cabin. He greeted me first by calling me by name and asked if I need anything to call him. I asked about my luggage and he said not to worry that it's going to take sometime to get (after 7 that night) The steward and his staff was in my cabin 3 times a day with one of them a turn down.
After my second night in the MDR, I made a request that I keep my head waiter and his crew. The gals at the front desk asked me why but I didnt have any problems and I had the same table every night and a glass of wine was on my table with in minutes of seating.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Ship design I can't answer with this being my first cruise. I was out doing a walk about ship late night and early morn and I noticed that there were cleaning crews and small groups working on something. I saw the ship bein cleaned all day and night.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I didn't know what to expect on the cabin I was getting. So, I wasnt disappointed or excited, but it was my cabin and it was my first. It was clean and the steward made sure it was cleaned. I am a picker upper after myself too.
Ship tip
Destiny was retired and reborn as Sunshine and to me Destiny is inside of Sunshine. I have a little on tip for you first time cruisers, Board with an open mind and keep from comparing a land vacation to a cruise.
Didn't know what to expect when I got here. With two Carnival ships in port I didn't know what ternimal I needed to go to until I realized there was a name on the ship.
I did the snorkeling in this port. What was I thinking when I purchased this because the water was so cold. Walking out of the port area, I was approached by many kids wanting to sell me something.
This was an awesome morning for me. I've only seen p[ictures of water like this. I had two excursions scheduled today, parasailing (I'm terrified of heights) and had a good time and then for later in the day I had the horse back riding with several hours of down time in between. I napped under a Tiki hut, walked arounf the island had lunch on the island. Had a great day.
I added just a few pictures of the port. The island has a hero named John Glenn because the base on the island was used for communications with Glen as he orbited the planet. I can remember where I was when he took his flight.
Disembarkation day went fast. My steward gave me priority tags for my luggage and when my number was called, I was off the ship, located my luggage and headed for the exit. My promblem with being held up was with Customs and his interrogations because he didn't believe I was on vacation solo. Handled my pass port back to me only to pull it back twice to ask more question. Not blaming Carnival for that.
Glad you enjoyed your first cruise. I do wish people could understand that some of is like to travel solo. There isn't anything wrong with us, we just know how to enjoy our own company.
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