The 2,642-passenger
Destiny, part of Carnival Cruise Lines' "Fun Ship"-class, underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2005 that included an expansive new teen club, a renovated Lido restaurant and children’s pool, a redesigned casino and updated suite accommodations.
The Destiny is, at 101,353 tons and 893 ft, one bulbous babe, with a beam of 116 ft, a draft of 27 ft, and a cruising speed of 22.5 knots. She debuted in 1996 as the world's largest cruise ship.
A briefing is held prior to arrival on the sights and the shopping. Italian officers and an international crew of 670 work hard to make the cruise a success for the 1,486 passengers. Built in Italy, this Bahamian-registered ship has Italian officers and an international crew of just over 1,100. Because of her bulk, the Carnival Destiny is too big to pass through the Panama Canal and thus virtually limited to cruising the Caribbean.
The ship does 7-day cruises from San Juan year-round to the southern Caribbean. In addition, she sets sail from Barbados for 7-days cruises in the southern Caribbean. Also, 4- to 6-day cruises from Miami to both the eastern and western Caribbean have been added to the ship's itinerary.
Ports of call are almost invariably routine, but as more than half the daylight hours are at sea, the ship is designed to be a genuine, albeit pulsating and sometimes overcrowded, destination in herself. Additional pluses include Carnival's vacation guarantee policy and a golf program that is in full swing.
Four glass elevators soar through the ship's nine-deck atrium (the ship has 12 decks total). The three-deck Palladium can seat 1,400 at extravagant Vegas-style shows backed by an orchestra, but the main floor is only slightly raked, so sight lines beyond the first few rows are poor, and balcony railings block some views. One of the two dance clubs has 559 video screens, the sports bar beams plenty of big-league action, and the revolving piano bar is a cozy retreat. The casino boasts 23 tables, including a newly-renovated poker pit, and 324 slot machines. Four pools plus a wading pool, a three-deck water slide and seven whirlpools provide varied aquatic diversion, and the Lido Deck pool has a retractable dome and a swim-up bar. The huge Nautical Spa is one of the most extensive at sea. It features a large gym, aerobics, massage, sauna, steam rooms, a juice bar and two whirlpools. Those on the run enjoy the circular jogging track aft on Sun Deck, and children make good use of the two-deck play area, enjoying both the Camp Carnival program, designed for younger guests, and Virtual World, the high-tech virtual-reality center. There's even cookie turndown for children.
Even with two sittings in each of the two bi-level dining rooms, both serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, they are far too small for a ship of this size. Trios play at all dinner sittings. Waiters work hard, and the quality of food is surprisingly good, ranging from freshly prepared pasta to hotdogs and hamburgers to cooked-to-order Chinese food. Casual options include a 24-hour pizzeria and alfresco dining.
The 1,321 cabins are spacious and sophisticated, with coffee tables, TVs, sufficient closet space, hair dryers and good showers. The ship has 515 inside cabins, 40 suites, eight penthouses and 16 family units sleeping five (including some that connect). More than half the outside cabins have balconies, and 25, in several categories, are wheelchair accessible. Cabins are noisy, and soundproofing needs improvement.
The Carnival Destiny is a colorful ship but not as glitzy as the Fantasy. By spanning two or three levels, public rooms do not seem quite so vast, but this arrangement is confusing, and signage is inadequate.
