Embarking Destiny: October, 2000

When we arrived at the cruise port, we found a lot of other people waiting to get on the ship, which can disturb you if you let it; so don't let it! Before long, you will make it on board. Stay relaxed if you have to wait a few minutes. Read a book or chat with your travel companions or new friends in line. The line on the right side (closest to the tables) seemed to be the optimal choice, because if the lines got too long, Carnival opened up the ropes to form lines at a new block of tables on the right (near the ship entrance).

On board, we found a beautiful ship of enormous scope. Bright, brassy and new, Destiny, like other Carnival ships, is more Vegas glitz than most other cruise ships. The brass walls, glass and neon lights all looked amazingly clean and shiny for a resort in such constant use.

We didn't get on board in time for our early dining reservation, and our bags didn't arrive before dinner, so we were dressed very casually, but the dining staff welcomed us into an open seating for the late meal in the dining room. We were seated with a newlywed couple from Lake Tahoe, Brett and Deborah, who both worked in the restaurant industry. Deborah, a cocktail waitress, expressed concern about the servers being treated right with tips. I asked Brett, a chef, at this occasion and others during the trip when we met in passing, how he rated the quality of food and presentation, and he had nothing but praise for Carnival.

The menus on ships are always extensive, and there's no way I can remember all of the choices, but I wrote down most of our meals on this trip, just to give you an idea. The first night, I started with chicken in spicy peanut butter sauce as an appetizer, followed by beef and barley soup which included a generous helping of vegetables. For my main course, I had sweet and sour shrimp, and I had low cal angel food cake with orange filling for desert. On a scale of five stars, I'd give it four stars. Julie's appetizer was fresh fruit in tequila. She had salad with low cal honey mustard dressing and lamb chops.

After dinner, we attended the Gala Party with reggae music on the Lido Deck. Carnival really knows how to party. A long conga line roaming all over the pool area of the Lido Deck, past different pools, hot tubs, lounge chairs, the waterslide, up a deck to an observation area and back down to the dance floor ended up crammed onto a small stage with the band. Since the conga line was quite long, however, not everyone fit on the stage, and they spewed off down the stairs and on the dance floor. After the conga dance ended, we did line dancing and learned other dances. Overall, this party epitomizes the Carnival spirit of fun for everyone who wants to participate. PARICIPATE!!!