Carnival Destiny is the first of Carnival's five 100,000-ton-plus Destiny-class liners. This ship has some of the best nightlife at sea, with entertainment for every taste and age group. The Carnival Destiny also boasts one of the largest casinos afloat and one of the largest spas and fitness centers on a cruise ship. Guests will find a huge variety of entertainment and dining options, excellent food, spacious and comfortable cabins, friendly and professional service, and an exceptional value for the dollar.

At 101,000 tons, Carnival Destiny is one of the larger cruise ships at sea. Despite her size and 3,000+ passengers, we never noticed any more crowding or any longer lines than we have found on much smaller ships. We were also surprised to discover how easy it was to find our way around this vessel. We quickly learned that the key was finding out which elevator banks served which public rooms.

There is a full slate of activities and entertainment for every age group and taste; from ballroom dancing, classical music concerts, tea time, and art auctions to hairy chest and knobby knees contests, blackjack and slot machine tournaments, bingo, and karaoke.

Carnival Destiny has one less deck of balcony cabins than her 4 sister ships. Balcony cabins are smaller on the inside (180 square feet) to allow for the 40-square-foot balconies. Balconies have safety-glass panels, affording unobstructed views of the water. Outside standard cabins without balconies are an ample 220 square feet. Inside cabins measure a generous 195 square feet. Bathrooms in all categories have showers, a hair dryer, and a medicine cabinet. Carnival now offers free toiletry/amenity kits on all of their ships. Carnival also provides terry cloth bathrobes in the higher category cabins. All cabins have color television, radio, direct-dial telephone, and individual climate control. "Fun Vision" interactive television systems are operational. All cabins boast ample closet and drawer space. Reading and cabin lights can be controlled from a panel over the beds. Most cabins have twin beds that can be converted to a king bed upon request. There are self-service laundry rooms with washing machines, dryers, irons, and ironing boards. Self-service ice machines and Coca Cola vending machines are available.

The two-deck main dining rooms, London and Paris, offer 2 seatings for all meals. The majority of tables seat 4 and 8. There are tables for 2 available, but not enough for the group of 3,000+. Nightly entertainment by the waiters is part of the "Fun Ship" experience, so look forward to a singing maître d' and dancing busboys. The service in the dining room was efficient and professional. Menu selections are varied nightly.

The Sun and Sea Lido Restaurant adjacent to the main pool is a popular spot for buffet breakfast and luncheon. We found the selection limited and long lines. Breakfast on port days was very crowded. Asian food, hamburgers, and Mexican food stations were a quick alternative to the regular buffet with selections changing daily. A 24-hour pizzeria and Caesar salad bar was a hit for the late-night crowd.

The three-deck-high Palladium Lounge is the venue for Carnival Destiny's nightly Las Vegas-style floor shows and reviews. This state-of-the-art theater boasts lasers lights, special effects, and a sound system to rival any land-based show room. This lounge also has a video projection system, a revolving stage, and a retractable orchestra pit. A word of warning: Be sure to get there early to get the best seats. Some of the seats have limited or obstructed views of the stage.

One of the most popular places on the ship is The Apollo Bar, the sing-along piano bar. Get there early if you want a seat. Later in the evening, it was standing room only … in the hallway! Passengers in the mood for a high-octane dance club will find the entrance to the Point After Dance Club nearby. More than 500 video monitors cover practically every square inch of wall space, and the glass dance floor features various lighting effects. A winding staircase leads down from the disco to the Onyx Bar, where sofas and comfy chairs abound. But don't count on a quiet escape there since music from above is piped in.

The Down Beat Lounge jazz and cabaret room is accented with black and brass walls and a gray carpet covered with red treble clefs. The highlight of the room is the oversized trumpet, tuba, and flugelhorn suspended from the ceiling. Huge Clarinets are stand-ins for window-dividing pillars.

The All Sports Bar offers satellite TV projected on large-screen TVs throughout the room. Aft of the Promenade Deck is The Criterion Lounge (a mid-size showroom seating 440), the place to be for midnight shows nightly.

The "Millionaire's Club" casino is the one of the largest afloat, with slot machines operational at 8 AM, the tables at 10 AM.

Carnival Destiny's 15,000 square foot, two-level Nautica Spa is one of the largest at sea. Work out on treadmills, Stairmasters, stationary bikes, rowing machines, free weights, and progressive resistance machines while enjoying panoramic views. There are men's and women's saunas, steam rooms and locker rooms, plus two coed whirlpools. There is also a separate aerobics room and juice bar. Trained instructors lead a variety of exercise classes. Personal trainers are available at an additional charge. There is an outdoor, one-eighth mile padded jogging track and a golf driving net. Golf lessons are available with a PGA pro through Carnival's Fore! Golf Program. The spa and salon, which are operated by Steiner's of London, offer every kind of massage, facial, and treatment imaginable

The main pool area is one of Carnival Destiny's most popular features, highlighted by the winding, 214-foot-long water slide. The deck around the pool is laid out in levels, creating an amphitheater-like effect. There is also open deck space around the aft New World Pool, with its retractable glass ceiling. Topless sunbathing is allowed in a secluded section near the main funnel.

Carnival continues to be popular with families, the attraction being the Camp Carnival program. Camp Carnival is divided into four categories: Toddlers (2–5), juniors (6–8), intermediates (9–11), and teens (12–15). There is a playroom for children under three. On sea days, the program operates 9 AM–10 PM. On days-in-port, Camp Carnival offers supervised free-play from arrival until 2 PM. Scheduled activities run 2–10 PM. Kids pay a flat rate for third/fourth guests in a cabin, regardless of age. Parents should pay "tips" on children 3 and up.

All ships have at least one play room, a wading pool, and an outdoor play area. Otherwise, facilities vary. Some ships have teen clubs, video arcades, and jungle gyms. Babysitting is available on sea days and port days. The cost is $6 for the first child and $4 apiece for additional children. Babysitting is a group activity (available 10 PM–3 AM in the children's play room. Diapers are sold in the infirmary, and there is a turndown service featuring fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at bedtime. Carnival also offers teen-only shore excursion outings, and walkie-talkies are available for rent onboard. A Fountain Fun Card ($9 to $23, depending on length of cruise) is available for the under-21 set.

Most passengers are ages 21-45, with large groups of singles, couples, and families. Since the ship has moved to San Juan for a Southern Caribbean itinerary, more couples ages 35-55 are onboard.

Carnival recommends $3.50 per person, per day to your waiter; $2 pp/pd to your assistant waiter; and $3.50 pp/pd to your cabin steward. A 15 percent gratuity is added to bar bills.

For one or two nights, a dark suit or formal attire is suggested, with most men opting for suits. The dress code for the rest of the evenings ranges from sport coat and tie to resort wear.

• Cruise line - Carnival
• Ship name - Carnival Destiny
• Type of cruise - Fun/Casual
• Total cabins - 1321
• Private balcony cabins - 480
• Passenger capacity - 3360
• Total crew - 1040
• Officers nationality - Italian
• Ship size - Large
• Year entered service - 1996
• Tonnage - 101353
• Ship length - 892
• Registry - Panama

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