Hi all,

I am excited to be going on a cruise this December.  A college friend and I will be traveling together.  I would like to get any advise from experienced people and possibly chat with someone that will also be on Carnival Destiny on the 14th of December!

 Later,

 Roosky

Arghhhhh! I will be getting off the ship as you are boarding.  It will be our second cruise on the Destiny though, and we are excited to be going back.  Not sure what kind of advice you are looking for, so the best thing I can tell you in general is to be flexible, and remember not to sweat the small stuff.

Have a great cruise!

We'll be on the Destiny 12-14 also. It will be 11 of us, from mine and my husbands families. This will be our 4th cruise, So I could help if you have any specific questions.

Hi everyone,

I'll be on the Destiny on the 14th, and I'm a first-time cruiser also. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how I can pack as light as possible, specifically clothing. What am I going to definitely want to bring? I'm thinking at least one formal outfit, mostly lounging and casual, beach attire, things like that. Any other suggestions? Thanks, and I can't wait!

I pack a shorts outfit for day, and capri outfit for dinner. We all take one formal outfit and shoes. I don't take tennis shoes (took them the first time and never wore them) I always were flip flops. This is our first year flying so I'm trying to go lighter this year also. We usually bring at least 2 swimsuits for each of us. One always seem to stay wet, but you could throw them in the dryer (just bring quarters). Bring an extension cord, there is only one plug in the bathroom. An over the door hanger for shampoo and hairspray and deod. is a must. Saves room on the small counter in the bathroom. It says the Destiny has a hair dryer, but I'm still bringin mine. I saw pictures on youtube and they look bizarre. If I can help you with anything else, just let me know.

I also will be on the Destiny on Dec. 14.This will be my 9th cruise and my fourth time on the Destiny.When I first sailed on the Destiny back in 1997 she was the biggest ship in the world (not any more).Your gonna have a blast! My first cruise on the Ecstasy back in 1992 is still my favorite.

I have another question for you experienced cruisers! I was wondering about how long it might take to get completely off the ship and on the way home after we arrive back in Miami? I want to make sure there will be time for me to catch my flight back home. Also, when it says we'll arrive at 8am, does that mean people are walking off the ship at 8?

The ship will probably dock between 5 and 6am. It takes time for customs to release the boat. If you carry your luggage off (not check) you can get off first. We check our bags and are usually off by 9:30 at the absolute latest. That includes getting luggage, going through customs and getting our car from the valet. We don't fly out this time until 3 pm, so we'll try to stay on as long as we can. If you have time, eat breakfast in the dining room and don't rush.

Great, thanks for the info. That helps a lot. Are passengers released in any kind of order to avoid a big crowd or anything like that?

The people who carry their luggage off get off first. If you have an early flight (before 11 am) Tell them and you also get off first. They will give you new luggage tags with zone #s on them the last full day. They let you off according to those #s. Last time we just kind of hung out where you got off, and they just let us off before our # was called. Bring packing tape (clear thick tape) use this to tape your luggage tags on, this will keep them from tearing off.

 My husband and I will also be going on December 14th. Our very first cruise, we're very excited!! 

 I have so many questions!!

What is usually worn at the informal dinners? Someone told me that sun dresses are fine.

What does it mean to have a carry on bag? We're only taking on suit case each and we're packing light.

Are there towels at the excursions? 

Any other important info that you have would be great, this is our first time so we are new to everything :)

Sunshine:

Great, thanks for the info. That helps a lot. Are passengers released in any kind of order to avoid a big crowd or anything like that?

When you fill out your documents online Carnival uses that for the Debarkation Process.  There is a method they use which is very orderly. The passengers who do the self-assist Debarkation are in the 1st groups followed by the passengers that have early flights home.  So if you have a late afternoon flight, you will probably be one of the last off the ship.  You wil be asigned a number which Carnival will announce which helps to eliminate large crowds trying to get off the ship at one time.     

If you do not use the self-assist. you need to have your luggage in the hallway by midnite the last night of the cruise.  On our 1st cruise, that is one thing we wish we had known before we left or paid more attention to so we knew..LOL  Talk about "power packing at the last minute" but we managed to throw everything in our luggage and got it outside the door just before the stroke of midnite.  Then we crammed everything else in our carry-ons.  That is the part of the cruise I hate.  It is really hard to have to walk off the ship after having such a wonderful and exciting time.  I walked as slowly as possible and it was even harder to leave on our 2nd cruise.  But, all good things come to an end.  So looking forward to our 3rd cruise keeps me going.       

For informal dinners, I usually wear capris and flip flops, and the kids wear sun dresses or capris. Most excursions you have to bring your beach towel from your room. They will provide these for you and exchange them when there dirty. Just make sure you always bring them back to your room, or you'll get charged. You're carry on bags are the bags you don't give the porters before you board the ship, you just carry them on with you. I myself because i have 2 kids, check as much as i can. Only carry on a bag filled with medicine,cameras and anyother essentials you can't do without. Last time we recieved all our bags before we even left the port. Tip the porters well and they'll hold your bags to be put on top, so you'll get them faster (at least 1-2 dollars a bag) well worth it. They do let you wear anything the first night at dinner, because some people  may not have received their  bags yet, so don't pack extra for the the first night. Before you book your excursion you will see "what you need to bring" usually its: hat, sunscreen, towel, stuff like that. I'd be happy to help you with anyother questions.

Thanks for the help! We have so many activites planned, like the Atlantis Dolphin Cay Shallow Water Interaction. Would it be safe to bring a beach tote to hold our towels and a disposible camera? Do most excursions have lockers?