Destiny or Jubilee? Help

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Lori777

Guest
Hi all, new to the board!! I need some help looking to cruise to the Southern Caribbean. The two Carnival ships that do that cruise are the Destiny and the Jubilee. Can anybody give me any advice or opinions on which ship is better, as far as entertainment, ship condition, activities, food, which is a good cabin, balcony or no balcony, ports, etc.... I know the Jubilee is an older ship, I believe built in 1986 and the Destiny 1996. I do like the ports better on the Jubilee but not the fact that it is an older ship. They both leave out of San Juan, the Destiny goes to St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbados, at sea, Aruba, at sea and back to San Juan. The Jubilee goes to St. Thomas, Antiqua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, Tortola and back to San Juan. I have also read some not so nice reviews of the whole flight, bus and boarding operation in San Juan. Also, any help on "have to do" shore trips or sites to see on the above list of islands. And how is it to cruise on Memorial week, lots of kids? Or maybe Royal Caribbean is a better choice? HELP! ha ha. I would be on the cruise with my two sisters, one 42 the other 40 and myself at 38. Sorry to ask so many questions, but the last time I was on a cruise, I was on the Tropical, on the Western Caribbean, and that ship is retired and now on Costa lines. Looking to party and have a great time. Thanks for any help.
 
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anna

Guest
The Destiny sounds better to me because there are at sea days which I think are the best part of cruising. I was on the Destiny in 1999, the ship was fine but very crowded, lines everywhere. We had a balcony which was the best.
 
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MLADYCK

Guest
WE WERE ON THE DESTINY IN JAN. 2001. THE SHIP WAS GREAT WE BOOKED EARLY WITH A BALCONY 8A AND WERE BUMPED UP TO A SUITE CAT 11. SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT AND THE ISLANDS WERE BEAUTIFUL. ARUBA AND ST. THOMAS BEING OUR FAVORITES. I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT THE JUBILEE BUT SOMEONE WE QUESTIONED AT A CRUISE SHOW SAID THE JUBILEE HAS SOME WEAR AND TEAR ON IT.
 
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JLTMET56

Guest
Mladyk...may I ask HOW did you get upgraded from an 8A to an 11..I'm going on the Destiny May4th...booked on an 8A...but we didnt book early...will probably be at the ship for an early embarkation...
 
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Jamman

Guest
Been on both ships multiple times. Unless the itinerary is definetly the driving factor, go with the Destiny!!

153 Days til the Sensation!!!
.
 
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milla

Guest
My husband and I cruised on the Destiny June 2002 for our Honeymoon and we had a great time. The itinerary is fantastic, the islands are a great, and you'll want the 2 days at sea. Even having the first three days in a row on the Destiny in port was tiring, I imagine the Jubilee w/no days at sea would be exhausting! The days at sea are wonderful breaks. The ships was 'busy' but lots of entertainment. We had a balcony on the Lido deck, just a few steps out our door and we were outside - the balcony rooms are a must! If you like to party, I would take the Destiny over the Jubilee for ARUBA alone! Our favorite port, and definetely the island to have a good time at. You don't sail till 11 or 12 p.m. The Destiny did not have a very 'new' feeling to it, so I can only imagine the Jubilee would be worse. If you take the Destiny - here's our list of favorites: St. Thomas: GO TO ST. JOHN, Trunk Bay is absolutely gorgeous. Martinique: St. Pierre, take a cab ride through the jungle and climb the water falls. Barbados: great snorkling everywhere! ARUBA: EVERYTHING about this island is awesome. RENT A JEEP - a must do, tour the island yourself. PALM Beach on the south coast is the most beautiful beach, and party the night away in Oranjestad - great bars everywhere & Carlos & Charlies is the last stop to the ship!!! HAVE A FUN TRIP - post a review when you get back if you take the Destiny, I'd be interested to read!
 
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kkorman

Guest
A port a day on the Jubilee sounds hectic. Plus the ship is nothing to write home about with the other options out there. Personally I would go with the Adventure or Radiance/Serende (depending on when you plan on going). These are all newer than the Destiny and The Voyager class ships are amazing! Destiny is nice, but nothing that special.
 
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mladyck

Guest
We booked about 8 months early through a travel agent.... and I guess we were just lucky. When we go again I will try to book early if I can. Good luck to you and I hope you get bumped up too !!!!!!
 
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Darlene

Guest
I would take the Destiny because it is newer. The bus and boarding in San Juan is not a problem. If Carnival books your flight you may fly North then change planes and fly south. If you book your own I would suggest an early flight out even the day before. I would suggest that you do not take the last flight home. There are not many flights at least for us from Baltimore. The first time our take off was late and we had to run to our connecting flight. The second time our flight was delayed 5 hours because the crew hadn't had enough sleep.
 
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HRMKR

Guest
Milla,

I will be on the Destiny May 4-11, 2003. Can you give me more information on your tour in Martinique. What waterfalls did you climb? Were they easy? Did you just grab a cab outside the peir? How long does it take to get the St. Pierre?

Thanks,

Mary Kay
 
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Funship Lover

Guest
If your wanting activities and entertainment on the ship go Destiny but cause the Jubilee is port intense and the is no need for a lot of stuff onboard since everyday is a port day, if you love cruising ship board activities, entertainment and everything that goes along with sea days go destiny if you prefer island hoping go Jubilee. Personally I really like the Jubilee she is a nice size and nice interiors.
 
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