Supplement to Travel Trade
September 2001

Carnival Destiny

Big Bold & Beautiful

The Carnival Destiny is big, bold and beautiful. What's more, this 101,353-ton vessel, the largest cruise ship ever built, is the prototype of a new generation of cruise ships. There's no doubt she will dramatically impact and change cruise styles and influence who cruises in 1997 and into the next century.

The Carnival Destiny also begins yet another chapter of a remarkable story that has seen the company rise from a struggling one ship operation to the largest cruise line in the world, carrying well over one million passengers annually. Ships this size don't just happen and company officials are quick to say they didn't begin the project with intentions of setting the record for the "largest afloat." The Carnival Destiny took more than five years - from concept to completion.

It began with a memo from Carnival founder Ted Arison to top executives in every department. He asked them each to define the features that, in their opinion and based on their experience, would be required in order to build their "ideal" vessel. To fill the resulting "wish lists" required space, a lot more space than intended. The finished product, the Carnival Destiny, is a marvel of engineering and design. A ship unlike anything built to date. And, it's not the size that makes her the most complete floating resort in the world. It's how the space is utilized and the architectural progression and manipulation of available space so that passengers are less aware of how large the vessel is and more aware of options offered on board. The Carnival Destiny is a complete resort city with rudders that happens to take guests to interesting ports of call. She sails without vibrations. At times, I had to look out a window to make sure we were moving. It's what's inside that makes the Carnival Destiny something special.

Utilizing traditional and modern architecture, Carnival design architect Joe Farcus, said he aimed to create "the ideal city at sea. An urban environment with a sense of community among passengers where people can relate to each other in a way different from normal life at home. A varied environment where all their needs are taken care of, where there is no uniformity and a lot of diversity."

The result is an awesome vessel, upgraded in every detail beyond Carnival's already successful style. Almost revolutionary in some ways, certainly different from any vessel sailing at this time.

At first glance, the profile of the Carnival Destiny is familiar with its unique hallmark funnel, but she is no elongated version of the 70,000-ton Fantasy-class vessels.

Traditional in some respects, outrageous in others, she doesn't have the sharp glitter of previous vessels built for the CCL fleet, but she maintains the excitement with spectacular lighting, seemingly unlimited choices of activities and amenities for passengers, soft colors, rich fabrics, marble and stone, the feeling of space in cabins and public rooms and a lot more than a touch of elegance. In short, she's a classy vessel designed to meet vacation demands and to bring reluctant cruise novices as well as seasoned passengers up gangplanks.

Her appeal is ageless, her design timeless. The Carnival Destiny is a complete destination in and of itself. Over the years, Farcus-designed ships created a fairy-tale atmosphere that never reminded anyone of home. The Carnival Destiny is a sophisticated version that combines, albeit on a grand scale, Carnival's sense of the spectacular with elements of elegance. Artworks on board are museum quality and add to the ambiance with the use of original colored glass sculptures strategically placed throughout the vessel.

Carnival Corp. chairman Micky Arison said that the ship's final size was determined through a sort of evolution - the blending of the "well-proven pattern of previous ships with dreams and ideals solicited from our guests, executives and company personnel who eventually have to operate the vessel, always maintaining the singular focus of what will it take to deliver a cruise experience that consistently exceeds the expectations of our guests. "As each innovative idea was added, the shipyard modified specifications to conform with the new design giving a special and lively character to our new creation and giving each area its own identifiable personality." While the ship is 45% larger than previous CCL vessels, the Carnival Destiny's added size affords a greater sense of space and comfort. With a space ratio of 38, staterooms are larger with more choice in accommodations, more restaurants, lounges and entertainment areas. Actually, there's more space and choice contained within one cruise ship than ever before possible.

If there is a theme to the Carnival Destiny, Farcus said it is "the concept of monumentality." It is quite apropos because the size of the ship creates this sense and allows for an increase in the volume of space per guest. What this means to passengers is an even passenger flow without lines. There is a feeling of intimacy emphasized by small lounges of the size you would expect to find on ships half her size.

While passengers are awestruck at first glance, the Carnival Destiny is configured in an easy-to-find-your-way fashion. Primary entertainment and recreation decks are located in between passenger decks. In other words, starting at the lowest passenger deck and moving up, there are two decks of cabins, followed by three decks of public rooms, then five more accommodation decks that feature balconied staterooms and suites. The design serves not only to centrally locate public facilities for all guests, but helps to achieve totally unobstructed views from all vantage points.

The size and number of stairs also has been expanded by more than 30% and the speed of elevators has been increased as well as the number (14). The atrium alone has four high-speed elevators that provide access to all of the public room decks and to five of the six cabin decks. Utilization of these elevators in the total circulation scheme, according to Farcus, exceeds that of Fantasy-class ships by a percentage much greater than the passenger capacity increase of 30%.

Those of us who are familiar with Fantasy-class vessels immediately note major differences, in addition to size. The first is evident on boarding. The monumental Rotunda soars nine decks high. The Rotunda is at its widest on Lobby Deck 3, Atlantic Deck 4 and Promenade Deck 5, then tapers inward on Upper Deck 6. To create visual excitement, Farcus created an enormous tile mural for the back wall of the upper portion of the Rotunda and on the wall of the Lobby Deck.

Flagship Bar anchors the Rotunda on Lobby Deck 3 with its comfortable limited seating on sofas that afford an unobstructed view up through the skylight on Sun Deck 11. Musical entertainment is provided by a pianist or group on a platform behind the Flagship Bar.

The three-deck-high Captain's Hall provides access to the two levels of the Universe Restaurant as well as the Onyx Room, the Criterion Lounge and other public rooms. It is topped by a dome with a cloud silhouette skylight-effect similar to the one featured in the Rotunda. Another enhancement is the All Star Bar. Adjacent to the casino, the multitude of televisions makes it possible for guests to view live sporting events in a pub-like atmosphere.

The Carnival Destiny is about options and choices. Something for every palate. Walk Destiny's Way and your options are limitless. Extending from the Rotunda, Destiny's Way provides access to many of the public rooms on Promenade Deck and functions as more than a thoroughfare. Like promenade areas on Fantasy-class ships, Destiny's Way takes on a life of its own. Anchored at one end by Formalities, Destiny's Way features a tuxedo rental and flower shop, and Virtual World, a video game and virtual reality emporium. Destiny's Way incorporates the Destiny Bar, Café on the Way and Cheers before ending in the Captain's Hall.

Destiny Bar is an ever-popular meeting spot and the new Café on the Way is THE place to meet for that special cappuccino and pastry. The Patisserie is beautifully done with a colorful awning extending over the promenade and small café-style table seating.

Cheers became a popular spot from the first sailing. It is a very cozy but classy wine bar with rich marble counters and flooring that highlight decor. It's basically a standup type of bar, but there is plenty of seating along Destiny's Way.

Point After Dance Club is probably one of the hottest dance spots at sea. The tri-level room's high energy generates throughout the area and through the 500 monitors that allow for endless combinations of video effects that extend the live action onto Destiny's Way through videos.

Is disco your thing? But you want to put some distance between the sound and an intimate conversation? Head down the winding staircase to the Onyx Room were the tumult is muted, and the razzle dazzle of the disco is evident but not overwhelming. Situated between the Galaxy and Universe Restaurants on Atlantic Deck 4, the Onyx Bar has many moods. Before dinner, it is the perfect place for a quiet drink while the pianist entertains or a combo plays romantic dance music. After dinner, it is transformed into a muted version of the disco.

Apollo Bar is in a graceful Grecian motif and is classical elegance. An intimate piano bar located at the terminus of Destiny's Way, handmade colored glass mosaics decorate its walls and the ceiling. Replicas of Grecian antiquities are evident in ancient urns, pots and vessels. Coupled with traditional scrollwork, they comprise the main design elements. Down Beat turned out to be one of my favorite rooms. It's an intimate lounge featuring live music and dancing and oversized replicas of musical instruments set the tone.

Larger-than-life instruments are scattered throughout the room and on the ceiling. An enormous saxophone and a trumpet greet guests as they enter Down Beat.

Criterion Lounge, the second showroom, has a unique floor plan. It is the first on a Carnival ship to be laid out on a diagonal plane. Home of the ever-popular R-rated midnight special, the cabaret-style show room seats 440 with excellent views of the stage from every venue. The raised stage is in a corner of the room with sofas, banquettes and chairs on different levels arranged around the front and side of the stage.

Sun & Sea Restaurant is Carnival Destiny's answer to the Lido self- service dining. It features a variety of specialty restaurants for lunch, including a Trattoria with Italian fare; Happy Valley, serving made-to-order Chinese cuisine; the Grille, with traditional hamburgers and hot dogs; a self-serve soft ice cream and yogurt area available throughout the day; and a 24-hour pizzeria which offers a variety of pizzas and Caesar salads whenever the mood strikes.

Additionally, the traditional midnight buffet is served in this room. Nothing on board is forbidding. Not even the restaurants, which can accommodate 3,400 passengers in two sittings when every third and fourth berth is occupied. Both have mezzanines. The only really big room onboard is the three-level show room, Palladium, which seats 1,500. The truly elegant theater is reminiscent of an opera house.

The Carnival Destiny has 1,273 spacious standard cabins - 519 inside and 754 outside. More than half of the outside staterooms have private balconies made of clear glass. Entirely new cabin categories have been created. Penthouse Suites have been added and 16 family staterooms, a number of them connecting, have been built near children's facilities. Cabins are probably the largest at sea and certainly the largest in the price range. Standard outside cabins measure from 220- to 260-square feet. Colors are warm and all outsides have separate sitting areas.

If space is more important than private verandahs, opt for one with a window wall instead of a verandah. They are the largest standards. Inside cabins are slightly smaller and retain the "V" shaped configuration, but all outside cabins are configured Holland-America style and are exceptionally comfortable. Adjoining cabins for families are especially popular and are located on Sun Deck 10.

The eight luxurious penthouse suites measure out to 430-square feet, while the remaining 40 suites are a hefty 340-square feet. Each has every amenity guests should expect in these premium accommodations. Separate dressing, sleeping and sitting areas, as well as VCRs, a bar and refrigerator, adjustable height coffee tables for room service and private balconies with solid side panels for privacy.

A 15,000-square foot Spa, the largest health club afloat, spans two decks in height, has a Juice Bar, two whirlpools, a steam room with sloping windows for a view of the ocean and rivals any spa on land or at sea. The gymnasium is the most complete I have ever seen with workout equipment facing huge sloped window walls. The decor combines the latest in functional equipment with a generous use of polished gray and pick-veined stone.

Ten massage and treatment rooms are centered around men's and women's steam, sauna, treatment and locker rooms. Two spacious 12-person blue whirlpools set in a base of marble are separated from the gym by a curved clear glass wall. A large, carpeted aerobics room is up one deck via a curved staircase that connects the two levels. A Juice Bar and relaxation chairs complete the facilities.

For joggers and walking enthusiasts, the Nautica Jogging Track is located on the aft part of Sun Deck 11, positioned over the Sun & Sea Pool. Children's facilities are outstanding. The Carnival Destiny boasts a two-deck-high, 1,300-square-foot indoor/outdoor children's play center, complete with its own pool, state-of-the-art jungle gyms and fun zones, both indoors and outdoors. The playroom is home to a video wall, which enhances the kids' version of Karioki, pajama and video parties.

For 13- to 17-year olds, there's a teen version of Camp Carnival, featuring a teen casino night, "coketail" parties, make-overs and fashion tips from the salon and photography workshops which have been added to enhance the teen program.

A large staff of counselors supervises activities and Carnival in 1997 will offer complimentary babysitting to parents who wish to go ashore or participate in shore excursions.

The casino is one of the largest, if not the largest, afloat with every possible game of chance and $3 minimum blackjack tables. There also are tables for high rollers with minimum chips pegged at $100. No wonder it's named "Millionaire's Club."

The 16-seat library is well stocked and beautifully appointed and the card room is large enough for a tournament.