Dining While Cruising

 If you are like most people the one thing you want to make sure of is how the food will taste when you are traveling.  We all get tired of the eating out while traveling.  Meals seem to be the same old thing after awhile.  The one thing that you will not find that is the "same old same old" on board any of the cruise lines.  It really is true, if you go hungry it is your own fault.  Everyone has their favorite cruise line as well as their favorite place to eat on board.  You may love the midnight buffets or the 24 hour pizzerias.  You may want to watch that cute figure so it is the wonderful salad and fruit bar you desire.  Some may love the fine dining in the beautiful dining rooms and some may not want to even worry about leaving the cabin so room service is just right for you.  Whatever your heart desires can be obtained on today's cruise ships.  The food is exceptional and they love to make a splash with the presentation.  Jim and I sailed on the beautiful Carnival Conquest several years ago out of Galveston and on that particular cruise he and I chose to have dinner in the reservation recommended restaurant called STEAKHOUSE.  It is a $30 per person surcharge and a 4 course meal.  It was very elegant and very romantic.  The food was cooked to perfection and the dessert the Grand Marnier Souffle' was to die for fantastic.  If you would like to have have an intimate dining experience aboard many of the ships today that have the Reservation Recommended restaurants be sure to head there as soon as you get on board to choose your night and time while there is still availability. Your better half will thank you for it in the long run and you both will enjoy being waited on hand and foot with a wait staff that is both friendly and discreet.
No matter where you go around the world and what cruise line you choose, the food is one of the best experiences of the cruise.
Till next time..Bon Voyage!
Joyce
J J Travel Service LLC                                        

Cozumel & Puerta Mayal-Something New Every Time You Go

Puerta Maya-Cozumel Mexico

Puerta Maya is the newest pier built off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico.  It opened in October of 2008.  The original pier was destroyed by Hurrican Wilma in 2005.  This quaint area 5 miles south of the main town of San Miguel, is a wonderful experience for both first time cruisers and veterans as well as landlubbers touring Cozumel.  It has many eateries and shops. One of the best kept secrets is a place called Pancho's Backyard.  It is both a place to find wonderful treasures of Mexico as well as some of the best food and Margaritas Cozumel has to offer.  The shelves are lined with beautiful handmade jewelry, gifts, pottery and anything your "souvenier loving" heart could desire.  Once you have purchased your goodies or just need to take a break from all the shopping, head on into the restaurant for dining on the indoor & outdoor patio.  The breezes blow thru and cool you naturally and the Gulf of Mexico and beyond lays out before you in picturesque style.

Mayan Ruins at the Courtyard

  I would recommend, if you are of age to drink of course, one of their many flavors of margaritas.  Just be warned, be sure you plan to walk back to your ship or hotel because they do have some zip to them.  The flavors are unusual such as peach, mango, watermelon & huckleberry.  Trust me when I say you cannot go wrong with any of them as well as the usual flavors of strawberry and original (lime). You may want to ask your waiter or waitress to "un poquito" small amount of alcohol because even then these drinks have a kick.  Be sure to try their nachos of all kinds, depending on what you like for the meat.  There is also some wonderful dessert plates that have some mexico flair to them as well as some American taste as in the key lime pie. 

Courtyard Area Near Pancho's Backyard


  Besides shopping and dining, you will also be able to catch your shore excursions here as you enter the area. If you love diving, Cozumel is the place to go. Playa Casitas, is an artificial reef built with over 56,000 tons of concrete that the hurricane destroyed.  Oceanologists say that fish are migrating to the reef and even coral has been seen there. Cozumel, with help from Carnival Corp help build this pier after the 2005 destruction of Hurrican Wilma.

Whatever your choice to do while in this beautiful area of Mexico, Puerta Maya is certainly something that should not be missed.

Till next time...Bon Voyage!

 

Joyce



 

Waiter at Pancho's Backyard



Carnival Destiny Cruise Ship, Carnival Cruise Lines Review



Carnival Destiny In Port at Key West

 The Carnival Destiny,which currently home ports in Miami, FL, is one of Carnival Cruise Lines ships.  It is 101,000 ton ship and the only Destiny class ship in Carnival's fleet. She can carry over 3300 passengers and at the time she entered service in 1996, she was the largest ship ever built. Like the many of her sister ships in Carnival's line, it boast Carnival's Theatre Under The Stars for watching the "big screen" out on deck.  It has almost 500 balcony cabins so that many of her visitors can enjoy the view from their rooms.


Balcony Cabin on Carnival Destiny



I was lucky enough to sail on her last October with a wonderful group of ladies.  We all had balcony cabins and the consensus was "fabulous".  The Destiny's staff took wonderful care of us from the cabin to the dining room and many places in between.  One of the in between places is the wonderful pool areas that the Destiny has.  In the main pool area it is theatre style raised seating so that you have views of all kinds at the pool and then again in the evening when watching the movies out on deck.  The 2 story dining room was magnificent and our dining staff was just wonderful and very attentive.  By the 2nd night of our 4 day cruise, our staff knew what type of drink we wanted and which type of bread we would choose. The meals were fantastic and always presented in such a wonderful way by the staff.

Divine Desserts

From Casino to Spa to shopping and many dining options, the Carnival Destiny is still a wonderful ship at 15 years old this year.  She was refurbished in 2005 and is a sparkling gem in the Carnival fleet.  Over all I would recommend this ship for families, honeymooners or just vacationers in general.  Her layout is a bit different than all the other ships in Carnival line.  She has more areas of walking stairs and going around and up and down to get to different areas of the ship.  If you have difficulty in traversing stairs, the Destiny may be a bit tougher sail for you.  However, there are elevators everywhere on the ship and wonderfully helpful Carnival employees to guide you around, should you need it.  Besides, as my friend and i found out, getting lost and found again on this ship is part of the fun.  We have decided that what we didn't find this time, will make us just have to go back again on the Destiny.

The Carnival Destiny Sails 4 & 5 day  Eastern & Western alternating sailings out of Miami thru April 2012.
Some of the ports you will see on the 5 day Western one are Cozumel, Grand Cayman & Jamaica and on the 5 day Eastern would Grand Turks, Half Moon Cay & Nassau in the Bahamas. The ports on the 4 day sailings are Key West & Cozumel. 



Carnival goodies in the cabin nightly.

Prices start at $259 per person plus port taxes & fees for the 4 day sailings.

Prices start at $299 per person plus port taxes & fees for the 5 day sailings.

Joyce Sisler

Cruise Specialist

Email:jjtravelservice@hot.rr.com

Leaving the Port of Miami