zentraveler

Seriously.... they have to have a fine because there is so much bad behavior? I had already decided I was one and done with Carnival and this makes that even more of a good decision!

Went on the Carnival Miracle over Memorial Day w/e - my first - and I swore it would be my last. Gaudy ship decor, mediocre food, an herbal tea bag cost extra (lipton decaf was included), ordered one dish and it came with 80% of the stated ingredients missing (really), loud party atmosphere, photo equipment and set ups everywhere on "dress" night ... and on an on. The only saving graces were the musicians, who were quite good, and that I had booked a suite so the cabin was a nice refuge from the noise and decor (which was truly hidious). It was a 5 day cruise which I have been told has more of a party atmosphere.

They don't and they really need one. Their system for using the wi-fi is tricky until you get the hang of it and is clugy and tricky if you are shifting between devices. I used my phone, my iPad and my computer and it took trips to the reception to really get it. Crazy. They really need an app - which I told everyone who would listen!

I have also confirmed this with WS chat for the Legend October 2 departure. Their communication and website have been pretty abysmal for this trip. Hoa 😧 Istanbul, Turkey - TDI Sarayburnu Port -Hoca Paşa, 8, Sarayburnu, Kennedy Cd., 34112 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Oh my. We are on Star Legend October 2 for 8 nights and going to both Santorini and Mykonos and I am wondering if we even want to do a tour. I spent 6 weeks in Turkey and Greece in 1985 and about a week on Santorini (husband has not been). I certainly don't expect it to be the same, but this sounds less than inspiring. Can anyone tell me where we dock in those island? [I was last there on a generic Greek ferry that docked down hill from the main town/village.]

Thank you and naturally I found the site just after I posted this: https://www.whatsinport.com/. But also appreciate the Ports of Call section which I did not know about. That will certainly cover the bases!

During one of the discussions about the Miracle cruise to Ensenada Sept 1-5 someone posted a really helpful link to details about many/all (?) of the ports where cruise ships dock. Clearly designed to give information to be able to explore on one's own, or have a better idea of the excursions. It was a really useful link and I was positive I saved the it but now can't find it. Would greatly appreciate anyone's help!

Yes, we have veered off course, but to wrap up this sub-discussion, am just off the ship and figured out last night that the figure I saw is the cruise director. She dresses in something sparkly and Vegas-like (NOT revealing in any way) each evening and comes through the dining room and cocktail lounge and will pose for pictures. This may be a remnant or evolution of what some of you have described from the past. Nothing like anything risque or lewd anywhere on the ship. Lots of family activities. Did not go to the shows so can't comment on those but they sounded quite tame.

Completely agree (and weren't you lucky! I spent medical school in the library's study carrels or at my desk at home). My best luck has been bars/lounges that are not open yet and have views. They always have comfortable lounge chairs. But there are lots of nooks on larger ships and the smaller ones often have libraries. Both especially important during covid. I am one of the few wearing a mask and getting to an area with few, if any people is great.

It finally dawned on me that we may indeed have such a person on this trip. Every evening I have seen a nice looking young (30's not 14) woman with a hairstyle that reminded me of Annie Lennox in the earlier days (hard to describe) in a long, sparkly dress wandering around the lounge outside the MDR, and the MDR, having her picture taken with people. Not posted outside and photos are couples as well. Couldn't figure out to make of it so just filed it away. But it may be the modern version of the Las Vegas photo op. I will try to get a picture tonight.

Thanks MJSailor. I forgot I was on Cunard once too! This was really worth checking out for me for the reasons you mentioned. Additionally, my DH He’s camping with some friends so this is a solo trip, which gets expensive for cruising. But the timing worked. My .02 cents if reading this and others suggests it is not a good fit it for you - it won’t be. Lots of other options although the drive from home part is a loss. There is always Princess for us; Alaska in July was lovely and we liked the ship.

Holy cow; thongs!?! They must have toned it down or they don't sail from the country's most politically correct population with that level of sexism 😊.

Thank the lord NO. Although now that you mention it I saw something like this but not that bad - photos but no slobbering men. And thanks for the head's up on the longer cruises. I made a comment in an earlier post that being a fun party boat is their brand. I would not expect that to change even with nicer decor. But good to know!

Absolutely right and have tried to temper any comments with the cost of the cruise line. But I do think an accurately described menu (without the clearly untrue descriptions) and delivering most of what was ordered in the dish, or just saying they are out of it that day, are low bars.

All I meant was that when I ordered huevos ranchero and it was described as having chicken (?) I asked if I could have beans instead (which is how I have always had them served). Nope. Chicken or nothing. I figured out quickly that the dishes on the menu are as is, but they will bring anything else on the menu. I am not a fussy eater at all, but new for me on cruises. Todays breakfast was actually rather funny (in a sad kind of way). I ordered a Breakfast Bowl described as: kale, spinach, wheat berries, sesame seeds, feta, raspberries and two eggs on top. What I got was a small sad collection of salad greens, 1/2 tsp of feta, 2 raspberries and 2 eggs. None of the main parts of the breakfast dish. I thought I might have gotten the wrong bowl and the poor waiter only could only say that they sometimes run out of things. We left San Francisco, one of the food capitals of the country (with plenty of kale, wheat berries etc.), less than two days ago. [Last night's dinner was pretty sad also.] But I have to give the menu writers a gold star for hyperbole. The avocado toast had "fresh local greens". We just landed in Ensenada - local from here? San Francisco? Whatever warehouse where they pack the ships? Ridiculous term for a floating vehicle.The yogurt is "hand churned". House made - sure but very unlikely true. Home made, a misnomer, but OK but also unlikely. But churned? I have made yogurt at home; it is not churned. That is butter. So I am enjoying my cabin and the ocean immensely, see how hard the staff is working and how sweet they and am adapting to being on a floating K-Mart (only with much worse decor). It was an experiment and not sorry I checked it out. With any luck the Port of San Francisco will start broadening out the ships that come and go from there. Would love to know how/why Princess and Carnival have such a lock on that. [Addendum - the wi-fi works wonderfully. I got the premium package and have had only a few short lived glitches.]

Thanks and worth considering. I am aware (every time I go to their website or open the app) that they are the FUN cruise line (completely fine with me I knew that going into this) so am assuming that “brand” is what they are cultivating throughout the line. I would not expect them to have an app with confetti and not want that crowd. But am glad to hear about the nicer decor ships. I really wanted to love the Miracle. I live 20 minutes away from SF Pier 27 and was aboard and had finished my lunch 2 hours after I left home.

Fair enough. We will be on Windstar Legend in October in Greece and Turkey for 8 days but it also costs considerably more than this one +3 days . I wasn't expecting Windstar quality and this may not be the best representation of Carnival.

Go for it! This might be just your cruise.

Hard to imagine what a cruise twice as long on this one would be like. I may have jumped overboard by then 🤣.

I hope you like yours, and perhaps I would have liked a different ship more. I overheard someone at the Guest Services telling a woman (at 7 am today) that she might like the decor better on a different ship, so I may not be the only one for whom the Vegas atmosphere was so jarring (really dislike Vegas - what a surprise 😉).

There was a recent post from someone who loves Carnival and finds it so suitable for her that she was genuinely curious why anyone would spend/waste their money on "fancier" cruises. I can't find that thread (which last I saw had close to 200 responses) so FWIW, posting impressions from this 5 day Miracle cruise SF - Ensenada. [And for context I have been on ~6-7 cruises on Princess, HAL, Windstar and Seabourn.] Embarkation was fabulous (posted on this earlier). The Miracle staff is hardworking, polite, efficient I can't say enough about them and their contribution to this cruise. My suite was lovely (VERY happy I took the offer to buy the UG); well laid out, peaceful decor and a wonderful space to retreat and in which to spend time. Large balcony with nice chairs, very nice bed with plenty of reading lights, lots of storage and quiet (deck 6 mid-ship). The ship itself was gaudy everywhere and felt almost entirely to me like a casino without the slot machines (except the actual casino section) and was incredibly LOUD. Embarkation day was deafening and after that most of the common spaces had very loud music. It felt very much like a "booze/party cruise" which is what they seem to be known for. It was a party crowd with several groups of girls celebrating birthdays, bachelorette parties (did not see similar guy groups), families etc. Most every place outside my cabin was noisy, crowded and unattractive. Upselling and getting us to buy is everywhere. Completely different from a Princess cruise a month ago. The food is varied - lots of choices - and fine, but most of the dining room meals are pre-plated and if you want any variation at all you are out of luck. Quality to me like a decent chain restaurant; Olive Garden, Outback Steak House, Chipotele etc. I think it is really wonderful for every cruiser to find what suites them and this is one is clearly making a lot of cruisers happy and has a lot of loyal fans and I can recommend it (really) for anyone who likes Vegas or this kind of vacationing. Carnival does this well. I thought it was worth a try since Carnival sails out of San Francisco 5 miles from home but this will be the first, last and only one for me.

All the pre-boarding uploading of documents, Verifly etc. seem like a waste of time. I was watching closely and saw no evidence it made any difference at all.

That is so interesting! I live here and took a Lyft 5 miles to Pier 27 and there was no traffic at the port this morning and we "cruised" right up to drop off the bag. And there were ONLY porters - lots of them. I did not see a Carnival bag drop like Princess had in July, but just a group of roving porters. From reading these posts it seems that the given is that there is some considerable variability. It seemed to me that all of the embarkation staff were an outside company who either works for the port or is hired by Carnival to manage embarkation. Ours was well staffed and well run. Princess in July - not so much and more chaotic.

Boarded the Carnival Miracle in SF this morning for the 5 day cruise to Ensenada. I have to say this was the smoothest cruise boarding I have have on a large cruise ship. Arrived at 10:10 for the 10-10:30 group. Clear lines so only that group boarded. Was in the waiting area at 10:35 (had priority suite boarding but don't think that added much). They called us to the ship about 11:10. Recommend however much you have pre-checked on line - Verifly, Carnival website etc - bring paper copies of your boarding pass, vaccine card and your passport. Keep them handy You will need to show them a few times and it is smoother with paper. I was finished with lunch by 11:45 and in my cabin not far later. (If you are in a suite just ignore the do not enter signs and go to your cabin - that is not clear but what guest services told me to do.)

Great and helpful review diebroke. We cruised Seabourn to Antartica and the Caribbean and are booked on the Legend in October for Turkey and Greece. We also have been on Windstar in the Caribbean so we have been on both lines about the same amount. We are planning on the Norwegian fjords (maybe Arctic) summer of 2023 so are very interested in the lines comparisons. Will likely come down to itinerary and price. So far we have liked both lines but do appreciate the added luxury of Seabourn.