CARNIVAL MIRACLE - TAMPA TO PANAMA CANAL 8 NIGHTS in SEPTEMBER

Has anyone been on this trip? Is it worth it considering it's only 2 ports? Puerto Limon and Grand Cayman.

Feedback is appreciated.

Has anyone been on this trip? Is it worth it considering it's only 2 ports? Puerto Limon and Grand Cayman.

Feedback is appreciated.

Is there a partial transit of the Canal? If so, I'd do just for that alone..even a partial transit of the canal is a cool experience. We did that on the Pride some years ago on a relocation cruise. I'm sure you know Pride is a similar ship to Miracle..same class/size.

Most canal cruises are 14 days. I would prefer shorter trip. Thank you for your input.

Haven't done this yet but on our bucket list. Lots of cruising days, only 2 ports and the canal (partial). Can't wait to see it from a big ship. Did several of the locks on a smaller boat. It was awesome...

I'm hesitating because most days are at sea. Just wondering if we would be bored.

Most canal cruises are 14 days. I would prefer shorter trip. Thank you for your input.

This IS a shorter trip and it DOES go through a partial canal transit. That is why there are only 2 stops as the transit takes a whole day (7a-7p). I am booked on this one and a back to back after it. I haven't done the first itinerary before, but it looks to be worth it since it goes to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, which are new places for me.

Cruising is good because there are many things to do. But, your concern over being bored is valid. Search for the Fun Times on a past Miracle cruise and check out the activities on the sea days. If there is nothing that interests you, then you may get bored. I have no problem finding plenty to do, even if it's taking two naps a day...because it's vacation!

We were on the April 14 partial transit on Miracle out of Tampa. It was an amazing trip and well worth the 4 days at sea just to see it first hand and how well it functions. There is a narrator telling you all about the history, how it actually works, and things like that thru the 3 locks and as you enter into Gatun Lake. If you have a balcony room you can sit out and listen if you don't want to go up on lido or other decks to watch. It's also broadcast on the tv in your room so you can see forward. Before getting into the Canal, keep an eye out to some trees along the bank, we saw a bunch of howler monkeys sitting up in the treetop of one.

We didn't get off in limon, we had been there before, and also Grand Caymen. If you haven't been to swim with stingrays, I highly recommend it, we've done it twice a few years ago, best time is the first boat out, they're hungry!

Can't say enough about Miracle, loved the layout, all the nice seating areas, having everything such as dining room and casino on same deck. We're going on her again the end of August, really looking forward to it. If you do decide to go, sure hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

We were on same cruise just this past April. If you like sea days and older crowd it's OK. Be prepared for lots of scooters and walkers. Most nights casino was empty before midnight. That said we enjoyed it. Visit to Panama Canal off our bucket list.

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Has anyone been on this trip? Is it worth it considering it's only 2 ports? Puerto Limon and Grand Cayman.

Feedback is appreciated.

It's all up to you.

We have done the partial transit and it is spectacular. Recommend the train trip across the country if you are looking for an excursion to do. It was better than advertised!

We have done the partial transit and it is spectacular. Recommend the train trip across the country if you are looking for an excursion to do. It was better than advertised!

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Is there a partial transit of the Canal? If so, I'd do just for that alone..even a partial transit of the canal is a cool experience. We did that on the Pride some years ago on a relocation cruise. I'm sure you know Pride is a similar ship to Miracle..same class/size.

Except the Pride has all of the 2.0 upgrades, like Guys, Blue Iguana, Red Frog etc

All I will say is that Panama Canal is on my list.

We did a partial canal, it was well worth it!! A lovely lady came aboard and did an excellent running commentary with history and explanations of what we were seeing and doing. Do it at least once! Other ports are interesting - unfortunately we had a torrential tropical rain day in Cartegena that caused flooding in the streets (it was like standing under a waterfall) and the port of Limon was closed due o the same inclement weather. That being said, we’d like to repeat the cruise sometime and see those ports AND do the canal again. So if you have the chance, I’d really recommend it b

We didn't have any excursions on our April trip either. The schedules are so unpredictable we didn't have time. The train ride in limon was great a few years ago the first time we went to Costa Rica.. It actually was a bus ride, then the train thru the banana plantations and countryside then a small boat ride.

I thoroughly enjoyed our PC cruise on Miracle 4/18. Loved having a balcony to enjoy every minute of the transit. We didn’t stay in our cabin much but I’m glad we had it so we didn’t miss anything while in the Canal but needed to also be in our room. Definitely experience the locks from an aft and forward perspective. And go to a lower deck while in the Canal to see the wall. 18” from the windows. We went zip lining in Limon. Almost enjoyed that excursion as much as the Canal. Now I can cross zip lining in a Costa Rican rain forest off my bucket list. We love sea days. Brunch, spa appointments, trivia and day drinking. Fun stuff. But I agree to be prepared for the scooter races.

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I'm on it with my 13 year old. I think there is a decent chance we will be the youngest on board! That said, I am looking at it more as an educational experience than a vacation where the focus is on crazy fun. But I am worried that all those Sea Days are going to be boring. I am definitely bringing extra books and a deck of cards!