Anyone back from the Miracle new itinerary yet???

[hazeleyez3]

Just got back from the Nov. 3-11th Miracle cruise. We were not originally supposed to stop in La Romana, but our itinerary got reversed and we did not have tenders to take us to Catalina Island so we stopped there.

 

My g/f and i were not sure what to do on the island. When you walk up the hill off the boat, they had a $7 pp round trip that took us to Altos de Chavon and we could walk and stay as long as we wanted, no tour needed. They had a return trip leave every 30 mins until the ship took off.

 

We knew absolutely nothing about what we were looking at or what the little "town" was about. Im sure like most people with us, we actually thought it was REALLY old. Come to find out when we got home...that wasnt the case. We find it quite amusing now haha.

 

 

One more question...A few people have said that there is a $25/person entry fee. Did you have to pay the $7 to get there and then pay to get in?

[Luv2Crews2]

My family and I did this itinerary over Thanksgiving and we couldn't wait either! We missed Grand Turk due to rough seas which was disappointing but as I understand from crew they had several weeks of changing itineraries due to weather. I wish we had missed LaRomana instead. We took a cab to Bayahibe Beach which cost us $60.00 for the 4 of us to get there and back. The beach was very pretty and the ocean was calm. We actually were dropped off right next to the Beaches resort. They had several shacks with items to purchase and food was available. I was disappointed that there wasn't shopping at the pier. Curacao and Aruba were just wonderful - I didn't want to leave either of these ports. We didn't do any tours but in Curacao we walked the town which is very picturesque and quaint. As Tiggerman said in an earlier post, be sure to cross the "pedestrian" bridge and tour the other side of the canal (Note: Don't worry, it's not the big bridge you see when you pull in to port, it's actually just above the water and there is no hill to climb!) If you need to get back and the bridge is opening, there is a free water taxi right nearby that will take you back. The stores in Curacao close at 6:00 p.m. their time (which was 5:00 our time). There are a couple shopping areas close to the ship though that stay open later. Note, it's not just the taxis in Curacao that are expensive - shopping prices in stores were a little up there too. We also had a cocktail with some other cruisers we ran into and the prices for drinks were about the same as on the ship. We did get a good deal on a camera though. In Aruba we took a taxi and went to Palm Beach where the big hotels are at. It cost about $12.00 dollars each way for the 4 of us. They dropped us at the Radisson where you walk through their lobby to the beach. Rented chairs and an umbrella. We actually used the hotel pool too. Aruba is also nice because of the shopping, casinos, etc. right off the pier. The hotels have casinos also.

In my opinion, if you are looking to do a tour I would do it in LaRomana. Several people I spoke with enjoyed their various tours they went on at this port. Have a great time on your trip!

[bp traveler]

can anyone tell me which days are the formal nights?

 

Trying to book the steak house and wanted to avoid the formal nights. thanks

[AngelKappie]

can anyone tell me which days are the formal nights?

 

Trying to book the steak house and wanted to avoid the formal nights. thanks

 

Hi we were just on the Miracle over Thanksgiving too!!!! :D

 

Formal nights are the first sea day and the second sea day!!!!

 

ENJOY!!!!! We LOVED this cruise!!!!!! ;)

 

We did the Chefs Table what an experience that was!!!!! :D LOVED IT! Was the highlight of the cruise!

 

Miracle is an awesome ship! LOVE the layout!

[IslandToIsland]

Hi we were just on the Miracle over Thanksgiving too!!!! :D

 

Formal nights are the first sea day and the second sea day!!!!

 

ENJOY!!!!! We LOVED this cruise!!!!!! ;)

 

We did the Chefs Table what an experience that was!!!!! :D LOVED IT! Was the highlight of the cruise!

 

Miracle is an awesome ship! LOVE the layout!

Can you tell me what night the Chefs Table was?

[Charleyann]

Based on what I found while trying to research the Dominican Republic it seems like a really nice place to go for a resort vacation. For a cruise ship passenger, especially one trying to book an independent excursion, it is an extremely frustrating port.

 

I can't even find out how much it costs for a cruise ship passenger to get into Altos de Chavon on the shuttle from the port!

 

Try proexcursions. I found an awesome excursion. We are doing ATV adventure or dune buggy to the local countryside for a tour of sugarfield, canoeing, swimming with Tarzan swing, Chavon River and a poor village where we will treat some children to Christmas....

 

From my email "During the tour we are making a stop in a Batey (a Haitien cane cutter village) There you will be able to make many children Happy!

I recommend that you bring pens, pencils, scrap books and other school effects. At the Village there is also a little conveneience store to buy

cookies, candy, cake and more for a cheap price and will encourage local economy. We always have at least a dozen kids that come and meet us at the Batey!

You will really make them Happy!!"

 

About the tour "Super Quads

 

Destination

Half day morning or afternoon Safari style Quad adventure.

 

Description

An Adventure across river and fields at the discovery of a real Dominican life style aboard your own Quad or Buggy. At the menu; Sugar cane fields, Haitian village, Rio de Chavon, canoe, tarzan ropes, swimming and ALOT OF FUN!

 

 

Internet Price: $70.00USD in single or $99.00 USD* in double for the zone of Bayahibe and surroundings. Add $10.00 USD for Buggy

 

 

 

I will be very excited to make a childs Christmas on Christmas Eve. My son bought for a boy and me a girl. We'll hand out some candy too!

[chachi]

I have no idea about the rumor. I just heard it from a couple people. I wouldn't put much stock into it. Here are a few of my pics:

 

Bayahibe Beach, Dominican Republic:

 

 

leaving La Romana:

 

 

Aruba landscape near the old church:

 

 

Northern shore of Aruba:

 

 

One side of downtown Williamstad, Curacao:

 

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

This is the cruise that I want to take most. Unfortunately I only cruise in the summer and it is not offered then.

[xrayvin]

I just stumbled on this thread, and I LOVE it!! Thanks for all the information.

 

We actually have a whole year before we get to do this itinerary. Which gives me a lot of time to research and plan.

 

I am still hoping that Miracle changes to Catalina instead of La Romona, but if not we will have a great time.

 

I am wondering about Camp Carnival. Did anyone have their kids with them? I am looking for the kids activities for this itinerary. DS will be 7 for the cruise so this is the age group I am most interested in.

 

Thanks and I have really enjoyed the pictures, I cant wait!

[SkyMaster]

Tell me...does the Miracle have the technology of the newer ships, ie checking your account on TV or checking the menu on TV?

:D:D:D:D

 

Yep, you can check your "Sign-n-Sail" balance, and usually look at the menu for the day. We found that sometimes the menu wasn't available. I guess the Maitre 'd was busy! :confused:

 

"SKY"

[Crazy4Koko]

I just stumbled on this thread, and I LOVE it!! Thanks for all the information.

 

We actually have a whole year before we get to do this itinerary. Which gives me a lot of time to research and plan.

 

I am still hoping that Miracle changes to Catalina instead of La Romona, but if not we will have a great time.

 

I am wondering about Camp Carnival. Did anyone have their kids with them? I am looking for the kids activities for this itinerary. DS will be 7 for the cruise so this is the age group I am most interested in.

 

Thanks and I have really enjoyed the pictures, I cant wait!

 

Hi! Tho I didn't have kids in that age group, my girls did do Circle C and Club 02..

 

It was pretty quiet. One 'credit' to cruising during school time is that there are far fewer kids onboard....great for adults, but not so great for kids..On our sailing there were a sub total of about 40 kids...

 

that said, my younger daughter ( 13) did have a small group she hung with, and they had a great time...the programs are a lot of fun and the kid staff top notch.

[Joie]

Has anyone on this itinery done Catalina Island for an excursion?

We are trying to decide between Bayahibe and Catalina Island for March.

[LindaJSteele]

Question: We are thinking of booking a tour for Curacao that meets at 8:30 on the pier. It looks like our scheduled docking time is 8, so I'm a little worried that we won't make that. What is your experience with this? Should I book it and hope we get there on time? I e-mailed them to ask about that because the tour said it was 9-12, but the reply I received said we meet at 8:30. I'd appreciate it if someone could help with this. THANKS!

[drosphot]

Yep, you can check your "Sign-n-Sail" balance, and usually look at the menu for the day. We found that sometimes the menu wasn't available. I guess the Maitre 'd was busy! :confused:

 

"SKY"

 

I noticed that the menu on the TV was not always the same in the dining room. For example one night it listed NY Strip Steak and when we got to the dining room it wasn't on there... And I think it happened with a dessert I really wanted to try as well. No big deal I ate waaaay too much every night. :o

[Crazy4Koko]

Question: We are thinking of booking a tour for Curacao that meets at 8:30 on the pier. It looks like our scheduled docking time is 8, so I'm a little worried that we won't make that. What is your experience with this? Should I book it and hope we get there on time? I e-mailed them to ask about that because the tour said it was 9-12, but the reply I received said we meet at 8:30. I'd appreciate it if someone could help with this. THANKS!

 

 

there will be multitudes of private tour buses available when you dock..probably three different companies, but I didn't notice for sure...as one bus filled, another took its place... we just jumped into a nearly full bus and took a great 3 hour tour that would have included a beach stop if it hadn't been a bit rainy...

 

$20 a person plus tip... there were PLENTY to choose from, and many did!

[Chianti Gal]

Hi All,

Had a great cruise aboard the Miracle. The new itinerary is awesome. We docked in St Lucia, St Kitts and St Martin. I loved the sea days. Weather was "hot". Went to "Pitons" in St Lucia aboard a catamaran ( loved this exursion). Rented a jeep in St Martin. I have been to St MArtin many times and this excursion would have been good for a new cruiser to St MArtin. Orient Beach was European andI had not been before so it was interesting. St Kitts, we did an island tour Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean . Went to the fort at Brimstone Hill and saw beautiful views of Nevis . I loved this itinerary because each place was very different and memorable. Anyone going to St Lucia that is a beer driner should try the Piton beer, it is really good. You cant get it anywhere but there. I could probably type several pages on each place, so if you have any questions just sent them to me and I will answer.

Liz:)

[celticd1]

Thanks for the info Chianti Gal!

 

Any reviews from those just returning from the Aruba itinerary? I know a whole lot of CCers were sailing her just this past week! ;)

 

Got pics? :D

[floatingaway2525]

Hi All,

Had a great cruise aboard the Miracle. The new itinerary is awesome. We docked in St Lucia, St Kitts and St Martin. I loved the sea days. Weather was "hot". Went to "Pitons" in St Lucia aboard a catamaran ( loved this exursion). Rented a jeep in St Martin. I have been to St MArtin many times and this excursion would have been good for a new cruiser to St MArtin. Orient Beach was European andI had not been before so it was interesting. St Kitts, we did an island tour Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean . Went to the fort at Brimstone Hill and saw beautiful views of Nevis . I loved this itinerary because each place was very different and memorable. Anyone going to St Lucia that is a beer driner should try the Piton beer, it is really good. You cant get it anywhere but there. I could probably type several pages on each place, so if you have any questions just sent them to me and I will answer.

Liz:)

 

Omg they all sound fabulous and I can't wait!! St Maarten is the only island I have visited on this itin. What catamaran did you go on in St Lucia and was it through the ship or on your own?

Thanks for the info!!! Piton is now on my list of libations not-to-miss:D

[celticd1]

Any reviews from those just returning from the Aruba itinerary? I know a whole lot of CCers were sailing her just this past week!

 

Really want to know what everyone did in Aruba and La Romona.

 

Got pics? :D

[Frequent Floater]

Any reviews from Aruba yet?

[RumpunchGirl]

check out this link! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1360813