North to Alaska on the Carnival Miracle - April 29, 2013

[Jenbo57]

I'm just now realizing how tired I am, so I'll pick up tomorrow with sea day #1 (fantastic!), and sea day #2 (not fantastic!).

 

Stay tuned...

[mumofsons]

I actually have this room booked for Hawaii in September. I love the 7A rooms - gives you a balcony and at least with this room you have a gap - looked not too bad. Thanks for posting - waiting to hear about the rest of your review - did the Spirit out of Alaska last July love the spirit class ships!

[elliair]

Ok, so obviously these photos were not taken while we were still docked in Vancouver. I chose these because you really see what kind of views you're getting when you book one of these cabins. Did I LOVE it? No. Was I happy that at least I had a balcony? You betcha!

 

Sitting on my bed (closest to the balcony door), looking outside.

 

 

 

On the balcony, looking left.

 

 

On the balcony, looking straight ahead.

 

 

And looking down...

 

 

On the balcony, looking to the right.

 

 

 

Now that we've got that covered, let's do sailaway, shall we?!?

 

That right there would bug me to death - so much so to going ballistic if I got assigned a room looking at a life boat. If you're like me make sure it's an unobstructed view cabin.

 

Love the review!

[michelle1836]

thanks for posting your review and pictures!!! pretty sure we are going to do Alaska next summer

[Swayde]

Was it noisy in the 7A cabin from the lifeboats creaking or anything? I'm okay with the obstructed view, but I am concerned about the noise because noises tend to wake me up a lot.

[freberd]

Thanks for photos of balcony the obstructed view is not bad at all. I would book it just to have fresh air and extra space. Depending on price of course

[Swayde]

Thanks for photos of balcony the obstructed view is not bad at all. I would book it just to have fresh air and extra space. Depending on price of course

 

I haven't sailed in it yet, but we upgraded to the 7A because a couple of weeks ago when prices dropped with Family & Friends sale we were able to snag it for $60pp less than we'd originally paid for an inside cabin w/obstructed french doors and $10pp less than the original price of a regular inside cabin. With all of our excursions we want to do pre-paid and already $100 OBC from a Future Cruise Certificate it seemed like a no-brainer to us to jump on a chance to try a balcony at a very low price.

[HeatherC430]

Anxious for the rest of your review & pictures! We'll be doing the same itinerary in reverse in September!

[mumofsons]

We have stayed in 7A's a couple of times and don't recall any creaking from the life boats.

[Jenbo57]

We woke up to gorgeous blue skies and calm seas Tuesday morning. This was Joe's second cruise on Carnival, and he and his wife had won a SOAS on the first, so today we wanted to participate in as many trivia contests as we could, to try and win him #2! We arrived late to the first one, but sat anyway and listened to the questions. After that we went to the Trivial Pursuit Quiz, where we didn't fare all that well. The next game was Name That Kiss, where they showed famous love scenes on the screen and you had you had to list the movie they came from. We did well, but still not enough to win the coveted SOAS. Figuring we had many more chances to try, we weren't worried yet!

 

At 10:00 we wandered off to our CC/FB meet and greet, held in Frankenstein's Lab (a nightclub on deck 2). It was well attended, and it was great to meet so many of the people we'd been chatting with for the month before the cruise. One person had made us all door signs, another buttons to wear. It was fun wearing the buttons around the ship; many times people would stop us to ask where we'd gotten them! (Thanks Marie and Coral!)

 

The rest of the day was spent losing $$$ in the casino, admiring the scenery, and finding corners of the ship to hang out and read. This was the first Cruise Elegant night, so since neither of us had brought dressy clothes (not my thing on a cruise, especially on this itinerary), we ate dinner in the buffet. Actually, we ended up never setting foot in the MDR; Joe didn't want to, and, although I would have gone by myself without any problem, the buffet or grill were just fine. Let's just say we never went hungry!

 

Our door sign! (The buttons were similar.)

 

 

 

Beneath that splash is a humpback whale! (There were several of them out there; just couldn't get a picture of them, darn it!)

 

 

 

Later in the day, as we approached Grenville Channel, the scenery got more spectacular!

 

 

 

Lots of crew on the bow and on deck 9, forward, taking pictures. Many of them had never seen anything like this before.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back towards the stern of the ship as we cruised Grenville Channel.

 

 

 

Here is where I have to voice my biggest complaint about doing this cruise on Carnival. On Celebrity, HAL, and NCL, the ships all had forward facing lounges with wrap around windows. If you didn't want to be outside (which, later on during this week, was certainly the case), but still wanted to watch the scenery as it came towards you, you could sit in the Navigator Lounge (Celebrity), Crow's Nest (HAL), or Spinnaker Lounge (NCL). Carnival has nothing similar on any of their ships. When I go back up to Alaska for the fifth time, next year or the year after, I'll go with one of those lines again, for that reason.

[Jenbo57]

While Tuesday had been a fantastic day at sea, Wednesday, well, wasn't... Zero visibility and rough seas for most of the day. I know I'm of the minority, but I love rough water, so it didn't bother me. I did hear, however, that there were people who got sick.

 

Skipped trivia to go see the on-board naturalist's presentation on glaciers and wildlife in Alaska; it was very interesting. Read, lost some more $$$ in the casino, and went to the VIFP past guest party. I feel kind of "if you've been to one, you've been to them all" about these events, but I always enjoy seeing if there's anyone on board who's done over a hundred cruises on Carnival. On my Liberty cruise in November, there was a guy who was on number 130. Crazy! The party had to deviate from the norm, because the video they always show wouldn't work, but it was a pleasant way to spent 30 minutes! Later in the evening we went to the Blues Brothers show, which was very entertaining (and which featured the cruise director, Chris Roberts, and the assistant cruise director, as the Blues Brothers). Went to bed early, because tomorrow: Juneau!

 

Quite different from Tuesday!

 

 

 

You know when the barf bags are taped up at all of the elevators, they figure people will be needing them!

 

[Jenbo57]

The weather we had on Wednesday followed us up to Juneau: grey skies and rain for most of the day. We hadn't booked anything ahead of time, because I wanted to wait and see what the weather was like, so we walked off the ship at about 9:30 to see what we could find. Joe wanted to go out to Mendenhall Glacier; I was interested in either whale watching or a glacier viewing float plane trip. I knew the plane ride was probably out of the question. I didn't take any pictures of them (I could probably go and find some from previous trips), but there are tour kiosks set up all over the pier. I always tell people it is NOT necessary to book ahead; you will find pretty much anything you want to do being sold right there on the docks!

 

We ended up at Juneau Tours; I booked the 10:00 whale watching trip ($115), and Joe bought tickets with them to go out to Mendenhall for $16 RT (this is what everyone charges). I will say that Juneau Tours has better buses than almost everyone I see going out to the glacier; previously we've gone out there on MGT and their buses are old and kind of scary!

 

I LOVED my whale watching trip! I've seen the humpbacks in Mexico and Hawaii, so it was only natural that I'd want to see them in Alaska. We boarded a bus for the 15 or 20 minute ride out to Auke Bay, and then boarded the Rochelle B. The Rochelle B is a brand new boat, and this was their first tour of the season. I was one of four who got to sit up in the pilot house, which was great! Warm and cozy, and with great views. I picked up a pair of binoculars and became a whale spotter for the captain. We were out on the water for almost two hours, and during that time saw numerous orcas, and about four or five humpbacks. Federal regulations say that you have to stay 300 yards from the whales, so when you see them you get as close as the law permits, and then hope they come to you. Several orcas got close to the boat, but we had to enjoy the humpbacks from a distance. I didn't bring the better of my two cameras with me, so I didn't even attempt to take any pictures of any of them.

 

Boarding the Rochelle B

 

 

 

It was great to sit up here!

 

 

 

Heading out into Auke Bay

 

 

 

When we were sitting still in the water, folks could go out on the bow of the vessel.

 

 

 

NOT my photo, but once or twice, this is what we saw. The rest of the time we saw humps, but no flukes!

 

 

 

Once back at the dock, an eagle stands watch...

 

 

 

I know that there was a group of 12 from our CC roll call that were booked on an 8:30 whale watching tour with Harv & Marv that got canceled due to high wind warnings. Harv & Marv have much smaller boats than what I was on (but come highly recommended). I was glad to have waited to see what was available once I got to Juneau; it would have been really disappointing to have booked/paid for a tour that then got canceled.

 

Next: more Juneau!

[Jenbo57]

While I was watching the whales, Joe went out to Mendenhall Glacier and then took the tram to the top of Mt. Roberts. So much snow at both places!

 

Here are some of his pictures from Mendenhall

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mt. Roberts Tram

 

 

The ship from the tram

 

 

 

Obviously the trails were all covered with snow, but you could still go to the Nature Center and the restaurant/shops

 

[Jenbo57]

After whale watching I went back to the ship to eat some lunch and dry off before heading out again for some shopping. I had planned on visiting the Alaska State Museum (neat little place), but when I had only been back out for a little while it really started pouring, so I hit the glacier silt soap shop and a couple of other places, visited Patsy Ann, and returned to the Miracle. We had planned a CC get-together at the Red Dog Saloon at 8:00 p.m., so I wanted to be rested/warm/dry for that!

 

Downtown Juneau from the bow of the ship

 

 

 

Douglas Island, from our balcony

 

 

 

Downtown Juneau

 

 

 

Everyone's always on the lookout for eagles, but I love the ravens!

 

 

 

A visit to Juneau is not complete until you've stopped by to see Patsy Ann! http://www.patsyann.com/story/index.htm

 

[Jenbo57]

By the time 8:00 rolled around, we'd found out that a lot of folks who had planned on meeting up at the Red Dog had gone in there earlier in the day and didn't want to go back out. Five of us ended up meeting up for a drink or two, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. If you've never been, make a point to stop in and at least look around. Typical bar food, and a great atmosphere. It was nice that we were the only ship in port; the place was not crowded at all (I've been in Juneau where the place was so packed they couldn't let anyone else inside).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're going up later this season on the Miracle, see if you can find this and add your sailing date/names below it! (Writing on the walls is encouraged; bring Sharpies!)

 

 

 

Leaving Juneau behind

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow: Skagway!

[firefly333]

Very interesting. I am on Miracle to Alaska late August and hoping the weather is better than some of the rainy days I see you had. I plan to bring only a poncho to keep dry. I hope its enough.

 

I dont mind the water being rough and have seen the barf bags more than a few times, and that doesnt bother me, but I dont want bad weather to see the sights.

[SweetpeaOne]

Very nice review. Love the pictures. Will check back daily to hear the rest..Thanks for sharing.

[LUVMYGSDOG]

I am enjoying your review and pics very much! I have a long, long time to wait till my Alaska cruise on NCL (September 2014!) so I will be keeping myself busy reading Alaska reviews till then!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review.....thanks for taking the time to write it!

 

Also, thanks for your comments regarding Carnival vs. NCL for Alaska cruises. I have been questioning if I made the correct choice choosing NCL for Alaska and you made me feel better about it!

 

 

 

Kim

[Izzybeff]

With NCL boats, you need to check and make sure they haven't been remodeled. Some of them have taken that lounge area at the very top and made it into suites unfortunately. I truly enjoyed my trip on the Sun last year because of the lounge area on the top deck.

 

I'm cruising on the Miracle on June 4th. You went to Juneau first? I had to quick check our itinerary, we sail to Skagway first and then Juneau.

[JaniceB]

Enjoy your reviewing, reliving some of the scenery from my trip last year. You had a lot more snow than we did.

[Jldevlin]

You are right about the type of ship for Alaska.When you are in the Caribean it really does not matter about a view from above. But in Alaska it is a huge deal.We are on Celebrity Century in 2 weeks and we booked it because of the great lounge on top. But for Hawaii we went with the Carnival Miracle because it does not matter as much.

[oceanlvr1016]

Do you remember what time the main dining room is open for breakfast?

AND

I'm wondereing about the temperature inside. I realize in mid-June that the outside temps will be cooler than in Missouri, but am guessing that packing for evenings indoors will be the same as any other cruise. Right?

[Rachel83706]

Looking forward to your review, we're on the Miracle to Alaska August 20, 2013. Really looking forward to this cruise, first time to Alaska. I hope you got some picture of the ship. We'll be on the Empress deck midship with a balcony - my first requirement to go on a cruise.:p

 

I am also on the Aug. 20 cruise :) (Are you part of a group by any chance?)

 

This will be my 3rd time to Alaska - you will LOVE it!! :D

Edited May 9, 2013 by Rachel83706

[jimbo5544]

Very interesting. I am on Miracle to Alaska late August and hoping the weather is better than some of the rainy days I see you had. I plan to bring only a poncho to keep dry. I hope its enough.

 

I dont mind the water being rough and have seen the barf bags more than a few times, and that doesnt bother me, but I dont want bad weather to see the sights.

We have done two Alaskan cruises and while they were a little different than the op's, a lot is still the same. Weather wise. you should expect to get wet. We had rain most days (some of the area is a rain forest....not tropical but still a rain forrest). Layers of clothing are key. We went in July and experienced 40's to 70's (two cruises). Edited May 9, 2013 by jimbo5544

[jimbo5544]

Op, very nice review so far. Love your pictures, makes me want to do it again.