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

[vbecky]

Does anyone happen to know if covered pool area is somewhat heated? thanks

[vbecky]

Really Nice review

I love all your photos

Some are the same as mine ;)

It was nice re living the cruise once again now that I have had a chance to breathe

What with the baby (thank goodness she waiting for me to get home)

and Mother's day week end in a floral shop :eek:

 

I scanned the tear out sections of the fun times for someone who posted on our Roll Call

I can post them if you like or e-mail them to those who would like them

 

I would love to have the sections of the fun times if you don't mind sending them to me? Thanks

[mj]

This was my 7th cruise on Carnival, and 4th Alaska cruise. I've also gone up there on Celebrity, Holland America, and Norwegian. If I had to say which was my favorite, I'd probably choose NCL. I like the whole Freestyle thing, and the Pearl was a great ship for this itinerary. HAL also does a great job, and I like that several of their itineraries include Sitka. I have a love/hate thing with Carnival, always saying my next Carnival cruise will be my last, but overall they did just fine. No complaints whatsoever about the food, service, etc. Would I go to Alaska again with them? Probably not (see below). But it's great that there are so many ships/itineraries to choose from, isn't it?!?

 

What I liked:

 

- It was great being the only ship in port at all of our ports. None of those places are much fun when overcrowded with cruise ship passengers.

 

- I loved seeing so much ice and snow! The scenery really does change with the seasons, and this was the first time I got to see what winter looks like up there (since winter lingered longer than usual)!

 

- The pricing on this one was unbelievable. We paid $619 (+ tax) per person for our obstructed view balcony. Pretty much unheard of for Alaska. I think the cheapest I've paid prior was around $2,500 (for two) for a regular balcony, and I thought that was a pretty good deal. The balcony was fine; if you're trying to save money but really want a balcony, book one of these without hesitation.

 

 

What I didn't like:

 

- Being so early in the season, there were things I wanted to do that I couldn't, because they weren't open/available yet. The ferry from Skagway to Haines and a trip to Tracy Arm Fjord were two things that I had hoped to do but couldn't. I've been there now in early May, June (twice) and August; when we go back again next year or the year after, I think I'll aim for as late in the season as possible.

 

- I did not like that the Miracle had no forward facing lounge. It doesn't sound like a big of a deal, but folks who've cruised Alaska before on a ship that has one know what I'm talking about!

 

 

All in all, it was a great 8 days! There was some good weather, there was some not so good weather; that's just part of the experience! Hanging out at the Red Dog Saloon is always fun. The drive to the Yukon was like experiencing a winter wonderland; truly amazing. I loved the exploration we did outside Ketchikan. And last night my husband said that he's ready to go again, so I've already started looking at what's available for 2014.

 

Thanks, everyone, for checking out my review.

 

Happy cruising!!! :)

 

 

Thanks for sharing. Was on the same cruise as you. Now after doing this, we would like to go to Alaska in a different time of the year to see what Alaska looks like after the snow melts.

 

Great review and pictures.

[Snowball]

Thanks for sharing. Was on the same cruise as you. Now after doing this, we would like to go to Alaska in a different time of the year to see what Alaska looks like after the snow melts.

 

Great review and pictures.

 

We were on the same cruise too, and we feel the same way. I've done the first cruise of the season, now I'd love to do the last cruise of the season so we can see the difference.

 

Great review Jen!

[MsABGilroy]

We were on the same cruise too, and we feel the same way. I've done the first cruise of the season, now I'd love to do the last cruise of the season so we can see the difference.

 

Great review Jen!

We were on Miracle (April 29th) too! Now we're booked on the Miracle on Sept. 3 :) It's the RT from Seattle--not the last cruise of the season but the second to last.

[Koval]

I would love to have the sections of the fun times if you don't mind sending them to me? Thanks

Send me an e-mail or post your e-mail address :)

Mine is hhmiracle@centurytel.net

and I will send you a copy

[ahottoddie]

Thank you so much for posting this very thorough review...and what great pics!!! We will be on the Miracle on Aug 27th and I was hoping to have some idea of the ship and ports prior to that...Now we are looking forward to our trip even more!!!:cool:

[HarleyNana11]

Will you please post afterwards about which nights are 'cruise elegant'? Since this cruise - I'm sailing 7/23/13 - has its 4 port days at the end of the cruise, with the final night a 7pm-11pm in Victoria, BC., I would find it odd to have the 2nd formal night then. Have a fabulous cruise!!

Elegant nights are Wednesday and sunday

[Rachel83706]

Thanks for the review -

 

I wanted to ask about your bed. There is a thread on here about the "rock hard mattresses" on the Miracle. I have fibromyalgia, and I am worried! :eek:

 

Were they really bad ... I am bringing egg crate toppers. I am hoping that will help.

[Princess Ariel]

Thank you for taking the time to do this review! Loved it and can't wait to take an Alaskan cruise one day (hopefully soon)!

[MsABGilroy]

Thank you for taking the time to do this review! Loved it and can't wait to take an Alaskan cruise one day (hopefully soon)!

I'm sure you'll love it when you get to go! I was just looking at your past sailings--think it's kind of unique the way you celebrate your anniversaries! We sailed on the Inspiration once--Angie

[JaniceB]

Really enjoyed your review and the shore excursions you shared.

 

My first trip to Alaska was last year on the Spirit, same design as Miracle, and loved the fact that we were able to see the ports uncrowded and Glacier Bay. We had an aft wrap, but I think if I were to not have one I would prefer a forward viewing area as you mentioned other ships have. It is something for me to think about if I ever get to book another cruise and how many ships are in port is another factor. I loved being in the casino and being able to see out the windows as we were cruisin.

[SoCalKJ]

I really enjoyed the pictures...we did Alaska on the Spirit in '11...first trip out in May...so I understand the whole "way too early" experience, but the snow/winter wonderland is just so beautiful, it's hard to stay bummed for long.

 

We vowed that when we go again, we're going to wait until later in the summer so we can experience a warmer, greener, fishier, etc. experience. Having said that, we've got July, 2014 booked!! I really hope we get what we've waited for.

 

Thanks again for some cool tips....never considered renting a car instead of locking down an excursion.

[centralcalicruzer]

Great review, wonderful photos! Thanks for the link to the story of Patsy Ann - I had never heard of her, and now look forward to seeing the statue in Juneau!

[Jenbo57]

It was great meeting you and Joe. Christine and I had a blast hanging out with you guys. Doing the roll call made this cruise that much more enjoyable and I highly suggest that everyone participate in them.

 

I have a new desire to do more cruises and hopefully we can meet up with you guys again in the future.

 

You captured some things that we didn't get to do so I'm sure there will be a third trip to Alaska in our future. ;)

 

 

Gee, thanks, Don; you and Christine were awesome! I still laugh thinking about her knocking on doors on deck 5, trying to find us! :)

 

We'll keep in touch via Facebook, and hopefully our paths will cross again some day!

[Jenbo57]

Wanting to hit the Like button on so many of these posts!

To bad there is not that function here :(

 

 

Thanks, Marie, and especially for all the hard work you did to make this cruise special for everyone! I hope to sail with you again some day! :)

[Jenbo57]

Great review, Jennifer, and awesome pictures. It was great to meet you and Joe. Laughed out loud at the pic of your bed arrangement, knowing your relationship!

 

BTW - we were on the Behind the Fun tour with Joe. That was me JOKING about the swan soap being white chocolate. I mean, we were in the steakhouse with its awesome desserts, so a gal can hope, you know?!

 

We plan to head North to Alaska again someday! Maybe we'll see you on the Klondike Highway again!

 

 

Yeah, the look on Joe's face when we opened our cabin door was pretty priceless! ;)

 

Oh my gosh, I can't believe that was you who thought the soap was white chocolate! I will admit that I thought the same thing when I did the tour on the Splendor in '09.

 

Yup, we'll be back, too. Not sure when...probably in 2015.

 

It was great meeting the two of you; take care, and be careful out there on that Harley!!!

Edited June 11, 2013 by Jenbo57

[Jenbo57]

We were on the same cruise too, and we feel the same way. I've done the first cruise of the season, now I'd love to do the last cruise of the season so we can see the difference.

 

Great review Jen!

 

 

Thanks, Deb! I still can't believe our paths never crossed. I so wanted to meet you... :(

[Jenbo57]

Now we're booked on the Miracle on Sept. 3 :) It's the RT from Seattle--not the last cruise of the season but the second to last.

 

 

Oh Angie, really?!?!

 

Now you're giving me ideas!!! Hhhhmmm...

[Jenbo57]

Thanks for the review -

 

I wanted to ask about your bed. There is a thread on here about the "rock hard mattresses" on the Miracle. I have fibromyalgia, and I am worried! :eek:

 

Were they really bad ... I am bringing egg crate toppers. I am hoping that will help.

 

 

I thought my bed was just fine; not too hard, not too soft. My brother had no complaints about his either, and he tends to have back problems.

 

Hopefully you'll do just fine! :)

[MsABGilroy]

Oh Angie, really?!?!

 

Now you're giving me ideas!!! Hhhhmmm...

The Sept. 3 sailing isn't quite the steal that the April 29th one was but it's still a good deal!

[Joycie99]

Thank you so much for posting such a detailed account of your trip at the end of April 2013. We are booked on our first Alaska cruise at the End of April 2014, and I've been getting all the information I can. Can't predict the weather, but your pictures still made it look absolutely beautiful I'm super excited now!:D:D:D

[CanWeGoYet?]

I thought my bed was just fine; not too hard, not too soft. My brother had no complaints about his either, and he tends to have back problems.

 

Hopefully you'll do just fine! :)

 

I have severe back problems, and my bed on the Miracle was just fine. On the Inspiration though, it didn't even feel like a mattress. Felt like I was sleeping on a bunch of tightly rolled bath blankets - no give & hard as a rock. I might have been better off sleeping on the floor as that bed.

[mississauga]

The pricing on this one was unbelievable. We paid $619 (+ tax) per person for our obstructed view balcony. Pretty much unheard of for Alaska. I think the cheapest I've paid prior was around $2,500 (for two) for a regular balcony, and I thought that was a pretty good deal. The balcony was fine; if you're trying to save money but really want a balcony, book one of these without hesitation.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I have been looking at this same cruise for 2014. Mostly because DH's birthday is May 2 and co-incidentally on the same day, 5th day of the cruise, we would become Diamond on the same day.

 

Since we have heard and read that you can never count on what the weather will be like in Alaska, we are taking our chances going so early in the season...lol. Have read of bad weather later in the season also. Except for one bad day, you seemed to have ok days on this cruise? Are the temps really that much different in June, July or August? Looking at the temp charts, it looks like only a difference of 1-5 degrees? Has that been your experience?

 

You did get a fantastic price. Right now the 2014 pricing is a bit higher but still lower than later in the season. Did you get this price by booking early early or was it was a late booking after drops in price.

 

Thanks for sharing your photos.

Edited February 5, 2014 by mississauga