Just off the Miracle to Hawaii 12/6 - 12/21

[love my grandkids]

I was told by three different crew members (including an officer) that we did indeed have 17' seas at one point. That's when they put the barf bags out by the elevators, and my son said there was vomit in the aft elevator. Deck 5 was flooded, deck 4 suffered water damage as a result. My neighboring cabin mates said their room phone never worked, and they were given three different remotes to try on their TV, and it never worked either. One fellow I spoke to down at guest services said his toilet wasn't working for two days and he was downstairs yet again to complain about low water pressure in his shower. I personally knew of people who were getting double billed for everything from bar services to getting charged $40 for a bottle of water. I paid $160 for the internet package, and had to visit guest services multiple times because even though I signed out, it was still eating up my minutes. And it was so painfully slow I couldn't even print off my boarding passes. One fellow got so frustrated with it, he smashed his fists down on the keyboard. There were empty soap dispensers in the public washrooms (even after "suggesting" they should be filled). The casino was way too smoky and they need to install ozone generators or air purifiers to rid the smell. The smoke reached as far back as the atrium bar at times and my wife is HIGHLY allergic to cigarette smoke. The crew did their best under the circumstances, but things certainly could have been handled better. Maybe in retrospect, this just wasn't this ship for us. I hope her upgrades do more for her reputation.

 

I will agree with you on the internet. They changed to direct tv apparently and for 3 days straight going to Hawaii no service. Than it worked sporadically the rest of the cruise.

 

Did go to guest services and several times they reset my minutes back to the oriiginal 240 I purchased.

 

We heard of no billing problems and thought the casino was about as smoky as normal. Restrooms had soap in all dispensers we went to

[Taters]

I was on this cruise and loved it! Sure, there was some weather. Seas were reported at 10-15 ft. for most of the crossing from Long Beach to Hawaii. But hey - We're cruising and this is Mother Nature and we were so happy to be on board!

 

We thought that the food was great, as we eat most of our meals in the main dining room. We ate at the steakhouse, too, and enjoyed that very much!

 

We had a blast in the casino and the bar staff there are wonderful!

 

The woman who got put off the ship in Ensenada was a problem from the beginning, and the bar staff was very patient with her. According to a bartender that was there when the assualt on the other passenger occured, she smashed a glass into another passengers face. She was under house arrest after that and since she was traveling with her mother, the cruise line put her mother in another cabin altogether.

 

I do not have time to write more right now, but all in all, we had a wonderful time! The service was second to none, the food wonderful, the hot tubs and pools beautiful and I am so very ready to book another cruise on Carnival!

[mickide]

 

We had a blast in the casino and the bar staff there are wonderful!

 

 

OMGosh, the casino staff is awesome on the Miracle! The casino manager, Gonzalo (slot manager), bartender Yuri and bar waiters Vincent & Ryan are the best ever! The Miracle also has a great Hotel Director, Steve Scandale. I just can't say enough about the staff on the Miracle, all this talk makes me want to go back NOW! :p

And if you frequented the Serenity Deck at all, the bar staff there was just as great!

So glad you had a great cruise. To me, every day on a cruise is a great day!

[love my grandkids]

OMGosh, the casino staff is awesome on the Miracle! The casino manager, Gonzalo (slot manager), bartender Yuri and bar waiters Vincent & Ryan are the best ever! The Miracle also has a great Hotel Director, Steve Scandale. I just can't say enough about the staff on the Miracle, all this talk makes me want to go back NOW! :p

And if you frequented the Serenity Deck at all, the bar staff there was just as great!

So glad you had a great cruise. To me, every day on a cruise is a great day!

 

Oh Yes was very impressed with Steve S as hotel director. Great guy,

[cruiser fanatic]

I have a lot of pictures on my son's Blackberry, but not uploaded yet. Let me just say that 17 foot seas, seasickness, flooded decks, broken plumbing, propulsion issues, lost luggage, TV's, toilets, and phones that didn't work, brown water in our sink and tub, our stop in Maui was skipped completely on account of the foul weather, and my old high school cafeteria served up better food. You basically had two choices EVERY SINGLE day at the buffet: Rice or pasta, and/or some mystery meat selection swimming in mystery sauce. The staff all looked like they really didn't want to be there, and when you smiled at them, their smile back at you seemed forced and superficial. Our room attendant was excellent, however. Lemonade was too sour, the coffee was battery acid, and the ice tea tasted (and looked) like swamp water. A woman was placed under house arrest for assaulting a fellow passenger in the casino, (she cut his face with a broken glass), and there was a tragic passing of another guest a few days prior to arriving back in Long Beach. That was this trip in a nutshell. I was never so glad to be off a ship. If anyone else was there on this cruise with us, please chime in with your personal stories/opinion... I am still in disbelief at what transpired.

 

Wow. Sounds like your just not happy with anything!

[YourCruiseGurl]

I just got off this cruise too. Yes, there were some disappointments, but those in no way ruined my experience.

 

There were two things that I wanted to accomplish on this cruise: bury my grandmother at sea (executed beautifully with the help of JH and Miracle staff) and do a luau. We had our luau booked for Maui, so it was really disappointing that we didn't go. However, it's an "excuse" to go back and do it again.

 

I usually cruise the Caribbean from the east coast so cruising from long beach was a little different. They could probably take a few notes from Miami on embarkation and debarkation (missed flights and had to overnight in Dallas: just got home this morning).

 

I had a blast on this cruise. The ship is beautiful, the ports were gorgeous, and the sea days allowed me to be lazy at my full potential.

 

My room was affected by the pipe that burst. Carnival handled it very well.

 

The food was good. I went to the steakhouse and did Chef's table. Both of those were excellent. The lunch buffet had quite a bit of variety along with the standard deli, burgers and pizza. I never did the dinner buffet, so I can't speak on that.

 

I think it's a choice as to how you view life. I heard a lot of complaints on this trip. If I could, I distanced myself from those people. I'm on a cruise to relax and experience new things, not soak up other people's negative energy.

 

I'm planning on doing this itinerary again in 2016. I mean, who goes to Hawaii and doesn't do a luau? Lol

[Podna's]

Thanks for sharing your experience cruisegurl. I'm glad to see that even with a few disappointments you had a great time. Also nice to see the others here that were on this cruise had a favorable experience. Sounds like op was definitely on a different cruise/cruise line.

[lappy22]

I think it's a choice as to how you view life. I heard a lot of complaints on this trip. If I could, I distanced myself from those people. I'm on a cruise to relax and experience new things, not soak up other people's negative energy.

 

Couldn't of said it better. It looks like the op would not of been happy if everything was perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited December 23, 2014 by lappy22

[utopiagal]

I was on this cruise as well. I had the time of my life. Yes, I was disappointed that we didn't get to go to Maui, but that means I will have to plan another cruise to Hawaii. If, I had so many complaints.....I think I would find another way to vacation. How sad to be that miserable.

[susie8862]

I was told by three different crew members (including an officer) that we did indeed have 17' seas at one point. That's when they put the barf bags out by the elevators, and my son said there was vomit in the aft elevator. Deck 5 was flooded, deck 4 suffered water damage as a result. My neighboring cabin mates said their room phone never worked, and they were given three different remotes to try on their TV, and it never worked either. One fellow I spoke to down at guest services said his toilet wasn't working for two days and he was downstairs yet again to complain about low water pressure in his shower. I personally knew of people who were getting double billed for everything from bar services to getting charged $40 for a bottle of water. I paid $160 for the internet package, and had to visit guest services multiple times because even though I signed out, it was still eating up my minutes. And it was so painfully slow I couldn't even print off my boarding passes. One fellow got so frustrated with it, he smashed his fists down on the keyboard. There were empty soap dispensers in the public washrooms (even after "suggesting" they should be filled). The casino was way too smoky and they need to install ozone generators or air purifiers to rid the smell. The smoke reached as far back as the atrium bar at times and my wife is HIGHLY allergic to cigarette smoke. The crew did their best under the circumstances, but things certainly could have been handled better. Maybe in retrospect, this just wasn't this ship for us. I hope her upgrades do more for her reputation.

 

As you state above, your wife cannot be HIGHLY allergic to cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke is an IRRITANT, not an ALLERGEN.

[Cushing985]

I just got off this cruise too. Yes, there were some disappointments, but those in no way ruined my experience.

 

There were two things that I wanted to accomplish on this cruise: bury my grandmother at sea (executed beautifully with the help of JH and Miracle staff) and do a luau. We had our luau booked for Maui, so it was really disappointing that we didn't go. However, it's an "excuse" to go back and do it again.

 

I usually cruise the Caribbean from the east coast so cruising from long beach was a little different. They could probably take a few notes from Miami on embarkation and debarkation (missed flights and had to overnight in Dallas: just got home this morning).

 

I had a blast on this cruise. The ship is beautiful, the ports were gorgeous, and the sea days allowed me to be lazy at my full potential.

 

My room was affected by the pipe that burst. Carnival handled it very well.

 

The food was good. I went to the steakhouse and did Chef's table. Both of those were excellent. The lunch buffet had quite a bit of variety along with the standard deli, burgers and pizza. I never did the dinner buffet, so I can't speak on that.

 

I think it's a choice as to how you view life. I heard a lot of complaints on this trip. If I could, I distanced myself from those people. I'm on a cruise to relax and experience new things, not soak up other people's negative energy.

 

I'm planning on doing this itinerary again in 2016. I mean, who goes to Hawaii and doesn't do a luau? Lol

 

I'm that guy! I've lived in Hawaii for 9 years over the years and gone to many but I'm not a real fan of pork and can't stand poi. Agree though everyone should do at least one.

 

My wife and I did a Hawaiian cruise a couple of years ago on the Spirit and loved every minute of it. Did we have a problem-free cruise? No, they don't exist like most things in life. You learn to flex. Unfortunately, the OP isn't there yet.

[goaties]

As i posted earlier i enjoyed the Miracle and the 15 days to Hawaii and back. Yes, with all cruises there are bumps and groans crossing the seas. The Captain tried his best to make up our 5 hour delay, but just did not make it. I am glad the lady that was taken off in the ambulance was reported to be stable. It was not his fault, he decided to turn back 2.5 hours out from Hawaii and to take her back. Medical issues are major concerns. We just were late and shortened in Ensenada. Trip was terrific. I would go again in a heartbeat.. Enjoy your cruises. Life is short..

[qsuzi]

Sure a cruise is what you make it regardless of things that happen. But where is the balance regarding the OP's comments. Flooded decks, broken plumbing, propulsion issues, lost luggage, TV's, toilets, and phones that didn't work, brown water in our sink and tub are valid issues and if they didn't happen to you on the cruise well great - but that is an unusual number of things to happen on one cruise. Higher seas were to be expected on this itinerary and Carnival did give notice of the propulsion issues. Emergencies happen and sometimes you miss ports - that's life at sea. Saying that sometimes I wish we would all be more understanding, helpful, balanced or kinder in our comments.

Edited December 23, 2014 by qsuzi

[love my grandkids]

As i posted earlier i enjoyed the Miracle and the 15 days to Hawaii and back. Yes, with all cruises there are bumps and groans crossing the seas. The Captain tried his best to make up our 5 hour delay, but just did not make it. I am glad the lady that was taken off in the ambulance was reported to be stable. It was not his fault, he decided to turn back 2.5 hours out from Hawaii and to take her back. Medical issues are major concerns. We just were late and shortened in Ensenada. Trip was terrific. I would go again in a heartbeat.. Enjoy your cruises. Life is short..

 

Something is strange here.

 

We left Kona about 3 pm to go back to Long Beach and not aware of turning around for ill passenger. Are you sure about this? Dont remember this happening and neither does my husband.

 

To help a sick passenger should always do whatever is necessary.

[SadieN]

Something is strange here.

 

 

 

We left Kona about 3 pm to go back to Long Beach and not aware of turning around for ill passenger. Are you sure about this? Dont remember this happening and neither does my husband.

 

 

 

To help a sick passenger should always do whatever is necessary.

 

 

Goaties was on the October HI cruise with us. I think the point is 'ship happens'.

We had smoother seas than the December cruise and were only late to Ensenada because two medical issues, including the turn around out of Hilo.

***

FWIW Mom and Sis got a terrible bronchial illness on the Dec HI cruise. They're looking forward to HI next year.

[goaties]

Yes, October cruise. Enjoy your cruises.

[goaties]

Did Marianne ever get her luggage? she is the one that had a lost suitcase on our cruise. Her husbands dress shoes were in that bag. He had to wear tennis shoes with his suit on formal night she said. Didn't ruin their cruise either. LOL

Oh well, as i said enjoy life. Cruise on.

[Chathamite]

Sure a cruise is what you make it regardless of things that happen. But where is the balance regarding the OP's comments. Flooded decks, broken plumbing, propulsion issues, lost luggage, TV's, toilets, and phones that didn't work, brown water in our sink and tub are valid issues and if they didn't happen to you on the cruise well great - but that is an unusual number of things to happen on one cruise. Higher seas were to be expected on this itinerary and Carnival did give notice of the propulsion issues. Emergencies happen and sometimes you miss ports - that's life at sea. Saying that sometimes I wish we would all be more understanding, helpful, balanced or kinder in our comments.

 

 

Thank-YOU. Of course I'm speaking from my own personal experience onboard and my opinions are strictly mine. This vacation cost me over 10k ($12,000 if you include airfare) as I was in Grand Suite. I THOUGHT Carnival would go out of their way and make this trip unique since Hawaii is considered a dream vacation for most. Instead, *I* was very disappointed, and I spoke to MANY others who shared my sentiments. In my opinion, Carnival had (has) no business sending a vessel out to sea with these kinds of issues. When I plunk down that kind of money for a trip, I expect a little something in return. I was NOT expecting two weeks at the Taj Mahal, but I also wasn't expecting the kinds of problems we faced. Empty soap dispensers are one thing (remember the potential for norovirus exists on ANY cruise), but flooded rooms and decks, to engines not performing up to standard are another. And when you're asking around trying to get answers from employees and receiving three different replies to the same question in return, it does become just a TAD bit frustrating. I stand by my statement that out of 5 cruises now (Victory, Breeze, Ecstasy, Conquest, and Miracle), this one was the most disappointing for us. Matter of fact, the Ecstasy which is almost twice the age as the Miracle, was in much better shape! As least that was my observation.

 

I leave this trip with pleasant memories of Hawaii, even though we missed our helicopter tour and Aquarium visit in Maui. Oh well. That's life and I'm over it. The food was NOT was I was hoping for, and many times I thought my old high school cafeteria served up better grub. Again, people don't need to belittle or lambast me just because I'm speaking from MY own experience. Of course the person next door isn't going to have the same kind of opinion as I do, but there's no reason to bash me because I have an opinion. And this shall be my last discussion on this topic because arguing just wastes time and energy while accomplishing nothing...

[Chathamite]

As you state above, your wife cannot be HIGHLY allergic to cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke is an IRRITANT, not an ALLERGEN.

 

Must we nitpick about THAT, too? "Irritant" or "allergen", it's all the same. My wife becomes PHYSICALLY ILL when exposed to cigarette smoke. Migraines, vertigo, gasping for air, etc. Need I go on, or do you get my point???

[qsuzi]

Thank-YOU. Of course I'm speaking from my own personal experience onboard and my opinions are strictly mine. This vacation cost me over 10k ($12,000 if you include airfare) as I was in Grand Suite. I THOUGHT Carnival would go out of their way and make this trip unique since Hawaii is considered a dream vacation for most. Instead, *I* was very disappointed, and I spoke to MANY others who shared my sentiments. In my opinion, Carnival had (has) no business sending a vessel out to sea with these kinds of issues. When I plunk down that kind of money for a trip, I expect a little something in return. I was NOT expecting two weeks at the Taj Mahal, but I also wasn't expecting the kinds of problems we faced. Empty soap dispensers are one thing (remember the potential for norovirus exists on ANY cruise), but flooded rooms and decks, to engines not performing up to standard are another. And when you're asking around trying to get answers from employees and receiving three different replies to the same question in return, it does become just a TAD bit frustrating. I stand by my statement that out of 5 cruises now (Victory, Breeze, Ecstasy, Conquest, and Miracle), this one was the most disappointing for us. Matter of fact, the Ecstasy which is almost twice the age as the Miracle, was in much better shape! As least that was my observation.

 

I leave this trip with pleasant memories of Hawaii, even though we missed our helicopter tour and Aquarium visit in Maui. Oh well. That's life and I'm over it. The food was NOT was I was hoping for, and many times I thought my old high school cafeteria served up better grub. Again, people don't need to belittle or lambast me just because I'm speaking from MY own experience. Of course the person next door isn't going to have the same kind of opinion as I do, but there's no reason to bash me because I have an opinion. And this shall be my last discussion on this topic because arguing just wastes time and energy while accomplishing nothing...

My comments were not clear so I apologize for that. I meant some of the comments you received from others. You had some very valid points and numerous issues.

[Podna's]

Of course the person next door isn't going to have the same kind of opinion as I do, but there's no reason to bash me because I have an opinion. And this shall be my last discussion on this topic because arguing just wastes time and energy while accomplishing nothing...

 

By the looks of this thread, more than just person next door had a different opinion than you. I knew it was a bs thread when you stated there were only 2 items on the lido buffet. Everyone might not enjoy food on carnival's buffets, but they'll all agree there are many options to like or dislike.

[Chathamite]

By the looks of this thread' date=' more than just person next door had a different opinion than you. I knew it was a bs thread when you stated there were only 2 items on the lido buffet. Everyone might not enjoy food on carnival's buffets, but they'll all agree there are many options to like or dislike.[/quote']

 

Never said such a thing. Don't put words into my mouth please. I meant that THERE WAS NO VARIETY from day to day. It was rice/pasta with a few "side" dishes like mashed potatoes or half-cooked vegetables. There was no creativity. Rice Pilaf, Rice and Broccoli, Rice and Beans, or pasta, penne, bowties and... pasta. Were you there? No.

[Chathamite]

My comments were not clear so I apologize for that. I meant some of the comments you received from others. You had some very valid points and numerous issues.

 

No problem. :) At least you're one of the few on here who can remain civil and level-headed. Thank-you.

Edited December 23, 2014 by Chathamite

[Chathamite]

No problem. :) At least you're one of the few on here who can remain civil and level-headed. Thank-you.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45040432&posted=1#post45040432

[sternfanla]

I also don't remember turning around for a sick passenger.