Carnival Miracle

[lisakay927]

Based on my location and the current price for flights, it looks like we may take the Mexican Riviera cruise in June via the Carnival Miracle. Any thoughts regarding this particular ship? I've scanned the Boards and it gets a decent rating from Cruise Critic members. Couple of questions: Is there a big difference between a regular balcony and an extended balcony? Should I pay the difference? Also which deck is better, the Panorama, Verandah or Empress?

 

Thank you all again for your input.

[rudechuck]

I was waiting to see if someone who's actually been on the Miracle would reply to you, but since no one has as yet, I'll give you my two cents.

 

I booked the Miracle for July 4. She is currently on her first cruise out of dry dock, having just received some upgrades/changes, and correction of its prior propulsion problems (hopefully). Looking forward to reviews next week.

 

I can't comment on the differences between balconies. I've never had an extended balcony. We're booked in a standard balcony room, and for two of us, it's sufficient. I wouldn't pay more.

 

The Miracle is smaller than the Liberty, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Fewer passengers, easier to navigate.

 

Most of the indoor action will be on decks 2 and 3: Dining room, casino, Alchemy Bar, Sports Bar, Red Frog Pub, nightclub, main show lounge, shops, etc. Empress (deck 6) will be closer to these decks. Panorama is right under the Lido deck. Closer to the pools and buffet, but you might get noise in the morning when they are setting up loungers and tables.

 

Hope that helps some.

Edited March 26, 2015 by rudechuck

[n6uqqq]

Empress and Verandah decks are sandwiched between other decks with staterooms so they are you best bet if you like less noise. The extended on the Miracle is about 2 feet wider than standard. If you choose an extended and want a better view don't book the area near the end or beginning of the extended balconies because your view to the front or rear will be cut short because the regular balconies jut out and block the view. On the link below you can see how wide an extended balcony is. Regular extended are not this long but are just as wide.

 

 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/79626726@N05/

[Kobayashi]

Great ship! You can review my review of the Miracle from the Mexican Riviera cruise in November here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2132496

 

Chef's table review from the Miracle as well:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2130964

 

She just got out of dry dock and is on her first sailing. I'm sailing on her in three weeks and will probably do another review.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Coloradodude]

We just got off the Miracle. We were on the 8th floor on the aft. Loved it. Only 1 floor up to the Serenity deck and the buffet.

[elsbarre]

We sail may 9 in an extended balcony on deck 8. Very excited. Not sure about the differences, but I know it's a little bigger so works for me! :)

[wareaglefan]

I love the Spirit class of ship that she is. Smaller than the Liberty that you have sailed on. So easy to get around, I loved the decor. That is one ship that I took tons of photos, she was that interesting. We've always just sailed in regular balcony so nothing to add to the extend. You will love this ship and have a great cruise. Wish she would come back to Miami.

[goduckies05]

I look forward to sailing her again May 2nd. Amazing ship Serinity in the back on the lido is the perfect place for it.

[BK512]

I was on the Miracle in February. As previously stated, easy to navigate (But I swear it took me 6 days to figure out forward vs aft when walking the length...I'd end up in the wrong place ALL the time! But all that walking just let me have another dessert with dinner)

 

We had an aft facing extended balcony on the Verandah deck. Loved the location, loved the balcony (whale watching!), and no noise from much of anywhere, other than engine noise. I recommend it.

 

I never felt crowded with passengers. We never had lines for shows. We had a great time. I'm sure that with the upgrades, you'll have a great time.

[lisakay927]

We just got off the Miracle. We were on the 8th floor on the aft. Loved it. Only 1 floor up to the Serenity deck and the buffet.

Thank you so much for your review. Did you plan any shore excursions in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, did you book through Carnival or an external excursion company?

[lisakay927]

Great ship! You can review my review of the Miracle from the Mexican Riviera cruise in November here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2132496

 

Chef's table review from the Miracle as well:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2130964

 

She just got out of dry dock and is on her first sailing. I'm sailing on her in three weeks and will probably do another review.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you so much for your review; very helpful. Did you plan any shore excursions in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, did you book through Carnival or an external excursion company?

[lisakay927]

Pay close attention to the location of the balcony, regardless of size. Many balconies are positioned over the lifeboats, which (in my opinion) restricts the view. That's one complaint I have about this class of ship. Some balconies, either fore or aft, aren't over the lifeboats and as a result you don't have to look down onto a lifeboat.

 

The Miracle is a nice ship. The decor is a bit odd, but many of Carnival's ships suffer from the same Farcus fracas. There will be a LOT of kids and college types, but I predict if you go with that in mind, you'll have a good time. I love the Mexican Riviera, though prefer to cruise there in the winter. Have a great time and let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the response. One of the other cruisers recommended not to reserve a room near the end or beginning of the extended balconies so that's what I'm going to try to do. I'm traveling with my 14 year old twin boys so it sounds like they'll have a blast. I'd much rather travel in the winter too as I know how hot/humid it will be but with school, etc., it makes it difficult. I'll just plan to stay in the pool for a while. :)

[jeepster93]

A pic of the Miracle in Cabo, last year. That port is tendered.

 

 

I loved the ship. The food was good. A lot of kids.

I did the excursions through Carnival. Did the snorkel trip from Cabo and the Sea lion encounter in PV. Did the ship tour, that was pretty cool if you have not done it. The snorkel was really cool, in a couple ways, lots of fish and COLD water. There were a couple of shots of the local tequila waiting as anti-freze, and it worked. The sea lion encounter...ehhh, was for the young.

[Buckett]

Thank you so much for your review. Did you plan any shore excursions in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, did you book through Carnival or an external excursion company?

 

OP, I just did the Miracle last month (3rd time) and had a really good time. Sis and I did an excursion through Carnival in Cabo, can't remember the name of it but it took us to a glass blowing factory, and out to San Jose del Cabo. It was reasonably priced and our guide was great. Normally I book private, but we had a really short port time there so we booked through the ship to ensure we'd be able to get off and do something, and get back in time! haha Now that hopefully they've fixed the propulsion issues, you will have more time in port.

 

Enjoy! I really like the Miracle and can't say enough about how much fun we had. :D

[JLee1973]

I have sailed twice on the Miracle with a third booked for September. I love the ship. If you plan on doing anything on your balcony (I like to have room service breakfast in the morning) get the extended balcony. I would go deck 6 or deck 7 as on deck 8 you are below lido. Deck 6 and Deck 7 you have other staterooms above and below. On my last cruise I stayed in 6220 which was toward the front. I had a large metal area that extended out that blocked my view of the front and I would not book that room again. If you stay in the middle section of the extended balcony's you would be okay.

[lisakay927]

I have sailed twice on the Miracle with a third booked for September. I love the ship. If you plan on doing anything on your balcony (I like to have room service breakfast in the morning) get the extended balcony. I would go deck 6 or deck 7 as on deck 8 you are below lido. Deck 6 and Deck 7 you have other staterooms above and below. On my last cruise I stayed in 6220 which was toward the front. I had a large metal area that extended out that blocked my view of the front and I would not book that room again. If you stay in the middle section of the extended balcony's you would be okay.

Thank you John. I really appreciate the feedback.

 

Did you book any shore excursions for Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, were they through Carnival or an outside company?

[K&P Luv2Cruise]

Thanks for the response. One of the other cruisers recommended not to reserve a room near the end or beginning of the extended balconies so that's what I'm going to try to do. I'm traveling with my 14 year old twin boys so it sounds like they'll have a blast....

 

We have sailed on the Miracle numerous times, and her sister ship Pride. We had an extended balcony on Deck 7 (7176) and found this to be a great location, but if we were any more forward, the view would have been blocked more looking forward. We also found this balcony could easily handle a deck lounger, but we had to ask the Room Steward to get one for us (two chairs and a small round table are standard).

 

Take a look at the picture posted by 'jeepster93'...7176 is above the second white topped lifeboat.

 

We also stayed in 8200 on the Pride, which is a regular balcony, and it is located in the 'jutted out' section between the two sets of lifeboats. While the Lido deck is right above, this particular cabin was under the carpeted buffet area, so no noise from above was heard.

[maritaysa]

When we did the MR a few years ago, we did the Los Veranos canopy ziplining tour (private co). We did a timeshare meeting in Mazatlan and used the hotel's pool. Food and drink were free. We just walked around Cabo.

[Bsbllmom]

I was on the Miracle in February. As previously stated, easy to navigate (But I swear it took me 6 days to figure out forward vs aft when walking the length...I'd end up in the wrong place ALL the time! But all that walking just let me have another dessert with dinner)

 

We had an aft facing extended balcony on the Verandah deck. Loved the location, loved the balcony (whale watching!), and no noise from much of anywhere, other than engine noise. I recommend it.

 

I never felt crowded with passengers. We never had lines for shows. We had a great time. I'm sure that with the upgrades, you'll have a great time.

 

I was wondering if we would see whales from our aft facing balcony. I would love to see some.

[BK512]

Thank you John. I really appreciate the feedback.

 

Did you book any shore excursions for Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, were they through Carnival or an outside company?

 

I did a snorkel/sail excursion in Cabo, and was very disappointed. The snorkel area was very small, which was okay, but the current was extremely strong. Even though I swam competitively for 10 years (Granted, many years ago) and was wearing fins, I could BARELY make it going against the current. I ended up back at the boat, exhausted. I think I saw one fish. Once we moved on to the "sail" part (which had no sail...the boat had no mast for sails!), it was enjoyable

 

BUT>....In Puerto Vallarta, we did the "Rhythms Of The Night" tour. I can't say enough good things about this. The boat ride over to the resort was so fun, then we arrived at the resort, dinner on the beach by candle light, and a spectacular show. Then, another FUN ride back (Ask Assistant CD Emma about the "Greased Lightning" sing along...people were crazy) arriving in time for sail away. Expensive, but so, so worth it.

 

Enjoy! I want to go back now!