Miracle 9/25/05 Review!

[gtalum]

I am 29 and my wife is 27. We are both young professionals and we have no children yet. We were assigned late seating at a two person table, as requested.

 

9/25/05 Embarkation and Departure

 

Embarkation went extremely smoothly, aside from my wicked hangover. Some friends dropped us off at th epier at 11:30 Am, after a wild party at their house the night before. :)

 

We checked in with no problems, and after about 15 minutes waiting in the terminal, we were on board shortly after noon.

 

Once on board we headed straight to the specialty steakhouse, Nick and Nora's, and made a reservation for Wednesday at 8 pm. Then we headed back down to the Lido deck for lunch. It was crowded, but the food was quite good. The cabins still weren't ready as of 1 pm, so we wandered around the ship a bit until about 1:30, when the door to our hallway was finally opened. What a beuatiful ship the Miracle is! Our cabin was an aft balcony, 5268. It was excellent! Our cabin steward, Anthony, did a superb job all week. After meeting him on day 1, we really only saw him eonce or twice a day in the hallways, but the room was kept immaculate.

 

Mrs. Alum took a brief nap once in our cabin, and I unpacked the three (out of our 4) bags that had shown up already. Just before 4 o'clock they held the lifeboat drill, which was relatively painless. We took care to be the very last to arrive at lifeboat station D, so we only had to stand there for about 10 minutes.

 

After lifeboat drill we headed up to the main poll (Ulysses) where we spent time enjoying the sailaway party music and watching the Hillsborough County Sheriff deputy in his boat chasing off boats who strayed too close.

 

Around 5 we went back to the cabin to change into our dinner attire, so that we could watch the passage under the Sunshine Skyway at ~6 pm. It was pretty spectacular to see how close the funnel came to the bridge. Incidentally we watched from the topless deck, and I had a camera in spite of the clear signs forbidding them on that deck. A few other couples were there (alas no one was topless!) to watch the spectacle.

 

After clearing the bridge we headed to the casino, where I proceeded to win about $60 before the welcome aboard show. After the show, around 8 we headed to Jeeves Lounge on deck 2 near the restaurant, and had a drink as we watched everyone lin eup for late seating at 8:15. I can't figure out why people feel the need to stand in a massive line waiting to get into the restaurant. They're not going to run out of food! The line finally died down at about 8:25 when we finally proceeded in to find our table, #146, at the very aft of the restaurant in the port corner.

 

We found the service to be excellent and the food to be good. Our waiter was Valentine, from Jamaica. He was very friendly, and as I said the service was prompt and thorough. After dinner we went to the Mad Hatter's Ball theater for karaoke, where Mrs. Alum sang "Why Haven't I Heard From You". We called it an early night due to our weakened state from partying the night before.

[gtalum]

9/26/05 Fun Day at Sea

 

This day was extremely relaxed. We had breakfast by room service at 10, and headed up to the aft adults-only pool (Orpheus) to get some sun and do nothing. We met a very nice newlywed couple from Cleveland, and spent the day hopping in and out of the pool and hot tub and sunning. I also managed to get in several runs on the waterslide. Before I got there it was all kids, but I couldn't resist the fun! We headed in for Tea at 3 PM, which was quite nice.

 

Tonight was the first formal night and the captain's welcome aboard gala. We headed to the Phantom Theater for our free drinks and the show, and waited for dinner this time in the Gotham Lounge on deck three where the line into the restaurant cleared much more quickly. We made a much more interesting entrance via the spiral staircase inside the restaurant. I brought my first of three bottles of wine to dinner this night, and we were not charged the $10 corkage fee. I think this was partially because someone had sat at our table, and our waiter did not immediately realize that it wasn't us until we showed up. The intruding couple was shooed off quickly and everythign was okay.

 

After hitting a few bars, we again called it a pretty early night.

 

9/27/05 - Grand Cayman

 

After another room service breakfast, we headed down to the Phantom Theater at 8:30 to see about tender tickets. I was informed that since we didn't have a Carnival excursion booked for Grand Cayman, we had to wait for the all clear. She didn't know when the all clear would come. So of course we headed down to Deck A anyway and just boarded the next tender. How efficient. :D

 

We rented a Jeep from Cico Avis, and toured teh island on our own. Driving on the left was a new adventure, but one soon mastered. We visited "Hell", which was incredibly un-thrilling. I was really glad we hadn't paid for an excursion there. We then drove around the island to Rum Point, which was a fabulous secluded beach run by the Hyatt. All along the highway to Rum Point, the heavy damage from Hurricane Ivan last year was evident. Most of the homes we saw were brand new, and the ones that weren't showed severe damage. Most had no roofs on them. You could see cargo containers everywhere, which apparently had been used for shelter in the immediate aftermath of Ivan when almost no buildings were habitable.

 

After lunch we headed back to the airport to drop off our Jeep, and got a ride back to the pier. Once onboard it was back to the Lido deck where Mrs. Alum read a book and I hit the waterslide again. Dinner was th susual affair, and again we visited a few bars before retiring to bed.

[gtalum]

9/28/05 - Costa Maya

 

It was a pretty late arrival into Costa Maya, around 11 AM as I recall. We skipped breakfast, and instead had lunch on the Lido deck before disembarking on the Costa Maya pier. We were joined in Costa Maya only by Holland America's Zuiderdam, so it was a pretty quiet day. Mrs. Alum and I managed to be some of the first people into the town of Majahual, after catching a van from the port. We each enjoyed massages, 40 minutes for $20. Much better than the prices available on the ship. We then strolled around the town, which still has the feel of a real fishing village. Between the port and the town, though, you can see major development happening, and I bet within a decade the place is indistinguishable from Cozumel or Cancun farther up the coast. We enjoyed lunch at a beachside restaurant, which was cheap and good. Then we headed back to the port, dropped our stuff at the ship, and explored the port area. In the port we bought Mrs. Alum a nice Mexican dress. the proprietress of the store had it priced at a ridiculous $80. Mrs. Alum repeatedly said she was only willing to pay $20, and the woman finally came down to $30. We bought it, and probably still paid too much! :D At Costa Maya I also indulged in my silent protest of the Cuban trade embargo by buying a cuban cigar for enjoyment on the ship.

 

On reboarding it was back to the Lido Deck for some more sun and slide fun. :)

 

Tonight was the night we went to Nick and Nora's for dinner. We brought our second bottle of wine to dinner there, and this time I was charged the $10 corkage fee to open it. I had the Porterhouse and Mrs. Alum had the Surf and Turf. the food was good, and better than the main dining room, bu tnot good enough IMHO to justify the extra $30 per person charge. I did tip the staff a bit more after dinner because I feel they did provide good service to us.

 

9/29/05 - Belize

 

For me this turned out to be the most fun port of the trip. We had the 10:00 Lost World Canopy Tour booked, and met in the Theater at the appointed time. We were escorted to a waiting high speed tender and went on the long ride into shore. The ship has to park far out from Belize City, about 5 miles, because of a massive coral reef off the coast. Once ashore we caught an old but air-conditioned school bus to the Lost World Canopy Tour area. The ride consisted of a brief tour of Belize City before following the Western Highway for about 30 minutes. Then we got off on a bone-jarring dirt road for another 30 minutes or so. Then we had to get on an even rougher dirt road to get back to the collapsed cave that make up the canopy tour area.

 

This tour was absolutely amazing. I don't want to ruin it for people who might choose to take it (and I highly recommend it!) but the tour is basically 5 zip-line traverses which take you as high as 200 feet above the ground with nothing below you but your harness and many trees. The tour lasts about 90 minutes, and the guides were some of the friendliest people we met on our cruise. We returned via the same rough roads, and just made the last passenger tender back to the ship.

 

Tonight was the second formal night. It was also the night of the special Midnight Gala Buffet. We did go in to look at it during the picture taking time, but we were still full from dinner so we didn't eat anythign on it. We just went to bed instead, as we had an early and long day planned in Cozumel the next day.

[gtalum]

9/30/05 - Cozumel

 

We had an early room-service breakfast, and reported to the Phantom as required at 8:30. The ship was a bit late docking in Cozumel, but we were off by 9 Am. We caught a ferry right from the Puerta Maya pier to Playa del Carmen. From there we caught a bus to the Tulum Ruins south of PdC. the ruins were fantastic, situated right on the Caribbean Sea. It was extremely hot outside, but that's okay. We then heade dback to PdC where we caught the ferry back to Cozumel. We dropped our stuiff at the ship and took a cab into San Miguel, the main city on Cozumel. We proceeded to tie one on pretty well at Carlos n Charlies and Senor Frog's. On the way back to the ship, Mrs. Alum and I were alternating shouting "estamos borrachos" ("we're drunk" in spanish), much to the amsuement of everyone working in the duty-free shops along the pier and some crewmember of Carnival Conquest docked right next to us.

 

Tonight was extremely quiet on the ship. I wonder why. :D

 

10/1/05 - Fun Day at Sea

 

Today is the last real day of the cruise. We were both a bit depressed at the prospect of packing and leaving the ship. We enjoyed a lazy day on the Lido deck. It was raining off and on, as we were running just eahead of soon-to-be Tropical Storm Stan. We sat at a table under the cover at the Sirens Pool, just forward of the Ulysses pool. We packed before dinner. After dinner we enjoyed the farewell party in Frankenstein's lounge befor eheading off to sleep.

 

10/2/05 - Disembarkation

 

Disembarkation was a bit of a zoo. "Relaxed" disembarkation offers the advantage of being fast, but once off the hsip everyone is looking for luggage at the same time. After clearing customes (which consisted of handing the custoems form to a bored official) we were told we had to wait across the street for our friend to pick us up. Instead we walked down the length of CHannelside to Hooters, where we waited in shade and quiet. Overall it was a depressing day. Can you believe they had the nerve to make us leave the ship?!?

[gtalum]

Overall Impressions

 

The trip was a wonderful one. One of my favorite vacations so far, for sure. The ship was beautiful, the staff was attentive, and the entertainment, for the most part, was quite good. The cabin was quite comfortable.

 

I have a few specific suggestions on the shows. Go see Ticket to Ride. It's on the second formal night, and it's a fantastic tribute to the Beatles. I don't even care for Beatles music much, and I still loved it. Skip the hypnotist. I was one of the volunteers at the late seating show, and he was just a fraud. the volunteers who did what he said were just "playing along". He kicked me off stage because I did not play along. :) The comedians were all just okay. No one was spectacular.

 

I'd say the specialty restaurant is not worth the extra charge. At $10 pp it might have been worth it, but not at $30 pp. If you liek the romantic atmosphere, go there before or after dinner and just have a drink there and dance to the band. It's allowed. :)

 

If you go on a cruise that includes Belize, please please please consider the Lost World Canopy Tour. It was absolutely fantastic, one of the most exciting things I've done in a long time.

 

Please feel free to ask me any questions you like. I'll answer them the best I can.

 

Edit - I wanted to add that I think Carnival's sometimes questionable reputation is completely undeserved. I'll wager it's just the usual "travel snobs" looking for problems who automatically dislike Carnival.

[Tiger Lilly]

Hey GTALUM - I can't take the time to read the review till I get home (I'm at work) but...how did you get a table for 2??? I've called Carnival two times and got two different people and they both told me the only way we can get a table for two is by going to the Maitre'd (sp) as soon as we board the ship and request one - they are not pre-assigned. When we booked we did request a table for two but I was just following up to see what really happens. Thanks!

[NickGlover]

great review and well-written! we were on the 9/11 sailing and had a great time as well

[gtalum]

Hey GTALUM - I can't take the time to read the review till I get home (I'm at work) but...how did you get a table for 2??? I've called Carnival two times and got two different people and they both told me the only way we can get a table for two is by going to the Maitre'd (sp) as soon as we board the ship and request one - they are not pre-assigned. When we booked we did request a table for two but I was just following up to see what really happens.

 

You'd have to ask my Travel Agent. :)

 

I told her we wanted a small table. She said that we could end up with a 2 or 4 person table. We got a two-person. It may be that we just got really lucky.

 

Personally I'd prefer a bigger table, but my wife is very shy and prefers a quiet table for two.

[lillulu]

First off, thank you for the details about your cruise. The Canopy tour you took in Belize, was it hard? I was looking into the tubing excursion. But have read where some said a person got bit by a snake that was in the water. It was posted on the board here some where, that I read it. We are thinking of going on the Miracle spring of 2006, but have been debating between Carnivals Miracle or Royal Caribbeans Legend of the Seas.

Thanks again for great detailed post. I think it might help make my decision easier :-)

Have a great day

[gtalum]

great review and well-written! we were on the 9/11 sailing and had a great time as well

 

Thank you for the kind compliment!

[Tiger Lilly]

Hey GTALUM - I can't take the time to read the review till I get home (I'm at work) but...how did you get a table for 2??? I've called Carnival two times and got two different people and they both told me the only way we can get a table for two is by going to the Maitre'd (sp) as soon as we board the ship and request one - they are not pre-assigned. When we booked we did request a table for two but I was just following up to see what really happens. Thanks!

[gtalum]

First off, thank you for the details about your cruise. The Canopy tour you took in Belize, was it hard?

 

If you're in reasonable shape, it won't be hard. You have to take a 60-90 minute bus ride in both directions. The ride can be pretty bumpy, but not horrible.

 

You have to take a small hike uphill after they put your harness and helmet on you. The hike is aided by rough concrete steps and wooden railings all the way up the hillside, and the hike moves very slowly. If you're worried about being out of breath and not making the climb, you can put yourself toward the back of the group and you will only take a step or two at a time between stops as the group shuffles upward.

 

The tour itself is very easy, but thrilling. The guides do all the work of hooking you up to the lines and unhooking you at the ends, and pulling you to the end if you get stuck partway across but that didn't happen to anyon ein our group. They also belay you on the "rappelling" sections, which means you just sit there as they lower you down.

 

The weight limit on the tour is 260 pounds, and I'm right there. :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Overall Impressions

Skip the hypnotist. I was one of the volunteers at the late seating show, and he was just a fraud. the volunteers who did what he said were just "playing along". He kicked me off stage because I did not play along. :)

 

Please feel free to ask me any questions you like. I'll answer them the best I can.

 

I am not so sure... when I saw the show (both early and late versions) in July there were those who were removed because (and you could usually tell) they did not appear to be hypnotized. I would not say he is a fraud - there were some things done by the people on stage that I would not imagine any sane person (esp. the males!) doing in front of an audience ... as in willingly stripping down to underwear only - and crawling around on the stage (as if dogs) - and "meeting" the other dogs (male and female) in the special way dogs do - and I mean UP CLOSE...:eek:

 

Pehaps I am wrong - but some APPEARED to be "out of it" - not acting like they would otherwise - and I do not mean they were pretending (although a couple could have been...)

 

If you feel it is not "real" - then you will not enjoy it... If you feel it is real (and I am a skeptic by nature), then you will DIE laughing...

 

I will keep a close eye on the whole process again over Thanksgiving!!!

 

 

Tom

[just4kixx]

Was this booked through Carnival? Do you have any links? It doesn't sound like somthing for me... but there are a couple of men in our group who might enjoy it!

Thanks

A~:)

[just4kixx]

Was this booked through Carnival? Do you have any links? It doesn't sound like somthing for me... but there are a couple of men in our group who might enjoy it!

Thanks

A~:)

[gtalum]

I booked it through Carnival. As far as I know, there is no way to book this tour without going through the cruise line or a hotel in Belize.

 

Anyway I'm not sure I'd want to, since the roads in belize are very rough. I wouldn't want to chance it with a private tour vendor.

 

This link is a link to Carnival's description of the tour.

[gtalum]

I booked it through Carnival. As far as I know, there is no way to book this tour without going through the cruise line or a hotel in Belize.

 

Anyway I'm not sure I'd want to, since the roads in belize are very rough. I wouldn't want to chance it with a private tour vendor.

 

This link is a link to Carnival's description of the tour.

[just4kixx]

thanks gtalum! DH is definitely interested!

A~:)

[cathyoo]

gtalum: Thanks for the great review. What age group were the other passengers? I love the Tampa port and have been thinking about checking out the Miracle. I've only heard great stuff. Thanks again

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

GTALUM - who was the CD on your cruise, I know that Mark Hawkins has been on vacation, just curious if he had returned yet...

 

Tom

[gtalum]

Yes, Mark Hawkins was the CD for our cruise.

 

"Karl with a K" seems to be gone, though, as I never heard mention of him on board.

[gtalum]

gtalum: Thanks for the great review. What age group were the other passengers? I love the Tampa port and have been thinking about checking out the Miracle. I've only heard great stuff. Thanks again

 

Thanks for yoru kind words! :)

 

The passengers were a good mix of ages from early twenties on up into their 80's I'd guess. Solid cross-section. There werren't many kids on this sailing. Tons of newlyweds though! :)

[obxbeachbums]

We also were on the Miracle the same week. We had 10 of us traveling and found the ship to be very well maintained and friendly. Our cabin steward was Bineat, fro Haiti and he was outstanding. Very friendly and helpful. Kept our room immaculate. We had Leo and Sandy as our waiters in the dining room and they treated us very verry good. Food was good, service was good and we all had a great time. We were at the late shows for most and the Beatles show was the best by far. The hypnotist, it is all what you make it. I did overhear one of the ladies that was in the show later on the cruise and her husband said he truly believes she was hypnotized, You would think he may know. She concurred his thoughts, she also believed she was hypnotized. Anyway, the trip is what you make it and it sure beats a good day at the office. 7 of the 10 in our group had never been on a cruise, so they couldn't get enough. We are all glad to be home and looking forward to planning the next cruise soon. I highly reccommend the Miracle, this was my second Carnival cruise and they have not disappointed me or my wife on either of them. We had room 6148, balcony, it sets in form the other balcony rooms. It was our first balcony room and had plenty of room. Thanks for the review.