Carnival Miracle, out of San Francisco – miscellaneous information

[csm5986142]

We just returned from the Miracle out of the Port of San Francisco and I just wanted to post some information from our trip in case it’s helpful to others.

We flew into OAK airport the afternoon prior to embarkation (I always check both OAK and SFO since they are so close together).  For us it was better to fly into OAK and out of SFO after the cruise.  Anyway, It is super quick easy to get an Uber/Lyft from this airport to the Fisherman’s Warf area.  The cost was $44.99 before tip.

We stayed at the RIU Fisherman’s Warf.  This hotel is in a fantastic location, but it’s super busy and not very quiet.  We heard every footstep from the floor above and voices though the wall.  It has the smallest bathrooms I have ever seen (but then again, it’s bigger than on the ship so I guess I can’t complain).  It was fine for one night.  I was initially concerned about safety in this location (from things I’d read) but I actually felt so safe that I got up at 6:30 am embarkation morning and jogged down to the pier and back by myself (felt completely safe the whole time).

Miracle was docked at pier 27.  Whenever possible, we love to walk to port, and this hotel is an easy walk to the port (but take into consideration we walk a lot and travel with only a carry-on and backpack).  It’s about a 15 minute walk (.8 miles).

We arrived at 10:05 for our 10 – 10:30 arrival appointment time.  The doors to the terminal were locked and there were lines outside separated by arrival appointment times.  The doors opened around 10:30.  We went through the typical check-in process, and boarding began at 11:30.

After the cruise, we had a late flight home, so we picked up a rental car at Fisherman’s Warf (again, about a 15 minute walk from the ship) and returned it to SFO airport that evening before our flight home.  If you decide to do this, be sure to reserve your car in advance as they run out.

[zentraveler]

I am sailing on the Miracle out of SF also on 9/1 - short trip to Ensenada. My first Carnival cruise. I live here so it will be a short ride-share trip to Port 27.

 

Any other tips about the ship? Would like not to get covid, so likely to avoid "activites" and will be looking for quieter places to go and things to do. 

[csm5986142]

I also meant to mention - (just an FYI) this ship has exactly 1 electrical outlet per room (hasn't been upgraded yet with the USB ports) so we had a tough time keeping 3 phones charged.  Other than that, we really enjoyed the ship.  She is one of the older ships but has lots of character and a fantastic crew.  Even though we were near capacity, it never really felt crowded. This ship has a great serenity deck on the back (that was never crowded) and many areas within the ship with quiet couches and tables (on deck 2) where we would read. 

If you like the casino, they do some fun drawings/games (I think they gave away about $1000 total with most winners getting between $50 - $200 each).  

So...funny you should mention covid - this was our 9th cruise since cruising resumed last summer, and the first time (that I'm aware of) that I came home sick with covid.  I'm definitely not saying I contracted it on the ship.  During the course of my trip, I was on 3 planes and stayed in 2 hotels (in fact the RIU in San Francisco was incredibly busy/crowded with lots of international travelers so I kind of lean towards that as being where I picked it up, but I really don't know).  But I have to say, I feel like I have just a typical cold/flu.  I haven't even missed a day of work.

 

[zentraveler]

10 minutes ago, csm5986142 said:

I also meant to mention - (just an FYI) this ship has exactly 1 electrical outlet per room (hasn't been upgraded yet with the USB ports) so we had a tough time keeping 3 phones charged.  Other than that, we really enjoyed the ship.  She is one of the older ships but has lots of character and a fantastic crew.  Even though we were near capacity, it never really felt crowded. This ship has a great serenity deck on the back (that was never crowded) and many areas within the ship with quiet couches and tables (on deck 2) where we would read. 

If you like the casino, they do some fun drawings/games (I think they gave away about $1000 total with most winners getting between $50 - $200 each).  

So...funny you should mention covid - this was our 9th cruise since cruising resumed last summer, and the first time (that I'm aware of) that I came home sick with covid.  I'm definitely not saying I contracted it on the ship.  During the course of my trip, I was on 3 planes and stayed in 2 hotels (in fact the RIU in San Francisco was incredibly busy/crowded with lots of international travelers so I kind of lean towards that as being where I picked it up, but I really don't know).  But I have to say, I feel like I have just a typical cold/flu.  I haven't even missed a day of work.

 

Thank you (!) for the tip about the lack of outlets USB ports. Will definitely bring an extension cord and power strip.  Thanks also for the tips about where the quiet places are. 

 

There is a recent thread on the Princess board about people (an awfully lot of them it seems) getting covid on board. The main culprits seemed to be the excursions and to/from the airports, i.e. anyplace where people had to be packed onto buses. That plus the fact that mask wearing sounds virtually non-existent on the ship, the elevators also very crowded with unmasked people and even tables for two being quite packed together in the DR. I am grateful that I don't need to travel for this, don't care about excursions and am happy that this ship did  not feel crowded. 

[Theo1429]

Thanks for the info

[Essiesmom]

5 hours ago, zentraveler said:

I am sailing on the Miracle out of SF also on 9/1 - short trip to Ensenada. My first Carnival cruise. I live here so it will be a short ride-share trip to Port 27.

 

Any other tips about the ship? Would like not to get covid, so likely to avoid "activites" and will be looking for quieter places to go and things to do. 

All of the Spirit class ships have an interior promenade on deck 3 forward.  It goes all the way around the bow outside the theater.  On Pride it is the Sunset Garden, on Spirit The Jungle, and I see on Miracle it is Gatsby’s Garden.  There are tables and chairs for 2 by windows where you can sit and watch the ocean.  Most of the people you see there are crew passing through, or guests exploring.  EM

[zentraveler]

25 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

All of the Spirit class ships have an interior promenade on deck 3 forward.  It goes all the way around the bow outside the theater.  On Pride it is the Sunset Garden, on Spirit The Jungle, and I see on Miracle it is Gatsby’s Garden.  There are tables and chairs for 2 by windows where you can sit and watch the ocean.  Most of the people you see there are crew passing through, or guests exploring.  EM

Thank you Essiesmom! Even pre-covid my favorite part of hotels or cruises (really floating hotels) was to spend time wandering around the whole place to figure it out, and on cruises especially, finding the quiet spots. Will definitely look out for deck 3 Gatsby's Garden. 

[cableguynoe]

On 7/7/2022 at 7:42 AM, csm5986142 said:

We just returned from the Miracle out of the Port of San Francisco and I just wanted to post some information from our trip in case it’s helpful to others.

We flew into OAK airport the afternoon prior to embarkation (I always check both OAK and SFO since they are so close together).  For us it was better to fly into OAK and out of SFO after the cruise.  Anyway, It is super quick easy to get an Uber/Lyft from this airport to the Fisherman’s Warf area.  The cost was $44.99 before tip.

We stayed at the RIU Fisherman’s Warf.  This hotel is in a fantastic location, but it’s super busy and not very quiet.  We heard every footstep from the floor above and voices though the wall.  It has the smallest bathrooms I have ever seen (but then again, it’s bigger than on the ship so I guess I can’t complain).  It was fine for one night.  I was initially concerned about safety in this location (from things I’d read) but I actually felt so safe that I got up at 6:30 am embarkation morning and jogged down to the pier and back by myself (felt completely safe the whole time).

Miracle was docked at pier 27.  Whenever possible, we love to walk to port, and this hotel is an easy walk to the port (but take into consideration we walk a lot and travel with only a carry-on and backpack).  It’s about a 15 minute walk (.8 miles).

We arrived at 10:05 for our 10 – 10:30 arrival appointment time.  The doors to the terminal were locked and there were lines outside separated by arrival appointment times.  The doors opened around 10:30.  We went through the typical check-in process, and boarding began at 11:30.

After the cruise, we had a late flight home, so we picked up a rental car at Fisherman’s Warf (again, about a 15 minute walk from the ship) and returned it to SFO airport that evening before our flight home.  If you decide to do this, be sure to reserve your car in advance as they run out.

 

Thanks for the info!

We'll be on the Miracle on Aug 4 for Ensenada.

How were people dressed for dinner? Would someone dressed casual feel under dressed?

 

[hapytobehr]

1 minute ago, cableguynoe said:

 

Thanks for the info!

We'll be on the Miracle on Aug 4 for Ensenada.

How were people dressed for dinner? Would someone dressed casual feel under dressed?

 

Dress as you like.  There are many people that dress casual even on elegant night.

[csm5986142]

1 hour ago, cableguynoe said:

How were people dressed for dinner? Would someone dressed casual feel under dressed?

 

This is what I love about Carnival - we saw everything.  I love seeing the families all dressed up for portraits, but as mentioned, you will also see people dressed very casually too. 

Wear what makes you comfortable - I don't think you will feel under dressed.

[cableguynoe]

On 7/7/2022 at 7:42 AM, csm5986142 said:

We just returned from the Miracle out of the Port of San Francisco and I just wanted to post some information from our trip in case it’s helpful to others.

We flew into OAK airport the afternoon prior to embarkation (I always check both OAK and SFO since they are so close together).  For us it was better to fly into OAK and out of SFO after the cruise.  Anyway, It is super quick easy to get an Uber/Lyft from this airport to the Fisherman’s Warf area.  The cost was $44.99 before tip.

We stayed at the RIU Fisherman’s Warf.  This hotel is in a fantastic location, but it’s super busy and not very quiet.  We heard every footstep from the floor above and voices though the wall.  It has the smallest bathrooms I have ever seen (but then again, it’s bigger than on the ship so I guess I can’t complain).  It was fine for one night.  I was initially concerned about safety in this location (from things I’d read) but I actually felt so safe that I got up at 6:30 am embarkation morning and jogged down to the pier and back by myself (felt completely safe the whole time).

Miracle was docked at pier 27.  Whenever possible, we love to walk to port, and this hotel is an easy walk to the port (but take into consideration we walk a lot and travel with only a carry-on and backpack).  It’s about a 15 minute walk (.8 miles).

We arrived at 10:05 for our 10 – 10:30 arrival appointment time.  The doors to the terminal were locked and there were lines outside separated by arrival appointment times.  The doors opened around 10:30.  We went through the typical check-in process, and boarding began at 11:30.

After the cruise, we had a late flight home, so we picked up a rental car at Fisherman’s Warf (again, about a 15 minute walk from the ship) and returned it to SFO airport that evening before our flight home.  If you decide to do this, be sure to reserve your car in advance as they run out.

 

Is it accurate that you can drink the water out of the sink in your room?

If so, how is it on the Miracle?

 

My wife drinks a LOT of water, so trying to figure that one out. She goes to bed with 24oz on her nightstand and it's gone by morning. And that continues all day long.

 

Wondering if that water will work. Otherwise any chance they sell water by the gallon or something like that?

 

[csm5986142]

I didn't try the water in the room because we had ordered water bottles prior to the trip (they deliver them to your room).  A 12-pack (of the 17 oz bottles) costs about $6 I think (4.95 plus tax/delivery).  They also sell the larger (50 oz) bottles (an 8-pack is $20 plus tax/delivery). 

Also, if you have a red card (or higher) you get a complimentary 1.5 liter bottle of water per person (you just show your card and pick it up at any bar).

Or if your wife has a Hydro Flask (or something similar) that she uses regularly, she can refill it anytime at the ice/water stations on lido (they just ask the you use their cups to pour into your water bottle).

Edited July 13, 2022 by csm5986142