Future Miracle crusiers

[green eyed lady]

We just got off the Miracle yesterday and I just wanted to let all of you future Miracle cruisers know that it was the BEST vacation we have ever had (and we go away a lot). I have read several negative reviews on the boards and of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions...but I just wanted to let all of you know not to be scared off by the negatives.

 

The ship is beautiful and very clean. The service in the dining room was outstanding. Our waiter couldn't do enough for us...he was wonderful! The food was very good and plenty of selection. Our two rooms next to each other were plenty big enough for the five of us...had the balcony divider removed to give us one long balcony...really enjoyed the balcony.

 

The entertainment was good...we especially enjoyed the comedy shows and the juggler. Karl with a K was the best! Very entertaining. Don't miss Tim's 3 Bears show...it's sooo funny!

 

If I have one complaint it is that there could have been more scheduled activities during the day (putting contests, trivia games, etc.) We participated in almost all of the games and really enjoyed them but my kids (all teens) were a little bored when there was nothing going on. Other than that...I can't think of one negative thing to say.

 

It was a great trip and you will love it!!!

 

Jen

[gkeyes1008]

Jen, thanks for the review. I am glad to hear you enjoyed the Miracle. We are sailing on her in January and am looking forward to seeing what she looks like. I am so anxioux I am thinking about taking the two day cruise to no where so I can check her out.

 

Thanks

 

Gerry

[Lefty1]

glad u enjoyed the miracle - going on miracle 8/21 - me and my sister have rooms next to each other so we want to open our balcony - we are on verandah deck - is it true u can bring case of water on ship - will they say anything about it or do i have to hide it - as they say it is $2 a bottle on board, maybe easier to bring own.

we want to get a horse and join the race - we heard thats fun - how was the weather - and does boat rock a lot - how is casino? - we are really excited about going - any other advice let us know - any pictures, please share

[green eyed lady]

Lefty 1,

 

Definately get the balcony divider opened..it's great! The casino was good...not huge but always plenty of slots available. I didn't notice the tables b/c I didn't play them.

 

Yes, we brought our own bottled water and cans of soda. I packed them in a rolling soft sided cooler and checked it with my luggage. No problem.

 

The weather was great...hot and sunny, no rain at all.

 

There are only 6 ( I think) horses in the race so I imagine you hsve to be one of the first ones there to purchase the horse. Some were really very decorated, others only a little.

 

 

I was worried about my husband getting seasick but he was fine. There was very little, if any, movement. Never needed all the Bonine that we brought!

 

Have a great time! I wish I was going again!

 

Jen

[Lefty1]

wow quick response -thank u - we can't wait and will certainly open up our balcony - we want to arrive by 11:30 - so how long do u think we will have to wait - sorry if i am asking too many questions - i just hope weather is good too as we are leaving end of august - and don't need any hurricanes -

[green eyed lady]

Lefty 1,

 

We got there a little after 11 and we were on the ship around 12:30. One word of advice...some of the Carnival workers at the pier were telling cruisers to leave and come back at 3:00 and they would be able to walk right on the ship...no lines to wait in. DON'T DO THIS!!! Once the boarding started around 12:00 the lines moved really fast. We would have gotten on board sooner than we did, but the computer locked or something when the guy was entering our info for the sail and sign, so this held us up for about 20 minutes. But everyone else seemed to move very quickly. The pier is a madhouse when you get there and the traffic getting there is terrible. How are you getting there? You are better off coming in off the West Side Highway rather than down any of the side streets. The traffic to get over the little bridge there so you can come around in front of the pier is awful. It was backed up so far that we ended up driving past the pier to the next exit and turning around. But once you get on the ship, none of this will matter because you will be in heaven!

 

Jen

[WMeda]

Jen,

 

 

You stated everything so elequently and clearly that I felt like I was there. Oh, wait a minute, I was there...

 

I agree with just about all you said...

 

- Embarkation seemed like a nightmare as we arrived at the pier but after all was said and done, it wasn't all that bad.

 

- Wait staff and room stewards were excellent

 

- The ship sailed beautifully, there were only a handful of times when we even knew we were on a moving ship. If I didn't know the boat had a propulsion problem, I never would have thought it.

 

- Cruise Director, Mark Hawkins, was very good. He was pleasant and fun but not so dominent that he took over the show. Karl with a K was funny and really seems to enjoy himself.

 

- The Beatles show, "Ticket to Ride", gets all the attetion but I though that the juggler was the most entertaining show on the ship.

 

- Spent a few nights in the Karaoke lounge which was enjoyable most of the time. Chloe, the hostess, made it a lot of fun. Trying to understand her through the accent was part of the fun.

 

- Ken, the Maitre D, was GREAT. He went over and above the call of duty to make us happy. He resolved our problems efficiently and with a smile and visited our table regularly to make sure that everything was OK. His singing voice is wonderful and, being Sinatra fans, we enjoyed his music very much.

 

We are sad to be home but have great memories and lots and lots and lots of pictures.

 

Wayne

[Lefty1]

yes we are coming from the west side - i know there is only one other ship leaving that day and thank god it is not the queen mary - i know when she is there boy its crazy and ships leave late - i know i have to have patience to wait on line but u are right, once on board it will be worth it - there is so much to do and my husband says he wants to do it all - knowing him, he will sit on chair and sleep (only kidding) - one night we went to see ship when it arrived here in ny for the first time - it was a beautiful ship - i heard the beatles show is really great and looking forward to that too - thanks for u input - again if u get any pictures, share them

[green eyed lady]

Wayne,

you are right...I forgot to mention Ken. I really enjoyed hearing him sing each night. Made the dining experience very enjoyable. We also enjoyed the juggler much more than the Beatles show. although I'm not a big fan of the Beatles so that might be why! My kids thought Mark was great...they really enjoyed his weird sense of humor.

 

Jen

[jim141963]

Thanks for the review. I am glad to hear you enjoyed the Miracle. My wife and I are sailing on September 19. for our 20th anniversary.

[BoatGirl]

Thank you for info. on the Miracle. We are sailing her next April out of Tampa with a group of about 50 family members. Many of them are used to sailing Royal Caribbean, and not looking forward to a Carnival ship. I have sailed both, and like and dislike things about both lines. I can have fun on any cruise!

 

From the descriptions I have heard, it seems more like a RCI ship than most of Carnival's older ships. Have any of you sailed RCI? Can anyone give a comparison between the Miracle and a RCI ship?

 

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

Boat Girl

[Dee88]

I love seeing these reviews...just makes me more excited about my cruise on 8/14~~:D

[GOTTA CRUISE NOW]

I must agree! I look for every little snippet I can find on Miracle. We're going 10/24 out of Baltimore. Plan on getting there EARLY. Don't care if we can't get on right away. I'll just look at her & be happy!

Thanks for all the great info. I have a couple of questions also...

 

1. How are people picked for the talent show? Do they have to go to Karaoke to qualify?

2. What do you recommend, if any, for excursions in Key West, Nassau & Freeport?

[green eyed lady]

Gotta cruise now,

 

Not sure how they picked the people for the talent show. They were all singers (no Karaoke) and I know they had to audition the morning of the talent show. But I don't know if they let everyone audition who showed up or not.

 

We didn't go to Key West, but in Nassau we did our own thing. We took a bus ($1 pp each way) to Cable Beach. We used the beach at the Radisson Hotel for free (very nice). You could also use their pools although we just stayed on the beach. There are plenty of nice lounge chairs and an outdoor grill/cafe where we had lunch. We rented jet skis from a vendor right on the beach and we had a blast. ($60 per 1/2 hr or $100 per hour). They also had parasailing and banana boat rides, which we didn't do. The jet skiing was the highlight of the trip for my kids (3 teens).

 

In Freeport we just walked around the straw market and got back on the ship. We had to be back on by 12:30 so there wasn't much time. Carnival does offer a couple of excursions. I think there's a glass bottom boat ride or 9 holes of golf. Not sure what else. If I ever went to Freeport again I would just stay on the ship..it docks in a very industrial area.

 

Boat Girl,

 

I've never sailed on RCI so I can't help you there. I'm sure you'll love the Miracle though!!!

 

Jen

[annie017]

:p 1st time cruiser and I just got off the Miracle as well!! Would do it again in a heart beat. The ship is soo huge, it's kind of like Disney....can't do it all in a week.

 

We had a group of 10 cabins on the Panorama Deck 8 and spent alot of time on the Lido Deck - Aft. Elizabeth from India was our waitress on most days, very sweet. We had balcony rooms and also let the divider down between two of the cabins. Definately worth it....you need to request this via the Pursers Desk and it may take a day or two.

 

Dinner in the Bacchus Dining Room was excellant and the waiters were fantastic. We had IVO and GABI, both from Croatia - Love Them!! I do suggest that you make reservations at Nick and Nora's ($25.00 pp), well worth it. The presentation of the food is outstanding and very, very good!! You also get complimentary appetizers, deserts and drinks from the Chef!! KUDOS!!

 

If you are going to Nassau, may I suggest you go over to Atlantis. I didn't go, however, those in my group who went RAVED about it. I think you just have to pay a bus or taxi fee. We went to Pearl Island for Snorkling....it was fun and there were plenty of fish to see, however, I'm not sure if I would do it again.

 

On many of the reviews I've read, I heard negatives about Freeport. I didn't think it was all that bad, however, not alot to do. All the shops have the same touristy stuff, therefore, if you decide to stay on the ship, you're not missing too much.

 

I could go on and on and on and on.....you get the picture, but I won't bore you.

 

Go on the Miracle....You will totally enjoy it!!!:) :) :)