Ok, I am making the plunge......(Miracle)

[traderneal]

Hi:

 

My family has travelled on Disney, Princess, and RCL, but this year we are making the plunge and trying, or should I say risking Carnival.

 

Normally, we book our summer cruise in November, but for work reasons had to wait until now. Of course anything in a Jr suite or higher was gone for quads. We live in NJ and really didn't want to do the whole Fl thing again. Our first choice was the Crown Princess out of NY as we loved the port of calls and the ship seemed pretty nice. But, alas, we would have been waitlisted for anything higher than a Jr. Suite. So that didn't work.

 

(First question, if we booked on a stand-by basis, what would be the chances of getting one of these cabins.)

 

 

I wound up booking a suite guarantee on the Miracle but I don't know how thirlled I am about that. I know Carnival has greatly improved it's reputation over the last few years, and from everything I read on the reviews it seems that it would be hard NOT to have a good time. However, I remember back in 1994 when my then girlfried, now wife, adn I went on a Carnival cruise out of Florida. It was non stop partying! Well, that was great for then, but not now, when I am 40 with two young girls. I don't want to seem snobby, but everything I hear now Carnival is that it is mainly for first timers. (not that there is anything wrong with that :))

 

Ok, Carnivalites, after blasting me for not being excited could you please tell me how the Miracle is. How is the entertainment, food, etc.

 

 

thx

 

Neal

[DqALEX]

I liked the Miracle I had a great time. The Food was good the ports were good the ship was clean. I booked over a year ahead for the 9 day Christmas/ New Years cruise, so I could get two cat 11s next door to each other. I think you will have a nice trip on that ship. Good Luck

[Kruisin Kruisers]

My wife and I enjoy Carnival. And neither one of us drink alcohol. We went on the Miracle on her 3rd voyage and had a great time. Of course the ship was new at the time. I believe you will have a good time if you just give carnival a chance and not go on your cruise with any doubts of it. Carnival did not get to be the biggest cruise line by disappointing their cruisers. Have fun!!!

[Socref124]

Traderneal,

I'll let you know in about 11 days. DW and I are leaving on the Miracle Sunday:) . We have been on two Carnival cruises and the party till you drop crowd hasn't been there, or at least they weren't where we were. My first cruise with NCL:mad: was a disaster but I wanted to try again. Carnival has done well both times so far, as as I have read, the food, entertainment and service are basically the same on Carnival, Royal and Princess. Since Carnival is a lot less expensive:D , we decided to stay with Carnival. Also, we live in Florida and drive to the ports to embark. I don't think you will go wrong with the Miracle, but I will let you know next week when we get back.

[Hebejeebe]

The Miracle is a great ship IMO. Be prepared for a lot of whimsy with the decor compared to some of the other lines you have been on. I travel frequently so I prefer for the cruise ship to look different than an international hotel. You will know you are on the Miracle and not "anywhere Planet Earth". The dining room is a little over the top though.

 

I sailed the Miracle out of Tampa and had a wonderful time. The Miracle was not a party ship out of Tampa. It may be different out of NY but you never know. Give it a try. My kids much prefer Camp Carnival over the Princess version. Perhaps yours will too.

[psblin99]

I was on the Miracle Xmas 06 by myself to relax. I am 53 and accompolished my goal. It was a wonderful ship.

[psblin99]

I was on the Miracle Xmas 06 by myself to relax. I am 53 and accompolished my goal. It was a wonderful ship.

[Sgrgirl20]

I will be going on the miracle in Jan 08 and am sooo excited. Went on the conquest back in September and loved it. I'm not a big partier either, but between shows and trivia and shopping and eating - we totally filled our days. Don't think I even went into any of the clubs or things like that. So yea, there are plenty of things to do if you aren't into the party scene. And from what I've heard Camp Carnival is great for kids :) Hope you have a great time!

[ccartman2]

I hope you enjoy it. I've only been on one cruise and it was a 5 day one out of Miami. About the partying, what I noticed that time, was that it was only there when I wanted it. One night we wanted to party and we found us one, but if you aren't looking for it, I doubt you run into it.

[jodster]

Neal,

 

I had some "misconceptions" about cruising with Carnival myself, that was until January of this year when we went on our first Carnival cruise. I did write a review of our cruise. I'm sure you could find it using the search function or by clicking on my name.

 

I won't go into a lot of detail but the bottom line is we ended up loving our Miracle cruise, so much so that we booked another Carnival cruise for November going out of Tampa with the same itinerary just a different ship (Legend). We are bringing our 15 y.o son and it will be his first cruise.

 

 

I thought the food on the Miracle was just as good as Princess if not a bit better. I wasn't totally thrilled with HAL's food but as everyone knows food can be so subjective.

 

I liked the cabin layout (balcony) better on Carnival....the beds and bedding were wonderful (although I don't think any line can beat HAL's beds). Tons of storage. Unlike Princess where you have to book a mini-suite or above you actually had a sofa to sit on in your cabin.

 

We saw a few shows and thought they were good......to me about the same as other lines. I'm probably not the best judge of this.

 

I loved the fact that you could get something other than iced tea or water for free. There was lemonade or fruit punch which is a nice change and great for the kids.

 

If you like coffee after dinner there were free expresso or cappuccino's in the dining room that were actually very good.

 

Again, in my opinion I did notice a more "festive" atmosphere but I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a bunch of drunk people out of control. It was passengers just having fun. This was mostly by the pools where they have a lot of those activities going on. We are not big drinkers or gamblers and found that there was a ton of other things to do on the ship.

 

We went with an open mind and had one of our best cruises.

 

Jodi

[lhall85917]

I hope you have a great time - the Miracle receives wonderful reviews on CC. Many of have mentioned that it is fairly laid back. We were on the Valor a couple of years ago and had a great time - didn't find a party/wild atmosphere what-so-ever!

[going2cruz]

Traderneal,

I'll let you know in about 11 days. DW and I are leaving on the Miracle Sunday:) . We have been on two Carnival cruises and the party till you drop crowd hasn't been there, or at least they weren't where we were. My first cruise with NCL:mad: was a disaster but I wanted to try again. Carnival has done well both times so far, as as I have read, the food, entertainment and service are basically the same on Carnival, Royal and Princess. Since Carnival is a lot less expensive:D , we decided to stay with Carnival. Also, we live in Florida and drive to the ports to embark. I don't think you will go wrong with the Miracle, but I will let you know next week when we get back.

 

 

Can I ask for a favor? When your on the Miracle could you go by the Roulette table and tell me what number is to the right of the single 0. I'm working on a technique and I don't know if the cruise line uses the American or European wheel.

 

Happy cruising!!!!!

[silentbob007]

I thought the Miracle was a great ship. The crew is super-friendly and it has a lot of nice features.

[chitown cruisers]

The Miracles a great ship with a great crew....you should have a good time..........you mentioned a suite guarantee, did you consider adjoining balcony cabins?....you get your space, twice the storage, and two bathrooms. On the Spirit class the front balconies have an adjoining interior.

 

I took her for a cruise and was booked to go back a week later.....I LOVE THIS SHIP!!!

[JerseyGirl97]

 

Ok, Carnivalites, after blasting me for not being excited could you please tell me how the Miracle is. How is the entertainment, food, etc.

 

 

thx

 

Neal

 

 

If you are going into it thinking it wont be as good as the rest - you are going to be pleasantly surprised!!! :D

The Miracle was my first so I have nothing to compare it to, but I know I had a great time on that ship. The food was yummy, the entertainment was great, the staff was so friendly and helpful, the rooms were roomy (I had an inside), and the ship was gorgeous! The only thing that I would change is keeping the pools open later.

I never got the "party boat" vibe during the week. The casino was usually busy, but never too crowded - we always found a spot. Camp Carnival was better than I expected. I'm not sure how old your daughters are, but my year old LOVED going to Camp every night! :)

I think you should get excited! I know there are some people (me) that are really jealous (me) and would LOVE to get on that ship again (me)! :cool:

[cuyahoga11]

Can I ask for a favor? When your on the Miracle could you go by the Roulette table and tell me what number is to the right of the single 0. I'm working on a technique and I don't know if the cruise line uses the American or European wheel.

 

Happy cruising!!!!!

 

All the Carnival ships I have been on have 0/00. Is that what you were looking for?

[Socref124]

Can I ask for a favor? When your on the Miracle could you go by the Roulette table and tell me what number is to the right of the single 0. I'm working on a technique and I don't know if the cruise line uses the American or European wheel.

 

Happy cruising!!!!!

No problem. I'll let you know when we get back...:)

[SheilaInAL]

I've been on the Miracle 3 times...and was actually booked for a fourth time, until we were notified she would be in drydock that week. She's a wonderful ship and I don't think you can go wrong with her.

 

All three times, I never saw a big party atmosphere on the Miracle. I can't speak for Camp Carnival since I always travel solo, but the kids I've seen onboard do seem to enjoy it.

 

Enjoy your cruise on the Miracle!

[going2cruz]

Mike & Laurie, hope you have a great time:) There are a lot of us on the 4/1/2007 cruises that are a little worried about the dry docking of the ship after our cruise.

 

If you find anything out regarding the docking from the crew that would be great too. There are many people that think that service's will be substandard.

 

Its freezing here I so want to be in the tropical sun...o'well 7 weeks to go!!

 

Again!!! Happy Cruising

[MrPete]

We took the Miracle out of NY a couple years back. Just didn't like the destination.

 

For a new ship, with a literary theme, I was looking for more than Frankenstein neck bolts as the lighting scheme thoughout the ship. :eek:

 

I was disappointed to not find one Superman in Metropolis, but I'm glad to hear they toned down the dining room.

 

 

Still a good cruise. Cousin trying to get me to join her on July 22nd.

[sunlover5]

We too made the plunge last March but on the Carnival Liberty. Got back and 2 weeks later booked another Carnival. Unfortunately, we switched to RC because Carnival dropped Aruba and added 2 ports we had just been to. But we are now also booked for the Miracle in March 08 to get the cabin we wanted. We loved Carnival. We are a couple 48,50. They partied more on RC Monarch then we had on the Liberty. It was our best cruise so far. Loved the cabins and food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

You will have a great time. Heard a lot of good about Camp Carnival when we were on board. Must have done an excellent job, we hardly knew there were any on board. But the day the little ones did a parade around the pool--it was priceless!!!!

[Chigirlcruzin]

You picked an awesome ship for your first Carnival cruise! I was on her in December 2006, and if you wanted a party you could find one, but the ship was not overrun with drunks...just people having fun. The ship had a very laid back feel to it, as others have said. In fact, I just booked another Miracle cruise (different itinerary) for December of this year!

[Payd]

We loved the Miracle - the decor is a bit "out there" but it does make a statement. As for the grape lights in the dining room if you go with an open mind they are nice.

 

We are looking forward to booking our next trip on the Miracle out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Southern Caribbean.

 

Is that a strong enough endorsement?

 

By the way we don't have first had experience of RC but have heard from others that Carnivals cabins are much bigger.

 

Have fun what ever you choose to do!

 

Payd:)

[chitown cruisers]

We are looking forward to booking our next trip on the Miracle out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Southern Caribbean.

 

Is that a strong enough endorsement?

 

Payd:)

Join us on the 10-22-07 Misfit's to the St's tour

[going2cruz]

Mike & Laurie, how was your cruz, hope you had a great time!!!