Explorer of the Seas vs Carnival Miracle

[SNJCruisers]

I need some help please! I am currently booked on the EOS for a 10 day cruise out of Bayonne at the end of August visiting Bermuda, St Maarten, San Juan, St Thomas and Labadee. The Miracle has an eight day leaving on Labor Day and it goes to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. I am having second thoughts and am thinking of switching. I am a loyal Carnival cruiser, I know that the Miracle just came out of dry dock and having cruised on the Spirit last year, I loved the flow and size of the ship.

Cost wise, the cruises are about the same 90 bucks per day including port and taxes.

Question one, does anyone know all of the upgrades that occurred during the dry dock in January? When it comes to lunch, I like the Wok station, the Burrito Bar, the Deli, the pizza....something that is cooked to order, not sitting in a buffet. While doing my Explorer research, it seems like it's basically buffet or an extra 4.95 for Johnnie Rockets. I also like my steakhouse, which is not available on the EOS, only Portofino's for a 20 dollar surcharge. I also like the fact that Carnival does not charge for espresso and cappuccino in the MDR.

Is there someone that has cruised on both that can sway me one way or another? Thank you very much for your input.

[mairem17]

Well I might be a bit biased because we are booked on the same cruise, but you should try Royal even if you are a die hard Carnival fan. Trust me, from what I saw on the internet, you will not be disappointed. Plus you get a better itinerary and an extra two days longer, what can be better than that?!?!

WOW! Just off the Explorer on Monday. It was the worst cruise we have ever been on. I highly suggest the Miracle! We have sailed on the Miracle the past three years and will again in July. You will have 2000 less people and more ship to enjoy! The adults and children on this sailing were the WORST I have ever encountered on any of our cruises. We even had three families thrown off in PR because the "kids" threw all the sports equipment into the ocean. The food on the EOS was HORRIBLE! The elevators were a disaster! There are only 3 lounges on the EOS to sit down and have a drink at. I don't consider any of the pubs or areas in the promenade a lounge, since we like quiet areas to have a drink and relax. Lastly, the Bayonne port is a DISASTER! The only good thing about this ship was the staff. Let me know if you have any specific questions you need answered. One more thing, Labadee is a waste of a stop except for the zip line. The beach is dirty and too over-crowded, no one coming around asking for drink orders. HMC is the best!

[cruisenanny]

We LOVEEEE both of these ships! Here's my two cents.
Just off Miracle last Oct, it was very very nice and that was before the drydock.
It has been about 5 years since we were on EOS, but we still talk about it, we just loved it! Loved the English pub, Johnny Rockets, the ice skating show, etc..
So... Miracle has HMC going for it, BUT Bermuda is awesome and I would take the 10 day EOS in a heartbeat.... Sorry Miracle, we love you too

[e150club]

We liked the Miracle more then EOS. Had a great time on both. Never had a bad cruise. Two people can be on the same cruise and have two diff. opinions on everything.

[MrPete]

Having been on both, I was about to suggest the Explorer of the Seas. It was a fantastic ship the three times we sailed on her.

But based on your requirements of food, you have more availability of it on the Miracle. Lunch options on the Explorer are basically the buffet and the dining room, but the buffet was repeated choices day after day of the same stuff.

I also don't like reading the latest reviews of the Explorer of the Seas, especially the condition of the ship and the smells it seems to be emitting.

The ships Lido deck was in pretty poor condition last time we sailed her, but we were under the impression the ship was being refurbished. Something seems to be wrong.

[joge107]

Been on both cruises. Liked both ships, however, the Miracle is one of our Favorite ships and this is a great cruise.

[30038599]

Went on the Explorer on Dec 2011. Beautiful Ship. The Wok Station was just to die for. Made to order and hot. They may not have a steak house
but they had wonderful steaks in the Main Dining Room. And our servers
Special "K" and Joel were the very best. And they have the Ice Show which is so much fun to watch. Never been on the Miracle but wouldn't
mind trying. Anyhow, just feel lucky enough to go cruising on any ship