BoardsCruise StylesDealsFeaturesFind a CruiseLuxuryNewsPlanningPortsReviews
HomeCruise Agencies | Cruise Deals
Go Back   Cruise Critic Message Boards > Cruise Lines "A - O" > Carnival Cruise Lines
 
Register here!
Forgot Your Password?



Notices

Carnival Cruise Lines

Read thousands of Carnival Cruise Reviews from real cruisers and compare the best Carnival Cruise Deals.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old November 20th, 2009, 02:02 AM
fig414 fig414 is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: long island
Posts: 555
Default Miracle (Spirit Class) is the best. I know I'm beating the same drum. Can't help it.

It's the layout. It's the short lines with 2100 pax. It's the the adult aft pool. It's the main pool with the kids and you sit on the edge with your feet on the platform or sit in the water and listen to the band. I've done this thread before and I'm doing it again. Sue me. To us the key is the flow. Promenade deck on 2 is great and then Atlantic deck 3 has great stuff too. From fore and aft you have complete access to everything. One dining room and no having to hit a dead end and go up or down. FLOW. Lido deck (deck 9) is long with no stadium seating. There is no big screen. I happen to like a big screen for sports stuff, but that's a personal aside. Deck 10 is plentiful for space. I wish the casino was bigger but the sports bar is way nicer than the usual generic one. The Supper Club (twice) is exquisite. I'll cruise any Carnival ship, but if Spirit Class comes close to my wishes...... The Aft Wrap Around is a whole different thread...........................
__________________
Fig

Pride 09/12/10

Miracle 11/04/09
Destiny 09/27/08
Miracle 5/11/07
Victory 1/22/06
Caribbean Princess 9/04
Destiny 10/99
Imagination 11/96
Sensation 10/94


MySpace-Countdown-Clocks
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old November 20th, 2009, 06:47 AM
katiecat's Avatar
katiecat katiecat is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: St. Stephen, N.B. Canada
Posts: 1,106
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fig414 View Post
It's the layout. It's the short lines with 2100 pax. It's the the adult aft pool. It's the main pool with the kids and you sit on the edge with your feet on the platform or sit in the water and listen to the band. I've done this thread before and I'm doing it again. Sue me. To us the key is the flow. Promenade deck on 2 is great and then Atlantic deck 3 has great stuff too. From fore and aft you have complete access to everything. One dining room and no having to hit a dead end and go up or down. FLOW. Lido deck (deck 9) is long with no stadium seating. There is no big screen. I happen to like a big screen for sports stuff, but that's a personal aside. Deck 10 is plentiful for space. I wish the casino was bigger but the sports bar is way nicer than the usual generic one. The Supper Club (twice) is exquisite. I'll cruise any Carnival ship, but if Spirit Class comes close to my wishes...... The Aft Wrap Around is a whole different thread...........................
So are you going again to Aruba! I thought the big screen was there. I've been on the Miracle twice and am thinking of doing it again.
Reply With Quote

  #3  
Old November 20th, 2009, 07:00 AM
grandmallie grandmallie is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: connecticut
Posts: 206
Default Miracle

so glad to hear a great review on this ship, we will be sailing it a year from now, have a blacony on the main deck, and have seen quite a few reviews with pictures that are just wondeful, to bad the cruise is a year away
__________________
URL=http://www.cruisecritic.com][/url]
Reply With Quote

  #4  
Old November 20th, 2009, 09:11 AM
gail811's Avatar
gail811 gail811 is offline
Blue Ribbon Cruiser
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 3,252
Default Another fan!

I couldn't agree with you more! 10 cruises, 6 on Carnival's spirit class, and my next cruise booked is on the Miracle, my third time sailing on her!
__________________


Carnival Victory 09/2000
Carnival Pride 6/2002
Carnival Pride 6/2003
Carnival Miracle 3/2005
RCI Mariner of the Seas 4/2006
Carnival Spirit Alaska 8/2006
Carnival Glory 4/2007
Carnival Glory 3/2008
Carnival Legend 4/2008
Carnival Miracle 3/2009




Vacation Countdown Clock Generator

You are here to enrich the world and you impoverish yourself if you forget that errand.
Woodrow Wilson


To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world!

"SUN TANNED TOES TICKLIN THE SAND, COLD DRINK CHILLIN IN MY RIGHT HAND".....
Reply With Quote

  #5  
Old November 20th, 2009, 09:21 AM
roxy13's Avatar
roxy13 roxy13 is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Peterborough Ontario Canada
Posts: 44
Post

Spirit Class also gets me and DW vote
__________________
Kiki @ Sil




Carnival Legend Sept 04 NewYork
Carnival Legend Nov 06 Fort Lauderdale
Carnival Miracle April 07 NewYork
Carnival Legend Nov 07 Tampa
Carnival Miracle April 08 Fort Lauderdale
Carnival Miracle Nov 08 Fort Lauderdale
Carnival Truimph April 09 Miami
Carnival Pride Nov 09 Baltimore
Reply With Quote

  #6  
Old November 20th, 2009, 09:25 AM
steveaaaaa steveaaaaa is online now
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne/ Cocoa Beach FLORIDA
Posts: 1,861
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fig414 View Post
It's the layout. It's the short lines with 2100 pax. It's the the adult aft pool. It's the main pool with the kids and you sit on the edge with your feet on the platform or sit in the water and listen to the band. I've done this thread before and I'm doing it again. Sue me. To us the key is the flow. Promenade deck on 2 is great and then Atlantic deck 3 has great stuff too. From fore and aft you have complete access to everything. One dining room and no having to hit a dead end and go up or down. FLOW. Lido deck (deck 9) is long with no stadium seating. There is no big screen. I happen to like a big screen for sports stuff, but that's a personal aside. Deck 10 is plentiful for space. I wish the casino was bigger but the sports bar is way nicer than the usual generic one. The Supper Club (twice) is exquisite. I'll cruise any Carnival ship, but if Spirit Class comes close to my wishes...... The Aft Wrap Around is a whole different thread...........................
I see that you have not sailed RCCL Voyager class so you are making an unfair comparison overall.
If you are talking only CCL ships then again,looking at your sig,you are not even in a position to make a comment like that as your experience is with less than half all classes overall.

You have sailed Spirit class,Destiny class,Fanatsy class,and Triumph class.
You have failed to sail on...
Conquest class
Dream class (i know it just came out)
Holiday class
Splendor class
and lets not forget Carnivale,Festival,Jubilee,Mardi gras,and Celebration.

Steve
__________________
1980 CCL Carnivale,1981 CCL Holiday,1983 CCL Festival,1988 Big Red Boat, Oceanic,1993 RCCL Nordic Empress,1994 CCL Ecstasy,1996 CCL Inspiration,1997 CCL Destiny,1998 CCL Fantasy,1999 Princess ,Grand Princess,1999 NCL Norway,2000 CCL Imagination,2001 CCL Victory,2002 CCL Jubilee,2002 RCCL Voyager of the sea's,2003 CCL Pride,2003 RCCL Explorer of the seas,2004 CCL Conquest,2004 CCL Destiny,2005 CCL Miracle,2006 RCCL Majesty of the seas,2006 NCL Jewel,2007 CCL Imagination,2008 CCL Glory,2009 NCL Jewel

Next up! CCL Freedom 5/2010

Reply With Quote

  #7  
Old November 20th, 2009, 09:28 AM
gargoyle999's Avatar
gargoyle999 gargoyle999 is offline
Blue Ribbon Cruiser
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lakeville, MN
Posts: 3,585
Default

Sailed on the Miracle in Feb and have it booked again for next Nov (2nd time trying to go to Panama on the Miracle but denied both times...ha ha..), have a 12 day on the Spirit to Hawaii in April.. and what is the other one...

oh yeah! Spirit to Mexico in 7 days!!

I think Spirit class is ok....I guess.
__________________


gargoyle999@charter.net

Past:
-Carnival Spirit (8M Aft Balcony 4241) - Exotic Mexico (Acapulco, Ixtapa, Manzanillo) - November 2009

-Carnival Miracle (Cat 11 Aft Wrap 4237)- Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan) - February 2009

-Sapphire Princess (BB Aft Balcony C753)-Mexican Riviera (Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo) - November 2008

-Carnival Triumph (Cat 11 Midship 7231) - Eastern Caribbean (Puerto Rico, USVI, St. Maarten)- February 2006

What's Next:

40th BD Party! Aft Wrap to Hawaii!!!


Pre-cruise cruise. Back to Key West and Cozumel:


Post-cruise cruise. Grand Turk, D.R, Aruba, Curacao - Aft Wrap Style:


"Cheapie" cruise. Back to Cabo, Mazatlan, PV:


12-Day cruise visiting Spain, Italy, Monaco, Croatia. First Cove Balcony & Platinum for DW!!!:

Reply With Quote

  #8  
Old November 20th, 2009, 09:29 AM
*Luv2Cruz*'s Avatar
*Luv2Cruz* *Luv2Cruz* is online now
Blue Ribbon Cruiser
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 4,389
Thumbs up Shoppin for that perfect Xmas gift!

Going in May with a CC Group! See the links in my signature for more information if you'd like to join us!
__________________
Barry & Carol
Official CC Group Cruise 8 Day Miracle NYC to E. Caribbean May 15, 2010 Click here!
Pricing & Amenities, $100 OBC, contacts, and booking Click here!
General Information Click here!
Group Forum Click here!
OBMC and Customizable Cruise(Aholic) Shirts and More... Click here!

and counting...!
_

Previous Cruises: NCL Dawn "Kings Wharf Rats" CC Group Bermuda 6/09 Pics Vids, Carnival Destiny Southern Carib 5/08, NCL Crown Bermuda 8/06,
Carnival Destiny Southern Carib 4/04, Royal Caribbean Bermuda 8/02, Princess Western Carib 4/00, Celebrity Zenith Bermuda 8/97
Reply With Quote

  #9  
Old November 20th, 2009, 09:44 AM
SkyMaster's Avatar
SkyMaster SkyMaster is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 824
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaaaaa View Post
I see that you have not sailed RCCL Voyager class so you are making an unfair comparison overall.
If you are talking only CCL ships then again,looking at your sig,you are not even in a position to make a comment like that as your experience is with less than half all classes overall.

You have sailed Spirit class,Destiny class,Fanatsy class,and Triumph class.
You have failed to sail on...
Conquest class
Dream class (i know it just came out)
Holiday class
Splendor class
and lets not forget Carnivale,Festival,Jubilee,Mardi gras,and Celebration.

Steve
Well Steve,,,I've sailed them all, except "Dream", including the coveted RCI Voyager class, and my favorite is still Carnivals "Spirit Class" in general, and "Miracle" in particular. GREAT ship, GREAT crew, and SUPER entertainment. What's not to like? (except grapes)

"SKY"
__________________
Marine
Pilot
Veteran Cruiser


Reply With Quote

  #10  
Old November 20th, 2009, 10:15 AM
UpstateCruizer UpstateCruizer is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,909
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaaaaa View Post
I see that you have not sailed RCCL Voyager class so you are making an unfair comparison overall.
If you are talking only CCL ships then again,looking at your sig,you are not even in a position to make a comment like that as your experience is with less than half all classes overall.

You have sailed Spirit class,Destiny class,Fanatsy class,and Triumph class.
You have failed to sail on...
Conquest class
Dream class (i know it just came out)
Holiday class
Splendor class
and lets not forget Carnivale,Festival,Jubilee,Mardi gras,and Celebration.

Steve
I totally agree with the Op on this one Since you are looking for a more rounded qualified response based on experience I can say that I've sailed on the Triumph twice, Liberty, Valor and Splendor each once. I have a cruise booked on the Dream which very well may be the end of the larger newer ships for us. After sailing on the Miracle I can say without a doubt based on my previous cruises that the Miracle has blown every single previous cruise away. There's just something about the design and the smaller number of passengers. It's almost as if by having fewer passengers the staff enjoys their job even more. The Miracle was as close to perfect as we've ever gotten a ship. Newer and bigger does not always mean better. Since this is a Carnival board there is no need to throw in any of the other cruise lines.
__________________
Betty

Triumph June 2007~ Eastern Caribbean

Triumph August 2007~ Western Caribbean

Liberty April 2008 ~ Eastern Caribbean

Valor July 2008 ~ Exotic Western Caribbean

Splendor April 2009~ Swine Flu Detour Cruise to San Fransisco

Miracle October 2009~ Southern Caribbean (Best Cruise Ever!)




Days til "The Dream Team" Sails




Reply With Quote

  #11  
Old November 20th, 2009, 10:16 AM
UpstateCruizer UpstateCruizer is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 2,909
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyMaster View Post
Well Steve,,,I've sailed them all, except "Dream", including the coveted RCI Voyager class, and my favorite is still Carnivals "Spirit Class" in general, and "Miracle" in particular. GREAT ship, GREAT crew, and SUPER entertainment. What's not to like? (except grapes)

"SKY"
LOL Those grapes grew on me and I didn't mind them at all. Now that Mad Hatter's lounge took a bit of getting used to and it still makes me chuckle when I reflect back on my initial visit to the lounge lol
__________________
Betty

Triumph June 2007~ Eastern Caribbean

Triumph August 2007~ Western Caribbean

Liberty April 2008 ~ Eastern Caribbean

Valor July 2008 ~ Exotic Western Caribbean

Splendor April 2009~ Swine Flu Detour Cruise to San Fransisco

Miracle October 2009~ Southern Caribbean (Best Cruise Ever!)




Days til "The Dream Team" Sails




Reply With Quote

  #12  
Old November 20th, 2009, 11:10 AM
drosphot's Avatar
drosphot drosphot is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Georgetown, TX
Posts: 77
Default

I'll have an opinion in 364 days...
__________________

Balcony Cabin for us, an inside for the 3 boys...

Carnival Ecstasy - October 12, 2006 - inside cabin... My Birthday Cruise
Carnival Conquest - May 7, 2006 - AFT WRAP!!! Then GF now DW Birthday Cruise
Reply With Quote

  #13  
Old November 20th, 2009, 11:31 AM
jimbo5544's Avatar
jimbo5544 jimbo5544 is online now
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,552
Default

I am a huge fan of the Spirit class as well. I also have high hopes (I know it's a couple years away at least) that the next build after the Magic will be of a size similar to the Spirit class (like they have built for HAL and Costa), but with some new enhancements, Seaside theater among them.
__________________


Carnival Celebration 07/96
Carnival Imagination 07/98
Carnival Destiny (West. Carrib.) 08/99
Carnival Triumph 07/00
Carnival Pride 07/01

RCI Majesty of the Seas 04/02
Carnival Destiny (South. Carib.) 08/03
Carnival Spirit (Alaska) 07/04
Carnival Pride (Mex. Riv.) 07/05
Carnival Valor 08/05
Carnival Ecstasy 04/06
Carnival Liberty (Med cruise) 07/06
Carnival Liberty (Panama Canal) 02/07
Carnival Inspiration 8/07
Carnival Spirit 7/08 (Alaska)
Carnival Liberty 7/08 Exotic Eastern Carib.
MSC Orchestra 2/09 Eastern Carib.
Carnival Splendor 3/09 2 day cruise to nowhere
Carnival Imagination 4/09 Bahamas
Carnival Splendor 08/09 Mexican Riviera
Carnival Dream 8/10 (Western Carib.)

Reply With Quote

  #14  
Old November 20th, 2009, 12:35 PM
MrPete's Avatar
MrPete MrPete is offline
10,000+ Club
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: The EMPIRE state
Posts: 15,434
Default

Agreed!
__________________


:: Explorer of the Seas 8/09/08 Bermuda 1688
=> Review with Pix
:: Explorer of the Seas 8/12/07 Bermuda 9594
:: Carnival Victory 7/5/07 Canadian Maritimes 7278
:: Explorer of the Seas 8/06/06 Bermuda 9528
:: CCL Legend 5/13/05 NY to E. Caribbean 4237/4239
:: CCL Miracle 7/10/04 NY to Bahamas and Port Canaveral 8207
:: Disney Wonder 3/04/04
:: CCL Pride 7/16/03 Bermuda 7302
:: CCL Legend 10/17/02 CTN 6274
:: Disney Wonder 9/15/02 6054
:: Destiny 4/29/01 Southern Caribbean 6264
:: Victory 9/14/00 Canadian Maritimes 6275
:: Triumph 9/99 Canadian Maritimes 6275
:: Jubilee 4/98 Trans Pacific/Hawaii U-165!
:: Imagination 4/97 Western Caribbean M-263
:: Imagination 4/96 Western Caribbean M-40
:: Fascination 4/95 Southern Caribbean E-233
:: Ecstasy 4/18/93 Eastern Caribbean E-16
:: Fantasy 9/25/90 Bahamas E-209
:: Jubilee 5/13/90 Mexican Riviera M-118
:: NCL Seaward 1/15/89 Western Caribbean
:: Jubilee 4/24/88 Eastern Caribbean HONEYMOON U-165

Cruise Pictures:
CLICK HERE



Reply With Quote

  #15  
Old November 20th, 2009, 12:42 PM
GoofyDog GoofyDog is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 132
Default

My first Spirit class experience will commence next Friday. I'm looking forward to it and will definitely do a review upon returning!
__________________


Upcoming - Carnival Spirit 11/27/09 - Mexican Riviera
Carnival Liberty 11/08 - Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Imagination 12/04 - Western Caribbean
Carnival Victory 11/03 - Western Caribbean
Reply With Quote

  #16  
Old November 20th, 2009, 02:42 PM
PixieKGirl PixieKGirl is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 118
Default

Looks like I picked a great ship for Christmas
__________________
Pixie

Carnival Miracle 12-22-09
Carnival Legend 7-1-07
Carnival Destiny 4-05
RCCL Monarch of the Seas 3-04
Disney 1991
Reply With Quote

  #17  
Old November 20th, 2009, 02:46 PM
carnivalcruisejunkie's Avatar
carnivalcruisejunkie carnivalcruisejunkie is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hampton, Va
Posts: 2,219
Default

I would say that our cruises aboard the Miracle and the Legend were our favorites by far.
__________________
Tony

Carnival Platinum Cruiser
Grandeur of the Seas May 2009
Reply With Quote

  #18  
Old November 20th, 2009, 02:51 PM
hockeyluver's Avatar
hockeyluver hockeyluver is offline
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,316
Default

We loved our two cruises on the Legend and I cant wait to sail on the Miracle!! I have heard so much good about it and after reading the coments here I am glad we booked a second cruise on it
__________________

MySpace Countdown Clocks


MySpace-Countdowns


The love of my life...
http://community.webshots.com/user/hockeyluver13


Next up the Miracle Feb 8,2010 and again Feb 7,2011
Holiday Aug 24th, 2009 very relaxing E9
Legend Feb. 22, 2009,7292 balcony, just my hunny and me
Triumph March 8,'08"L" shaped cabin 6424 extended balcony LOVED IT!!
Valor was AWESOME Feb 25,'07,cabin 6301 connecting inside
TriumphFeb 25 '06 HAD A BLAST 6414 inside
Facination Dec 13 '04 SHORT BUT SWEET!! E145 inside,not bad

Legend Dec 15 '03 OK I'M ADDICTED, 7294 balcony
Reply With Quote

  #19  
Old November 20th, 2009, 02:52 PM
glrounds's Avatar
glrounds glrounds is offline
Blue Ribbon Cruiser
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Santa Clarita, California, USA
Posts: 3,635
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by UpstateCruizer View Post
I totally agree with the Op on this one Since you are looking for a more rounded qualified response based on experience I can say that I've sailed on the Triumph twice, Liberty, Valor and Splendor each once. I have a cruise booked on the Dream which very well may be the end of the larger newer ships for us. After sailing on the Miracle I can say without a doubt based on my previous cruises that the Miracle has blown every single previous cruise away. There's just something about the design and the smaller number of passengers. It's almost as if by having fewer passengers the staff enjoys their job even more. The Miracle was as close to perfect as we've ever gotten a ship. Newer and bigger does not always mean better. Since this is a Carnival board there is no need to throw in any of the other cruise lines.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo5544 View Post
I am a huge fan of the Spirit class as well. I also have high hopes (I know it's a couple years away at least) that the next build after the Magic will be of a size similar to the Spirit class (like they have built for HAL and Costa), but with some new enhancements, Seaside theater among them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPete View Post
Agreed!
Have cruised ALL Spirit Class ships, but the Miracle . . . without a doubt the best class of ships Carnival has ever had. As long as there is a Spirit class within driving distance for this west-coaster, I'm there.
__________________
Question with boldness . . hold to the truth . . speak without fear.
Gary

Legend, Pride, Glory, Spirit,Victory,NEW Splendor and Elation pics
http://community.webshots.com/user/glrounds
SPLENDOR - Mexican Riviera
SPIRIT lower Mexican Riviera, Acapulco,Zihuantenejo,Manzanillo
VICTORY (2) Halifax, Nova Scotia - Cozumel, Panama, Ocho Rios
LEGEND Eastern Caribbean
PRIDE (2) Mexican Riviera PLATINUM !
GLORY (2) Western Caribbean & Eastern Caribbean
ELATION (3) Mexican Riviera
JUBILEE (3) Mexican Riviera
TROPICALE (3) Mexican Riviera
NCL SEAWARD Western Caribbean
PACQUET LINES (French ship disaster) LA to Vancouver
Reply With Quote

  #20  
Old November 20th, 2009, 02:54 PM
frazzledrazzle16's Avatar
frazzledrazzle16 frazzledrazzle16 is online now
Cool Cruiser
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 299
Default

Hi-- My name is Stephanie and I am a Miracle addict.

I've been on this ship three times (twice in the past year), and there is a good possibility for a fourth & fifth time. We are thisclose to booking a cruise right after New Years on her, and we are most definately going again next year when she sails to Aruba. Not only is the Miracle a great ship, but for some reason IMO it also has the BEST itineraries that Carnival offers.
__________________
Previous Cruises: Carnival Paradise (08/04), Carnival Miracle (05/05),
Caribbean Princess (01/06), Carnival Pride (05/06), Carnival Liberty (05/07),
Carnival Glory (05/08), Carnival Miracle (01/09), Carnival Miracle (05/09)
Up Next: Carnival Freedom (02/13/2010)!!!




Reply With Quote

Reply

Bookmarks


Sponsored Links
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:07 PM.


© 1995 - 2008, The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved.
"A Community of People Who Love To Cruise"
All of the information contained within Cruise Critic is protected by copyright. You may, however, download a single copy only for your personal use.