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Stuff I learned on the Miracle


serene56

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It is true that no matter how many cruises you have taken you still learn new stuff with each cruise.

 

Before I left I had a series of questions that got 50-50 answers. I received funship dollars for christmas presents. On the back of the dollars it states that you must mail them in. Some people said I can take them to the Pursers desk. some say I wouldnt be able to cash them in at the Pursers desk. I took my chance and took them to the Pursers desk and she accepted them with no problem. (I did this the first day.)

 

I had over 475.00 worth of cabin credit. When I checked on the tv it was 50.00 short. WHen I went to the Pursers desk the amount was good. I explained to the girl that come Sunday I hope not to have a problem with my 50 bucks. (she did remember my name for when I put in my funship dollars.

 

 

Room service does not accept drink coupons, soda coupons of soda card for any drinks. Its sign and sail. I ordered 2 soda since I had prepaid buying soda coupons- not the fountain cards. I got 4 cans of soda for 6.80

We did use them in the dining room and tipped the guy $1 buck for both sodas for SO and myself. I forgot my coupons on Friday and he said no problem and gave us each a can of soda. (guess that is where the tip paid off.

 

I also bought 2 Photo coupons for $15.00 each. I knew I wanted the formal picture and the embarkation photo. I also got 2 port pictures this time. The guy at the photo booth said that I Can only use one coupon at a time. Nothing states on the coupon about this. Its a $15.00 coupon to be used as $15.00 cash. After a bit going back and forth I told him to ring me up two sales put one inmy name and the other on the SO name. (not a problem.)

 

I also learned that Cabin stewards are NOT allowed in any cabin when passengers are there. If you come back to the cabin for any reason after dinner and they are cleaning your cabin--they will leave. If you stay in your cabin for a long extended time your cabin may not get finished. SO if the cabin stewards are cleaning your cabin-grab what you have to, leave for a little bit then come back. He said we can wait on the balcony until he was finished.-which we did.

 

The aft is very shady most of the trip because the sun was on the direct front. I am sure this will change when daylight savings time does. On the way back-- our last sea day we had the full day of sun out there. THe pool decks were crowded with people so my balcony was a nice place to lay in the sun knowing I was comingback to snow.

 

The only Port we backed into was Costa Maya. We tendered in at Grand Cayman and Belize and pulled in forward in COzumel.

 

Telephones do not have clocks on them. They do have a wake up service. For those that need to know what time it is--take a watch-an alarm clock. Not all channels on the tv have the time on it.

 

Mario is a cabin steward on deck 6- aft. He says that if you want dividers open you need to see the pursers desk. He has been working on Carnival for 3 years and the Miracle since it started sailing. He has never opened a divider and wouldnt even know how. He says that maintenace on the ship is who opens them. They are locked shut and need a tool to open them. Once opened they stay open all week- so you cant open it one day and want to close it at night.

 

Same with the lounge chairs...some balconies can have lounge chairs placed. For the life of me I still cant see how a lounge chair will fit on a spirit class ship on the aft. (not the wrap arounds) But we had friends in 6232 that had plenty of room for a few lounge chairs. The cabin steward stated to go through the Pursers desk. I asked about the people who said the cabin steward got lounge chairs for people in the past. He told me that crew members are not allowed in public areas except where they are supposed to be- If he was up on the pool deck getting a chair he could be fired. If a passenger wants a lounge chair go to the Pursers desk and you can be told if one will fit on your balcony or not. THey will then write a slip for the cabin steward to get you a chair.

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Ihave been a member of cruise critic since 2000. I love researching my ports using this site. I know Costa Maya is a relatively new port BUT nothing i read on here or anywhere on the net prepared me for this day. Especailly in the begining.

 

We arrived in Costa Maya with 2 other ships- Royal's Explorer and Grandeur.

Both ships arrived an hour before we did.

 

I know I wanted to head to Majuhaul and had to take a taxi. What no one ever stated was the lines waiting to take a taxi. We headed to to the taxi stand to wait in the long line to buy tickets. $3.00 pp to get to Majuahaul. (yes, you need tickets to take a taxi) Yes it is per person. So we waited in the hot sun for little over half an hour to buy our tickets. There is no shade to buy tickets for the taxi- After getting our tickets we then had to wait in another line to board the buses. Again no shade and again a half hour wait.

I think that someone should be there to direct people (there is no signs that state you need to have a ticket and lots of people waited in the line for the bus without the tickets- so they had to go back -get the ticket and wait in the line for the bus again. Once on the bus it was smooth sailing. It is a 2 mile ride to the beaches. We saw lots of people walking. Nothing to see as you walk and I dont think I would have walked that. I can see where there is a lot of room for development and expect the next time we go back there will be tons of new stuff built.

The bus took us through the back way into Majuahal. All the poor people/ houses etc. To think on the other side of these houses was a beautiful beach/water country side. I can only imagine where the tourism board will build up this area then where will those people go.

The beach is one long strech of beach. there is a sandy road that gives access to the bars/food. Each bar has access to the beach in front of it.

From reading the boards we decided to try Tappa Bar. We got our table. Yes there are tables with umbrellas. We ate tacos/quissadillas/nachos and had a few sodas. Two people total bill was 15 bucks and that included a tip. Massages are 30 minutes for 20 bucks but if it is slow you can haggle 45 minutes for the same 20 bucks. Both Joe and I had a massage and the people giving the massage are good. BUT please be aware that the towels are never changed between customers. THey just take the towels, shake them out and refold them. I also never seen them leave and wash their hands between people either. Not saying they dont do it-- I just never seen them leave. Kinda gave me a yucky feeling most of the day but for $20 bucks compared to the ships $100 for the same thing it was well worth it.

 

After lunch and massages we ventured out to see what the different vendors had to offer. Lots of nice stuff and haggling was going on all around us. We then headed to the taxi stand to buy our return trip to the ships. THere was no line and we were in a cab with in a few minutes.

 

There is a posted guard at the front roads into Majuahaul. ANd we did see a few guy wearing black = carrying guns. It is intimadating to see this but they are there to protect everyone. I guess they like the tourism dollars that are being spent here and want to keep it that way. Unlike St Croix where crime was rampant with cruise passengers.

 

I did get the menu so I can post it...and have pictures. GIve me a few days and I will get them posted for you.

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Nick & Noras does have a dress code. On formal nights you will need a jacket and tie. On other nights the dress code is scaled down. We went on Thursday and was told dress pants and a dress shirt was all that was needed.

 

Once onboard I headed to Nick & Noras tomake a reservation. I wanted to pick my own table so this is the way to do it. I wanted Thurday night at 7:30 with a seat by the window. (bad choice for us.) It was very dark at the window. couldnt see out anyway. but we also couldnt read what was on the menu either. Next time we pick a table on the floor.

 

Another- the menu in the dining room was rather weak on Wednesday and thats the night we should have went to Nick & Noras.

 

Our week we cruised Nick & Noras started a new menu. No longer can you get crab legs. Nor can you order more then one thing. One Appetizer, one soup,one salad. one entree and one dessert. (tough decisions)

The meal does take 2 1/2 hours but it really doesn feel like that long. There is not huge amount of wait time either.

The dessert menu is all new. Nothing from the old menu is placed.

The cost is still $25.00 per person. Plus we tipped an additonal 10 bucks. It took me 6 cruises to talk the SO into doing the supper club. I doubt very much that I will have to talk him into it anymore.

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STARTERS

 

TRIO OF ESCARGOTS

Baked in Brioche, wrapped iin rice paper and

classic Bourguignone

 

BEEF CARPACCIO

Sliced raw beef tenderloins with shaved parmesan cheese

marinated Mache Lettuce

 

SHUSHI PLATTER

Ahi Tune, Salmon, Shrim and Unagi with Pickled ginger and Wasabi

 

ICED RUSSIAN CAVIAR

1oz of Suvruga Cavier with tradional condiments and buckwheat blinis

an Extra $29.00 charge will apply

 

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Colossal black tiger prawns with american cockatail sauce

 

NEW ENGLAND CRAB CAKE

on Roasted pepper Remoulade

 

LOBSTER BISQUE WITH VINTAGE COGNAC

Fleuron & Fresh cream

 

BAKED ONION SOUP "LES HALLES"

a parisian Classic

 

SALADS

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD

Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, traditionally prepared

 

BABY LEAF SPINACH AND FRESH MUSHROOMS

with blue cheese , warm bacon dressing

 

TOSSED GARDEN SALAD

Greens, radicchio, tomato wedges, Purple onion rings and watercress

Choice of House, Ranch, or bleu cheese dressing

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SIDE DISHES

 

Baked Potato with trimmings

Sauteed medley of fresh mushrooms

Yukon old mash with Wasabi Harseradish

Spaghetti with fresh tomoato sauce

Grilled fresh vegetables in season

Creamed Spinach with garlic

 

ENTREES

 

BROILED NEW YORK STRIP LOIN STEAK

14oz of the favorite cut for steak connoisseurs

 

CLASSIC PORTER HOUSE STEAK

24oz of the best from both worlds

 

BROILED FILET MIGNON

9ox for the true Gourmet

 

CHILEAN SEA BASS

Lobster Nage-braised sea bass over young spinac and mango salad

 

BROILED LOBSTER TAIL

served with drawn butter

 

BROILED SUPREME OF FREE RANGE CHICKEN

with blackberry port wine reduction

 

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS

double cut lamb chops

served on five-bean cassoulet and rosemary jus

 

BROILED PROVIMI VEAL CHOP

center cut from the highest greade milk fed veal

 

SAUCES AVAILABLE

three-peppercorn sauce

wild mushroom sauce

sauce bearnaise.

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CITRUS CHEESECAKE WITH HAZELNUT BUSCUIT

Burnt basmati and Mango Ravioli with almosd and marcarpose jam

WASHINGTON APPLE TARTE TARTIN

served with chocolate and leon balm salad

CHOCOLATE TARTE WITH BITER CHOCOLATE PATE

rasberry & pineapple croquant, tiramisu notre facon

FRESH FRUITS

assembly of tropical fruits and berries in season

served with homemade sherbet

SELECTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHEESES

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Thanks for all that information! I have been waiting anxiously to hear something from you recent cruise on the miracle.

 

My husband and I were just talking about this last night............building up our sign and sail account BEFORE we cruise. Are GC the only way to do this? I guess I was hoping I could mail Carnival $$ to apply to our account, a little at a time. Or....maybe overpay when the final payment is due next month. But.......I guess I can purchase GC when I have a few extra bucks.

 

So here another question..........can I pre-pay the tips? There are 4 of us, so $10 a day x 7 days = $280 I would like to take care of before June. I am afraid we are going to be the family that racks up a $2000 bill at the end of the cruise, and I want to avoid that. If I can pay off the tips and start with a +balance in my account, then I won't worry as much.

 

How was your room? Roomy enough? I want to hear it all, lol!!

 

Debbie

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Debbie: You can prepay your tips with final payment.. But prepaying tips you can not adjsut them up or down. If service is bad you are kinda stuck paying. There is a 1-800 number that you can call and place money on your account. (Of course I dont have that number with me but it is at work)

What i did before we cruised was each pay I would call and place an amount onto my cabin credit. I wanted to prepay as much of my cruise as possible. SO i prepaid my tips by placing 150.00 onto cabin credit. I also wanted to prepay our meal at Nick & Noras. SO I placed $75.00 the next pay.

 

When you call to place cabin credit get the persons name/confirmation number the date and time the call was placed. That way if anything is missing you will have a back up so the Pursers office can know where to look for it. Another way is buing those funship dollars. ( I dont know if gift certificates work the same way- I didnt use those)

 

I also got drink coupons to be delivered the first night at dinner. THese are good for the frozen foo foo drinks...only save you a few cents but those drinks are prepaid.

 

By the time we sailed I had built up 475 cabin credit. On the last day I got back a check for 130 bucks. I got my hair done for formal night. (40.00 to use a curling iron--lol but it was well worth it) I got one of those towels for 22 bucks. paid for tips, cigerettes onboard. One night did the casino using the sign and sail card. etc etc.

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You are fantastic! I'm glad to know you can't see anything at a window table, cause I probably would have booked one at N&N without knowing that!Great tips!Look forward to the menus!

June

 

June : what also surprised me was how little people were in Nick & Noras. I expected it to be crowded because people say it does sell out. On our night it was us. The captain and his crew at the table directly across from us and the pursers crew behind us. Very few people ate in Nick & Noras this week. I was also surprised to see very few people eating here on Valentines day. Guess it depends on the week. lol

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Late show commedian was always held in the Mad Hatter lounge. Why they did this is beyond me. If the show was at 11pm we arrived half hour before show time and there are no seats. Many many people were saving the whole row for their party. To have no seats available half hour before the show starts should tell Carnival this show should be put in the main showroom. We stood in the back for the commedian on two nights. the rest of the week we just didnt go to the shows held in Mad Hatter Lounge. This is the only complaint I had for my whole week.

 

There are two shows = Generations and Ticket to RIde.

Generations is on Mondy- 8:45 and 10:30 (its ok- I thought the girl needed singing lessons. It was a way to waste an hour.

 

Ticket to ride is on Friday 8:45 and 10:30 (it too was better then Generations)

 

Welome aboard show is on Sunday and it was nice- get you inthe mode for cruising and what you can expect. Dont worry if you miss it- it will be on tv.

 

In the dining room the first night you will be told what your dining room color will be. Dining room is broke down into three sections. Red white and blue. We were on the main floor to the right as you enter. We were the white team,. The tables to the left as you enter were Red. The dining room upstairs was white. Each team accruded points for particiapting in activities during the week. Each night after dessert the Marte de came on the speaker to let each team know how they were doing. On our week the white team won-after being in last place all week.

 

 

Movies that played for free for our week

Dr Doolittle, Taxi, The clearing, the king and I, Cellular, I <3 huckabees, Home alone, I, Robot, Code 46, Nine lives, Paparazzi,

 

 

Captains coctail party is on Monday- 4:45 for early dining and 7:00 for late dining.

 

There is a Lounge crawl on Monday night starts at 10pm with Karl with a "K" I wish I had an ounce of that kids stamina. He is always on the go. Lotso f people find it annoying. I can see him getting to be a cruise director some day. On 6 cruises and I have never seen a social host get their passengers involved the way Karl with a K did. Funny thing about Karl with a K- he was in training when we sailed the Victory in 2002. (he was very quiet then- nothing like he is now.

 

For people going on their first cruise- I suggest you go with the flow. THere is no way that you can get to do it all. Somedays tough decisions will have to be made on what to do. Relax- have fun and enjoy.

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Late show commedian was always held in the Mad Hatter lounge. Why they did this is beyond me. If the show was at 11pm we arrived half hour before show time and there are no seats. Many many people were saving the whole row for their party. To have no seats available half hour before the show starts should tell Carnival this show should be put in the main showroom. We stood in the back for the commedian on two nights. the rest of the week we just didnt go to the shows held in Mad Hatter Lounge. This is the only complaint I had for my whole week.

 

I agree completely. We missed all the late night comedians because of this reason too. We didn't care to see any of the regular shows but late night shows are a must. Very disappointed that there was not enough room to accomodate everyone.

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Something else: When sailing away- we went to the funnel deck to watch us sail under that bridge. Now THAT was something amazing. I think the funnel has 6 inches of clearance space to get under that bridge. There were quite a few people up there watching it...and the ohhhs and ahhhs were very impressive. That is one time I wish I had my video camera coz it moves very fast. If you blinked you missed it. And this is something NOT to be missed. I dont know how long from the time we pulled out til the time we got to the bridge.. It was a while though. Something to find out from other cruisers..how long before we get to that bridge?

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I agree going under the bridge is something to see. I've done in in Tampa and also NYC it was amazing. Don't miss it if you are sailing under a bridge!

 

Now I'm really looking forward to see the menu change. Hope they don't take something out I was looking forward too. LOL

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