2/13/05 Miracle Review- GoinCruisin Style

[GoinCruisin]

WHAT A GREAT CRUISE!!!! I'm sure there will be a collaborative review which might be more entertaining. Tried to touch on some of the highlights here though.

We arrived in Tampa and met up with some of the Pirates for an impromptu liquor run thanks to the great shuttle driver at the Hilton Westshore. Had our meet and mingle at the Hilton, great to meet so many CC’ers. We then decided to make our way to the Knights of Sant Y’ago parade in Ybor City… okay, none of us had ever been to this parade and had NO idea what to expect, but after about 7 hours of cocktails, it sounded like a good idea. Hired a van service, $6pp for about 10 of us. He dropped us off at 11PM at our “rendezvous” point and we told him we would call him around 1AM (we had NO clue why he couldn’t stop laughing). We proceeded to walk down the street which had previously been the scene of I’m sure a lovely parade… it looked similar to Mardi Gras, but at this point of the evening made Mardi Gras look like Kindergarten camp. Grabbed some beers from a street vendor, and then were told we couldn’t drink them on the street? Um, and we are to drink them where???? So, under our coats they went. Walked a few minutes more and decided to stop and watch the “bead tossing”, bit entertaining… until you look down the street and everyone is shouting FIIIIIGHT!!!!!! And it was like the running of the bulls and the parting of the seas at the same time, we all scattered… about 200 people in this crowd were running through the middle, and there was a fight in there somewhere…. Within about I’d say um, 20 seconds, we were on the phone with our driver looking for an evacuation unit, we had been in Ybor for 20 minutes. As we were walking back to meet the driver, there were many other interesting sights, LOL. All in all, a very interesting night! We stayed at the Wyndham Westshore and it was lovely! Got a great price on Priceline and were very pleased with the room and the location.

 

 

Sunday (Embarkation Day): Well, everyone has probably heard about the nightmares this day. We got up and met everyone and headed to the port to drop our luggage off. Got there around 11 and were told the ship would be in at 2PM. So we headed to Hooters right around the corner. Met up with lots of the Pirates and Fools, a great time was had by all! Around noon we all started taking turns in groups to go and check in at the terminal. They were allowing us to check in and told us that once the ship arrived, all we had to do was get our S&S card, and checking in early would speed things up (um, NOT). They told us to come back between 4-6. Headed back to Hooters and watched the Miracle come in. WOW!!!!! Hooters was a hoot. Loved meeting many new friends. Headed to the terminal around 4:30? And once there we found that they were calling individual names to board the ship. If your name had already been called, you would have to wait until they called it again. NOT a good sign. So we copped a squat, for a long time. They changed how they were doing this many times. And after a while they informed us that “those that checked in later and DID receive their S&S card, could go ahead and board”… okay and the early check in did us WHAT kind of good????? We finally were called around 5:30. I will say that generally I enjoy looking at the Embarkation photos, but they were hilarious this time, I hardly saw anyone smiling! LOL! Got on the ship, which was beautiful and headed to our cabin (7161 Ext. Balcony). Our luggage was there and the cabin was great. Headed down to the Lido where we met up with many of the various groups for cocktails. Soon it was ready for the mass dinner seating. It was open seating, which was a bit of a mess. They did have the tempura shrimp this evening, which is one of my faves!!!!! We were informed that the Muster Drill would take place Monday morning at 9:30. So back out we went for a fabulous evening. The ship was great, for the most part… Few things I didn’t care for. The hallways, would have preferred nice straight hallways, all the turns and maneuvers to get to the cabins was difficult (the later it got). All of the “night time” hot spots are so spaced out and you have to walk through the casino to get from place to place. The nightlife on this ship was DEAD after 11. Most nights, there may have been 15 people in the disco, if that. One night was great, dancefloor was packed, but that was about it. Frankie and Johnny’s was good a couple of times, but mostly dead. The piano bar, well… they need a new guy in there. We managed to make our own party happen most nights, but it was surprising how quickly the ship got quiet. Seemed to be a much older crowd on this particular sailing.

 

 

[GoinCruisin]

Monday (Sea Day): Woke up and had a couple of mimosas (one more tiny complaint… mimosa/BM happy hour on this ship does not start until 10AM, we were used to having happy hour earlier darnit!!!) Then headed to the muster drill, which was rather painless. We had a internet M&M with all the groups on the back of the Lido, good times… The pirates and fools got along fabulously!!! Met some great people and had a wonderful time!! Had our group picture made. Carnival went over the top with this! It was great!!!!!! Security was doing a fabulous job of clearing children out of the Adult pool and hot tub. There were some very angry parents that seemed to have missed that section in school where they taught you how to READ, as there were signs all over the place that stated “Adults Only”. After that, more mimosa’s and BM’s were had… and it was definitely a fun day at sea! A certain host *cough* entered the Hairy Chest contest after MUCH ribbing from the group, it was too funny!!!!!!!!! He didn’t win, but did have the best dance moves!!!!!!!!!!! :D The band on the Lido was great. We were off to get ready for formal night. We got to the Captains dinner about 20 minutes late (oops) and by that time they seemed to be out of drinks. Dinner was very nice. Our waiter Elmer was FABULOUS!!!!! He was so entertaining and he thoroughly helped make our dinners fun! We had a great table, and dinner was always a highlight. Some of us joined in on the Lounge Crawl and had a blast. Ended up in the disco, finished off by pizza of course J

 

 

Tuesday (Grand Cayman): Many of us had booked a tour to swim with the Stingrays, it didn’t turn out exactly how we would have liked, but I digress. We went to the Tortuga shop and stayed there sampling rums for about an hour, LOL. Then headed back to the ship. Hung out on the Lido and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon (note that I will insert that line when things get blurry, LOL). We had reservations at Nick and Nora’s, so 5 of us headed off to dinner. WOW WOW WOW!!! What a fabulous dinner! The restaurant is gorgeous and the service it TOP NOTCH!!!!!! Note when you leave the table, someone comes right behind you everytime to fold up your napkin, LOL. I had the lobster bisque, crabcake, surf and turf and the chocolate tarte. It is WAY more than enough food! WAY!!!! We were all totally defeated after our meal! We all went to change into our fat clothes, and hung out on deck…. No pizza this night! LOL!!!!

 

 

Wednesday (Costa Maya): What a FUN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woke up to Mimosa’s and BM’s, hung out on deck for a while and headed to my favorite place! The pool bar! It was definitely a wild and crazy day in CM!!!! *enjoyed a relaxing afternoon* (maybe too much fun on this day?), headed back to the ship. Someone else might have to fill in the blanks of this day for me :confused: I do know that there was a bathrobe party, dance party and the infamous conga line on deck that night, and somehow I ended up all over funvision… oops. FABULOUS day!!!

 

 

Thursday (Cozumel): Always love Cozumel and was looking forward to seeing PB Tom again! We all showed up with mini raviolis in tow and Tom showed us a great time! This is just such a fabulous beach and the staff there are the friendliest around. The bathrooms are the cleanest in Mexico!!!!! We had a wonderful visit! Can’t wait to go back!!!! We left there and headed for CNC’s where we met up with many fools!!! Ran through the tequila conga TWICE (got me bum stamped) and did LOTS of dancing. Always a fun day at CNC! On the way back, hit Fat Tuesdays and met up with more fools again!! (yes, I was one of the obnoxious drunks there…. And it was a BLAST)!!!!!!! On the way back to the ship, we participated in the Mardi Gras festivities on the gangway… it was a hoot (they tell me I had a great time!) It really was harmless fun, and anything goes in Coz!!!!! Skipped dinner this evening and opted for a brief nap… then went to the late night comedy show, which happened to be the hypnotist, which was pretty good. Another fun day.

 

 

Friday (Belize): Many of us opted for a “sea day” here… 3 days in a row is tough. We had a great day on the ship and MUCHO fun was had!!!!! The drink of the day on this day is the Island Delight… BE CAREFUL! LOL!!!!!!! Since it was early in the morning, our bartender decided to “double up” on the 151…. WHOA! The morning was a blur!!!! *a very relaxing day at sea* LOL. This was the second formal night. Dinner was so-so on this night, I wasn’t impressed with much on the menu. We participated in the Mardi Gras party and had a good time, although the parade went from the atrium to Frankie and Johnny’s, and that was about it. This was the evening in the disco that was great! We had a blast in there. I was positively glowing (lol, can’t explain this one!!!)

 

 

Saturday (Sea Day): Our final morning of mimosas :( Very sad day and the mood was somber (and it was chilly!!!!!). We had a great day, enjoying time with all of our new friends. Dinner on the last night was fabulous… way too much to choose from. It was sad saying goodbye to our wait staff. We had our glowing home party on this night and had a great time. Closed down the disco and said goodbye to all of our friends.

 

 

Parting notes. Loved the cabin. The extended balcony is nice, but didn’t spend as much time out there as I would have liked. Steward (John) was out of this world!!! Could not have asked for better service. Food in the dining room was not always up to par on this cruise, but most of the time pretty darn good, not too many complaints. I didn’t think the décor was too horrible, it took some getting used to. The ship was beautiful but I was not crazy about the layout. I don’t think I saw the entire ship… just too much to do and see. I didn’t mind Karl with a K, he was pretty entertaining, albeit irritating from time to time. Wish there would have been more nightlife, but like I said, we managed just fine. Carnival did a GREAT jobs with the groups on this cruise! Very impressed. All in all it was a wonderful cruise. I was able to see old friends and meet some great friends that I will consider friends for a lifetime. I have never laughed so hard in my life…. We had great weather (other than the first morning at sea and the last evening, a little windy and chilly). There was always something going on somewhere on the ship. The food on the buffet and the grills were great, and of course the pizza. Nothing is ever perfect, but it was a fabulous cruise and I am suffering from MAJOR PCD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Any questions, just ask… I’ll answer if I can! LOL!

[kjunea]

Thanks for a great review!! I'm sorry you can't remember everything because you were "relaxing" so much!! Sounds like you guys had a great time!! I wish I could have been there! Maybe someone can invent a camera you can wear on your head so that you can see where you have been later!!

[Snowball]

What went wrong with your swim with the stingrays excursion? I'm just curious because I am booked with Soto's to do that excursion in June.

[GoinCruisin]

Deb, it wasn't Soto's... it just wasn't what we expected, but for now, I don't want to get into it on the boards. It really was not our tour operators fault... I have heard great things about Soto's, so you should be fine!!!! have a great time!

 

Kjunea, come join us on the next one! It is definitely a fun time! And yes, I need one of those cameras! LOL!

[Stircrzy]

so...uhm, where are the photos?

 

Randy showed us one dinky photo with a gadzillion people in it...we need more. You know...photographic evidence!

[TexasRed]

ROFLMAO over here!!!!! GC, you were indeed *glowing*....are you still? :D

 

Camera on the head?!?!?! FTLOG people!!! She had more fun than is legal here, that's why we took her and her twin Lucy to Mexico!!! And the VERY first rule we made, way back when this was announced....

 

"What happens on the ship, STAYS on the ship!!" (Thank goodness)

 

GC, love you GF, and miss you sooo much already. We will have to see about getting you and Pete and Repeat to DFW for a Meet & Mingle!!

 

Muah!!

Judy

[GoinCruisin]

Seriously, our cameras were all ruined in Costa Maya in the Tsunami :p

 

Judy, miss you too girl! Love you guys! And YES, I will be there SOON! Need to see you all again! I love my Texas family!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What a BLAST we had!!!!!!!!

I'm still glowing baby!!!!

[MrPete]

Now I have a narrative to go with *some* of the "fool"ish pix.:)

 

Thanks for sharing!

[k9hndler]

Brought me right back to the Ship, Thanks. Elmer from the P.I. was our waiter too, and he let me wear his elvis head for most of one formal nite. What a good dude. Glad you had such a good time.

[GoinCruisin]

Brought me right back to the Ship, Thanks. Elmer from the P.I. was our waiter too, and he let me wear his elvis head for most of one formal nite. What a good dude. Glad you had such a good time.

 

LOL K9, he was the best!!!!!!! I danced with him every night with that Elvis hat! We loved his laugh... he was sick on the last night so all of us left him a silly drunken note... miss him already. I hope our paths cross again!!!!! As soon as we can weed through the "good pics" I'll get some posted!!!!

[iluvdoxies]

There was a tsunami in Costa Maya??? lol lol

 

GC your review pretty much sums it up----except our waiter didnt have much personality- but he was efficient----

 

I like the Lido deck set up more on the Miracle (spirit class) but do like the bar/lounge set up on the Glory better-- all right together there--makes it easy to hop from place to place.

 

THe piano player was soooo dead- I was falling asleep in there---but the bar staff in there did make STRONG cosmos!!!

 

Nick and Nora's was soo good---but way too much food--when they brought out those little choc "treats" at the very end---well they were just wasted on us---John had the porterhouse and I had the filet mignon---and mmmmm the onion soup....

 

Also for those of you thinking of going to the fishing village- Majuhaul- it was really great ONCE we got there----it was a mess to get there-- no taxis can take you there- so first u get in a line to buy your bus tkts and then get in line for a bus---none of this is marked-----guess we are supposed to be clairavoyant----anyhow after about 45 min we were on our way---walked down to Tappas and the staff there is great! Had a table with umbrella right on the beach= I had 2 margs, John had beers and we had chips and salsa n guack--bill was 18.00---very cheap-- the water was pretty but a little cool for me. To get back to the pier, taxis can take you back---there is a place to line up for your taxi===not nearly as confusing as getting there---

 

Really enjoyed PB and Tom's hospitality----think that hot sauce of his is what gave me fever blisters lol---

 

John agrees GC that the ship was very quiet after 1am---he tried to find a lively place but couldnt most nights--

 

ANyhow- we had a fab time with all you pirates and was also nice to meet some fools-----

[gtalum]

Is the nightlife on the Miracle always dead? This is making me rethink my September cruise!

[L2J]

GC - Great review - thanks for sharing!

[Intrudr]

 

 

 

The piano bar, well… they need a new guy in there.

 

 

 

Was it Duane? We complained to the CD that this guy barely registered a pulse. The piano player from Nick & Nora's would come down and play during Duane's break - we got to the point where we got the break schedule and showed up then to sing along.

[iluvdoxies]

yep it was duane---you are so right---his pulse must have been 0---

[rcsort]

Someone else might have to fill in the blanks of this day for me :confused:

 

GC - I could do that but it might get me banned from the boards;);)

Seriously, We had a great time. We spent most of the day at in the pool with the swim up bar and it was a blast!! Walking back to the ship with Lisa and Lucy was also great fun! Somehow they ended up with matching sundresses....

[Intrudr]

Someone else might have to fill in the blanks of this day for me :confused:

 

GC - I could do that but it might get me banned from the boards;);)

Seriously, We had a great time. We spent most of the day at in the pool with the swim up bar and it was a blast!! Walking back to the ship with Lisa and Lucy was also great fun! Somehow they ended up with matching sundresses....

 

tell us about the "swim up bar".

[Randy & Carmen]

The swim up bar and the whole pool is awesome.....Huge!.....That was our fav time last Oct there with the S&Sers but this time with the PPers it was even better.....All that we remember and some video we reviewed the next day told us more.....I saw a guy that looked JUST like me.....man was he having fun!

 

Anyway, the swim up bar is about belly deep and you order right there while you stay in the pool.....the bartenders are on dry ground.....the music is playing and it's a riot!...We LOVE it!......Try there mexican tea.......they make it in a large yard glass and about 10 times as strong as a long island tea.......I thought I just had 3 but my GF said it was more like 6 or 7 and two yard banana daiquiris before that so.....YEP.....I got blanks......lol...Hey they should rename that GC to ....."You'll Have Blanks"

[GoinCruisin]

ROFLMAO Ricky! Great name for those drinks! Can't wait to have some more of those in October!!!! We are going to be there in October aren't we??? :confused:

 

Gotta love that pool... truly one of my favorite stops each time, and gets better and better!!!!!

[GoinCruisin]

OMG OMG OMG!!!! We are NOT going to be there on the Valor! FTLOG! Can we replace Belize with CM????????? OH GOOD GRIEF!!!!! I'll stay on the ship again in Belize... so that's 2 sea days in the beginning of the cruise? Ah yeah!

[bac471]

Now see, this a good review! Not a bunch of whining and pettiness! I wanted to shake the other reviewer (who will remain nameless) and tell the wuss to SPEAK UP!! Ask for what you want during dinner, request water or tea or bread!

And please dont expect the steward to call you by name. Who does the guy think he is anyway that every Carnival employee has to call HIM by his name!!

C'mon, give me a break with that BS!!!:p :D

[GoinCruisin]

Don't bring that crap into my review. Tony and Lori are GREAT... and yes, every steward I have ever had has known my name... it is a very common practice. Name calling and pettiness like that are just ridiculous...

[kristy]

Great review GC! I'm thinking that there are SOME of us that could fill in those "relaxing" parts that you can't recall! LOL I have pictures BABY!:p You're review makes you sound all nice and innocent, and we know that isn't true, you naughty girl! :D Flashing,kissing,groping.....I could go on and on!!:) Eddie and I both enjoyed your company and can't wait to cruise with ya again!:)

[GoinCruisin]

Great review GC! I'm thinking that there are SOME of us that could fill in those "relaxing" parts that you can't recall! LOL I have pictures BABY!:p You're review makes you sound all nice and innocent, and we know that isn't true, you naughty girl! :D Flashing,kissing,groping.....I could go on and on!!:) Eddie and I both enjoyed your company and can't wait to cruise with ya again!:)

 

Inspiration in May girl!!!!! Are you guys going????? Would love to cruise with you guys again!!!!!!! And yes, I AM sweet and innocent... it's LUCY you have to worry about! ROFLMAO!!!