Miracle Eastern Review in Pics- First Time Cruiser! May 2011

[lmsdf]

What a fabulous review! I can't wait until our cruise in August! Thanks again!

[Kiera99]

I will be on the same cruise in August. Your review is wonderful. I love all the pix of food, beach and everything.

[Lucille Bluth]

Loved the review and all the photos!

[CruisinFamily_3]

As a long time cruiser I want to compliment you on your excellent review - truly one of the best I have ever read! And your pictures are spectacular - bravo for a wonderful gift you are giving all of us. I particularly liked your positive comments on - well - everything ! Especially encouraging people to go out and explore Nassau, etc. You are a true traveler if you can see the good and the bad of places and chose to focus on the good. We are taking this cruise on 10/5 and I am sending my daughter some of your pictures as she and a friend are joining us. It is our 40th anniversary and oddly enough on our actual wedding date (10/10) we will be in Nassau which is where we cruised to for our honeymoon. I love that you are introducing your son to travel at his age - our daughter was 6 when she took her first cruise and at 28 is loves to travel and particularly cruise. Thanks again for taking the time to share your wonderful trip. Best to you and your lovely family.

 

Wow- thank you so much for your kind words! I think traveling is SO important for kids. DS has been traveling since he was 3 and we took him to Europe to meet DH's family. We have traveled every year since. He is adventurous, well-behaved, smart, curious, and never takes one vacation for granted. I can't imagine traveling without him!

 

Have a great time on your cruise and Happy Anniversary!! How exciting you will be in Nassau on your wedding date!

 

Thanks again for commenting and reading- it makes the time put into doing a review seem worth it!

[CruisinFamily_3]

What a fabulous review! I can't wait until our cruise in August! Thanks again!

 

I will be on the same cruise in August. Your review is wonderful. I love all the pix of food, beach and everything.

 

Thank you and thanks for reading! Have a great time on your cruise (I know you will!)!

 

Loved the review and all the photos!

 

Thank you and thanks for following along! :D

[Fourkids4us]

I was happy to come across this as we will be going on the Miracle in September. We have lots of kids going. 8,8,6,6,5,4,4,2. We were at a loss as to what to do with them in Grand Turk(our other stops are San Juan and St. Thomas). It looks like the water isnt too deep where your son was snorkeling. Can you give me some ideas of cost involved. I assume it was walking distance since you went back for lunch.

 

How much was gear or beach entrance. Is the snorkeling area where you recommended the swin shoes? Thanks for any help. Its hard to find things to occupy them. The last time I went to Grand Turk it seemed people were only touring the jail :eek:. Hubby and I were quite unimpressed, lol.

 

PS. What is this about Strawberry Soft Serve. 6 cruises and I was not aware it existed!

[Nanaimobound]

Fantastic review!

 

Your pictures are great and welcome to cruising!

[CruisinFamily_3]

I was happy to come across this as we will be going on the Miracle in September. We have lots of kids going. 8,8,6,6,5,4,4,2. We were at a loss as to what to do with them in Grand Turk(our other stops are San Juan and St. Thomas). It looks like the water isnt too deep where your son was snorkeling. Can you give me some ideas of cost involved. I assume it was walking distance since you went back for lunch.

 

How much was gear or beach entrance. Is the snorkeling area where you recommended the swin shoes? Thanks for any help. Its hard to find things to occupy them. The last time I went to Grand Turk it seemed people were only touring the jail :eek:. Hubby and I were quite unimpressed, lol.

 

PS. What is this about Strawberry Soft Serve. 6 cruises and I was not aware it existed!

 

The beach entrance is actually right where you dock. The beach and chairs are free. Our snorkel was $10 to rent for the day (we just shared). I saw kids that brought buckets to make sand castles and looking for shells. Even if you stay until lunch and get back on the ship (to enjoy an empty ship!) it's a good beach day. There are no drop offs near the shore, but yes, water shoes are good. The sand gets hot and there's a bit of coral and rocks in the ocean.

 

If you would rather have fresh water then the (huge!) Margaritaville pool is an option and very close as well.

 

Whatever you decide- have a great time!!

[CruisinFamily_3]

Fantastic review!

 

Your pictures are great and welcome to cruising!

 

Thanks!! It was our first cruise, but not our last!! Thanks for reading.

 

I was planning an update tonight bur we had severe storms and lost power for almost 4 hours. Just came back on at bedtime! So, I'll try again tomorrow!

[Celandine]

Thanks for your review!!! (Can't wait to see the ship pictures!)

 

I have pretty much decided that the Miracle July 25 2012 will be my next cruise....now I just have to convince my mother to join me! (shouldn't be too hard)

 

 

I love all your pictures by the way. :)

[armymomjarmatt]

i loved your review, i am sailing on her in October. Cant wait, but we have a long wait.

[BettyPC]

Great review and pictures - thanks for telling me about the bannana split - who knew you could ask for one!!! Love the food porn!!!

[dst]

What a great review - I love reading reviews from first time cruisers.......it reminds me of our first cruise, many years ago!

 

We sail on the Miracle in January - different itinerary and no New York but we are excited.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience

[VickiD59]

I have pretty much decided that the Miracle July 25 2012 will be my next cruise....now I just have to convince my mother to join me! :)

I believe that is the San Juan, St Thomas, Grand Turk itinerary. We're going to be booking the same one, but the July 1st sail date. I look forward to trying new things for these ports. We did the same cruise last July, and now that I'm a "season cruiser" (one cruise under my belt LOL), I feel more adventurous. Pics in my review if you're interested.

 

CruisinFamily_3 I am loving your review. LOVE all the pictures! HMC looks divine. Never tire of seeing that incredibly beautiful Caribbean blue water.

[CruisinFamily_3]

Thanks for your review!!! (Can't wait to see the ship pictures!)

 

I have pretty much decided that the Miracle July 25 2012 will be my next cruise....now I just have to convince my mother to join me! (shouldn't be too hard)

 

 

I love all your pictures by the way. :)

 

Thanks! I am also looking at the itin next year- although I don't know if I want to sail in July (HOT!! :eek:).

 

I should have some ship pics up tonight. I have been so busy with work (and now DS is on summer vacation!) I haven't had time to update. :(

 

Thanks for following along. . .I think your mother would love this cruise!

 

i loved your review, i am sailing on her in October. Cant wait, but we have a long wait.

 

October will be here before you know it and you will be planning your next cruise! Hope you have a great time and thanks for following along!

 

Great review and pictures - thanks for telling me about the bannana split - who knew you could ask for one!!! Love the food porn!!!

 

I found out about the banana split here on the boards! Also as a PP that was on this same cruise pointed out- on sea days (after 3 pm I believe) there are toppings for the ice cream at the machines!! Glad you are enjoying the food porn- I love to remember the delicious stuff I ate. . .mmm!

 

Thanks for reading!!

[CruisinFamily_3]

What a great review - I love reading reviews from first time cruisers.......it reminds me of our first cruise, many years ago!

 

We sail on the Miracle in January - different itinerary and no New York but we are excited.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience

 

It is so overwhelming being a first time cruiser. . .but what a feeling to see that ship and sailaway for the first time!! I hope I have the same feelings (without being overwhelmed) everytime I go!

 

Have a great cruise in January! I'm hoping to go next March or April. . .but don't know where yet. . .

 

Thanks for reading!!

 

I believe that is the San Juan, St Thomas, Grand Turk itinerary. We're going to be booking the same one, but the July 1st sail date. I look forward to trying new things for these ports. We did the same cruise last July, and now that I'm a "season cruiser" (one cruise under my belt LOL), I feel more adventurous. Pics in my review if you're interested.

 

CruisinFamily_3 I am loving your review. LOVE all the pictures! HMC looks divine. Never tire of seeing that incredibly beautiful Caribbean blue water.

 

The San Juan/St Thomas/GT itin looks amazing! I have always wanted to see San Juan AND St Thomas. I'm just so unsure of what to do next year. . .:confused: But that's half the fun. . .LOL!

 

I am definitly going to check out your review- I love sitting around in my jammies with a cold drink in hand on my balcony and read other's reviews!

 

Thanks for doing a review and thanks for following mine!

[Celandine]

I believe that is the San Juan, St Thomas, Grand Turk itinerary. We're going to be booking the same one, but the July 1st sail date. I look forward to trying new things for these ports. We did the same cruise last July, and now that I'm a "season cruiser" (one cruise under my belt LOL), I feel more adventurous. Pics in my review if you're interested.

 

CruisinFamily_3 I am loving your review. LOVE all the pictures! HMC looks divine. Never tire of seeing that incredibly beautiful Caribbean blue water.

 

I will totally check out your review too!!!

 

I only have a 4 week window where I can book a cruise next summer (Since I teach overseas, the dates I come home aren't set in stone)

 

but St.Thomas was one of my favourite ports and I would love to go there again!

[CruisinFamily_3]

May 12th, 2011

It's Another Day at Sea!

 

After having 3 ports in a row, we were exhausted. We knew that we would only have this sea day to spend at the pool and in the sun before it would be too chilly. We LOVED when the band was on the lido stage. It really made it a great atmosphere to relax in. I just sat back taking it all in.

 

We had a group of special needs adults on this cruise and they really enjoyed the music. There were about 5 of them up dancing at the stage and shouting out requests of Bob Marley to the band. It was so great to see them having the time of their lives and their enthusiasm was really contagious!

 

DS and DH spent the day swimming and eating. I spent the day reading my book in a lounger (next to the pool because the chair hogs were not bad!). Because of this I don't have many pictures from this sea day (sorry!!).

 

Tonight was the last formal night. The lido was empty for dinner. DH and DS wanted to try sushi before eating on the lido.

 

 

 

(Don't mind DH's non-matching outfit- lol!)

 

[CruisinFamily_3]

The seas were beginning to get a bit rough the further north we went. Waves were about 7-8 feet. Not bad-but you could feel it. For those who have never cruised before the only way I can describe it is it's like being on a constant rollercoaster when the ship is pitching. You feel like you are floating and weightless one second and extra heavy the next- over and over. I LOVED it! And it was great for sleeping. I did prefer the pitching to rolling though. . .the rolling at the beginning of our week made me nervous!

 

We were sitting on the lido deck and looking towards the front of the ship we would see sky then water, sky then water. It was exciting and a really bizarre feeling. You could actually see when we were about to pitch forward because there would be a hole in the ocean between waves.

 

 

 

 

[CruisinFamily_3]

Oops- and I almost forgot! DH and I went to tea at 3 pm while DS was at Camp Carnival.

 

DH and I are big tea drinkers (he's British- it's required :p) so we were really excited about afternoon tea.

 

We arrived at the MDR and were seated at table with two other women. Soon we had about 6 other people at our table. We had a great chat and the tea and hot water were brought around, followed by little snacks.

 

The company was great, but we were seated RIGHT next to the piano and it was hard to hear the other's talking. It was nice and I'm glad we did it, but I don't think it's on our to do list next time. I think everyone should try it once though.

 

There were maybe 25 people total and it was very relaxing, but just not our thing I guess.

[CruisinFamily_3]

We went to one of the "family friendly" comedians together and had a great time. The comedian was really funny and we all loved it.

 

This evening was also the night DS had been looking forward to since the Camp Carnival orientation. It was the Kid's Just Wanna Stay Up party from 10pm- 1am. We dropped him off at 10 and the staff asked us to check on him in around an hour because many kids had been getting sick with the rough seas. Camp Carnival is located in the very forward of deck 5, so the pitching motion was incrediable here.

 

We checked on him just after 11 and he was fine and having a great time. I think he played Just Dance 2 on the Wii all night! There were many different activities to choose from, and also snack.

 

DH and I went to see the comedian we had just seen, but it was the "R" rated show. Still funny, and not over the top with swearing or inuendos.

 

We relaxed until DS's party was over then fell fast asleep. Only one day left. . .and many photos to come since we fit everything into our last day!!

 

[CruisinFamily_3]

I hope to finish in the next couple days. . .hope everyone stays tuned! :D

[pampaul]

Awww man, I was on a roll. LOL Can't wait to read the rest.

 

I was just telling my DH that I couldn't find any recent Miracle reviews and then yours popped up.

 

We'll be on the Miracle this August (only two more months left) :D and can't wait.

 

It'll be our 5th cruise but our first with Carnival so I'm loving reading your review. Great pictures too!!!

[TakeMeAway1001]

Great review! I love how your son enjoyed trying new food, our daughter is studying culinary in college and oddly hates trying new foods. Thanks again for sharing your cruise with us :)

[CruisinFamily_3]

Awww man, I was on a roll. LOL Can't wait to read the rest.

 

I was just telling my DH that I couldn't find any recent Miracle reviews and then yours popped up.

 

We'll be on the Miracle this August (only two more months left) :D and can't wait.

 

It'll be our 5th cruise but our first with Carnival so I'm loving reading your review. Great pictures too!!!

 

I really wish there had been more Miracle reviews before I left- although I love to read them all (and look at the pics). I hope you enjoy Carnival and most of all the Miracle (I think you will!). Hope you and DH have a great cruise!!

 

Great review! I love how your son enjoyed trying new food, our daughter is studying culinary in college and oddly hates trying new foods. Thanks again for sharing your cruise with us :)

 

I'm with your daughter- I'm not big on trying "new" foods, and I don't eat seafood. I think I still gained weight though! :p You're welcome and thanks for reading!