Amazing Alaskan Cuise...August 13

[nidaco]

Just returned from our wonderful cruise on the Miracle. I am hoping to add pictures as I review our trip. At times during the review I may be wordy or very brief. This review will take some time since I am back to work.

 

In a nutshell.....we had a blast!!! We enjoyed it so much, we're already discussing another Alaskan cruise in the next couple of years.

 

Background: Myself, my dh, dd, ds and aunt took this cruise. We've been fortunate and have cruised before but nothing prepared us for Alaska's beauty. This cruise was meant to be but not our original choice. What we really wanted to do was take an European cruise but honestly the airline cost for the four of us, plus spending time/money in ports was just too much money. Now, my dh has always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise, sooo my fingers swiped some keys while looking at the Carnival website....and what popped up was Cabin number 6232......EXTENDED BALCONY that sleeps 4. But the same price as a regular balcony, so of course this was meant to be our cabin. Click and it was booked.

 

We have had inside, balconies, porthole, L-shaped and now the extended. If you're able to swing it, I would suggest a balcony for Alaska. If not, there are plenty of places to sit right by a window (or out on Lido deck) and watch the exquisite Alaskan landscape. Try Gatsby's Garden...it's quiet and not many people know about it.

 

Cabin 6232- There are not many cabins with that size balcony and sleeps 4. Although, we booked in June 2012, we reiceved 1,000 off due to the Friend and Family Sale this past spring, plus we somehow had a 100.00 credit when we boarded.

 

Before I go on about the cruise, I highly recommend spending some time in Seattle. We spent about three days before the cruise and fell in LOVE with Seattle. So much to do or see...plenty of restaurants. Prior to our trip, I purchased Mariners tix for Saturday PM. It's a beautiful stadium and so glad we did it. There's truly not a bad seat in the house. Since we had our kids we decided to purchase the CITYPass which allows you to go the Space Needle (twice), EMP museum (Music,art, etc), the Flight Museum (take a city BUS # 128),

Seattle Aquarium, Children' Science Center (includes a IMAX film) and a Harbor 1 hour cruise. This was well worth the money and I believe you have 9 days to visit all the above. We did it in two days. I believe it was around 80.00 for adult and 50.00 for kids.

 

Another important tip, you can take the train from the airport to downtown Seattle. The last stop is Westlake which happens to be underneath Nordstrom Department Store. From there you can jump on the monorail, take a taxi or bus, or walk to your hotel. Since our hotel was not in the immediate downtown area we took the Monorail to Seattle Center (where the Needle is) and walked to our hotel (Homewood Suites). Our hotel included daily breakfast (pretty decent) and dinner (Mon.-Thurs. ). Let me be very clear that it is a 10 minute or so walk to Seattle Center and is all UPHILL from our hotel. This was fine for us but may not be for others . The train is 2.75 for adults and 1.50 (I think) for children.

 

If you have any questions so far, ask away. I will try to figure out how to post pictures tomorrow.:)

 

 

btW....we also explored Pikes Market and saw the fish being thrown. You can take an elevator back up or the stairs. Again, very hilly for those whom have difficulty walking.

 

To be continued with pictures ( I hope),

Nicole

[nidaco]

Finally, uploaded most pictures on photobucket....will attempt to post here.

 

SEATTLE

Well, I will begin with our first daywhich was on a flight from JFK to Seattle on Saturday August, 10. Our flight was on a Delta direct flight which arrived safely and on time. (Thanks Pilots :)). We spent three days in Seattle which I will include in my review. After landing we made our way to luggage and took the train to downtown Seattle. It's about a half hour ride to Westlake/Nordstrom's which is the last stop. From there, we took the monorail to Seattle Center and walked to our hotel which happened to be all downhill. The cost for us was under 10.00 on the train and another 9.00 on the monorail.

If you want to save money and be a friend to the Earth:D, take public transportation, it's a great way to do it.

 

For our accommodations, we stayed at the Homeword Suites which included a daily breakfast and supper with drinks (no charge) Mon.-Thurs. When we arrive we went to Buckley's pub up the street which happened to be a neighborhood place. We were very hungry by this time and the food was tasty.

 

That evening we had tickets to the Mariners baseball game @ Safeco field. Prior to the trip, I purchased tickets....$11.00 each (plus shipping/surcharge). Although the seats were very high up, the view was great. It was a beautiful stadium....really don't think there's a bad seat in the house. That evening the Mariners were honoring Ken Griffith, Jr. Mr. Griffith gave a great speech.....definitely tell Seattle loves him. Unfortunately, we only made it to the the top of the 7th inning.

 

BTW.....We took a taxi from our hotel and the cost was about 13.00. We would have been late if we took the bus.

 

I am going to stop for now and try getting my photos up in my next post. Wish me luck.:)

 

[nidaco]

Here are some pictures...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nidaco]

A couple more photos from the stadium.

 

 

 

 

Will continue tomorrow. I am still having difficulty making pictures smaller and it's taking too long. If you have any questions, ask away and thanks for being so patient.

[what to go here and there]

whoo I have the same room you were in for my second cruise as I doing a back to back. Do you have any pictures?? I know I am going to be spending a lot of time on that balcony.. Did you find the view blocked?

[Captain Carnival]

Thanks for the look ahead as I just booked a cruise to Alaska on Miracle for next September 2014!!

[nidaco]

whoo I have the same room you were in for my second cruise as I doing a back to back. Do you have any pictures?? I know I am going to be spending a lot of time on that balcony.. Did you find the view blocked?

 

 

No, the view wasn't blocked. I will be posting pictures of the cabin in a couple of days.

[Captain Carnival]

No, the view wasn't blocked. I will be posting pictures of the cabin in a couple of days.

 

Bring em on!! :D

[Guest fyree39]

DH and I have been talking about taking in baseball games before a cruise. I'm glad this worked out so well for you!

[Guest fyree39]

I think the baseball field picture sizes are just right. :)

[RyanDMB99@aol.com]

My fiance and I had the same cabin 6232 aboard the Pride! There is no better balcony!!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[JaniceB]

The stadium looks awesome. Alaska cruises are wonderful. Can't wait to read more.