Miracle Review - July 31st Sailing

[Ltvscout]

The Marriott Waterside is a great hotel. Starbucks in the lobby as well as a very nice lounge. You can sit outside overlooking the Marina. Sunday morning just look left and you see the Miracle. Italian Restaurant was fantastic. There is also a Sports Bar (Champions) for pub style food.

Thanks for the info. What side of the hotel should we request to be able to see the Miracle in port from our balcony?

 

We'll have two 12yr olds, an 8yr old and 6yr old. Is there plenty of stuff around there to keep them occupied swimming-wise and such?

[Ltvscout]

Sorry, I made a double post by accident.

[soccer1]

Time to finish this up. Need to have it posted before the August 7th Cruise returns……

 

Friday: Cozumel: We were off this ship by 9:15 ships time. Needed to get to Chankanaab Park for a 10am (local time) Royal Dolphin Swim. The Miracle docked this week at Puerto Maya (?), it rotates every week from here to the downtown piers. The port was great. A lot of shops and vendors as well as Fat Tuesdays. Walked through the port quickly (FYI…All the stores were open…don’t forget this was 8:15 local time). Made sure the girls walked fast (Cruise Philosophy could wait until we came back in the afternoon :) ).

 

Found where the cabs were located. Prior to getting into 2 of them (remember, 5 people) an Alamo Car Rep came over and asked if we would like to rent a car. They had a Chevrolet Malibu for $50 a day. I figured with all the cab rides planned for today it would be well worth it. The Malibu (off course) wasn’t available so they gave me a Ventura Mini-Van for the same price (who could complain). So off we went… Driving to the park the hurricane damage was noticeable but not to bad. I thought the park would be closed from prior CC postings but they were fully operational. Paid our $12 US per person entrance fee and got the girls registered. There is a nice little lagoon at the park with beach, chairs, bar and restaurant. I was so hot I just jumped into the lagoon.

 

The girls did the Dolphin Swim…and loved it. Let me tell you…for two 16 years old females from NY to be absolutely enthralled with something is a “Miracle” in itself. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. (FYI: I booked this program directly with Dolphin Discovery online). The “swim” lasted a little over an hour….went back to the Discovery Center….watched the video (bought 2 DVD’s and plenty of photo’s….…(:) “It’s only money….but we are doing the Vacation Dance! :) “) and then head to Paradise Beach. (7 minute drive)

 

Welcomed immediately by one of the staff who arranged chairs and tables for 7 of us on the beach. (We ran into 2 of our new cruise friends arriving at the same time from a taxi $12 one-way)

 

Food and Drinks were spectacular. Service was excellent. PB Tom came over to say Hi (Tom it was great meeting you.) Beach was immaculate (water a little dirty...come on guy's they just had a hurricane!)

Iceberg was awesome (please....just don't climb it after a couple of shots of my dear friend Jose....Cuervo :) )

 

Girls got massages….boy’s did shot’s (that’s fair isn’t it?)

 

Left PB around 4ish. Drove back to the pier with 9 of us (found more friends) in our Mini-Van. Dropped it off and now let Shopping Commence…On your mark…get set…..ready…GO!

 

That’s the last I saw of the females until we met to go back on the ship at 7pm.

 

Dinner in the Dining room, then Bathrobe/Margarita Party on the Lido deck.

Saturday: Last Day At Sea.

 

I finally was able to start the novel I brought with me. Girls participated in the Miracle’s version of the Amazing Race. One last Sail Away party on the balcony (didn’t want to sneak off the ship any of the spirits that I snuck on!) Tried to pack…(Need more suitcases)

 

Last dinner in Bacchus. Aslam ended our weeks dining pleasure presenting the whole table with individual chocolate soufflés for DD birthday.

 

Remainder of the night was spent being with the new friendships created and the exchange of information. Casino was also very “friendly”. Girls spent the night with the final O2 farewell gathering. It was a late night I presume since when I gave them a 7am wake-up call they were a little “cranky”

 

Sunday: Oh Well….All Good things must come to an End…..

I received VIP tags since we had a 1pm flight out of Tampa. We were off the Miracle at 9am. The smoothest disembarkation/customs clearance I have ever experienced. Van to airport and headed home.

 

I hope you all enjoyed my perception of the Carnival Miracle and our cruise experience, I cannot recommend highly enough this Ship, Staff and Service.

 

All I can say now is…HELP…I NEED A VACATION FROM MY VACATION!!!!

[soccer1]

Thanks for the info. What side of the hotel should we request to be able to see the Miracle in port from our balcony?

 

We'll have two 12yr olds, an 8yr old and 6yr old. Is there plenty of stuff around there to keep them occupied swimming-wise and such?

 

Ltvscout,

If you want to see the Miracle on Sunday morning, you need to be on the Marina/Waterside side of the hotel.

 

Channelside is walking distance (10 minutes) which has shops, resaturants and movie theatres. There is also a small playground right next to the hotel. The girls said the pool looked great (but we didn't use it) The hotel also offers a full exercise room and spa services.

[Super89]

Thanks so much for that review. I am glad you had such a wonderful time! 8 days and I will be doing the same! I am glad the girls had such a great time too. I was really wondering if my daughter would find enough to do. Not worried any more!:D Susan

[Indyjones]

Thanks for taking the time to post your awesome review. It sure does get me pumped for our cruise next March. Good to hear that Chakanaab is up and running. I was on the Miracle in January of this year, and I know how it feels the first week back, but don't worry, that depressed feeling will soon pass. However, it didn't fully pass until I booked my next Miracle cruise.;)

[virginia600]

Hi-

 

Please let me know about cabin - 7300. I have for Mar 26/06 cruise and just wonder how it is. There will be only 2 in this cabin. Thanks!

 

Susan

[nmfantasia]

Would you please post more details on the Hyatt day pass at Grand Cayman? How did you arrange it, what did it cost, and what was included? Thanks much!

 

Sheree

This is not Grand Cayman info...I'm new to cruise critic and

want info from you....I see you went on the Mariner last year and Miracle

this year...I have a group that went on the Mariner last October...we absolutely loved the ship...we have also gone on the Sovereign, Sensation and

Inspiration...had planned on going on the Conquest in Oct. 06 but since it

moved to Galveston we changed to the Miracle...most of the group is from

the Atlanta area and always want to drive...whats your feelings between the

two ships....nmilano@fantasiatravelinc.com

[pcakes2]

Hi soccer1,

 

I was on the Miracle the week after you. Loved it!! I took my niece (16yrs) on the Miracle, and next August plan on taking her and a friend on the Pride. I have done the Mexican Riviera route a bunch of times, and love it because we live in CA. Here is my question...did your DD like the Pride? My niece had the vacation of her lifetime on the Miracle (I wholeheartedly agree with your mantra!) and I don't want her to be dissappointed on the Pride.

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

-patty..

[soccer1]

Pcakes2: The Pride is a great ship. Exact same layout as the Miracle. We had sailed her out of Port Canavral and had a fantastic voyage. Since your neice now knows the layout of the Miracle she will feel right at home on the Pride knowing where everything is from the moment she boards.

[slineberry528]

Loved the review. Booked on the Pride in March and planning on the Miracle in July. Looing forward to viewing the sunshine bridge during sail away.