Just off Miracle--quick review

[BK512]

We just returned from our Miracle cruise yesterday. My second 'official' (There were two others, but they don't count) Carnival Cruise, my son's second, my husband's first. Here's a quick review.

 

Embarkation--All I can say is thank goodness for FTTF. We arrived at the port around 11:30, after our flight that morning. The line to check in was crazy long. Then I noticed the FTTF line, asked someone where to go, and 1 minute later I was checking in with Brandi. The process took five minutes, and we were sent over to the priority boarding area.

 

Boarding. Well, at 12 noon, there were still guests disembarking from the previous cruise. We waited, and 12:45 they called wedding guests, then B2B guests. Finally, 1pm, we boarded with all the Platinum and Diamond folks. They ran my backpack through the scanner, but didn't even look at the bottle of wine inside. We went straight to our room, then up to Lido for lunch. Safety check was 15 minutes, then sail away. So many dolphins! Lots of cargo ships anchored due to the work stoppage of the long shoremen.

 

Room--we had an aft balcony, which I loved. A bit cozy for 3 people, but we weren't all in there at once very often. The balcony had only two chairs, no lounger. Plenty of room for all of our stuff. Comfy bed. The AC worked great, although I didn't think so at first, but I figured out that my hubby kept turning the thermostat to a warmer temp. We saw a LOT of whales from the balcony, so I spent a fair amount of time standing at the rail watching for spashes!

 

Entertainment--We hit many of the shows. I liked the Beatles review show, and the generations. Well, I liked the dancing, and the male singer was great, but I really did not enjoy the female lead singer. The comedy was fun. Don't sit up front unless you want to be harassed. I didn't go to things like the marriage show...just not my cup of tea. The band (The Miracles) was fabulous. Really enjoyed that. The guy in the piano bar was just 'okay'. There were a couple of singer/guitar players that were very good.

 

Ship--I know the Miracle is going into dry dock soon, but really, she is in great shape. All the guest areas were well kept and clean. That said, there is some absolutely spectacularly ugly decor on that ship. The dining room is down right scary ugly--a "Trading Spaces" DIY project gone terribly wrong. The 'grapes' look like bathroom lights spray painted purple. I didn't care for much of the art decor on the walls throughout the ship, either. BUT...I wasn't going to let it influence my vacation.

 

Serenity deck--I love this area. Yes, it got crowded on the sunny sea days, but it was such a nice place to retreat to. The bartenders there were efficient. But imagine my surprise when I was lounging one afternoon (okay, I was asleep) and suddenly there was a DJ blasting music and there was a sail away party on Serenity! Now I like a good wobble dance, but I just didn't think Serenity was the place for that. It compelled me to order a fruity rum drink with an umbrella. Later, I learned that a guest had fallen and broken her ankle shortly after I left, which caused us to have a medical evacuation as we left port.

 

Lido poolside--honestly, I didn't spend a lot of time there. I never saw it overly crowded other than the very first sea day. Lots of kids in the hot tubs and pools.

 

Food--Here, I was pleasantly surprised overall. We didn't go to the steak house, but we did eat in the MDR with late seating 6 nights. The food was very good, it arrived at the proper temperature, and was pleasantly presented. My son has some dietary issues, but there was always something he could order and enjoy. Loved that there was prime rib 2 nights. Great desserts that weren't so huge you lapsed into a sugar high after eating them. Seafood was, on the whole, cooked correctly. The pizza was fantastic.

 

Club 02--my son spent most of his on-board waking moments with his new friends here. He enjoyed it.

 

Shore excursions--we did two Carnival excursions. In Cabo San Lucas, we did the Sail and Snorkel Fiesta. I'm a fairly strong swimmer, having swam competitively for 10 years. But the tour operator dropped us on one side of the snorkeling area and told us to swim to the other side, and he'd pick us up there. My husband was first off the boat, then the driver decided to try to move, and nearly ran him over. There were other boats (glass bottom, etc) everywhere in the area. I got in, and swam to the swim area, and the current kept dragging me back to where I started. Meanwhile, the boat driver moved the boat to the far side, and the rest of the snorkelers got off there. It took me the better part of 40 minutes to swim the 150 yards to the boat, as the current kept dragging me back to where I started. I was frustrated, mad, exhausted, and quite frankly, a bit scared. After the snorkeling, we drove out to the lands end arch, which was great. I'm not sure I'd recommend that excursion

 

The other excursion we did was the Rhythm of the Night in Puerto Vallarta. What a fantastic experience. The boat ride over was fun, with free flowing margaritas and rum punch. Then a fabulous dinner on the beach, followed by a spectacular show of dancing, acrobatics, fire dancing, and much much more. I totally recommend it!

 

Crew--so nice. Troy, the Cruise Director was fantastic, although this was his last cruise on the Miracle. Emma, his assistant, was great. The wait staff in the MDR was efficient and friendly. The staff at the buffet was very helpful, and when I asked if particular dessert had nuts in it, the girl didn't know, but she went to find out. The casino staff was friendly and fun. One particular black jack dealer was so funny, and made us dance if we won. It really made the game more fun.

 

Things I could do without--Okay, I understand that the photographs are what some folks love. But every night, up and down the promenade, blocking the flow of traffic, it got tiresome.

BTW...quick tip...our assistant waiter told us that if you pay cash the last morning, you can buy your photos for half price. I did not verify that, but thought I'd pass along the info.

One thing that surprised me was all the vaping. Everywhere. On Serenity Deck, in the comedy lounge, in the little bars around the ship. No one seemed to care, and they weren't trying to hide it. Now I don't care if someone wants to vape, but IMO it leads to "If they get to vape, I should get to smoke" mentality. Like I said, just my opinion, YMMV.

 

Disembarkation--from leaving our room to being on the sidewalk outside was about 35 minutes. We did self-assist. Not bad at all.

 

 

And the good news--hubby enjoyed himself, so he is open to going again sometime!

 

Okay, maybe not a QUICK review, but I wanted to get it up here while it was fresh in my mind.

[LilMissScareAll]

Thanks for your review. We were supposed to be sailing her the 1st cruise out of dry dock, but b/c the itinerary changed to a not so toddler friendly one (really what am I going to do with an overnight stop in PV with a 20 month old), we are now going to be sailing in April. Can't wait!!

 

We have also purchased FTTF, what time do you recommend showing up. Boarding docs say 1 but I was thinking more like 11ish.

[SadieN]

Early check in starts at 9:30. Earliest the doors open is 11:30.

[amsred2]

That said, there is some absolutely spectacularly ugly decor on that ship. The dining room is down right scary ugly--a "Trading Spaces" DIY project gone terribly wrong. The 'grapes' look like bathroom lights spray painted purple. I didn't care for much of the art decor on the walls throughout the ship, either. BUT...I wasn't going to let it influence my vacation.

 

First off I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation. I'd just like to say that I love the Miracle...she is my favorite of all Carnival ships. The decor has been a matter of debate on many a forum...people either love it or hate it. I personally LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the (non)theme of this ship. I miss the grapes every moment I'm away (123 days and counting). I can understand that many of the naked cherubs might offend those with delicate sensibilities or mothers with tween-age boys ( I saw a few prepubescent boys staring at the mural in the atrium). However, I really do hope they don't change too much during dry-dock.

 

I also love the Spirit class ship layout. It's different from the others I've been on. I haven't been on any other Spirit class ships, so I wonder how the decor differs?

[amsred2]

Thanks for your review. We were supposed to be sailing her the 1st cruise out of dry dock, but b/c the itinerary changed to a not so toddler friendly one (really what am I going to do with an overnight stop in PV with a 20 month old), we are now going to be sailing in April. Can't wait!!

 

We have also purchased FTTF, what time do you recommend showing up. Boarding docs say 1 but I was thinking more like 11ish.

 

In January, we arrived about 10:30 and boarded around 12:30 with FTTF. I have sailed out of Long Beach (always have FTTF) many times and have been on board with a drink in hand by 11:30 at times, and not even able to board until 1:30 at others. It all depends on how quickly people get off the boat.

[CCCE2003]

Cannot wait to go.....come on April 11!

[KatieBug28]

Thanks for your review. We were supposed to be sailing her the 1st cruise out of dry dock, but b/c the itinerary changed to a not so toddler friendly one (really what am I going to do with an overnight stop in PV with a 20 month old), we are now going to be sailing in April. Can't wait!!

 

 

What makes you feel like this itinerary isn't toddler friendly? I'm not trying to be snarky, just genuinely curious. We are taking our just-turned-2 year old in October, but we're overnighting in Cabo. We did the same itinerary with our older DD a couple of years ago, but this will be our first cruise with a toddler. We LOVED PV with our older DD, but wondering what issues it has for littler ones.

[bonstersd]

Thanks for the review! I am sailing her this Saturday--her last sailing before drydock. You said Troy's last cruise was last week--does that mean Emma is going to be the CD?

[LilMissScareAll]

What makes you feel like this itinerary isn't toddler friendly? I'm not trying to be snarky, just genuinely curious. We are taking our just-turned-2 year old in October, but we're overnighting in Cabo. We did the same itinerary with our older DD a couple of years ago, but this will be our first cruise with a toddler. We LOVED PV with our older DD, but wondering what issues it has for littler ones.

 

That itinerary spent a short time in Cabo (7-3). Then got in a little late to PV, stayed overnight and left earlyish the next day (noon-3p next day). I felt the time in PV was a waste. If it was just me & DH, great but the toddler needs to get to bed at a reasonable time.

 

We changed to a few weeks later. More time in Cabo, a full day in PV, and most of a day in Mazatlan. I love the new itinerary.

[BK512]

Thanks for the review! I am sailing her this Saturday--her last sailing before drydock. You said Troy's last cruise was last week--does that mean Emma is going to be the CD?

 

They brought a younger guy in in Cabo....blonde guy, I never caught his name. He basically shadowed Troy and Emma for the rest of the week. He did participate in an epic impromptu rendition of "Summer Lovin'" from Grease on the boat back from Rhythm of the Night. I am sure that the people on shore could hear us all singing and dancing along with the music that night! He seemed like a lot of fun.

[lmarie83]

"The AC worked great, although I didn't think so at first, but I figured out that my hubby kept turning the thermostat to a warmer temp."

 

I have a question: Are the AC's on the Miracle the vents with the controls on the ceiling like the imagination and inspiration?

 

Also, did you feel a lot of motion while on the ship?

 

Thank you!

Edited February 24, 2015 by lmarie83

[BK512]

"The AC worked great, although I didn't think so at first, but I figured out that my hubby kept turning the thermostat to a warmer temp."

 

I have a question: Are the AC's on the Miracle the vents with the controls on the ceiling like the imagination and inspiration?

 

Also, did you feel a lot of motion while on the ship?

 

Thank you!

 

The controls were on the wall adjacent to the couch.

Easy operation

 

Yes, movement. My husband had a little trouble with it, especially if he was at the gym, but it never bothered me. Actually, I loved it when sleeping!

But I am sure it really depends upon the seas at the time.

 

And be sure to look for whales about mid afternoon on the first sea day, then all morning before you get to Cabo.