Miracle 10/09 review VERY LONG SORRY

[jennybabee]

Booked our cruise this week with the purpose of celebrating our 5th anniversary. To tell you alittle about us my DH and i are in are early 30's with no kids. We arrived in Tampa the day before (A EXCELLENT MOVE) and stayed at the Tampa Marriott - room was very nice and they sent a bottle of wine and a fruit/cheese tray to our room that night when they found out it was our anniversary.

This was our first cruise and we were alittle reluctant when we found out that due to a tankership in the water blocking the cruise ship they would have to bus us over about 15 minutes to a different ship. But what can you do besides give the porters your luggage and PRAY it will go right. We had a catagory 11 suite with a extended balcony so we got to use the Skippers club (and we had filled out our fun passes online before hand) which was a welcome sight when we saw all the people in line to get sign and sail cards!! Embarkment took about 35-40 minutes and was very easy.

We got on the ship and ate at Horatio's dining and we were in our room by 1 PM. The room was BEAUTIFUL. We had a room on the back of the ship with a extended balcony. Room 7347.

Room Steward: Our room was cleaned twice a day, with towel animals (favorite was the Monkey!!) and we never saw the guy in our room. He was very friendly when we saw him in the halls though! I had to have him switch out the downy filled blanket because I am allergic and it was done before we got back to the room on the same day.

 

We bought a few drinks on board, and a few sodas which we thought were priced reasonably compared to a restaurant. Next time my DH wants to try and take a few 12 packs although I am really not sure it is worth the extra inconvenience of dragging them around.

 

We were not overly impressed with Horatio's - thought the food was very "Golden Corralish" and noticed that for the most part the people in that area (the fellow vacationers) were very rude. While I am talking about a negative let me say that all the picture taking every time you tried to get off the ship was annoying - I want to get off quickly and enjoy my time. NOT wait in line for a picture.

Did not get a chance to dine at Nick & Nora's because they night we picked was the first night of the cruise (our anniversary ) and they did not open . But the food and the service in the Bacchus Room was OUTSTANDING. Did not truley have a bad item any of the times we dined in there. You have to try the lunch time fish sticks they were real real good with no greasyness to them at all.

Shows: They were ok, nothing spectacular, although the Adult comedienne and they Hypnotist were very funny. We also enjoyed the American Idol style show (Some very um, odd people got up there lol). The band at Frankie and Johnnie's were really really good also.

Casino: Did not stay in there long, SMOKEEEYYYYYY - But the people in there were having fun. I held my breath and moved through there quickly!!!!

Spa: Did not use the treatments but I did use the shower and steam room - YOU HAVE TO TRY THEM they are excellent !!

Excursions: Grand Cayman was pretty, although after the excursion we were too tired to look around. We booked the stingray tour through Carnival and were very pleased. This was AWESOME! I will never look at a sting ray the same way after touching, holding and kissing one. LOL Although I have to admit my husband was alittle nervous about them But I jumped right in. The only thing that I did not like about the Stingray Sandbar, Hell & Turtle Farm Experience was the way they packed people onto the bus. (The people running the bus claimed it was a carnival rule) My husband and i had to sit in mini seats in the aisle the whole time. And when ever we got back on the bus people whined if you changed where you were sitting. Give me a break people, it was not assigned seating and we are not in high school! Hell was nothing that great, kinda cheesy. The turtle farm was cool and I read that they are expanding that.

In Costa Maya, we did not plan a excursion. We rented a golf cart and went into the nearby town. We had a blast. The people we encountered were friendly enough and the machine toting military guys were alittle scary though.

In Cozumel, which was our favorite port. We did the Dolphin Interactive Program through Carnival (Olla, Pegaso!!), we then swam at Chankanaab National Park which was beautiful. As we swam in the warm water, tropical fish swam all around us. We could of stayed there all day!

Then last and definately least was Belize, two words to describe this place - VERY SCAREY. I am not even sure why Carnival has this as a port call because you should not get off the ship if you dont have a excursion and we heard of a group of people that did a excursion that had tires blow on there bus, the bus driver kept driving on the rims because he said it was a very unsafe area to stop in ! No thank you, will stay on ship if we ever go back there again.

It was finally time, reluctantly, to disembark. We had no major problems with this because we did self assist. And we are glad we did , because several people standing in the self assist line said that they have used the luggage assist program with Carnival and that they basically throw all the luggage in a room and say have fun!!! We were out of the ship and in our cab within about 15 minutes of them finally clearing us.

My DH and I are already planning our next cruise - We are doing the Glory in May and taking my mom and dad for their anniversary/birthday/father day/ mothers day lol

I will answer any questions I can if you email me.

 

[woodman]

You will love the Glory. We did her last year and have one booked for next May. A big ship and a lot of fun. I know you will enjoy it..

[nimbex1970]

thanks for spending the time for the review, with a second being booked already... I can tell you enjoyed yourself!

 

carol

[lv2crooz2]

Thanks for the great review! RCCL is our favorite but I was thinking about doing the Miracle. You're going to really enjoy the Glory:D ! She is beautiful, easy to navigate, and easy to get to.(especially from Orlando LOL!) Have fun in May and smooth sailing:)

[emmysmommy]

Ahhhh.... such good memories. DH and I did the Miracle 1st and are also following up with the Glory. Sounds like you had a great time - thanks for the review.

[LatitudeAdjustment]

Thanks for the review. My wife are going on the Miracle 12 Feb 06. We are arriving the day before also. One question, my wife is wanting to do the swim with the stingrays but she is not a swimmer, more of a wader about 5ft even. will this be a problem for her?

 

Thanks,

[Timmys_mom]

And we are glad we did , because several people standing in the self assist line said that they have used the luggage assist program with Carnival and that they basically throw all the luggage in a room and say have fun!!!

 

I wanted to offer a contrasting experience regarding the luggage.

 

We allowed Carnival to remove our luggage from the ship for us (Miracle 10/23). When we got to the marshalling area, the luggage was lined up in neat rows by tag color. We found our luggage in 30 seconds. Everything was in perfect shape and there was no damage inside or out.

 

I'm glad you had a great time. I would agree with the description of the food at Horatio's. The food choices ranged from very, very good to so-so.

[Timmys_mom]

Thanks for the review. My wife are going on the Miracle 12 Feb 06. We are arriving the day before also. One question, my wife is wanting to do the swim with the stingrays but she is not a swimmer, more of a wader about 5ft even. will this be a problem for her?

 

Thanks,

 

The water levels on the sand bar are about 3 to 5 feet deep. She won't have a problem. This is an experience you won't want to miss.

[jennybabee]

There should definately not be a problem with the swimming aspect. On our excursion they took us out by boat for about 45 minutes til we arrived at a sandbar. When you get off the boat there, it was only waist deep on me and I am 5'9. ENJOY IT - it was worth every penny