carol louise

Thanks, Lindsay. That makes sense.

As pe4all mentions, the fact of the ship being fully booked does not necessarily mean every possible berth is taken. Ask your extended family members to check the deck plans on Carnival’s website to see exactly the capacity of their particular cabins. If any couple is booked just the two of them in a cabin that can accommodate 3 or 4 passengers—and are willing to share the space with you—they could ask their travel agent or Carnival to add you to the booking and pay the 3rd-person fee. At the same time, as sparks1093 suggests, call Carnival to see if there is a waiting list to grab any last-minute cancellations.

Venezia spent the night in NYC last night. I just caught a glimpse on the webcam of its passing toward the Verrazano Narrows bridge at 7 am (EST) this morning. Was that planned? Did it have anything to do with the stormy weather, air travel delaying passenger arrivals? Mechanical issues?

I have been on multiple cruises with Carnival and have not experienced those unpleasant things you mention. I suspect the risk is there more likely on short (3-4 days) cruises during spring break time.

Offsetting the greater percentage per ton of passengers is the fact that without such things as bumper car tracks or flow riders, there is plenty of open public space on Miracle’s upper decks, furnished with loungers—in shade and sun. So, if you don’t insist on being right around one of the pools you’ll not have trouble finding a quiet place to relax on deck.

The Miracle was my first Carnival cruise ship, as a solo in 2009. I loved the ship. It is the perfect size IMO. Large enough to have amenities for many tastes, yet easy to find your way around and not as huge as the newer ships (this is especially an advantage when in tender ports). The decor is eye-popping; I like to think of it as festive!

FYI, closed-toe shoes also required if you take the “Behind the Fun” tour.

Did you acquire the card in Java Blue? Is it good elsewhere on the ship? I ask because I enjoyed a couple wonderful cappucinos from the Frizzante bar during our cruise and wonder if those would count if I had a coffee card.

🤣 Could be. Sort of like analyzing Rorschach tests!

Looks like a snail.

Just started watching. Fascinating. Thanks!

There is value in reporting to your muster station for the drill rather than just watching a video in your stateroom. In a real emergency, you will have the memory of having walked to the right place, rather than just having read or heard where to go.

Thank you. I was thinking that, too. The ultimate goal is not to find lots of people smuggling drugs on board, but to deter people from doing it in the first place.

As for beach areas, I noticed on a January cruise in 2012 that on Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) I could walk barefoot on the dry sand, whereas when I had been there a few years earlier on a June cruise, the dry sand had been too hot for bare feet. The sun was still deliciously warm to me as a Northerner but less oppressive in January. I didn’t go in the water, so cannot comment on that.

Rereading my post it occurs to me it may not be clear that we had not specifically asked the Guest Services person to dinner. We were three at a 4-top, and she came over and asked if she could join us, apparently something the staff were directed to take turns doing, to mingle with passengers.

We had one left daily on Venezia in June, without asking. I wonder if the inconsistency here and there is due to some staff shortages.

I agree. For the crew member to be free, perhaps someone else who was to have the evening off was called to step in to cover the job of the crew member. And like a working person being asked to dine with a customer, I suspect that however graciously he/she carries it off, the crew member considers accepting this “invitation” to dine with a passenger as a duty. Once on a cruise (HAL) a person from the Guest Services came to sat with us at dinner. We had a pleasant chat and she apparently enjoyed our company, but she did let slip at one point that she hadn’t realized she would be “working” that evening.

Years ago, on the Norwegian Wind, I booked a massage. Directly above the spa treatment rooms was the basketball court. Thump .. thump, thump … thump…. The masseuse and I agreed that was bad planning, as the soothing New Age sounds were no competition for the bouncing balls.

Another island with a different vibe is Trinidad. Multi cultural and colorful.

Yes, that’s a good point. But I wonder: did the entire staff from Costa in Asia just go on furlough during the renovation and were all called back to Carnival for Venezia? Was English the standard everyday language of the Costa crew and staff in Asia? Darn, now I wish I had asked these questions during our Behind the Fun tour!

I would suggest researching cruises departing out of San Juan. Royal Caribbean is one line I know of that does it. Or any line that advertises Southern Caribbean itineraries. In addition to the islands you mention, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are lovely. My sister has booked a cruise on Carnival Magic for next year, specifically because the itinerary includes Curaçao.

I would suggest the issue is not so much the ship itself, but the new crew’s familiarity with it, with each other, and how to work efficiently as a team. Imagine a company hiring an entire staff of new people. It will take a little time getting into the rhythm, putting the training they’ve received into smooth practice. I agree with Drew B 58, who suggested if you are a seasoned cruiser, you can probably roll easily with little kinks getting worked out. Also, departure on May 7 should mean fewer children than if you wait until summer. More children = more 3rd and 4th passengers in staterooms. Early May should keep the passenger count down closer to just double occupancy per cabin.

I’ve been on multiple Carnival cruises, but usually forget about that towel animal zoo—always a delightful surprise!

Think of it this way: they quote the price for the cabin per person, double occupancy, but the cost of the CABIN is more (like the cost of a hotel room, whether one or two are staying in it). And as others have pointed out, you do get the bathroom and all the storage space to yourself.

I am sorry your cruise ended amid such difficulty. It was a terrible day to be on the move in New York, especially having to improvise transportation to the airport. Sending you good wishes for a smooth trip home today!