The Mirubian's Guide to the Galaxy or At Least the Southern Caribbean: A Review

[Sherrybaby412]

This is my review of the Miracle's Southern Caribbean cruise March 11th- March 19th. All the opinions are just that mine. Do not like them? :p

 

I cruised with my daughters who do not wish to be identified since they are in the Witless Protection Program. :rolleyes: We will call them Jenn and Alex.

 

Jenn flew into Fort Lauderdale from Baltimore on Thursday the 10th. Her flight was delayed a few hours due to thunderstorms in FLL. She flew Southwest and felt even with the delay not too bad.

 

I live in northern Alabama about 30 minutes from Huntsville and an hour north of Birmingham. Plane prices being what they were ( $800.00 roundtrip for 2 people) , we decided to fly out of Atlanta. $525.00 roundtrip for 2. Even with gas, it wasn't too bad. We had a 3 hour drive to Atlanta. Went smoothly and arrived at long term parking 3 hours before flight left.

 

We decided to use Fasttrack off site parking. Cost was $70.00 for 10 days, I believe. I prepaid to make it easier. They are located maybe 12 miles from I-20 and 10 minutes from the airport. Shuttle driver was right there, loaded us up, picked up a few more passengers and had us to airport in about 20 minutes total. http://www.avistarparking.com/fasttrack/Atlanta_%28ATL%29-Airport-Parking

 

We were dropped off at the Delta area , luggage weighed, tickets issued and before I could get a tip out , the skycap made a nasty comment about my generosity. #1 He did no more for me than a ticket agent. The shuttle driver placed the luggage at the desk and did receive a tip. #2 If you mention a tip, you will not receive one. Customer service 101.

 

I normally tip but will not be bullied into it either.

 

After a flight with slight turbulence, we landed on time at 9:05 at FLL. We went to the carousel to pick our luggage up. My daughter's came right away. A few moments later a collective gasp was heard as a piece of luggage made its way around the carousel. It took me a moment to realize it was mine. :eek: My luggage was decimated. It had orange clay footprints all over it, was soaking wet, the tsa lock and zipper had been ripped off, clothes sticking out and wrapped with masking tape. :mad:

 

I made my way to luggage claim. The women there were incredulous. They said they use clear tape with Delta on it in cases like these. I am still fighting with Delta over this and the actions I perceive of the skycap. Tip or no tip, no one has the right to destroy my property.

 

On to the hotel. http://www.ftlauderdalehollywoodhotel.com/ I would use this hotel again. Free shuttle from the airport, very nice room, close to many amenities including a liquor wholesale warehouse and only 10 minutes from port. We had a suite with 2 double beds, small kitchen and separate living room. We could have fit 5 people in there.

 

They have several options as far as rooms go including a park and cruise. We paid a lower rate that was due upon booking. I think it was $168.00 total including taxes, etc. Our rate did not include free port shuttle but we signed up for shuttle and were never charged for it. :confused:

 

We were told to meet in lobby at 10:45 for shuttle. We left at 11 and dropped other cruisers at their ships. We were dropped at 11:30. We were on the lido deck eating lunch by 12:30.

 

Taking a break now. :)

[LBumb]

good start

[stargazingjess]

Hi Sherry! So excited to read your review, I leave on this itinerary on Sunday!

 

I'm so sorry about your luggage - that would be a horrible way to start your vacation! Did you see your luggage go back onto the belt behind the counter? Maybe it was a freak accident - but it does not sound like it!

[Sherrybaby412]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We thought the room was a little small but once we unpacked we thought differently. Pics above are our room set up for three. We left the sofa/bed set up as a bed entire cruise. We were very comfortable. Even though there were 3 adult women in one room. ;)

 

Our balcony.

 

 

There were 2 chairs and one table. We used the table as a chair and had plenty of room. We were very excited about having a balcony.

 

The Celebrity Equinox was across from us.

 

[kr8z]

I can't wait to hear the rest of your review. I really want to try this itinerary.

[Sherrybaby412]

It might have been an accident. Anything is possible. Delta gave me another suitcase but refused to file a claim. :mad: They said that's all they could do. :confused: I had a few broken items including my curling iron. Had to tape that baby up to use it. lol I'm not letting it affect me nor did I let it affect my vacation. :D

 

Oh and the Mirubians comes from our roll call. We were on the Mir(acle) going to Aruba = Mirubians.

[Sherrybaby412]

We met for our roll call right after Muster Drill.

 

 

Many of us had been chatting for a year. It was nice to put a face to a name.

 

Then came sailaway.

 

 

 

 

I have many more pics. The link is in my signature.

[steveNcindy]

Nice start Sher. Glad the hotel worked out for you guys too, I would stay there again as well.

[kerrytens]

Great start Sher! I'm looking forward to the rest.:D

[nurseer]

Same thing happened to me at the Atlanta airport, luggage not damaged but it arrived one day late to Baltimore because the skycap demanded a tip and I didn't give her one. They are nasty in that airport.

[boaterette]

Nice pictures

[nytraveller53]

Great start! Looking forward to the rest!

[ATL2LAS]

Your pics are great:D. Looks like you really had the best time in spite of the skycap:(

[kerrytens]

Question Sherry, who slept on the sofa 'bed'? It looks comfortable actually - just wondering if it was?

[TNCruzer]

Thought that I`d help you out:

 

[Sherrybaby412]

^^^ is a nut ;)

[kerrytens]

Thought that I`d help you out:

 

 

 

Like ;)

Sherry, that is a great photo of you!

[Sherrybaby412]

Thanks :o. Jenn slept on sofa bed with her head next to alex's on the other bed. They talked late into the night every night. Jenn said it was comfortable.

 

The first sea day we decided to eat breakfast in the dining room. I enjoyed my eggs benedict. Jenn had an omelette and liked it. Alex's belgian waffles were awful. They were cake like and not crisp.

 

We spent rest of day playing games, sitting by pool, soaking in hot tub, eating and drinking.

 

The weather was very windy and the boat was really rocking. The winds while on the open sea were 26-30 mph. I am sure it was just this time of year but it made for a rocky trip.

 

The water slide and upper levels were closed several days due to high winds.

 

It was also hard to enjoy my balcony with the winds. :(

 

We also spent time exploring the ship that first sea day.

 

 

Here's a pic of the atrium.

 

 

This is Gatsby's Garden. It's very quiet and serene here. Not to be missed.

 

 

This is from the Mad Hatter's Lounge. Do not miss this either. There was a group of polka singers onboard and Mad Hatter's was closed a lot for their private functions. I made it a point to see it before I left the ship. You should too.

[Sherrybaby412]

Saturday night was the first formal/elegant night in the dining room. Everyone I could see was dressed nicely.

 

I had the lobster tail with grilled shrimp. Delicious. My daughters had the prime rib. They thought it was too fatty.

 

Overall we enjoyed the food in the dining room. We had the late seating. We were on the upper floor in the back near a window. We loved where we were seated. Our tablemates were very similar in age. I feel badly because I cannot remember the mom's name. She was same age as me and traveling with her daughter, Melissa who is 22. Melissa's college roommate Erin, 21 was traveling with them.

 

We enjoyed dinner with them every night but one. I have no idea how Carnival picks tablemates but feel ours have always been well matched.

 

We ended up going to the casino with them. Melissa's mom taught me how to play 3 card poker. I really liked this game. I was down to my last 3 chips and my last hand when I got a straight flush. :eek::eek::eek: I won $250.00 on that one hand. I knew then to leave while I was ahead.

 

The girls were busy playing the quarter slide game and one slot game named Kitty Glitter. They were laughing because say it fast and it sounds like I'm playing Kitty Litter. :p

 

We decided to order room service when we got back. 1st time to do so and do not regret it. I got the steak and brie sandwich. Yummmmm. The girls split a grilled cheese sandwich.

[nessz79]

Enjoying your review :)

 

So sorry about your luggage! I can't believe that happened!

[kr8z]

Sherry, that giant rabbit in the lounge is going to give me nightmares. Thanks (?) for posting it. Great pic of you! Now we need to see the pic of the "bull hunk."

[rksmom]

Loving you review so far. We're on the Miracle next January. :D

[Sherrybaby412]

The bull hunk is the guy in front on the group pic. He's on his side and wearing a hat. ;)

 

Second sea day we did a lot of what we had done day before. Ate, drank, swam, hot tub, trivia game, put a puzzle together in the Joker room, ate some more, got coffee from Coffee Specialty place.

 

The coffee there is quite good and reasonably priced. I got a grande mochacino for $3.50. I added hazlenut syrup for a a little more.

 

One thing I did today I have never done before is splurged on a massage. I used my winnings from night before ;)Each night with your Fun Times, there is usually a special for next day in spa. Today was a head to toe massage including a minifacial for $129.00. Well worth the money. Took about 75 minutes and felt so darn good. ;)

 

For dinner, we had reservations at Nick and Nora's. We were pampered, fed, fawned over and some of the best food I have ever had.

 

They started off with a surprise from chef. These were sample sized. One was a red pepper soup. It was very good. The other was lobster with a dollop of raspberry. This not so good.

 

I had the spinach and mushroom salad, the escargot and surf and turf. The girls had ceasar salads and surf and turf. Everything was so huge, we could not eat it all. When time came for dessert, we only ordered 2. I had the cheesecake with hazelnut biscotti and the girls shared a chocolate sampler.

 

 

 

The decor was amazing too. So much glass and windows. You could see out to sea quite a ways. The staircase was made of glass and looked all the way down the atrium.

 

I apologize for not getting more pics but were busy.

[Sherrybaby412]

Curacao: Our first port.

 

We woke to this.

 

Can you see the smokestacks in this pic?

 

We had decided to do an architectural self guided walking tour. Well it would have been fine BUT the streets are not clearly marked. We were able to find about 7 places on the list. We still had a great time.

 

 

Willemstad is divided into 2. The Otrobanda side and the Punda side. The famous floating bridge gaps the 2. It is now only open to pedestrians.

 

When you leave the ship, walk to your right and through Fort Rif. This will take you to the floating bridge.

 

 

 

[barbc61719]

Hey Sherry Enjoying your review. It was nice to see the people we had been talking to for almost a year. We were at Nick and Nora's on Sunday as well. Best steak I ever had. Sorry about your luggage.