It's a Miracle! May 6-14 review

[melissac25]

My bf and I just got off the Miracle on Saturday. I wanted to write this review before I start to forget all the wonderful details! This was my third cruise (bf's first) but first on Carnival. I have sailed on Holland America and Norwegian but both were 9-10 years ago so this felt like my first cruise!

 

We had the time of our lives!! I loved everything from the layout and design of the ship, to the entertainment, the food, ports of call etc. But most of all I loved the employees of the Miracle. I have never met such sweet people in my entire life. They went out of their way to make you feel special and at home. I will never forget them.

 

So, bear with me as I try to stay as organized as possible writing this review and posting pics. It's my first cc review!!:D

 

Embarkation: Very smooth process. I live about 90 minutes north of the terminal so we had someone drive us. We got there around 11:30, gave the porter our luggage, waited in a few short lines and were on the ship in about 45 minutes or less. As soon as we got on the ship we got a dod and grabbed some lunch at Horatio's. Our room was ready when we checked at 1:30. After checking out our room (Riviera deck 1, ocean view #1133) it was time for the muster drill. This was pretty painless and we were back up on Lido in no time for the sail away party!! What a blast! Drinks were flowing and people were and having a great time. Fun Ship Freddy was on hand to join in on the celebration. The views of the city, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were awesome.

 

 

Dining: We had ATD and the first night was a little rough. The server barely spoke to us and it took us over 2 hours to eat. Not to be discouraged, we were seated in another section the next night and the service was way faster (maybe it was a "first night" thing) but still not that friendly. I was sad about this because I had heard how great the dining staff was and I really wanted to have the same experience. Anyway, the next night we were seated in yet another section (not because we asked, just because we had ATD) and we had the BEST waiter ever! His name was Kadek and we requested him for the rest of the cruise and they always accommodated us without ever making us wait. He was so sweet and always took time out to talk to us and ask us how our day was. I absolutely loved the little shows the waiters put on each night and the way they sang Happy Birthday, so cute. The food in the MDR was awesome! We never had a bad meal, and the desserts-OMG! On a side note, the two elegant nights were nice. Not everyone got dressed up and they didn't seem to enforce any kind of dress code on these nights. It didn't bother me, I would never let what others are weaing ruin my dinner!

 

 

Fun Days at Sea: Our first day and morning of the second day at sea were chilly and rainy. It didn't really matter, there is plenty to do on the ship to keep you occupied. We played Bingo (and lost:() did some trivia, played in the bean bag toss, shopped, had some drinks and played in the casino. Once the sun came out on the second day everyone was up on Lido around the pool. Drink service was great and I never had a problem with chair hogs. People who had chairs were sitting in them most of the time. I never had a problem getting a chair, if there wasn't one on Lido you could go up a level and always find one there.

 

 

 

 

 

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

More, please:D

[my2monkeys]

Thanks for posting! I'll be on the ship this time next month....:

Would love to hear more...:)

[melissac25]

Ok, think I figured out how to put better pictures up! :D

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/104484838088663953568

 

Ports of Call: Grand Turk- Wow! This place was great! The water and beach were beautiful and Margaritaville was so fun. We pretty much went back and forth between the two all day. We took a walk down the beach and Jacks Shack was a cool little place with cheap beer and food. They have a nice little shopping area too which was nice.

Half Moon Cay- The most beautiful place on earth! We went snorkeling in the morning and there were only 3 other people on the boat with us. We saw beautiful fish and the men in charge of the boat were so nice and swam with us, to help us out. The only thing I would change when I go back to HMC is that I would rent a clam shell for shade. It got really hot in the afternoon and there are not that many places in the shade by the water. Other than that we had a great day!

Nassau- I have mixed feelings on Nassau. We had a parasailing excursion at 11 so we got off the boat around 9 to walk around and shop. I didn't really care for the city area. I felt the people were rude and pushy. I feel uncomfortable when people follow me around, wanting me to buy things and won't take no for an answer. The straw market was scary! LOL. Anyway we made it to our parasailing excursion which was $90pp. The description said we were each supposed to go up for 5-7 minutes but when all was said and done, 8 of us went up two at a time for a maximum of 3-4 minutes. It was awesome and beautiful, but for the price, we should have been allowed to go up alone and for a longer amount of time. Afterwards we went to Atlantis because I really wanted to see the beach there. We ended up buying a beach/lunch pass there, which was about $40 less than through Carnival ($69pp). The grounds of Atlantis and the beach were stunning! I just wish we had more time to enjoy them. We left around 4 to be sure we had plenty of time to get back to the ship by 5:30.

[melissac25]

Thanks for posting! I'll be on the ship this time next month....:

Would love to hear more...:)

 

 

I'm jealous! You are going to LOVE it! :D:D

[CruisinFamily_3]

I was also on this cruise with DH and DS8. It was our first cruise and we had an amazing time! I agree- the food in the dining room was excellent (especially the desserts).

 

The ports were all great. I couldn't pick a favorite. We walked around Nassau and walked to Fort Fincastle and the Queen's Staircase. The people were very friendly and always had a smile. I think once you get out of the seaside/straw market area the people aren't pushy. They are just regular people going to work. But you're right about the people following you and trying to get you to do their "tours".

 

I'm jealous you live so close to the port! You were probably home unpacking before we even left NYC for WI!

 

I'm glad you had a great time. The staff was great and the DOD's were perfect! I'm ready to book my next one! :D

[vizzle]

How was the night life on the boat? I ship out May 30th!

[vizzle]

Just so you know that link to you album shows your real name..if it is a concern..

[melissac25]

How was the night life on the boat? I ship out May 30th!

 

Night life was really good from what I saw. We were really lame and went to bed by 11 most nights, but you could see people having fun at all hours on the ship. The deck party was also a really good time, we did manage to stay awake for that!:D

[melissac25]

I'm jealous you live so close to the port! You were probably home unpacking before we even left NYC for WI!

 

I'm glad you had a great time. The staff was great and the DOD's were perfect! I'm ready to book my next one! :D

 

We were home by 12:30, it was great! I am dying to book another cruise too! I probably will when they get the 2012 itineraries up on line!

[Solo1959]

How was the night life on the boat? I ship out May 30th!

It's what we're gonna make it!

[melissac25]

Just so you know that link to you album shows your real name..if it is a concern..

 

Thanks, I know- I'm going to fix that! I wanted to get my review up with pictures last night before I went to bed, and figured making a link to the pictures was the easiest (after trying to attach them to the post unsuccessfully). Then I finished writing the review and went to press the post button and it deleted my whole post because it said I wasn't logged in!! Arrrgghh! I gave up and went to bed because it was already 12:30am!!!

 

So anyway, long story short, I'm here to finish my review and fix my online album!! lol

 

Thanks for looking out!!:D:D:D

[vizzle]

Always looking out! I wasn't sure if you knew.

 

Did you make it to dr. frankenstein? Was there any dancing that you saw? The wife loves to dance, and some people told us its never that busy in those clubs.

 

I am glad you had fun! Can't wait for ours!

[melissac25]

OK, so let me try this AGAIN!!

 

Nightlife and entertainment: We were in bed most nights by 11, so we really didn't see too many shows but I heard Ticket to Ride was great. I did catch two comedians on the ship the last couple of nights (Leighann Lord and Erik Griffen) and they were hysterical. I also saw the Carnival Legends show on the last night and thought it was good, especially Malcolm the cruise director( I won't give it away but it was very funny).They throw a deck party one night and it was such a good time. Lots of music and dancing, I think everyone should go. The clubs on the ship seemed well attended and people were always having a good time.

 

Food: I touched on this a little (MDR), but wanted to let everyone know who hasn't been on the ship that the food in the buffet is really good too. There is a big variety and the food is always fresh. They have a deli with made to order sandwiches, pizza and ice cream 24 hrs. Lunch and dinner consisted of all different kinds of foods like asian, Italian and BBQ. I never ate anything on this ship that I didn't like, but then again I'm not really a picky eater!!

 

Service: This is what really made the whole cruise for me. I have never met such sweet, kind people in my entire life. Everywhere you went on the ship you were greeted with a smile. My room steward Komang knew my name on the first day and kept our room spotless. All that AND a towel animal every night! Our waiter Kadek in the MDR was awesome, as were the girls who checked you in for dinner- so sweet. Nicolas, our bar waiter in the MDR always stopped to talk to us about our day. The bar staff around the pool were a hoot! They would remember your name even if you only bought one drink from them! How the heck do they do that???!! Saying goodbye to all these people on the last night was really hard. I surprised myself at how sad I really was to say goodbye to all these wonderful people.....

 

Helpful hints: I know I scoured these boards for info on my ship before I left, so here are some things I learned: Room service is free all day and night (just tip them) and they have a continental breakfast that comes in handy for early port days. If you want 5 lobster tails at dinner, you can have 5 lobster tails at dinner, if you are traveling without your kids (we did) then the aft pool is the place to be on sea days, there is free sushi from 5-8 every night that was delicious, bring Pepsid and Tylenol because after all the rich foods and alcohol you are bound to get heartburn and a headache! For the love of god don't forget to take your Bonine or wear a the patch for sea-sickness- it was VERY rocky on the way down and on the last nights! The Farewell Party on the last night has free drinks and lots of them because not too many people know about it, bring an adapter for the one outlet in your room incase you want to have more than one thing plugged in at a time, at HMC rent a clam shell for shade because it gets pretty hot by the afternoon, if you like chocolate get to the chocolate buffet (last day) early because it gets super crowded, and most of all- HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!

 

If anyone has ANY questions feel free to ask me! I'm sure I have forgotten lots of important details, but this has taken me so long my eyes are crossed! :D:D:D

[melissac25]

Always looking out! I wasn't sure if you knew.

 

Did you make it to dr. frankenstein? Was there any dancing that you saw? The wife loves to dance, and some people told us its never that busy in those clubs.

 

I am glad you had fun! Can't wait for ours!

 

We didn't make it to Dr. Frankenstein but we must have had a lot of partiers on our ship because I saw lots of dancing and fun! Heck, I saw people dancing on the deck at the Sail Away Party!! I love to dance too, but by the time we had some drinks during the day, hit the beach or pools, and went to dinner we were bushed! LOL, I'm getting so old and those darn beds were sooo comfy!

 

I think your wife is going to have a great time! Remember, don't forget to hit the deck party!

[vizzle]

We didn't make it to Dr. Frankenstein but we must have had a lot of partiers on our ship because I saw lots of dancing and fun! Heck, I saw people dancing on the deck at the Sail Away Party!! I love to dance too, but by the time we had some drinks during the day, hit the beach or pools, and went to dinner we were bushed! LOL, I'm getting so old and those darn beds were sooo comfy!

 

I think your wife is going to have a great time! Remember, don't forget to hit the deck party!

 

Thanks for the good feed back! I Sure hope so!

[Cyber Kat]

Thank you so much for the review! I have 20 days until we sail on the Miracle and I can't wait! These great reviews are just building my anticipation - yes!

[melissac25]

Thank you so much for the review! I have 20 days until we sail on the Miracle and I can't wait! These great reviews are just building my anticipation - yes!

 

No problem! I was just like you for months, checking the boards for info on the ship so I knew what I was in for! You won't be disappointed, I can't imagine anyone not having a blast on this ship!! My bf and I could not come up with one negative thing about the entire trip. I know everyone has different experiences but ours was perfect...

 

Have a GREAT time!! 20 days, woo hoo!:p

[Crusin Karen]

We were on the same cruise. And the same one LAST YEAR too! :eek: What a GREAT WEEK! Took a peak into the disco and piano bar after about 11pm (on my way to beddy bye!) and they were always lively and crowded. Also, check out "our pal" Tony Ray who was usually at the casino bar. :)

[Crusin Karen]

Oh,one more thing.This is never "advertised" but after 3 at the aft pool (Orpheus Bar) starboard side they have sundae fixins' to go with the ice cream. YUMMY! :p

[VickiD59]

I'm getting so old and those darn beds were sooo comfy!

 

Those beds are the greatest! I'm guessing the sun and sea air helped, not to mention that gentle rocking of the ocean. I swear, I was out cold as soon as my head hit the pillow each night. :D

[melissac25]

Those beds are the greatest! I'm guessing the sun and sea air helped, not to mention that gentle rocking of the ocean. I swear, I was out cold as soon as my head hit the pillow each night. :D

 

Yes!!! Me too, I'm glad I'm not the only one!! :p

[melissac25]

Oh,one more thing.This is never "advertised" but after 3 at the aft pool (Orpheus Bar) starboard side they have sundae fixins' to go with the ice cream. YUMMY! :p

 

I saw that towards the end of the cruise!! I was so mad that I had been eating plain ice cream all week! LOL

[med2cruise]

I can't wait. I am on the Miracle in July and your review sounds like you had an awesome time. DH, DS22, DD20 and DDs DBF20 are going with another family with the same ages. My son went to the deck party last year on the LIberty and said it was great. I am going to make a point of going this year.

 

Thanks again for a great review and I am even more excited for my time on the Miracle!

 

Karen

[melissac25]

I can't wait. I am on the Miracle in July and your review sounds like you had an awesome time. DH, DS22, DD20 and DDs DBF20 are going with another family with the same ages. My son went to the deck party last year on the LIberty and said it was great. I am going to make a point of going this year.

 

Thanks again for a great review and I am even more excited for my time on the Miracle!

 

Karen

 

You are going to love it! We said next time we go we definitely want to go with a group of friends. It was nice just the two of us but I think it would be a blast with other people you that you know! Have a blast and let us know how you liked it! :D