floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 #1 Share Posted December 20, 2011 WOOOHOO!! After 14 months of waiting, scheming, waiting, and more waiting, it was finally our turn!! The funatics started gathering on 12/3 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania for our pre-cruise celebration. We are a scattered group ;) and arrived by plane, train, and automobile from as far away as Minnesota/upstate New York, to a couple hours’ drive from the port, and everywhere in between. We were about 25 in number for this sail, ages range from the 20’s to the 70’s. This is the first “official” sail of the funatics, although a third of us have been sailing together since meeting on a cc group in 2008 (hiya sinnas!), a third of us have joined in after meeting during cruises in 2009-2010, and a third of us are first-timers with the group. You’ll never find a better bunch of peeps, we cruise like family and we multiply every cruise with new family…we’re out for fun and silliness, and that’s always what we have, we can make our own fun as necessary;) On this trip there was plenty of fun to be found! The pre-cruise hotel was good, and for $109 plus taxes included parking for the cruise for the three of us driving. It did not include breakfast though as there is a full service restaurant on site. The parking lot is gated but easy entry in and out. Only issue I had was the lack of smoking rooms even with a confirmation for one. Apparently they only have 6-7 smoking rooms and by the time we got there they had none left...so I got to listen to Mama rant for a while, oh well:p;) We partied poolside until don’t-ask-me what time….we were soooooooo happy to be back together in person! It didn’t stop an early wake-up though <we’re cruising WOOOOHOO!!>, and next morning we were all gathered (well most of us, you know who you are ;) for our shuttle at 10AM with SAS, ridesas.com, excellent shuttle service for $6 per person one way. It was the same price to go to the FLL airport post-cruise from port as well. They sent two vans and a luggage trailer and off we went! Note for those driving to Port Everglades in the near future, there is some pretty major construction going on within the port that routed us way around the usual main gate area, interesting tour of the cargo ship side of the port! It took us some extra time to get in there, but we were curbside at 10:40 handing off luggage and bouncing into the terminal to get our check-in done and over with! I love Port Everglades, it was a quick and easy check in, I didn’t have to take my laptop out of my bag <yay!> and in no time we were in the Platinum area, and then hearing that lovely ding! that says “we’re home!” Off to Lido for that first DoD!! This is a collaborative review of our experience, and the pics are taken by all of us…a big thank you to all funatics for helping us cover all the days we shared…I think…;) We are still gathering pics so bear with me here… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnivalcruiser10 Posted December 20, 2011 #2 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Can't wait see the picture!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #3 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Some pre-cruise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrusinAgain Posted December 20, 2011 #4 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I am anxious to find out where the meet and greet was. There was no Jazz Club so we thought maybe Jeeves but no one was there either. I think we saw the group one nite on the stairs taking pics. I recognized Scott. It was a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #5 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I was so excited to finally see the much-loved Spirit class for myself!! New ship new ship!! Up we went and made our camp for the afternoon party!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #6 Share Posted December 20, 2011 What a sweet ship! I was really turned around the first day, big change from Tropicale/Fantasy class, and quite different from every other class of ship on Carnival that I have sailed! We always head for Lido mid-ship starboard but I found on this ship it’s more forward than mid lol…and the Atrium elevators coming up in the middle of the Lido restaurant!! When we got there, the roof on the middle Lido was closed <?> so we headed forward to that open Lido area, much better! Lots of windows that open, awesome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #7 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I am anxious to find out where the meet and greet was. There was no Jazz Club so we thought maybe Jeeves but no one was there either. I think we saw the group one nite on the stairs taking pics. I recognized Scott. It was a great cruise. :eek: Oh I'm so sorry, no one could tell you? The Jazz Club on Miracle is Frankie and Johnny's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrusinAgain Posted December 20, 2011 #8 Share Posted December 20, 2011 :eek: Oh I'm so sorry, no one could tell you? The Jazz Club on Miracle is Frankie and Johnny's... Nope, they were as confused as us. Tried to find out where they played Jazz for the heck of it but couldn't find that out as well. Frankie and Johnny's seemed to be rocking every night so we must have missed the Jazz music. Went to the piano bar several nights but wasn't as packed as other ships have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #9 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Nope, they were as confused as us. Tried to find out where they played Jazz for the heck of it but couldn't find that out as well. Frankie and Johnny's seemed to be rocking every night so we must have missed the Jazz music. Went to the piano bar several nights but wasn't as packed as other ships have been. Well ftlog, it's true there is no jazz in there, not this week anyway...but they call it the Jazz Club...that was a great band in there, Music Unlimited!! And couldn't agree more about the PB, we went the first night and that was it:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #10 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Couple things about sailaway day on Miracle...first, the party was fabulous, best we have had in a long time...great music, lots of interaction with the ACD Brandon and Fun Patrol staff, lots of dancing, it was great!! Then we had a nice easy peasy muster and were back on deck a good 15 minutes before sailaway...now that's the way it should be!:D Then that happy horn and we are floating away WOOOHOO!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #11 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Ok be back in a bit, got the doggies giving me the evil eye here:rolleyes::p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishlinny Posted December 20, 2011 #12 Share Posted December 20, 2011 YAY!!! Been waiting for the Funatics review!!:D Everyone looks FABULOUS! Can't wait to sail with you again!!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_ZOO Posted December 20, 2011 #13 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Cant wait for the rest. We sail on the miracle on Jan 5th! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #14 Share Posted December 20, 2011 YAY!!! Been waiting for the Funatics review!!:D Everyone looks FABULOUS! Can't wait to sail with you again!!!:D Heeeeheeeeee, likewise!! And we have less than a year now to wait!!!:eek::p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #15 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Cant wait for the rest. We sail on the miracle on Jan 5th! Oh wonderful! Jamie, if you have any questions just jump in and ask!:D Are you guys on the Saints run or the Aruba run? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #16 Share Posted December 20, 2011 After sailaway we headed back to the cabin and luggage was there woot! So we got to unpack and move in before our late seating dinner, sweet! :D The MDR is a highlight everyday for us, love love love a great MDR!! This one did not disappoint, FABULOUS crew all over! We had some slower service on a few nights than we have had before but nothing major...My Mom didn't get bread one night before they brought her soup and she let them know straight away that you MUST have bread with soup and no problem after that:p;) This is our first night dinner, pretty sure...:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #17 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Oh, and I finally got to see the famous <infamous> GRAPES:D ....LOVE THEM!!! Prettiest dining room ever, especially if you love purple, and I do!!!:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #18 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Two sea days and a port coming up tomorrow after work!!!:D Sooner if I can sneak in any time at lunch, but that year-end stuff is messing with me:rolleyes::p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffmikey Posted December 20, 2011 #19 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Loving the review. We will be on the Miracle in 38 days headed to Bahamas and then Aruba, and all the other stops. Have a question, did they have Thirsty Frog on the ship? If so, where was it available and about how much. I understand that the ships that have it have it on tap at a reasonable price? We will be on the Miracle the 1st cruise after the drydock, so looking forward to any possible upgrades... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingaway2525 Posted December 20, 2011 Author #20 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Loving the review. We will be on the Miracle in 38 days headed to Bahamas and then Aruba, and all the other stops. Have a question, did they have Thirsty Frog on the ship? If so, where was it available and about how much. I understand that the ships that have it have it on tap at a reasonable price? We will be on the Miracle the 1st cruise after the drydock, so looking forward to any possible upgrades... They did have it on Lido at the outdoor bar in the mid-ship area...I will get you the price as I didn't indulge but a few of us did, and they will be along! We heard they are making the Lido aft area Serenity, which I hope doesn't mess up a great area as it is! You're in charge of coming back here and letting us know mikey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socref124 Posted December 20, 2011 #21 Share Posted December 20, 2011 So far so good Floatacious one. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeandaimeesmom Posted December 20, 2011 #22 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Heeeeheeeeee, likewise!! And we have less than a year now to wait!!!:eek::p Can't we go now??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaylensgigi Posted December 20, 2011 #23 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I have been looking for this,makes me feel closer to the ship. Steve developed quite a liking to the Thirsty Frog.Also available at the Casino bar and the Frankie and Johnnies.4,75 and I think it was 20 0z. I could be wrong about the size,tho. The Miracle is a wonderful ship. Crew was obviously hustling to get things done,but very friendlt.Never payall that much attenyion to the CD with exception of Risa on the Fantasy....Malcom burns is great,he met us once and remembered our names ,always stopping to talk or joke, AND he keeps his morning announcements to whats need. I really enjoyed him.I wish we could do this cruis over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessemon Posted December 20, 2011 #24 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Oh, and I finally got to see the famous <infamous> GRAPES:D ....LOVE THEM!!! Prettiest dining room ever, especially if you love purple, and I do!!!:p I remember the first cruise out of Tampa (Did that cruise) on the brand new Miracle at the time and those grapes were Pepto Bismol pink...They were horrid. The Merono (sp) glass company from Italy ahd to remake all new ones...Boy were they ugly. The new ones look much better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeuroQueen Posted December 20, 2011 #25 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Boy, do you guys look like fun!!! Can't wait to read the rest! You are hysterical and you're not even out of the port!!! Keep it coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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