Miracle 7/31 - Review Part 1

[goaliemomsr]

Pre-cruise - we fly into Tampa on Saturday and stayed in the Tampa Marriott Waterside. The cab fare from the airport to the hotel was $20.00. Beautiful hotel. It wasn't cheap - I believe with tax and fee's it was about $160.00. We had a balconey room overlooking the pool and canal. We took the trolley from the hotel to Ybor City. The Trolley was $3.00 each, but was an all day pass - you could get on and off as many times as you liked. We walked around Ybor city for a bit and then ate a Greek Restaurant (I can't remember the name, but do have it written down some place). The food was wonderful.

 

We had dinner that night in the Waterside in the hotel. It was fairly good. And off to a relatively early bedtime to get ready for the cruise.

 

Embarkation: We took a very short taxi ride from the hotel to the port. We left the hotel around 11 am. Arrived at the port, dropped the luggage and proceeded to the check-in desk. Received a great surprise when we checked in and found out that we had been upgraded from an 8c to an 11 suite. Entitled us to Skipper Club as well. There were 2 wedding parties waiting to board and we were right behind them. We were on deck sipping foo foo drinks by noon. We were asked not to go to our rooms until 2 pm.

 

Cabin: Our cabin number was 6207. It was very big with 3 full closets, a full bath with a whirlpool tub and a bidet. A Vanity area with 2 sinks in the bathroom and a second vanity area - fully mirrored with a small chair/stool and a second sink directly outside the bathroom. A very nice sitting area with a leather couch and 2 upholstered chairs. The only complaint I have about the room is that when you pull the TV out to see it from the bed - the bed close to the window you can hardly see the TV because of the angle of it (yes, I know - we didn't go on the cruise to watch TV - but at night when we returned to the cabin we would put it on for awhile). The first few nights we were on the ship we couldn't figure out how to turn the light off inside the cabinet where the safe was - it acted as a night light - but was a little annoying - third night we found the switch outside the vanity area - purely by accident. I do have pictures of the room if anyone would like to see them - email me at timehastold@aol.com and I'll forward them along.

 

Our cabin steward Ahid was great - we hardley saw him, but when we needed him for anything extra he was right there and very helpful. Your cabin steward will also replace your carnival towels (the big ones you use on deck) if you leave them on the floor in the bathroom - with nice fresh, dry ones.

 

Dining Room - We had dinner everynight except one in the Bacchus Dining Room. We were at table 394 and our wait staff was Miquel and David. They were great - we didn't want for anything - our water glass was filled contantly. The food was good, but never really excellent. There was one night that I didn't care for what I ordered (it was the Fettucini with mushroom cream sauce). The deserts were also good. We did order a bottle of wine one night that we didn't finish with our dinner and the next night when we arrived at our table, our bottle of wine was ready and waiting for us.

 

Fun Day at Sea : It was a good day for exploring the ship and getting our bearings on where everything was. I did spend a little time on the Sun Deck around late morning - had absolutely no problem finding a lounge chair to sit in. Played a little bingo, joined the slot tournament (made it the finals, but didn't win). Went to the sushi bar. Went to a wine tasting at Nick & Nora's (for an additional nominal cost) - it was actually $8 each and was 4 different wines (2 red, 2 white) and a small plate of cheese and crackers. It was very nice and now I have a new wine that enjoy drinking. This was the only day that we had breakfast in the Bacchus dining room and it was very good - I had eggs benedict!!! yum yum.

 

More later!!!

[Super89]

Great review so far!! Looking forward to the res!! Sounds like you had a great time so far.

[goaliemomsr]

Grand Cayman: We did the Stingray and Snorkel with Captain Bryan. Here is a big hint - there is a one hour time difference. We were very early for excursion - directly in front of Captain Bryan's is an English Bakery - we sat very nice and enjoyed some very good coffee (actually couldn't find a decent cup of coffee on the ship at all - craving a Starbucks!!). It was so cool to stand in the ocean and have the sting rays swim around you. We really enjoyed this excursion - we didn't snorkel - stayed on the boat and watched - but those that did seemed to really enjoy it - why didn't we - slightly afraid of the water and it was pretty deep in the snorkel area. You can ask for life vests for both the stingray and snorkel part. Made it back to the ship with about an hour to spare - it had started to rain as we returned to the ship so we just boarded instead of spending anytime shopping. The tender was quick and easy both ways.

 

We even managed to get on the Carnival video even though we were not on the carnival excursion - thier boat docked right next to ours at the stingray location.

 

Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour with Ivan and David. This was a great tour. Ivan was our tour director and did a great job. BRING THE BUG SPRAY!!!!! They did have it - but by the time we knew the tour operator had it we were already bitten up!! We made our way to the Cat's Meow - this was the trickiest part of the excursion. It was $3 per person to take a bus over to Mahahual Village. When we arrived we ordered Mango Daiquiries - watch out - they are pretty strong - but very enjoyable. The people who run the Cat's Meow are from Australia. We didn't have anything to eat there. It's about an hour or so ride from Mahahual to the Ruins. Ivan provided us with alot of information on the ride to the ruins and it was very interesting. The ruins themselves were beautiful (but buggy). We choose this tour because of the reviews on this board and were very happy that we did. When you arrive at the ruins there is a gift shop area were you can haggle the price - big hint here - really look at what your buying - read the labels - alot of the items were imported from China and Taiwan and not local handicrafts. If there is no label - look at the item - you'll know if they removed it, it isn't made in Mexico.

 

Need to go to work now - Will send more info. later!!!

[lnew1gd1]

Thanks for the great review. I would love to see your pics of 6207 since we will be staying in that cabin on the Spirit in April 07. Sister ship so should be laid out the same.

 

I tired to email you but it said your email was not a known member and I couldn't send it.

 

My email is lnew1gd1@aol.com

 

Thanks.

[DqALEX]

Grand Cayman: We did the Stingray and Snorkel with Captain Bryan. Here is a big hint - there is a one hour time difference. We were very early for excursion - directly in front of Captain Bryan's is an English Bakery - we sat very nice and enjoyed some very good coffee (actually couldn't find a decent cup of coffee on the ship at all - craving a Starbucks!!). It was so cool to stand in the ocean and have the sting rays swim around you. We really enjoyed this excursion - we didn't snorkel - stayed on the boat and watched - but those that did seemed to really enjoy it - why didn't we - slightly afraid of the water and it was pretty deep in the snorkel area. You can ask for life vests for both the stingray and snorkel part. Made it back to the ship with about an hour to spare - it had started to rain as we returned to the ship so we just boarded instead of spending anytime shopping. The tender was quick and easy both ways.

 

We even managed to get on the Carnival video even though we were not on the carnival excursion - thier boat docked right next to ours at the stingray location.

 

Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour with Ivan and David. This was a great tour. Ivan was our tour director and did a great job. BRING THE BUG SPRAY!!!!! They did have it - but by the time we knew the tour operator had it we were already bitten up!! We made our way to the Cat's Meow - this was the trickiest part of the excursion. It was $3 per person to take a bus over to Mahahual Village. When we arrived we ordered Mango Daiquiries - watch out - they are pretty strong - but very enjoyable. The people who run the Cat's Meow are from Australia. We didn't have anything to eat there. It's about an hour or so ride from Mahahual to the Ruins. Ivan provided us with alot of information on the ride to the ruins and it was very interesting. The ruins themselves were beautiful (but buggy). We choose this tour because of the reviews on this board and were very happy that we did. When you arrive at the ruins there is a gift shop area were you can haggle the price - big hint here - really look at what your buying - read the labels - alot of the items were imported from China and Taiwan and not local handicrafts. If there is no label - look at the item - you'll know if they removed it, it isn't made in Mexico.

 

Need to go to work now - Will send more info. later!!!

Thanks for a great review. I loved the Miracle and the ports. (great for scuba)