Miracle 9/11/05 Review

[Laplayaperson]

okay guys...here we go!

 

My DH and I flew out w/2 other couples from Norfolk, Virginia. One of the couples was w/her new husband had just got married not but 2-1/2 hours prior to us all hopping on a plane and taking off! :) Her wedding was beautiful! We arrived in Tampa around 12:45am on 9/11/05. We book a hotel at the Tampa Westshore Doubletree! I would highly recommend this place! Not only to they have a complemetary Shuttle that picks up from the airport 24hrs a day, but they also will take you to the pier the next day at no charge, OH and you get a warm cookie when you checkin too! We all checked in and off to bed it was!

 

Sunday Morning:

 

We all woke up and met in the lobby of the Westshore Doubletree around 9:30am. We went to the breakfast buffet that was onsite down in the lobby, it was about $7.95 or $9.95 per person (sorry, can't remember the exact price). After eating we all went back up to our rooms packed up, came back down, checked out and were on the shuttle by 10:45am on our way to the pier.

 

Embarking on the ship was a breeze. We had the porters take our bags and we went right in the building. Once in the building we went through security, checked in at the Carnival Counter, got our sign and sail cards, then sat down for the wait for our number to be called (you get a number placed on your boarding pass...and that number desginates when you will get on the ship). We were number 2. Around 11:30-11:45 number 1 was called, by 12pm # 2 was called and we were cleared to board! WHAT AN AWESOME SHIP! :eek:

 

Once on the ship we went up to the Lido deck, grabbed some drinks and a tabel. We met our favorite Lido deck waiters "Mbollo" (the "M" is silent) and "Everton"! These guys were great! They took very good care of us. Everyday when we would be up on the Lido deck they remembered our names, and what we liked to drink! Thanks guys, you ROCK! After having a few drinks it was time for the Muster Drill. I was with one of my friends searching the ship for her wallet she had already misplaced (she is always loosing something, HA!). So her and I went to the Muster Drill ourselfs, while the rest of the group that were up on the Lido deck went together. After the Musterdrill some of the people I had been talking to on the "Roll Call Boards" decided to meet up at the Orphius bar! Everyone was sooo nice, and it was nice seeing some familar faces around the ship, Lynn & Bill, you guys were great I would have loved to have hung out w/you guys more! Afterward we went to pursers desk and filled out a lost item report (Luckily, about 3 hours later someone actually turned it in and NOTHING was missing!). We went to dinner met our WONDERFUL Dinner waiters "Ryan" & "Adrien" both from Jamacia! These guys were hilarious and really made our dinning room experice a great one! We went to dinner everynight except 1 night.

 

Grand Cayman:

My DH and I woke up early for the StingRay Sandbar Tour through Carinival. It was a nice excursion, the stingrays are beautiful and the water was amazing. I wish they had more squid to feed the stingrays with b/c it seemed as though they ran out rather quickly and not everyone got a chance to feed them. After the excursion they offered to drop you off at a beach or back at the pier, we opted for the pier, looked around a bit and back to ship! At night did a little gamling (don't play the slot's Bill & Lynn told us they are not regulated like they have to be in Vegas so they don't pay out as well), and then got some drinks on the Lido deck then went to sleep.

 

Costa Maya:

We paid $3.00 per person for a ticket that took us to Manhjual (I think that is how you spell it). We walked around the town for a bit (not much to look at, some little huts, and beach bars), but we ended up at Tequilla Beach. They offered a $32.00 all you eat and drink deal, but we weren't in port long enough to make that a good bet, so we just grabbed some beach chairs under a grass umbrella and relaxed. I got a massage on the beack for 30 mins for $25.00. It seemed as though she massaged me for over 45mins to an hour....it was great! Then we headed back to the pier via taxi $12.00 for 4 people, where they have a large Salt water pool, with a swim up bar, 2 resturants, and some shops. We at lunch at one of the resturants by the pool it was pretty cost us $49.59 but we got a LOT of food, and none of us finished all of it. After eating lunch we headed back to the ship. That night we did some major partying...we went to the rated "R" comic Mike something I forget his last name but he was really good, just to forwarn you he act is ADULT should be rated X in some parts, but for the most part it was hilarious, then we went to Dr. Frankinstines and stayed there till close, they headed up and got some pizza! Great night, but paid for it the next day!

 

Belize;

 

Well like I said above we had a great night, but we did pay for it in Belize, we were suppose to get up early and meet all the other cruisecritic people that were going on the cave tubbing w/Yony through www.cave-tubing.com but we were just to darn tired, so we slept. Once up we got some breakfast and laid out on the lido deck and listened to the band!

 

Cozumel:

 

My favorite spot! We got up around 10am and took a taxi for 2 people $12.00 to Palm Beach Resort. This place is great. We paid 80 bucks (40 dollars a person) it was all you can eat, and drink all day long! They had wonderful music playing, CESAR & ALFONSO were are waiters and they were amazing they kept the drink, chips & salsa, and gaucamole coming all day long. I had chicken faijats for lunch, my DH had 2 steak quesidillas, and the other couples that were with us had steak faijats and chicken quesidillas...sooo worth it! It was to die for! Not only like I said was there great music, the staff was wonderful, but the lounge chairs were comfortable, you get your own chair all day and an umbrella right on the shore. There is snorkling gear for rent $3.00 all day, Water Mats $3.00 all day, there is banana boat, parasailing, and jet ski's also aval for an additional cost. For free were the water trampolines and the Water Ice Burg! After hanging out there all day, it was back to the ship, we split a cab this time w/another couple and it was still $12.00 but this time 4 people instead of 2. Then headed back on the ship.

 

At Sea:

 

Again no complaints...how can I, I was on vacation and not at work! Only complaint...IT WENT TO FAST!

 

Diembarktion: EASY EASy, we did self assist which means you carry your bags off your self, you needed to be on deck 2 by 7:30am-8:00am. Once customs cleared the ship, the doors opened and we were off! :o Then took a shuttle $9.00 per person to the airport, checked in, then were on a plane by 12:35pm and home back in Virginia Beach, VA by 4:35pm! It was a wonderful cruise and I cannot wait to book another one! Carnival once again has not let me down!

 

let me know if you guys have any questions, as this is just a summary...lots more went on but I just wanted to give you a feel for it! Hope you enjoy!

 

~Rebecca

"LaPlayaPerson"

[momofzeke]

Thank you for the review. I can't wait for our Miracle cruise in March!

[oakleys]

you loved it!! good.... sounds great.

[Buffettfan 225]

I am already planning for April 06 Miracle cruise. I believe we will be doing the Sting Ray City tour.

Question: As far as tendering--do you think if you booked a private company (more squid??) that you would be able to meet them in time?

Question: Would you rebook with the ship, or on your own?

Would you do this tour again or choose another or tour on your own? Thanks.

[bluesramsrock]

Enjoyed your review, thanks!

 

We have an early flight and will be using the self-assist as you did. What time did you actually get off of the ship?

 

Thanks!

[Buffettfan 225]

If we choose to not self assist, what time does the standard group get disembarked by? Just wondering as want to be at airport by 2pm. Flight at 3:30pm.

[just4kixx]

Thank you for your review LaPlayaPerson!

 

I have a question about your Doubletree accomodations... Was this the hotel at: 4500 W Cypress St.?

 

We received this particular location via Priceline for our upcoming precruise stay and I was having no luck getting recent reviews... so I'm hoping this is the location you stayed at :D Shuttle service to/from the airport AND port is an unexpected bonus!!!

 

Glad to hear you had such a wonderful Miracle experience... you've made me even more excited for our own (if that is possible!)

 

Thanks

A~

[Laplayaperson]

Buffetfan:

 

You will be fine with a private company. I would suggest using "Nativeway Watersports" and do the Ray, Reef, and Rum Point excursion. One of the couples that were with us did this and they said it was amazing. They went swimming with the stingrays (had plently of squid), then snorkeling, then to a private beach called Rum Point. They said it was beautiful.

 

If you choose not to self assist, the night before go the pursers desk with your flight information so they can see you have an early flight. They will issue you some "vip passes" to tag your luggage. Once you have tagged your luggage you sit it outside your door the night before, it will be picked up and waiting for you when you get off the ship in the terminal. You will be the next to get off the ship after the "self assist" group.

 

Bluesramsrock:

 

We got off the ship around 9:30am, it was very easy and we had a flight at 12:35.

 

Just4kixx:

 

Yes, the double tree you booked off of priceline is the same one we stayed at! It's a great hotel! Good Job on the booking! Also, I didn't mention in the review, but when you get in at the airport down by the luggage carosel there is a phone you pick up for the double tree...you dial the ext. an operator from the double tree will come on and you tell her what section of the airport you are at and a shuttle will be there with in 10-15mins! Also...the doubletree has all new beds! They are great, they are very plush, downcomforters, very nice pillows and like I said you get a cookie too! And, I saw you were an Eagles fan! My husband big time fan, he was excited when he found out the game was on TV in the sports bar!

[just4kixx]

Awesome news LaPlayaPerson! You've made my day!

 

Yes, and avid Eagles fan. They will be playing the Giants on the day we set sail... are you telling me I should be able to catch the game onboard????? I think I love you!~~~

 

Giggling in Philly

~A :)

[Kipp-n-Aika]

Great review, I really enjoyed reading it. My husband and I were on the same ship as you, although we missed the CC meeting... I bet we ran into each other sometime though!

 

We also like Mbollo, we met him at the Captain's cocktail party. He was the only one who would stop and give us drinks, everyone else kept walking by us and wouldn't stop. We gave him a tip, and he kept coming back. :D Really nice guy!

 

Bluesramsrock, you shouldn't have any problems at all making your afternoon flight. DH and I were some of the very last people off the ship, we actually stayed until they made the "last and final call" for all remaining guests to depart. It was about 10:30am, and we were at the airport by 11:15. We actually wished we had an earlier flight, because then we had to kill 3 hours til our departure time!

[MadScientist Eric]

We were on the same trip. Great to meet you and your friends! Glad to see you had as much fun as us. We also did Stingray city, and Loved it.

 

I recommend Cave-tubing.com highly! Sorry you missed it, but we all had a blast. It was a cool trip, and our guide, Junior, was AWESOME!

 

We did the Mayan ruins thing, Chacchoben in Costa Maya, and Tulum in Cozumel. If you do Chacchoben, go with David and Ivan at http://www.chacchobenruins.com/. This and cave-tubing.com offer twice the service at half the price!

 

The ship was fun. I highly recommend meeting the people from the roll call. Even if you don't end up spending much time with them, it was great having a group of 20 or so people that we already knew! We'd see Laplayaperson occasionally, like at the casino or the Lido deck, and say hi.

 

Loads of fun! I hope I run in to you all again on another cruise ship!

[kerrmit]

Eric-

I actually have booked through Cave-tubing.com, thought Yhani has been a great help with any questions I had....and also am seriously looking into the David and Ivan guided tour of Chacchoben in Costa Maya. Could you give me as much information about these two tours as you can? I like to know as much as possible =) I am still looking for ideas for Cayman....anyone have any?

[elaineb]

Just4kixx - If you don't mind, what kind of price did you get through Priceline and how did you bid this - 4****??? Thanks!:)

[just4kixx]

I had to look it up, but here is what I posted on betterbidding.com:

 

"... after 72 hours(8/25/05), I tried the airport area again.

 

Started at 4* $65 and worked up to $85 with 5 rebid zones, all rejected, no counters

 

Started at 3* $55, counteroffered at raised bid of $15, declined and rebid with added zone at $60. Offer accepted

 

Doubletree Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport

Your offer price $60.00

Number of rooms 4

Number of nights 1

Subtotal $240.00

taxes and fees $40.24

Total charges $280.24

 

Best rate online $116.10

 

Hope I don't regret this... Subsequent reading of tripadvisor reviews doesn't look very good! Anybody stayed there recently?

 

Thanks for the guidance.

Booked through SavingsBarn link (as usual)

A~

 

Needless to say, I'm excited to here LaPlayaPerson's positive experience!

 

Hope this info helps... Good Luck!

A~

[Keys2Heaven]

Just returned from 9/11 Miracle cruise as well.

 

Found embark/disemark very smooth and nothing to get worked up about. I was nervous about customs (no I wasn't hiding anything!) but zipped right on through.

 

As far as ports, we liked Grand Cayman and Belize the best. To be perfectly honest, we thought Costa Maya and Cozumel to be a huge waste of time. Neither my wife and I like to go out and get sh**-faced at a bar or Carlos & Charlies/Senor Frogs. However, there were lots who did and I makes for great entertainment seeing them come back to the ship around 5:30pm drunker than a skunk.

 

Costa Maya: The port is nothing more than cruise line stores (recommended by your on-board supper shopper nothetheless) and a swim-up bar/restaraunt upstairs. Now, to be honest we didn't do any tours here because my wife has some back problems and really couldn't do any of these. The tours might be a different story but some in our group who went horseback riding said it was "so-so" at best.

 

Belize: Did the cave-tubing.com thing with Junior as our guide and it was absolutely wonderful. It will take most of your in-port time but is well worth it.

 

Cozumel: Hated it! Nothing but tourist feeding crooks out to part you with your money. I haven't seen flat-out, blatant corruption and thievery like that in years. Word of advice....unless you know something about gemstones and are buying them lose, do not purchase jewelry at Diamonds International or any other jewelry store at any port, otherwise you will get taken on price. Or, if you prefer to get drunk, then by all means go to Carlos & Charlies or Senor Frogs. You'll have a great time?!?!?! Just don't get arrested on the way back to the ship!

 

Oh, and don't rent a scooter or any other vehicle (there's a rental place on every street corner just about). I belive that these are nothing more than organized crime outlets with the police involved. If you get arrested and use a credit card to get bail out someone, your money will go bye-bye. You'll end up paying more than the fine! It's identity theft, pure and simple.

 

If you want to go to a beach, you will pay no matter what. If you want to lay out and pay for drinks and food then go ahead.

 

Also, stay on the main street if you dare. My wife and I took a cab downtown and walked back maybe 2 blocks from the main street and quickly turned around. Felt like I was walking into a bad neighborhood.

 

Every piece of Caribbean Topaz piece of jewelry my wife looked at started at $600. Then I was told "for you sir, today only.....$210". When we said no, it was $180, then $160, then $150 then "o.k. you tell me" and they turn around their calculator and punch zero and want you to put in a number. And ALL the jewelry shops do this. Come to find out, Caribbean Topaz is really a cheap topaz that has a coating on top to give it the colors you see. It's dirt cheap, but they'll make you think it's worth hundreds. And the coating comes off over time!

 

If you buy gemstones lose, then they are exempt from customs (only for diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires). If you buy any stone mounted, you must declare it.

 

Ask me anything as I want to help and not scare anyone. I just want you to be educated!

[CruiseNut7]

Laplayaperson ....

 

Thanks for the great recap. We sail on the Miracle in 9 weeks.

 

We've been to the other ports in the past except Costa Maya. We enjoy lounging around, have a drink or three and a massage on the beach would be great.

 

So, with that in mind, do you recommend that we just head over to Tequila Beach? We're not high maintenance folks - just want to have a good time.

 

Thanks in advance ---

[Laplayaperson]

Tequilla Beach was nice if your looking to lounge and get a massage...only thing I didn't like about any beach area of Costa maya is that there is a lot of Sea grass. But the water is beautiful, the service was great, and the lady that did my massage did an excellent job! Plus at tequilla beach we didn't have to pay to use the lounge chairs. We tried to go to some other beach/bar area in costa maya and they wanted to charge us 5$ per person for the whole day. We knew we weren't going to be there all day just wanted to lounge for awhile so we headed back to tequilla beach.