Just off Miracle Mexican Riviera today... Any Questions?

[Cruznjuly]

Rather than doing laundry… Figured I would come here and help those who helped me while planning this cruise.

 

Quick notes:

 

FTTF: Totally worth it on this trip. We left our cabin and were walking on Cabo within 12 minutes. We were also off the ship and through customs by 8:45am.

 

FOOD: American Table Menu in MDR and fantastic. Better than Inspiration, Imagination, and Breeze. Yes I Realize it's mostly the same, but this was much better prepared. We liked dishes on Miracle that we disliked on other ships. We did miss Blue Iguana and Guys, but Chopsticks was a decent replacement.

 

ENTERTAINMENT: We did wish for a few more activities on Sea Days. We felt ourselves constantly wandering back to Red Frog Pub to play shuffleboard and dominoes. Don't get me wrong- we had a good time- just wish there were more organized things to do.

 

The Playlist Production shows were 88Keys, 80s Pop to the Max, Heart of Soul, and Getaway Island. Liked the music of 80s best, but show of Getaway Island. It actually told a story instead of just singing and dancing. Performers didn't have the best voices and he music was extremely loud...hubby joked that was on purpose to mask their voices. They were decent dancers and were definitely entertaining.

 

Hasbro Game Show- cute as usual- probably the 10th time I've seen this show and the ONLY time I've ever seen an adult win!

 

Comedians were amazing. Never belly laughed that hard with any ship comedian!

 

SHIP: Just adore the size and layout of the Miracle. She is definitely showing her age though. Lots of scratches and stains etc. The addition of RFP is fantastic and kind of a secret on the ship. Didn't spend much time in sports bar because not much to watch, but I can definitely see this area would be awesome during a football game.

 

STATEROOM: We had 6232, and extra extended balcony. It was just HUGE. It was really great. The room- not so much. Very worn looking and lots of stains which gave the appearance of dirty even though it was probably clean. Scratches on the toilet seat were especially disturbing since they looked brown.

We had an issue with wet carpet, which is a very long and terrible story, but Carnival ultimately resolved it to our satisfaction.

 

PORTS: PV was shopping and eating on Malecon day 1, Las Caletas day 2. PV has been hit with lots of nighttime rainstorms, so there were no sand castles on Malecon, which was a bummer but understood. There were a few guys trying to salvage some. Ate at Riverwalk and had a ball watching the giant iguanas. Le Caletas was amazing as usual, although I'll say it felt much more crowded this trip than it ever has.

Cabo we went to the Sand Bar. Difficult to find a water taxi to take us straight there (most wanted to take us to the Arch and snorkeling) so we stupidly decided to walk. My kids hated me for that 20-30 minutes... Until we got there and had nice shaded umbrellas and some darn good margaritas and kids daiquiris. We stayed and swam and ate and drank for about 4 1/2 hours. Bill was about $50 USD and we had shade whenever we wanted it.

 

We booked Miracle because we loved her last time and were afraid she was going to China. Now we know that's not happening, but we probably wouldn't book her again unless there was a great deal.

 

Any other questions, let me know! I'm happy to help! :)

 

 

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[louanne93]

How was the weather? Super hot and humid? Or, bearable while at the beach? How was the service in the MDR? Bars? By the pool? Did you check out the Serenity area? We will be on her in 7 days!

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Cruznjuly]

How was the weather? Super hot and humid? Or, bearable while at the beach? How was the service in the MDR? Bars? By the pool? Did you check out the Serenity area? We will be on her in 7 days!

 

 

Weather was great on the ship. Puerto Vallarta was extremely hot and humid, but it also made the water warm and absolutely perfect. Cabo was a lot less humid, but still warm and humid. Water was a little cooler, but my husband called it perfect. At the beach in both places was very comfortable! The last sea day was a little chilly… Bring a sweatshirt. As a matter of fact, I found the ship to be pretty cold overall.

 

MDR service was great. We had three people, and the top two guys were amazing. The third in line appeared to be just learning, and he made several mistakes and was really slow. I think if we were one of those people whose cruise would be ruined by having to refill our own water and exchange plates after they were put down in front of us, then it would have bothered us more. (Larry and Yance were great- maybe you can somehow request them?)

 

By far, alchemy bar had the best service, selection, and drinks.

 

Jason and Kitty were absolutely delightful, and even made our children delicious fresh juice mocktails. We found bar service overall pretty decent, but exceptional at alchemy. Serenity bar service was the worst of all… But the two times we went there, most people were sleeping so maybe waiters didn't think they could get any action. I will say the serenity area is beautiful and huge! We enjoyed ourselves up there, but preferred to hang out with the kids. (They might not like us for much longer LOL)

 

Have a wonderful time!

 

 

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Edited August 7, 2016 by Cruznjuly

[JLee1973]

By any chance do you have any pictures of the room? I have the same room booked in October

 

I agree with you about Jason. He was on the Miracle last September and was great.

 

Red Frog was my favorite place in the Miracle.

 

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Edited August 7, 2016 by JLee1973

[louanne93]

Weather was great on the ship. Puerto Vallarta was extremely hot and humid, but it also made the water warm and absolutely perfect. Cabo was a lot less humid, but still warm and humid. Water was a little cooler, but my husband called it perfect. At the beach in both places was very comfortable! The last sea day was a little chilly… Bring a sweatshirt. As a matter of fact, I found the ship to be pretty cold overall.

 

MDR service was great. We had three people, and the top two guys were amazing. The third in line appeared to be just learning, and he made several mistakes and was really slow. I think if we were one of those people whose cruise would be ruined by having to refill our own water and exchange plates after they were put down in front of us, then it would have bothered us more. (Larry and Yance were great- maybe you can somehow request them?)

 

By far, alchemy bar had the best service, selection, and drinks.

 

Jason and Kitty were absolutely delightful, and even made our children delicious fresh juice mocktails. We found bar service overall pretty decent, but exceptional at alchemy. Serenity bar service was the worst of all… But the two times we went there, most people were sleeping so maybe waiters didn't think they could get any action. I will say the serenity area is beautiful and huge! We enjoyed ourselves up there, but preferred to hang out with the kids. (They might not like us for much longer LOL)

 

Have a wonderful time!

 

 

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Thanks so much for the quick response! I appreciate it. Just curious... What was it that made you probably not want to sail Miracle again? Thanks again for all your help.

[Cruznjuly]

How can I neglect red frog pub? We spent a lot of time playing shuffleboard and dominoes in there!

 

The room is just like most balcony rooms…

 

The upper that comes out of the ceiling is great, though… It had a little cut out so a taller person could be comfortable without hitting their head. We have had uppers on every single cruise, and never seen that before. My son is only 14, and not tall at all, but he really enjoyed not feeling so confined up there.

 

I do want to let you know to completely pull out the sofa from the wall- the one which is turned into a bed. We had a constant wet carpet issue from underneath that bed. They said they fixed it three separate times, and hopefully they did. However, I would yank that sucker out just to be safe!

 

The real highlight of this cabin, is of course, the gigantic balcony. I attached a few pictures of that, but unfortunately I don't have any of the inside. You can see that the one with my husband and two kids lined up and and… I easily could have played with them and still had extra room!

 

If you are a very light sleeper like I am, you may want to bring a fan or earplugs because you can hear… Or hear/feel the bumping of music on till about 2 AM each night. My husband and children fell asleep like babies and didn't hear a thing… But I am extremely sensitive.

 

The room is in a great location… We would probably stay there again if there was a deal! Have a great time!

 

 

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[dabear99211]

What was the Hotel Directors name?

[Cruznjuly]

Thanks so much for the quick response! I appreciate it. Just curious... What was it that made you probably not want to sail Miracle again? Thanks again for all your help.

 

 

We would definitely sail her again… We would just want to have a deal. This cruise cost us almost as much as our breeze cruise last year, and that ship just has so much more to offer!

 

The whole reason for booking this trip was fear of never being able to sail the miracle again, so we do love the ship… We just would like to try something else next time!

 

 

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Edited August 7, 2016 by Cruznjuly

[Cruznjuly]

What was the Hotel Directors name?

 

 

Stephen Chastney

 

 

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[vwrestler171]

Do you have the menus? I will be back on Miracle in November, but now that is has changed to the American Table menu, I need to know which night to book the steakhouse for.

[Cruznjuly]

Do you have the menus? I will be back on Miracle in November, but now that is has changed to the American Table menu, I need to know which night to book the steakhouse for.

 

 

I'm so sorry- I don't. I can't believe I didn't do that. [emoji20]

 

I will say that they were pushing the steakhouse every single day and it didn't appear that ANY nights were sold out.

 

The hostess podium at Horatio's has the entire week of menus... Ask them when you get on board and they'll show you. Then you can decide.

 

Sorry I'm not more helpful! :(

 

 

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[louanne93]

We would definitely sail her again… We would just want to have a deal. This cruise cost us almost as much as our breeze cruise last year, and that ship just has so much more to offer!

 

The whole reason for booking this trip was fear of never being able to sail the miracle again, so we do love the ship… We just would like to try something else next time!

 

 

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Glad to know! Thanks!

[krev]

We've been on Miracle twice, the best thing about her was the steakhouse, it was great. We did well in the casino but we're just not fond of this ship, think we'll stick with our preferred cruise line. I will say the prices of the cruise were excellent, both cruises we booked last minute.

 

 

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[vwrestler171]

I'm so sorry- I don't. I can't believe I didn't do that. [emoji20]

 

I will say that they were pushing the steakhouse every single day and it didn't appear that ANY nights were sold out.

 

The hostess podium at Horatio's has the entire week of menus... Ask them when you get on board and they'll show you. Then you can decide.

 

Sorry I'm not more helpful! :(

 

 

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Lol, don't worry about it. Kind of funny we were replying to each others threads pretty much saying the same thing in both.

[akeka]

Thanks so much for the review; there aren't many on the Miracle. We have that same cabin next month and now I'm worried. Did you ask for the toilet seat to be replaced?

 

I became an Alchemy bar fan on the Triumph last year. I wonder if Kitti is the same person as onboard Triumph?

[2Shoes2Go]

We appreciate the good information. We have this same cabin for our Hawaii, in October. Just the two of us, but I will check out the sofa situation. I have a very sensitive nose, so likely will smell wet carpet, if there's a problem.

We do love Miracle and have spent some wonderful times sailing her.

Thanks, again. :)

[Cruznjuly]

We appreciate the good information. We have this same cabin for our Hawaii, in October. Just the two of us, but I will check out the sofa situation. I have a very sensitive nose, so likely will smell wet carpet, if there's a problem.

 

We do love Miracle and have spent some wonderful times sailing her.

 

Thanks, again. :)

 

 

That's great they let you book this cabin. We were told it's only for 3 or 4.

Perfect balcony for Hawaii! You both can lie on the loungers and still have extra room!

 

 

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[Cruznjuly]

Thanks so much for the review; there aren't many on the Miracle. We have that same cabin next month and now I'm worried. Did you ask for the toilet seat to be replaced?

 

 

 

I became an Alchemy bar fan on the Triumph last year. I wonder if Kitti is the same person as onboard Triumph?

 

 

No we didn't... We got used to it but my kids both thought they were stains at first, and I scrubbed and realized they were scratches. There is a good chance it will be replaced for you next month. We were kind of grossed out about the shower curtain having black spots on it, and a couple days into the cruise it was replaced.

 

Kitty is probably the same! She said she had been on 4-5 ships, and there just aren't too many Alchemy bartenders!

 

 

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[sassyredhat]

Wow~~not too encouraging for me.

 

We are Princess cruisers, although we have taken our fair share of CCL cruises. We are waiting to book the Hawaii itin on whichever ship sails from Long Beach in 2018. Sounds like it will still be the Miracle.

 

DS wants us all to sail CCL for the Camp Carnival for our granddaughter.

We would be booking 2 balconies. I am a VERY light sleeper.

 

I will be lurking on this board and waiting. :D

 

Patti

[vwrestler171]

Wow~~not too encouraging for me.

 

We are Princess cruisers, although we have taken our fair share of CCL cruises. We are waiting to book the Hawaii itin on whichever ship sails from Long Beach in 2018. Sounds like it will still be the Miracle.

 

DS wants us all to sail CCL for the Camp Carnival for our granddaughter.

We would be booking 2 balconies. I am a VERY light sleeper.

 

I will be lurking on this board and waiting. :D

 

Patti

 

I would bet that the Miracle will be moving to Tampa sometime in 2018.

[SadieN]

Wow~~not too encouraging for me.

 

 

 

We are Princess cruisers, although we have taken our fair share of CCL cruises. We are waiting to book the Hawaii itin on whichever ship sails from Long Beach in 2018. Sounds like it will still be the Miracle.

 

 

 

DS wants us all to sail CCL for the Camp Carnival for our granddaughter.

 

We would be booking 2 balconies. I am a VERY light sleeper.

 

 

 

I will be lurking on this board and waiting. :D

 

 

 

Patti

 

 

FWIW our 9-15 day Carnival cruises have been quite similar to our 9-10 day Princess cruises, in terms of pax.

We typically sail when traditional school us in session, all in the West Coast.

 

 

Originally Carnival was sending the Miracle across the Pacific and sailing the Splendor thru the Canal. Plans changed when the Canal wasn't completed on time.

Edited August 9, 2016 by SadieN

[JenSDCA]

Wow~~not too encouraging for me.

 

We are Princess cruisers, although we have taken our fair share of CCL cruises. We are waiting to book the Hawaii itin on whichever ship sails from Long Beach in 2018. Sounds like it will still be the Miracle.

 

DS wants us all to sail CCL for the Camp Carnival for our granddaughter.

We would be booking 2 balconies. I am a VERY light sleeper.

 

I will be lurking on this board and waiting. :D

 

Patti

 

Carnival doesn't (yet) show any Hawaii sailings from Long Beach in 2018. The only Hawaii itins they show are one from Honolulu to Vancouver in April, and one reverse of that in the fall. I'm hoping they will add some sailing from Long Beach - or even better for us, San Diego! Hey, I can hope!!

[PalmTreeBound]

Does the safe take a magnetic strip card or does it have the 4 digit code? Thanks.

[JaniceB]

Thank you for your review.