Carnival Miracle suggestions

[BambiD]

For those who've sailed on the Miracle before.... Would you recommend :

 

Red Frog Pub or The Alchemy ? And why?

Lido Buffet or Room Svc? Why?

Favorite stops in Cabo (without an organized excursion)?

 

If you've had the cheers program....

Do you tip the servers for each drink like normal?

Do we still sign for each drink ?

 

We paid for the program to avoid a surprise/additional expense post cruise but the tips may become just that. We're high tippers so I'd like to know if I should just get some gift cards to put on our account to cover the tips (unless they're included in what we paid). AND...? if they ARE included in what we paid Do we know that each server will get their tips?

[riffatsea]

Both the Red Frog Pub and Alchemy are fun but in very different ways.

Red Frog is its own separate room that has games on the tables and has lovely different rums to taste and enjoy.

Alchemy is a bar that makes interesting cocktails.

I always enjoy the martini tasting on the first night of the cruise.

We don't do cheers so I cannot help you with that .

Normally without cheers each drink comes with an automatic 15%tip added each time you buy a drink.We don't tip beyond that as we think that is sufficient.

[Heartkrazy]

With Cheers, we tipped every other round (3rd/4th drink between DH & myself).

 

In Cabo we bar hopped & shopped (Senor Frogs, Solomon's Landing - great quacamole!, Cabo Wabo, The Giggling Marlin, Gordo Lele's Tacos & Tortas).

 

Never visited Alchemy, visited Red Frog once. If I had to do it over again, I'd have made myself a regular at Alchemy.

[Heartkrazy]

Did room service one night but if we had to do it over again, would have gotten up, gotten dressed & gone out, LOL!

[hazelgreen]

For those who've sailed on the Miracle before.... Would you recommend :

 

Red Frog Pub or The Alchemy ? And why?

Lido Buffet or Room Svc? Why?

Favorite stops in Cabo (without an organized excursion)?

 

If you've had the cheers program....

Do you tip the servers for each drink like normal?

Do we still sign for each drink ?

 

We paid for the program to avoid a surprise/additional expense post cruise but the tips may become just that. We're high tippers so I'd like to know if I should just get some gift cards to put on our account to cover the tips (unless they're included in what we paid). AND...? if they ARE included in what we paid Do we know that each server will get their tips?

 

We were on Miracle last week and had a great cruise. We had cheers package, and I didn't plan to tip extra, but we did anyway, because the service was so awesome. I think they pool the tips to be shared among all the bartenders, but I don't know for sure. And yes you do sign for every drink.

 

We mostly ate Lido deck food and it was pretty good, lots of choices. Between 3pm and 6pm though, your choices are more limited so room service during those hours if you want to eat then.

 

We didn't plan much for Cabo (usually I research options but I didn't this time), and it's very touristy around the port area. A taxi driver took us to the nearby beach area. From there we found Sharky's for lunch, which was very pleasant. Great food and service, but we were the only ones there at the time. Really enjoyed it though, for a quiet lunch.

 

Oh, and don't miss Alchemy Bar, amazingly creative drinks and superb staff. You will like it.

Edited January 16, 2017 by hazelgreen
Alchemy

[cruisin31312]

Well...you'll be on the ship for 7 days- so try everything out. Don't feel you have to do one or the other. You're on a fun ship- do as you please and make the best of the cruise! Cheers and have a wonderful cruise! The miracle is home to me- I've been on it plenty of times throughout the years and will do so in the future as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[BambiD]

Thank you all so much! All the suggestions are great!

I just don't want to miss anything... :) Keep them coming !

[JLee1973]

Red Frog on 80's night is a blast......other then that I spent my nights in Alchemy.

 

Cabo us bar hopping goto Happy Endings Cantina.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Missileer]

Red Frog Pub because there is more activity.

We like the Buffet because of the variety of choices.

Cabo things to do. Glass bottom boat tour to Lands End. It is a fun and memorable trip--takes around an hour.You can buy it on the beach and it is very inexpensive. Cabo Wabo Cantina--a must see at least once.

Enjoy!

[Lndngrl]

Red Frog is a fun environment, usually has a band so you are not going to be doing a lot of talking/getting to know staff. If you just want a more personalized experience go to Alchemy. The environment is mellow but you can get drinks tailored to your liking and talk to fellow passengers or staff with ease. I also liked Sports Bar but it was a mellow environment as it was not football season. We were able to talk to bartender and still had music in background from next door Red Frog. As far as tipping with Cheers if I find someone that gives good service I tip $1 every other drink or so. We spent every single night in the same bar so we gave a $20 bill to him at end in addition to the $20 or so added on throughout cruise. That was our first time tipping on Cheers though because I used to be under the assumption that I already tipped my 15% why do more...but when I asked our bartender the breakdown figure for a 7 day cruise you are tipping about $50 pp but that is divided among ALL the bartenders on ship. So for your 7 days (up to 15 drinks per day) about $5 has gone into the bartenders pocket. My bartender deserved a lot more than $5 from me! But again I do not tip every single person even though I feel bad putting a slash or zero, it is only the ones that I feel make a point to give good service.

[goober87]

I like Red Frog alot as a space--very fun--but was disappointed in the signature beer. It look like a pale ale, but drinks like a hoppy bud light.

 

Love the cocktails at alchemy. Bar tenders are friendly and the overall seating space is nice too. Good for quiet during the day and enjoyable for drinks at night. Downside: The bar is split by the main walkway that leads to the dining room, so the bar isn't contained like Red Frog, etc. Upside: Good people watching. Especially right before dinner as people line up to get into the dining room. (Which begs the question: Why are people lining up to get into the dining room for their assigned seating time?? It's not like they are going to take your chair or food away or run out.)

 

Dining room vs lido. Prefer dining room. More choices and i get treated like a king.

 

On the sports bar...not a fan (pun intended). It's like a vegas sports book--kind of seemy in a way. The layout makes it hard to see TVs from the booths and other seating. Smoking is allowed or the smoke wafts in from the casino. Unless there a beer there I like or a game I gotta see, I stay away.

[FreudianSlipper]

For those who've sailed on the Miracle before.... Would you recommend :

 

Red Frog Pub or The Alchemy ? And why?

Lido Buffet or Room Svc? Why?

Favorite stops in Cabo (without an organized excursion)?

 

If you've had the cheers program....

Do you tip the servers for each drink like normal?

Do we still sign for each drink ?

 

We paid for the program to avoid a surprise/additional expense post cruise but the tips may become just that. We're high tippers so I'd like to know if I should just get some gift cards to put on our account to cover the tips (unless they're included in what we paid). AND...? if they ARE included in what we paid Do we know that each server will get their tips?

 

I didn't spend much time in the RFP or The Alchemy but I did enjoy the sports bar and Sam's Piano Bar. I think The Alchemy seemed more laid back (and it's not a walled off bar, it's right out in the open like a lounge). RFP was usually full at night and often had live music, so that was a bonus. Don't discount sitting with a drink in the Atrium either. I had some good drinks and heard some good live music there.

 

Lido vs room service really depends on whether you need a wide variety of choices. The room service menu has some things on it like Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches that aren't available in the buffet. I preferred the buffet most nights.

 

We were in Cabo for two days. I would recommend taking a water taxi over to the beach (you can walk but it's a good 30-45 minutes), rent an umbrella and hang out for awhile. It was very relaxing, even with the occasional merchant trying to sell stuff. I ate at Captain Tony's and a place called Rock and Brew, both along the walkway as you go towards the beach. I enjoyed the food in both. As far as other things to do, there are people all along the marina asking if you want to go fishing or want to take a glass bottomed boat ride. Just pay attention to your time so you don't get back late to the ship.

 

Didn't do the Cheers program, sorry!

[Micahs Grandad]

If you like the cover band red frog pub is a great place to hang out.

[ilovemy3boys]

I was on the Miracle last summer with my 3 teens. I purchased the Cheers package as a treat to myself and was glad I did, as I was able to try drinks I would not have purchased if I did not have it. I LOVED the Alchemy Bar, which is where I tried new FRESH martinis. The drinks there never made me feel drunk or hungover, because they were fresh ingredients. The mixologist there were personable, so I did tip cash when I was there, but not at the other bars. I did enjoy the Red Frog, when I was hanging out with other fellow cruisers and wanted more of an upbeat vibe.

 

I did not do room service...just lido deck and dining room. I liked the dining room for breakfast on sea days. The lido was nice because there were the different options to select from...pizza, chinese, sandwiches, hamburgers, etc.

 

Sadly, my son was sick so we did not go into Cabo, so no suggestion here.

 

We had so much fun that I am taking my boys again THIS summer. Enjoy!

[crossfitmama]

Definitely the Alchemy for us, liked the vibe, bartenders and drinks. We didn't do room service and did a resort day pass but we did see a lot of places around the marina or just walk to the beach I would assume

[pblack]

Red Frog is a good hangout spot like many others have said. I have not tried Alchemy, but it seems like a popular bar. We always tend to hang out in the sports bar, some of the best bartenders we've encountered have been in the sports bar.

 

If you like craft beer, there is a place called baja brewing in Cabo right next to the mall. (easily walkable) Good beer and good food, pretty inexpensive. Two guys from Colorado up and moved to Cabo and opened a brewery.

[jdemps]

For those who've sailed on the Miracle before.... Would you recommend :Red Frog Pub or The Alchemy ? And why? Get a drink from alchemy then head over to the Red Frog for some shuffleboard!

Lido Buffet or Room Svc? Why? Depends on time of day - we reserve room service for around 2 or 3 am eats

Favorite stops in Cabo (without an organized excursion)?

Water taxi to mango deck to see that beautiful view of the arch. You can have the driver take you to the arch then to medano beach if you want.

On the north side of the marina - tacos guss - amazing street food; Desperadoes a little further east has AC and fresh made mojitos!

 

If you've had the cheers program....

Do you tip the servers for each drink like normal? we tip $1 on each drink we get - we drink everyday and have quite a few so I budget about another $125 or so for those tips on a 7 night cruise.

Do we still sign for each drink ? I have signed for each drink, each time I've had cheers.

 

We paid for the program to avoid a surprise/additional expense post cruise but the tips may become just that. We're high tippers so I'd like to know if I should just get some gift cards to put on our account to cover the tips (unless they're included in what we paid). AND...? if they ARE included in what we paid Do we know that each server will get their tips?

15% tips are included but only on about the first 6-8 drinks. If you go over that, the staff is getting stiffed in my opinion so we tip extra on each drink.

[Micahs Grandad]

Red frog for sure if it has a band.

 

Dinner usually in DR but if not lido for sure over room service

[john91498]

Prefer Red Frog over Alchemy. Red Frog had room to dance and there were more things to do then just sit and drink.

 

Lido buffet mainly because we didn't like to stay in our room. Also a much larger selection then what is now available on the room service menu.

 

In Cabo, did the glass bottom boat ride to Lands End. Took about an hour and then we went into town for drinks and tacos.

[cruizergal70]

Lido or room service? Do both. It's free

[louanne93]

We loved the RFP!

Also, loved the Room Service over Lido. Pizza, wings, and fries are all excellent!

Massages at Eden's Spa on Medano Beach.

Never tried Cheers but we always tip extra!

[WuShox]

...Cabo things to do. Glass bottom boat tour to Lands End. It is a fun and memorable trip--takes around an hour.You can buy it on the beach and it is very inexpensive.

 

I'm assuming this is non-Carnival tour? How much? Thanks!

[SadieN]

I'm assuming this is non-Carnival tour? How much? Thanks!

 

 

Negotiate in the Marina for a Panga. There will be lots of men offering tours.

[dverzic]

I really liked the Alchemy for a variety of craft martinis. Red Frog is okay, and fun for dancing to live music. We were there during spring break so there were a lot of college age kids monopolizing the games. Whenever we went into the sports bar there were very few people there. Not very hopping. There's also the piano bar, but I don't think we ever went in there. Al-in-all, I like the Alchemy the best.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Onagh]

For those who've sailed on the Miracle before.... Would you recommend :

 

 

 

Red Frog Pub or The Alchemy ? And why?

 

Lido Buffet or Room Svc? Why?

 

Favorite stops in Cabo (without an organized excursion)?

 

 

 

If you've had the cheers program....

 

Do you tip the servers for each drink like normal?

 

Do we still sign for each drink ?

 

 

 

We paid for the program to avoid a surprise/additional expense post cruise but the tips may become just that. We're high tippers so I'd like to know if I should just get some gift cards to put on our account to cover the tips (unless they're included in what we paid). AND...? if they ARE included in what we paid Do we know that each server will get their tips?

 

 

The Alchemy, better drinks better proximity to night club, just better

Lido - more selections more customized, lounge in bathrobes and no one cares.

I don't like Cabo but the ATM on the beach was a blast

Cheers- no tips are included in price, yes you sign every time

 

See you on board, 4/1 and 10/29,,,

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums