Looking for Info on the Miracle

[bluejay555]

Hi all!  I am looking to book a cruise out of Tampa, but have never sailed from there, and the Miracle doesn't look like it has much as far as upgrades.  Guys burgers?  Waterworks?  Is it a nice ship?  Is Tampa a good port?  My other option is sailing from Baltimore on the Pride, but we did that last yr....and while we loved the Pride, a different experience would be nice.  Any and all info is welcome!  Thanks!!  

[BoDidly]

You didn't say what time of year ?  Baltimore can be a weather nightmare.    Tampa I feel is a very organized port . We usually stay at the Embassy suites right at the port , the last few times were on points earned through Hilton honors.

 

Been a long few years since we sailed on Miracle. I do remember I had an absolute blast on this ship. Love the spirit class ships.  The lido deck seems like it is doubled with the bar centered midship.  Miracle reminds me of the Fantasy class design just on a much larger ship. OH ,Say hello to Frankie down at the club for me .

 

[bahacca]

I love that they have a hot tub in the gym/spa to use. At least they did in 2016. And IIRC, they have a pool on Serenity deck that is adults only if you are sailing when you would use it.

[PhillyFan33579]

We just did a Christmas cruise on Miracle last month and had a great time. I love the layout of Spirit class ships and they have my favorite Serenity area.  Miracle has several upgrades including the Alchemy Bar, Red Frog Pub and Skysox Spirts Bar.  Frankie the cruise director is one of my favorites.  The music was outstanding all cruise long.  We spent a lot of time in the Red Frog Pub at night listening to the band that played there most nights. 

[PhillyFan33579]

4 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

I'd pick any ship other than the Miracle.  I love the upgraded eateries on the other ships and would hold out for those.

 

I know a lot of people will agree with you, but I actually prefer the older Off The Grill that Miracle still has where you have more options than you do at Guys Burgers. The fact that a ship does or doesn’t have Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana has no impact on if I will sail on the ship. 

[BoDidly]

9 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

I'd pick any ship other than the Miracle.  I love the upgraded eateries on the other ships and would hold out for those.

Have you cruised on this ship ?

[Bostwick girl]

We were on Miracle twice last year, April to Panama Canal, and the Western Caribbean in September. We have been on pretty much all the different class ships, but to us, Miracle is our favorite! The layout is so much better than the larger ships, love the promenade being on deck 2 along with the restaurant, everything is so convenient. Loved all the sitting areas, probably more than on some larger ships, loved the Gatsby's Garden area on deck 3 forward. You can go in there and walk all the way around the inside bow of the ship, and the little tables and chairs by the portholes are so pretty. The ship never seemed crowded. The food and service was good. 

 

If you have never sailed out of Tampa, take my advice and take advantage of the valet parking, it is well worth the few extra dollars. Tampa is sort of crazy with the location of the port and the traffic getting into the drop off area is horrible, but when you finally get to that area, the valet parking is right there, and when you debark, you walk out the terminal door and give them your ticket, in a few minutes they bring your vehicle right to you, help you load up and out you go. Very easy to get back on the road. Wish other terminals had it. Enjoy your cruise and hope you enjoy Miracle. Wish they were moving her to port Canaveral instead of California.

 

[bluejay555]

Thanks everyone for the great info!  We are looking at a late-May sailing and will be with a 12 and 14 yr old.  I just don't want them to get bored with lack of activities, and we do all enjoy the eateries that Miracle does not have.  But I love the idea of it being a smaller, less crowded ship.  There's a lot to be said for that!!  As long as there are lots of trivias, games, karaoke going on, we will be fine 🙂

[BoDidly]

3 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

Yes.  Many times.  I'm not a fan of the grapes in the MDR or the rest of the purple decor.  They moved the Miracle and gave us the Splendor, another ship that doesn't have the upgrades and has enough pink throughout to make me cringe.  At least we're getting the Panorama, though I honestly wonder how long it will stay on the west coast.

Thanks' I was trying to remember what ship had those grapes in the ceiling just last week .  Didn't bother us though . 

[galaxrex]

We sailed last February on the Miracle and are doing same itenerary on it this February. Great ship! However........The Grapes! Ugliest MDR we have ever been in!

[deedle7544]

We were just on Miracle over Thanksgiving and it was great!

 

Positives: 

Food was good to great - love the cuban sandwich and the grilled cheese at the deli, and lines moved quickly

Serenity area is a  decent size, and has a hot tub and pool

Our cabins were all good, a little wear & tear but nothing extreme

Trivia with Andrew was loads of sun

Card room is well stocked with games

13 year old traveling with us enjoyed the kid program for his age

Anytime dining consistently good, and wait times were always much less then we were told

Sushi station by the Sports bar was good and inexpensive

Room Service was very good, pay items good and not overpriced

Port was easy to get to, and valet parking was a huge convenience - well worth it

Red Frog Pub happy hour - good special with a $10 pitcher off the caribbean drink menu

My son said Quest was fun

Comedy shows were good

Going under the bridge at night was a unique experience - glad we did it!

 

Negatives:

Few slow service times at dinner (minor to us)

Only one waterslide and its older, but still way fun!

 

[evandbob]

IMO, the best thing about cruising out of Tampa was the valet parking, super easy and efficient.  We weren't impressed with the terminal or the ship, ugly MDR and old style Farkus decor.  Only reason we sailed it was the premier casino fare.

 

There was a lightening storm going on as we went through the interminable stretch of bay before hitting the Gulf, otherwise that would have been totally boring except for squeezing under the bridge.

 

Hated the open air Steakhouse, we couldn't have a table conversation because down below in the atrium they were having karaoke singalongs and name that tune contests.  Steakhouse maitre'd didn't enforce the dress code either, there were wifebeaters, shorts and flip flops galore.

 

We had an upsell to a suite which made cabin life bearable with the extra space, guess that's a decent option on such an old outdated ship.  We sailed it last summer btw.

[hotsauce126]

I live two blocks away from the port and its definitely nicer than Miami or Canaveral

[PhillyFan33579]

2 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

I live two blocks away from the port and its definitely nicer than Miami or Canaveral

 

Are  you talking about the terminal?  The terminals at Miami and Canaveral are both much nicer than the one in Tampa.  

[coevan]

Miami has Bayside right next door, a beautiful departure, tons of hotels, and it's Miami. 

[westview1]

On 1/18/2019 at 6:41 PM, bahacca said:

I love that they have a hot tub in the gym/spa to use. At least they did in 2016. And IIRC, they have a pool on Serenity deck that is adults only if you are sailing when you would use it.

We were on the Miracle in December 2018 and the hot tub in the gym was broken.  They were expecting to get the part delivered and installed during the next cruise.  I'm not sure if it was fixed.  

[boomhower]

Good stuff.  We are going on the Miracle next month and I am really looking forward to it.  Our third cruise but first that isn't on a Fantasy class ship, we did the Elation twice.  I am super excited however my wife isn't happy about not having Guys.  Hopefully the steakhouse makes up for it.  Alchemy is my main attraction and can't wait. 

[PhillyFan33579]

3 hours ago, nofocruiser said:

We were on the Miracle in December 2018 and the hot tub in the gym was broken.  They were expecting to get the part delivered and installed during the next cruise.  I'm not sure if it was fixed.  

 

It wasn’t working the end of December during a Christmas cruise we took. 

[CRocks]

We've been on just about every class ship + we loved the Miracle. Course, it's the same class as the Pride you just got off, so it's your opinion that matters. Been a long time since we sailed outta Tampa + I would imagine things have improved. At the time we sailed, the terminal + facilities were very old + had a rough time handling the crowd. However, the sailaway + 2 hr trip down the channel + under the Sunshine Skyway bridge is really, really kewl!

[CanWeGoYet?]

On 2/1/2019 at 12:11 PM, deedle7544 said:

We were just on Miracle over Thanksgiving and it was great!

 

 

Did you happen to save any of the funtimes to repost, or the MDR menu for Thanksgiving?  I've been on a Tgivng cruise on Carnival - but not a 7 day & not the Miracle.  Trying to find funtimes & menus!

 

 

 

[deedle7544]

21 minutes ago, CanWeGoYet? said:

 

We didn't save anything, we just used the Hub App for everything - sorry! I can try to answer questions though.

 

Also, if you have any time dining, ask to be in Nathaniel's section!

[paleskin]

On 2/1/2019 at 8:02 PM, nofocruiser said:

We were on the Miracle in December 2018 and the hot tub in the gym was broken.  They were expecting to get the part delivered and installed during the next cruise.  I'm not sure if it was fixed.  

NOPE   STILL BROKEN JAN 28- Feb 2