Miracle review from a Newspaper

[CCLNCLRCICRUISER]

[url="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040407/MIRACLE07/TPTravel/TopStories"]Article Link[/url]

Miraculous deck design

The visual confections decorating the interior of Carnival Cruise Line's new vessel serve up fun food for thought

By TOBY SALTZMAN
Special to The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, April 7, 2004 - Page R9



ABOARD THE CARNIVAL MIRACLE -- You don't need a PhD to cruise aboard the new Carnival Miracle, but it helps if you're well-versed in literature, mythology, theatre and film to appreciate the visual confections that showcase the interior design talents of Joe Farcus.

A tour of the ship is a delightful romp through audacious satires of many famous works. Lest this sound rather esoteric for a "fun" ship -- and "fun" is the mantra of Carnival Cruise Lines -- rest assured that everything about the just-launched 2,667-passenger Miracle is pure fun -- even if you wouldn't replicate this at home.

In a conversation before my sailing, Farcus, who has built his reputation on Carnival's over-the-top cruise interiors, explained that he designs each new vessel "around a central idea, a point of intellectual logic to create an eclectic collection and artistic continuity. On the Miracle, that is based on famous fictional characters or people, and the inspiration for all the public rooms is derived from them."

Classic Superman comics, for example, inspired the 10-storey faux-skyscraper painted on one wall of the Metropolis Atrium. Greek mythology comes into play on another wall with a reproduction of a 1634 French master painting that depicts the muses of Apollo. A first edition of Le Fantôme de l'Opera by Gaston Leroux inspired the 1,160-seat Phantom Lounge. And comics inspired the two-storey effigy of Frankenstein being electrocuted in the Frankenstein's Lab dance club.

When asked why he typically uses wide diversities of design and colour, Farcus, 59, explained, "All sorts of people come on board. A diversity of design increases the chance of creating a communion of design that people may relate to. Creating different spaces encourages people to discover things during the course of a cruise -- that maintains their interest and reduces boredom."

There's no chance of visual boredom on the Miracle. Gleaming white in Jacksonville Harbour, the 86,000-tonne, 292.6-metre-long ship looks like CCL's other Spirit Class ships, with its signature blue-and-red-winged funnel soaring from the top deck.

But things really get cooking inside. I couldn't wait to explore as I rode up the Metropolis Atrium in a neon-trimmed elevator with views of the faux-skyscraper, the French master painting, and down below, the lobby bar, bathed in rosy light filtering through the red-tinted glass dome formed by the funnel. As Farcus predicted, I continually found new places over the next five days on a cruise to Key West and Nassau.

My first stop, Nick & Nora's Supper Club, became my favourite haunt owing to its romantic aura and delicious cuisine (available for a $25 (U.S.) surcharge). Named after Dashiell Hammett's intrepid detectives, this two-storey dining room -- with heart-shaped banquets, ebony and ivory accents and an artsy black-and-white Manhattan skyscraper mural -- is housed on the 11th deck.

Outside, stairs lead to the Lido Deck, where nautical paraphernalia and British naval symbols adorn the pools and casual dining areas.

Below, on the third and second decks, two interior promenade levels form the Miracle's main thoroughfares. They link the themed bars and lounges, as well as the shops, casino, wedding chapel, Internet café, conference centre, kids' Carnival Camp and entertainment areas. All along the promenades, there are interesting enclaves where people can linger in uniquely styled chairs over cocktails or a book.

Before seeing everything, it was time to dine in the Bacchus Restaurant. The Chateaubriand was tasty, the conversation with the Florida-based passengers (a radio announcer, a financial analyst and a teacher) was interesting, but my eyes roamed the two-storey room, distracted by Farcus's wild ode to the Greek god of wine. The 1,300-seat restaurant is a concoction to behold: giant, fuchsia "grape" chandeliers drip from the ceiling, copper-hued "grape" garlands divide banquets and vast murals depict Bacchus and his sensual wife.

That evening, I happily settled into my suite, easily distinguished in the aft hallway by a floor-to-ceiling mural of Hercule Poirot. Reflecting the new Carnival image, all five categories of accommodations feature warm-hued wood cabinetry, upgraded mattresses and linens, plus a sitting area with a stylish table, lamps and art prints.

The next morning, while exploring the lower promenade, I suddenly found myself face to face with a human-size rendition of the Mad Hatter. Beside him, a staircase painted with jesters led down to the Mad Hatter's Ball. Here, Farcus created the epitome of hysterical design. The carpet splashed with tea cups, the heart-shaped chairs, the rose-patterned upholstery, the fierce King and Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit proffering tea made me giggle aloud.

Back upstairs, I entered a narrow tunnel named Gatsby's Garden. Decorated with white arches and lyrical scenes, its tables for two invite romantic interludes.

Over the next two days -- after shore excursions to golf in Key West and Nassau -- I found two more stunning spots. Maguire's Sports Bar is lined with plasma screens and authentic memorabilia, including items from Canadian icons Jean Beliveau, Gerry Cheevers, Gordie Howe, Lanny McDonald and Stan Mikita.

The Dr. Frankenstein's Lab dance club blew my mind, but not because of the mammoth Frankenstein's monster or the wacky gothic setting. On my first look, Camp Carnival's teens were exchanging virtual punches with life-size cartoon boxers projected onto a two-storey video screen. Later on, a counsellor was teaching five-year-olds to jive with animated dancers.

For all his frivolities of design, Farcus is serious about his work. "The people who sail on Carnival ships give us their vacation time -- perhaps their most valuable commodity. So the heart of our business is giving people dreams and memories."

As for himself, Farcus said, "I am living my dream right now, with the artistic freedom to express myself on ships."

If you go

Christened in February by former U.S. Army private Jessica Lynch, the Carnival Miracle offers five types of accommodations, from inside cabins to oceanview suites with balconies to penthouse suites. There are four pools (one with a retractable dome), five whirlpools, a waterslide, a 14,500-square-foot spa and health club, and a casino. Camp Carnival is run by qualified counsellors with programs geared to various age groups.

The vessel's "Total Choice Dining" allows guest to eat in the dining room at their designated time, in the alternative restaurants when they please, or to order room service.

Carnival's "Vacation Guarantee" allow guests to disembark for any reason in the first U.S. port and receive a pro-rated discount for the unused portion of the cruise fare.

The Miracle offers a varied range of Key West/Bahamas itineraries, starting with departures from Jacksonville, Fla., and later, Baltimore. On June 12, the ship will start seven-day cruises from New York City to the Bahamas and Port Canaveral. On Nov. 7, it will move to Tampa Bay, Fla. for seven-day cruises to Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Belize.



Jeff


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=5113014967&f=6963067357"]Destiny 10/03/04 Roll Call[/url]

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=2083089557&p=1"]Destiny,Past,Present and Future Cruisers[/url]

10/03/04 Date with Destiny
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;10;3;22;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[CruiseFever]

cool, thanks!

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[SheilaInAL]

Thanks for sharing that wonderful newspaper review about the Miracle! I'm sailing on her Monday, and that review made me even more eager to go!
Thanks again!

Sailing on the brand new Carnival Miracle!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;04;12;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[mrkrpan]

Just got home from the Miracle - it was an incredible trip - let me know if you have any questions!
Robin

mrkrpan
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;4;3;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  until we sail on the Carnival Miracle

Carnival Miracle, April 2004
Disney Wonder, March 2002
Grand Princess, December 1991

[SheilaInAL]

Hey Robin! Would love to hear anything and everything about the ship that you care to offer!
Thanks!

Sailing on the brand new Carnival Miracle!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;04;12;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[emerald777]

What a great review! That's the first time I've read anything about the dining room that wasn't bad.

Carnival Celebration - 4/96
Carnival Ecstacy - 4/97
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas - 9/03
Celebrity Galaxy - 3/04
Vegas - 5/04
Carnival Miracle - 9/04
Vegas 12/04
Carnival Miracle - 2/05
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~jlwgm/savewave.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
[img]http://hometown.aol.com/build17/myhomepage/partaepiratessmallsmall.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US[/img]

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~jlwgm/shepirate1.jpg[/img]