Carnival Miracle Review From 5/11....longggggggg

[mprucha]

mprucha - great review!! It sounds like you have a fun family. We won't be sailing on the Miracle until next April - but very excited to hear how great a time you all had. My son will be 17 so I'm hoping there will be plenty to keep him busy. He has no problem mingling!

 

How was the piano bar? Last time we cruised Carnival on the Victory we spent most of the time at the piano bar and had a blast.

 

We (my DH and I) spent most of our dancing time in Frankie and Johnnies and Sam's piano bar. We love F&J's the best though. We're 40 so we had a blast. Both kids danced with the younger 18-25 crowd and neither of them EVER got bored. Since your son is an easy mingler, he will have no problems.

[mprucha]

Thanks again for being so responsive. We will be in 6170 so unless they change assignments it sounds like we will have Rodrigo. Also, I feel good that our DS at 19 can look forward to a great time. Glad you clarified Rodrigo entering while your kids were sleeping--if you gave permission then it's fine. Until now, while we have been looking forward to this cruise which is in celebration of our 25th Wedding Annv., we haven't really been all that excited about it. Your review has made us feel really good about this cruise, the ship, and the room we chose and now the excitement is building. One last question if you do not mind--When did you make your reservation for Nick and Nora's and could you do it from your cabin or did you need to go there to do it. We have a particular night in mind for that and would like to reseve ASAP when we board the ship. Thanks again.

 

We made our reservation on day 1 about an hour after we embarked and we actually went there to make the reservation. We wanted to see what table we wanted to get. We also had a specific day in mind we wanted to go. We got the day, time and table we wanted by booking early.

[mprucha]

Ok, just so you all know. My DH has agreed to add a cruise section to our personal web site over the next week which will have some of the many pictures we took, our tips list, etc on it and I'll post the url when its done. Many of you have emailed me about various things and I'm sending you out info as well. For those of you with more questions, ask or email away, I got so much help from this site before that I'm happy to answer them for you.

[pmoniz]

We (my DH and I) spent most of our dancing time in Frankie and Johnnies and Sam's piano bar. We love F&J's the best though. We're 40 so we had a blast. Both kids danced with the younger 18-25 crowd and neither of them EVER got bored. Since your son is an easy mingler, he will have no problems.

 

My husband and I are 40 this year so I'm sure we'll have a great time as well. We're sailing with friends & family (same age group) so I'm sure it will be great! My son has a friend going as well so he'll be fine! Thank you for all the great info. Makes me feel a lot better!!

[Sandi149]

Ok, just so you all know. My DH has agreed to add a cruise section to our personal web site over the next week which will have some of the many pictures we took, our tips list, etc on it and I'll post the url when its done. Many of you have emailed me about various things and I'm sending you out info as well. For those of you with more questions, ask or email away, I got so much help from this site before that I'm happy to answer them for you.

 

Just wanted to say thank you again for helping us all out with our questions and things. I do appreciate it. :) Looking forward to seeing your website too. :D

[MaryZ]

Most of the closets had adjustable poles so I took the pole out in the middle and my long gown didn't hit the floor. And no.....lol.....there are 4 wraparounds available for the cruise next year but DH is a little skeptical about them now because several people this time felt so bad because the water coming back was so rough so he really wanted to stay with the middle of the ship. Any ideas on how to change his mind?? lol

 

Our sailing wasn't that rough. But we like rollercoasters :D Actually tell him that's all that's available...lol

We were really hoping the captain wouldn't go so far out when that storm was going towards florida. Just as I'm sure lots of other people were crossing their fingers and toes and hoping he would ;)

[mprucha]

I agree, I didn't think it was that rough either although I do realize the ship was tossing. I'm a rollercoaster person too. So, give me ideas to talk him into switching to the wrap around before they are gone!! I'm already booked so it's just a matter of switching cabins!

[mprucha]

I'm still emailing answers to everyone's questions and DH has promised website with pics, etc up this weekend! Here's the email again for those of you that have asked.

 

anne@prucha.com

[pacerzfan]

I reading about your cruise! Great review

[pacerzfan]

I reading about your cruise! Great review

[pacerzfan]

oops double post sorry

[andychris]

thank you for the great review. we are sailing on her in august and can not wait. My kids are asking "what do you do for the amazing race?" Is it for a family or just couples? Sounds like fun!!! If you do not mind to email me the camp capers for 9-11 and 12+. christine.miller41@verizon.net

Thanks

[IKE]

Thank You so much for your detailed review. I think you covered everything and then some. You did a magnificent job! So happy to hear you all had a great cruise. We are looking forward to our Miracle Cruise late Sept. IKE

[mprucha]

thank you for the great review. we are sailing on her in august and can not wait. My kids are asking "what do you do for the amazing race?" Is it for a family or just couples? Sounds like fun!!! If you do not mind to email me the camp capers for 9-11 and 12+. christine.miller41@verizon.net

Thanks

 

The play amazing race like a scavenger hunt. Teams can be 2 people up to 4 people. Their wrists are put together with a rubber band and are suppose to stay together. You are given a list with items you have to find and bring back to the designated area. There are about 25 items on the list, some easy, some tougher. If you can't find the item to borrow but can get a picture of it, that still counts. The items have point values. The teams have about 45 minutes to find them and the team with the most points wins. It was alot of fun!

[cruisin07family]

Anne,

 

Thanks for the email reply. Can't wait to see all your pictures!

 

____________

Carla

[devils6]

Thanks for the very detailed review. I have been on that class of ship 3 times already and I do not think i have found the secret door. I will be going on the Miracle in a couple of months. When you get the pictures up, can you please email the picture of the secret door to Devils6@aol.com. That would be greatly appreciated, thanks a lot.

[Illinoisgal]

Hi Anne I leave in 10 days Thanks for all the info. I Would love to know 2 things, what was for diner the 2nd formal night ( want to do N&N that night possible) and could you please email me the capers for the 6-8 group. My son is begging me(YOU) Thanks email is etheralmassage@yahoo.com

 

So how high were the waves? I dont mind it rough :)

[EJ'S MOM-MOM]

Ok, this is a REALLY long review so it will probably be in multiple parts. We sailed on the Miracle leaving from New York on May 11th. The trip was incredible!! Let me start with that. Those that have complaints about the service or the decor of the ship or anything else I had read over the last 6 months, I have now chalked it up to some people's minor squibbles. We arrived in NY and was parked at the pier by 10:45. We were in a cate. 11 suite so when we got inside we asked where the vip boarding area was. The lady we talked to led us to the area at the front and another lady checked us in. We boarded right after a wedding party and we were having lunch on the lido deck by 12. The only complaint I could see was the NY's embarkation system was chaotic. Even some of the Carnival employees admitted they weren't sure where to put people so organization could be improved upon. Once on board, we had lunch and are stateroom, cabin 6168 was ready for us. It was beautiful, large and roomy. It was me, my DH, my DD (18) and DS (20) in a cabin suite for 4. There were 3 LARGE hanging closets plus so many drawers in so many places you wouldn't believe it. We had 9 suitcases plus 4 carry on's. 4 of these suitcases were the huge ones and after we unpacked EVERYTHING, we had 4 drawers we never even used and we could have easily fit 2 more people's packed luggage in the hanging closets alone. The bathroom had a full size tub, actually slightly bigger than the one I have a home and YES it was a jacuzzi tub. We had the little complimentary basket in the bathroom although we had brought everything we needed so we never touched the basket. The balcony was big and deep. We had 2 lounge chairs already on it plus another table and chair. We could easily fit 4 lounge chairs out there and still have room to walk. It was great. Yes, the life boats were below us but when you were looking out at the ocean, the didn't bother you at all. The bedding was terrific and comfortable. My son slept on the pull down bed and my daughter slept on the sofa bed. They both said they were very comfortable to sleep on and they both slept well every night. The don't allow irons so I took a little hand held steamer and it was perfect and quick and little. My whole family used it. Post it notes were also a big hit with my family and we communicated easily through them and voice messages left on our cabin phones. Also, my DH, DD and I were on one S&S card, my son placed his under his own credit card because he wanted to be in the casino some and that was no problem whatsoever. We simply went to the pursers desk and they did it in like 2 minutes. They also gave us the free lanyards which were great.The pursers desk was great, lines were always very short and whether it was adding cash to our account or asking a question, they were very helpful and professional. The flowers I had ordered for my parent's cabin was also there and beautiful! Muster drill was quick and easy!

 

Our cabin steward was Rodrigo. He has been with Carnival for 10 years and is from the Phillipines where he has family. Before leaving our cabin the first time, we left him a note simply saying hi, telling him our names and we did tip him on day 1 because we felt it was something we wanted to do. When we returned later, he was there to greet us, we got to know him a little and after that, we never had to ask him for anything. Even with 4 people in the room, he never forgot that there were 4 of us or our names. He knew our patterns and even though the 4 of us were in and out at the weirdest times all through the cruise, he always had things fixed to a tee right down to those wonderful towel animals. The first night, someone on the balcony above us had too much to drink and got sick over the balcony onto ours so when we woke up we saw it. Within 30 minutes, it was gone, he brought in 2 guys with hoses and cleaning things and it was spotless again. Several times the kids slept in late if they got in late and he actually came in, cleaned around them without waking them and they simply woke up to a clean room. We left him a little note every morning just to say hi and wish him a good day, sometimes even a joke. He took such good care of us that we tipped him very well at the end of the week as well and placed it in my own version of a "towel animal" :). As we left the last day, we left me a note which I kept and gave me the book on the Miracle that was in my cabin that he knew I wanted and I left him a huge bag of wintergreen mints with my last note.

Some of my best cabin tips I got from on here was the over the door shoe hanger for the bathroom. Although we didn't need it at all, we still used it and it was faster than drawers for those items you grab quickly while keeping things neat. We took 4 of the big plastic sippy cups that hold like more that 20 oz. each and had lids with straws. Got them at the dollar store for $1 apiece and they were great for taking lemonade or juice or whatever to the cabin with us late at night.

We went on deck for the sail away party and the pictures of NY as you sailed away are breathtaking! We made friends and had a foo foo drink and toasted to new friends and great times.

First night in the dining room is casual, most people wore what they had gotten on board in. We had chosen the late seating for dinner which worked out very well for us. We were upstairs in the dining room (table 309). This was a table for 6 and there were 6 of us. It was right by one of the big windows outside and perfect. Our main waiters were Greggory, who tends to be shyer with an odd sense of humor but likable and efficient. Sometimes people weren't exactly sure how to take him so half our group liked him, including me, and the other half really didn't. Then there was Iketut, who was fabulous. Night one he asked all of our names and after that, it didn't matter where he saw us on the ship, he stopped, asked about each of us by name and chatted for a minute as if he had nothing better to do at that moment than chat with us. The young girl who was are bartender at dinner was also great and I can't remember her name but she was young and pretty and funny and we really liked her. We ate dinner in the dining room 5 of the 8 nights and truly enjoyed it. We made a list of everything we tried through the whole week and you wouldn't believe it! Gym, here we come! The food we had was great both in the dining room, at Horatios and at Nick and Nora's. Yes, they had cappachino, latte, espesso, etc for free after dinner in the dining room. Both our kids had the soda cards and they used them everywhere with no problem at all. As you all know, you can order all you want at dinner and believe me, my DH and DS put that to the test and the staff were happy to oblige. And I have to say, I now know what all the fuss was about with the chocolate melting cake....all I can say is OMG!

The rest of the first evening and night we spent exploring the ship, taking tons of pictures and having a great time with music and drinks and being happy. Yes, there is a door or a "secret door" on this ship or let me say, at least one. Not as easily found as you'd think and no I won't post it on here but I do have pictures from it and if you want them, I'll email them to you if you contact me but I took over 2100 pictures through the week so give me time to locate them please. My DH and I didn't find it until day 4 actually. There were quite a few kids on this cruise but we rarely saw them and camp carnival seemed to do lots of things with them. Even though we didn't have small kids with us, I picked up an itinerary for all the age groups of kids if anyone is interested in things they do with the kids. We even walked up to the area where camp carnival and the pinnochio club was and I looked at it and really liked what I saw. Even the teens we saw seemed to have a great time. The Welcome Aboard show the first night was good, not great. Brent, the cruise director, I really liked and he is funny. The comedian after him was also really funny. I do wish Brent was a little more visible throughout the week.

 

PART 2 COMING

 

Anne,

And I thought my review was long, you got me beat. Boy did you keep busy no wonder I did not see you much. The review was wonderful.

[Sandi149]

Hi Anne I leave in 10 days Thanks for all the info. I Would love to know 2 things, what was for diner the 2nd formal night ( want to do N&N that night possible) and could you please email me the capers for the 6-8 group. My son is begging me(YOU) Thanks email is etheralmassage@yahoo.com

 

So how high were the waves? I dont mind it rough :)

 

You don't mind it rough Illinoisgal, but I do.LOL!!!!! :p;)

[Illinoisgal]

You don't mind it rough Illinoisgal, but I do.LOL!!!!! :p;)

 

 

Sounds kinda kinky doesnt it :) I just sleep so good witht he rocking and rolling. Even watching that video a few weeks ago with the students sliding all over the floor didnt make me feel sick or queasy!

[Sandi149]

Sounds kinda kinky doesnt it :) I just sleep so good witht he rocking and rolling. Even watching that video a few weeks ago with the students sliding all over the floor didnt make me feel sick or queasy!

 

Watching that video didn't make me sick or queasy but it made me have a look on my face like this: :eek::eek::eek::eek:

[mprucha]

Hi Anne I leave in 10 days Thanks for all the info. I Would love to know 2 things, what was for diner the 2nd formal night ( want to do N&N that night possible) and could you please email me the capers for the 6-8 group. My son is begging me(YOU) Thanks email is etheralmassage@yahoo.com

 

So how high were the waves? I dont mind it rough :)

 

The 2nd formal night had filet minon and shrimp lots of other things. They tried to have a beef dish, seafood dish, chicken dish on every nights menu along with some long time favorites like prime rib and shrimp cocktail and salmon. My parents did N&N on the second formal night but they said they wouldn't do it again because they were too full for the gala buffet! sigh...decisions, decisions...lolol. As for the ocean being rough. My DH and I loved it. It was really rough the last 2 days and nights and windy too. Many people really felt it. I can't tell you exactly how high the waves were but you could easily look out my cabin balcony and see how big the swells were. We loved it, others didn't!

[mprucha]

Anne' date=' [/color']

And I thought my review was long, you got me beat. Boy did you keep busy no wonder I did not see you much. The review was wonderful.

 

 

LOLOL.....Hugs Mary Ann! Yes, we stayed really busy on board and I wanted to get it in writing while it was fresh in my mind! (After booking the next cruise of course :) And just think,,,,,,,this was the shorter version! You should see the one I wrote up for my DH and me! He wanted it all written out in journal form so I did.....you have no idea how long!! Next step, I've contacted someone online that does those wonderful cruise videos from his pictures and I'm going to tackle trying to make a video out of our experience! Hope you're feeling great!

[fig414]

Hi

We were on this cruise too (GREAT JOB guys) and highly recommend Nick & Nora's. We had crab cake for App and did a nice shared surf and turf for entree. The NY Strip and the Dover Sole were an outstanding duo. Desserts were fantastic and we were there for 2 hours and 20 minutes and were happily stuffed. About the sommelier, we brought a bottle of our own Duckhorn and shooed him away until our after dinner drink. In our opinion it's a must do.

[fig414]

I agree with you Mary Kay. I enjoyed the ship rocking the last 2 nights. It was very calm going down and also in the Caribbean, so this shook things up a little. Literally. Watching everyone in the dining room on the last night was cool.....