All Things Miracle!!!!

[fiugypsy]

From what I recall deck 3 had a wide outside promenade but there were no chairs. I still loved the peace in there and used to sit on the floor and enjoy the breeze and views.

 

Perhaps another cruiser found a quiet area with chairs.

[TallyRockChick]

I dunno if the above picture helped my anxiety or hurt....but it was still a beautiful sight! I could see where my room is on that pic!! :D

4 days from right now I'll be on my way to Port Everglades!

[NCTribeFan]

What a lovely ship! See that area under the lifeboats? That's what I"m looking for.

 

This isn't the photo I was thinking of, but look at this deck!

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2943659790095049190JkITsW

 

There's plenty of room for chairs!

 

Can't find it on Webshots. Must've been hosted elsewhere. And maybe it was a shot of the sun deck from an angle that looked different. Sigh.

 

This is what I want!

 

http://www.maritimematters.com/images/zu-22.jpg

 

Unfortunately, it's on the Zuiderdam! Hmmm. I have been considering HAL for the future! :p

 

I also found a webshots pic of the Glory that shows a couple of loungers (but only 2). I can't imagine that anyone would lug those things down from the Lido deck! I know I'd certainly feel foolish!

 

Oh, well. Know what? I have my first balcony. If I feel claustrophobic crammed around the pool area, I'll go to my balcony and relax! :D

 

Hi, Froufie!

[fiugypsy]

That's the deck that I was referring to, very peaceful place but no chairs.

 

I remember the glory had a deck outside the lobby that had lounge chairs, my favorite reading spot.

[KroozMeister]

 

I also found a webshots pic of the Glory that shows a couple of loungers (but only 2). I can't imagine that anyone would lug those things down from the Lido deck! I know I'd certainly feel foolish!

 

Oh, well. Know what? I have my first balcony. If I feel claustrophobic crammed around the pool area, I'll go to my balcony and relax! :D

 

 

I don't know why they don't put some chairs on that deck - there's certainly plenty of room, and it's always deserted. My only guess is that's where all the muster stations are.

 

Hopefully you'll find some peace & quiet on your balcony when you need it. You know, the chairs on the balconies aren't loungers - It wouldn't be too hard to bring one of those down to Deck 3 if you wanted more space.

 

On our recent cruise we found that, although most of the Lido deck (9) was packed, the upper decks (10 & 11), especially toward the aft, were much more sparsely populated - and pretty quiet, too. (not much shade, though).

 

Enjoy your trip - you're gonna like that balcony stateroom. :)

[NCTribeFan]

Muster stations! Maybe that's it!

 

It is rather a waste of wonderful space, though, IMHO.

 

On the Fantasy class ships, we usually went up a deck from Lido, aft, to do our sun worshiping. This cruise, I imagine we'll be around the Orpheus pool, since it's adults-only.

 

I'll just have to be sure I have sufficient beverages in the cabin in case I end up just hanging out, reading and relaxing, on the balcony. ;)

[Froufie]

On all my past cruises that 'wooden' deck did have chairs/loungers on it - you may have to look for them - there are not a lot but a few - I did discover this deck on my last cruise and it was so quiet and peaceful there - and I'm sure you can get a lounger or two put out there if you ask nicely!

 

I also prefer the aft decks above the pool - less crowded and a better view of the ocean!

 

Frouf

[melissasimon]

Hi Everybody,

We just returned from 8 great days on the Miracle, sailing to Panama, Costa Rica and Belize. The cruise director was Brent Mitchell. It was fun fun fun!:) A couple of notes...some of you veterans probably already know these things, but here goes: For starters, there was lots of storage space (balcony cabin). I took one of those back-of-the-door shoe bags for the bathroom, and it was very handy, but that's probably only because there were three of us in the cabin. It wasn't really necessary. There was GREAT water pressure and fabulous plentiful hot water. The talk by Lance, the on-board shopping specialist, was a waste of time, and was one looooooong advertisement for some of the Carnival-sponsored jewelry shops in Belize. If you plan to shop for jewelry or watches, be sure to check prices at home before you leave so that you can compare. Our experience in the dinng room was mixed. We loved our waiter with his charming smile and sweet demeanor, but his command of English was unfortunately lacking. My son got jumbo shrimp instead of a jumbo burger, and we got crabs when we had ordered crepes. But he was so sweet that we hated to complain! Anyhow, hope you all have a great time on the Miracle! We did!!!

Melissa

[cathyoo]

Thanks Melissasimon, i just have such a long long wait (Oct 08). I've been reading poor reviews of the food. How did you find it?

[Sandi149]

On all my past cruises that 'wooden' deck did have chairs/loungers on it - you may have to look for them - there are not a lot but a few - I did discover this deck on my last cruise and it was so quiet and peaceful there - and I'm sure you can get a lounger or two put out there if you ask nicely!

 

I also prefer the aft decks above the pool - less crowded and a better view of the ocean!

 

Frouf

 

On the Miracle that deck doesn't have any chairs on it. It is used for the Muster stations. You can, however, walk around out there. It's very nice. :D

[TallyRockChick]

Hi Everybody,

We just returned from 8 great days on the Miracle, sailing to Panama, Costa Rica and Belize. The cruise director was Brent Mitchell. It was fun fun fun!:) A couple of notes...some of you veterans probably already know these things, but here goes: For starters, there was lots of storage space (balcony cabin). I took one of those back-of-the-door shoe bags for the bathroom, and it was very handy, but that's probably only because there were three of us in the cabin. It wasn't really necessary. There was GREAT water pressure and fabulous plentiful hot water. The talk by Lance, the on-board shopping specialist, was a waste of time, and was one looooooong advertisement for some of the Carnival-sponsored jewelry shops in Belize. If you plan to shop for jewelry or watches, be sure to check prices at home before you leave so that you can compare. Our experience in the dinng room was mixed. We loved our waiter with his charming smile and sweet demeanor, but his command of English was unfortunately lacking. My son got jumbo shrimp instead of a jumbo burger, and we got crabs when we had ordered crepes. But he was so sweet that we hated to complain! Anyhow, hope you all have a great time on the Miracle! We did!!!

Melissa

 

Melissa, did you go on any excursions?? If so which ones?? We are on that itinerary in 4 days!!! Any other tips or info on what to do and not do would be great!

Thanks!

[NCTribeFan]

Melissa: I stopped going to the shopping talks after my 2nd cruise. Any jewelry I thought I might want was way too expensive, even after they came down on the prices (and I'm just not good at haggling). Oh, and I always point to the menu items, just in case! :D

 

TRC: don't you already have excursions booked by now?!?! :eek:

 

Sandi: I thought you might show up! I don't want to walk! I want to sit and sip a cold drink, in the sun or shade, and read and relax! ;)

 

It will be wonderful. I can't wait!

[Sandi149]

Melissa: I stopped going to the shopping talks after my 2nd cruise. Any jewelry I thought I might want was way too expensive, even after they came down on the prices (and I'm just not good at haggling). Oh, and I always point to the menu items, just in case! :D

 

TRC: don't you already have excursions booked by now?!?! :eek:

 

Sandi: I thought you might show up! I don't want to walk! I want to sit and sip a cold drink, in the sun or shade, and read and relax! ;)

 

It will be wonderful. I can't wait!

 

Well I don't know how you would be able to get a chair down there because the closest lounge chairs are located up on the Lido (deck 9 I believe it was). Also I doubt any bar waiters will be out there.

[teltrainer]

What shops are on board the Miracle? Any nice jewelry shops?

 

Thanks!

Melissa

[NCTribeFan]

Yeah, I know. I guess I really just need my own "pool boy" to take care of the details. ;)

 

I guess I need to design a ship that has a outside promenade deck that doesn't have muster stations! I'm going to have to look at the deck plans for the HAL ship. I wonder if it has more than the one deck (with those comfy-looking loungers).

 

I was actually looking at some of the Zuiderdam's itineraries. And Westerdam (I think they're in the same ship class). Looks like they have a Promenade and an Upper Promenade, so I imagine the loungers were on whichever one doesn't have the muster stations. Guess I don't need to become a ship architect after all!

 

But Carnival's prices are too good! Sigh.

 

OK. I'll stop going on about it. I'd just rather have more exterior space than interior space.

[Sandi149]

Yeah, I know. I guess I really just need my own "pool boy" to take care of the details. ;)

 

I guess I need to design a ship that has a outside promenade deck that doesn't have muster stations! I'm going to have to look at the deck plans for the HAL ship. I wonder if it has more than the one deck (with those comfy-looking loungers).

 

I was actually looking at some of the Zuiderdam's itineraries. And Westerdam (I think they're in the same ship class). Looks like they have a Promenade and an Upper Promenade, so I imagine the loungers were on whichever one doesn't have the muster stations. Guess I don't need to become a ship architect after all!

 

But Carnival's prices are too good! Sigh.

 

OK. I'll stop going on about it. I'd just rather have more exterior space than interior space.

 

Ahhhh a pool boy.....now that's the ticket.

[TallyRockChick]

NCT: Yeah I for SURE have my excursions already planned, just wanted to see if they happened to go on the ones we are booked on. Although I usually hear all the same things, I was still curious how everything was. No turning back now! Im in it to win it!

[melissasimon]

Hi Everybody!

 

This was just my second cruise, so now I'm done with the shopping tips seminars, too!

 

TallyRockChick,

Our 3 excursions were all Carnival sponsored, not private. Because of our personal circumstances, I didn't have much time to devote to trip planning, so I took the easy way out and booked through Carnival.

 

Panama -- Grand Tour. First we took a bus to the Gatun locks at the Panama Canal. This was a very interesting stop and we stayed long enough to watch a couple of ships go through. Then we got back on the bus and were taken to a big hotel where we walked through the lobby (bathroom break), then out the back where there was a dock and some small boats were waiting. We were taken to see some indiginous people in a village. This was very hokey and a funny situation that made us a little uncomfortable. Tiny children were waiting to take our life preservers as we got off the boat. Later they washed the mud off our tennis shoes as we got back on. All through the program, we couldn't quite figure out who was taking advantage of who! Then we took a boat ride around Gatun lake to see a few sloths hanging in the trees. Then back on a bus and to the ship.

 

Costa Rica -- Tour was called Adventure Canals, Rain Forest and Banana Plantation. This tour was great. We lumbered down a small road through endless banana groves, then got out at a banana processing area where we made lots of cool photographs and saw bananas being readied for shipment under open sheds. Back on the bus, next stop was at a big shed for drinks and slices of fruit. People in stalls were selling coffee and trinkets. Then we got onto small boats for a ride through the canals where we saw monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, bats, butterflies, and enormous numbers of beautiful pelicans and birds.

 

Belize -- this was a total bust for us. The ship was anchored a few miles off shore and we had to take small boats in to Belize. The short version is that our tour left without us. The longer version is that we met at the appointed time in the Phantom Lounge and waited for our group to be called. Josh-"Big Sexy," the assistant cruise director, called for three groups at once to exit the lounge. Because we were sitting at the front of the Phantom Lounge, we were among the last ones in the group to exit to the tenders. One tender filled up and we and a few others were left to take the next tender. By the time we got to shore, the tour had departed without us. The Carnival folks were very apologetic and cheerfully refuneded our money, but we were left with nothing to do in Belize but shop a little and return to the ship. There were lots of native people offering private tours that we could have taken on the spot, but having done no research into their reliability we chose not to take that option. Luckily, our frame of mind on this trip was just to take it easy and relax, so this was not a huge disappointment for us.

 

That's probably way more than you wanted to know ! Hope it helps.

[melissasimon]

If you go to the purser's desk and ask, they will give you a necklace thingie to hold your Sail and Sign card. It's a plastic pouch for your card attached to a blue Carnival logo string that you wear around your neck. Similar ones are for sale in the on-board gift shop for $4.50, but they are free if you ask at the pursers desk. They were a great way for all of us to keep up with the card, especially for my son.

[NCTribeFan]

Sorry to hear about your excursion. I've read some wonderful things about Panama and Costa Rica. I used to work for a company (boss was from Ecuador) that dealt with several Central & South American companies (mostly the big banana/fruit companies).

 

I've read a few articles about how affordable they are for US retirees.

[echo]

I haven't read any of the posts . But I wanted to comment about the Miralce, We went on her in Jan 07. It was my favorite cruise thus far (13 and counting). The ship was laid out well. And I know food is subjective, but it was the best I've ever had on a cruise. Great!

[melissasimon]

Teltrainer (Melissa) --

The shopping area is called "The Yellow Brick Road." The largest shop sells scarves, lots of jewelry and a few purses. The jewelry includes everything from $10 earrings to fine jewelry for thousands of dollars. Every day of the cruise special jewelry items are featured, such as topaz, amber, watches on sale, etc. These items are unveiled with great fanfare (the times are listed in the Caper) and raffle tickets are drawn and a few prizes given out. Across the hall is another large shop which sells T-shirts, souvenirs and a few packaged snacks and toiletries. There is also a formalwear shop which sells cakes and items for special events as well as formalwear rental. The formal wear shop is where you can find a book on how to make towel animals. The clerk said this is the biggest selling item on the ship.

 

Cathyoo, you asked my opinion on the quality of the food:

 

The buffet in Horatio's was much nicer and better than I expected. The people on the ship seem to work hard to keep it looking clean and fresh. Breakfast is fabulous. There are always scrambled eggs, bagels, yogurt, sausage and bacon, a selection of cereals, sweet rolls, muffins, fresh fruit and juices. They alternate days between French toast and pancakes, and several kinds of breakfast potatoes. At lunch, there is a station that changes every day. It rotated between Greek, Mexican, Indian, Italian, American, and the last sea day it was a chocolate station with a chocolate fountain and an amazing display of all things chocolate. There is a deli station as well as a grill. We enjoyed the decadence of having burgers and fries by the pool. There is soft-serve ice cream available 24 hours a day, and on sea day afternoons they put out lots of toppings for a sundae bar. There is also pizza available 24 hours a day and it includes choices like goat cheese, not just pepperoni. You won't go hungry!

 

Our experience in the dining room was a little more problematic, which surprised us because in general, we have an aversion to buffets and a strong preferance for dining room service. The dining room food was a lot better than the service, which was soooooo slow. We kept reminding ourselves just to chill out and be in vacation mode, but it was hard to do when our table's service lagged so far behind those around us. Then the maitre d' would announce that the waiters would do some elaborate song and dance number and we'd just wish they'd stop singing and bring us our food! You'll probably be luckier and have a more efficient team serving your table. We enjoyed our entrees every night and thought that the various fish selections were excellent. The chilled fruit soups were a bit like melted ice cream -- very sweet. The lettuce in the salads was always very fresh and crisp. My son ordered the chocolate melting cake every night (!) and it varied from almost completely liquid on 2 nights to completely solid and every variation in between -- but he loved it in all its forms. All in all, the food in the dining room was good, and some dishes were excellent. We ate lunch in the dining room one day and had the trout, which was great. We did not try Nick and Nora's, the restaurant at the top of the ship which costs an extra $30 per person.

[TallyRockChick]

Thanks for all the info Melissa...sorry about Belize. 3 days till we leave!!!

[NCTribeFan]

TRC: Are you going to spend the money to get online and keep us updated every day? You know how starved we are for Miracle info!

[TallyRockChick]

LOL..as much as I would like to...the vaca for me is a complete break from reality, including the computer.

But dont you worry! Upon my return there will be a full review WITH pictures - a la Chitown!

Our Roll Call is HUGE too...I think were up to 17 couples/families. Thats gonna be one crazy Meet and Greet! The pics are gonna be amazing!