Short Cruise/Short Review Miracle -Baltimore (Oct 31)

[ebonybee]

A few members have requested my assessment of the food and entertainment on board Miracle, so here's a synopsis of my Miracle cruise. I've sailed all classes of Carnival ships except the Conquest Class-total of about 10 Carnival cruises (stock owner). Also RCCL, Celebrity and few now defunct cruise lines.

 

Food-I thought was above average in dining room (for cruise ships) and excellent in Nick and Nora's. The issue for me, is that dining room food is served "warm"-meaning you could tell it had been waiting on a warming tray. I don't think there are other options for feeding a multitude of people. Caveat-I like food served hotter than hubby and probably most people! Loved the crusty french bread-it's the same on all the Carnival ships I have sailed. Food in the informal restaurant was usually hotter than the dining room and didn't have that "steamed watery" flavor. If you're not into formal dining, you might prefer the "cafeteria." The dining room is very tight seating. I'm a bit claustraphobic, so that wasn't good. Of course, I could have been simply overcome by the "grapes", which has been written about a lot!! Now I understand why!

 

Breakfast-only had a custom omellete-cooked perfect, no browning. Remaining entrees looked the usual bland flair-no variety. Pizza (Great). I wish I could replicate the crust at home! Ice Cream-good. However, Carnival did not redesign the informal restaurant into food stations. They still have the cafeteria style layout which generates long lines. They should have borrowed a tip from the RCCL's Radiance class which is built on the same hull, I think.

 

Nick and Nora's was worth the money ($25.00 each) for atmosphere and being able to get food while it is still hot. Had the 24 oz Porterhouse which was prepared great. I've dined in RCCL's Chops and think Nick and Nora's does it better. The downside is that you can order only one main entree. We were told a second main entree would cost. They had an EXCELLENT herb bread, but a chewy french-prefer the crusty french in regular diining. Presentation of every course was great-like you would hope you could obtain without the extra price. I mean 4 or 5 types of bread (all hot and very fresh), and 3 types of butter. Various condiments, spices, and additional sauces for meats offered. I dined there on formal night to avoid accidental contact with shellfish-highly allergic. I viewed the lobster from afar-way afar. Sorta funny-they offered you a large tail (12 oz) but the final presentation after cooking was two. I was told they took it out of it's shell and divided it. Not sure if it weren't two smaller tails from the regular dining room.

 

Entertainment-Nobody does it better than Carnival. All aspects from lounge singers to Comedian (very, very funny) were great. You can always find some place to become "Leisure Suit Larry." Sports bar was crowded and smoky-traveled through just to get an update on sport scores for hubby. The hostess of Karaoke was great and I believe she loves her job. Production shows are better than any other line, but not as great as usual for Carnival. No comments on Casino because hubby won't bet a dollar that the sun will rise in the morning-strict upbringing, plus I still don't know how to play any card games-different set of strict parents, 880 miles apart!

 

Extended balcony room was the usual-no issues. Just wish they would have put a DVD or VHS player in room.

 

I think the ship really impresses first time cruisers. Me-I like the Destiny class better-more open. Also, we sailed RCCL's Brilliance of the Seas in April which belongs to the prettiest class of ships(Radiance) that I have ever been on. Hubby has instructed, that I not book a Spirit Class ship for any cruise 7 days or longer. I told him his lack of satisfaction was due to comparison with the Radiance class. However, my neighbor also feels that the Destiny Class is better(hilarious-we have been on the same cruise twice, without prearranging) Destiny class ships are just so much more open and light with a larger sauna, steam room to booth. I never thought I would miss Carnival's neon and glitz.!