CARNIVAL MIRACLE
17 to 25 February 2009 Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize and Roatan
TITLE OF CRUISE: It’s Mardi Gras Time
We booked this cruise for our 30th wedding anniversary. I wanted to take my wife to Panama and show her where I was stationed when I proposed to her so many years ago. However due to a problem with the engines, we were force to change itineraries, which for us, was OK. We planned and booked the cruise about a year out and waited with anticipation to go. During that time we corresponded with many other cruisers who would join us via the Miracle Roll Call forum on Cruise Critics.
Hotel: We arrived at our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn around 5:30 pm and it was a wonderful hotel. Our room was on the 2nd floor and we received free Internet access for 24 hours. In the morning we received a free USA Today, which was very nice. We always arrived a day early to our port so that we can drive to the port to see how easy and how long it will take. The Hotel directions were terrible; we ended up in a housing area on the other side of the waterway from the ship. When we got back to our hotel room, I used Goggle Earth for better direction. The directions that I received, took us directly to the port in 7 minutes, it was really easy. So we know next time.
Embarkation: Was easy and quick, we arrived at the port around 10:00 am and passengers were still disembarking from the previous cruise. After about 30 minutes we were able to drop of our bags. The parking garage (Midport) is located next to where we dropped off our bags. It was then a short walk back to the terminal. We quickly went through the security checkpoint and then to the check in line as they had a more then a dozen people to check you in, no waiting. After check in we had a seat and relaxed for about an hour and a half. We did take time to visit with several members we met on the Cruise Critics Board. It was really easy as we all were wearing our Mardi Gras Beads. A huge Thank You to "Gwen" for the ideal.
Ship: The Miracle is a beautiful ship, very large but well laid out. We have never found an easier class of ships to navigate and this ship was huge, 88,500 tons and was full with over 2000 passengers. We spent time walking around the ship and still did not see all of her. But that just means that we will cruise on the Miracle to see more of her. The Miracle's is "fictional icons" and on our deck (7) hallways, we saw drawings of famous literary characters like Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe and the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The lobby and atrium was absolutely gorgeous and are named after the city Metropolis of "Superman" fame, and there's even a Gotham lounge in tribute to Batman.
Cabin: Absolutely fantastic, perfect location, ample closet space, great balcony, for the most part a quiet location, great view, really long hallways, and real nice bathroom with shower. One nice advantage was that we were on the side that dock at ever port. I know that balconies are great, but the extended is just super, loved it.
First Aid Station: We had never used the ship medical service prior to this cruise, but found it to be absolutely fantastic. I have to admit that I was worried about the cost, however after our visits we were really surprised and please at not only the cost, but also the service. My D/W had a cold and when she ran out of her medicine, we went to the first aid station for help. At the clinic they recommended two types of medicine, one for the cold and the other to help her sleep; total cost was $12.00. Wow. Also for reference a consultation for a Doctor visit - $80 and a nurse - $30. really reasonable.
Service: The service in our cabin was great, it was always clean and we never really saw our cabin Stewart except for the first day when he came by and introduced himself, his name was Rene and he was from the Philippines.
Restaurant: Our food was fantastic and plentiful; the Chocolate Melting Cake was divine. Our table at dinner was small and set for two and in a great location, which exceeded our expectations. The dinning room motif is very purple and you have grapes everywhere while some found it to be very overwhelming, we were fine with it. The table for two was definitely a "Do-Over"
Meet and Greet #1: About 70 of us who had talked on Cruise Critics for almost a year got together on the Aft section of Lido deck and had a great time. It was really nice to meet everyone and put a face to a name.
Cozumel: This was our first port and having visited 3 times before, we decided to just do some shopping. We walked around town for a while checking out the site and looking for gifts. Our last stop downtown was at Margaritaville where we picked some T-Shirts and had the Travel Bear (Our companion) passport signed. Then returned to the shopping area near the ship where we picked up a couple of more items before we boarded the ship. We had plenty of time for lunch and then relax time prior to sailing.
Costa Maya: We did the Power Boats, snorkeling and beach combo, after a short bus ride that was nice, we got to our area. We got a short talk and on to the boats. I drove out to the area were there was a floating dock. We snorkeled in the area and it was beautiful, and my D/W was VERY happy she brought her diving shorts and top for the cold water. I was ok but it would have been to cold for her with out her gear. One lady with the group got out after she jumped in because it was so cold. My D/W got to drive the boat as fast as it would go, back to the beach area. After driving around a while we headed for the beach. We were making sure we did not run into the other boats and did not pay attention and we drifted on to a sand bar. We tried to back up and killed the engine and we had to be pulled to shore.
Belize: We went on the Geoff Key Island excursion and it was great. We were tendered in Belize due to the shallowness on the water. We took a 20-minute boat ride to Geoff Key Island, which is about the size of a football field and really has no amenities. We first went on a very difficult snorkeling tour of the island which was made even more difficult due to the strong current and waves. After snorkeling we spread out our towels and laid on the beach for about and hour. The scenery was just like a commercial, absolutely beautiful and serene with the soft "Trade Winds" blowing over us. Then we took another ride back to the ship. After a relaxing shower, we took another tinder to Belize City and did some shopping and then returned back to the ship and chilled out on our balcony until dinner.
Roatan: Our Dolphin Encounter was at Anthony’s Key Resort, which is located at Roatan on the Bay Islands. The resort was great and is surrounded by rolling hills, pristine beaches and turquoise waters. The first stop at the Institute for Marine Sciences was the Roatan Museum. The museum is devoted to the history and culture of the Honduras’ islands and was very interesting. After the museum we took a water taxi to visit the Dolphins and we loved it. The Dolphin enclosure was larger and we enjoyed the fact the divers would take the dolphins in to the sea for swims. We had a lot of fun with the dolphins and learned about their life. After frolicking with bottlenose dolphins we left and went to Tobyhanna Beach. After about ten minutes we were all set up on our lounge chairs on the beach and started to relax when the rain started. We then moved under cover for about twenty minutes before catching the bus back to the ship. After taking a hot shower to relax we went shopping downtown. After purchasing a bunch of gifts for family back home we went back to the ship. We then went out on our balcony in time to watch the downpour and everyone running back to the ship trying to duck the rain.
FDS #2: We started the day by joining our fellow cruisers participating in the "On Deck for the Cure" where we walked 2 laps around the ship to help raise money for the cure of Brest Cancer. Before lunch we joined a some new friends that we met on "Cruise Critics" in the Jeeves Lounge for Meet and Greet #2.
Showtime (Wednesday): The show was “Generations”; it was a tribute to the ever-changing music and fashions of our times. The music ranged from “the Big Band” era of the 40’s with song like “Chattanooga Choo Choo thru the 50’, 60’, 70’s, and 80’s. They even had the audience standing, singing and spelling out the Village People’s Y.M.C.A. They did a great salute to the Beatles. As a fan of the Beatles, I had a problem with the guy who played the part of Paul as he play with the wrong hand. My wife said I should just close my eyes.....It did not work. The Phantom Lounge, which is three floors high and well laid out, was packed. Many of the poles that obstruct your vision on Carnival’s other class of ships were removed. YEA!!!
Debarkation: Was verily easy and some quick consider that 2000+ people were also trying to get off the ship, next time we get a porter to help. After we finished with customs we made our way to the parking garage, found the Jeep, packed up and headed home.
Favorites
Digg
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Furl
Magnolia
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo MyWeb
