This was my second cruise in less than 6 months with Carnival. My first was on the Vista. This one was on the Miracle. I was with a group of five others. I thought that the staff was very helpful and friendly. The cruise “experience” was good, not great.

It took 1 hour to walk onboard after dropping the bags off at the terminal. 45 minutes of that time was waiting in line while the large numbers of diamond and platinum members slowly made their way through the scanners. They were in no hurry to get through since they were in the front of the line. The rest of the blue, red and gold travelers waited in a very long line. Then, to the rescue, came carnival staff members to deliver water and snacks to us waiting in line. It was a nice touch. My only recommendation to carnival is if blue, red and gold guests can request embarkation at 11:30, they need to move them through quicker. Not sure how that could be accomplished though. After waiting for 45 minutes, suddenly the gates were open for the masses. Our documentation was quickly reviewed and we were waived to another line to wait be scanned. Still, when a diamond or platinum member came up, we waited patiently for them as they were quickly moved to the front of the line. Again, they were in no hurry. After scanning, it was a quick stop at the check in desk followed by the long walk onto the ship. In all the experience was pretty much as I expected. If you are a first time or multiple cruiser with not enough point’s priority boarding, be prepared to wait at least an hour to board.

To me the food on the buffet lines (Lido Deck) was upscale convention food. Because I go to major professional conventions four times a year in large cities, the food on the ship was comparable to upscale buffet food served at conventions. I was told by the Chef Singh that they cooked meals on the Lido deck and main dining room for 60 different nationalities. The Lido deck had the constant stations, Americana with hamburgers, hotdogs, fries as well as Chopstick the Asian station. They also had a sandwich station, dessert and 24-hour ice cream station. The lunch and dinner stations rotated between styles such as Caribbean, French, and Italian depending on the night. There were multiple breakfast stations all serving omelets to order. Just wait in line. One secret to share. After day two I was in search of smoked salmon. I knew they had it; they just did not put it out. Finally, I was told that it was in the deli counter. However, the deli counter was converted to a breakfast station (last station, right side if you are facing the rear of the ship) in the mornings. They served eggs benedict with smoked salmon only at this station. All the rest of them used ham. When I asked the server if he had smoked salmon, he reached into a cold storage under the counter and pulled out a large tightly wrapped portion (probably 4 ounces) of smoked salmon. Oh, snap. The bagels and cream cheese were to my right and I was a happy camper. All the food was served in large self-serve family style attractive metal containers. The food was good, not great. Although, I did have lamb curry in puff pastry on French night that I thought was outstanding. The buffet always had a large selection of good, not great, food. Generally, I thought the food was over-salted. However, that is just me, as I get older, I use less and less salt. The 24-hour pizza is great. If your idea of a “great” pizza is Dominos, Pappa Johns, etc., then you probably will not like the pizza on the ship. It is a 10-inch Italian style pie with minimal toppings made with Caputo “00” flour. A high quality, soft wheat, low protein content flour. It makes a very thin (not cracker) chewy crust. I liked it a lot. The dining room food was good, not great. The portions are small. Think large tapas. Feel free to order multiple entrees. For an up charge, you can get a steak to order from the steakhouse. But really, why do that? Just go to the Nick and Nora’s. Again, the meal was what I expected at an upscale, $20 to $40 per plate, dining restaurant. Only smaller portions, just order two. Speaking of Nick and Nora’s, for $35 this is the best value on the ship. Excellent food, prepared specifically for you in a multi course menu that is outstanding. In addition, everything about dining there is great; the food, the service and wine. I simply do not understand why the place is not packed. I ate there twice. I had the ribeye the first night and the lamb chops the last night. Treat yourself, just do it. I have seen people drop $50 on cheap t-shirts on Grand Cayman. I would rather have the lamb chops. If you really want upscale book the Chef’s table. At $75 per person for 12 courses, including appetizers, it is an excellent meal and even better experience. One more crappy t-shirt or wagyu beef? Seriously, show me the beef. The bottom line is that this food preparation (and cruising) for the masses (2,600 people). The food on the ships is good quality, well made and they give you plenty of it. However, it is made in a large kitchen, placed in large serving containers that are designed to go on a buffet line for self-service. If you did not get enough of the tapas sized entrée’s in the dining room, just go to the Lido deck and get more. However, after getting on the scale back home, maybe the tapas size portions are really what I should be eating. I think I was spoiled on the Vista with all the extra purchase food choices. For me, I do not mind paying an extra $20 for Sushi or $35 for dinner at the Italian or Asian fusion restaurants. But that is just me. I know many cruisers have the opinion that they will not pay for upscale dining. My main recommendation is that Carnival at least put in a (free) Guy’s Burger or (free) Mexican grill on this ship. It would certainly “upscale” the two grills by the pool that served burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc. The setup of these grills was one-step above what you would see at a college cafeteria.

I thought the shows were fine, the comedians ranged from funny to very funny depending upon which show you went to. They brought a magician on board for two shows on Friday night. I really enjoy that type of show and wish they had more of that. In addition to shows in the main theater and comedy theatre, the ship had constant bingo, trivia and name that tune games. The Red Frog Pub had karaoke on certain days. The coffee shop was located right outside the pub and I occasionally had to listen to people attempt to hit the high notes on various songs that they had no business attempting. Like them, I sound great in my car by myself with the radio cranked up loud, but not in front of a live audience. I felt bad for the staff that had to listen to that.

I thought the staff was very friendly and helpful. They were constantly cleaning. The Lido deck food area was constantly being patrolled by staff to pick up discarded half-filled plates of food. On decks 2 and 3, the main common areas of the ship, the staff constantly picked up left over drinks and trash. I am not sure what the level of cleanliness that people are accustomed to at their home, but I can tell you that I wish my kitchen, bathroom and living room was as spotless as the common areas on the Miracle. In addition, the staff was pushing chairs back under tables to make the area look uncluttered and organized. I would get up from a reading area on level 2, leave the chairs scattered like a group of second graders, and come back 15 minutes later to see them organized and welcoming. The staff cleaned my room quickly and efficiently. Sheets were changed; bathroom cleaned the required towel animal sitting on the bed. I thought the waiters, in all areas were friendly and fast. One note, a couple in the group that I was with experienced a very, very long dinner on Tuesday night with slow service. I think that this was the exception as compared to the norm.

Got in line with my bags, I carried them off, at 8:33 am. At 9:21 a.m. I was through customs and walking to the bus to go to the Tampa airport. The trip through customs was a bit unusual. After being scanned off the ship, I walked until I was directed to the first of two escalators. The customs people were directing us down the escalator as if we were first graders on our first field trip. This is because there is a series of two escalators (or one elevator) that takes you down to the first floor to a long line that snakes to the customs desks. If the customs people did not hold up the people at the top floor or at the elevators, we would have all jammed/backed up the escalators or elevator with no place to go on the first floor. It was confusing and very claustrophobic. After clearing customs, I waited another 20 minutes on the bus before it filled and then a 15-minute ride to the airport. You can get a taxi or Uber and it would have cut out the time waiting on the Carnival bus. In all, if you carried your bags off it will take about 2 hours to get off the ship and to the check in line at the airport. The bottom line for both embarkation and debarkation is this, if you did not pay extra for the “faster to the fun” or are a diamond or platinum member you will wait longer to get on the ship. Moreover, by waiting, I mean stand in line, wait, move, stand and wait, move, finally get on the ship and follow the masses up to the Lido deck for lunch.