The Inaugural Cruise on the Carnival Miracle
Jacksonville-Freeport-At Sea-Jacksonville
Spirit Class Vessel
88,500 Gross Tons
2124 Passengers (two per
cabin)
930 International Crew
The theme for the newest Fun Ship; Famous Fictional Icons…Dr.
Frankenstein's Lab (Disco)…The Raven (Library)…Nick and Nora's Supper Club
(Alternative fine dining restaurant)…Phantom Theater…. add up to a
whimsical, magical experience on this luxury liner. Carnival design
consultant Joe Farcus continues to amaze the travel world and cruisers
with his innovative and creative themes for 21 of Carnival Corporations
newest vessels. The Carnival Miracle continues the tradition of Joe Farcus
inspired ships setting the design standards for large ship cruising.
On a blustery, cold afternoon, America's newest and youngest hero, former
Army PFC Jessica Lynch, cut the cord on the champagne that exploded on the
bow on the Carnival Miracle and officially named the newest Carnival ship.
The newest Florida port just North of Jacksonville hosted a bevy of media,
local officials and travel executives for this inaugural celebration.
Maurice Zarmati, Carnival's Vice President of Sales and cruise legend,
presided over the ceremonies. Also on the platform was a representation of
Carnival Cruise Line's military employees serving our country in the
reserves and on active duty throughout the world.
We sailed away on schedule at 1600 for Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.
Shortly after leaving the pier a large fixed bridge over the St. John's
River appeared to be in our path. On the previous Monday the Miracle
sailed under this bridge with a 6-foot clearance under the funnel. On this
afternoon the tide was in our favor and we have AT LEAST 10-12 feet to
spare. Quite an experience for the 2000 plus passengers whom I think were
all on deck to make sure the Captain would not make a mistake.
After sailing, I finally had an opportunity to explore this new ship. As
usual, I started on Deck 12 and worked my way down to Deck 2. Decks 12,
and 11 contain the short jogging track, the water slide and children's
pool, the sport court, the topless sunning area and the upper level of
Nick and Nora's Supper Club. Deck 10 is the upper spa deck, Nick and
Nora's Dining area and the Gymnasium. The Lido Deck 9 houses Horatio's
Lido restaurant, the 5 pool bars, three swimming pools (one with overhead
sliding roof), the 24-hour pizza parlor and the lower spa and gymnasium.
Decks 8 through 4 contain the 1062 cabins and suites and the forward area
is the upper most level of the three-tiered Phantom Show Lounge. Decks 2
and 3 are the body and soul of the Carnival Miracle. Ten more themed bars
and lounges decorate decks 2 and three. A few of the names…. Sam's Club,
Frankie and Johnny's, Metropolis, Gotham City Lounge, Maguire's Sports
Bar, Bacchus Restaurant, Gatsby's Garden, Mr. Lucky Casino complete with
life-sized figure of Cary Grant as that famous factionary gambler Mr.
Lucky and the very whimsical Mad Hatters Ball Lewis Carroll's classic
setting for more fun. Each of these themed areas is extremely well done
with the exception of the two-tired Bacchus Restaurant. Large pink grapes
hanging from the ceiling supported by silver goblets are just too much…and
from what I understand Carnival agrees and is already making adjustments.
Enough on the hardware…. let's talk the "New Carnival". Remember this was
an inaugural sailing, but not your old Carnival inaugural with 2000 travel
agents putting the shrimp and hors d'oeuvres in plastic bags for the trip
home. Only 400 travel executives were invited to share this special
sailing with the public. This is really a better way to introduce a new
ship to the travel world, as it combines regular passengers, many of whom
were first time cruisers, with seasoned travel executives, travel writers
and invited guests.
I was very pleasantly surprised to find the food in the Bacchus Restaurant
and the Horatio Lido well prepared and presented, not to mention the
quality was excellent. The service in Bacchus was actually a little too
fast for my dining enjoyment, but it that a complaint? I suspect the fact
that we had a table for the 2 of us on the two nights we dined in Bacchus
contributed to the fast service. In Horatio's…the Lido…smiling wait staff
carried your trays, assisted with beverages and cleared tables quickly.
Just the way it was intended, no complaints here. Bar service was a little
slow, but this seems to be the normal on a new ship. The bartenders were
busy, but just not fast. I am sure a little more time mixing drinks at sea
will cure this and the bar service will be on par with the dining rooms.
A couple of different happenings on this cruise I really need to point
out:
-
The coffee and
pastry shop was busy from opening until closing with guests
standing in line to pay $3.00 or more for a specialty coffee…Just like
Starbucks.
-
The art auction was
very busy and people were bidding on and buying expensive
art. My guess is a least $50,000.00 worth of art was auctioned. Remember
this
was a 3 night Carnival cruise.
-
The Casino had 2
new poker games and people seemed to enjoy them…and
I did see some money being won.
-
The "Fun Day at
Sea" did not have the men's hairy chest contest or diving for spoons in
the pool. Maybe Carnival is attracting a more mature audience? Sure
looked that way from the guests on board.
-
The pizza in the 24
hour Pizza Grill was good! I remember when Carnival first put
pizzas on board and they were like cardboard. There were 5 or 6
varieties of
pizza, calzones and pasta and they were hot and fresh.
-
Most of the public
areas were pleasing to the eye and not over done with neon,
statues and eye popping flashes, but somewhat subtle and fun. Only the
Bacchus
Restaurant was over the top as mentioned before and Carnival is taking
steps to
correct this right away.
The Carnival Miracle is every bit an
upgraded version of the Spirit Class vessels
Carnival Cruise Lines has created. She is fresh, fun and practical with a
energetic crew
and good service on board. After her initial Jacksonville cruises to
Freeport, the Miracle will begin summer 7 night cruises from Baltimore and
New York to the Bahamas, Key West and Port Canaveral.
Carnival has come a long way in the incentive market. Over the years they
have continued to build upon their successes and create value and a fun
reward to those who enjoy cruising for 3-8 days in the Caribbean, Alaska,
Bahamas, Mexican Riviera and special cruises through the Panama Canal and
to the Hawaiian Isles. If you are considering a big ship cruise
incentive…Carnival should not be overlooked. The new ships and the
companies overall commitment to increasing quality and service is showing
through.
Your Worldwide expert can guide you to the right vessel for the right
program….As we say… "There is a ship for every incentive". If the ship
fits…use it… The Carnival Miracle will exceed your expectations and your
program will be a complete success.
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