Carnival Miracle, Tampa to West Caribbean, Feb 4, 2007

Just about the best of eight cruises we have taken, and by far and away the best of three cruises on Carnival. After our last cruise on the Carnival Holiday, we were thinking that cruises had lost their appeal for us, but this one absolutely turned things around. Being a newly retired guy, I'll be searching for more incredible deals in April or May.

Boarding. We purchased tickets four days before the cruise, and so drove twenty hours to Tampa. Our goal in driving was to be out of Atlanta before spending the night (we made it to northern Florida). People in Tampa don't seem to understand a round-about, so the last fifty feet to the dock is the most dangerous. Unloading car at the dock was easy, but be sure to have your stay-in-the-car stuff already out of the suitcases that will go on board. Valet parking staff warns of poor security at self-park garage (no problems for us). Signs that direct you from the dock to the parking garage are misleading. Check-in was the usual stampede, but took us about a half hour at 1:00. Safe was locked by previous occupant, and it took several phone calls to find someone to open it. Read more