This wasn't our first cruise to Alaska and we have also been on several cruises to the Caribbean so we are not reviewing this cruise out of context. Getting on the Carnival Miracle went off without a hitch and our bags were delivered to our cabin in a timely fashion. While placing my face cleaning machine in the shower I found a big, black gob of hair on the shower wall. After the steward cleaned it up I assumed my cleaning machine was still in the shower. Not so! The steward thought it belonged to the former cabin occupants and without asking me, threw it away. By the time I realized what had happened, it was long gone. It took almost all week for the powers that be to give me a credit for the loss.

The food on the first night in the formal dining room was fine as was the lunch in the buffet. After the first night however, the food was less than expected. I know cruise lines are cutting back wherever they can but the quality of the food in the formal dining room, especially, was so bad I couldn't eat a couple of the meals. I ordered a filet mignon which turned out to be a very thin, rubbery piece of mystery meat. My husband ordered a fish filet which was overcooked and tough. We complained and the next night the food was better.

The entertainment was pretty sparse probably because we didn't really like the crass, adult comedians. The funniest, most entertaining thing about the cruise was John Heald, the cruise director. Loved him and his quick wit. The singer in the Atrium was atrocious. I've heard better at local eateries and bars. Read more