This was a first time cruise for both my friend and my self, we have known each other for many years but have never traveled together, in fact neither has traveled (her) without a husband or myself with another person so we were a little concerned with space and privacy issues right from the beginning, she was a smoker I was not which is why we chose a balcony cabin. We were both flying direct out of Toronto Canada, and we decided to fly into Fort Lauderdale two days prior to the cruise to get to know one another a bit better and be in a good position for meeting the ship..I am so glad we did. We had made a bid on one of the popular web based hotel sites and were very pleased with our choice, it was the Pelican Grande, in Fort Lauderdale..the room faced the street but that's OK it's all the same when your in the pool and floating down the lazy river..One thing though the dressing area of the bathroom did not have a door which was kinda weird, just the shower area so it lacked a bit of privacy there, and we felt the front desk staff had a bit of an edge to them, we were there during the US election and it was all very exciting..the other reason I would not choose that hotel again is it was too far away from everything, and the taxis started to add up we spent around 150.00 just in taxis to go to the mall, the grocery store, we later found out we could have walked to the mall about 25 min walk.. Speaking of taxis when we came out of the Fort Lauderdale airport, we were approached a man who said he was a taxi and given a card, he was not it was the shuttle, I noticed other people walking further down the platform getting into taxi's and that's what we did it was the same price as the shuttle and we didn't have to wait.. Now on to the Miracle:

Embarkation we arrived around 12 p.m. and we were on the ship by 1:45, very very long lines and being first time cruisers very confusing we did not understand what was happening or what to expect..I think they should let 1st time cruisers go through the VIP line your only first time once..LOL.

Our cabin was ready when we arrive and OMG it was so beautiful even on the way up to our cabin we were gob smacked at how big and beautiful everything was the staff were so friendly..the aft cabin is the best on the whole ship I think . There was plenty of storage two hanging closets, 4 drawers, two side cupboards, two cubbies by the bed just perfect..there was a couch, the shower was better than the one I have at home there was a make up mirror in the bathroom, guys would say it was a shaving mirror..it all worked out perfectly..There was a bit more movement in that area I think I have nothing to compare it to except during rough seas I was midship and there was a little less movement, there was also a bit of noise, but oh my the beauty of the scenery, and the gentle rocking to sleep priceless… Read more