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Why Go?
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 Part of Spirit class: a medium-sized ship with newfangled amenities
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Interiors reflect fictional theme, feature icons such as Batman
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Nick & Nora's Supper Club exudes romance
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Editor's Picks: Best Beds at Sea
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For teens, the adult-free zone at Pinocchio's Club
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Itineraries and Ports of Call: Bermuda • Caribbean - Southern • Caribbean - Western
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Carnival Miracle Review
While not necessarily "miraculous," there were a lot of pleasant surprises onboard Carnival Miracle, the 19th ship in Carnival's massive fleet. First of all, the ship is just plain pretty, understated in comparison to flashier creations in the fleet -- interior architect Joe Farcus is known for super-showy designs. Still, Farcus always has a theme, and Miracle's is "fictional icons" -- guest hallways feature drawings of famous literary characters like Robin Hood and Robinson Crusoe (and the more obscure Belgian detective Hercule Poirot). The lobby and atrium are named after the Metropolis of "Superman" fame, and there's even a Gotham lounge that gets its name from "Batman." Carnival Miracle is also laid out exceptionally well -- I've never found it so easy to find my way around a ship, maybe because it is just skirting the high side of mid-sized at 88,500 tons and carrying 2,124 passengers.
The service and the cuisine also exceeded my expectations. This is the first cruise I've been on in a long time, on any line, where I've been approached regularly and cheerfully for drinks service in the lido buffet -- and after years of being under the impression that the food on Carnival was nothing to write home about, I can honestly say the fact that I managed to gain eight pounds during my cruise speaks volumes about the improvements (much to the chagrin of the Weight Watchers police). Rolls were warm and crusty; fish was tender and flaky. Oh, and whoever came up with the idea of offering the pasta dishes in a smaller portion as a starter dish should get a raise!
Carnival Miracle is the fourth (and possibly last) ship in the Spirit class, which introduced some significant firsts for Carnival: alternative restaurants and onboard wedding chapels. Spirit-class ships also offer an impressive 80 percent ratio of outside cabins, as well as lots of nice little touches -- like museum-quality artwork and "designer" martinis.
Why the positive changes? Carnival is pushing to change its reputation in the industry and it shows, even in the little upgrades like softer bedding and big, plush pool towels. In fact, as Bob Dickinson writes in the welcome letter in the in-cabin directory, "A cruise onboard 'Today's Carnival' is significantly different from even a few years ago, as we've gone to great lengths to enhance virtually every aspect of the 'Fun Ship' vacation -- from expanding dining opportunities and entertainment options to upgraded spa and children's facilities."
However, even with the upgrades, Carnival has maintained its appeal with its traditional core audience: unpretentious and outgoing folks who like to party, and enjoy the rowdy and sometimes off-color pool games (though I'll never understand why the winner of the hairy chest competition had no hair to speak of). Drinking and dancing still goes on until the wee hours of the evening (ahem, morning). So even though this ship -- perhaps the mainstream line's nicest -- may have some people wondering, "Are we on Carnival?" the answer is definitely "yes."
Read Complete Carnival Miracle Review
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Carnival Ships: Carnival Conquest • Carnival Destiny • Carnival Dream • Carnival Ecstasy • Carnival Elation • Carnival Fantasy • Carnival Fascination • Carnival Freedom • Carnival Glory • Carnival Imagination • Carnival Inspiration • Carnival Legend • Carnival Liberty • Carnival Magic • Carnival Miracle • Carnival Paradise • Carnival Pride • Carnival Sensation • Carnival Spirit • Carnival Splendor • Carnival Triumph • Carnival Valor • Carnival Victory • Holiday
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