We are embarking on Carnival Cruise number 5, with this being the second time on the Miracle.

Arrived the day before from sub-freezing Iowa to the Comfort Inn-Airport in Ft. Lauderdale. Transfers from airport to motel went fine and from motel to Port Everglades. Comfort Inn was relaxing, clean and adequate, just sitting around the pool in shirt sleeves sharing stories with many other cruisers doing the same thing. Beware of the cheapo luggage tags Carnival has gone to. Tape them on good if you want your luggage. Don't use a stapler.

Embarkation was slow and our fault for going too much in middle of the process. 2 hours from buss to first drink onboard. Highly recommend early 11:30 or late 2:30 for this. Carnival Ft. Lauderdale was under staffed for this to go fast. Only could enter through one double door. All 3000 passengers, go figure. Read more