Jet lag is real y'all! We didn't realize that Alaska is a 4 hour time difference (1 hour change on the ship) and it's crazy how much it throws you off. OK just some quick notes:
We learned from multiple sources that the ship was sailing at just under 70% capacity. I believe she holds around 2500 and had 1700 sailing. It was definitely an older crowd as well!
-COVID testing: DH & I used the accepted home test through the emed.com website. Zero problems. Very easy to use and results were delivered instantly. I had our digital copies and printed off hard copies just in case. It states digital is accepted, but I had hard copies of everything! Would use these tests again and recommend to anyone else looking to cruise.
-Embarkation: Took longer than normal, but nothing crazy. They were very strict about arrival windows. We had an 11-11:30AM window and were actually a bit late, but we saw others being held back in line until their windows opened. Porters will still very much available for luggage. We lined up outside where ALL of our documents were looked at the first time, then we joined a line inside where everything was looked at (and scanned/highlighted/whatever) again. Then you were sent upstairs through security and joined the "regular" check in line, where photos were taken. There was still a photo op (masks could be removed) and you boarded the ship!
-Muster: This change was amazing and really well done. As soon as you set foot on the ship, they IMMEDIATELY sent you to your muster station. We did not even get into the atrium before going to our station (it just happened to be close by). It took all of 2 minutes for the crew member to demonstrate the life jacket and then we were sent on our way.
-Masks: Masks were required walking into/out of dinner and the buffet, in the main theater, shops, elevators, and comedy theater. Everywhere else were signs encouraging masks, but I was really amazed at how many people wore them everywhere inside. You truly very rarely saw anyone walking around inside without one. From what I could see in our ports, masks were required in shops and restaurants.
-Activities: Everything seemed back to normal for the most part! I didn't notice anything missing. Performers and comedians did not wear masks. The trivia crew members didn't either, but they kept a wide area around them clear of guests.
The Miracle was laid out differently than any Carnival ship I've been on. Not in a bad way necessarily, just different!
Noticeable things: The Serenity deck was lovely and I wish it was set up this way on other ships. It was large, tons of seating, big bar, and had it's own pool and hot tub.
There were 3 decent sized pools and hot tubs on the ship - Serenity deck, and 2 more pool areas back to back in the middle of Lido. One pool was closed in/covered, and the most forward one was entirely open. It was a pretty nice set up overall.
The steakhouse was on deck 10, directly under the funnel. So the lower part of the funnel was glass and opened up to the sky. The effect was really beautiful.
The ship is "literature" themed, which I loved. I just don't think some of the spaces were well utilized. There was a Gatsby's Garden promenade which was lovely, but so tucked away at the front of the ship with nothing around it, it was wasted.
The Alchemy Bar area (my fave!) was very large and had tons of seating. It was very well utilized every night!
Why are there still huge art galleries? I want to meet the people buying enough art to justify this space.
The casino location was a big negative for me. It took up the entire width of the deck so you had to walk directly though it to get to the main theater, the sports bar, Redfrog pub, coffee shop, etc. To bypass it, you'd have to go up a floor, cross over, and come back down. Luckily, the smoke smells didn't seem to permeate through other spaces, but it wasn't the greatest set up. And there was no more using the casino as just smoking area. You had to be actively playing. You couldn't even sit at the bar. So that was a small relief. Fortunately, I don't think many ships are like that anymore and for good reason.
Also, I was amazed by how busy the casino was at all times. I think the older crowd had a lot to do with it for sure. That place was packed 24 hours a day. DH & I were incredulous when we saw people literally sitting at slot machines 30+ minutes before leaving port, just waiting for them to turn on.
Ports: All of them were incredible. The day spent sailing through the fjord to Dawes Glacier was beyond beautiful. Alaska has a different type of beauty-it just feels wild and rugged and unforgiving. I don't think people just end up living in Alaska. It's a location you have to want to be. And definitely a place to see if you can.
Overall, a wonderful time. In terms of ships though, I told DH I am definitely ready to try a newer and larger ship. I'm thinking Horizon or Mardi Gras, and Southern Caribbean. Although, that Iceland cruise in 2022 is looking pretty fabulous as well!
But I have to figure out how to do it, get another shot or something (Ontario isn't offering them for travel). Any way! We have B2B (sort of) in March and hope everything is sorted by then. Including not needing a test to return to Canada if vaccinated, perhaps a test at the airport? But who knows what will happen. I have my fingers crossed, and don't have to pay in full until December so hopefully by then things will be in better shape. Or at least enough to make a decision, I have Disney booked as a backup in case we can't cruise. I mean it will be a nice vacation any way, but a cruise is what I want to do!
