Carnival - Carnival at sea

Launched in 2004, the Carnival Miracle is a mid-sized ship carrying around 2,100 passengers and over 900 crew. While it’s not one of Carnival’s newest ships, it offers a solid mix of classic “Fun Ship” features and enough variety to keep most cruisers entertained. 

Onboard highlights include two waterslides, a full-time comedy club, a lively piano bar, a dance club, and the Serenity adults-only aft sun deck—a great escape from the busier areas of the ship. There are also two main pools, one of which sits under a retractable roof. This turned out to be especially useful during the cooler early days of our sailing. 

One thing that really stood out on this cruise was how essential the Carnival HUB app has become. From check-in to browsing activities, viewing menus, and even checking in for dinner, the app was at the center of the experience. While a nightly paper schedule was still available, the app was more accurate and up to date. We skipped the Wi-Fi package, but for $5 each, we used the in-app messaging feature to stay in touch. It worked well, though you do have to manually check for new messages since there are no notifications. 

Overall, the ship was well maintained, though the beverage machines were frequently out of service. The décor leans heavily into Carnival’s bright and colorful “Fun Ship” vibe. The two-story main dining room, with its grapevine theme, purple-pink lighting, and decorative vines climbing the walls and ceiling, definitely makes a bold impression.

One downside—especially for non-smokers—is how difficult it can be to avoid smoke in certain areas. The casino on Deck 2 is large, heavily trafficked, and consistently smoky. In addition, smoking is permitted on the starboard side of the Lido Deck near the forward pool, which can make navigating that area less pleasant at times.

We stayed in an interior cabin on Deck 7, which fit our usual cruise style perfectly. The room size was decent, though like many older ships, it only had a single power outlet—something to plan around.

Storage space was more than adequate for the two of us, even on a longer sailing. One feature we continue to love about Carnival is the twice-daily cabin service, complete with towel animals. There was even a class on the final sea day where I learned how to make a few myself—such a fun touch.

A standout perk on Carnival ships is the self-service laundry. For $7 per load (wash and dry), it’s an affordable and convenient option, especially on longer trips. That said, the laundry rooms are small, with limited machines, and can get cramped—especially on Elegant Nights when people are ironing.

Entertainment on the Miracle was plentiful. Most evenings featured two main production shows (7:30 and 9:30), showcasing talented singers and dancers. Guest performers ranged from musicians to magicians and comedians, and we never had trouble finding good seats.Our cruise director was new but energetic and engaging, helping to keep the atmosphere lively throughout the sailing. Late-night parties were held either on deck or in the Frankenstein’s Lab nightclub—fun, though on the louder side.The dedicated comedy club hosted multiple shows nightly. The earlier, family-friendly shows were just okay, while we heard the later adult-only sets were much better—but we opted for other entertainment instead.Music lovers had plenty of options, from a solo guitarist covering pop, Latin, and rock, to a fun country duo, a high-energy rock band, and even a rotating classical string quartet. The piano bar, in particular, stood out for its interactive, sing-along vibe that got progressively more spirited as the night went on.Even though we didn’t drink much, we found ourselves spending time in venues like the RedFrog Pub, the Piano Bar, and the Alchemy Bar simply for the atmosphere. One drawback: the Atrium lacked enough seating, making it difficult to comfortably watch performances there.

We opted out of the ship-sponsored shore excursions and instead booked all of our adventures through Viator—and honestly, it was one of the best decisions we made. Each excursion felt more personalized, a bit more adventurous, and perfectly aligned with how we like to travel. We’re the kind of travelers who want to stay active, explore nature, and experience the culture of each destination, and these tours delivered exactly that.

In Grand Cayman, we spent the day snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, with unforgettable stops at Stingray City and Starfish Point. Both were absolutely stunning and offered up-close encounters with marine life that felt surreal.

Over in Jamaica, we visited the Blue Hole, which turned out to be one of the most fun and adventurous days of the trip. Between cliff jumping, rope swings, and swimming in bright blue pools, it was an adrenaline-filled highlight.

In Roatán, we had one of the most unique experiences—getting to hold sloths and interact with monkeys. It was equal parts adorable and memorable. The day also included snorkeling in incredibly clear water and relaxing at a beautiful beach, making it a perfect mix of adventure and downtime.

Our stop in Belize kept the snorkeling streak going, but with an added thrill—we swam alongside sharks and stingrays. It sounds intimidating, but it was actually an incredible and safe experience that we’ll never forget.

Finally, in Cozumel, we ventured off the beaten path to explore the Jade Cavern and the rugged beauty of the island’s eastern shoreline. It was a quieter, more untouched side of Cozumel that felt worlds away from the typical tourist spots.

Overall, choosing independent excursions gave us a deeper, more adventurous connection to each destination—and every single stop ended up being a highlight of the trip.