Day 8 - An Orderly Debarkation from Our Cruise Ship to Port Tampa Bay

Day 8 - Our Caribbean Cruise Trip

Our cruise ship arriving at Port Tampa Bay

Because we went to the debarkation information meeting yesterday, it helped us to choose which debarkation process we want to follow.

View of  Port Tampa Bay from the top deck of our cruise ship 

We were glad that we chose to debark the ship via the checked luggage procedure. Having all our luggage neatly packed away (save for the things we needed for this morning) and picked up by the ship's staff last night, we had no luggage to carry.

 Port Tampa Bay, Florida

The passengers who chose to debark with the carry on procedure started leaving the ship at 8:30am.

Those who chose to have their luggage checked didn't need to debark that until 10:30am.

This allowed us time to have a nice relaxing breakfast in the dining room.

Passengers taking turns to debark from our cruise ship and entering the terminal

We were impressed at how orderly the debarkation process was.

There were over 2000 passengers on board and we were divided into zones.

Passengers waiting at their designated wait area on Debarkation Day

We were assigned Zone 9 and instructed clearly where our waiting area was.

After breakfast, we strolled around the ship for the last time and waited at our assigned area.

The wait was not too long at all.

The debarkation process was orderly and smooth.

 Before we realized it, our zone number was called and we debarked from our cruise ship.

There was no long lineup, no carrying of heavy luggage, no angry people with rude comments nor any unpleasantness associated with impatient people.

It was good to see that people with special needs were assisted and looked after.

Waiting on our cruise ship for debarkation at Port Tampa Bay 

The debarkation process was well organized, orderly and smooth. Kudo to the admin. staff at Carnival Miracle cruise ship!

So long!

We have had a marvelous time!  Two thumbs up for Carnival Miracle and we will definitely do it again!

R.T.
Port Tampa Bay
Florida
USA


                         

The Best Part of Our First Cruise on the Carnival Miracle

As our Caribbean cruise was coming to an end, I asked my husband which part of the cruise he enjoyed the most. 

My favourite appetizers - crab cakes! 

" Eating in the dining room!" He replied without a moment of hesitation. 

Yes, I agree. We both have enjoyed the dining room experience on the cruise ship  tremendously.

The dining room was elegant with an old fashion charm.

Dining Room - Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship - Feb. 2018

Each evening as we sat in the dining hall for dinner, I could almost feel the well heeled passengers resplendent in their elegant aristocratic clothes from the past era among the diners.

Grilled Shrimps served in the dining room for dinner

At every meal, our friendly waiting staff addressing us by our names in the most respectful manner, presented us the menu for the evening and from which we could order whatever and as many dishes as our hearts desired. 

My husband enjoyed his steak cooked in medium rare.

We enjoyed the dishes every evening and found that the quality of the food served in the dining room was far better than that of those served at the buffets on Deck 9.

Besides dining in the dining room,  there was unlimited amount of food and non alcoholic beverages provided to passengers throughout the day during the entire seven days of the cruise. 

There were breakfast buffets and buffets of various types and cultures offered at lunch and dinner. Fresh custom made pizza could be ordered around the clock.

One evening, we happened to be on deck 9 when the kitchen staff was setting up the Mexican Buffet.

The Mexican Buffet served at 11:00 p.m. on Deck 9 at the Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship

It was a beautiful array and display of fresh fruits, salads, desserts and pastries. 














On top of that, there was a display of cravings made from watermelons. 

 A display of  amazing sculptures craved out of watermelons on the Carnival Miracle ship

It was a feast to both our palette as well as to our eyes!  

Everyone there was surprised that the kitchen staff had prepared with great care such an abundant array and beautiful display of food being served at 11p.m. at night!

  

On our last day at sea on the cruise, we were treated with a Chocolate Extravaganza!

I think the chocolate lovers among us must have felt like they were in heaven!

There were a lot of chocolate desserts from which to choose!







 

This cruise has been amazing with so much to eat. Carnival Miracle cruise ship has elevated food to an art, with dedicated and friendly serving staff!

We enjoyed the food served on our cruise. It was a fantastic culinary experience! The chef and his team of kitchen and service staff are to be commended for their great culinary skills and outstanding service to the passengers on this cruise!

R.T.
A Recent Cruise Passenger
Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship
From Toronto, Canada 

Day 7 - The Gatsby Garden, One of My Favourite Places on the Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship

Cruise Trip – Day 7, The Gatsby Garden

Our last day at sea!

Without any excursion which we had to rush to this morning, we could be more relaxed getting up in the morning.

I am totally surprised at how much I have been enjoying this cruise experience. This is unexpected as I am not a sun and sand person nor am I a water sport person.  

I have discovered something I did not know about myself. I love the ocean; the sight of water has always made me happy.

I thought looking at an endless water body would be boring on a cruise.

Gatsby Garden - the perfect place for me to blog about our cruise hoilday

This could be true if I were drifting at sea on a teeny tiny boat without many amenities.

But on this cruise, it is completely different as there are so many different places to sit and relax.

My extrovert fellow passengers on this cruise can choose to be in the presence of a large crowd, drinking or singing  karaoke in one of the bars.

For the introvert passengers, they can withdraw to a less crowded place to do quieter activities.

We are  in the middle of the two. We enjoy being in the company of other but not all the time with a big noisy crowd .

We also enjoy  reading and listening to classical music.

After a little while, we need a break from all the entertainment and loud noises.

On this ship, we are able to find quiet and elegant places to relax, read, write and enjoy a cup of good coffee and an ice cream.

The Gatsby Garden is such a place on the Carnival Miracle cruise ship.

The Gatsby Garden - A quiet and beautiful place for passengers on the Carnival Miracle cruise ship

Looking out of the pot hole window to the blue sky and simmering ocean water, I feel calm, relaxed and blessed!

I reflect on how big and seemingly endless the ocean is; I feel the depth God’s love  for me.

In life, we hope to have fair weather and calm waters at sea, but we do come across  stormy windy days at times.

Thankfully, God has always been there  for me carrying me through calm and stormy seas.

I am grateful and thankful for everything we have, including this opportunity to travel across the oceans.

In the past seven days, we have enjoyed such luxury that even the kings and queens in the past could not have imagined!

R.T.
Gatsby Garden
Carnival Miracle Ship

Day 7 - What to do on Debarkation Day on the Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship

Cruise Trip - Day 7



Debarkation Information Meeting

Sadly, our seven day Caribbean cruise is coming to an end. Today was the last day of our cruise on the ship.


















To ensure that the 2000 plus passengers will have a smooth debarkation process, the ship organized a  debarkation information presentation by the Cruise Director at mid morning in the theatre.

We were reminded of the following:

- the casino would be closed before entering US waters so passengers need to cashing in their chips

- look after the Sail & Sign Account

- at the U.S. custom, there would be no paper form needed, only a verbal declaration of what we have bought

- US $800.00 tax and duty free
- declare alcohol and cigarettes

-  our cruise ship would arrive at US port around 7:30am

There will be two types of debarkation procedures for passengers:

1. Carry off Debarkation – This is for passengers who will be on a tight schedule to leave the ship.          They should have all of their bags packed in their room and be ready to leave the ship from 8:15am tomorrow.

   -  Passengers should ensure they would be able to carry their own bags
   -  Debarkation will take place by Deck Level and each deck level will be called.

Debarkation will take place by Deck Level

2. Check Luggage Debarkation - for passengers not in a hurry or need assistance.
    -  Passengers will pack their bags, place a luggage tag on each piece and leave all packed luggage pieces outside their rooms between after 9:00pm tonight.
   -  Passengers will wait for debarkation in designated Wait Areas
   -  Debarkation for checked luggage passengers will start at around 10:30am.

Thanking the Carnival  Miracle Cruise Ship staff.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Cruise Director called a representative of each department from the ship to come on the stage to thank them.

We applauded the staff and expressed our appreciation for their excellent service on this cruise.

The staff have been working very hard; they deserved our thanks!

Debarkation information meeting took place at the ship's theatre

We found the debarkation presentation useful.   It helped us to decide which process we should choose for the next day when we would get back to the U.S. port.

R.T.
A Cruise Passenger
Enroute back to Tampa Bay
International Water

Lots to Do on the Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship

We have traveled quite extensively for the past few years both in North American and overseas.
However, this was the first time we have gone on a cruise ship holiday. I remember talking to a couple of my good friends who went on to cruise vacations. Upon their return, I asked them about their cruise experience.

Library - a quiet area for reading on our cruise ship

For some reason, both gave me a very negative review of their cruise holiday. This was why I never desired to try this type of holiday ourselves for the past three decades.

The  library on Carnival Miracle ship

One of the reasons given for their negative reviews was the lack of things to do while on board their cruise ships.

A hang out area for young people

Fortunately, for us, we have found that there are a lot of things to do on our current cruise ship.

On our last day at sea, we went around the ship and explored other areas that we did not have time to enjoy such as:

1. The Libray

2. The Teens Area

3. The Chapel

4. Mini Golf

video games area

A game room in the teens area on our cruise ship.

Teens hang out area

A hang out area for teens.

Our boys, when they were teens, would have really enjoped making new friends and hanging out with them here.

Mini golf on the top deck

Located on the top deck of our cruise ship - a mini golf playing area.

This mini golf area commands an excellent view of the ocean.

I still remember the fun we had playing mini golf with our boys when we travelled out west!

A sports bar to watch the games

For those who enjoy watching sports, a nice sports bar with big TV screens awaits them on the ship.

Seating area in the sports bar

The Casino on our cruise ship

A quieter area for a drink and watching games.




















A casino on board for those who are interested.

Though we have passed by it every evening going into the dining room, we never have time to stop to visit this place.

A multi faith chapel on our cruise ship

A multi faith chapel -I did stop there on the first day and said a prayer for the safety of all the crew members and passengers on this ship.

One of the Dining Rooms for cruise passengers to enjoy their buffets

My conclusion from our cruise holiday:

 Do not always believe what your friends' tell you!

 Keep an open mind and find out for yourself.

Looking out to the ocean from the dining area

We are different people with different likes, dislikes and interests.

Gatsby Garden - a nice area for quiet conversations 

When it comes to holidays and taking vacations, what bore your friends to death may not be so bad for you.

Try it at least once and then decide for yourself!

R.T.
Enjoying our cruise holiday tremendously!
Somewhere between Mexico & Tampa Bay