I'VE NEVER BEEN ON A CRUISE, BUT I FINALLY GOT ON A SHIP
February 5, 2005



It was a gloomy day in March 2004 when the Carnival Miracle first arrived in Jacksonville, directly from shipyards in Finland where it was built. Carnival Cruise Lines initiated its new service from the Jacksonville port with several cruises by the Miracle.



There was a lot of excitement and speculation as the Miracle slid under the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward bridge with about ten feet to spare. Traffic was halted on the bridge and hundreds of people cheered along the river banks. After several uneventful arrivals and departures, it became routine. 



After a summer of cruises from Jacksonville, the Miracle was reassigned to Tampa, and replaced in Jacksonville by the smaller Carnival Celebration.

In order to meet the hotel room requirement for Super Bowl XXXIX the City of Jacksonville contracted for five cruise ships to house some of the visitors while here for the big game. The smallest was docked downtown, near the stadium. Three others from the Holland America Line docked along Talleyrand Avenue, normally occupied by cargo ships. 



The largest ship providing Super Bowl housing was the Carnival Miracle. All of the ships offered breakfast, lunch or dinner while in port. It was our chance to get aboard the Miracle.




The Miracle is 963 feet long, weighing 88,500 tons, with a guest capacity of 2,100.  There is a staff of 930.

By comparison, the Titanic was 883 feet long, weighing 46,000 tons, with a guest capacity of 2,500. Those Titanic staterooms must have been very small.

The first thing guests see when boarding the Miracle is the 11 story Metropolis Atrium, flooded by daylight coming through the red glass skylight atop the ship. Three glass elevators carry guests to most of the ship's decks.



We had lunch in the Bacchus dining room, located at stern of the ship. It's the largest dining room with space for 1,250 guests on two levels. The room is decorated in a vineyard motif with purple vines, clusters of pink grape lights and silver accents. It's visually way over the top.


The table settings were very attractive, with lots of stemware, china and flatware for whatever might be coming.

We were presented a menu with four appetizers, six entrees and five desserts to chose from.

The meal was paid in advance, when we made reservations days before boarding. Tax and tip were included in the 35 dollar price. No cash was required aboard ship.




Here are photos of some of the choices we made.



Fried Calamari Rings
Tangy Tomato Sauce



Chicken Parmigiana
Pan-Fried Supreme of Chicken Baked with Mozzarella Cheese and Served over Trennette Neapolitan



Linguini Gigetto
Light Brown Tomato Cream Sauce with with Julienne of Tomatoes
Hickory-Smoked Ham and Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese


Our waiters, Martin and Aurelian, both from Romania were very competent and courteous




Grand Marnier Cheesecake



Pina Colada Cake



Ice Coupe "Jacques"
Vanilla and Strawberry Ice Cream, Fruit Cocktail and Whipped Cream


From our window seat in the dining room we could see gun boats circling in the river, apparently guarding against potential attacks. It was both reassuring and disconcerting.



After lunch, we bade farewell to Bacchus and his friends to spend our remaining time exploring other areas of the Carnival Miracle.



The towers of downtown Jacksonville could be seen on the horizon.






It's not Three Mile Island. This northside power park is coal fired, not nuclear.



Most of the red stack atop the ship is for show. It's finished with red glass, providing a dramatic cover for Nick and Nora's club directly below, and the atrium which extends down to the lower decks.









The Sirens Pool is one of three pools on the Miracle.





The Ulysses Pool has a retractable roof.



Mr. Lucky Casino


There was a lot more to see, but we ran out of time.
You may want to continue exploring the ship by clicking here.
Miracle