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Before you go, it is wise to check the prices at home of things you would consider buying on the cruise. And remember too, the ship proffers a number of shops and boutiques, and often you may find a better price aboard ship than you would at a port of call.

As already noted, fictional characters set the theme and tone of Carnival Miracle. Passageways leading to cabins are decorated with book jacket covers, artistic renderings and likenesses of many of the most celebrated novelists and characters in popular fiction from Cervantes to Twain to Hemingway, et al. Hallways leading to lounges, and some lounges themselves take this theme to a higher level with elaborate art and mural-size posters. The centerpiece in the 11-story Metropolis Atrium Lobby is a stunning ruby-red glass ceiling,

The diversity, presentation and quality of trans-fats-free foods are all very agreeable. Carnival has ratcheted up its food service operation to several levels above where it was even five years ago. A number of travel guide book editors have pointed this out, and Carnival now ranks on most writers' short list as offering one of the leading food experiences at sea. The Miracle certainly gets this writer's affirmative vote. We also found the restaurant staff to be alert, fast, and among the best we've had the pleasure of experiencing in more than 40 cruises.

Carnival's Miracle offers some of the most spacious and luxurious staterooms at sea today! All rooms are an average of 50% larger than on any other cruise line. All staterooms have plush carpeting, surprisingly ample drawer and closet space, a large private bathroom (repeat, a large bathroom!) telephone, and multi-channel color television. Choose from relatively economical interior staterooms, or an outside with an ocean view, or one with a balcony. And there are luxury suites with private balconies if you feel you need it.

There is no shortage of shipboard contests, events, and humorous competitions and trivia challenges, where passengers can earn prizes. So many, in fact, it would probably be impossible to participate in them all. And, what would a cruise be without a healthy offering of Bingo each day, which builds up to a $1,000 cash prize near the end of the cruise?

For people who have never cruised before, Carnival Miracle is an excellent introduction. For old salts who earned their sea legs decades ago it is a wake up call that demonstrates how far this wonderful family vacation experience has come.

Learn more about this author, Timothy Benford.
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