February 2024 Hawaii Cruise - Day 2

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Aboard the Carnival Miracle, North Pacific Ocean

We spent a few quiet hours with Douglas and Stephanie’s family this morning in Newport Beach. Then we hopped on a Lyft and went to the cruise port in Long Beach, California where our beautiful ship, the Carnival Miracle, was waiting for us…along with close to 3,000 other people.

Our checkin went without incident, and by 12pm we were relaxing on the deck by a pool, enjoying a delicious buffet lunch (Guy’s Burgers, a Carnival Cruise staple) while listening to a couple of musicians serenade us with oldies but goodies music.

It’s good to be back onboard a cruise ship again, since our Christmas cruise 2 months ago!

Around 1:30pm we could get into our ocean-view balcony cabin on the 7th floor, and after a delightful nap, our suitcases arrived at our room. We spent some time unpacking and getting our room organized just so, before we took a tour of the ship.

We both agreed that this is going to be a fantastic place to call home-sweet-home for the next 2 weeks, despite the captain’s announcement that we might be experiencing rough seas over the next few days as he tries to avoid a weather system brewing in the Pacific. That’s ok. A rocking ship has never bothered us on any of our previous 12 cruises!

We feasted on a scrumptious dinner in the Bacchus Dining Room, decorated with all manner of pictures of naked nymphs all around us! Bacchanal indeed!

We tried to walk off (hmmm… waddle off, might be better) all the calories we consumed as we explored more of the ship. We finally settled in a lounge listening to a couple of guitarists playing very upbeat music, most of which we didn’t recognize, followed by 3 violinists playing very soothing music, some of which we actually recognized. Their music and style reminded me of the Piano Guys, and I think they could give them a run for their money if they branded themselves as something clever like the Violin Guys. We finished the evening in the Phantom Theater for the Welcome Aboard Show.

One thing I’ve noticed on this ship is the almost complete lack of children. Of course, it makes sense. After all, it’s mid-February, and all good children should be in school. But I’ve never been on a cruise with so few children. On the other hand, I’ve also noticed an inordinate number of elderly people! It seems that 75% of the people are in their 70s! I feel so….out of place! But perhaps now I can understand why this ship is called the Miracle. Clearly the Carnival gods have miraculously resurrected hundreds of people and invited them on the Carnival Geriatric Miracle.

Wonderful day!

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