Carnival Miracle accommodations

So many categories, which is the best for you? There are five stateroom categories, but everyone is assured of accommodations that are, on average, 50% larger than those on most cruise ships. Carnival Miracle's range from standard Interior and Oceanview staterooms to Oceanview staterooms with private balconies and Suites and Penthouse Suites with large private balconies. More than 80% of all staterooms are outside and 70% have balconies. Staterooms feature light wood cabinetry, pastel decor, mirrored accents, small refrigerator, personal safe for valuables, a sitting area with sofa, chair and table, and a hairdryer in a vanity/desk drawer. Bathroom amenities include shampoo and bath gel in shower mounted dispensers and an array of sample toiletries. The shower itself is roomy and has a pull-out clothesline for drying bathing suits or hand laundry. A real convenience is the two-sided (regular and magnifying) bathroom shaving/make up mirror. Closet and drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves, are more than adequate for one-week cruises.

For families, the sitting area sofa converts to an additional sleeping area at night and passengers with physical challenges haven't been overlooked—sixteen staterooms have been designed taking their special needs into consideration.

Carnival Miracle - Interior Every

Every Carnival guest is assured of spacious, comfortable accommodations. All staterooms have carpeting, ample drawer and closet space, private facilities (shower, basin and toilet), telephone and color television showing first-run films. Our SuperLiners all feature staterooms above ocean level for a more comfortable cruise.

Includes stateroom categories 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E.

Carnival Miracle - Ocean View

Includes stateroom categories 5A, 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. Category 5A staterooms feature two porthole instead of a picture window.

Carnival Miracle - Balcony

Includes stateroom categories: Standard Balcony 8A, 8B, 8D, 8F and 8H Extended Balcony 8C, 8E, 8G and 8I Balcony Sateroom (obstructed view)* 7A

Carnival Miracle - Suite

These extra-large accommodations have a separate sitting area and a private balcony. Special features include a large vanity/dressing table, refrigerator and entertainment area, VCR, whirlpool bath and walk-in closet.

Category 11 Staterooms.

Staterooms

Either Carnival has broken the soundproofing barrier or I was in an exceptionally quiet corridor because I slept (and napped) without disruption each and every day. Surely, the heavy drapes didn't hurt, working wonders blocking out the sun and, quite frankly, adding a classy touch to my balconied stateroom.

In fact, the staterooms in general have a more modern, grown-up feel than those on older ships in the fleet, and upgrades and initiatives to promote "Today's Carnival" are really apparent here. I was tempted to jump underneath the soft duvet every time I came into the stateroom. Furniture is constructed of solid cherry wood, and cabins are well lit with attractive lamps and fixtures. I also liked the little "goodies" left waiting in the bathroom at embarkation (though they aren't replenished throughout the trip), including samples of Physique hair products, Reach Access flossers, razors for men and women, Crest Vanilla Mint toothpaste and Lever 2000 soap.

Inside cabins represent only 20 percent of the total number onboard, which means a fairly significant 80 percent (849 cabins) are outsides -- another plus, and a huge draw for modern-day cruisers. Of these 849 cabins, 624 are oceanviews with private verandahs, 68 are partial-view oceanviews with French doors, and just 99 are standard oceanviews (which interestingly enough, measure the same as standard insides at 185 square ft.).

Still, 185 square ft. is fairly roomy for an inside, all things considered. Inside cabins are laid out with a small desk/vanity area, a bathroom with a curtained stand-alone shower (there are both shower gel and shampoo pumps in the shower), twin beds that convert to a queen, decent closet space (two cabinets with hanging bars and one with wide shelves), a television with remote, and a mini-fridge. Higher cabins have a little sitting area with a peach sofa and table, except for adjoining staterooms which have chairs in place of a sofa so as not to block the door. All oceanview staterooms come with terry robes for use onboard. Balcony cabins measure from 225 square ft. (including the verandah). Balconies are outfitted with a plastic table and two plastic chairs. All balconies feature an extended barrier for extra privacy from neighbors.

Note: Categories 8C, 8E, 8G and 8I feature "extended" balconies, which add 50 percent more space, but jut out a tad further and are visible from above (so don't do anything you wouldn't want your neighbors to the north to see!).

Suites (there are 52 of them) range from 360 square ft. to 465 square ft. and have larger verandahs with upgraded furnishings and whirlpool tubs; pick a suite at the aft corner for a wrap-around verandah.

There are 16 cabins specifically designed for wheelchair-bound passengers, in a variety of stateroom categories.