Carnival's Miracle Spa
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he Carnival Miracle, which made its inaugural voyage out of Jacksonville on April 27, takes advantage of the success of spa design on its the Spirit Class ships, but treatments have changed drastically since the first of the series.
Spa manager Gaye Walker noted that the Miracle’s spa area is set with treatment rooms along long halls, all but two of them with windows. The two exceptions use extra space for showers and have large doors for wheelchair access.
The gym layout is similar to that of the Costa ships (both lines are part of Carnival Corporation and both were designed by noted designer Joe Farcus). A three-level area with resistance equipment faces a wall of glass and a number of TV monitors, along with treadmills, Pilates balls and mats on the floor and in the aerobics/spinning room at the top. All the equipment can be accessed without using the stairs, as the elevator takes passengers to the top level and the bottom level as well as the aerobics area; all machines on the middle level are duplicated at top or bottom. The fitness staff offers Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, spinning and step classes. Aerobics classes are taught high/low, and there are stretch sessions and classes highlighting problem areas.
The machines are excellent and receive heavy use, although with hours from 6 AM to 8 PM there are always periods when people can work out virtually alone. A huge jacuzzi is set at the entrance, and there are both men’s and women’s saunas, wheelchair accessible. A selection of free weights also sees considerable use.
Sharka, gave me one of the finest hot stone massages I have experienced on land or sea. 
G
ym personnel are always available and very helpful. Personal training sessions are popular, as is body evaluation and discussion of how to reach fitness goals.
The spa treatments and staff are Steiner’s, which supplies the greater part of the cruise industry. Spa staff is all experienced; the two employees who are new to Steiner were already experienced in the industry. In all, they have 11 therapists, three hairdressers, two fitness counselors and a receptionist/manager. Spa hours usually end by 9, but if demand is extremely high they will extend the hours to 10 PM or even midnight.
Salon services include all the usual haircuts, colors, highlighting, etc, manicures, pedicures, etc. The salon has a hood dryer with no seat under it for the use of customers in wheelchairs.
The spa has an Alpha Relaxation Capsule with multiple functions, including detoxification and a program to help people quit smoking. Other new technology that is impacting the spa offerings includes a new marine facial making a debut on this ship and a really spectacular version of the hot stone massage. They also offer an oxidizing facial using eight new collagen products that penetrate the fifth layer of skin, where usual treatments reach the second layer. "The benefits last about three weeks," Walker says.
Savba Prochazkova, known by the clients as Sharka, gave me one of the finest hot stone massages I have experienced on land or sea. Beginning with dry brushing, the full body massage includes Swedish and Shiatsu elements and employs hot stones under, around and on the body at perfect temperatures, used with sensitivity and intelligence. The heat gradually penetrates the muscles and pressure and motion take even very deep kinks out and soothe the body to a remarkable extent. Sharka is not only a highly competent therapist; she has the instincts that cannot be taught, going directly to the nexus of tension and releasing the body in an organic pattern. The treatment lasts 75 minutes and costs $175- a substantial value.
An oxygen-lifting facial (55 minutes) is $109 and an Ionithermie Algae Detox (70 minutes), which yields a 1-8 inch loss, is $132. The Carnival Miracle sails roundtrip from New York through August to Port Canaveral and the Bahamas; in winter it sails roundtrip out of Tampa to the Western Caribbean. For more information, go to www.carnival.com.
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