The Carnival Miracle, part of Carnival Cruises, will be sailing on various cruises from Dover during the upcoming summer season. Currently, there’s an interesting early booking offer for a trip to Iceland in May 2025. For 12 nights in an interior cabin, the price is €934 (~£816) per person.
Of course, you can indulge in a bit more luxury by booking a balcony cabin for €1,285 (~£1,122) per person. The mentioned prices include all meals in the main and buffet restaurants as well as coffee, water, tea, and iced tea.
Carnival Cruises automatically charges a crew gratuity of US$16 (~€14) per person per day on your onboard account. If you are not okay with this, you can request an adjustment or removal at the reception.
The Route
Your cruise departs from Dover. The port is only 28 kilometres away from the French mainland, and the most famous landmark is probably the White Cliffs, where England’s largest fortress lies. After leaving the port, the ship heads north toward Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, offering something for both history buffs and nature lovers.
On day 5, the Carnival Miracle reaches its first Icelandic port, Seyðisfjörður. From there, the ship continues to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city with 14,500 inhabitants, which serves as the cultural and transport hub of northern Iceland. After stopping in Grundarfjörður, the ship moves on to Reykjavik, where about a third of the country’s total population lives. Sights include the National Museum and the basalt church Hallgrimskirkja.
Next, the cruise visits Heimæy, a destination rarely visited by cruise ships. It’s the largest town of the Westman Islands, known for the major volcanic eruption in 1973. The island’s inhabitants primarily rely on fishing. The final stop is Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, located just 10 kilometres north of the Scottish mainland. After 12 nights, the Carnival Miracle returns to Dover.
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | Dover | 17:00 | |
| May 19 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| May 20 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| May 21 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| May 22 | Seyðisfjörður, Iceland | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| May 23 | Akureyri, Iceland | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| May 24 | Grundarfjörður, Iceland | 09:00 | 18:00 |
| May 25 | Reykjavik, Iceland | 09:00 | 23:00 |
| May 26 | Heimæy, Iceland | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| May 27 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| May 28 | Kirkwall, Orkney | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| May 29 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| May 30 | Dover | 05:00 |
The Ship
The Carnival Miracle was built in 2004, measuring 294 meters in length and 32 meters in width. It has a maximum speed of 22 knots and accommodates around 2,100 passengers and 900 crew members. The ship belongs to the successful Spirit Class of Carnival Cruise Line.
The ship features three swimming pools and a waterslide. Additionally, there’s a jacuzzi and sauna among the amenities. Evening entertainment is provided by clubs, bars, and lounges. For those who enjoy taking a chance, there’s also a casino. Many cabins onboard come with private balconies where passengers can relax and enjoy the passing scenery in peace.
Of course, the culinary experience isn’t lacking either, with 5 restaurants offering a variety of regularly changing meals. The multi-level atrium with its ruby-red glass ceiling is particularly impressive.
The onboard language is English, so basic knowledge of English is recommended. You can conveniently settle your onboard account for additional expenses with common credit cards.
Getting to Dover
To get to Dover, you’re best off flying to London, usually with Ryanair. Here are some examples of what you’d pay for a round trip to London, including 20 kg of luggage:
- Dublin – London: €104
- Oslo – London: NOK 1,333 (~€114)
- Copenhagen – London: DKK 919 (~€123)
For the journey from London to Dover, you can use the Southeastern Railway trains. These run regularly from Stratford International Station, and the travel time to the coast is about 1 hour. Due to the necessary transfer from London to Dover, we also recommend flying to England a day before the cruise begins, as the ship will not wait for you in the event of flight delays during individual travel.
Feel free to use our search form to see how much the flights from your home city would cost:
Cover Picture: Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash