We had a reservation Tuesday evening at the Carnival Miracle’s ‘specialty’ dining room. These restaurants have an additional cost above the normal cruise fee and are not included when you book. Some of the larger vessels have more than one, but the Miracle had NICK & NORA’S a place right out of the best of Manhattan’s higher priced eateries. Named after the characters portrayed by William Powel and Myrna Lloyd, the restaurant features a beautiful glass etched ceiling featuring the New York skyline in great art deco fashion.

It has a limited menu, but with enough items to ensure that just about everyone will find something they’ll enjoy. I had a melt in your mouth 24 oz. Porterhouse steak, with the others having surf & turf and filet minion. Both plate presentation and service reminded me of what Donna and I had at Emeril’s in Las Vegas. A couple of bottles of a very nice Riesling, with a pianist & vocalist providing entertainment made the whole thing extra special and well worth the extra thirty bucks a person.

After dinner we hit the casino for a while and then The Lovely Christina & I decided to check out “Mock-toberfest” at the aft pool. When we arrived there only a few others around, as the late-seating show in the Phantom Theatre hadn’t let out. We had a couple of drafts and chatted for a while, finally going back to our rooms after midnight. This was the first of several times TLC and I hit a bar or special event after Donna & Fran turned in.

This only gets us halfway through the cruise, so I’ll have more to add over the next few days.