Every cruise traveler has their own way to really relax on their vacation, from karaoke with their besties to sunbathing on the beach to late-night casino action.
In recent years, however, Carnival Cruise Line has done away with one type of relaxation onboard, much to the chagrin of travelers who want to get away far beyond their cruise ship.
In late 2023, the cruise line confirmed that onboard libraries were being removed from older ships during dry dock visits. Guests had already noted that newer ships, such as Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee never had libraries at all.
Now, however, travelers have noted that a form of library is actually returning to ships and being incorporated into a smaller but easily accessible format.
“My husband and I are cruising on the Miracle right now, and we’re very happy with the changes made during dry dock. I was especially grateful to learn that there is a mini library on board in the game room,” one guest commented. “It’s [just] a cabinet for a book exchange, but I was very happy to see this.”
Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Line Not Planning to Order Smaller Ships
Carnival Miracle is spending her summer in northern Europe, offering 9- and 12-night British Isles, Scandinavia, Baltic, and Iceland itineraries from Dover through mid-August. She’ll close out the summer season with Greek Isles sailings from Rome from late August through early November.
Before beginning her European season, however, Carnival Miracle underwent an extensive update at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.
Along with a new Seaside Theater for Dive-In Movies, the ship received other upgrades such as nightclub, bar, and casino updates, refreshment to the popular Chef’s Table, and cosmetic updates throughout.
The cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, acknowledged the loss of the library but noted that the smaller versions are suitable to these changing times of different reading formats.
“We haven’t put them in [on all ships] and yet these mobile libraries definitely help just a little bit,” Heald said. “On a personal level I’m sad to see them go, they have been a cruising tradition, but times have changed and now people are bringing 50 or more books on their Kindle or phone.”
Carnival Miracle‘s original Raven Library was located on the port side of the Atlantic Deck (Deck 3), forward. That space is now the new location of the Warehouse Arcade.
The game room the guest is referring to, actually the Joker Card Room, is on the starboard side of the Promenade Deck (Deck 2), forward. The space is smaller but contains some quiet seating, board games, and a cabinet of books for guests to exchange.
How Else Have Cruises Changed?
The loss of the larger onboard libraries is not the only way that Carnival Cruise Line’s ships have changed over the years.
New specialty dining options are continually being added and activity schedules are revamped to enhance offerings that today’s cruise travelers want.
For example, in the past couple of years, Carnival has ended the once popular Hairy Chest Contest and other Lido Deck games that are no longer considered as family-friendly for today’s cruisers.
Years ago, no one would have ever thought of such innovations onboard as the Bolt roller coaster, more dedicated non-smoking casinos, or even simple but practical touches like multi-purpose lamps with different charging ports.
I love a good book on a cruise, and I’m one of the old-school types who doesn’t have a tablet or read books electronically (paper pages for me!). Yet I always bring my own books and never have relied on the ship’s library for reading material.
Instead, I welcome the dedicated game room and the chance to make more memories with family and friends onboard – exactly what a cruise vacation is all about.
