ImADaneFan

WOW! Just love it. There is a bridge we go under when going out of Tampa. Everyone thought I was crazy coz I took so many pictures going under. Although it was much later so it was already dark. The bridge in NY looks awesome. Do you know what time we would pass the SOL and go under bridge? I suppose I could always just go up top deck if we do not get the OS. Actually hoping for DOS but thats another story...;)

Hmmm... I think we went past SOL about 15-20 minutes after leaving, and 30-40 minutes for VNB.

On BA there is a great deck on 18 that's just aft of Posh. It gives you an unobstructed view of the VNB & SOL. It's like you can reach up and touch the bridge! Or the stack is going to hit it! :eek::D

Linda

If you're starboard you'll be able to see the SOL as you leave NYC. :D From the OS you'll be able to see the SOL from either one. Going under the VNB is awesome from the balcony of the OS. :D

 

 

 

Linda

Let's see if I can post a video of going under the VNB.

https://vimeo.com/200679474

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If I decide to take the 2 bedroom which would be better..Deck 15 port side or deck 16 starboard. Also same question for the OS port or starboard. Hoping to make my arrangements today!

 

Thank you again...

If you're starboard you'll be able to see the SOL as you leave NYC. :D From the OS you'll be able to see the SOL from either one. Going under the VNB is awesome from the balcony of the OS. :D

Linda

aww did that 2 year old keep you up that much ? lol the sound leaking probably would bother me a bit .

 

we appreciated the opportunity to visit your cabin and one day hope to get the upsell and deal with the torture of rough seas. i took a bahamas cruise in DEC and it was nothing compared to bermuda. so gotta get back there someday!

:D No, he wasn't too bad, other than they were up pretty early each morning. It was the year before....the couple had a gigantic fight about how much she had lost in the casino.:p;)

Last October I did a b2b on BA. My 1st week was the cruise that was detoured away from Bermuda! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the OS for both legs, so I was in a 2 bedroom villa for one week. My preference is the OS. There are several reasons. The MUCH larger balcony, larger Livingroom, bedroom opens onto the balcony. But there are cons also. Probably the biggest is the sound leaking from the DOS next door.

If you are going to have more than 2 people in the suite, the I would go with the 2 bedroom. It will allow them to have some privacy. Here are some pics of the OS & 2 bedroom villa.

OS

But you can't beat this view!!

2 Bedroom

Sent from my iPad using Forums

May have been spoiled on Breakaway...does the Pearl have a private haven bar/lounge? Thanks for any info!

I don't believe so. I was on the Jewel and there wasn't a private bar or restaurant. The haven on the Pearl is sooo much smaller than BA.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Update:NCL has changed Breakaways itinerary but no word on Escape. Per my NCL repr NCL is sending the representatives home early today to prepare for the storm.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just spoke with NCL and they said that Getaway had a change NOT Breakaway. But it sounded like they do have a change for BA planned if needed. But as of right now the 10/9 cruise is on schedule.

Linda

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We are looking at booking an aft balcony on the Getaway or Breakaway, which is the best floor?

The next deepest deck is 12. To give you an idea, here are pics from our aft suite on deck 12. The depth would be the same, just not as wide.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I am sorry for your loss. Have you considered sailing on NCL's Escape? The ship has activities for solo travelers as well as a solo lounge. From my understanding, there is also a host/hostess available to arrange dinner and show reservations for solo travelers interested in being with a group. I would suggest that you consider sailing on this ship.

The -away class ships also has the solo coordinator, so BA will be my 1st solo experience. [emoji1]

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Great points. Thank you so much, Linda! Have a great cruise.

Either way you can't go wrong. Have a great time!

Linda

Great. Thank you. I saw you were in an aft suite as well. We are debating between an aft and an OS. I am a bit concerned about the wind on an OS balcony. I gather you prefer the OS?

The layout of the rooms are the same, but I think I prefer the OS. The aft is great and the balcony is Amazing! We had a sail away party for our roll call as we were leaving NYC, and had more than 35 people out there. And I really loved watching the wake, but that being said I felt we missed a lot being so far from the Haven.

The OS has a great view of the SOL and going under VNB. It can be windy, but if you are sitting down it was manageable. It's so handy to be able to pop out and see how busy the courtyard is or to go to the bar for a drink.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Oh no. We are looking at 16100. What about the bedroom? I assume the DOS and OS share the movable wall in the living rooms? And should be quieter in the bedroom?

The bedroom was fine, I never heard anything there. It was just the Livingroom and only when they raised their voices. If I was concerned about the noise I wouldn't have booked it for my cruise next month.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Linda check the first day solo gathering it will start in a public bar and then move to the solo lounge. First day is the only day that will happen but they will show you the way to the lounge door that is open every night for the meetings.. This will be the best way to met the solo travellers on your sailing

Thanks. One of the members of my roll call is in a studio and he's been guiding me.[emoji41]

Linda

I think you also get a limo from/to the airport.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I believe that's only with the Garden Villa. At least that is my experience. We had a limo with the GV on the Star, but never with an OS.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hello,

 

My wife and I loved to cruise and had taken 8 cruises with Royal Caribbean. My wife passed away at the age of 50, this July after a long (17 Year) battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

 

I love to cruise, and am considering on trying a solo cruise. I think my wife would be happy if I continue doing the things we/I love to do.

 

I am just 49, and am somewhat social but also like quiet times.

 

Has anyone done something similar or been in the same situation? I am looking for any input with suggestions, experiences, planning, etc., I am curious and a bit nervous.

 

Thanks

I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand exactly. I lost my DH last year to cancer. He passed 9 weeks to the day from the day he was diagnosed. He was only 51.

He was a Navy veteran and we loved to cruise. We had a cruise booked last year and he passed before we were able to go. He made me promise that I would still go without him. So last year my daughter was able to go with me and we cruised, doing all the things Mike loved in his memory.

This year I have decided that I would try cruising solo, so I have jumped in with both feet! I booked a Haven suite on NCL Breakaway going to Bermuda. We had cruised there several times and it's very "comfortable" for me. I know how to get around in Bermuda. About 3 weeks after I booked I decided that a week wasn't enough and booked the next week also! :eek: So now I'm doing a b2b! :D

I've been active on both roll calls and there are several other solos. So I'm going solo and I'm GOING to have a Great time!:D Failure is not an option!

Linda

I'm worried about not meeting any solos on this cruise as I'm not staying in the studios. I've never seen another solo in The Haven so just thought I'd try to find some other solos in my age range (I turned 37 2 weeks ago).

 

 

 

I'd like to do an excursion and I have credit for excursions but don't want to go alone.

 

 

 

So, anyone else traveling solo?

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Tanya, Burlington ON, Canada

Tanya which sailing and ship will you be on? I'm doing my 1st & 2nd solo cruise as a b2b on BA in the Haven. [emoji1] I leave on 10/9/16. I have joined the roll calls for both legs but there doesn't seem to be any solos in the Haven. There are several solos on the roll calls though.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If I remember correctly there are just a couple of things that are "extra" for the OS. You do get 3 liter bottle of alcohol, mixers & cans of soda. You also get a bottle of champagne instead of the sparkling wine the other suites get. The other suite perks are the same ones all of the suites get.

I was in 16100 last year and I did have issues with noise from the DOS next door. There were several evenings that the couple next door had arguments in their Livingroom and it was like they were standing in my Livingroom. [emoji33] I never heard any noise from deck 17 though. [emoji5] I really liked the room and I have it booked for the 2nd leg of my b2b in 28 days.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Cruising the Breakaway Oct 16, Just a Few Questions...Do they Provide Toiletries like Hotels Do... Such as Soap...Shampoo...Conditioner...and Second Question...Do they Provide Pool Towels or Should you bring your own Beach Towels...Thanks in Advance...:)

Yes they provide toiletries. Specifically body wash, shampoo but no conditioner, unless you're in a suite. You will also have beach towels in your room, and they are also available on the pool deck.

Have you joined our roll call? If not stop by. We have a lot of things planned! [emoji1]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2175884

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

OMG!! I just did it! I booked the 11308 Aft Suite! I am so excited! Thank you everyone for answering all my questions!

Congrats!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

The OS are on the end so view is not obstructed.

That's correct. The Haven on the Gem is in the middle of the ship, so you have an unobstructed of the front of the ship, not the OS.

I have 1 more question ( I hope it's just 1 more lol). The Aft Suite, can you hear the evening noise from the H2O? My husband and I are light sleepers and I dont want to spend a crazy amount of money and not be able to sleep. Oh I guess this will be a second question, lol. The spa suite, how is the noise level in those rooms?

We were on deck 12 and if you were out on the balcony you could hear the bass sometimes, but once we closed the door we never heard anything. I have seen reports of noise in the suites on the 14th floor.

The spa suites on 14 have other cabins above/below them so they should be quiet.

Thanks for the response. I have read Alaskan cruises have less wind on forward balconies, as you stated, speed is reduced. Not sure how the Med is going to be, we are doing the Venice, Greece, Croatia itinerary at the end of Sept.

 

Yes, living space and amenities of the Owner's Suite look amazing, one of the reasons we are contemplating the upgrade. How was the Haven? I know it is quite a bit smaller on Jewel class ships. Was the Haven crowed? I would hope it would be called "The Haven" for a reason...:-)

The Haven was very quiet and wasn't crowded. The Haven on the Jewel class ships is very small compared to the -away class, but there are a LOT fewer Haven cabins.

The front balcony would be great for sailing in/out of Venice. We were in a Haven penthouse on the Gem when we sailed out of Venice and went to the upper deck for sail away, but it's in the middle of the ship, so the view was restricted.

Hello NCL Cruise Critic fans! As stated, we are new to NCL. We were intrigued by the Freestyle cruise experience that NCL offers, previously cruised exclusively with Azamara and Princess. With Princess we always sailed on the aft Penthouse suite. Loved the aft view and suite perks. We were booked on the NCL Jade in an aft facing Penthouse. Our Travel Agent notified us of an upgrade( only $500 for my husband and I) to the Owners Suite, forward on deck 9. Should we give up our highly coveted aft view for the Owner's Suite with Haven access? We also have concerns about wind as we have never been completely forward before. Thanks so much for any assistance and thoughts!

1st welcome to CC. I have cruised on a sister ship, the Jewel, and I believe the deck plans are the same. We had an Owners Suite to Alaska and it was fabulous! There was some wind on the front balcony but never too much, but an Alaska cruise their speed is reduced. You hardly notice the wind if you're sitting. There is a large side balcony if the wind is too much on the front.

I've also sailed in an aft suite and love watching the wake.:) The downside of sailing aft is you're a long way from everything.

We went to the Haven a couple of times when we were in the OS, but didn't spend nearly as much time as when we had a Haven cabin.

On of the best things about the OS is just the amount of space. There is a large living room & dining room with a separate bedroom.

Let me see if I can post some pics when I get to my computer.:)

I have to admit our butler wasn't the best we've ever had, but definitely not the worst. We had one breakfast ensuite and it was delivered on time and was hot, we always had the snacks delivered every day, and all our special requests were met. He just wasn't as "present" as the butlers I've had while staying in the courtyard.

Linda

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I can highly recommend the aft suites. We were in 12304 and the balcony is huge! We had a sail away party for our cc rollcall and had 35+ people on the balcony while passing the Statue of Liberty. The only downside is the walk to get to the courtyard. [emoji20]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums