danak13

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Leaving on the Breakaway this coming Sunday.  Not having to do laundry, cook, cut the grass, get up and go to work, having someone clean my bedroom and bathroom EVERY SINGLE DAY, watching great entertainment all over the place, being able to look out over crystal blue water with my favorite beverage, eating a variety of delicious food any time  day or night.....well, can't see how that would turn into a bad time.

 

Yet, some will find fault in everything.

Have an awesome cruise.  If you think of us when it's all over, I would love a report of what you thought! 

I am booked on the Breakaway at the end of November and have been reading exactly what you are reading about the Getaway.  Admittedly, it makes me a little nervous since this is my SO's first time on a megaship and our big vacation for the year so I don't want anything to ruin it.  But then I also try to remember that thousands of people are on these ships weekly so the complaints are really a small majority.  And a lot of little inconveniences are what you make of them.  My SO and I are pretty low key so as long as we can find a drink and some ocean views, we will be happy.  I'm also surprising him with an aft balcony in case the crowds get to be too much 🙂

I did this last year on the Pearl.  Went from an inside guarantee, saw a price drop and booked a balcony guarantee.  We technically should have been assigned one of the cove balconies (that was the price point for the guarantees) but ended up being assigned a midship within a day or two of the booking.  We also got all of the extra perks that came with the upgrade.  It was a great decision other than being spoiled and only wanting to book balconies now. 

So glad to hear you had a nice trip on the Breakaway.  I feel like there are a lot of negative reviews out there which is worrying me for our Nov cruise.  So how crowded was it really?  We are not big pool people so less worried about those crowds-more concerned about an overall feel.  

For the first time, I am probably not getting a drink package (my mom doesn't drink so paying for two people is way out of the budget).  Curious to hear about all the drink specials you all have found throughout the Breeze. 

Thank you! 

So excited for this review! Sailing on BA in November so it will be awesome to read and see a super current review! 

I booked the Breakaway in Nov, and, like you, have been a little nervous of all the negative reviews.  But then I try and remember that 4000+ people sail this ship every week so those with complaints are a small percentage.  I expect it to be a bit more crowded then I am used to on smaller ships (so I got an aft balcony to make up for it!!) but I am also pretty laid back and can make the best of most situations.  

As for the "nickle and diming" I read this on every cruise lines boards and in a ton of reviews no matter what ship or line.  I personally never understood it.  I have been on NCL, RCCL, and Carnival and have been approached for packages or pictures but I simply say no once and have never been harassed and even for those things, the amount of times I am asked are very infrequent.  Maybe I give off some sort of "don't ask me" vibe that others don't, but I have never felt the pressure others describe.  

Going on the Breakaway the week after Thanksgiving: 

1.) A little worried about the crowds-anyone who has cruised this time, did you find it a bit less crowded since it was right after a holiday?

2.) To avoid crowds and because I think we would love it, I am interested in hopefully spending a good amount of time around the waterfront area.  Does this area get crowded? Are bars open close by? 

3.) Are the balconies REALLY as tiny as I hear everyone complain about?  

Thank you!! 

21 hours ago, zencruisers said:

 

Yes I was. They worked great!

I've tried a few of these but never heard of Flyby; might give them  a shot for my SO and I's Breakaway cruise in November.  

On 6/16/2019 at 8:31 PM, NLH Arizona said:

Usually first week of December.

Good to know! I am booked the first week of December on the Breakaway 🙂

I guess I have gotten lucky-booked two guarantees and had great rooms both times.  First time was an inside and we had a good, quiet location.  Second time, booked and inside but called to upgrade to a balcony though it was still a guaranteed room.  Should have gotten one of the enclosed balconies as that was what we paid for but we were given a midship balcony in a great location.  Both times our cabin was assigned within weeks if not days of making the booking as well.  

We are booked on deck 10 of the breakaway near the studio lounge.  Just wondering if those who have sailed near one of these have been disrupted by noise in the mornings or evenings? 

On 6/11/2019 at 7:47 PM, MJSailors said:

Have you read the recent post here  by danak13 asking about people’s reaction to sailing on the Breakaway?

Many pros and cons about the ship written by past passengers.

Give it a look 😉

 

This is the first post someone ever mentioned me in! I must be a veteran now 😋

We will only be in port 7am-2pm which seems incredibly short. Is there anything in walking distance (that isn't shopping) that is worth doing? I assume a lot will be closed that early! 

My SO and I are booked on the Breakaway the week after Thanksgiving.  I have only been on one mega ship on RCCL and, while I enjoyed it, it was not my favorite.  My SO has never done a huge ship. We were on the Pearl the last two cruises we took and LOVED it.  That being said I really want to give NCL's larger ships a try.  I have been reading a ton of reviews and they seem super mixed for this ship.  

So I am wondering what everyone's experience was-did you hear all the bad reviews too but were pleasantly surprised when you took the cruise?  Or were you super excited for the ship but left disappointed? 

Thank you! 

It seems most Bermuda stops are for longer.  I am trying to get a good handle on some suggestions of what we should plan when.  For example, will much even be open to go to at 4PM when we get there? Would the beach be better the second day?  

So I have always gotten drink packages on cruises-I swear by them.  However, this is my first time on Carnival traveling with my mom who does not drink and, as tempting as it is, I cannot afford two drink packages. So I want to save up some money to put in my onboard account so I don't have to worry about buying drinks onboard but not sure how much I should budget for.  Just wondering if you did not have the CHEERS package, how much you spent in drinks and how much you generally drank. 

Thanks 

Not trying to start any drama because I know that drink package sharing is a controversial topic on these boards. Not trying to share. Going on a cruise with my sister and Mom and my sister's kids. My sister and Mom don't drink but I would like to get the drink package. My sister offered to put it on her account and I would use her card at the bars. Would this work or does your picture come up when they swipe your card at the bars? 

I know people advise switching rooms but I'm booked through a travel agent and she booked through carnival so I don't think they would allow any name changes on the room. 

Just now, Sooner01 said:

Unfortunately Carnival is very strict with this policy. Options are both of you get the Cheers Drink package, or just get your mother the Bubbles package and then you pay for your own drinks.  Cheers for both of you would be $108.90 a day.  Bubble is $8.50.  So unless you plan to order $100 of drinks per day by yourself, you are better off just buying your drinks as you go.

Thanks-this is what I thought but I have not traveled Carnival in ages so I was not sure how strict they were.  

My apologies if this is asked all the time but I could not find the threads.  I may be going on a cruise in Sept with my mother.  I always get a drink package but my mother can't drink because of medication and diabetes.  When I went on RC a year or so ago with her, I was able to call and buy myself a drink package and her a non-alcoholic package.  Has anyone been able to do something similar on Carnival? 

8 minutes ago, ryarger said:

I've consistently seen the best deals for BA in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In '16 we were actually able to afford a Haven suite the second week of December. It was awesome because they were decorating the ship for Christmas while we were cruising.

 

I just checked and most of the larger NCL ships have big dips in price the 1st/2nd week of December.

 

NB: One of the reasons for the big price drop was (then) BA sailed out of NY. Sailing out of NY the first two weeks of December means that at least 3 of the 7 days you'll have pretty chilly weather. But with the Haven to retreat to, it certainly didn't dampen our trip!

that's very promising to read.  Ideally we would love Thanksgiving or the week after to make it a long vacation but, if the price was really good, we would consider the 2nd week in December too! 

Hey all,

To start, I know that no one can guarantee or knows pricing for sure.  This is more of a curiosity/keep hope alive question.  

My SO and I have done Thanksgiving week cruises the past two years on the Pearl and gotten phenomenal pricing/deals.  We want to do another one this year and are looking at the Breakaway.  We are open to going the week after as well as those seem a bit cheaper.  However, prices right now are a little high for us.  I know they fluctuate daily so I plan on doing my due diligence and checking almost daily.

Just wondering the best deal people have gotten/seen for the Breakaway.  For comparison, this would be a 7 night sailing out of Port Canaveral to the Caribbean.  Ideally would love another balcony.  

Thanks for your input!   

OP-I doubt you will ever see this post but thought I would try.  I just signed up for a Diamonds Resort presentation, mainly for the promise of this cruise voucher once done.  Can you tell me more about it now that you have, I assume, booked and gone on the cruise?  Did you have to book through Diamond Resorts or could you go through the cruise line?  Did it end up being a good deal and hassle-free for you? 

Thanks so much! 

I will be boarding on the 5th.  Thanks for your review-I don't see a lot on Rhapsody so you have made me very excited to board her! Quick question-are they showing the football games anywhere on the ship?? 

On Rhapsody of the Seas out of Tampa for the Jan 5th cruise to Cozumel, Belize City, Costa Maya, and Key West.  Never cruised in January-what is it usually like (weather, sea conditions, etc.)  

Thank you!