MyAuntFanny

If I ever cruise out of New Orleans again, I plan to arrive as late as possible to avoid the cluster that was embarkation. We were in the line winding up and down a long hall way for more than 2 hours. Arrived at 11 for a 12pm check in. The check in times were pretty meaningless. By the time we were getting through security the line was almost gone behind us. Next time I would just plan to arrive around 2p and miss it all. We still managed to get the dinner reservations we wanted, plus the 2 big shows. The only thing we couldn't get were the comedy shows.

I didn't mind the wings being baked. But I did mind the Buffalo sauce. It was weird, almost smoky ? not at all tangy and barely hot. I wondered if they gave me the wrong sauce, but others at the table had the Chili and BBQ and mine had to be the Buffalo by process of elimination. The Chili was the best of the 3 for sure. I love wings, and did not have them a 2nd time.

All of my Diet Coke came from the fountain/gun at the bars. I didn't see any cans.

We just finished a cruise on the Breakaway. First timers, but sailed with friends who cruise 3 or 4 times a year. Their take was that they notice the cutbacks -especially in entertainment and service level -and will stick with other lines. A bit sad that I clearly missed out on the glory days of cruising. I enjoyed the trip, but don't feel any great need to go again, unless it's an unbelievable bargain.

Same trip. Just off Breakaway. When we got to the cabin there was still toiletries in the shower from the last guests! The room seemed cleaned though. Just missed clearing that one thing. Then our cabin got completely skipped on the next day- no towels, no bed and no mail/paperwork. The following day we stopped back in our room late in the afternoon and it was still not touched. We finally called Housekeeping because the TP was getting low. The Steward apologized and said he's just been increased to 24 cabins! It seemed there was constantly teams of housekeeping on our floor. They are really struggling to keep up though. I wouldn't expect towel animals!

As newbies it seems we did everything wrong. Let NCL book our air with no deviations. Flew in on the same day. It all worked out perfect! We got there in plenty of time and made it home. Maybe we just got lucky. But I did want to put in a good word for anyone considereing using this NCL servie. It isn't always disastrous.

We did both! Just got off the Breakaway. Got emailed the video every day for the week before we left. Forced to watch it as soon as we turned on the TV in the cabin AND had to attend in person😁

We attended several games/shows it the Atrium last week on the Breakaway. I'm a new cruiser, so no real experience to compare it to. The seats seemed really big to me, and there were often not enough. We did figure out pretty early that you had to get to any event at least one show early, then circle like a predator waiting to pounce as soon as anyone looked like they might leave. Not really an NCL complaint, but man some of those old ladies will put up a fight or turn on the guilt to get a chair. By the end of the week I was immune. On the last day a woman with a walker showed up as the show started and asked me to move for her. On day 1, I would have, But after a few days of standing in the back or above, I told her she would just have to open up the seat on her rig and park it.

Okay, so does anyone know if we'll be able to watch the playoff games too ? We'll be on the Breakaway next week and our Bengals need us.( Don't laugh at my lucky scarf. I'll be wearing it even if we can't find the game on a screen.)

That is such a cute bag! I didn't know I wanted another bag. But here we are.

Thanks all! This makes sense.

Newbie with related question here! Do we attach the luggage tags before we get on the plance, or after we land at the port city? It doesn't make sense to me to have to carry a stapler and do it when we grab our luggage before the transfer. But DH thinks it doesn't make sense to attach it before we fly because it might get lost or fall off while the airline deals with our bags.

Not OP, but the teppanyaki we go to near home, brings the steak out whole and cuts it up on the grill. I would be suspicious if it came out already chopped.

i learned about the pub ceawl in a FB group😆 We're probably chatting over there, and don't recognize our real names. See you soon!

We're cruising during the playoffs. I'm trying to figure out what combination of wins and losses has my Bengals playing when we are NOT on the airplane! I'll find a way to watch the game anywhere on the land or water.

Thanks for this these tips! We will be sailing on this same cruise in a few weeks and this is very helpful. Thank you @Jayhawk for ALL the great info!

Howdy! We'll be on same cruise, but we're newbies. Hope to see you there! If you're interested in a pub crawl on the 1st at sea day there's a group meeting up at O'Sheehans at 10am.

And THIS is why it pays to browse threads, even if they probably don't apply to me. I am not bringing teens, but DID I just learn that we can use gift cards at the Starbucks? That is so good to know. We have the FAS basic drink package, but Uncle Fanny was disappointed to know he can't use it at Starbucks. I am soooo buying him a big GC for the coffee drinks.

I appreciate your thourough investigation! It's best that I know in advance so I can manage Uncle Fanny's expectations. We'll plan our shore adventures around finding him "good" beer.

That's what Uncle Fanny said too!

Thanks!

Thanks for the report! cheers!

Question for you! If you get the chance, can you give us an idea of the beer menus at O'Sheehans and Maltings? We've seen the general NCL list of the usual bottled menu. My husband ( Uncle Fanny ,the beer connoisseur😁), is curious about specialties and what's on tap? Any "local" brews? Smaller breweries represented? Thanks so much! And only if it's not out of your way. 🍻

Love the bowler and I hope you find a hat shop on board! Cheers!

That's good news to me! Iced Tea is my real 1st choice, followed closely by Diet Dr. Pepper which hardly anyone ever has. I would have survived with Diet Pepsi, but prefer Diet Coke. DH will be upset with no Diet Mt. Dew, though.