andymattmom

I will stress again I posted my experience with Kenny who works for Victor. Victor told me he suspended him without pay for a month as it was not what he was supposed to do. Do I feel bad about that , yes! But on the other hand it was advertised and booked as a private tour. In his information he sends Victor states personal items can be left in vehicle and are secure. (Stupid of me to leave in van but I was told car was locked and secure). I never thought that my driver would break the contract I had with Victor and leave us stranded twice driving multiple side trips (whether off the books or with Victor’s permission). It makes me wonder how often it has happened to others who don’t realize that their driver left. 

I will not leave things in vehicles again on excursions. It is sad that things like this happen. I understand Roatan is a poor country and Victor has a good business, but he needed to know what happened to us and I felt others should know and so with the information what they want. I’d hate to see someone totally stranded by a driver! 

Another driver from a different company was going to drive us back and make Bodden pay. I’m glad others have had great experiences with him and hope they continue. This was just an off experience but should never have happened. 

Yes, I should get what I paid for which was a private tour for my family. I did not pay for a communal tour with others. If Victor can’t fulfill what he advertises, he shouldn’t offer. 

Kenny was driver 

Unsure if more than one but referred to as Young Kenny

Warning does have something to do with Bodden as I have no clue who was sending him on these drives- digging into further reviews this has happened before with other drivers. 

After reading outstanding reviews on trip advisor and here. I read Facebook reviews and contacted person who had been on several excursions with him we booked what was to be a private tour. Victor was great and even after our experience I will say he is a good person. NOTHING WAS STOLEN BUT BE WARNED ABOUT  “PRIVATE TOUR “

We met our requested driver with our first stop on private tour (I keep stressing this for a reason) the sloth adventure. On tickets and information it is stated on private tour the driver will lock your belongings in vehicle and they are safe. I asked our driver if that was correct and he stated yes- we left our bags feeling safe as he stated he was watching van (it was our family of 4). 

After our sloth visit we were ready to continue our island tour- our driver was missing. The other drivers stated he was dropping a family at the beach (which he was not to do as we hired him). He returned - our bags and belongings still on seat but thing is the people he wasn’t to pick up could have taken. Yes we probably should have taken but when you are assured you are only ones with the vehicle that day and driver will wait for you and lock car you assume safe.

Beach next stop - we took all our belongings. Driver got us settled and 2 hours later when we were ready to leave he was MIA again! Other company drivers were  great- called Bodden and we found out driver doing other runs. Thirty minutes later he showed up- we were ready to go back to ship. Van covered on sand- know of at least 3 drives he did when he wasn’t supposed to.

At dock we talked about with Bodden rep. He stated driver wasn’t to do- called Victor. Settled on 50% refund. Was stressed over and over by them driver wasn’t to do but he did (obviously either off books or Bodden allowed). 

Just our experience with them ... not good! 

Private van wasn’t private 

Driver irresponsible 

We just got off! Enjoy your cruise! 

Sitting in Miami airport back in real world! We are a family of 4-  sons 23 and 22, hubby and myself. We are first time Breakaway passengers but second NCL Cruise (first Escape 2 years ago Aft Haven). We sailed Haven this time Spa Suite.

We arrived in Miami Saturday and stayed at Hampton Inn Mary Brickell- wonderful hotel once again. Our regular Uber driver picked us up Sunday morning- from pickup time to being in Haven with welcome drink was 1 hour. He picked is up a little after 10AM. 

Haven had sliders and Margaritaville open for no charge to Haven guests. Cabins ready 1:30ish. We had cabins 14732 and 14728- I was concerned about 14732 being partially under spa but both cabins quiet and well maintained. We had 2 different cabin stewards - our sons was fantastic- hardly saw ours but he did good job. Location was great - Spa was huge perk. Used daily and no issues getting chairs there (either heated or regular). Staff there very nice except one who was rude at times (at desk).

Haven- fantastic! Roy was concierge and was great. Rodrigo and Romeo were bartenders and made fantastic drinks (Ian recipes) daily. Wonderful group of regulars at bar! Rogelio was pool deck attendant- after one time he knew our names and always had a smile. No issues getting loungers on sundeck in Haven and nobody saved chairs. Pool area was quiet even though several kids there. Haven restaurant was hit or miss- Kyrie was a great waitress. First night dinner took over 2 hours- lunches could take well over an hour. Breakfast was the same either fast or really slow. Food hit or miss- French dip was cold on two occasions. Other times food fantastic. Overall haven fantastic and well worth it- everybody passengers and staff were great (maybe a couple who felt super entitled but met many wonderful people)

Shows- Burn the Floor was enjoyable. Very impressive dancing (we went to second show the first time offered). 

Rock of Ages- fantastic! It is 1.5 hours long and as some mention not appropriate for young kids or if very conservative (costumes are revealing) but we weren’t offended and enjoyed.

Magician and comedians - funny and cheesy but good.

Pool deck- ventured out to use slides on main deck. Chair hogs galore there- families with loungers for kids who never sat in. Slides were fun (hubby and sons did drop slides and I just did the blue one). Was shocked to see a child no more than 4-4.5 barely tall enough going down slide for over 30 minutes with no adults with him! He did yell at mom and Mamaw when on top. Surprised NCL allowed but sad thing is he cut in line all the time- I told him he had to wait (like other kids he was cutting in front of). Scared him and he didn’t cut in front again. Pool was crowded!

Specialty dining- first try was Cagney’s. It was horrible - my filet was cold so I sent back (hubby and sons were good and they ate). 15 minutes later my medium well filet arrives and it was medium rare - gave up and had dessert. Manager didn’t use our dining perk for that so we went to La Cucina. 

Teppinayki- had 945 reservation. Mediocre at best. Food very salty and since last group “performance “ wasn’t best. 

LaCucina- fantastic! Food and service great so cancelled Moderno ( heard several times how bad it was)  and ate at La Cucina again.

OShehans- good

Buffet- just got ice cream and late lunch. Nothing special and hated atmosphere 

Overall ports ok. Did western Caribbean and prefer Eastern. I will post warning review about Roatán under ports of call. Only ship excursion was paddle boarding in Harvest Caye.

We had a great time. Breakaway was hit or miss- many wonderful things but several misses. I understand the mixed reviews. I am happy to answer questions

Think the main thing is treat the crew with respect and they will go out of their way for you. Saw people yelling and crew and treating horribly. They work so long and hard - 

2 hours ago, kayla's nana said:

For those who have used the free air, how were the flights as far as reasonable times etc?

After checking the price of booking on our own we chose to book the “free” airfare. Our flights leave at 7am arrive 9:45am nonstop. Return leaves 3:45pm. 

7 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

The deepest and widest balconies on Escape are the deck 17 H2 DOS. The newer ships (Joy/Bliss/Encore) only have a deck 18 DOS which isn't as deep as Escape's deck 17. Escape's deck 18 DOS is the same depth as the newer ships. Deck 9 is the deepest aft-facing suite. On BA/GA, the deck 9 H6 balcony is even larger/deeper than Escape's. For non-suites, the deepest on Escape are the M6 balconies. The widest non-suites are probably the HC aft-facing mini-suites (one is wider than the other).

As stated in reply to the OP- they asked about Haven AFT balcony. I replied only in regards to depth of AFT balcony for Haven Suite on the Escape. Never did I indicate deepest overall balcony - just deepest AFT balcony . 

We are on the Breakaway starting the 26th in a Haven Spa Suite. Balcony is small looking! The aft balcony was our favorite! Liked watching on port days as we sailed away (and people running to catch ship). 

Here are a couple of pictures 

Yes we loved it! 

We used lots- actually able to get sun during the day on loungers. It actually wraps further around corner by loungers 

We were in an AFT Haven on the Escape two years ago. We were on deck 9- cabin 9918. It had a HUGE balcony (deepest on ship from what we were informed). The bedroom was by the balcony . We had 2 loungers, chairs and a table. It was quiet. 

20 minutes ago, joyy7403 said:

No, they don’t. Only in the theater, unfortunately.  The other venues you need to get there 1/2 - 1 hour before the show starts. They definitely need larger rooms.

Figured but thought I’d ask! 

I am in a walking boot now because of an Achilles’ tendon tear (partial). I’m having surgery 4 days after we get off the Breakaway (we sail May 26). Since I’ve had  time to get ready (boot since March hoping it would get better), I got a knee scooter which I’ll need after surgery and I got arm crutches (not the type that you use under arms). I’ve been practicing and they are nice as no pressure under arms (I had read how you can get back issues with under arm ones. 

Thankfully I can put pressure and walk while on cruise. I’d take the knee scooter over crutches, but maybe take both. 

Good luck

I know when you are in the Haven there is a reserved area for the main shows in the theater. Do they offer reserved areas at things like the dueling pianos, etc.? 

41 minutes ago, sun_lovin!1 said:

Is there any possibility of requesting flying in to the port city a few days early?

 

We weren’t charged to fly in a day early to Miami from Indianapolis. We received information about flights 60 days prior. Arrive nonstop on an American Airlines flight (leave at 7AM). Return flight also on American nonstop at 345PM.

We are using the free airfare perk- leave 3 weeks from today. We are flying from Indiana to Miami. We found out flight information 60 days out. We arrive on Saturday for a Sunday cruise. 

We are on American Airlines- nonstop flight from Indianapolis directly to Miami. We leave about 6:45AM and arrive by 9:30AM. I was able to book aisle seats at no charge for all 4 of us. Booked Hampton Inn Mary Brickell for $204 for 2 queen elite floor over Memorial Day weekend. 

We are not using NCL transportation. We are using Uber.

I was happy with flights. On return we leave at 3:15PM the day we get back. 

3 hours ago, fourofakind said:

Here is what happened to me a few weeks ago while checking in to the Haven on the Escape- No room left in the Haven lounge 😞

I was sailing with my 3 children and looking forward to our very first Haven experience... Easy check in, comfy lounge, snacks for the kids while we waited etc etc. Nope not so much. We showed up around 10 am and were greeted with a packed Haven lounge and not a seat to be had, only crumbs left of what once was snacks. We waited to be checked in and then was kindly escorted to the Haven "overflow" area which was just some roped off area outside the lounge. Nothing special, no snacks etc. Made me wonder if all those people in the lounge were actually Haven guests or just checking in with Haven guests...

 

 

We were in Haven on the Escape in May 2017 out of Miami. Plenty of room to sit but people not waiting in Haven area just wandered in for the food !

I totally agree if people pay for  Haven experience it’s not fair for non-Haven relatives to get priority boarding experience. 

We are on the same cruise as you on the 26th! Idk if you got the shore excursion credit. I used that and we are paddle boarding there- just a few $$ out of pocket. We aren’t planning much else there. 

In Roatan we are doing a private tour.

Idk what we are doing in Cozumel or Costa Maya. 

Do they strictly enforce the 16 and older rule? We are all over 16 and just wondering what experiences have been - if really young kids has anybody said anything and what was outcome? 

57 minutes ago, msdurk said:

We will be flying to Dubai from Chicago and our airfare from NCL will be $600 each.  How close to your departure did you find out your itinerary and did they give you seats together?  We also are going to pay to come in a day early,  but will not be charged if we take their hotel, which we will not know until closer to our trip.  Everything is so unknown!!!

Thank so much for any advice you or anyone else can give us.

Louise

We found out at 60 days. At that time there was a reservation locator- I was able to go on American Airlines website- put in that number and get seats (NCL doesn’t assign). You can also pay extra for more legroom seats,etc. I was able to find 4 aisles close together.

We are on a nonstop flight. I honestly found the NCL travel people to be very nice (even though we booked through an agency the air department people spoke with me). 

We are going in the day before. We opted out of NCL hotel and transfers as we’ve been to Miami and have Uber driver we like. 

Hope that helps ! If more questions ask and I can try and answer. Our flight is 4 weeks from today - leave at 6:45 am.

You’re lucky you found out this early! 

We were in 9318- huge balcony ! Very quiet cabin 

2 hours ago, fsa1155 said:

We are flying from Indy to Miami too.  What were your flight times like and what airline did they put you on?  We also opted to pay the $25.00 each to fly in the day before.  I'm worried that we'll get the worst flights and worst seats since it's cheap. 

We leave IND at 7am and arrive in Miami 945 am nonstop on American Airlines. Return is also nonstop on American leaves 3:45 arrives 6:45 pm. It was $50 per person- I found good free seats and we opted out of transfer fee so that wasn’t charged (we are going to Uber to Hampton Inn Mary Brickell). It was much cheaper than prices on any airline for us -even including baggage fees. I checked all airlines including our normal Southwest. I checked flying into Ft Lauderdale and Orlando also. We won’t fly Frontier or Allegiant or Spirit. We are going Memorial Day weekend. Our hotel was $204 including free breakfast . 

Hope that helps 

There may be a fee to fly out of a certain airport. We paid $50 to fly from Indianapolis to Miami. If you fly in the day before it’s $25 per person. Seats - there are free ones but you can pay to get better ones. You do pay for baggage fees. 

I received our luggage tags today (we sail 5/26 on Breakaway). Last time we were in Haven the luggage tags said Haven on them (2 years ago). This time they have priority and room number on them - is this new (no biggie just wondering). 

I end by saying I understand if it is out of the parents control that they weren’t able to get seats with their child - late connection, delay, airline issue is one thing. 

If a person knowingly purchased a supersaver fare to economize knowing with that fare they weren’t able to get seat they are rude and inconsiderate. On the Basic Economy it clearly states you won’t get seats until check in.

I agree with post above there are some kids I’d rather sit by than adults. I again apologize if I was harsh or offended- just stating facts that if you want to be guaranteed you sit with your family you need to pay for fare where you can get seats.