S&S Cruisers 1983

I agree, the wake is simply mesmerizing at night. I could stare at it for hours. We had an aft cabin for our TA on the Gem. We did have the occasional trash/sugar packets, etc. from above. The main problem was the vibration and the very slight side to side sway at the back of the ship made my husband feel queasy every time we were in the cabin, so he doesn't want to do that again. He has no trouble anywhere else on the ship. We have now gone to more forward cabins. We had a front facing balcony a couple of times on the Sun. Loved that!

I was on a recent cruise with more than a dozen individuals with their leader dogs. According to the cruise director, the dogs were not permitted off the ship because they would have be subject to quarantine upon return to the US. The Entertainment staff happily entertained the dogs while we were in ports.

We were also on a cruise in the Caribbean with a group of about 6 people with dogs. They were also told that they could not take the dogs off the ship.

I doubt it!

The Breakaway is a fantastic ship - the décor is bright, airy and resort like. Not at all like the old neon of the Farcus days of Carnival.

I agree. I have only been on Carnival once and the Breakaway was nothing like the Carnival ship. It does have a resort like feel to it.

Just an FYI. When we had a mini suite, I found the bathtub to be high and hard to get in and out of. If you have anyone that may have trouble with the height of it, you may want to stay with the balcony. (We were on the Jewel though, so it may be different?)

We are super excited also! This will be our second TA but first inaugural.

djmess, I think we were on the same Pacific coastal cruise on the Jewel in May 2013.

Thanks for starting the thread. I booked the TA with NCL and I've already changed my cabin twice in two days. I'm sure they love me. I originally booked a studio, then was afraid I wouldn't like it for 10 nights since I've always had a balcony so I changed it to a starboard side Spa balcony. Then I noticed on a deck plan 'to come' written on the area above the starboard side spa balconies, so I moved it to port side just in case 'to come' ends up being a noisy area. I actually prefer port side anyway.

That's what we usually do. I think our PCC is use to our multiple changes now though. We booked a balcony about where we were on the Breakaway and we always try to book on decks that have cabins above and below.

We booked the TA also. Very exciting!

The main difference is that you will have 10 days where the biggest decisions you will have to make are where to eat, drink, and what shows to see. No rushing off to see ports of call. You can't get any more relaxing.

 

There may be some teething troubles, but hopefully nothing major. I believe the last ship to have any major problems was the Epic, but don't go onboard expecting everything to run absolutely smoothly. There will be kinks to iron out.

 

Also be aware that it won't be an official inaugural or anything like that. Makes no different to me, but I've heard quite a bit of moaning about NCL not doing anything special for it.

 

Generally, they sail way below full capacity. The Breakaway was about half full and the Getaway was so quiet that I believe they didn't even open all the restaurants every night. I expect the Escape to sell reasonably well as it's a new design, and it will probably pick up a few people who would usually have done the Epic at that time of year. I'd guess it will be about half full.

 

Finally, be aware that there are rumours that the date could change. Be careful about booking your air too early.

 

 

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I too have never done an inaugural TA but I have to agree with the above poster. Use this cruise as a way to totally unwind and get a way from the world.

 

I think it will be a great cruise but also read of some minor issues on the Breakaway when it came across. Nothing major though. If you see something wrong, just mention it to a crew member so they can get it addressed.

 

Go and have a great time and remember to report back to us all the wonderful features

Thank you. We do love sea days, so that will be nice. We won't expect anything special (inaugural wise), just curious about general differences.

OK, so we have never done an inaugural TA before. Is there anything that we should know or expect that might be a bit different from the usual cruise? Do these usually sail fully booked? I know it's a long way off but any information would be greatly appreciated.

I wish they did have the chocolate melting cake on NCL! Did you get the recipe when you were on Carnival? They gave it to us. It is very easy to make. I can try to post it if you like.

Someone finally put it into words how I feel every time I step on a ship!!!

Bermuda. Absolutely beautiful. NCL sails from both NYC and Boston, their ships often have rooms for 5 and I've seen some kids sail free deals with them, so worth a look-see.

 

While I love Boston, sailing out of New York City is one of the most spectacular sailaways ever.

I totally agree with Bermuda. Relaxed feel, easy to get around, great memory maker location. It's our favorite place.

I make sure to wash my hands often, don't eat anything with my hands without washing right before I touch my food, don't touch railings or elevator buttons with my fingers, and always wash my hands again after using the tongs at the buffet.

They do find out--when I booked a cruise through the main number my PCC at the time actually called me to chastise me for not letting him do the booking...

Our old PCC did the same thing to us. I decided to book with my friends PCC since we were sailing together. My PCC at the time did not appreciate it and told me so. Dropped him like a hot rock! Now we use the one my friends use and love her. She returns calls and emails very quickly.

The ship for us. We love sea days. But we did love Bermuda too.

Mine is the same way. It has never caused a problem for me.

Please don't let this jinx me, please don't let this jinx me...:D:D:D

The only people I know that don't love cruising are those that never have.

I agree. Isn't it strange. I have co-workers that are like that. Have never stepped foot on a ship and they are sure that all it is is a buffet on water. I don't get it.

RV,

Did you tell the OP to grow up? Fill out the form & stop whining about it? Were you rude to the OP at any time?

No? Same as several here, then you are not cliquish peoples. 8)

 

The point of it all to me is.. the OP is a first time cruiser, same as I, & she had questions about something, doesnt matter what.

 

I had a whole lot more that I was gonna post but ya know what, it just aint worth it. I'm not gonna come back & feed more trolls, I've have better things to do with my time.

 

OP, hope you get it straightened out, hope you both enjoy your cruise. 8)

I agree. It is embarrassing what some people will respond with to a first time cruiser who has an honest question.

I don't mind tap water. I just do not like taking it from the bathroom faucet. The kitchen is fine, grew up with the garden hose water, loved the taste of that. But the bathroom faucet is just a gross thing to drink from and I know it is all in my mind, but it is what it is. Perhaps the OP does not know if the faucet water is ok to drink. I would have thought the same thing on my first cruise.

Yes they do but buy your tickets early. It sold out when we tried to buy them.

OMG!!! I was feeling so sorry for you thinking that people had told you this stuff to scare you out of cruising and you believed it! Then I realized what was going on. I needed this. I think we all needed it. Thank you so much and give your son a great big hug for me for his Service.

Oh, and if I could vote on best thread ever, it would be this one!

Do they have the "Quest" game on the Breakaway? Not sure if that is the right name. I saw it on the GEM. It was a scavenger hunt in a way that got very comical at points.:o

They had it when we were there in September. Very interesting...:D

I agree. Try a short cruise first. If you don't like it, if you can't get a refund, I will go for you! :D:D:D

We always pre pay the gratuity. It's not that much in the big scheme of things and it makes us feel like we have less on our account after the cruise. Also, giving that extra tip here and there seems to be very much appreciated. They work very hard and long hours for it.

This is what NCL put out for the dogs when we were on a cruise with group of people and their service dogs.

I wouldn't rely in the iConcierge. We could get it to work on my husband's phone but not mine and my brother could get his to work but not his wife's. This was on the Breakaway. When we asked for help, no one could get them to work for us.