ilovewdw

I booked Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque du Soleil before sailing. I booked for my family and at the same time, my friend booked for her family. We arrived at the theater and let them know we were all together. It worked PERFECTLY! I highly recommend booking shows before you go. The shows actually do get booked! A few of the nights were totally NA. I was glad we had reservations.

I have stayed in the Large Cabanas a few times...my favorite is Cabana #1! I HIGHLY recommend the Large Cabanas! They are much closer than the Small. We had friends at the Small Cabanas and it was a hike. LOL

I will be at Great Stirrup Cay the week of 7/5 when I am on the Gem. The Cabanas are still available, but hubby and I opted not to get the Cabana this time. We are sailing without the kids, without my mom and without friends. Just the two of us. Not sure it's worth it for just the two of us.

I have to agree with what everyone else is saying. I was on the Gem in 2012 and absolutely LOVED it!! I just booked a cruise on the Gem for 7/5/14...just booked it TODAY! Sooooo excited! It will just be hubby and I...we are going while the kids are away at camp. ;)

I would love to see them, too. I just booked the Gem for 7/5! :)

It was open while we were there in February. It's right near all of the action. It looked really nice! :) I'll be sure to get a drink when I'm there in 2 months. :cool:

I was on the Breakaway in February. They will try to contact you through the iConcierge app. BTW, that app was AMAZING!!! I wish other cruise lines (Disney) would offer such a comprehensive app.

I have to tell you, I COMPLETELY agree!!!!

We were on the 2/16 sailing and I was obsessing for months prior, reading all of the negative reviews. I was PLEASANTLY surprised with every aspect of our NCL Breakaway vacation!!!!! We never encountered anyone that wasn't willing to go above and beyond to say HELLO and to make us happy. The ship is beautiful, the entertainment was wonderful, the food was delicious and it was honestly my FAVORITE NCL cruise and ship by far!!!!! I'm sad that I'll be sailing to Bermuda on the Dawn this summer. :( Wish I could sail Breakaway again! This definitely won't be my last BA Cruise! :)

Just off the Breakaway Sunday. I have iOS 7 on my iphone and had no issues. App worked out GREAT!

Our party of 8 just got off the Breakaway on Sunday and we used the app. It was GREAT!!!! I had no issues carrying around my iphone...I carry it for time and a camera anyway, so it worked out! And having the Freestyle Daily on the phone at all times was PERFECT! I was hoping it would be available on the Dawn for our cruise in July, but doesn't look like it. :(

Yes, the iConcierge app will work on the iPod. Just make sure to download it before you leave home! That app was GREAT!!! I was very impressed with it. Much, MUCH better than Disney Cruise Line's Wave Phones, which I used to love!

I was on this cruise, too. :cool: We had an AMAZING trip!!! My kids (12 & 8) didn't love the Kids Club though and only went a few times. My cabin steward was replaced midweek and we had no clue who was cleaning (or not cleaning) our cabin, and I kinda got jipped at Deal or No Deal when the ship's internet went off line, but other than that...WE HAD A BLAST!!!!!! :)

I, too, just returned from this sailing. We had an AMAZING time!!!!! Looking forward to your review.

I was on this cruise, too. Looking forward to your review. I had an AMAZING time!!!! Well, except for the fact that I was chosen for Deal or No Deal and the internet crashed in the middle of the game. :eek: :)

That's exactly why we are sailing out of Boston. I would have loved to try the Breakaway but right now its out of our price range for 2 rooms.

Ditto. We are sailing to Bermuda on the Dawn in July. We needed 2 staterooms and the price could not be beat on Dawn compared to the Breakaway. We are planning to extend our trip to 4 days in Boston after the cruise. Our family has never been there so it will be fun! Plus, we are going on the Breakaway TOMORROW!!! :cool:

Good luck to you! We are on the same cruise, but have an Inside booked for 4 of us on Deck 11. :eek:

1 MORE DAY!!!!! We sail on the Breakaway TOMORROW!!!!!!

I just purchased a LifeProof case for my iPhone 5S. I ALWAYS used an OtterBox before so I definitely need extra protection. The fact that it's waterproof to 6 1/2 feet is a bonus!

It's $80, but for my peace of mind…definitely worth it. :)

I just purchased my LifeProof Camera Case for my new iPhone 5S yesterday. It comes with instructions on how to test it to make sure it is, in fact, water proof! I submerged it in water for 30 minutes. Bone dry inside!

I am traveling with a DSLR for ship photos, but while I'm at the Beach…the iPhone with the waterproof case will be PERFECT for my needs. BE ADVISED...It says it is only waterproof up to 6 1/2 feet deep.

Good luck! :)

WOO HOO!!! That's exciting. Thanks for reminding me about my eDocs…need to print some luggage tags. Sailing on the Breakaway THIS SUNDAY!!!! :)

How funny! We live on the western side of GC, so we are probably about 5 minutes from you :-) Have a FABULOUS time- it sounds like your kids are the perfect age for taking advantage of all Breakaway has to offer! BTW, where is Shiro's of Japan- sounds familiar and I would like to try the hibachi thing with our kids before our next cruise in June. This was our first CTN, but we LOVED the CTN idea- super fun little getaway!

Hi! You definitely are super close to me, I'm sure. Are you right near Stewart Manor? I live right near there. Floral Park Village is SMALL. I live down 2 blocks from OLV Church.

LOVE Shiro's of Japan! It's on Old Country Road across the street from Costco. Best Hibachi EVER! We like it MUCH better than Benihana. I love it so much I'm having hubby take me there tonight for Valentine's Day dinner.

Can't wait until Sunday…I hope the kids like it!!!!! I mean really, what's not to like? :D

I haven't seen where the small Cabanas are, but I have rented a large Cabana and REALLY loved it! I love how it's raised and you can see the entire beach and water in front of you. Our service was pretty good when we were there 2 years ago.

We have another large Cabana booked for next week…YAY! I will definitely post my thoughts when we return.

I was having withdrawal yesterday, too! Lately I am on the boards all day every day since I'm sailing the Breakaway on SUNDAY!!!!! Can't get out of this snow FAST ENOUGH!!!!!!

We have sailed the Dawn twice with kids and will be sailing the Breakaway on Sunday. Even though I haven't sailed Breakaway yet, I'm thinking Breakaway will be MUCH better for kids. I didn't really LOVE the Dawn.

That said, I have a Dawn Bermuda cruise booked out of Boston this July. Can't beat a good deal to my FAVORITE port! :D

I'm having a hard time, too. I set sail on THIS SUNDAY 2/16!!! I can't wait!

Obviously I will wear my cool weather clothes to the port and at sail away. I have my nights covered, it's during the day I'm having a hard time with. I will definitely be packing with layers in mind! (tanks, tees, cardigans, jeans, etc) I can't wait to hit the warm air!

Can you make reservations to see the Cirque du Soleil Dinner Show before you board the ship? Did everyone park at the pier? I understand it is $40 per day. We used to live in Merrick, NY but moved so I can't go on the LIRR.....too bad. What time can you go on the ship and when do they let you disembark?

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi there!

Yes, you can book Cirque du Soleil Dinner Show before you board. You can start booking that at 45 days before sail date. I have sailed from NYC before and we have parked there a few times and found it EXTREMELY easy! Yes, it's pricey at $40 a day but we didn't have anyone who could drive us and it was much more convenient to have our own car there than having to worry about a cab.

As far as what time you can board the ship…they usually start boarding at 11:30ish. We like to get there before 10am so we are in the first group to board.

We sail the Breakaway for the first time on Sunday…EXCITED!

That's the thing. We've been there a bunch of times. Figured out when we were there in September that my oldest has spent more than a month of her 8yrs on Disney property. If it was just the lines and crowds it would be a no brainer to not do it. Two weeks ago (my mistake for even trying) we were somehow able to get reservations for lunch(3p) with the Princesses in Norway (which my daughters have also done the last 2 years we've been to Disney). My wife is concerned that this will be the last time that our 8yo will enjoy it and all that.

LOL...you sound like me. Our kids have been to WDW no less than 20 trips. I have an 8 year old DD, too. We should get them together on the Breakaway!

As far as the Akershus Princess ressie...let it go. It's not like they've never been before or won't be back again. I just think its a long trip and expensive, just to spend a few hours there. Especially if you're a WDW vet!