kollegekreed

On the getaway now and they have both.

Interestingly an order of mozz stix on getaway is 4, while on the breakaway it was only three.

Easy one - solo cruising. Go on terrified that you'll be along all week and have the time of your life with new lifelong friends

SAs is $15 each way. There's no reason to use uber or rent a car.

Ick. Ill book a late seating and eat in the MDR first

Right! LOL. Ive had some comps before but after losing almost $2000 two weeks ago im not doing it again a month later

Just as an update since you asked -

Total price for inside room was $849 per person * 2 which would have been $1698 for the room going as a solo traveler.

First off, they waived the single supplement. They also gave an approximate 12.5% discount so the room charge itself for 12 night was $743.

Got the UBP as well so paid the gratuities for that, plus $100 for insurance and of course port taxes.

In the end, $1100 or so for 12 nights including alcohol and they also threw in $100 OBC and double latitudes points. Not a bad deal, but its one time only...im not planning on gambling much on the 12 day :) :) :)

Anyone know what the "Veggie" option usually is for Illusionarium? I'm happy to have the salad and desserts, but I don't eat seafood or steak. I can always just see the show and not eat, but was curious...

Just booked this 12 day today

Thanks - I have to imagine it would be way easier to pack less and let them do the laundry a couple times....

Anyone have any experience with the "all you can fill bag" promotion date on. 12 day? When in the 12 days do they usually offer it? On a seven day it's shaky around day 4 returning on day 5 or 6...

Back today from the "Hurricane Joaquin" Bermuda cruise. Not going to do a full review - just hopefully going to provide my positives and negatives for the "big" categories. This was my ninth cruise, seventh on NCL, but I'm in no means a cheerleader - all lines have good and bad.

The biggest question everyone had when we were leaving is if we would go to Bermuda at all. We ended up leaving at 2am in the morning, with the intention of still getting to Bermuda in time. By Tuesday, we had headed 175 miles back towards the US for a med-evac. That delayed our arrival to Bermuda until 2PM Wednesday, but the captain pushed it and made it somewhere shortly around or after noon, as far as I know (I was asleep).

Food:

Main Dining Room: Food was very good. I will say they seemed to have some more issues with "temperature control" on the Breakaway than previous cruises I had been on. But, the flavor was good and the warm volcano was delectable as always!

Specialty Restaurants: Twice at Cagneys, Twice at La Cucina. My dad loves Cagneys, I love La Cucina. We did have the specialty dining package which gave us four free dinners. I love the Bruschetta and Caprese Insalata at LC; the chocolate torte is to die for. Was not a big fan of the lasagna but the meatballs are yummy. I don't eat much at Cagneys; I just got four side orders and the iceberg wedge.

O'Sheehans: Remarkably slow to get seated, waited on, and food delivered. Even with mostly empty tables, and then the food often came out reheated/cold. Beginning to believe the conspiracy theorists that they try to drive you away from the free restaurants....

Uptown: Burgers really were very good. Waffle fries came out cold both times we ate there. Food was very slow; 20 mins both times to get burger, BUT they are cooked to order so I have some understanding.

I ate in the buffet exactly one for lunch, and it was "ok". id not make it to shanghai for noodles.

Stateroom

Stateroom was 11762. We had the uncanny ability to always end up on the wrong side of the ship, but that's a common problem. We aren't fussy at all. My Dad certainly commented on the smaller balcony versus the Dawn, but the room was fine for the two of us. Steward cleaned once daily at night as we had the do not disturb sign up during the morning in general. Steward's name was Vinoth and he was pleasant, but a little awkward. IE, didn't seem to know when a conversation was over. He did a good job with the space.

Entertainment/Casino

Rock of Ages was very good. I was absolutely shocked (though I don't know why I was shocked) at the number of parents that totally ignored the multiple warnings about the show and brought their 4, 5, and 6 year old kids. The majority of them left in a huff after the first couple songs. Not like they weren't told a dozen times not to bring the kids...

Did not see Burn the Floor. Saw it on the Getaway and did not like it.

Broadway singer Donna Vivino was on the ship for one night only. She has a great voice and I enjoyed her show. She overacted just a little...maybe that's the wrong word. Overrehearsed? But she has some pipes and most of her song choices sat well with the crowd.

Highlight of the entertainment was Howl at the Moon. Singers Laurie Chris and Dave were probably the best out of the four casts I've watched on the ships. Really enjoyable and they started "Adult hour" REALLY early...oops.

Casino was usually pretty busy. As has been the custom the last few cruises, I didn't find the staff particularly enjoyable. Everything else was customary for an NCL casino. I did make one colossal mistake on this cruise, though. We got the free drink card with the room my Dad booked, so I didn't get the beverage package. It never occurred to me that the card only works when the casino is OPEN. With the delayed departure and the days in Bermuda, plus the $5 limit for the casino drink card, I would have been better off with the UBP.

Did the mini golf (3 times to make 27 holes...tee hee) and did the ropes course (at least what was open) on the last night. Plank side and zip line side were closed off. It was lightly raining and wind was 20ish MPH so it was a little more challenging! Did not use the pools or waterslides this cruise.

Service and Staff

O'Sheehans staff was abysmal. Took orders while frowning at you, took 10 minutes to get a soda, took 4 requests for a coffee then 3 more for a refill that never came. This was not an isolated issue; I ate there 4-5 times and there was quite a bit of grumbling. I still love their mozzarella sticks, thought!

The crew and service on the ship as a whole were fine. Its hard to put into words, and maybe others can do a better job, I just got the overall feeling that no one really wanted to be there and they really hated their job. Certainly not everyone, but smiles were hard to find at times and you were more likely to stand at a bar and wait a few minutes to be acknowledged then helped right away. Part of the negative feeling is certainly me comparing the Breakaway to the Getaway, which I was on last year. If you didn't know better, it would be hard to tell what ship you were on in a lot of places. But the Getaway staff tripped over themselves to be helpful and friendly and it just wasn't there on the Breakaway. I had kind of dismissed earlier reviews saying the same thing but when its not one person, but one hundred, NCL may want to pay attention to the hotel director selection, or whatnot.

Anyway, it was a fun trip and nice to get away. Despite the minor issues, I'm still considering hopping on the 12 day Getaway in 20 days! If anyone has any specific questions I'm glad to try to help, but this was very much a low key cruise.

Yeah, I know its certainly not high play in their eyes, but I really just want the single supplement to get waived.

Not well...lost about $1,800. But, got to 1500 tier points so hoping they'll at least waive the solo supplement and give 20% off. Guess we'll see...

Does anyone know how long it usually takes for the onshore CAS system to have your play from the last cruise in it? I'm looking at possibly cruising again in 20 days and am fearful the info won't be in the system for at least a week? Hoping it's instantaneous....

Left at 2am Monday morning. Tuesday morning we went 175 miles west towards NC for a chopper rescue. Made it to Bermuda at noonish on Wednesday. Stayed an extra couple hours Friday to make up for it, which I thought was nice since they certainly didn't have to.

Definitely some rough times, and the weather wasn't fantastic, but all in all not the calamity many expected.

Just so the right info is out there - we went 175 miles in the wrong direction for the medical emergency. At that location seas were 11 feet. Tuesday afternoon the in room tv showed them at 22 feet. There were definitely people bouncing around and some on their knees in the bathrooms, but the crew said coming back from last weeks cruise was much worse.

Despite the medical emergency, we got to Bermuda around noon whereas they had forecasted 2pm. We're traveling at almost 18 knots yesterday.

Not sure what awaits us, but we have left the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and heading down the Hudson. Here's hoping for mildly rocky sailing as opposed to the alternative!!!

Will get a quick shot of the Statue of Liberty than bedtime!

Sailbreakaway, there has been no update since the letter at checkin saying we would leave at 2am, which we just did. I'll be waiting for announcement in the AM...

I think it really does matter what port you are at. Never saw a problem in Boston and embarked today in NYC without any real demand. Miami on the other hand, there was a canned speech that they were my porter, did not work for the cruise line, handled my bags, and I would not see them again.

Breakaway is leaving NY at 2 am Monday morning per letter at checkin. Guest must still be onboard at 3pm

Get off your soap box, no one wants to hear it.

Introduce yourself on the ship and I'll say it even more slowly to make sure everyone understands. Whine all you want, NCL owes you nothing.

I am relaxed. U don't have to tell me... If they turn around and say we are going to Canada u bet ur ass I'll be fighting to go on the following week. Thanks I don't need ur nastiness. I'm entitled to be worried at sea with a hurricane.

Incorrect. You can fight and yell and throw a tantrum but the only way you're going on another cruise is if you paid for it. The contract you agreed to let's then go anywhere they want. The only thing you're guaranteed is a room on the boat. If that doesn't work for you, pick an all inclusive resort on Bermuda next time.

Storm expected to be very close to Bermuda sundayish. Anyone's guess if we he'd there or further south. Or north.

They just said on the weather it may make a direct hit at Bermuda Tuesday :(

I dont think they have a clue whats happening.

Don't need two topics on the front page for the same thing...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2264540

They will be there, but doesn't mean they need to have any effect on your life :-)