toocruisin2

Just got off AoS; not sure if it was freshly ground, but in a word it was "good". I believe that they use Seattle's Best, and it was fine in the restaurants and cafes.

Sorrento's had free coffee 24/7, with skim, reg and cream available (also had pizza, wraps and cookies). After theatre shows it gets overwhelmed, but other than that, it's pretty much a quick visit and you are good to go. The H270 Cafe, Solarium Cafe and Windjammer had more limited hours, but we never had to hunt to hard to find coffee gratis if we wanted to stay on the upper decks.

In fact coffee was so readily available we didn't have coffee with dinner desert, we usually had it an hour or so after dinner.

One hint; not all the cafes and buffets have paper cups on display, so if you want a to-go, you'll have to ask for paper cups and lids. Hope that helps.

We already have our 2017 vacations planned out, so it looks like no cruise for me, but I did check out some of the pricing, and it really didn't seem too bad; maybe I'm just de-sensitized. 😉

We certainly have a differing opinion on what constitutes a "modest premium". We too are willing to pay a (what we consider to be a "modest") premium for DCL. However, for me, that means 30-50% above the cost to sail on other lines.

No actually 125% of comparables is 25% over other lines. Paying $10,000 on Disney versus $8,000 on NCL or Royal is okay with me because we tend to drink and gamble less on Disney🤗

We are very selective in how we approach Disney. I'm willing to pay a modest premium (125% of comparables), and have been able to do so by booking early (first hour if possible) and combining it with departure ports that are accessible from NYC and are interesting to me.

We did the Canadian maritime cruise from NY at a reasonable rate, and the same with Puerto Rico; the European cruises have gotten outside my comfort zone, ditto the 2017 southern Caribbean. We rotate Disney with NCL and RCCL to keep things fresh.

When the new ships come on line, we'll look for opportunities on Fantasy and Dream.

Wouldn't having a passport trump needing a driver's license for getting on a cruise ship? Isn't it advisable to have a passport even if you are going on a cruise that doesn't require a passport?

Yes and yes. :)

We love Bernard's, and paid at the pier with cc, no problems. Our driver was willing to accommodate a extra stop for local shopping. Fun. Paul

Really appreciated; good information in a concise document!! paul

Hi all, I'm curious to hear thoughts about this from those who have been on both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. Getaway is about $800 less than Oasis/Allure, though we're not sure how the quality compares to Oasis/Allure. Thoughts? Thanks so much! :)

We've sailed Breakaway, sister to Getaway, and absolutely loved it.

Having been on Allure twice I was very interested in seeing NCL's big ship and how it compares; in short, it doesn't as they are two very different experiences, each wonderful in their own way.

We found the service on Breakaway to be excellent, with extremely attentive staff; no MDR on Breakaway. There are complimentary restaurants, and fee-added restaurants; we found both to be enjoyable, and recognize that food is a very subjective matter.

The ship breaks public spaces into smaller venues, so unlike Allure, you may not realize how big the ship is. Many clubs, bars, sports courts, etc to keep you busy.

NCL in general, and Breakaway specifically is very informal, including dining.

I will cover the four things that seem to get the most attention on the boards:

- the stateroom balconies are small by any standard; we didn't mind as there was only two of us and we weren't planning on doing anything that required a lot of space

- the pool is also small, and deck chairs are at a premium; we adjusted by sitting on forward decks away from the pool

- the jogging track is tiny and in an awkward space, so if you need a track get out early so you can avoid crowds

- the gym and other entertainment venues, including the casino also get crowded; we didn't mind because we enjoy watching others have fun, and that's what a vacation is all about.

Have a great time, whichever way you choose. Paul

Kind of a depraved attraction IMO

Agreed; I can only hope that it is a perverse publicity stunt, and that the ship will never be built for the stated purpose.

The idea that an informed public would pay to duplicate the experience of those poor souls who lost their lives in steerage class, replete with a faux de-lousing, is sickening.

JMHO, Paul

Not sure I agree that cruising has gone downhill. Will for sure agree that cruising has changed!

Good point. One of the benefits we've experienced is that the newer (larger) ships have lots of activities that have kept the children and the Grandparents entertained and happy. That makes it a great way to spend a family vacation for multi-generational groups.

Although I only cruised once in the 1980's, my recollection is that it was not particularly kid friendly, and possibly even the older set would have found too much down time.

My parents were both in their nineties when they joined us on their first cruise. They had a blast!

I personally miss some of the formality that I know longer see on the lines we travel, but if it makes cruising better and more accessible for more folks, that works for me too. JMHO, Paul

We have read the food was terrible and that the pool area is over crowded and far to small x

We are doing our fifth Magic cruise this year, and all our prior cruises were pre-refurbishment.

We love the Magic, and whenever she goes somewhere that we find new and interesting, we'll try to be there with her.

As an older ship, Magic is not going to compete with Allure and Breakaway, and is not trying to. We have found that the over all quality of food, service and entertainment is excellent. We've been on 12 day cruises on Magic and never felt bored, or over taxed. It seems just right.

As a smaller ship, it's more intimate, you'll get to know guests and castmembers, and you'll dock in many ports larger ships will tender to. And finally, you'll get to re-live some childhood memories.

Paul

If Quantum can endure sailing out of Bayonne year round then Anthem should be able to endure sailing out of Southampton year round...

Well said Dave!! For 2015 we would love to go back to Europe, and sailing on Anthem out of the UK would suit us just fine!! And having Quantum in our back yard makes the prospects for 2015 even better!! Paul

All in all the park Cafe for us was a nice and mostly fast and convenient way to grab some yummy stuff for in between meals. I already miss those parma and brie baguettes.

Hi Stef, if you ever have a chance to chance to board Allure or Oasis you'll find the Park Cafe to be a much different (I think better) experience.

Royal came up with some great ideas for the Oasis class ships, and while they get credit for trying to retro fit some of them into the older ships, I guess we're finding that some work better than others. Paul

 

We kept running into her on the ship.....

 

Stef

That's the nice thing about the Vision and the Radiance class ships, you actually get a more intimate setting along with great views of the water. The bigger ships have more bells and whistles, which I enjoy, but there are just so many people on board, ......well you get the idea. Paul

Hi Paul,

 

mhhh, Long Island -- you don't happen to be the sister of JoAnne from Cruise Critic?

 

Lol -- so you got to see all kinds of pictures from the ship and the ports already...most other people reading this cruise report will have to wait until I keep going. Hope you still enjoy my pictures anyway:).

 

Stef

That's my big sister!! I got her started on cruising 5 years ago and now she's addicted, just like me. Paul

Hi Steffi,

My sister and her husband just came back from this cruise and we saw her photos last night; it looks like you had great weather and calm seas.

We hope to do this cruise in 2015, assuming that Serenade is still doing this itinerary. :)

Can't wait to see all your photos and narrative,

Paul

Gee, I feel like I'm crashing a reunion party, but Virginia and I are targeting September 2015, so if there's room for two more......:) Paul

the only time i have ever felt overwhelmed by kids was on a carnival cruise. My own daughter has cruised all her life (diamond on her own credits), and i have to say, we probably appreciate the rccl product because they handle children well.

 

Folks on this board seem to take an isolated incident (omg, there is a child in the solarium!!) as a systemic problem. I've seen rude adults, poorly behaved children, entitled seniors, and every other behavior complained about on these boards, but it's not every ship or every cruise.

 

There is no screening test for guest behavior, and class does not come with money. People are people. No matter where you are, cruise or not, you will find people who don't share your views of appropriate behavior!

+1 !!!

Nope, I've met a lot of adults that are twits; rather deal with the kids!:) Paul

I am European and was also on that cruise. I can only say that if all Europeans are rude then all North Americans are greedy and obese. It's only the French who are rude :)

Agreed on all counts!! :)

I do not believe jeans are ok. Vacations are special to me so no jeans those are everyday.

Been on two 13 niters with RCI (both in Europe) and I agree no jeans in the MDR.....except the final night. With debarkation looming, comfort not beauty wins out IMHO.