MICHLEV1974

Thanks for posting a trip report.

 

As for Snorkel Park some of us have been posting for years that it is lame. Of course we had to go there once to find that out!

So true--and it was as lame as all have said. This is a great spot for the kiddos, however. No waves, shallow, easy to handle beach day.

We are looking at booking another cruise out of Boston back to Bermuda so we can see the rest of the island :)

We paid for a private taxi for 7 people from Kings Wharf to Horseshoe Bay $42 ... with tip $50 total each way...no waiting for the shuttle to fill up...totally worth it. Taxi is right next to the shuttle bus area. At Horseshoe Bay, there was a shuttle waiting to fill up to go back to the dock and there were 3 taxis right there waiting to be hired. The drive is @ 25 minutes.

Just off the Breakaway as well....used the free ferry on the last day -- -there's only one ferry that day..one out to St George and one back to the ship....get in line @ 30 mins prior to sailing....not crowded at all....easy to use and it is literally 100 steps from the gangway to get from the ship to the line to board the ferry

I just returned yesterday from the NCL Breakaway with the 2 1/2 days in Bermuda. We are age 40-50 and had 3 teen boys, age 19. Our group wanted beaches and snorkel time..... This is what we did and they had a blast.....

Day one: Cab for 7 of us from Kings Wharf to Horseshoe Bay beach $42 each way. We had lunch on the beach @ $15 for a burger/fries/soda. Took a cab back after 5 hours there.

Day two: Cab for 7 of us from Kings Wharf to Gibbs Lighthouse @ $30 cab fare; stayed for about an hour taking pictures and spending money in the gift shop --- which is way cheaper for your 'trinkets' than any other place we shopped. Also, you can buy bottled juice/water/soda here for $2.25. We left the lighthouse and went to the nearby Church Bay beach @$13 cab fare. This was pretty awesome for snorkeling...we have so many pics of fish here. This is not a swimming-type beach...mostly good for snorkeling for @ 1-2 hours. We took the cab back to Kings Wharf @ $33 cab fare.

Day three: Quick walk over to Snorkel Park beach (we used the excursion credit onboard to pay for the admission/chairs/umbrella) ... admission is $5, chairs/umbrella is $25 ... we spent one hour here and thought it was pretty lame and wished we had joined the other half of our group. The other half of our group took the NCL free ferry over to St George's and spent 3 hours there around the town area and visited Tobacco Beach and Turtle Beach....a lot of hills and walking, but they survived and the views were ahhhmazing.

Since our goal was beach beach beach, we felt this was the best for the teens and the moms....we didn't spend a lot of money as you can see above for the 7 of us to enjoy Bermuda beaches.

If we could change one thing we would have taken the free ferry over to St. George on Day one, then go to Horseshoe on Day two, then do the lighthouse and Church Bay on day 3. Plenty of time on Day 3 to do the lighthouse and a quick snorkel. We had all aboard time of 2:30.

My boyfriend works on the ship and I have been to the port many times...it is the busiest and craziest between 10 and 11. I would highly recommend arriving between 1130/12 if you want to avoid lines and chaos. I just got off the Breakaway and we were waiting for our shuttle to arrive @ 1130...and voila---no lines at all in the terminal.

I'm also curious about running over capacity. Isn't that kind of the point of "capacity"? That should be the maximum allowed on the ship. The numbers you quoted have the ship 20% over capacity, which is a lot, IMO.

It's not necessarily running over capacity..the capacity at 2 persons per cabin is typically quoted.

Surely every advertising email you ever receive from NCL comes under the name and direct dial phone number for your PCC. I suggest you and everyone else makes a note of yours/theirs next time you/they get one.

how rude .... and not accurate. I do not have a PCC and I am looking at emails from NCL and there is not a name or PCC on the signature line. I have sailed 3 times in the last 2 years with NCL and zero emails have a PCC name in the email.

Yes you can order without sauce. I am also ashamed to say that someone in our group ordered only fat 'drumsticks' and they obliged. We left a hefty cash tip for the embarrassment of our friend. The rest of us just love the Thai Chili!!!! not overly spicy. I give those a level 1 hot. We did try all of them and the buffalo is a level 2 hot -- not too much heat. The Jamaican Jerk is a nice salty one too! You cannot go wrong with the wings at O'Sheehans. That's all we talk about when we book NCL....cannot wait to order some wings!!!

Hello Cruisers,

 

We're headed to Bermuda aboard the Breakaway from NYC on June 18. Only a month away and super excited!

We plan to arrive at the port around 10am-ish, probably not before that. Any tips or feedback on how the process will flow? When we will get onboard with this approximate timeline?

Also, suggestions for embarkation day lunch? Possible to avoid lines? Hoping our tentative early arrival to the cruise terminal will allow us to grab lunch without too much of a wait.

Any other embarkation day suggestions are greatly appreciated!

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If this is your first time with NCL, there are folks that board early. Can you let us know what room category you booked (ie Haven, Suite, Casino)? If you have sailed NCL before, what is your level (ie bronze, platinum). Did you book a room as a result of a Casino promo?

Also, on your e-docs, did you select a time to arrive at the pier?

I am a regular bronze NCL so I board with the common folk....usually on the ship by 1130 am - 12 -- general boarding :) I selected my port time to arrive 9:30-10---which equates to the time the port authority will allow you to move to the security line inside to then check in. After you check in with your edocs you will be given a number for your 'boarding group'. There you will wait until your group # is called. At that time you will head to the line to board the ship. They will take your group's picture before you go to the gangway entrance. Fun times and enjoy! I leave on the Breakaway in 9 days :) so excited!

Don't worry about food lines, there's plenty to eat and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat on Day 1 :) I don't mind the crowds at the buffet and will hunt for a table or stalk a table until it's free :) O'Sheehans will be a wait time of probably 30mins+ but I can taste those chicken wings already so I know we will hit that for Day 1 lunch :) I heard the hotdog cart will be open on Day 1 also...that might be fun to grab one and walk around the ship and explore. After the muster drill, the food opens back up for service. I told the teens to pack some protein bars...hahaha

Last year we booked a vow renewal on the Norwegian Dawn via the online system - we picked a data, paid the $499 and then waited to be contacted.

 

It is now 6 weeks to our sailing and we have heard nothing. Even worse they can't find our reservation in their system. Even worse when we try and call we keep on being told that we are calling the wrong department and get given another number and then that number tells us we are calling the wrong department and gives us another number. And this chain goes on until eventually we are given an invalid number and we have to start again.

 

Does anyone have any practical ideas about what we should do? What is something that should be joyful is turning into a very stressful and unpleasant experience.

My best friend got married on the Gem in April 2016 - they contacted her 30 days prior to the sail date to go over the details. I went to ncl.com and found this...hope it helps.

If you go to the website, www.GoToBermuda.com you can request info mailed to you. They sent me a great map with lots of info including bus and ferry. And a brochure. Received it in less than a week.

thanks so much for this tip. i just ordered the info to get the maps. yay! i will be on the NCL Breakaway May 28 sailing to Bermuda! cannot wait! 7 of us all our first time there.

I had this same question, we are travelling on May 28 on Breakaway to Bermuda with three 19 yr olds...I called and NCL advised that the young adults did not qualify for UBP; however, beer and wine allowed if the actual parent is on the ship and signs the consent form. Here's the info and i hope it helps:

What is the minimum age for purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages?

Passengers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol.

With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii itineraries, Norwegian permits young adults to purchase and personally consume wine and beer only while onboard and with the consent of an accompanying parent. Authorization will be given only when the accompanying parent completes the Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form. This form can be obtained and completed at the Guest Services Desk upon embarkation of the vessel. However, passengers 18 years of age or older are permitted to consume beer and wine when sailing on round-trip European and Australian voyages without having to complete the Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form.

Here's a definitive answer: Absolutely not. Sorry :( My boyfriend is a deckhand and on embarkation, he stands with the port authority and they screen every single bag for beverages. He takes the bag from port authority and off it goes to the naughty room.....or it could go to the crew closet for 'safe keeping'....

My boyfriend works on the Breakaway. They itinerary is now Bermuda so they leave later than the Bahamas itinerary. When the ship goes to Bermuda, they take on the supplies in NYC. When the ship goes to the Bahamas, they take on the supplies in Port Canaveral.

 

:)

Ok sorry for the update here, but my boyfriend advised that someone passed away on the ship before it left port. This was the delay leaving port on Sunday. Prayers.

For NYC, as of last Sunday when I was there, if you arrived before your time, the port authority had you stand at a section roped off until the time approached. It seems as if they are controlling the crowd through the security checkpoint. They asked everyone to show their pass with the time.

Of course, this is the busiest time of the morning (1030-1230), so perhaps if the line at security isn't too bad, they dont care about your arrival time on your pass.

What port are you sailing out of and what time of year? This might be another factor in your responses. We travelled April school vacation week out of NYC - super busy - and we picked arrival time 930. We got there at 1030. We showed our pass and they let us in to go through security. The other folks with us picked 11--they were ushered to the roped off section. It really wasn't a problem since none of us got to board til @ 1145. Seems like this 'arrival time' thing is an attempt at crowd control at the port.

My boyfriend works on the Breakaway. They itinerary is now Bermuda so they leave later than the Bahamas itinerary. When the ship goes to Bermuda, they take on the supplies in NYC. When the ship goes to the Bahamas, they take on the supplies in Port Canaveral.

:)

Hi, I hope this helps.

I am lactose intolerant and I told my NCL reservationist about my food matter when I reserved my cabin. He advised me to email the access desk and they will send me a form mailto:accessdesk@ncl.com. I needed to provide the form 30 days prior to my sailing. I emailed the access desk and promptly received a reply with the form. I completed the form and emailed it back the same day. When I boarded the ship, I had a note in my cabin with the extension to call to go over my food matter. I called the extension and we reviewed that I couldn't have dairy and they provided me with information on the main entrees and some foods that did not contain diary. I could request special entree and desserts at that time as well. They were very accommodating. I did remind the wait staff each time I ordered that I have the dairy allergy as well. I really wanted ice cream and they were able to provide coconut milk/ice cream. yay! Here's the lovely email I received prior to my trip:

Michelle,

Thank youfor contacting the Access Desk.

Please beadvised that we are able to provide assistance for guests with foodallergies. The information provided, has been documented andforwarded to our onboard dining and medical staff.

Uponembarkation, we ask that you meet with the Restaurant Manager tofurther discuss your food allergies/dietary needs.

Please seeattached guest special request form, complete the form and return prior to yourcruise by email or fax.

Have awonderful time on your cruise!

The guestand treating physician should consider the following carefully before anycruise:

1) Thereis no Allergist available on the ship.

2)Medical conditions, when unstable and poorly controlled, are potentially lifethreatening, especially without back up.

3)These conditions should first be stabilized prior to embarking on a cruise,where a Guest may be at sea for several days without any immediate hospital andor specialist back up.

4)Prior to any travel, we strongly suggest that Guests contact their own HealthInsurance carrier to determine what benefits they carry… particularly their benefitsfor Medical Providers outside of the United States, as well as availableAir-Ambulance and Repatriation benefits. In fact, for short trips, any traveleris well advised to purchase Travel Health Insurance with defined out-of countryTreatment and Repatriation benefits… even if this coverage might be redundant.

However,we cannot assure anyone that foods can be guaranteed to be 100% safe fromcontamination with food allergens. We can, and will, make every effort tocontinue to provide our Guests with the support that they require to experienceand safe and uneventful voyage, as evidenced by the correspondence currentlytaking place

Best Regards,

Sharon Hinds| Access Coordinator

1 800-327-9020 ext 26158 | fax 305 468-2171

shinds@ncl.com

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings®

7665 Corporate Center Drive | Miami FL 33126

It's handy if a mass brawl breaks out on the beach. Blue towels V Orange towels (Carnival?)

 

You can see who is on your side

priceless....love this post...thanks for the laughs

Some of these items could be a 5 star rating for some folks. After reading this review, i was thinking 'wow'..

We were on the same cruise and if I have to rate it, it will only be 1 star and here is why?

 

1) We went to the main dinning room (Manhattan) on the first night and never went back for the rest of the cruise because it took 45 minutes for the appetizers to arrive and you have to spent 2 hours for a complete dinner which is way too long for us. --I would love the dining experience to linger and last 2 hours...take a deep breathe and really enjoy the meal and the company at the dining table rather than be rushed and moved out like cattle.

 

2) We went to GSC at around 1 PM and we left at around 4 PM, we have to wait for 40 minutes for the tender in the hot sun to get back on the ship. At first they only have one tender and the line was mile long then they open a second tender after people complaining loudly. GSC is so pretty. Enjoying the sun a little longer whilst waiting for the tender gives you time for some picture taking and fun times meeting folks in line and chatting :)

 

 

6) They pretty much have the same two people (Arvin and Emily) singing at the Atrium night after night. There are several other venues to enjoy throughout the ship. What other venues did you enjoy?

 

7) The saddest thing is that they allowed kids sitting on the casino floor and let them watch their parents gambling and inhale all those cigarettes. Why aren't the parents to blame here? Parents are responsible for their children,

 

The bottom line is we couldn't wait to get off the ship because there ain't a whole lot to do unless you like to drink a lot and hang around the bar all the time.

This review was more of a personal preference of what he/she enjoys on a cruise. I really love a long dinner service; I enjoy seeing the children have a good time with new friends on the ship; I love the variety of the activities around the ship as well. Although I appreciate reading everyone's reviews, this one seemed a little 'off' with the items that soured his/her trip.

Hi. It's been a while since I sailed NCL. I was wondering- specific to the Breakaway- do they offer movies on the outdoor screen? Also, do they offer afternoon tea or wine tastings? I really enjoy those things.[/quote

 

I saw some recent dailies on here but do not know how to link them up here. Check the dailies--i am pretty certain I saw movies and wine tastings going on.....

Thanks! I was not making it a week without my rollerball for my allergies. I never traveled with them since this is a new addiction.

I love the oils too and do not travel without them :) I have an entire gallon size bag full of them and airport security was fine with it. TSA approved :)

As someone who loves essential oils and needs to get back into using them, I had never thought about carrying some with me when I go on a cruise. Thanks for the heads-up. I don't know if I'd ever want to be on a charter cruise, but an essential oils one *sigh* That's going to be wonderful.

i agree - i would not go on a chartered cruise either; however, several of the peeps on the chartered cruise are friends of mine and they 'won' the cruise by attaining the goals outlined for a free cruise :) The ship must have smelled ahhmazing! It was last week on the Western Caribbean itinerary :)

I usually take the YL Thieves blend to kill the germs and YL Peppermint to settle my tummy with seasickness. If we are out late and want to push ourselves to stay awake, i use one drop of the peppermint in my palm and inhale the awesomeness to stay awake. haha

I am on the Breakaway in 7 weeks :)

I have started getting into using essential oils for motion sickness and allergies. Has anyone had issues bringing them on the ship?

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Absolutely no issues with essential oils. In fact, Young Living Essential Oil company just chartered an NCL ship with 2000+ people and trust me, they have all their oils with them at all times :) I love essential oils! I use YL Peppermint for tummy, seasickness, and energy. :) I use my diffuser with YL Thieves blend in the cabin :) I spray my YL Thieves all over the bathroom too! love it.

and for those not familiar with essential oils....it's not perfume :)

There were many non-Haven guests who boarded before you did. To claim that "...Haven guests had bought all of them." is making an assumption without facts. Did you put your names on the waiting list? If some VIBE customers felt that they didn't need/want their VIBE passes and returned them, you might have still gotten passes.

Good to know they have a waiting list :) thanks

My idea of a great day on the ship is to sit at the pool, swim, hot tub dips, cool splash shower, drinks, listen to the band, sleep, flip through magazines ..... All of these scream VIBE, except, no pool and you cannot hear the band playing ..... if that's your idea of a great day, VIBE will be worth it to you. I am on that pool deck after breakfast and stay all day until the cattle call for dinner @ 6/7. I love the sun :)

VIBE has more than enough loungers so you wont have to go early to place your things; they have their own bar so there's no long wait to get your use of your ultimate beverage package; they have 2 hot tubs and the cool down splash showers. They also have beach umbrellas so you can snooze in the shade if you want.

It would be perfect for me if they had a wading pool :) I am attempting to grab a pass on the May 28, 2017 sailing. Seems to be hit/miss if you are not one of the lucky to board before general boarding.