rhiannon35

I was in 14286. All of the angled balconies are the same cabin size as the rest of the balcony cabins, and all angled are identical to one another. Some will have bed near balcony and others will have bed near the closet. Ours had bed near the balcony (which we don't really like, but whatever.)

That's interesting, because on the deck plans, it appears 14288 is larger, but not 14286, which looks like it's just before the "angle-out." That's good to know, more options in booking. Thanks!

Has anyone booked this offer thru a major online booking site? I'm curious because when my TA gave me the total, the gratuities were, as stated, additional and varied depending on which of the perks you choose.

However, when I went to a well-known national site, and did a mock,the perks were included but the grand total did not include additional gratuities. I read the fine print and didn't see anything about having to pay them onboard.

Has anyone booked through a national site (Star trek ahem) or similar that could tell me? Otherwise, I'll call, but not sure agent will know!

When I originally booked (we are heading out 11/21) I thought the 15th deck would be a safe bet because it's right below the spa. Turns out our room is right below the garden cafe located on deck 16. I would suggest booking on a deck that does not have anything right above it except other rooms just to be safe 914 for sure). From what i've heard from others, the balconies that have the little extra corner are slightly bigger so if you can snag one it's great.

THanks rdmadm. Agreed on having anything above you -- we booked a beautiful aft cabin on a dis cruise, right below the nightclub (stupid, but live and learn.) We awoke every night around 1 am to bass shaking the room, and it went on until 3 or 4. You should be OK under the Garden Cafe, at least they don't play loud music. Our last cruise we were under shore excursions, nice and quiet there!

THanks for the tip on the balconies -- you are referring to the angled ones, correct?

Do you mean the angled balconies? If so, I was in one on the Transatlantic. Yes, like the angled on Breakaway/Getaway, they are larger than standard balconies - about 50%, I'd guess. Also, overall the standard balconies are larger on Escape than those 2 ships. We could have fit a lounger on our standard angled balcony. Lots of room there.

Yes, LrgPizza, thank you for answering -- that's exactly what I meant, just using wrong term, I guess! The balconies look bigger in deck plans, but it's so hard to tell sometimes. Was your cabin itself any bigger, or just the balcony? I'd love to know what cabin you were in, if you don't mind sharing. I'm hoping to book this week, and right now there are a couple angled balconies available.

We had a standard balcony on the Getaway and it was sooo small, so glad to hear all balconies are bigger. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed your cruise!

I know it's a very new ship,but hoping somone can help me with questions, as I'd like to book this week.

1. ANY tips on what decks/balcony cabins might be best? Especially want to avoid any where we would be in view of people over us or hear too much noise. (Obviously not near Spice H2O, I know).

2. Are the hump cabins any bigger/better? Very hard to tell from photos.

Any other suggestions/insights are welcome!

Lily, just wondering if you have any idea if the balcony rooms on the ship's "bump" look any bigger? I'm trying to find out.

Have a great cruise!

We are looking at booking on the Escape and there appears to be a few bump cabins available.

My question is: what's the main difference? Bigger/longer balcony or is the room possibly bigger too? The square footage for both room and balcony in the categories I'm looking at on NCL's site gives a range for both room and balcony, so maybe?

I know it's a new ship so not a lot of us have sailed on her. I'm assuming the bumps will be similar to Getaway/Breakaway but perhaps I'm wrong. We've never sailed in a bump cabin before so just looking for some insight. Thanks!

We are sailing the breeze 3/14 -- just upgraded from a GTY OV to a GTY Balcony for $100, and it wouldn't have been much more than that if we had an inside, as you do.

You might want to hold onto that OBC and see if the upgrade cost drops. If you had a similar offer to what we had, you'd save $550 upgrading -- and that's still a lot of dough to spend onboard!

Riannon,

My comments were not directed at you and I didn't intend to sound snotty. You are correct, I did come across as lecturing. I'm sorry I was so preachy, I should have re-read before posting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Cruising4

Very nice of you to take the time to respond and apologize, Cruising4. No harm done :)

Like I said, I know where you're coming from -- people who try GF pizza because they think it's 'healthier' than regular pizza drive me crazy.

And though I try not to get preachy, I think my kids, husband and mother would tell you otherwise. I'm just glad I might be able to eat something other than salad -- which I love but not 2x a day -- on my first CCL cruise!

For those with an "intolerance" ---- just avoid the GF substitution and stick to meat and veggies.

 

The percentage of the population with celiac is small, very small and those with a self diagnosed intolerance is growing daily. It's very easy to avoid gluten if you're intolerant. Bread laden with GMO corn and potato starch isn't the best choice.

 

Yes, I feel better when I don't eat gluten because that means I'm not eating processed food. Nothing like a box of Kraft Mac 'n Cheeze to make an adult feel like *ra*.

 

GF ... the new buzz word in diet. Taking the focus away from those with an immune system reaction to a protein found in gluten.

 

Celiac is NOT an allergy, it's a digestive disease. Awful, YES, but not an allergy like a peanut allergy requiring an epi pen. An allergy to wheat is different from celiac. Wheat allergies can range from mild to life threatening, like a peanut allergy.

 

A wheat allergy should not be confused with “gluten intolerance” or celiac disease.

For the record, my intolerance is not 'self-diagnosed.' I had extremely bad sinus pain/fatigue/acid reflux, and the doctors had no idea what was wrong with me, as all my tests showed no sign of anything wrong. It was only with the help of a functional medicine specialist who put me on an elimination diet that all my health issues went away once I stopped eating gluten.

I'm a health reporter and know a thing or two about the topic. While celiac disease affects only a small percentage of the population, intolerances certainly exist, not just to gluten, but many other foods as well. I don't think anyone with an intolerance is trying to take the focus off of anyone with celiac, or perhaps (hopefully) you were referring to those who see GF as a trend they have to follow.

Anyway, good info, but maybe better put in a way that doesn't sound like you are lecturing from atop a high horse. I am always explaining to people that substituting bread, crackers, sweets, etc. without gluten isn't healthy, and that you shouldn't be eating that stuff no matter who you are. Most people have no idea about all the bad starches in GF processed food. Junk for junk, but people will eat what they want, and for those who don't want a vaca ruined by a bad reaction, it's good to have options. peace and love!

We are taking our first CCL cruise on the Breeze in March, and after reading these posts, I'm looking forward to the dining -- especially after being sorely disappointed with the GF options on the NCL Getaway last year (my first GF cruise, and, yes, I have a gluten intolerance).

I'm also a vegetarian who prefers to eat healthy most of the time, even on vaca, so I admit it can be a challenge -- but holy moly, NCL! Almost every night in the MDR all they offered me was some terrible excuse for pasta, including a dish that was supposed to be fettucini drowning in some horrible sauce, and another pasta with tomato sauce and canned veggies on it. Truly disgusting. I ended up eating salad for almost every meal.

So, here's hoping CCL will up the healthful GF game -- I hear there's even an Indian place!

We are booked on same Breeze cruise as you. My kids are 21 and 11 and we have cruised during Spring Break the past three years on the Dis Dream, RC Allure and NCL Getaway.

MY DH and I are the types who like to have a couple of drinks and a lively atmosphere in the evenings, but don't want to be around a bunch of rowdy drunks at noon. On our cruises we've had plenty of the former, none of the latter.

I've never run into any problems with kids running wild (and although I have kids, I can[t stand when people don't watch theirs), or college-agers running wild. You can bet any college-agers are there with their parents, otherwise they wouldn't be able to afford a weeklong cruise on a new(er) ship. The closest I came to feeling like I was at Daytona Beach during SPring Break was in Costa Maya (on Allure) when a huge group that was likely too young to drink on the ship, made the most of being able to drink in port at the pool bar. They were loud, but not out-of-hand, and I never saw anything similar happen on the cruise again.

I guess I would say if you are happy with your dates/itinerary, don't worry too much. The ships are so big, if you do find an area that's too rowdy, there's plenty of room to go someone else, but I honestly don't see it being a problem.

I am looking at camporico. They are much (less than 1/2) cheaper than the carnival excursion and the only one I found that isn't too far from the ship. Hoping I can book the morning I arrive in port...forget the date, but I'm on CCL Freedom 12/13.

Any feedback from anyone that's used camporico?

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Ha! I just posted a similar question before I found this thread. PinaColada, I'm sailing on the Carnival Breeze, and I believe that Campo Rico is where the CCL excursion goes -- so it tells you how much they mark up the price!

The place has gotten excellent reviews, if you google "campo rico reviews" you'll see them. I think I am going to try booking on my own -- with four of us going the savings is well over $200 than going through the ship's excursion.

We will be in San Juan for a port stop on the Carnival Breeze in March. We very much would like to go horseback riding while there, and it seems to me Campo Rico is by far the closest place to port to do so.

However, to book on our own it is half the cost of what the ship charges for an excursion (of course, right?). My question is, has anyone done this and, if so, what was your experience. And how much is a cab to get there?

If anyone has any other places they've ridden within an hour of port that they'd recommend, I'd love to hear about it. My DD, 12, and I are both advanced riders, but my DH and my daughter's friend (who's joining us) are not, so I'd love to find a place that might be able to offer something slow for them, and a bit more exciting for us. Thanks!

Thanks rhiannon35. I'm very happy to hear you had a great cruise and it all went well with your diet restrictions. Like I said this is all new to us. I was a little concerned because it did state on the CCL website that special diets were only in the MDR but it did list items that are on Lido also. My husband was diagnosed with Celica, so it is important that we be very careful. It's noted on our booking and our PVP said to make sure to meet with the someone in the MDR after we board. My husband has had ruff year physically this year. So we are looking forward to this cruise and some RR. And we've always been happy with CCL. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Your info was helpful. Smooth Sailing!!

I'm more than happy to help. It was new to me last year, so I know what it feels like. Like your husband, I also had a rough time prior to my diagnosis, including being so sick on our cruise the year prior that I could barely leave the cabin.

Knowing what's making you sick and that you can avoid it is a blessing! Enjoy the well-deserved cruise, and let us know how it goes :)

I have a question, hoping someone can help. There are four of us, and my children are 21 and 12, so if in one cabin we need some space., which we would get with the Deluxe OV.

I know if I book a GTY OV there is no guarantee I'll get the deluxe. However, when I click on the "choose my own cabin" option, the only OV available are deluxe.

My question is -- do you think if I book a GTY that means I'll get an OV deluxe because that's all that's left? Or is it a risk, because of course, people can always cancel and the smaller rooms would be available.

Huh?

 

Anyone have a link to share to the 35 hour sale? TIA.

I, like you, was perplexed because I didn't see the sale on the website, but I figured it out -- it's almost like a "secret sale" because you don't see that there is a sale until you go to book the cruise.

When you are in the booking process, you will given the option to choose your own rooms or let Carnival choose for you. Click on the latter option and VOILA! a window comes up offering you a 35-hour sale price.

Hope this helps -- it's very tempting to book.

With the basic interior rooms, the 2 upper bunks are either partially or fully over the regular twin beds. But with oceanview & balcony rooms, the 3rd/4th beds (sofabed + upper) are separated from the regular beds. The 1st/2nd beds have their own space from floor to ceiling, which is not true with the basic interiors. I would always prefer having nobody either above or below me. The 3rd/4th beds do have to share that space with each other, but the 1st/2nd beds have nobody above them in any way. The separation between the 1st/2nd beds & the 3rd/4th beds might be less than a foot, but they are separated.

Thanks, that's good to know! Believe it or not, I don't mind sleeping in bunk beds -- takes me back to my childhood. I was on the bunk for our two Dis cruises when we were all in one cabin. :)

If you decide to do the 2 cabin route, how about a 4J on deck 7 since you have 6 to choose from and an adjacent inside like 7211 or 7212.

Yes, that's an excellent idea, if they are still available. That would be affordable and give us extra space.

Although, my DS just informed me he's not sure he wants to cruise now because it will take time away from other things he can do on break, like play video games. I'm not making this up.

Well, I guess that would solve the space issue...

I'm looking forward to hearing how you liked the cabin, please do post!

Thanks to you all for the great advice. So many useful tips -- and I didn't know that about deck 5 jutting out -- that's why I love this forum! We are looking to book for March, so our choices may be somewhat limited this late in the game, but we shall see. At least now I have plenty of options.

I'm curious k2excursion, what exactly did you mean by "It is separated, which is a huge advantage over the interiors.." What exactly are you referring to that is separated?

I developed a bad gluten intolerance a few months prior to our last cruise on the NCL Getaway. Although I haven't sailed the Triumph, as a first-time GF cruiser, I have some advice, for what it's worth.

As previous poster noted, you want to let the host/hostess know prior to sailing. I also emailed NCL special services prior to cruise, and they noted my food restrictions on my reservation.

Every night at dinner in the MDR, I would order for the next day's dinner from a special menu. Since I'm also a vegetarian and bit of a health nut, my selections were very limited, but there were plenty of choices for meat-eaters.

We also ate frequently in the buffet, and I would frequently have to ask staff if an item was GF. I'm happy to report that they always were accomodating, and if they didn't know, would call the head chef to ask.

I also learned that it's better to be safe than sorry. I ate some nacho chips, which are usually GF, and had a reaction to them. I should have asked -- my guess is there was some cross contamination during frying or something, so if your husband has celiac he will definitely want to ask about anything where there is any question.

I hope, like I did, he will find all the staff very accomodating and happy to help. I was a bit wary, being a first time GF traveler, of getting sick or how I'd be treated, but it turned out to be a fantastic cruise and no problems at all. I'm sure you will find the same -- enjoy your trip!!

We are considering taking our first Carnival cruise on either the Dream or Breeze in March, after sailing Dis, RC and NCL. I have a couple of questions about cabins and any help is greatly appreciated. Note we are trying to keep costs down on this trip, due to major home repairs:mad:

* We are a family of four, DS is 21 and DD is 12. We used to all stay in one cabin but now that kids are older, have split into two adjoining on our last two cruises. However, for the cruises we're looking at, we can get one balcony for the four of us cheaper than two insides. How are the balcony rooms sizewise?

Our last cruise on NCL Getaway we NEVER could have fit four in a balcony, but we have all shared a cabin comfortably on DIS Magic and Dream. Any cabin advice from past Dream/Breeze cruisers?

* Has anyone stayed in the inside cabins with walkway views? I saw them on one review and they looked like a nice alternative to a balcony -- a pretty isolated walkway just outside your doors, and much cheaper than a balcony.

Any advice is appreciated -- we really would like to try one of these fun ships!

We stayed there prior to our last cruise and LOVED it -- cannot say enough good things about the staff and service. The pool area was closed due to high winds (it's on a rooftop) and the girl who came out to tell us was so apologetic she offered to let my family bowl and play pool for free. She also brought us coffee. The restaurant staff was also wonderful, as was front desk, valets -- really everyone.

We had a suite with floor to ceiling windows and the best bathroom ever, even had a built-in tv in the mirror. I wouldn't stay anywhere else before a cruise.

Wow, good to know, thanks! On both RC and Disney we used promotional OBC to pay gratuities, although I can't remember if they were from TA or cruise.

Our OBC is from NCL, and I was going to use to pay DSC, so this is good to know. THANKS all!!