garnet115

I am in a studio on the Breakaway 2 night CTN this coming weekend. When prices dropped, my TA called NCL to try and get me OBC and I was offered free upgrades to a balcony and then a minisuite. I opted to stick with the studio as a solo traveler, but could have easily upgraded.

 

Whether or not you would be upgraded will depend largely on how well the cruise sells, and then also on how diligent you are in tracking prices and following up with NCL.

My understanding 3 cans of any of the listed. Bring some of your own on board. You will need them. 3 is for a day if you ask me.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Sorry if I am being dense - is it a choice of three cans total, or three cans of each selection (9 cans total)?

I know that if I get bar set up, then I am entitled to 3 mixers for each bottle. how much of each mixer would I receive? (assuming cans of soda, how many of each selection?)

 

Given the prices, I am not sure that the bar set up works for me since I am a single adult in my cabin. There is no way I would consume an entire bottle in a one week trip, so I may be better off just going to the bar. But I am trying to figure it all out.

 

Thanks!

If you are really concerned, I would book a cabin on the port side of the ship. If you look at the deck plans, I think those are directly below other cabins, whereas the ones on the starboard side are below the fitness center.

I stayed in a Haven spa suite. A lounge chair would definatly fit length wise. You MIGHT be able to squeeze 2 in each corner. I didn't try it but it would be a tight squeeze. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the info!

We saw this cabin on a cabin crawl. I think it would fit.

 

Cool! Thanks!

I am thinking about what to put on my list for the pre cruise concierge, and I saw another thread where someone asked the concierge to have loungers on the balcony. I know the balcony for this suite is too narrow facing out, but am wondering if it might be nice to have one positioned lengthwise as a replacement for one of the chairs. Do you think that would fit?

 

Thanks!

Wondering if anyone knows whether or not you pay additional charges on certain menu items (for example, lobster and crab legs @ Cagney's) if you purchase the UDP? Also, can you eat multiple specialty restaurants on same night?

 

According to the FAQ, the answer is no:

 

Q. ARE ANY MENU ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM THE ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE?

A. No, all items listed on the menus are included in the package.

 

2. From what I've seen, they pretty much only respond to threads that have generated a lot of traffic - so to speak, cherry picking high profile threads to maximize the viral effect.

 

 

I have to disagree with this statement. A great example is the lost luggage thread. Not a ton of postings, but NCL seized on an opportunity to reach out and help someone truly in need on an issue of some urgency. This goes beyond just placating the complainers.

Thanks, all. I am so excited, and I especially can't wait to see the look on dd's face when she finds out about the suite.

 

One of the big reasons I decided to upgrade is the NY weather. After the way it has been the last week, I would be devestated to spend all this money on a vacation and have it ruined by the weather. I figure with Haven access, at least we will be able to use the courtyard pool if it is too cold for the outdoor pools.

Welcome to the suite life! Just be warned that it will be hard to go back to a non-suite room anytime soon.

 

I am willing to assume that risk! ;)

FYI - I just logged in to MyNCL and the UDP has been added as a pre-purchase option online. Not worth it for me, but thought I'd let others know that it is now available.

I just self-upgraded to a Haven Spa Suite for my upcoming February cruise on Breakaway. I have been watching prices come down and decided it was worth the extra money. Plus I get the spa pass and another $150 OBC, so that helps offset some of my additional cost. Plus all the money that the Lavazza machine will save me on premium coffee drinks....

 

I am not telling dd about our upgrade until embarkation day. She will be tickled pink by the in-room jacuzzi! I thought I would be second guessing myself for spending the extra money, but I am grinning ear to ear, so I think I made the right choice!

 

I've never sailed in a suite. I know there is lots of advice on CC about it, but if anyone feels like chiming in with suggestions on how to get the most out of my experience, I am all ears.

It depends on the ship and the spa cabin type

 

e.g the Epic is a round bed and does not split

the Haven spa suites on breakaway only take 2 and there isn't a sofa but the bed does split

 

You needs to give your preference and if not tell the steward when you arrive and it will be split by bed time

 

 

FYI - I was just told that statement about the breakaway spa suites is incorrect. I just upgraded my dd and me to a Haven Spa Suite (yippee!!:D) on our Feb cruise and my TA inquired with NCL and was told that the bed does not split. I don't mind sharing a king size bed with my dd, but people should be aware if they are traveling with friends that they may be a little "closer" than anticipated.

Agreed. I've been impressed with NCL's responsiveness on the boards. It is a testament to their apparent commitment to customer service. I have my first NCL cruises coming up, so I hope they don't prove me wrong g

Does anyone have the programs for Splash Academy on the Breakaway from the FL/Bahamas itinerary? I've seen the ones from Bermuda, but am curious to see changes for the newer itinerary. (Particularly interested in the 10 to 12 age group.)

 

Thanks!

Thanks. I had a feeling that was the case, and knew that CC would provide me with the answer.

 

Oh well. Even if she can't go, I would still get to enjoy it. :)

I am thinking about upgrading to a spa cabin on my breakaway cruise and will be traveling with my 10 yo dd. Since the cabin comes with 2 spa passes, I was wondering whether there was any part that dd could access. Of course, I would never let her in unsupervised and understand she would need to be respectful of others peace and tranquility (I know some people are offended by the mere thought of kids in a spa or the Haven). I know a lot of spas and fitness centers are restricted to adults only. What is the NCL/Breakaway policy?

 

Even if dd doesn't get access, I would still enjoy the facilities while she is at Splash Academy, but I know she would really enjoy it if she were able to get a taste of it.

They now have a table in terminal with spa personal selling passes. My friend bought hers there today

 

Fabulous! I will be looking for it when I sail in February. :)

I noticed on another thread that someone said they were able to purchase their Gem spa pass in the terminal prior to boarding the ship. Can you do that for the Breakaway as well? Or must you go to the spa after embarkation to make the purchase there?

 

Thanks.

Interesting. I wish they had published more of the "details" in the daily. This leaves me with the following questions:

 

1. Are all restaurants included? What about the a la carte restaurants like the sushi place or the noodle bar?

 

2. Aren't some of the specialty restaurants open for lunch? Would the package be good for lunch as well as dinner?

 

3. The phrasing is interesting: "enjoy a different restaurant every night." By saying a "different restaurant", does that mean you are limited to only trying each specialty restaurant once?

 

4. $199 per person, presumably for adults. What is the child pricing?

 

5. Are package purchasers guaranteed restaurant availability? If it is a full sailing, some of the restaurants may be difficult to book. I would hate to pay my $199 and not be able to get into my restaurants of choice at the times that are convenient for me.

 

The devil is in the details, so I'll be curious to hear the exact workings of the package.

I was on Epic last year. About 45 days before sailing, the suite dropped $800. I had already paid in full so was not able to take advantage. But they did give me $45 more OBC. Keep checking but like someone said, the new ships may not have huge price drops.

 

Thanks. If it dropped $500 I would grab it, so I will keep checking.

[quote name='cruisebear84']Okayyyyyy CC is REALLY frustrating me right now, not letting me upload my documents :mad::mad: Let me know if this link works: [URL]https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5j2s1EdrX1Uejk3YUo1WUNWLW8&usp=sharing[/URL][/quote]


Great review, Cruisebear, and thanks so much for posting your dailies.

If anyone out there has the kids club program dailies from a recent FL/Bahamas sailing, I would love to see those too. Can't plan my fun without knowing when/what will occupy my daughter on board! ;)

Thanks for the info. I fail to see how a half full ship helps with the profit margin, but I guess that's why I am not on the travel/marketing business.

 

I am going to hold out hope. Just like when I buy powerball tickets... a girl can dream!

I am watching the prices for my Feb 16 cruise religiously. The ship is nowhere near full, and I can see that prices are starting to drop for some categories. For example, as of this morning, my B1 aft balcony is $100 less per person than what I paid. I keep hoping that the prices on the remaining Haven cabins will come down - if they do, I would self-upgrade in a heartbeat (or if the upsell fairy is watching, please make me an offer I can't refuse!). My question is, do the Haven cabins ever see substantial price drops? Or do they just use them to upgrade/upsell existing passengers in order to free up lower priced cabins? There are still plenty of lower priced cabins open, so that doesn't seem necessary for NCL to ultimately sell out the ship. (In fact, for a holiday week cruise out of NYC, I am surprised how many cabins still remain available!)

 

I will be happy with my B1 if I can't upgrade - after all, that is why I booked it! But to find a suite that I can afford would be a phenomenal treat for me and my dd. Plus, I think all my time on CC reading about the suite life is feeding this fantasy of mine!