Breakaway secret tips

Does anyone who has sailed on the Breakaway have any secret tips about the ship? (Best places to go, things to do, secret locations hard to find, etc) We are sailing on her for the 1st time in December.

 

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Take the middle elevator to the 12th deck, exit to the left and walk towards the staterooms. 14 rooms in, you will reach a stateroom with no number assigned. knock 9 times.. thank me later.

The sundeck right outside the Vibe is seldom used, including the bar.

If you want to try Canvas-by-U, look at the freestyle daily on embarkation day and sign up then.

Get up early any make your way to H2O to watch the sunrise in a jacuzzi!!

 

 

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What is Canvas by U?

The sundeck right outside the Vibe is seldom used, including the bar.

 

 

 

I vote for this too, comfy chairs, great bar

 

 

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If you are doing the Bahamas route, do the water slides/ropes while in port. Port side top public areas not too crowded or the middle section top.

 

Very crowded feeling ship so Haven would be a plus.

What is Canvas by U?

it is a painting class

Hi dexddd - I've read that the ropes course/waterslides are not open when the BA is in port. Is that incorrect?

Hi dexddd - I've read that the ropes course/waterslides are not open when the BA is in port. Is that incorrect?

 

It's been a couple years since we've been on BA so can't give recent advice. I'll have to check the recent Dailies by MKing to see if those list them as being open.

On The Breakaway cruise to the Eastern Caribbean last January, there was a late night snack area in the Casino. This took place around 11 or midnight.

Hi dexddd - I've read that the ropes course/waterslides are not open when the BA is in port. Is that incorrect?

 

So I checked the Dailies from MKing and in PC they show the ropes course open at 10-2 then 6-10. Aqua Park 10-6. GSC Aqua Park 10-6 and same at Nassau. Ropes course and the little kids ropes course and the rock climbing wall had varying times when they were open on those port days.

 

Were you reading they weren't open maybe due to weather/winds? When we went we had good weather all but the last day. We only planned to get off the ship at GSC but we ended up missing that stop. At the other ports we used the slides over and over with no more than a 3 person wait at the longest.

 

Also for the drop slides they have weight restrictions min/max plus NO jewelry.

The lunch buffet in Moderno can be a nice change from the normal buffet.

Small complementary breakfast buffet setup in Margaritaville each day weather permitting. If raining when leaving NYC the tables outside of Fat Cats are great to sit for sailaway. Wherever you want to be for sailaway head there immediately after the muster drill ends. The small bar at the entrance to LaCucina rarely has anyone there (Elaine the bartender is great to visit with). The area on deck 7 outside in front by the shuffleboard court is closest to the water and rarely anyone there. The view from the very back on deck 8 is beautiful. The glass panels in the waterfront deck 8 aft let you look down at the water for a different perspective. Make specialty dining reservations early. The Prime Meridian bar between Cagney's and Moderno is usually pretty empty. Music by the Maltings bar is excellent, Melvyn Howard should be there still in December. If no unlimited beverage package the duty free store lets you take your purchases with you on the last sea day if you want to drink anything from there. There are cigars available at the Maltings bar by the humidor/smoking room - there are also cigars available (different selection) for sale in the duty free shops. Mini-golf is more fun when the ship is rocking. Cigarette smoking areas are the casino, humidor/smoking room, outside of Maltings on deck 8 (but not at the bar), smoking area by the pool, bar area in Spice H2O (but again not at the bar). In Spice H2O the mens room is by the bar and the ladies room is on the other side past the waterfall. On 6-7-8 the bathrooms are located past the elevators, mostly men's on the right side and womens on the left. Not necessarily secrets, just some info. Enjoy!!!

So I checked the Dailies from MKing and in PC they show the ropes course open at 10-2 then 6-10. Aqua Park 10-6. GSC Aqua Park 10-6 and same at Nassau. Ropes course and the little kids ropes course and the rock climbing wall had varying times when they were open on those port days.

 

Were you reading they weren't open maybe due to weather/winds? When we went we had good weather all but the last day. We only planned to get off the ship at GSC but we ended up missing that stop. At the other ports we used the slides over and over with no more than a 3 person wait at the longest.

 

Also for the drop slides they have weight restrictions min/max plus NO jewelry.

Thanks dexddd - that's great to know, I think I read a few reviews that said the ropes course was never open due to winds and they didnt even open them on port days. I took that to mean that it wasnt windy in port but they didnt open them normally on those days. Good to have clarification. I too like staying on the ship for at least part of the port days to do things that are usually crowded.

Love the other tips too, sailing this Sunday!!

Thanks dexddd - I think I read a few reviews that said the ropes course was never open due to winds and they didnt even open them on port days ...

Yeah, thanks - Dexddd in reading that for me (ha ha) since I just glanced at it daily but kept it for the uploads. Hmmm, I went back to look thru all of our photos, some unpublished & ones taken by our BIL/SIL - didn't see any, at all, of happenings up on the rope course at all, whether at sea or port days during our week.

 

Day 2 was a full day and still pretty windy & chilly once we outran the tropical storm, outdoor space were in lockdown mode - Day 3 at PC, we hanged out onboard and I did a little patrol with my smartphone camera, strolled past / below the planks & water slides, don't recall any lines or anybody at all waiting. Day 4 - we hit GSC and ended up doing lunch upstairs at the buffet, hangout & ditto, nothing happening. Day 5 - we got into Nassau early but we didn't leave the ship until past breakfast to taxi over to Baha Mas ... nope, don't recall anyone & came back early afternoon for lunch on the ship, till we changed to hit Moderno for dinner at 5:30 ... very unlikely they opened up at all (wasn't upstairs for that long) - those ovesea tourists would likely be snapping cameras & pictures, if not daring to get ahead of the queues for a chance to "WeChat" their friends. Day 6 was the only good full sea day on the return as everyone was indoor on Day 7 due to changing weather. No outdoor restrictions but nothing happened that I can recalled on the higher deck either on Day #6.

 

Come to think of it, the water slides were not open that much either, if at all - maybe WashyWashy had a better idea since s/he was in Haven & possibly noticed it, the casino "wings" of CC took up numerous cabins on Deck 9 AFT but it's possibly someone from their section been up there. The few other times I went up to "spy" on the dismal Margaritaville, didn't noticed any actions, lines and crowds - not to mention tons of sun loungers available all day long, except for those immediately next to the poolside. Just realized that this time, we never got around to check out H2O at all - where they apparently had a late night, 1 AM "Code Alpha" called with the Halloween Party in full swing ... all was good, I heard 2 days later, no CPR & no Medevac, etc.

Are there any bartenders on the Breakaway that might make having a drink or two fun?

Are there any bartenders on the Breakaway that might make having a drink or two fun?

 

In March 2016 (in the Haven bar) and then again in January 2017 (at the theater at night) there was a bartender named Christian that made the best drinks. His "Matador" had no equal; but, he made everything expertly. Don't know if he's still on the Breakaway; but, we're hoping to see him again come February 2nd!

 

Don

For the ropes course: no open-toed sandals or mules (regular tie-on or velcro sneakers are best). For the water slides: no jewelry (includes rings) and no metal decorations on bathing suits.

 

For those who like a large mug of coffee or tea to take back to the cabin each morning: bring a thermal mug (travel mug). The BA's coffee cups are small.

In March 2016 (in the Haven bar) and then again in January 2017 (at the theater at night) there was a bartender named Christian that made the best drinks. His "Matador" had no equal; but, he made everything expertly. Don't know if he's still on the Breakaway; but, we're hoping to see him again come February 2nd!

 

We had a Haven room in March 2016 too...a Haven bartender named Stefano made me the best Bloody Mary I've ever had. He was so good.

 

I vaguely remember reading Stefano had left the ship...I hope that's wrong. We'll be on the ship next March too.

I was on BA in April 2017 doing the FL/GSC/Nassau trip. I stayed onboard at Port Canaveral just because I used to live in Orlando and had done most excursions already. Turned out to be one of the best days of the cruise! Nobody on board so DW and I did the rope course and all of the slides. We were staying in the Haven, but that day we spent out by the pool because it felt like we had the whole ship to ourselves. One thing though, being in port, the "plank" that you walk out on the ropes course was over a big parking lot rather than the water. Scary!!!

Does anyone who has sailed on the Breakaway have any secret tips about the ship? (Best places to go, things to do, secret locations hard to find, etc) We are sailing on her for the 1st time in December.

 

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You can ask for/ special request certain foods that you love, ie. french onion soup...a desert from a prior night that you loved...they wont say no...as long as its on the ship they will get it for you..:)

After a show gets out in the theater go up or down one flight of stairs to use the bathroom, no lines!

Mini-golf is more fun when the ship is rocking.

 

LOL. And if you have the unlimited beverage plan...

 

Many people forget about the bake shop and gelato place in the back of the ship Deck 8. Turn left before you enter the dining room.

 

If there is something you want to see that is held in the Atrium, get there early, there is not a lot of seating. You can also watch from the rail in O'Sheehan's bar area one deck up.

 

The waterfront has big comfy couches (deck 8 both sides).

 

There is a bar all the way in the back of the Buffet. Not always open but handy when it is. In the morning there is also a juice bar set up... near the front of the buffet area maybe?

 

Remember that O'Sheehan's and Shanghai's Noodle Bar is a complimentary food place, just as the Buffet and Dining Rooms are.

 

Remember to watch for disembarkation timed color tags near the Customer Service desk - if you are wanting a specific time don't miss it. They put them out on the last sea day, maybe a day earlier?

 

There are several fun drink tasting events held, mostly at Shaker's or Maltings. Watch your Dailies carefully for these and other events you may enjoy.

 

There's a bowling alley! In the bar side of O'Sheehan's.

 

Deal or no Deal is kind of fun to watch. Not nearly as boring as Bingo. Fun to play too, but kind of expensive. I think it was $20 for a card?

 

Use hand sanitizer after every visit to the buffet. Think about how many hands touched those utensils. Don't get sick.

 

The sun area on Deck 16 mentioned above (opposite side from Vibe) has some nice large cushioned sun beds and there is a rare forward view.

 

Howl at the Moon is really fun. Go. Sometimes it turns into a Rock concert when the "Arsenal" band from Rock of Ages joins them. Sing along, it's expected.