6 Day Exotic Eastern Caribbean Aboard the Carnival Breeze 1/13/2013

[JaniceB]

My DH and I decided to book this cruise to escape the winter blues. We are both in our early 50's and have cruised with Carnival numerous times. I loved the idea of trying out a new ship so this itinerary and the Breeze got our vote. The ports were Grand Turk and Montego Bay. We had never been to either port.

 

 

We left for Miami a day early. We used SAS transportation to get from FLL to MIA. We had to wait approximately 20 mins to be picked up after we picked up our luggage. We made 2 stops on the way to MIA and the van was very full. The price was $15 each. I am sure this was the cheapest mode of transportation but I am not sure I would do this again.

 

Next up our hotel.

[JaniceB]

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown. We arrived at noon and were met at the front desk by a very nice staff. The hotel lobby was very busy. A group had been staying at the hotel for the Orange Bowl and they were checking out. The front desk staff upgraded us to a suite, since it was available, and off we went to check out our room on the 9th floor. We were also given a free drink coupon each. I don't know if we were upgraded because I had used my Marriott rewards to book the room, but it was very nice.

 

Here are some pictures.

 

Hallway entering suite

 

 

Bedroom

 

 

Bathroom - notice the angled toilet. I have never seen this before.

 

 

Living room

 

 

 

Kitchenette

 

[JaniceB]

And lastly the view of Miami from our balcony. I thought it might be noisy in the room with monrail so close, but we never heard it.

 

I love the palm trees on the highrise building roof areas.

 

[JaniceB]

We dropped off our bags and headed to Bayside to meet some friends who live in Miami. We were very hungry so we ate a little Cuban restaurant and enjoyed the view.

 

See the whale tail in the background.

 

 

My DH and our friends enjoying the music on the nice couches they have around the harbor in Bayside.

 

 

[JaniceB]

We left Bayside and headed toward the convention center. We wanted to watch the playoff games that were on that Saturday, especially the Ravens. Our friends suggested a place called Hoops that had outside TV's.

 

Some sights along the way. I loved this building.

 

 

We found this along the way. There was no plaque stating what it represented.

 

 

The front door of the building.

 

 

Upclose

 

[JaniceB]

From Hoops I was able to watch the ships leaving Miami on Saturday. The excitement is building for our cruise.

 

 

The game of the day.

 

 

Next up - the Breeze. I won't be adding too many pictures of the ship since cruisers who have taken much better photos than me have already posted them. I have scanned the fun times and I hope I can get them loaded.

[INCHARGE]

Janice...I am enjoying your review, and I'm glad you have the fun times, because I did not save them. I hope you can post them.

[ciera123]

Nice review so far. We're on the Breeze May 25 and are very excited! Can't wait for more...:)

[jacksmom09]

Great review! Looking forward to more!

[JaniceB]

Janice...I am enjoying your review, and I'm glad you have the fun times, because I did not save them. I hope you can post them.

 

I made a point this time save them in a folder everyday.

 

Nice review so far. We're on the Breeze May 25 and are very excited! Can't wait for more...:)

 

Thank you, I am sure you will love the Breeze!

[JaniceB]

Great review! Looking forward to more!

 

Thank you! More coming soon.

[jenale80]

Thanks for sharing, can't wait to read more.

[JaniceB]

We didn't wake up early after celebrating the Ravens win and visiting with our friends. After the game on the way home, we found a CVS and purchased our carry-on wine, so all we needed to do was find a place to have a quick breakfast. We left the hotel and found a Subway close by. It was quick and convenient. We went back to the hotel, packed up our stuff and called for a cab. We had read that this was probably the best way to get to the port even though the hotel had a shuttle for $5 each.

 

We went downstairs around 10:25 to get the cab. We were told the shuttle was leaving, made no other stops and had room for us, so we climbed in. This was a mistake. The shuttle driver was not in a hurry to get anywhere. The other couples in the van were going on an NCL cruise. This was the first ship we came to. The driver did not know where to let them off. They finally told him where to go and we headed for the Breeze. Again the driver did not know where to let us off. The porter came over, took our luggage and said he does this everyday he comes to the port!:confused:

 

Our first view of the Breeze.

 

[JaniceB]

Check-in was a breeze:), then the waiting began. We were given a map of the ship. I wanted to scan it, but I couldn't fit the open map on the scanner. The terminal was very active and we were kept entertained. We had boarding number 6. Once it was called we encountered our first line. There was a girl collecting the boarding passes, the hold up was the first picture. Once we were past the pictures we made our way onto the ship:D!

[JaniceB]

I have attached the funtimes.

fun times Jan1320130001.pdf

[JaniceB]

Here is the tear off section of the funtimes for the day.

fun times Jan1320130001 5.pdf

[JaniceB]

Upon entering the ship around noon, we proceeded to Deck 10 and we encounted a line. This was to purchase the cheers program. We decided to wait in the line and purchase the program. I went to the Blue Igauna Bar and got my first DOD.

 

We decided to eat lunch at the Cucina del Capitano. I loved this option on embarkation day. There were no crowds, lines and the food was very good.

Some pictures

 

 

My lunch

 

 

Huge bottles of wine on display

 

[JaniceB]

After lunch we went to our cabin. We had cabin 11240 on the spa deck. Our bags had not arrived, so I took some pictures and off we went to see some of the ship and wait for the muster drill.

 

Love the colors.

 

 

 

Love the new luggage mat

[Purplehaze21]

Nice review!! I LOVE the color of the cabin!!

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing, can't wait to read more.

 

You're welcome.

 

Nice review!! I LOVE the color of the cabin!!

 

Thank you! It is pretty.

[JaniceB]

We left the cabin and did a little exploring of the spa and the rest of the ship. Couldn't wait to try these.

 

 

 

Loved the midship pool area.

 

Miami from the ship

Forgot to add this when I took when we were boarding the ship, luggage waiting to board.

 

[JaniceB]

A few more shots of Miami

Loved the harbor anchorage

[JaniceB]

Muster was held in the ovation theater and was relatively painless. We watched one employee struggle with his life jacket which made the time go by fast.

 

After muster we headed to the Tides pool to see if we could find any members of our roll call. We were supposed to wear beads, but mine were packed in my luggage that hadn't arrived. Note to self - pack beads in carryon. We didn't see anyone so we went to see what the score was for the football game.

 

We ended up in the casino area since there isn't a sports bar on this ship. We found a table and shortly after we ran into an old friend. I asked him who he was sailing with and he told me to wait and he would get her. To my surprise he brought my sister to the table. I was in shock. :):D

 

We all decided to go up on deck for sailaway and I took a few pictures.

 

A ship leaving

 

 

The area where the boats turn around to head out to sea.

 

 

Keeping the boats clear

 

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[JaniceB]

A few more sailaway pictures from the serenity area.

 

Is this some sort of lighthouse?

 

My new condo if I win the lottery;)

 

 

Couldn't believe no one was around the pool...what a view

 

Pilot boat heading out

 

Goodbye Miami