Breakaway 5/19 - Random Thoughts on Casino, Vibe Cabana, Haven, and More

[Stillfloatin']

We will be CAS guests on the Breakaway so, like you, we spend several hours a day in the casino. We have been disappointed with the slot machine selection on our past few cruises. Seems like it's mostly Pennie and nickel machines now. Do you remember if there were any muli-dom or dollar or quarter machines in the Breakaway casino?

[Fishbait17]

We will be CAS guests on the Breakaway so' date=' like you, we spend several hours a day in the casino. We have been disappointed with the slot machine selection on our past few cruises. Seems like it's mostly Pennie and nickel machines now. Do you remember if there were any muli-dom or dollar or quarter machines in the Breakaway casino?[/quote']

 

Many machines were multi denominational, although mostly 1c,2c,5c. Lots of dollar slots, some $5, some higher. A nice mix, similar to the Epic, but even more selection it seems.

 

Robin

[Stillfloatin']

Many machines were multi denominational, although mostly 1c,2c,5c. Lots of dollar slots, some $5, some higher. A nice mix, similar to the Epic, but even more selection it seems.

 

Robin

 

Were there any quarter, fifty cent, dollar multiple dom machines? (Thank you for the info)

[Fishbait17]

Were there any quarter' date=' fifty cent, dollar multiple dom machines? (Thank you for the info)[/quote']

 

Not that I noticed, but I very likely may have missed them. For example, some of the dollar machines I was playing may have had other denominations that I never noticed, and I passed over a ton of machines (I'm a Quick Hits girl). Most were video or at least five reel, so that means lots of lines which works better with lower denominations with max bets of 300 coins (pennies, two cents, or nickels). Typical dollar wheel of fortunes (which were pretty much awful any time I played) and a few Cashman, four of the newer Goldfish with mechanical reels but video highlights, etc, pretty typical for NCL ships...

 

Robin

Edited June 12, 2013 by Fishbait17

[Stillfloatin']

Not that I noticed, but I very likely may have missed them. For example, some of the dollar machines I was playing may have had other denominations that I never noticed, and I passed over a ton of machines (I'm a Quick Hits girl). Most were video or at least five reel, so that means lots of lines which works better with lower denominations with max bets of 300 coins (pennies, two cents, or nickels). Typical dollar wheel of fortunes (which were pretty much awful any time I played) and a few Cashman, four of the newer Goldfish with mechanical reels but video highlights, etc, pretty typical for NCL ships...

 

Robin

 

Sorry to hear that but not surprised. Seems like all those machines are being replaced. Too bad, they provided a lot of variety. Glad to hear they have some quick hits. Thanks again for answering my questions. I will set me expectations accordingly.

[AngAndBoys]

I appreciate all reviews, good, bad, long, short, whatever! I don't understand the need for snarky comments when people have been kind enough to take the time to inform us!

 

Thanks for the info about smoking areas, wanted to ask about it but was afraid of getting the usual board spanking for it. One would think that NCL would do a better job with smoking areas in the casino after all the Epic complaints. And did I understand correctly that smoking was allowed in the outside areas of eating venues? Bars as well?

 

Something else I'd like to add about point accumulation. I just got off Epic and Jade and accumulated around 1700 points between 2 of us in the cabin for both trips. They combine from sailing to sailing for 12 or 18 months. Was advised by casino desk at end of Jade cruise to wait to cash in until 2500 points accumulated for better benefits. That might help some of my fellow not so high rollers out there.

[Fishbait17]

I appreciate all reviews, good, bad, long, short, whatever! I don't understand the need for snarky comments when people have been kind enough to take the time to inform us!

 

Thanks for the info about smoking areas, wanted to ask about it but was afraid of getting the usual board spanking for it. One would think that NCL would do a better job with smoking areas in the casino after all the Epic complaints. And did I understand correctly that smoking was allowed in the outside areas of eating venues? Bars as well?

 

Something else I'd like to add about point accumulation. I just got off Epic and Jade and accumulated around 1700 points between 2 of us in the cabin for both trips. They combine from sailing to sailing for 12 or 18 months. Was advised by casino desk at end of Jade cruise to wait to cash in until 2500 points accumulated for better benefits. That might help some of my fellow not so high rollers out there.

 

Smoking was definitely permitted at the bars on the Waterfront and the tables for the bars.. Don't think it was allowed at the outdoor restaurant tables. Our weather was so bad I'm not sure I ever saw anyone dining outside, except one night at La Cucina!

 

Robin

[time2cruise1]

Smoking was definitely permitted at the bars on the Waterfront and the tables for the bars.. Don't think it was allowed at the outdoor restaurant tables. Our weather was so bad I'm not sure I ever saw anyone dining outside, except one night at La Cucina!

 

Robin

 

On the TA smoking was allowed at the bar tables but not sitting at the Maltings outside bar. ;) I know I was asked to move.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

Edited June 12, 2013 by time2cruise1

[Aurora2143]

Thanks Robin for this informative review. Hopefully they will have some of the kinks ironed out by the time we sail in February, but I won't hold my breath. Either way, it's going to be fun!!

[Fishbait17]

On the TA smoking was allowed at the bar tables but not sitting at the Maltings outside bar. ;) I know I was asked to move.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

 

Hehehe on ours, the only night that I went outside to Maltings to smoke (eating at La Cucina), the smokers had pirated the bar from one end to the other.. I sat down, had a smoke, and got talking to the guy next to me, who turned out to live only a block away from me! I guess it depends on smokers vs non, or they couldn't control the pirates! :D. Other times I smoked outside, there was nobody around!

 

Robin

Edited June 12, 2013 by Fishbait17

[time2cruise1]

Hehehe on ours, the only night that I went outside to Maltings to smoke (eating at La Cucina), the smokers had pirated the bar from one end to the other.. I sat down, had a smoke, and got talking to the guy next to me, who turned out to live only a block away from me! I guess it depends on smokers vs non, or they couldn't control the pirates! :D. Other times I smoked outside, there was nobody around!

 

Robin

 

Or it depends on the bartender. Like every rule on NCL there is always very selective enforcement. :D

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

[AngAndBoys]

Thanks all for the info!

[Sohker]

About how many Blackjack and craps tables are there?

What are the table minimums?

Is it easy to get a seat at a blackjack table?

Does it pay to join the Casinos At Sea Players Club?

Can anyone explain the promotional chips for table games?

[patter44]

Thank you Robin for a very informative review. Lots of questions answered. I think it's great to have all different types of reviews from all different points of interest (BTW I love a good long Coka review :D).

 

Smoking was definitely permitted at the bars on the Waterfront and the tables for the bars.. Don't think it was allowed at the outdoor restaurant tables.

Robin

 

In all the pictures posted I have yet to see any smoking receptacles outside on the Waterfront/Deck 7 area like they have on the Jewel Class ships. Did I just miss them or do you have to roam around looking for a blue ashtray. What are the rules around the pool area?

[Fishbait17]

Thank you Robin for a very informative review. Lots of questions answered. I think it's great to have all different types of reviews from all different points of interest (BTW I love a good long Coka review :D).

 

 

 

In all the pictures posted I have yet to see any smoking receptacles outside on the Waterfront/Deck 7 area like they have on the Jewel Class ships. Did I just miss them or do you have to roam around looking for a blue ashtray. What are the rules around the pool area?

 

Didn't really do the pool area so I can't help you there. The Waterfront had ashtrays on tables and bars, didn't even look for any on the walls! :D

 

Robin

[Tralfie]

Fantastic review. It really helped give me insight into a couple things I'm debating, as I'll be taking my first-ever cruise on the Breakaway in March. (Unless, that is, my newly-blossomed obsession with all hthings cruise related "forces" me to book a trip earlier. LOL)

 

I assume the Casinos At Sea is a rewards program? WOuld you recommend it to... well, people in general? I love to gamble... in fact, I'm heading to Atlantic City next weekend for two nights at the Borgata. But I'm probably nota HUGE gambler. Will probalby spend about a thousand bucks over the course of the cruise...

 

Richard/Tralfie

[Fishbait17]

Fantastic review. It really helped give me insight into a couple things I'm debating, as I'll be taking my first-ever cruise on the Breakaway in March. (Unless, that is, my newly-blossomed obsession with all hthings cruise related "forces" me to book a trip earlier. LOL)

 

I assume the Casinos At Sea is a rewards program? WOuld you recommend it to... well, people in general? I love to gamble... in fact, I'm heading to Atlantic City next weekend for two nights at the Borgata. But I'm probably nota HUGE gambler. Will probalby spend about a thousand bucks over the course of the cruise...

 

Richard/Tralfie

 

I definitely recommend it to everyone. Hey, it's free and you never know how much you might actually play, so why not!? I'm heading down to AC in an hour myself, just for the day. My family is throwing me a birthday party tonight (which I really don't want lol) so I'm getting out of town while the madness ensues! See you there!

 

Robin

[PathfinderEss]

Wonderful review, thanks for taking the time to write and post it.

[Bluegirl]

Hi, & thanks so much for your great review of everything, most especially casino stuff. I am new to NCL and will be making my maiden voyage on the Breakaway in 8 days (!!). My husband and I are avid players in the RCCL Casino Royale club, so it's interesting to hear how things work on NCL in general and Breakaway in particular. For him, it's all about the poker (with some ill-advised−IMO−jaunts over to the roulette table); as for myself, I like 3-card poker and slots, though I have been known to enter the odd poker tournament. (My husband won the final table and a slot in the 2012 poker tournament on the Oasis; I managed to win one table one time ...)

 

Anyway, I hope I can ask a few questions that have been on my mind.

 

1) Did you see much poker action on your cruise? Besides nightly play, was a tournament also held?

 

2) Someone else mentioned this: what are the "chits" that are received using the PIN?

 

3) Does the players' club let anyone in (can you fill out an application as soon as you enter the casino), or do they wait and see how you play then invite you?

 

Thanks for any insights. Great review! I have to say that I love the variety of reviews−it's interesting to see what different things matter to people, and a review really brings that out. It's seldom I see a review that focuses so much on casino matters, though. That's one of the most important things IMO and the reason I will never cruise Disney!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Found this to be the best review I have read. Thanks so much.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[dinobja]

Did you happen to notice what kind of video poker machines they had such as Spin Poker or Super Double Poker? Also did they have the video poker on the TV in your room like the Epic does? Thanks,

[Fishbait17]

Hi, & thanks so much for your great review of everything, most especially casino stuff. I am new to NCL and will be making my maiden voyage on the Breakaway in 8 days (!!). My husband and I are avid players in the RCCL Casino Royale club, so it's interesting to hear how things work on NCL in general and Breakaway in particular. For him, it's all about the poker (with some ill-advised−IMO−jaunts over to the roulette table); as for myself, I like 3-card poker and slots, though I have been known to enter the odd poker tournament. (My husband won the final table and a slot in the 2012 poker tournament on the Oasis; I managed to win one table one time ...)

 

Anyway, I hope I can ask a few questions that have been on my mind.

 

1) Did you see much poker action on your cruise? Besides nightly play, was a tournament also held?

 

2) Someone else mentioned this: what are the "chits" that are received using the PIN?

 

3) Does the players' club let anyone in (can you fill out an application as soon as you enter the casino), or do they wait and see how you play then invite you?

 

Thanks for any insights. Great review! I have to say that I love the variety of reviews−it's interesting to see what different things matter to people, and a review really brings that out. It's seldom I see a review that focuses so much on casino matters, though. That's one of the most important things IMO and the reason I will never cruise Disney!

 

There are definitely poker tournaments every sea day, along with slot and BJ tourneys.

 

The chits you can get from slot machines on the Breakaway are unique for NCL. You can charge slot credit directly to the machines from your onboard account using a PIN you set up at the casino desk. Then you can play out this money or cash it out onto a "chit" and move onto the next machine. May not be new for other cruise lines, but is new for NCL.

 

Anyone can sign up for Casinos At Sea in the casino of any NCL ship, and then use the card to track their play, similar to any land-based program.

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

Did you happen to notice what kind of video poker machines they had such as Spin Poker or Super Double Poker? Also did they have the video poker on the TV in your room like the Epic does? Thanks,

 

Don't remember either, though I vaguely recall seeing in-suite gambling on the TV. Never checked it out though.

 

Robin