Just off the 11/3 Jersey week sailing

[mjkacmom]

and we had a great time!

 

Left home at 9:15, and were parking our van at 9:45. By 10:30, we were all checked in. The terminal was very crowded (expected) and warm. We were #34 for boarding, and got on the ship a bit after noon. Headed right to Savor/Taste (both were open). The service was slow, but apparently just our table, as all of the tables around us seemed to get their food much faster (just our luck). However, the food was great, and the portions were pretty large.

 

Couldn't get our soda/UBP stickers because it was too close to muster, so we went to our cabins (connecting balconies, deck 12), and dropped off our stuff before heading to the theater (probably the worst muster station, as everyone had to check in and sit down). It was a long process before the 1 minute drill, but at least no life jackets. Headed to the atrium to wait in line for our stickers, and then off to sail away.

 

Went to the circ show (we were refunded $10 pp because it was the first night). The food was good (special attention was paid to my dd10 who has celiac), the show was great (my kids LOVED it). Sent the kids off to the kids clubs (the line was huge for my 10 - 12 year olds). DH took the teens, and that was the last we saw of them for most of the week. My younger kids didn't want to go back to the Slash Academy, but since there are 3 of them, close in age, I think they really didn't give it a chance, and just wanted to hang together.

 

The next night was Le Bistro, which was good. I wasn't thrilled with our options for dd10 (tried, in vain, to meet with someone ahead of time, and got the run-around). We were told just to tell the waiter, and his advice was to look at the menu, and find something gluten free for her (so she had steak and potatoes again, same as previous night). When I asked if the flourless chocolate cake was gluten free, I was told "yes, um, maybe, um, I will find out." It wasn't. My boys both ordered 2 orders of the escargot, and at them right up.

 

We had dinner in the Manhattan room once, Savor once, room service pizza once, the buffet once, and Moderno (which was great - unfortunately, it was a night of wind and ship-rocking, so we didn't bring our appetites). I have no complaints about the food, we never left hungry!

 

We saw ROA with our teens, and we all loved it. Dd17 saw it in San Francisco, and said it was exactly the same. Very few people left, and there was a standing ovation at the end. Burn the Floor was also excellent. We really didn't see much else - hate to say it, but we are early birds! I watched the fireworks alone on my balcony while DH and the 3 younger kids slept, and it was only 9:45! Maybe it was all of that walking - we rarely used the elevators.

 

Some thoughts - while the pool decks were crowded, there were always chairs available. The pools didn't seem crazy crowded, and I rarely saw kids in the adult pool. There were always empty tables at the buffet, and the lines weren't too long (just don't get on the first line when you enter - there are several identical stations throughout - just keep on walking). The kids loved the ropes course, which was open a lot. However, I only saw the rock wall being used once, and the trampoline seemed to be closed way more than open. Every time my kids got in line, they were told "sorry, it's closing."

 

Our cabins were small, but well thought-out. Best cruise shower yet! It took me a few days to remember to put on the "clean cabin" light when we left the cabin, but our steward was very patient with us - lol. She left our cards in the light switch the whole time, so we never came back to a dark or warm cabin.

 

The casino is smoky, and not in a nice way. It smells like old motel smoke, stale smoke. We weren't there a lot - kids did some karaoke, we played some slots (won $80!). Having it open up to 3 floors makes it feel roomier, but it does polute some hallways.

 

It rained in Port Canaveral, and we missed GSC. We took the Atlantis Aqua-adventure tour, and it couldn't have been better. I was hesitant, because the last time we booked a room at Comfort Suites, and taxied over, and I was nervous that the tour would delay us. However, it was cheaper than doing it ourselves. We exited the ship, handed in our waivers, walked to Festival Place, and were immediately put into waiting mini-buses, new and a/c on (we were given our wristbands by the ship). We were led into Atlantis, through the casino, and then we broke off to get a couple of chairs by the pools/slides. From this location, we could access everything - slides, pools, lagoon, lazy river. The beach out front was closed due to waves, but we kept walking left. First we found a beach that was open, but they weren't allowing anyone in the ocean. The lifeguard told us to keep going left, and we ended up on a a beautiful beach with the best ocean to swim in.

 

When we were done with the water, we headed to the Digs. When we finished, we walked back to where we were told to get the bus back, walked right on, and were back in no time. I couldn't have been easier.

 

Two splurges on our part were the Spa pass (BEST decision ever - between all of the kids onboard, and the cold weather going down and coming back, plus the rain in Florida, this place was a nice refuge - I still miss it...), and the UBP. We definitely drank more than we paid, and it just enhanced our vacation. I'm one who will forgo a glass of wine when we go out to dinner, to keep costs down. I loved trying different cocktails (restaurant special drinks, drinks of the day, things I've never tried - Le Fizz was my favorite - mimosa's in the morning, a glass of wine in the buffet, Newcastle on tap instead of beer buckets for DH). Most things we wanted to drink were included.

 

I was afraid I wouldn't like the Breakaway (sailed on the Jewel and the Spirit), because of the size and negative reviews. Honestly, I don't know what is not to like?! Oh, and disembarkment was a dream (except NCL likes to keep you on your toes - only 4 of our 7 suitcases were together, but dd10 and dd12 used colored duct tape on all of the handles, so it only took a few extra minutes). Got a porter (no one else on line for one), breezed through customs, and the porter brought all of our luggage up to our van. Left the cabin at 9:15, and we were doing laundry at 10 (took a little extra time to find the Lincoln Tunnel - they're always moving around the entrance streets).

 

Anyway, ask questions if you wish. I will say that I saw zero unruly kids onboard, and that the teen curfew of 1 am IS NOT enforced (making me the mean mean mom).

 

ETA - the iconcierge only seemed to work for ds15, so they took the rest of our charges off of our bill. We weren't left bags for the mid-week laundry special, so I called for them, and then didn't get our laundry back until Saturday afternoon. I brought this to the attention of guest services, and they took the charge off.

Edited November 12, 2013 by mjkacmom

[aharris0614]

Hi mjkacmom -

Quick question...can you comment on whether the pools/outdoor ropes course, etc were open the first couple days (when it was colder). And is the pool heated?

 

Thanks.

Ann

[HokiePoq]

Thanks for the great report! Sounds like the Breakaway is getting all the new ship wrinkles worked out. Glad you had a great time and what a good idea about the duct tape.

[mjkacmom]

Hi mjkacmom -

Quick question...can you comment on whether the pools/outdoor ropes course, etc were open the first couple days (when it was colder). And is the pool heated?

 

Thanks.

Ann

 

Yes and yes! In the spongebob water play area, with shallow pools, steam was rising, and kids were having a blast as I shivered.

[Tyskie]

 

I watched the fireworks alone on my balcony while DH and the 3 younger kids slept, and it was only 9:45! Maybe it was all of that walking - we rarely used the elevators.

 

 

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for your review!

Question re fireworks. You said you saw them on your balcony, deck 12. ?what side? Port? I'm wondering if we'll see them on deck 11 aft port side.

[mjkacmom]

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for your review!

Question re fireworks. You said you saw them on your balcony, deck 12. ?what side? Port? I'm wondering if we'll see them on deck 11 aft port side.

 

I'm sure I missed some, but yet, port side, just forward of the forward elevators. Took me by surprise!

[newcruiser08820]

Hi mjkacmom -

Quick question...can you comment on whether the pools/outdoor ropes course, etc were open the first couple days (when it was colder). And is the pool heated?

 

Thanks.

Ann

yes, heated but you can't use during sea days this late in the season - too cold and too windy. They should have a inclosed pool for the year-around sailing from NY. Ropes are closed when too windy as well. We did ropes while still in NY and once while in Bahamas.

[newcruiser08820]

I'm sure I missed some, but yet, port side, just forward of the forward elevators. Took me by surprise!

we had great view at port side all they way forward by video arcade. Anywhere port side is good on deck 15

[ibcnusoon]

We watched from our aft-facing balcony on deck 12 midship and were still able to see the fireworks from the port side!!

[KEPE]

Thanks for the review. A few questions if you don't mind...

 

1 - on the way there when did it start to warm up? On the way back was it cold on Sat?

 

2- Jersey week - were there a ton of kids on board? We're going Thanksgiving week. Should be comparable.

 

3 - You mentioned it was rocky the night you went to moderno, was the rest of the trip ok?

 

TIA

[nutley chick]

What is Jersey Week? I'm from Jersey and have no idea what this means? Is it special pricing for Jersey people? :confused:

[Infiniti820]

What is Jersey Week? I'm from Jersey and have no idea what this means? Is it special pricing for Jersey people? :confused:

 

It's the week that jersey schools are closed all or part of the week for a teachers conference and has become a big vacation week - hence the name Jersey Week.

[Infiniti820]

Thanks for the review. A few questions if you don't mind...

 

1 - on the way there when did it start to warm up? On the way back was it cold on Sat?

 

2- Jersey week - were there a ton of kids on board? We're going Thanksgiving week. Should be comparable.

 

3 - You mentioned it was rocky the night you went to moderno, was the rest of the trip ok?

 

TIA

I was on this sailing as well...

1.-weather was windy & cool on Monday, Tuesday morning until about 12:00 was warm and sunny but then it rained the rest of the day. On the return, Friday wa cloudy and cool all day and surprisingly Saturday it was sunny- if you laid directly in the sun it was okay to lay out- no going in the pool, to cold for that but it was comfortable enough that I fell asleep in the sun for over an hour!

2. There were ALOT of kids onboard but still never felt overwhelmed by adults or children- we were told the sailing was 100% full and the only time I felt it was on embarkation day in the buffet.

3. I remember feeling a little extra rocking on Monday & Tuesday night, nothing crazy- I think there was one more day of extra rockiness, just can't remember when but for the most part it was a comfortable ride.

[KEPE]

Thanks Infiniti!!

 

Hard to figure what to pack. Leaving from freezing temps to warm and I guess can be anything in between.

[sailingnut]

also spice H20 on deck 16 where they have all the late night parties is a good place to see the fireworks!

[eliw23]

I was on this sailing as well. I remember Friday being particularly rocky. We ate at Le Bistro that night and when it was time for the entree, I was feeling a bit queasy. At least I enjoyed my escargot! Too bad it was too cool for the pool Sun, Mon, Fri and Sat. I thought we'd be able to squeeze in more pool time on Fri but that wasn't the case.

 

We went up to Spice H20 for the fireworks. It was crowded but if you came in right before the fireworks went off, you'd still be able to find a place to stand. Lots of people left right afterwards since it was very cold. If we went to GSC, the fireworks were supposed to be held that night so the weather would have been warmer.

 

It was great that Geoffrey Zakarian was onboard! Met him Friday after his Q&A and enjoyed his cooking demo on Saturday. That made the sea days something to look forward to. I even made his risotto with success when I came home Sunday!

 

I can say that I was never bored on this ship. There's so much to do! My kids enjoyed it even though Splash Academy was always crowded but they liked the kids club and DH and I enjoyed the alone time while they were there! :)

[Infiniti820]

Thanks Infiniti!!

 

Hard to figure what to pack. Leaving from freezing temps to warm and I guess can be anything in between.

 

No problem- definetly pack a sweatshirt, you'll need it for the sea days when walking around outside on Monday & Saturday for sure, hopefully you will get lucky and have some sunshine on Friday and have better weather than we did that day.

[jdvmd]

Excellent review and comments! Glad you had a great time!

[Keith1010]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write and share your review.

 

Keith