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My Breakaway Review 3/23/14 - 3/30/14

CasinoCruzGirl

By CasinoCruzGirl,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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CasinoCruzGirl

CasinoCruzGirl

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Background - Received a cruise Certificate from the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. There was many choices to choose from. I chose the Breakaway sailing from NYC as I live in NJ and it was very convenient location wise. I have not cruised since 2004 have been sticking to land vacations but thought I would try it out since it was a "Compted Cruise" My husband has his own business and as he would say "He rather stick pins in his eyes than take a Cruise" lol he is a work alcoholic and for him to be without phone service for a full 7 days would kill him so I asked my sister in law who I know has done several cruises over the past few years and knew she loved them. We booked an M6 cabin originally on 3/30 for the 2 of us after upgrading from a inside cabin comp. After about a month decided to push the date up to March 23 but the price for the M6 went up considerably so we chose a BB Balcony Midship cabin. Several weeks later i saw my 25 year old niece who I asked if she might want to come with us she said YES YES so now there were 3 of us. After watching pricing i saw the B9 Spa Balcony price went down and was able to upgrade us all for only $180 we were in 14724 (great location) and having spa access was fantastic especially since the weather wasn't all that great as it turned out. So now the countdown was on. We had 3 women in our cabin and it was a little tight but nothing that would damper our fun time. My SIL slept on the couch which she had asked for an egg crate to help with comfort she said it was ok but not the most comfy sleep she ever had. There was plenty of storage for 3 women who all over packed.

 

We arrived at the pier about 9:45 and my niece is slightly handicapped and we felt she needed a wheelchair to board. we inquired about it and was told to give her name and have a seat and they would call us for check-in and boarding around 11:15. They called us around 11:05 and we went directly to check-in. I gave my debit card and for anyone who says this is a problem they are nuts I had NO problem using this they never put a hold on it although they said they were putting $300 hold on it I checked my bank and there was no hold. Not that it would have mattered. As soon as we arrived at the wheelchair holding area we were there 3 minutes and they said ok lets go. We were the first passengers to board the ship. We were taken directly to our cabin which was ready. Dropped off our carryons and went to Savor for lunch I had chicken soup and penne pasta with shrimp which was good. My SIL had Salmon which was ok she said it was plain. I don't remember what my niece had but i know she was happy with what she had. By the time we finished lunch and went back to our cabin our bags were already there boy talk about quick it was about 12:30 and we were all set. Muster Drill was a breeze 2:30 and bam it was done and we sailed right on time @ 3:00.

 

The first night we went to the Manhattan room. I thought it was lobster night but Nope No lobster. I heard it was the 2nd night in the Buffet. Beautiful Dining Room service was great I had Sirloin which I must say was AMAZING I don't know who says the food is not good in the MDRs but I personally thought it was all great and so was the service. That evening we went to the Casino which I did quite often. Won some gave some back. Loved the machines and they had my very favorite which was 4 card keno.

 

The 2nd Day was our M&G @ 11:00 in Luciciana. We met the most friendly people in there. Art who organized it and his wife Wendy and son Brian I had felt like I knew them for years. We ended up dining with them a couple of times and playing in the casino with them. Also Steve and his wife (Pepsi Guy). We also had a slot pull which was so much fun we had 14 people and we all put in $15 each and played on the wheel of fortune $1 machine no big win but well worth my $15. Went to the Spa in the afternoon which was so relaxing. Very happy we got this. Had dinner in OSheehans as it was Prime Rib night Yummy!!! Again I played in the Casino and we went to Burn the floor but got there a little late and no seats were available. The CD Dan was able to get a chair for my niece to sit in the back which she did. I decided to go back to my favorite place....the casino and passed on staying. Went to bed by 10:30 exhausted.

 

The next day was Port Canaveral. I am not one to ask about ports because I never got off this ship. I booked a stone massage which was the special of the day 50 minutes for $119 plus gratuity total $140. Then spent more time in the Spa. We again went to the Manhattan Room for dinner. I had Pot Roast which again was delicious. I also got soup and salad every night which I really enjoyed I think that night was cream of mushroom soup - OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD!!! I was so full most nights and passed on deserts but my niece loved every one of them.

 

We skipped the private island because of rough seas and wind prohibiting us from using the tender boats so off to Nassau we went arriving @ 6:00 pm. Again I never got off the ship I used the spa again for reading and relaxing my SIL and niece did get off and went on the glass bottom boat which they enjoyed and did some shopping. We went to Teppanyaki which OMG was so great we all had Jumbo Shrimp and Filet Mignon. Terrific meal. Again the casino at night (oh my hubby gonna kill me lol).

 

The following day was more of the same.....Spa, Casino. We had dinner with Art and Wendy and Brian in the Manhattan room had some laughs and great food again Chateaubriand which was like butter. I had way to much beef on this trip but it all just looked so good. We went to see Second City in Headliners. The chairs were VERY uncomfortable and i had a guy with the biggest head in front of me I could not see a thing. I didnt find it to funny and left half way through.

 

The next day back to spa and what a surprise the casino. Had dinner in Cagneys this was also very good our waiter could have been better never asked if we wanted anything else. Art and Wendys waiter was much better they said he asked them if they wanted more appetizers, etc. We didn't get asked at all.

 

The last day was crappy weather. Rain. Who wants to guess what I did today? lol Yep Spa and Casino. We had dinner again with Art, Wendy, Brian, Steve and Mary. Again more beef. I will be eating chicken for the next 6 months to make up for this trip.

 

All in all the Breakaway is beautiful. The service i found great except for our last night in the Manhattan room....Art can vouch for this it took 20 minutes to get a cup of coffee other than this night we had no problems. I guess it all depends on your waiter. We also ate breakfast and lunch several times in the buffet and OSheehans which was very good a buffet is a buffet take it or leave it. We played bingo one day and deal or no deal another. Would I take another cruise? Probably. Would I go again without my husband? Probably Not.....Never realized how attached I am to him. When I told my SIL i really missed him she said why wouldn't you he treats you like a queen. Which I realize after 29 years of marriage he really does.

 

Forgot to mention we saw Rock of Ages which was GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!

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meatball_nyc

meatball_nyc

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Glad you had a good cruise!

The food sounds great and the ship, of course.

That's so cute that you probably wouldn't cruise again without your hubby.

I can't cruise with mine because he drives me insane! To be on a ship with him for seven days? No way.

Thanks for the tips, too!

 

Happy Cruising!

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

Edited by meatball_nyc
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crowemommy

crowemommy

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As fun as it was to get some sun after a very cold winter and (so far) spring, I was not that happy with this cruise.

 

We didn't make it to the M&G (I couldn't remember when or where it was!!). It sounds like it was fun!

 

Lisa

I kinda miss my old friend, Gem ;)

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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Thanks, great job on a concise review. I'm on housekeeping duties as the iConcierge (the free Apps worked on other iOS & Android, with limits) no longer work, no shows & no room service or dinner reservations, etc. - LOL.

 

Given the # of pax on the BA sailing, it was a relatively small gathering at the M&G - we're playing on the slots and I almost showed up late. Unlike Carnival's typical M&G, many of the key/senior NCL officers always show up for the M&G - 2 of them came by our table when we dined at the Manhattan Room in the evening & we chatted again, very briefly. Added bonus: comp'd plates of chocolate-covered cookies the next day for our cabins. Last time on the Gem, everyone at the M&G were invited to a private bridge tour on a sea day later in the week.

 

We at least stopped briefly at GSC and saw it from the distance with the waves hitting the shorelines. That's the 2nd. time skipping the Cay for us on NCL - the water temp probably too cold to play & swim in, even if it wasn't rough.

 

I trust everyone had a good disembarkation and safely got home - we had thunder rain yesterday evening in NYC.

 

Organizing our photos so that I can do a pictorial review shortly - after doing the easier part, pix with info/tips for the cabins (we had a balcony and 2 insides, which should be of interest to those on a budget ...)

Edited by mking8288
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amyben40

amyben40

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It was a great week! A few weather problems but nothing compared to the weather we missed in ohio last week!!

 

My biggest problem was the loud jewelry consultants. I'm all about a good time but keep your loud conversations outside of the spa and the dining rooms. I really didn't want to hear the conversations but a lot of times I wasn't give a choice!

 

Otherwise, it was a beautiful ship, good food and I felt pampered by all of the staff all week.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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Cropelf

Cropelf

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We were with you on the ship as well. My two college kids met two other college kids from Portland, OR, and had a ball with them. But, bless their hearts, they insisted on having dinner with us every evening. Who knew, they like us!?!

 

In spite of missing GSC and a few days of less than stellar weather, we all had a wonderful time. Too many things to do, and certainly not enough time. We'll just have to go again!

 

I also ate much more beef then I would otherwise. It was de-lish! At least the scale god was kind to me this morning!

 

Yes, too many of the jewelry ladies were pills. But some were very sweet. We had a most unpleasant incident with them in Headliners at the extra show Wednesday night; added when we skipped GSC. We are from Chicago originally and I've been going to Second City since I was a kid...think late 1960's when I went for a friend's birthday party. They had children's matinees even back then. So, I made reservations as soon as I saw an extra show had been added, thankfully since all shows sold out by the second or third day. Our group of 6 (us 4 and the Oregon 2) were there before the doors opened. After we had been seated, my son and I went up to the bar to grab drinks. I left my purse on my chair which was next to my husband. While I was gone, a large group of the jewelry ladies came in and one actually took my purse off of my chair and sat down. My husband asked her what she was doing with my purse. She said she was going to sit there. He told her sorry but it was taken. She replied, "Well I don't see anyone." He said, so. She'll be right back. She was actually going to ignore him when I think she saw the look in his eyes. At which point she told him to "Go have another beer." Mind you, my husband drinks very little. I frankly think she probably had one too many. When I came back, I noticed she sat sideways on her chair for the duration of the show with her back to our group. I suspect she was embarrassed.

 

Fortunately, that was the worst incident of rudeness we encountered our entire trip. And, to be fair, I did meet and talk to a several very sweet jewelry group ladies. Unfortunately, I think filling 20% of the cabins to one group like that can change the entire dynamic of the on board experience. I wonder if NCL will tell you if a single group that large has booked the sailing we are considering?

Edited by Cropelf
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dexddd

dexddd

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No, they don't usually say anything about a group booking. We spoke to some of the jewelry ladies and most were quite nice but they sure liked to talk to each other - reminded me of a bunch of girls in high school trying to one up each other.

 

One we saw several times was always having a meltdown explaining how "..she worked her butt off and always got nothing...". I think the plus side to all the ladies was it probably cut down on the number of kids and/or college age kids.

 

The last group of the ladies were notified as late as 1/31/14 they had won the trip they told me.

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dexddd

dexddd

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Hi Geri,

 

Love your review.

I have a question--When you missed GSC, what does the ship do? Go straight to Nassau? If so do they let you get off when they get there?

liz

 

This past trip we ate breakfast and left the restaurant at 8:35 and I asked a question of the staff and they said we were going to skip it and they said the captain would make an announcement around 9.

 

The ship missed GSC quite a bit earlier this year but made it most of the March sailings before ours. I somewhat joked with my family (because I knew what NCL typically does) is that the captain would announce we are going to dock at Nassau at 6pm and that there would be one hour of free rum punch.

 

Well, he did announce "...fortunately we were able to secure a berth at Nassau and would be arriving at 6pm...." (but no rum punch).

 

Not much is open in Nassau at that time so really not much of a benefit unless you want to go to Atlantis or Senor Frogs - which we didn't.

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tumblew467

tumblew467

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This past trip we ate breakfast and left the restaurant at 8:35 and I asked a question of the staff and they said we were going to skip it and they said the captain would make an announcement around 9.

 

The ship missed GSC quite a bit earlier this year but made it most of the March sailings before ours. I somewhat joked with my family (because I knew what NCL typically does) is that the captain would announce we are going to dock at Nassau at 6pm and that there would be one hour of free rum punch.

 

Well, he did announce "...fortunately we were able to secure a berth at Nassau and would be arriving at 6pm...." (but no rum punch).

 

Not much is open in Nassau at that time so really not much of a benefit unless you want to go to Atlantis or Senor Frogs - which we didn't.

 

 

 

Thanks, I was thinking plan B- going to Atlantis lol

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CasinoCruzGirl

CasinoCruzGirl

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And it looked outstanding. Too bad they served Rack of Lamb the same night:) It was also very good.

 

 

You made it home safely I presume. We were very happy to meet you and your family it was a lot of fun. I called ncl for the heck of it just to see what I might be entitled to for a future cruise to my surprise I entitled to a "free" oceanview cabin I have to convince my hubby to go. When's your next cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

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