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HAL Enthusiast Gives Carnival Breeze A Try


Wakepatrol
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My wife and I (both 52 years of age) decided to take a spin on the Carnival Breeze for 8 days. It was an 8 day cruise and our ports were

 

Grand Turk

La Romana Dominica Republic

Curacao

Aruba

 

We left from Miami-

 

Yes I am a big HAL enthusiast cheerleader etc. I assumed I was going on a cruise with a bunch of party animals and booze smugglers,but decided to go for it.

 

What an awesome cruise. It was absolutely fantastic.

 

I had read that the ship held 3700 people. There was actually 4,703 aboard plus crew.

 

We drove to Miami used Premier Cruise parking which will save you $100 in parking charges. They are located about a mile from the port in a secure covered garage. They shuttle you to the port and back to your car after the cruise. we waited 10 minutes for the shuttle to get there,and then another 10 minutes when we got back. Easy peasy

 

We ended up with a handicapped ocean view spa cabin. This cabin was huge.You could play tennis in there. We were assigned a handicapped cabin with the chance we could lose it if a handicapped person needed it. No worries we were going with the flow.

 

We boarded in 20 minutes after reaching the port arrived in our cabin # 11204. What a cabin! You walk out your door take two steps and walk out onto your private observation deck. Turn right walk 5 steps and an elevator takes you to the spa,and the serenity deck (adults only) clam shells, hammocks, rattan couches etc.

 

With the spa cabin you get free use of the t-pool, tile loungers etc,slippers,robes,and beautiful bedding.

 

The ship never felt crowded (hard to believe) with 4700 passengers. The only crowded area was the pools,which are too small for this many passengers. We're not pool people so no biggie.

 

The food is endless. There's fat Jimmy's Bar B-Q on sea days which is delicious. There's Guys Hamburgers very popular and delicious as well. There's Indian food,pizza station,Blue Iguana (tacos, Burritos)

 

and then the Marketplace which is like the Lido but way bigger.

 

I'm probably forgetting more places,there's two dining rooms Blush and Sapphire. We like the blush better (prettier)

 

This truly is the fun ship. People are up till all hours of the night,no not getting drunk. They're going to karaoke,going to the adults only comedy club,dancing in the disco,singing at the piano bar,listening to an 80's band. Getting their pictures taken,watching a movie under the stars by the pool on a lounger with popcorn and a blanket.

 

I though back to HAL... two violin players before dinner and everybody asleep at 10pm. This was very different.

 

The ship is spotless antiseptic clean,friendly crew. The waiters sing and dance on their tables every evening in the dining room. Did I mention this is the fun ship?

 

We even went on the water slide a few times,more fun.

 

The ports were fantastic.

 

in Grand Turk

 

we went on a private excursion snorkeling and sting rays there were only 6 of us on the trip.

 

In La Romana we were going to stay on the ship. Thank god we didn't make a terrible decision like that. We took a private tour (12 of us) to Sanoa Island on a speedboat. Trust me you have never seen a beach like this,it truly is breathtaking. We snorkeled on the way to the Island at an abandoned pier went through some mangroves, then went to the Island. I will never forget how beautiful that beach was. We then stopped at a sandbar on the way back and found some starfish. We also had a delicious lunch on the island.

 

In Curacao we took a private tour (8 of us) to the West side of the island,drove all around and went to 2 stunning beaches.

 

In Aruba we took a ship tour. We rode in jeeps off road,all the way to the Natural Pool and then went swimming in it. This is off road seat belted in,if you have a bad back,this excursion is not for you.

 

 

This cruise was off the hook!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The ship,the crew,the ports,

 

Still reeling from all the fun we had, now I understand why they call it the fun ship. I'm still a HAL enthusiast but so glad I broadened my horizons and went on this ship. Any questions feel free to ask:)

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We feel the same way that it is good to get out and try new things. We sailed on the Grand Princess to Hawaii in February and had an incredible time. There was always something to do on the ship, the food delicious, and the service outstanding.

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Yes... very glad you have broadened your cruising horizon. We've been on five Carnival sailings and enjoyed them all. They were fun! My DH feels that they have some of the best food at sea. I recall a truly great gazpacho soup that I even got the recipe for (serves 500!) :) Thanks for the review!

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Thanks for the review....so glad you had a wonderful time! We also love HAL but are trying to branch out a little by taking baby steps. First was a short cruise aboard Princess and we really liked it. We are now considering another cruise line for a Panama Canal cruise so have some decisions to make.

 

I have heard good things about different cruise lines and it's good to try them. Unfortunately for us we live on the West Coast in Canada so flights to Florida take forever to get there or I'd be tempted to be on a ship most of the time.:)

 

Your ports sounded like a lot of fun as well. Good to hear also about the food and entertainment (which HAL lacks at night).

 

Thanks again.

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We took a 49 day Ft Lauderdale to San Francisco 5 years ago on the Carnival Splendor. We enjoyed it except for one thing. I hated it when just as you are nearing the end of your dinner and talking to your tablemates, the noise began. They would play loud music and the waiters would have to get up on an adjacent table and dance. First time was kind of startling but OK; after a week or two it got very old.

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Great review. It mirrors the experiences we had on both of our Carnival cruises. Did not see a drunk person on either. Same story-great service, great food, good entertainment. Perhaps it comes down to the ship, the itinerary, and the time.

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I agree completely about the "fun ship" atmosphere on Carnival. I've never had a bad cruise, or even a bad part of a cruise, or even a bad event on a cruise, ever. My Carnival cruises have all been a lot of fun and I agree that the food is the best. I do prefer HAL, and prefer Princess over all so far, but I can't wait for my next Carnival cruise! They have a consistently good product and really have things down pat.

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Carnival's reputation as a drunk party line is long gone. They've done so much to get past that and excelled at it. Their food options absolutely destroy HAl's - IMO HAL has the worst dining options/hours of any American-based line. It's really pathetic, honestly.

 

Glad you had a great trip.

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We love HAL, but for the past few years have taken Carnival winter Caribbean cruises with sons, daughter-in-laws, grandkids, inlaws and "outlaws" :D

 

I actually was very impressed with the level of service, food, and comfortable beds...

 

Carol

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Thanks for your review. I toured the Breeze recently and was very surprised at what I saw. It wasn't typical Carnival gaudy. I thought it was a beautiful ship, and I'd love to give it a try. My only concern was crowding, but your experience helps with my perception.

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Very nice review. We have had some wonderful cruises on Carnival. Everyone who thinks it's just a big drunken party ship should give it a try. I think they would be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for taking the time to give your experiences.

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Thanks for your review. I toured the Breeze recently and was very surprised at what I saw. It wasn't typical Carnival gaudy. I thought it was a beautiful ship, and I'd love to give it a try. My only concern was crowding, but your experience helps with my perception.

 

we were on the Dream, and It did not feel crowded

 

Carol

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We haven't done a Carnival cruise in years but maybe time to reconsider. We prefer Princess or HAL when it is just the two of us, but with extended family and grandkids we usually do Royal Caribbean. Think maybe we should consider a Carnival cruise next time, on one of the newer ships.

Edited by sunsetbeachgal
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Wakepatrol, thanks for your review.

 

What type of music was being played on the pool deck? Would you say the volume level was moderate or plain loud?

 

 

Many different kinds of music,some louder than others. They had a D.J. spinning recent tunes,they had a steel drum dude,and they had concerts on the big screen Cher, Phil Collins.

 

Live entertainment played a few segments in the afternoon,it wasn't constant.

 

Much of the afternoon they just show you film of the cruise you're on ie ports etc,with no sound,so it's realatively quiet.

Edited by Wakepatrol
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Thanks for your review. I had looked at this ship/ itinerary last winter as it hits my 2 favorite ports - Grand Turk & Curacao. HAL pretty much stopped the Southern Caribbean 7 day trip and I've had issues with the timing of the 10 day and getting the time off work.

 

Glad to hear good things about the trip.

Thanks for sharing.

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