A Great Breakaway! A little review...

[callmebetty]

We booked this trip because it gave me a chance to celebrate the 16th anniversary of my 21st birthday...and boy did we imbibe like we were 21 again!

We booked through CAS and upgraded to an aft balcony. I was nervous after reading about the room and balcony size.

 

Embarkation

 

We got dropped at the pier at 9:58. Showed the nice lady our docs, she directed us to a desk for Casino and Platinum. Got our pics taken, our room keys, and were given group 1. Breezed through the security check. After we were directed to the first row of chairs about 11:17 (based on the time stamp from the pic I took), I realized we should have gotten a casino number, but I was not worrying.

The most irritating part...people deciding they didn't want to sit in the rows. They began stacking in front of us and creeping towards the soon to be embarkation line. Several announcements were made to keep the main aisle clear, but not many people listened. It didn't matter much, they did strictly enforce the boarding numbers-sorry folks...8 and 1 look nothing alike, no matter how you fold the paper. I felt bad for the staff that was trying to corral these people into other areas.

According to our deposit slip, we were at the pursers desk at 11:49. Champagne on deck 15 at 11:58...though I could swear boarding started at 12:15...I seem to have lost an hour. I am so confused...but the ship time and my camera can't both be wrong, can they?

[callmebetty]

Day 1-

We made acquaintance with Jose at the pool bar. After the obligatory champagne, I opted for a super dirty martini. Yes it was in a plastic martini glass, but that does not disqualify it from being in my top 5 of all time. Jose put olives in the lime squeezer, squeezed them, added more olives to the brine that he so skillfully wrung, and muddled those olives. He strained it! Then came the Tito's, the ice, and history was made.

We were in our room by 12:55. We putzed around a bit and headed off to explore a bit. Back to the room and it was muster time. Down to deck 7. Oops...DH left his room card in the room. Sprint up the stairs, down the stairs, blinked, and it was over.

Back to the room for sail-away and talk to you in a week phone calls.

Hit the casino for a bit. Met Rain, a wonderful lady that we would see in the morning at the Waves bar and in the evening at the casino. Buffet for dinner and back to the casino for some Let It Ride.

I called it quits around 1:30. Left hubby with some $$ and a good luck. Much to my surprise, he was not in bed when I woke up at 6.

Back down to the casino-where I found him and his new best friend a charming, hysterical English bloke. Closed down the casino at 6:30-accompanied DH to the cashier and learned we would be playing on NCLs dime for the rest of the cruise!

[callmebetty]

Day 2-

Happy birthday to me!

Up at 9 and off to get my spa sticker. It was so nice to know that I booked the thermal spa pass from the comfort of my living room and wasn't worried about dashing up there when we boarded.

SPA-

I enjoyed the thalasotherapy (it is spelled wrong, but even my computer has no idea how to correct it) pool. On wavy days, there was a little side area that would go from the usual 4 feet to 2 feet to 5 feet..I felt like I was a sock in the washing machine...which was completely fun!

My routine became pool, rain shower, steam room, and then either the sauna or the solarium depending on occupancy. I tried the salt room but felt it was a bit too chilly for me to relax. Heated loungers were always at a prime-I think I snagged one once.

This spa was quite loud. You could always hear people talking, laughing, and on occasion whistling. Not very relaxing, but it's their vacation too...

Day 2 con't

The rest of the day was drinks, cards, and pool bar. Still a bit chilly to swim (for me at least).

The highlight of my trip...Moderno's. Again, booked from my living room.

Every year, I swear I am going to behave and not fill up on salad (or more appropriately salad bar items, I don't even glance at the lettuce on this occasion). Ever year, I call myself a liar when the meat starts coming around. This year's downfall...hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, and....grilled provolone. Where has this cheese been all my life? The meats were delightful as usual. The filet was to die for.

Just when I think we are done, out comes this ginormous piece of cake and singing meat men. I could die right now and be happy. Who doesn't want meat men singing to them? Got a top to take the cake to go...there was just no way it was going to fit in my...ok...at this point very full gullet.

Took the rest of our bottle of wine with us and detoured by the room to drop off our goodies.

Down to Let It Ride, fun with our English mates, and a birthday bottle of wine from the pit boss. There were shots, there were drinks, and we called it a night around 3:30.

This remind me...if you are looking for a beverage between 4 and 6 (I just wanted water or diet soda), you are pretty much out of luck. I tried O'Sheehans and they told me to call room service from my room. The pit boss helped us out and found bottled water somewhere.

[callmebetty]

Day 3-Florida and Teppanyaki

We always stay on the ship in Florida. We wandered around. At the pool bar, Jose and Rain were waiting to make us Bloody Marys. They have fun olives stuffed with little cornichons (I think that's the word for tiny pickle).

We wandered around. We did have to pay port tax on our drinks, but 76 cents here and there isn't really something to be concerned about in the grand scheme.

It got cloudy and was lightening in the afternoon.

DH wanted some soup so we went to the noodle bar as a pre-dinner snack around 6. We both had broth and noodles. We only had the broth so we could save room for dinner.

We had Teppenyaki this evening. We arrived for our 8:00 reservation around 7:50. The hostess told us she would be with us shortly (didn't ask a name...maybe there weren't too many reservations for 2 and she knew). 8:05 we check back in and she bring us to a table with 7 others. We sat with 3 young girls, who were adorable, the mom,dad, and I presume grandparents. Three of us ordered drinks. At his point, we noticed the table next to us was looking a little irritated. Perhaps irate is a better choice. About 10 minutes after we sat down, they got their appetizers. 20 minutes after that, our drinks arrived- minus what DH ordered.. Shortly after, we ordered our dinners. Ten minutes later, our appetizers came out. The table next to us was fuming by now. We overheard that their reservation was for an hour ago. Luckily their chef arrived fairly soon after that. Our drinks are done, our apps are done...where's the chef? He would arrive about 10 minutes later followed by DH's drink. We ordered another drink for me.

Turns out, the grandmother had an egg allergy. The chef cooked her food first as to not contaminate it. He did his spiel, which was entertaining. Poor guy...one egg in the hat, two eggs in the hat, third egg...in the hat but DH and I saw some yolk go airborne. Fast forward 10 minutes. He reaches into his hat to get the eggs...he did not realize one broke. He literally ended up with egg on his face...not a good way to spend the rest of your shift with a slimy egg hat.

The food was pretty good, the entertainment was well, entertaining, and my drink arrived in time for me to carry it out with us.

Overall it was fun, but hibachi without the fire (darn ship regulations!) is a little underwhelming.

[cruisemainiac]

Enjoying you post. Meat men cracked me up.

[janetz]

Love the Thermal Spa!!! :D

[callmebetty]

GSC Day...or was it?

We planned on getting of the boat later in the day. Thank goodness for the elevator gossip train! I was on my way to the spa and I heard from a lady, who heard from the kids club staff, who heard from someone that it was too windy to tender. I swung by the bar for a pre-spa mimosa and some recon.

Jose confirmed that this happens often and perhaps we would end up in Nassau later that day. Did my spa time and then the captain made his announcement. We were headed to Nassau! Yippee!

Hold Em tournament was to occur that afternoon and the casino was open until while we were docked...which was new for me!

There were shots...B52s (Kahlua Bailey's and tequila...thanks English Mates...), Little beers (43 liquor with shaken frothy milk on top...looks just like...a little beer), chocolate cake shots (Frangelico and lemon vodka), pineapple upside down cake (vanilla vodka, pineapple, grenadine on bottom), and perhaps some kamikazes....

NASSAU

Off the boat around 6ish

Everything touristy in the shop area closes at 5. We wandered about. Ended up at the Fish Fry. Candies, our former favorite place, was closed. Went next door to the Big Yard. Chatted with the owner. Had some conch fritters, the best macaroni and cheese on the planet (I look forward to it every trip), a beer each, and a shot with the owner. Our bill was $18. The hot sauce was outstanding and DH convinced the owner to put some in a cup to go. It is now in a water bottle in my fridge!

There was a young boy selling coconuts. DH purchased one, which was dlicious. Nothing like fresh coconut water. After dinner, DH purchased another on, brought it to the bar...poof...it became some sort of rum punch that was delightful! They cuts it up for us afterward and we enjoyed coconut on the walk back. We learned the beaches don't close. We were warned Junkanoo is a "trade beach" and to be careful. Upon further inquiry, trade beach=male prostitutes.

Junkanoo was deserted, except for a few steamy cars closer to the fish fry. It was a beautiful night and the beach was empty. We had no valuables...

we went swimming. It was wonderful. there was a nightclub next to the beach so we had music and moonlight. Got some great boat pics on the way back.

Ran into our English buddies and finished out the night as the sun was coming up on their balcony. They ended up with a handicap accessible room and it was huge! The balcony was giant.

Needless to say, the next day (or later this day) was very low key!

[ennazus]

loving your review :)

[blueflower1968]

Great review

[Cruzinbabe06]

Enjoying your review!:)

[callmebetty]

I will finish it up this weekend...still to come...the waterslide, the weather, and the second installment of Moderno's....

[redsox_nation]

Really enjoying this review! I'm finding myself chuckling/smiling as I'm reading. Looking forward to more.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[callmebetty]

The waterslide!

I happened to be up on the pool deck during one of the windows that that waterslides were open. DH was snoozing so pictures were not possible. They were open for an hour and 45 minutes a few times a day, usually 10-11:45 and 5-7pm. Armed with my towel bag, I did lap after lap around the pool deck to find a chair to place my items. Some of the "place holder" items I saw= 1 flip flop, a hair clip, a towel stretched across 3 chairs, a knit cap, a baby bottle, a sock, and a phone charger. I finally found a chair in a corner that was by the doors to the buffet. Anyway...I climbed the stairs to free fall slide. Got checked for jewelry. In the event you are unsure if you meet the weight limit, there is a scale at the top. Stepped into the pod, heard the lady count down from 3, and whoa....I made some sort of strangled yelp and flew through the tube. I reached the bottom, nonchalantly pulled my bathing suit out of my teeth, and initially walked the wrong way to exit. It was exhilarating and fun. Located my bag, passed all the strange place holders that would be there 3 hours later, and had a celebratory mimosa.

 

We dined at Moderno's the night before the last night. This time we chose to sit outside. Silly me, I thought I booked this night, but my reservation was for the last night. They were able to accommodate us! Outside we went, gorged on grilled provolone, and enjoyed most of the meats. I was not a fan of the parmesan crusted pork, it was pretty dry. We did immensely enjoy the filet, and DH enjoyed the lamb. The red blend by the glass was better than the other wines we tried.

 

Picture it, midnight, the last night of the cruise...

I finish packing and step out onto the balcony to gaze at the wake. Ping, ping, ping...something is hitting me in the head. Is it those crazy kids from deck 15? Nope...it's hailing!!! I open the door and tell DH "Jim, it's freakin hailing out here!" By this time our lounge chairs are covered in hail the size of marbles. We scoop some up in a cup and usher it down to show our casino friends.

This reminds me...there are no windows in the Breakaway casino (it is kind of in the middle of the ship). We did miss being able to look out and see the waves as we do on the Gem and the Jewel.

We bid our casino friends Alex, Dino, Gurav, Joy, Lilia, and Esmerelda goodbye...and I hid my teary face behind DH. It's my weakness...the cruise ends and I cry. They were all fabulous people that really helped make us feel special. Poor Gurav was a pretty new employee and had some spills (namely mimisos), but we tipped extra and tried to make him not so mortified. Lilia has 6 cruises left until break and she thanked my husband and his friend for keeping her up until 6:30 a few times this cruise.

[callmebetty]

Last thoughts...

We had a great time! We on the last day that there were 2400 kids on board. They didn't really bother us too much. We did hear a horror story from a lady in the casino about them counting down to jump when the elevator stopped and then making plans and pretty successfully blocking her in. She did report it and they were going to review tapes.

Our English friend won the Poker tournament on the last night and won a cruise for 2 with the tournament buy in paid on the Epic in December. We were so happy for him! We cashed in our bottle of bubbly chips from the quarter rake machine and enjoyed a toast in the casino.

We did self assist luggage. I hit guest services at 7:30 since the casino adjusted our bill. They asked if I wanted a check mailed or if I would just take the cash. I took the cash and was back to the room by 7:45.

We left our room around 8:15. Had a final buffet breakfast and then wandered around. It was super cold and windy. Jose and Rain were setting up the bar for the next group of revelers. A big hug from them each and some well wishes. Again, here come the waterworks!

We left the ship around 10:20, went through customs, and were outside by 10:45.It was so windy people were having a hard time holding on to their luggage. Luckily our ride was early and away we went.

We got home to our cats and I managed to hold on to our FCC until Thursday. We are now booked on the Gem for 4/8/17...at least it is only 364 days away!

Thanks for reading :)

[Clarea]

Very funny review, thanks for the laughs!:D

[NJJenLyn]

I was on that sailing and had no idea it hailed one night. lol

[Jerseygirl1416]

Great review.

 

After reading that I should switch my cc name to "Callmelame"! If I'm up past 11:00pm it's a miracle....but I'm celebrating my 30th anniversary of my 21st birthday. I know, no excuse.

 

Thanks I enjoyed the laughs and remembering what youth was like.

[Sprasa03]

This remind me...if you are looking for a beverage between 4 and 6 (I just wanted water or diet soda), you are pretty much out of luck. I tried O'Sheehans and they told me to call room service from my room. The pit boss helped us out and found bottled water somewhere.

 

I'm surprised! I thought O'Sheehans was the 24/7 spot where you could get apps and drinks at any hour!

[Sprasa03]

Anyway...I climbed the stairs to free fall slide. Got checked for jewelry. In the event you are unsure if you meet the weight limit, there is a scale at the top.

 

I'm sure I could look this up somewhere if you don't recall, but do you remember the weight limits?

[callmebetty]

I think it was 300.