Surprise Cruise for my Mom on Breakaway

[SassyGirl]

Hi Folks,

 

I am going to be surprising my mom (who is a youthful 73 years old) with a mother/daughter cruise on the Breakaway Christmas week (12/26 - 1/2) out of NYC. My dad passed not long ago and I know this will be a much-needed and appreciated escape for both of us.

 

Couple questions as I am not that familiar with NCL or sailing during the holidays.

 

1. Should I expect that the ship will be packed with kids that week? How crazy do you think it will be?

 

2. What are some nice areas of the ship where kids are not permitted, or where there are fewer kids?

 

3. Mom and I love to dance. She loves oldies from the 50s-60s. I love music from the 70s-80s. Any tips on best places to dance, special theme dances, etc.?

 

4. What food items are especially good on the Breakaway? For example, Carnival is known for its chocolate melting cake. Are there items that NCL is known for?

 

5. Our cruise came with the alcoholic beverage package that allows (I think) for drinks up to $15. Do most cocktails fall within that range? Does this package also include non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails, soda, etc?

 

6. Not that crazy about Nassau and Port Canaveral. Any recommendations for excursions or should we just stay on the ship? (We don't want to spend a ton of money on excursions). We do love beaches.

 

Anything else you can recommend for my mom and me? I already booked our dinner reservations and the two big shows, so that's taken care of.

 

 

Thanks,

 

SassyGirl

[Sauer-kraut]

Hi Folks,

 

1. Should I expect that the ship will be packed with kids that week? How crazy do you think it will be? Yes, prime school holidays.

 

2. What are some nice areas of the ship where kids are not permitted, or where there are fewer kids?

 

3. Mom and I love to dance. She loves oldies from the 50s-60s. I love music from the 70s-80s. Any tips on best places to dance, special theme dances, etc.?

 

4. What food items are especially good on the Breakaway? For example, Carnival is known for its chocolate melting cake. Are there items that NCL is known for? NCL is not known for their desserts, if you like bread puddings they do excell at those. There are crepes in the buffet at night for dessert.

 

5. Our cruise came with the alcoholic beverage package that allows (I think) for drinks up to $15. Do most cocktails fall within that range? Does this package also include non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails, soda, etc? Yes, most do and if you do order a premium alcohol you just pay the difference. Soda and mocktails are also included, NOT coffee nor bottled water.

 

6. Not that crazy about Nassau and Port Canaveral. Any recommendations for excursions or should we just stay on the ship? (We don't want to spend a ton of money on excursions). We do love beaches. Cabbage Beach in Nassau is nice, have you ever seen the Kennedy Space Center that is an interesting tour.

 

Anything else you can recommend for my mom and me? I already booked our dinner reservations and the two big shows, so that's taken care of.

SassyGirl

 

Have a wonderful time!!

[hutt1]

By all means go to the beach instead of staying on the ship. You will have two different beach experiences. The waves at Cocoa Beach are lovely to listen to.

You might consider a thermal suite pass to retreat from the crowds. We are trying it on the Breakaway in November.

[darlene62]

This mirrors me in May, I went on BA in May with my 73 year old mom and my dad had recently passed away 3 years earlier and she was still grieving. It's a trip I will treasure forever as mom passed away in August. The ship will probably be crowded with kids over holiday break. If you want to see any shows in Atrium get there early. My mom LOVED the virgin strawberry daiquiris and O'sheens brownie cheesecake. Casino not flooded with kids :) Just enjoy every minute with your mom and relax and go with the flow.

[DMH15]

This mirrors me in May, I went on BA in May with my 73 year old mom and my dad had recently passed away 3 years earlier and she was still grieving. It's a trip I will treasure forever as mom passed away in August. The ship will probably be crowded with kids over holiday break. If you want to see any shows in Atrium get there early. My mom LOVED the virgin strawberry daiquiris and O'sheens brownie cheesecake. Casino not flooded with kids :) Just enjoy every minute with your mom and relax and go with the flow.

 

 

I too have traveled and cruised with my mom. She is now 82 and would rather stay home. I have my great memories as I am sure you do too. So sorry for your loss.

 

 

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[C-line]

We've cruised on the Breakaway a few times with my in laws (who are close in age to your mother) and we always have such a good time. We've never done it over Christmas, but we've gone later in the spring when there has been lots of families.

 

If you're looking for somewhere to escape the kids there are a few adults only options.

 

Spice H20 is at the back of the ship on deck 16. It has a bar, hot tubs, and seating. No pool. I've never spent any time there during the day so I'm not sure how they are with enforcing the adults only policy.

 

The second option is the Vibe and I honestly don't know a lot about it. We looked into it once and they sell passes which are good for the length of your cruise. There's a couple of hot tubs, a bar, and seating. Maybe someone else who has experience can chime in (or you can search for it - I'm sure you should be able to find some first hand information).

 

The last option I know of is the thermal suite. They sell both weekly and daily passes (subject to availability). They have a hydrotherapy pool, heated tile loungers, sauna, salt room, etc. They also have other regular loungers. There are absolutely no kids there. It's usually quiet, but depending on who's there sometimes it gets a bit loud.

 

Something else we enjoyed doing was playing cards in the games room right beside the library. It was usually pretty quiet. They have a selection of different games (scrabble, monopoly, cribbage, etc).

 

If you're not overly interested in Nassau or Port Canaveral I'd pick one of those days to stay on the ship and enjoy the peace and quiet while everyone else is gone.

 

Port Canaveral - The first time we went to Epcot because DH spent a lot of time there as a kid and I'd never been. It really wasn't enough time and we wouldn't do that excursion again. Another time we did an airboat gator tour and we had a blast. The last couple of times we just stayed on the ship and that was fun too. I don't think there's really anything within walking distance besides maybe a couple of restaurants.

 

Nassau is a nice port to get off at because the port is within walking distance of things like the straw market or downtown shopping, and it's a quick bus ride to a beach. I know people hate on Nassau but we always have fun there. We don't do anything super exciting. We always do the horse and buggy ride. One year we went up and did the Fort beside the water tower. A couple of times we went to the Queen's Staircase. Once we took the local bus on a big loop from downtown to the end of the line and back. We stopped at Junkanoo Beach and got a bite to eat on the way back to the ship.

[Buford T Justiice]

Use your address as your mom's address for registration purposes.

 

NCL has been sending postcards thanking passengers for booking, and asking them "Are you excited about your upcoming cruise?".

 

You might also what to mention the surprise aspect to your TA.