Just off Breakaway and ...

[TACoor]

Some good, some not so good. We had no trouble getting drinks at the bars. Outside at Shakers and at Prime Meridian crowds were especially small. We enjoyed most of the food: MDR, Garden Cafe, and three specialties. One good thing about the specialty restaurants is that there's virtually no wait. We faced 30 - 45 minute waits for dinner in the Manhattan, Savor, and Taste. Breakfast in Moderno was wonderful - quiet, not crowded, and good selection of foods. Also had a breakfast in Margaritaville. Smaller selection but still not nearly as hectic as the buffet. Both Moderno and Mar'ville were faster than Savor if time is a factor.  Loved that we could order morning room service at no charge, enjoyed coffee and pastry on the balcony before getting dressed and heading out. Requested and received two robes - great for answering the door when room service knocks and sitting on the balcony. We had a  mini-suite and while it's the same size as a balcony cabin, the extra large bathroom with double sink and big shower were a plus. Not a deal breaker, but the cabin decor was about the most boring I've ever seen. Colors were black, brown, white, and tan. Pictures on the wall were really pathetic. Oh well.

 

What I found really frustrating was the unbelievable shortage of seating - at shows in the Atrium, at the comedy club/piano bar, Sid Norman's, Spice, and in the shade along deck 8. Yes, people staked their claim first thing in the morning for the last two even if they weren't even close to being ready to use them. Many of the seats (when we could get a pair) were downright uncomfortable with flat worn-out cushions and so deep that a small person like me had to sit cross-legged on the seat. As for the entertainment venues, one had to get there at least 30 minutes ahead to get a place to sit. Put that together with a 45 minute wait to be seated for dinner and it made for not so happy evenings.

 

Have others had similar experiences?

[allyfrizzle]

That's unfortunate. Sounds like it's time for a refurb of the seats.

[drvmywifecrzy]

45 minute wait for dinner....holy smokes.....sounds like no one went to the specialties on your cruise.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Sounds similar to our experience in February, although on that trip bar service was extremely slow, never once did we get a drink in less than 15 minutes and 30 was not uncommon.  Critical shortage of bartenders that trip.

[coffeebean]

15 minutes ago, drvmywifecrzy said:

45 minute wait for dinner....holy smokes.....sounds like no one went to the specialties on your cruise.

Precisely why we dine in specialty restaurants.

[bluesea777]

18 minutes ago, drvmywifecrzy said:

45 minute wait for dinner....holy smokes.....sounds like no one went to the specialties on your cruise.

 

This, and the timing. If you want to go to dinner at a certain time and find waits it means you aren't the only ones - you and 1000 others have decided to go to dinner at the same time.

 

Try going earlier or later, or going to other MDRs.

 

We have been on 23 cruises, so we experiment going to MDRs at various times. Usually we get in with no wait or minimum wait. Otherwise we go to Mixx for pre-dinner martinis while waiting (on larger ships). Otherwise we go elsewhere or the Garden Café (YES, they do serve good dinners there!).

 

It's like going to well-known restaurants on land and putting your name on the wait list and wait wait ...

 

 

Edited May 13, 2019 by bluesea777

[Georgia_Peaches]

I've never really had to wait for much of anything on Breakaway.  I suspect that you will get a full range of experiences between mine and yours.  With nearly 4000 passengers on the same ship, there's always someone getting served, seated, waited on...and some that are not.  Besides some waiting, did you have a nice time?

[Sand and Seas]

We were on same cruise.  Only ate at MDR once but no wait problem.   Had great service in Cagneys and other specialties.  Our favorite lunches were sea days with lobster rolls from Ocean Blue.

Loved the Moderno for breakfast too!

[gmbhardy]

Pictures on the walls in your cabin can make or break a cruise. I would call guest services and demand a refund.

[RedRover96]

Just off the Breakaway, no issues on lines.  However, we had reservations at the MDR's & specialty, walked up and were seated. Found bar service to be all within reason, however never set foot on the pool deck....  Best place for breakfast, Margaretville on sea days!

[All-ready2cruise]

54 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

Pictures on the walls in your cabin can make or break a cruise. I would call guest services and demand a refund.

 

You mean I can't bring my own.........really?  I'm excited for my first cruise on the BA next month.  Not sure if I'll like it or love it. 

[All-ready2cruise]

1 minute ago, RedRover96 said:

Just off the Breakaway, no issues on lines.  However, we had reservations at the MDR's & specialty, walked up and were seated. Found bar service to be all within reason, however never set foot on the pool deck....  Best place for breakfast, Margaretville on sea days!

 

If you have reservations, is there a different line than the regular freestyle line, those with no reservations?

[RedRover96]

Don't believe so.  However our reservations tended to be early 6:30 to 7:30.

[dbrown84]

I was on the breakaway two weeks ago.  I ate in the MDR or noodle bar.  I always made reservations, and never had to wait. As for the bar, I only got drinks from the casino bar (I didn't have the drink package, just the casino drink card), and never waited more than a few minutes.

[newmexicoNita]

14 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Sounds similar to our experience in February, although on that trip bar service was extremely slow, never once did we get a drink in less than 15 minutes and 30 was not uncommon.  Critical shortage of bartenders that trip.

You know we have never had a wait or more than maybe 5 or 10 minutes. In fact rarely more than 5. The pool bar seems to be the slowest but we don't spend a lot of time at the pool anyway. I guess we have just been lucky.