Breeze Review Oct 25-30

[villagenut]

I'm not big into logging every detail but i will do my best to give a good review and I will be happy to answer any questions on specifics.

 

We did the at home self test and it was a snap.  The most difficult part for us was positioning the camera at an angle where the proctor could see both our face and the test kit laying flat on the desk.  entire process for both myself and my wife took 30 minutes or less.

 

We drove from Arkansas to Webster area on Saturday and spent that evening shopping around.  We stayed at Hampton Inn Clear Lake Nasa.  It was sufficient at best.  It rained most of the evening.  On Sunday we drove to Galveston.  Ate at the Sunflower Bakery and would highly recommend it.  We spent the remainder of the morning walking around downtown and then drove up and down the beach area.  We returned to the Webster area and shopped Cabela's and a few more places before getting ready for Monday.

 

On Monday, our check in time was 10:30-11:00.  We arrived at the port around 10:25 and dropped off our luggage with a porter.  We proceeded to Galveston Park and Cruise which is right across the street.  The only carry on bags we had were back packs since we knew our room would not be ready.  When we walked to the port we were careful to choose the correct line.  BE SURE TO ASK.  the line for our alloted time had maybe 6 people in it.  The early/late line had well over 100.  We had our documents ready, Passport, Boarding Pass, Negative Test, Vaccine card. We were seated in the waiting area by 10:45 and they started boarding at 11.  We had A3 Muster Station and we we straight there.  We were sitting at the pasta bar with fun ship in hand and placing our order by 11:15.  It was a remarkably fast embarkation process. 

 

We did a spa tour at 1:00 that took 45 minutes or so.  After it was over, we had access to the room and luggage had already been delivered.  

 

From that point it was unpacking and hangin around for the Sail Away.

 

This was a "just us" trip for my wife and I.  We decided to go back to the Cucina Italian venue that night for supper.  I had the Chop and wife had the sea base.  Both were 7.5 out of 10.   Afterwards we hit the casino for a bit.

 

Breakfast on Tuesday was at the Cantina for breakfast tacos and burritos.  All was excellent.  The remainder of this day was pool time, nap time, Guys Burgers, spa pool, and just chillin. Supper was elegant night in main dining room. We did YTD.  We ask to be seated alone.  We were at a table for 2 but less than 6 feet away was another table for two where they eventually seated another couple. It was ok but awkward.  After dinner we went to Motor City show. It was good but "stale".  We have seen it several times and it needs updating.

 

Wednesday was Cozumel.  We didn't even get off the ship.  We did cantina for breakfast again along with Pool time and just being together.  Wednesday we didn't even do main dining, we got a late burger from guys and sandwiches from deli.  

 

Thursday was Progresso.  We did breakfast buffet and it was ok.  Today was our spa day.  Both got massages, spa pool, etc.  Back to Cucina for supper.  I had chicken parm and wife had Nona's dish both were good. 8.5-10.  

 

I don't remember if it was Wednesday or Thursday but we did Deal or No Deal and that was fun.  Wednesday Night was costume party and contest on the lido.  That was fun.  On Thursday they did a White Hot party.  Not a lot of people dressed for it but music and dancing was fun.

 

We saw 88 Keys that night and it was good.  wasn't crazy about the guy faking the piano playing.  it would have been better if they had just sang

 

The guy at the piano bar opened for 88 keys and he is BY FAR the best entertainer on the ship.  Erin was cruise director and she was just ok in my opinion.

 

Friday was extremely rough.  They had to drain pool due to choppy weather.  We laid in the sun and enjoyed the lido deck music.  Friday we went to Steak House.  My strip was excellent.  My wife's Ribeye was about 70% inedible.  We mentioned it to the waiter and another person.  both said they would get the manage but they never came.  They charged us for the meal and I was not real happy but since this was a chill cruise I was determined not to get upset.  This was really the only negative of the whole trip.  .  

 

On Saturday, we chose to carry off our on luggage.  The flyer said they would start the process around 8:45.  They called our station at 7:50.  Luckily we had packed the night before so we were basically ready.  We were off the ship and in the car before 8:30.

 

Mask - All crew were masked at all times.  There was a person stationed at the entrance to the buffet and people were asked to mask up there.  There were no mask police at elevators.  Most of the time if people were with a group other than their own, they put on mask.  If it were only me and wife, we did wear them in elevators and nobody seemed to mind.  basically if you could social distance, nobody really kept mask on but most of the time, around crowded indoor venues, people had mask on.  There were times when i walked thru the casino and didn't have mask up but if seated, it was on.  I only heard 1 mask announcement in casino all week.  I was in line at coffee bar one morning and forgot to put in on.  I was gently reminded and I complied.  We wore them when in spa.   If you are afraid mask will hinder your cruise, don't be.  I detest mask but complied and it in no way took away from my experience.

 

Overall the cruise was great.  I can tell you that food at MDR and the two specialty places have slipped a little.  Not enough to deter cruising but Carnival needs to update the menus and do a little better quality control.

 

Let me know if you have questions.  IT SURE WAS GOOD TO BE BACK ON A SHIP!

[zoiebear]

Did you have a spa cabin? If so, wondered if there were discounts or advantages to booking massages on board rather than ahead of time?

[villagenut]

44 minutes ago, zoiebear said:

Did you have a spa cabin? If so, wondered if there were discounts or advantages to booking massages on board rather than ahead of time?

Yes, we did have a spa cabin on 11th floor.  We determined prior to the cruise that my wife would use our on board credit for spa.  She booked on the first day (for a Thursday treatment) and got maybe a 10% discount. They were offering 10% off 1 treatment, 20% off 2 and 30% off 3 so if you plan to get multiple that is a pretty good deal.   On Tuesday I received a $50 gift card through the Hub app (never had that happen before).  So I went ahead and booked for Thursday using that.  Prior to the cruise I received multiple emails with 20% discounts but would not have been able to use on board credit. 

[ultrafighter]

Thanks for this!  I sail on the Breeze in 11 days.  Did you use the smoking or the non-smoking casino?

[TexasBrit]

40 minutes ago, ultrafighter said:

Thanks for this!  I sail on the Breeze in 11 days.  Did you use the smoking or the non-smoking casino?

We were on this same cruise so I'll jump in here! We used the non-smoking casino. It was less crowded and obviously smoke free which was great, as I am very allergic to cigarette smoke. There are fewer tables and games, but still enough. The big casino seemed to be less smokey than on previous cruises. It was possible to walk through without getting too much 2nd hand smoke. On previous cruises, we would avoid walking through the casino by going down one deck to by-pass it. So for us, Carnival gained a couple of new players, as we never played on previous cruises. I expect it was the same for many others also.

Not only that but we came out ahead as well!

 

[ultrafighter]

19 minutes ago, TexasBrit said:

We were on this same cruise so I'll jump in here! We used the non-smoking casino. It was less crowded and obviously smoke free which was great, as I am very allergic to cigarette smoke. There are fewer tables and games, but still enough. The big casino seemed to be less smokey than on previous cruises. It was possible to walk through without getting too much 2nd hand smoke. On previous cruises, we would avoid walking through the casino by going down one deck to by-pass it. So for us, Carnival gained a couple of new players, as we never played on previous cruises. I expect it was the same for many others also.

Not only that but we came out ahead as well!

 

hooray!!!  Thanks!!!

[villagenut]

1 hour ago, ultrafighter said:

Thanks for this!  I sail on the Breeze in 11 days.  Did you use the smoking or the non-smoking casino?

We went to both but ended up playing in the main casino more.  With a little less smoke and mask the smell didn't seem as overwhelming.  

[HarborHermit]

On 11/2/2021 at 12:00 PM, villagenut said:

We went to both but ended up playing in the main casino more.  With a little less smoke and mask the smell didn't seem as overwhelming. 

 

I thought about starting a new thread, but I'll just ask here. I have heard that the casino annex doesn't have a craps table. Did you notice what the blackjack minimums were?

[villagenut]

On 11/7/2021 at 9:31 PM, HarborHermit said:

 

I thought about starting a new thread, but I'll just ask here. I have heard that the casino annex doesn't have a craps table. Did you notice what the blackjack minimums were?

No craps table in the annex.  All table minimums were the same as main casino. $6 on fun21  $5 or $6 on blackjack 6to5.  I don't remember if there was a $25 3to2 in the annex or not.  I don't play the other table games so not sure about those.