The Our Journey to the NCL $100,000.00 Winner Takes All Slot Tournament

[Sthrngary]

Hello everyone.  I am back home now.  If I forgot one of your question please forgive me.  I do have some final thoughts before I write my final review of the week on the NCL Breakaway.  I hope everyone knows I shot things straight and want to help everyone have a great time.  However, if something is GREAT I tell you.  If it is not, I simply don't hold back. 

 

As some of you know, I wrote the Secrets of the Haven VIP experience and updated it the beginning of 2022.  I also wrote the Main Article here on CruiseCritic about the Premium Plus Beverage Package.  Finally, the article on how to do the "Haven Lite" approach if the Haven is to expensive.  Let's start:

 

• The Premium Plus Beverage Package:  I love this package NORMALLY.  I think you can see where this is going.  This cruise on the Breakaway it was very difficult to get the items my wife and I truly enjoy.  For her, it is a really good Chardonnay.  For me it is Tequila 1942.  Let's start with my wife.  She likes the smoother and creamier Chardonnay.  We found it in Mixx a few nights and they opened a special bottle in Ocean Blue.  It seems what she loved was gone half through the cruise.  For me, that was NO 1942.  We both had plenty to drink so neither of us was ever thirsty.  We took full advantage of Starbucks, bottled water, high end drinks like Old Fashions.  Also by the end of the cruise, Crown Royal was gone.  Would I do this package again, ABSOLUTELY.  Just a little disappointing. 
• Teppanyaki Specialty Restaurant: It was horrible.  The food was off.  This is usually one of our favorite places but not this cruise on this ship.  
• Shows: Six and Burn the Floor were outstanding.  Get your reservation early. Don't miss them.  The dueling piano's were not my favorite and they keep focusing on there tip jar being empty.  
• Cagney's:  When ordering any beef, order it one temp less than what you want.  If you want Med Rare, order rare.  The chocolate cake is outstanding but they will not allow you to order it and pay for it if you did not have dinner at Cagney's which was a bummer the last night. 
• Ocean Blue:  I rather have beef however this was the very best meal of the entire cruise which shocked me.  In the past, this was not my number one choice.  This time, it will be in the future. 
• Noodle Bar Restaurant:  Complementary and a highlight.  Get their early and it is worth the wait. 
• Vibe Beach Club:  If you are on a sold out NCL ship like this one and you are not crazy about all the crowds, the Vibe Beach Club is a must.  This place and it's staff were one of the best parts of the entire cruise.  My wife who rarely complements cruises said, it was outstanding.  We had a Cabana which was a little more and nice for complete privacy.  Please remember, when you get a Cabana, it includes the Vibe Week pass for two. 
• Guest Services:  If you have business to do with Guest Services, do it before the last two days on the cruise.  The lines were horrible. 
• The Ship:  The ship was dry docked in 2020.  That said, this ship showed it was a bit old.  My cabin which was a Club Balcony Suite (MA) was ok but showed its age.  When we go there, the glass in the bathroom was dirty with markings from a tooth brush that the previous guest used it for.  The breaker would go off every time my wife used her dryer.  The A/C was inconsistant and the shower was not in great shape.  The water pressure and heat in the shower was outstanding.  I would most likely not go on the Breakaway again based on this experience.  
• Internet:  We had the upgraded unlimited streaming.  It was if-y the first few days and hard to get back on our devices.  Then we got the hang of it.  Not intuitive but when you figure it out, it was fine.  
• Casino:  I smoke cigars and use the Cigar lounge by the Whisky bar.  The casino smelt of cigarette smoke and even I did not like it.  On the Joy, they had a special small casino for the smokers.  Remember, I smoke cigars so I am not being one of the "Those Folks".  The comments I am making was not just for my wife and I.  It was mentioned to use by many others.  
• The Crew and Staff:  Everyone was happy, worked hard and seemed to enjoy their jobs.  A credit to NCL. 
• Back Massages at the Pool:  During port days the spa was wide open. So they did 15 minute back massages by the pool near the ping pong tables for $29.00 plus tip.  I did it twice and it really made my cruise.  
• Embarkment and Dis-embarkment:  Both were much better than I expected.  Get there early day one and when we did, we got through quick.  On the last day, follow the instructions.  The key here is to get luggage tags from Guest Services and read the explanations carefully.  This really was a pleasant surprise. If you drive and park (Park Place) at the port, the parking is easy.  Their is a bus that takes you to the port and picks you up after the cruise.  Another pleasant surprise. 
• Bar Seating:  If you want a seat at ANY bar, get there just before they open.  That was the toughest seat in the house.  As mentioned above, many items ran out or were not available.  They said it was supply chain.  Also, Items like Baily's were priced at $16.00 which is slightly over the $15.00 max per drink unless you have the Premium Plus Drink Package. 

 

I will write my fully review tomorrow while it is fresh in my mind.  All and all, lovely vacation.  My wife who is more critical than I am also had a great time.  I must say, driving from home was a joy even though it was 6 hour trip.  So much better than flight.  I hope this helps some folks with planning.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[New2cruise2022]

43 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

When ordering any beef, order it one temp less than what you want.  If you want Med Rare, order rare. 

Noted and added to my Document. Gracias. 

[GlazersKen]

Hi Gary, 

 

One last question about the slots tournament. Do you remember how many people were in the tournament? We just got off the Joy and my wife won the tournament. We’re debating whether or not to go on the final tournament cruise in December. 
 

Thank you,

Ken

[Sthrngary]

33 minutes ago, GlazersKen said:

Hi Gary, 

 

One last question about the slots tournament. Do you remember how many people were in the tournament? We just got off the Joy and my wife won the tournament. We’re debating whether or not to go on the final tournament cruise in December. 
 

Thank you,

Ken

@GlazersKen 200 with the ability to buy one one time if you lost early.  I can't remember what the second buyin was.  My wife lost on Round One.  Good Luck.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[GlazersKen]

Thanks for the quick reply Gary! We’re not retired (yet) so our vacation time fills up fast. We live in Seattle so it’s a trek to get down to Miami. The cruise is first week of December on the Encore. We’ve been to 2 of the 4 ports so we can see something new, and 1 in 200 odds are pretty good considering the size of the pot-:)