Live from the NCL Breakaway May 6-16, 2023 – Spring in Italy, Greece, Malta and France Roundtrip from Rome

[debenson0723]

13 minutes ago, jlandz09 said:

Yep. Did e-check-in. Still no dice on the e-docs. I literally checked in at 12 am EST like a psychopath so I'm not surprised that there's a slight delay between when I finished checking in and when they're ready.

Typically it can take up to 24 hours to get your e-docs after check in.

 

Also, there is a Ports of Call forum on this website where a lot of the questions here will have answers, especially regarding transportation in the various ports. I have used it extensively for my travels in Europe.

 

@Happycrafter123 it's been great following your Live and can't wait to hear all about when you are on the ship. I have not done a true Med cruise yet but have done Greece on the Jade in November 2021. All of the ports were fabulous. Will probably do a Rome on my own visit next year (solo female traveler) about this same time so good to know about the crowds. Have a wonderful time and enjoy your cruise!

[Happycrafter123]

For the edocs they did not send me an email and we’re ready about 10 m after check in, you access them in the app when you scroll down under my plans to the section called guests.  Your names should have green check marks next to them and there is a button called edocs.

[Happycrafter123]

Our day trip to Tivoli yesterday has been the highlight of our trip.  If I only had one day in Rome that would be my pick.  The group tour cost was not bad but if I were to do it again I would splurge or a private or semi private experience.

 

what made this so great was to see two UNESCO sites, so much history and beauty, marvels of engineering, and yet so uncrowded compared to the main sites right in Rome, so you are able to experience them so much better.

 

we booked this one with get your guide and the tour operator was Enjoy Rome.  It was 7 hours and felt rushed but our guide was extremely good. It was only about a 45 minute bus ride each way, which was much better than our prior Tuscany visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

In cruise news, it looks like our sailing will be a full one.  We did not get a bid on this but we did unexpectedly get a bid upgrade acceptance email for our next Alaska cruise which is two months away.  We saw the email and thought it was for this one and then realized it was not.  So early for the other one and curious why so far out, though it had been a high bid as I really wanted the club balcony on that one.

 

anyway, we will be heading to port tomorrow with a 9:30 check in so will keep you guys in the loop on how that goes.

[gatorchinsky]

7 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

@jlandz09 do you have the app set up and have done your e-check-in ?  It is available at 21 days out.  Then you can print your edocs which includes a summary page like below.

 

@gatorchinsky we booked all NCL excursions— we had the discount off each from the PLUS which made prices comparable or sometimes better than booking with third party. 
 

 

I see you’re doing the Cinque Terre excursion. Please let me know how it is. Right now we have the Cinque Terre on your own booked. If you think it was a good trip we’ll keep it but looking at doing another. We’ve been to Florence several times so looking at something different.

[Happycrafter123]

Yes we are planning to check with excursion desk for other options than cinque terre— hubby has a knee issue that has gotten worst since we booked this, but I think every thing is sold out now.  we will let you know.  The one we have booked is the one with guide.

[roxette]

I am at the Vibe on the Breakaway right now, enjoying the last afternoon on a pretty descent cruise. Hope you will enjoy the Breakaway!

 

The ship is in good shape, the food outside the buffet is great. Please, do avoid guest relations and cruisenext and I am sure you will love your cruise in this perfect cruise weather. Have never seem the oceanfront as busy as on this cruise.

Edited May 5, 2023 by roxette

[schmoopie17]

Is that Livorno rule new? We left from Livorno on our TA in November and the first thing we did after boarding was order a cocktail. Actually, a few cocktails...

[Happycrafter123]

@roxette thank you for photos!!  How are you finding internet on the ship?

 

also tell me more about the drinking rules.  Beer and wine only—Is this only while docked at the port?  Even if you have the plus drinking package?

[podgeandrodge]

Bizarre rule, don't recall being affected by that last time at that port.  Logic is lost on me.

[Skjhoward]

Has anyone flown on Vueling airline?

[southern reader]

On 5/4/2023 at 6:41 PM, eileeshb said:

You can book the tender tickets on the tv in your room or the smart screens dotted around the ship.

I’d suggest talking to the shore excursion team as soon as you board to find out when the tickets will be available to book. 
I used the tv in my room to book my tender ticket for great stirrup cay and managed to get the first one after the excursions, haven and high tier loyalty status guests.  

Hi Eileen, I called NCL about the early tender tickets, and they said we would need to purchase that feature for $269 or so.  Is that what you are talking about?  Thanks,

[southern reader]

17 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

In cruise news, it looks like our sailing will be a full one.  We did not get a bid on this but we did unexpectedly get a bid upgrade acceptance email for our next Alaska cruise which is two months away.  We saw the email and thought it was for this one and then realized it was not.  So early for the other one and curious why so far out, though it had been a high bid as I really wanted the club balcony on that one.

 

anyway, we will be heading to port tomorrow with a 9:30 check in so will keep you guys in the loop on how that goes.

Have a great trip!

[spit0000]

1 hour ago, southern reader said:

Hi Eileen, I called NCL about the early tender tickets, and they said we would need to purchase that feature for $269 or so.  Is that what you are talking about?  Thanks,

Ha! I’ve spent enough for this trip. Not going to depend another $269!

[southern reader]

1 hour ago, spit0000 said:

Ha! I’ve spent enough for this trip. Not going to depend another $269!

Exactly! And I spoke to someone who said it doesn't work like it should because it gets ignored.

[debenson0723]

8 hours ago, Skjhoward said:

Has anyone flown on Vueling airline?

I have from Barcelona to London before my Prima TA last September.

[Happycrafter123]

Lineup to get on the ship - no signage and mass confusion, wound up in wrong line eventually moved to the correct one.  Clean bathrooms and water available in waiting room.

 

left Piazza Navona at 8:30

got to port it 915

sitting in waiting room after the security and check in 10:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Acordner]

do we get the taxi to drop off at # 915? Taking me a while to get mine I will be a bit late for my check in lol

[Happycrafter123]

Drink #3 - perfect margarita with Patron

 

(drink 1 and 2 were from Starbucks and I drank too quickly to photograph)

 

[eileeshb]

12 hours ago, southern reader said:

Hi Eileen, I called NCL about the early tender tickets, and they said we would need to purchase that feature for $269 or so.  Is that what you are talking about?  Thanks,

nope, that's a different package that includes some other over priced features. You don't need to pay to use the tenders at all, it's just that certain folks have earlier access to the tenders and will be jumped ahead in the queue. Anyone in Haven, some suites and higher latitudes levels along with the folks who have excursion tickets get priority access to the tenders, everyone else has to book the ticket through the smart tv/screens or shore excursion desk or wait until everyone who booked a ticket has gotten on a tender. 

I suggest talking to the shore excursion staff on the ship after embarkation to find out when it will be possible to book the tender tickets.

[southern reader]

52 minutes ago, eileeshb said:

nope, that's a different package that includes some other over priced features. You don't need to pay to use the tenders at all, it's just that certain folks have earlier access to the tenders and will be jumped ahead in the queue. Anyone in Haven, some suites and higher latitudes levels along with the folks who have excursion tickets get priority access to the tenders, everyone else has to book the ticket through the smart tv/screens or shore excursion desk or wait until everyone who booked a ticket has gotten on a tender. 

I suggest talking to the shore excursion staff on the ship after embarkation to find out when it will be possible to book the tender tickets.

Terrific news!  Thank you

[southern reader]

4 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

Lineup to get on the ship - no signage and mass confusion, wound up in wrong line eventually moved to the correct one.  Clean bathrooms and water available in waiting room.

 

left Piazza Navona at 8:30

got to port it 915

sitting in waiting room after the security and check in 10:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ouch!  How did you finally find the correct line to be in?  Do you speak Italian?  I don't, and even my high school Spanish is about 40 years too rusty. LOL

[Happycrafter123]

31 minutes ago, southern reader said:

Ouch!  How did you finally find the correct line to be in?  Do you speak Italian?  I don't, and even my high school Spanish is about 40 years too rusty. LOL

Half the line eventually tore away and went the other way.  There are some white tents and pasted to them are some white signs that say ENTRANCE in blue with an arrow. Watch for those.

[Happycrafter123]

Drink #5 from Starbucks, the pineapple passion fruit lemonade.  So far 3x Starbucks, 2 x bar.

 

note - bar tells me the glass bottle aqua pana water we got on last cruise is no longer available and all they have is the white cardboard flow water.

 

[southern reader]

28 minutes ago, Happycrafter123 said:

Half the line eventually tore away and went the other way.  There are some white tents and pasted to them are some white signs that say ENTRANCE in blue with an arrow. Watch for those.

Thank you so much. Tip noted!