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

[southern reader]

Any updates on how long it takes on average for "Non-NCL" Excursion passengers to get off the ship?  Been trying to guess pick up times for excursions on our own since NCL excursions we want are already booked out.

Thanks

[Happycrafter123]

Daily from yesterday 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

2 hours ago, southern reader said:

Any updates on how long it takes on average for "Non-NCL" Excursion passengers to get off the ship?  Been trying to guess pick up times for excursions on our own since NCL excursions we want are already booked out.

Thanks

I hear the tender port of Santorini was hit and miss depending on your tender times and the rest folks just walk off so far we have docked on time each day.

 

also there are excursions that pop up on board due to cancellations and also maybe some don’t make it to the app it seems.  I just booked one using my tv in bedroom that did not show up in app for tomorrow.  These do tend to be the more unusual and expensive options though.

[Happycrafter123]

11 hours ago, southern reader said:

@Happycrafter123 Did you walk up to the top of the Acropolis to see the Parthenon?  If so, how was it?  Any idea how long it took to walk it?  And did you go into the museum?  If so, any comments on how much time you spent in there?  Finally what else did the excursion take you to see in Athens?

Thanks

 We did walk up to the top of the acropolis the see the Parthenon.  It was pretty and good views of Athens though an active archeological site so a lot of scaffolding and stuff.  It took 1 1/2 hours from entry to exit with many pauses for photos and the guide to talk.

 

our tour did not include the museum which I regretted.

 

It was very slippery at the acropolis given the rocks and marble.  Make sure you have shoes with very good grip.  My running shoes are too worn on the base, apparently, for this so I kept slipping, it was like walking on ice in winter.  Hubby had almost brand new shoes with close to factory level grip left so he was fine.  I wanted comfortable shoes but wish I had taken a newer pair with good grippy soles.  Similar issue to Santorini, it takes the fun out of the day when you keep slipping and have to watch the ground continuously rather than the sites.

apart from this our tour drive around a lot.

 

the tour was a small group tour and I would actually recommend it.  You can not book on app.  You would need to call and ask about it on the phone from NCL.  It was only 16 people.

 

[Happycrafter123]

Photos from Athens and the Acropolis

 

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

 

Docked at katakolon which looks gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

heading off to Olympia which is a 45 minute bus ride.  Hopefully a better experience than the last two days-/weather is nice and this place is green and it’s pretty here, so hopeful.  Appears to be 4 buses going on our itinerary, so about 100 people…

[Happycrafter123]

Olympia was the best visit yet.  More details later but some pics 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[southern reader]

@Happycrafter123 your information and photos are great!!!! Thank you so very much!

[Happycrafter123]

Day 5 daily

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

So far we have mainly collapsed in bed for exhausted sleep each evening but hoping tonight to watch the magic show, will report back (and give tour reviews for yesterday and today later).

 

departing this port was easy peasy - no big customs clearance requirement, and tours seemed well staggered.  This was the entrance at about 2:30, you can see folks trickling back and no wait, with all aboard for 3:30

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[Happycrafter123]

Dinner at Ocean blue tonight was over the top amazing.  Such great food and superlative service.  I wish we could eat here every night!!

 

[CCTES]

Olympia looks lovely! I'm most excited for that stop! Thanks for the updates

 

[southern reader]

On 5/8/2023 at 2:37 AM, Happycrafter123 said:

Tenders look easy to book in app 

see screen shots below, lower right hand option from main screen in app

 

 

 

Hi @Happycrafter123 I downloaded the app, but a few things showing on yours are not on mine, and I gather that is because we are not on the cruise yet.  Having said that, what is "Virtual queues"  on your app?  Also, for those not on an NCL Cannes excursion, could you book your tender for Cannes through the app right now even though you have a few days before you arrive there? If so, any idea what are the earliest tender times still available? Thanks

Edited May 10, 2023 by southern reader

[lcvb73]

Hi. I'm wondering about the menus in the main dining rooms.  Are they still the ones with rotating nightly features or have they changed to the new version which is the same menu every night?  Thanks.

[Happycrafter123]

10 hours ago, lcvb73 said:

Hi. I'm wondering about the menus in the main dining rooms.  Are they still the ones with rotating nightly features or have they changed to the new version which is the same menu every night?  Thanks.

I’m sorry I haven’t been to the main dining room yet and every time I think to walk by they are closed and I don’t see menus posted outsides.  Will try today.   

[Happycrafter123]

We’ve been starting our days with room service breakfast (when we remember to put out the slips the night before).  They have been accommodating if you hand write a note to the items on the menu, for example to add bacon.

 

the fruit salad for room service is better than fruit selection in buffet

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

Laundry special was left on our bed yesterday afternoon Day 5.

 

we fit quite a lot in the bag

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

I normally do about an hour of stretching and yoga each day, which I have not done on this trip.  Feeling stiff and achy so starting the day in the hot tub with a coffee.

 

Note there have been no line ups at the starboard cos and we haven’t had trouble getting a drink anywhere.

 

I brought many ducks to hide but am

having trouble finding spots to leave them.
 

 

 

 

 

 

[KeithJenner]

11 hours ago, lcvb73 said:

Hi. I'm wondering about the menus in the main dining rooms.  Are they still the ones with rotating nightly features or have they changed to the new version which is the same menu every night?  Thanks.

I’ve not seen any reports of the new menus on any ship other than the Prima.

 

We will know when it happens as there will be a 10 page long thread on this board within a few hours of the first report.

[Happycrafter123]

Went by taste and savor once again but as usual missed their breakfast serving.  They are only open from 8-930 and we got there at 940.  Very inconvenient which is why we wind up at buffet for most meals if not at specialty dinning.

 

our tour meets at 11:45 so it is a problematic time to eat breakfast or lunch before we go, will hit up the buffet.

 

another time change today, back an hour.

 

 

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

Onboard credit desk always has a long line, I’m not sure why?

 

we cancelled a couple tours and booked new ones to replace them, trying to get shorter and easier ones, and they took back the $50 dollar credits on those we had originally booked but did not reapply the credits on the new ones, so we are out $200 USD, so we will be in the OBC line too soon to get that fixed.

 

hours are as below

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

Running out of toothpaste and lost my face cream somewhere (possibly left in hotel room in Rome?). Unfortunately the store to buy stuff like that also has limited hours.

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

Very sad day today - strong winds have prevented us from docking at Malta, so we have a sea day.

 

had a “go local” excursion planned to visit a lake and learn about the cultivating of moluscs, very disappointed but luckily it is sunny and a good day to lounge and work on my tan.

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[Happycrafter123]

15 hours ago, southern reader said:

Hi @Happycrafter123 I downloaded the app, but a few things showing on yours are not on mine, and I gather that is because we are not on the cruise yet.  Having said that, what is "Virtual queues"  on your app?  Also, for those not on an NCL Cannes excursion, could you book your tender for Cannes through the app right now even though you have a few days before you arrive there? If so, any idea what are the earliest tender times still available? Thanks

Virtual queues is currently empty.

 

folks started booking Cannes tenders yesterday .  I took a look just now 11am day 6 and it’s already  at group 17 so you really want to be on top of this and book as soon as it pops up.

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Thank you for your posts. We have been blessed to have been on your ship and to the ports you are visiting. We love cruising the Mediterranean. Thank you again!