Seas2mountains

We recently sailed on the Breakaway about a week ago with recent cruises on the Gem in March and the Pearl in December. We purchased the Thermal Suite Spa pass as we enjoyed the relaxing time using the Thalassotherapy pool and especially the heated loungers. We learned it was best to go to the spa earlier in the morning or early evening to avoid people and the heated lounge chair hogging. However, we have noticed on all three recent cruises that no matter what time we are there, people came in and started talking using a loud outside voice to be heard over the thalassotherapy jets. Some actually thought it was okay to yell across the room to their spouse or friends. On the Breakaway, a woman was yelling across the room to ask her friend if her Wifi was working or not. She didn't seem to care that she woke up several people who had fallen asleep and continued to speak loudly with a friend even after we kindly tried to remind her this was a quiet area. The loud conversations were noticed every single time we used the spa on all three ships except one time on the Gem when were the only ones in the spa. We don't remember this happening as often on past cruises even when we went at peak times. I think there were signs posted to remind people that it was a quiet place. We tried involving the spa manager or assistant manager to ask for their help on all three ships but they seemed reluctant to get involved and would only apologize for the loud conversations. I believe the spa services are outsourced to a vendor to run. On the Breakaway, the spa manager said they no longer had the signs posted about it being a quiet area as she said everyone knows it is supposed to be a quiet area. 🤷‍♀️ Ugh! On the Pearl, the spa representatives gave tours for the first few days and didn't attempt to speak quietly. I do remember reading about this happening to @YVRteacher on the Jewel, too, as reported in her live review. Is anyone else also noticing this trend of people not adhering to basic spa etiquette expectations of maintaining a quiet environment or did I miss the update that the quiet environment is no longer expected? We will pack some ear plugs before the next cruise but I will miss hearing the spa music playing in the background.

We are on the same sailing on the Prima. We recommend Onda, Los Lobos, Cagney's and Le Bistro based on our past recent experiences with these restaurants on other ships.

On the Breakaway now. I saw this person posted on the other social media website for this specific cruise and about getting a great solo deal to sail last minute a few days before sail date at under $600 total for an inside guarantee after the cruise had been sold out for several weeks. Yes, it was booked a few days before departure. It’s easy for NCL to provide a full refund plus 100% FCC when the fare is only $600.

You are welcome! Yes, I hope you have great weather and can tender. We really enjoyed our day with the villa. It made GSC a calm and peaceful experience. The pool was so cold in February so we hope it is warmer now. We will be back there a week from tomorrow with family via the Breakaway if the weather is calm for tendering. Have a wonderful cruise!

Here are some photos at Silver Cove Lagoon villas taken in February 2024. We had a studio lagoon villa.

Thank you for sharing the video. We really like listening to Duo Rika. Autocorrect wants them to be Duo Rita. Do you by chance know how long they have left on the Prima? We hope they will be on through early July. We embark on the Prima in about 35 days. Thank you again for all the details you provided in this review! I appreciate it so much!

Thank you so much for taking the time for this live review. I enjoyed reading about your experiences on the Prima on @mking8288’s wonderful live review. It’s so nice to get to hear about your adventures on the Escape. Thank you for sharing the details on how you got from Southampton to Trieste. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

That’s a bummer. The Port of Miami daily port schedule doesn’t list any ships at terminal B today. I wonder why they used terminal C? Have a wonderful cruise! We embark on the Breakaway two weeks from today.

Happy Birthday, Yvonne! Can’t wait to read about your day and hope it is wonderful despite the weather. I hope you get to enjoy some yummy cake, too.

Here is more info on this topic

Yes, there is an elevator to move people up and down from the Haven/Suite waiting area for those who have mobility challenges and can’t take the stairs. I saw it used often.

I understand New York Manhattan terminal added a separate security screening station for Haven. While terminal B in Miami opened in 2021, the carpet in the main cruise terminal did not look great when we weren’t in the Haven /suites a year ago. I’ll see it in a few weeks and hope they figured out a way to clean it or replace it as it was really bad in high traffic areas. It is a beautiful terminal with all the windows. The Haven/suite area is even better with that separate security line and the snacks. It’s a relaxing way to start a vacation.

Thank you! I missed that additional step.

I tried to do a mock booking this afternoon and could see the military discount but did not see the educator discount. I’m going to wait a few days to try again. If anyone has success, please do let us know.

No, but it is in the area below the waiting area. If you walk down the stairs from the waiting area, you turn right as if you are going to embark on the ship and they are located to your right. There is usually a person standing by the restrooms to make sure you don't keep walking towards the ship.

Here are some photos of the security and check-in area for the Haven/Suites in Miami Terminal B. These were taken in December 2023.

Assuming you embark in Miami at the NCL cruise terminal B, look for the Haven signs when you arrive at the cruise port immediately after the first escalator and go to the left and not the right for general check-in. Someone will check your cruise documents against a list to confirm your name and cabin number are on the list of suite guests. Do not go to regular security as you will miss your chance to go to the Suite area which has its own security. They will have some treats available like cookies, fruit and sandwiches with juice, tea and coffee. The concierge should be there to meet you and provide an advance copy of the Freestyle Daily. The butlers do come to escort you on the ship.

No. You should be able to use them with the discount. I have had success using them to make deposits with the military discount.

It took about 30 minutes to get verified. I had an ID.me account but only used it for military verification.

Thank you so much for sharing this information! Wonderful news! I just submitted my info in ID.me and it asked if I had a license number that could be verified by my state which I do so that is what I used to submit my info in ID.me along with my school name and school district. I'm waiting to see if that worked or not. I am not a teacher but I do work at a high school and am licensed by the state. Being a military veteran, I do get 10% off cruises with that discount and assume this can't be combined with the teacher/school employee discount of 5% plus $50 OBC. We will see.

#retirementgoals

Oh no! Hoping they can be found soon. Maybe Belvedere or Metropolitan?

The dissatisfaction arises from the removal of Tortola and the reduction in port time at St. Thomas, with the original arrival time shifted from 11 am to 1 pm, affecting five sailings. The exclusion of Tortola isn't due to weather or safety concerns but rather appears to be part of NCL's standard messaging for skipped ports, which seems dishonest. Many passengers, including ourselves, would have reconsidered booking had we known about these changes before final payment. The $100 onboard credit is insufficient for a 7-day cruise now heavily reliant on sea days, potentially extending to 4.5 days if Great Stirrup Cay is skipped due to weather. Numerous comments reflect the frustration of loyal NCL customers seeking transparency and truthfulness, as ongoing itinerary alterations erode trust in the company's integrity driven by cost-cutting motives that happened after we committed thousands of dollars for multiple cabins to cruise with family members who have never been to these ports.

I agree. This is now my favorite NCL drink as was recommended to me last summer by @bluesea777 when I was on the Spirit. But now, I’m super picky about how this drink is made and I have not found a bartender in the Local or O’Sheahan’s who can make it just right. I usually need to go to the whiskey bar like Maltings on the Pearl or Gem to find the bartender who could make it just like it was made in Henry’s pub on the Spirit. I won’t be on Prima until later this summer but if you find a bar that makes a great matador, please let me know and thank you! I’m not a picky person but it’s something about the ginger or orange bitters that makes or breaks this drink. Have a wonderful cruise! Loving your live review and photos. Congratulations on the retirements. So excited to read about your adventures on all three ships! Thank you for taking the time!

Loving your review and I’m so happy to hear that you and your Dad are having a great time and making wonderful memories! Dad’s comments are priceless and I’m sure I’m not the only one who misses their Dad or Father-in-law when reading about him. In case you hung out at Magnum’s on the Spirit last summer, the amazing bar server and singer, Jane, is on the Jewel in Magnum’s/Shaker’s martini bar. She has the biggest smile and has such a beautiful voice to enjoy when she is invited to sing. Can’t wait for more of your review- have a wonderful cruise! 😀