BklynLola

I noticed that in December on the Breeze. We had a bar waiter during dinner who was great, but we would have really liked to have had a sommelier because we bought the wine package. Would have been nice to hear a little color on our options.

I got the app on the cruise where they beta tested it and it was fantastic. Between that and the social media package, I was able to keep in touch with everyone at home and new people I met on the cruise. Money well spent!

Glad you were able to go with a friend! I would have gone solo if my friend couldn't go, but I'm really glad he could. We actually thought we saw you one night, but it wasn't you. I wanted you to meet my friend since he lives in NYC.

Did you happen to have dinner in the Sapphire room, YTD? It's funny, I mentioned to my friend that I wondered if it was you because there were two guys having dinner together - laughing and having a great time! We had a late dinner almost every night then went to the atrium to dance to the Mambo Kings until they finished their sets. God I would love to be back there right now... :D

According to GoCCL - it's scheduled for dry-dock in March of this coming year. That's awesome, because I'm interested in taking the Victory to the new port in DR, Amber Cove. Sorry that it doesn't give exact details of what's being done... I wish I knew too!

 

Maintenance Schedule

 

• Dry-dock: 3/21/15-4/04/15
  

https://www.goccl.com/~/media/Files/Irman/bookccl/the_fleet/VI_FactSheet.htm

I'm planning to book the Victory's 5 day cruise (10/03/2015) that will make stops in Grand Turk and Amber Cove. If I'm correct, it'll be one of the first ships to make the stop in that part of DR. I can't wait!!! :D

Hi Mark! I was on your cruise too, and originally I had 2208. I was very curious to see what the room looked like because there's not a lot online about those rooms. Once my friend decided to join me, I bumped up to an oceanview but I'll definitely give that 1A a shot if I really do decide to do it again solo. Thanks for the description! :D

Date: 12/6/2014

Ship: Breeze

Class of Guarantee: Oceanview

Cabin Assigned: 1406

Date Assigned: 3 weeks before sailing

 

I orgininally booked a 1A (no porthole) in the front of the ship for just me, but a friend decided to join me. During the Halloween guarantee sale, I took advantage of upgrading to an oceanview cabin. Three weeks before sailing, we were assigned 1406, a deluxe oceanview room. The luxury of two showers so we could get ready at the same time was fantastic! First time I've ever had more than enough closet space on a cruise. It could be a little annoying if we were up on the Lido deck and had to run allllllllll the way down to get something from the room, but all in all we were very pleased with the room and the cruise in general. :D

Seventeen!!! :D:D:D:D:D

I was thinking about that, but a lot of the reviews on rooms in my current area (2208) say that there's a lot of noise from the waves, so I'm hoping I'd just be trading one noisy room for another. I called back Carnival and it'd be about +$103 per person to guarantee we get 1448. For +$14.64 per person, we get "an ocean view, could be anywhere, could be 1448 and [we] get the $10 OBC". So... it looks like we're going to take our chances and just go for the gty deal. Thanks! :D

 

Also, Carnival's call center reps yesterday and today have been super sweet and helpful. It's been a total pleasure to deal with them.

is that for the dec 6 breeze? I am seeing over 700+ for a delux oceanview-- if you pick your own which is the same price as a regular one-- and there are many. then if you change the number of people put in three-- you will see more. take your chance

Yes - that's the one! I'm looking at it now and just realized that the Halloween sale includes $10 OBC so it ends up only being under $5 for me to upgrade with all things considered, and her portion will still be ridiculously low for an 8 day cruise.

You are correct.. there is nothing lower than the 1A. Only upgrades from this category

Haha that's what I thought! It was fine for just me, but two women and all of our stuff? Not a chance!

i see 1448 is available-- what space in there...LOL

That's the one I saw that I'd LOVE to get! What a great stateroom!!! :D

Thanks everyone - I'm going to do the hard sell on my friend now. haha!

If someone that has another OV cabin booked decides to upgrade to a BL GTY, then that would open up another cabin for you to possibly get. Since your cruise is only 5 weeks away, I believe that any cabins that are on hold by any travel agencies would have already been turned back into Carnival. Does your 1A have a porthole? If so, then maybe you should keep it. If not, then I would roll the dice, because at least you would have the larger cabin and the window. Good luck with your decision.

thanks for the response! My 1A doesn't have a porthole, it's just a regular room with one twin and a sofa bed all the way in the front. I'm thinking an upgrade is in order... What are the odds I can get worse?! Haha :D

Sorry to jack your post, but I have a similar question and hate seeing multiple threads on the same topic. :). I'm glad you got your answer, N00B!

 

My question is this... Back in July I booked on the Breeze in a 1A during the no solo supplement sales. I got an amazing deal of ~$550 total for 8 days. I didn't care that my room is tiny because it's just me but I have a friend who is able to use some vacation time and is planning to join me now. I can add her to my room for the same price as me OR as I found out from the call center today, I can upgrade to an ocean view gty rate at only +$15 for me and about $565 for my guest. Seems like a no brainier, right? I checked out the room availability and 2 ocean views are left, one I'd love and one that's meh. Do I take the 50/50 shot that I'll get the better room? Is there a good chance I'll end up in a room that doesn't show as open through a mock booking?

We had previously made plans with SAS Transportation for our shuttle to the port of Miami and this costs $15 each way, per person not including tips for the driver of course.

Thanks! I'm also booked on the Breeze in December and I just booked SAS Transportation. I've been trying to figure out the best way to get from FLL to POM and it sounds like this works out very well.

 

John and Priscilla, see you on the Breeze on 12/6! :)

Thanks! I hope you enjoy yours as well...and do post a review of the Breeze if you haven't sailed her already! :D

I will for sure! Mine is 74 long, long days away.

Hello all,

 

I will be taking a solo cruise to get away from my everyday life and those in it as well as celebrate my upcoming birthday in just 68 days. I need alone time more than you can imagine! While I have joined my roll call in hopes of meeting other solos who are sailing with me and maybe to share an activity or two, maybe even dinner and drinks with, I still have a great need for some peace and quiet to just hit the reset button. I don't want to barricade myself in my cabin either.

 

I'm a cheerful people magnet and don't mind the company of others, however I fear that there may be others who may be looking for a cruise companion. I don't necessarily want to be attached at the hip with anyone during my week long vacation. How would one kindly/politely let a fellow cruiser know that I do not wish to plan an entire day of activities together without sounding rude or as if I do not seek their company at all? (I don't want to turn anyone off) I'm a go with the flow gal. I may want to read a book poolside with my headphones in (Could be the New Yorker in me lol), then meet up for karaoke or a comedy show later.

Too bad you're not on my cruise because that's exactly how I feel! :D I hope you have a great time!

Aguaviva (means jellyfish in Spanish) is in OSJ and has great food in an upscale but not stuffy atmosphere.

 

The drinks are also great, especially the coconut mojito and the drinks are handcrafted.

This is the place I came to suggest. Two thumbs up!

I love all these songs, but don't take them away, just offer more variety. And also limit the number of times they play "shots" I don't even know who sings it. Another of my favorites is danzo kaduro...think that's the name.

 

 

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Danza Kuduro - Don Omar! Yes, I'm so excited that they play that! I was going to ask if they play any music from the Caribbean that's not calypso or reggae - specifically reggaeton, bachata, Pop Latino...?

BklynLola, please don't be scared of Nassau. My husband and I had a wonderful time there. It is just a place to be a little cautious. I would save it for a trip when you are not going solo.

You're absolutely right. I get annoyed when people generalize where I live based on what they hear, so I shouldn't do it to what is probably a gorgeous place with a couple of rough patches... just like Brooklyn!

It's going to seem like I didn't take all of the great advice posted here, but in actuality I did and that's how I came to the cruise I just put a deposit on. YAY I HAVE A DEPOSIT ON A CRUISE!!!! :D Haha, anywaaaayyyy... I got called into a "quick" meeting. 3 hours later, I came out to find I had lost my hold on the Freedom 12/13 cruise. And that's how I found out I had secretly really, really wanted that cruise when I saw there were no more non-solo supplement 1As available. I really can't justify paying full fare when there are so many other fabulous cruises out there for under $500. So, I did what they pay me to do, I analyzed the comps!

 

I made myself a list of contenders, the ports, the cruise price, the deposit amount and due date for remaining balance, the flight prices, the total cost and then the +/- based on the average cost of trip. (Seriously, this is what I do for a living and they expect me to stay awake all day.) Next I highlighted the ports I really wanted to visit. With 3 cruises having 2-3 ports highlighted, anything less than that went. Next was anything +$150 the average full cost of trip. Next was anything that had me paying the balance due before September. I came down to 3 cruises, which were the following:

 

15-Nov Glory 7 day HMC, Bahamas; Grand Turk; San Juan, PR; St. Thomas (total cost cruise/flight: 817.78)

15-Nov Freedom 8 day St. Maarten; Antigua; San Juan, PR; Nassau, Bahamas (total cost cruise/flight: 826.03)

6-Dec Breeze 8 day Grand Turk; San Juan, PR; St. Maarten; St. Thomas (total cost cruise/flight: 928.08)

 

In the end, it had to be the Breeze! On top of it being an amazing ship, having the most ports that I had on my "make or break" list, and being a convenient time for me work-wise and to save a little bit more spending money - it's 11:00am to 10:00pm in Puerto Rico. Oh hey Fajardo - I'm finally going to get to the Bio Bay in the dark! :D I'm so excited for everything and am really thankful to everyone who gave me their thoughts!

The December cruise would be my choice because it does NOT go to Nassau.

LuLu

Thanks! That seems to be a common theme - I think I'm offficially scared of Nassau now! ;)

 

Hard choice, since both are good itineraries, St. Maarten and San Juan are constant on both.

 

So the choice is between Antigua v St Kitts and Nassau v Grand Turk:

 

Grand Turk wins hands down over Nassau! (not a big Nassau fan) -- so 1 point for second itinerary. Beautiful beaches, cool lighthouse.

BUT

We LOVED Antigua -- took an independent island tour (Lawrence of Antigua) so we got to see some great scenic, as well as historic sites. Tour finished with 2 hours at the beach, which was perfect for us. Have not been to St. Kitt yet (going next year).

 

SInce it is fairly even in my book, I would probably go with #1: more time in San Juan, slightly cheaper, avoid your busy work time.

 

You will have a blast which ever you choose!

Thank you! It looks like no Antigua this time, but I'll definitely try to configure something to get there in the future. When even the google satellite map shows aqua water, you KNOW it's a good spot! :)

It IS a good itinerary in November too - I'll be very happy to be on either sailing. I have to remember that if this is what I'm worried about, I have very little to worry about. :D

You are all so awesome - thank you!!!

Love the title you chose for your thread. I can't help much with your decision on which dates to pick since I haven't been to all the ports although I'd probably pick the second since I'm not a Nassau fan.

The thread title came from the laugh I got from reading this thread - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2069182. :D

I haven't been to neither Grand Turk nor Antigua, so in true CC fashion that means I am the perfect person to give my expert opinion.

This made me LOL for real!

But seriously, just based on your own reasoning here it seems like the 11/15 one may have the slight edge. You said it yourself that the extra time in PR makes a big difference. And I know personally I would rather NOT have to check in with work while I'm on vacation. Either way I'm sure you will have an amazing time!

Thank you! Yeah, the work thing is really bugging me and I don’t want to ruin my vacation worrying about it. I’m not one of the essential people where things fall apart if I’m not here, but my Managing Director is a Type A control freak and if something goes wrong, it’s ALWAYS the fault of the person who had the nerve to take leave.

Both itineraries are awesome, so if work is an issue, go with the first one. My favorite, though, is the second choice. I LOVE a day on Grand Turk! Skip Margueritaville and take a very short walk to Jack's Shack on the beach. It is beautiful there. It is also an inexpensive day, so you can spend your money on excursions on other islands.

Nassau would be my least favorite place, especially going solo. My husband and I did have a great time seeing the historical sights there. We enjoyed going to the Queen's Staircase and the fort (great view), but the walk there took us through some rough areas.

Either way, you are going to have so much fun!

Thanks!! I'm so looking forward to it. This has been one of those years where I accidentally tempted fate by saying in February "Well, things can't get much worse, can they?" so I am really, really looking forward to some down time. Jack’s Shack… I’ll definitely look further into that. I heard the same thing about the industrial, not so nice port in Nassau from my sister. It’s really that sketchy? I was hoping that she was just trying to talk me out of going.

Is the first cruise is six nights and the second cruise on 12/13 8 nights? The 8 nighter would be a deal sealer for me. Hey, I did booked that cruise! If you want culture and history, you have Brimstone Hill in St Kitts. St Maarten has great shopping, esp. for jewelry, and is the cuisine capital of the Caribbean. There's some good snorkeling on Grand Turk if you do an excursion, as well as the informal Jacks Shack for a beach bar and grill. San Juan has El Moro the fortress, lots of local avant garde cuisine and some nice beaches like Condado. See you on board said 1 NYer to another?

Hey! I still have a hold on this room for 12/13… turns out if you’re vigilant, you can roll that hold over every day. Haha! Another vote for Jack’s Shack… seems like the place to be! I really would like to see you on board – we shall see!

A different approach to your question:1) Do you live your life to work?

OR

2) Do you work so you can live your life?

Unfortunately, dealing with a bunch of personal issues in the beginning of the year has me living to work at the moment so that I can still get my awesome reviews and get my silly little raise at the end of the year.

If it were me, I would choose the December itinerary. Is that the only week it is available? We have been to Antigua twice but never to St Kitts so that is one reason and the other is Grand Turk over Nassau. Grand Turk is one of our favorite ports. We have been there many times and would not mind going there on each cruise. Nassau we can do without. Those are my personal reasons and choices but you have to decide which will be better for you.

 

Whichever one you decide, happy cruising and enjoy!

Thank you! I don’t think it’s the only week it’s available, but it’s the only week without the single supplement that also gives me time to save up some spending money.

 

I would definitely pick the one where I don't have to check in at work!!!!! Love the thread title, too.

Thanks! Re-reading this makes me realize how pathetic it is that I am actually planning my vacation around when my boss is less likely to annoy me. lol

Grand Turk we did last year and was awesome. Not a big fan of Bahamas but PR is interesting. I would go for 12/13. Only because of Grand Turk

Grand Turk has been on my list for a while, ever since my nephew came home from 1st grade and asked me to help him look it up. (He’s 14 now.) His teacher had gone there for her honeymoon and told all of her students that when they grow up, they need to go to Turks and Caicos. She was so right! Thanks!

I like the second itinerary better, but if I was going to be catching hell for it at work I would take the first. Grand Turk will still be there.

I’m really starting to hate my job. Hahaha!

Another vote for December. Longer cruise and definitely Grand Turk over Nassau. I also spent a wonderful day at Jack's Shack!

Thanks! So what goes on at this Jack’s Shack? Everyone loves it!

I would do the one where you don't have to check in to work...that's the last thing you want to have to worry about when you're on vacation. There's always next year for the other itinerary. In terms of Antigua versus Grand Turk, we haven't been to either of those places (going to Grand Turk in January, though).

 

One question I would ask--how many different itineraries have Grand Turk on it, versus how many have Antigua. With our cruise next January included, we have been to many of the places that Carnival goes (and some of those places twice), and we haven't been to Antigua yet. Granted, we will only have Grand Turk once as well in those ten cruises. Or in other words, how easy would it be to go to either Grand Turk or Antigua in future years. Carnival is unlikely to abandon Grand Turk anytime soon that I am aware of. I'm not too familiar with Antigua's history with Carnival.

 

Personally, I would do the one with Antigua now and do Grand Turk later, but that's just me.

That’s a really good point! Granted, Grand Turk is a place I’ve wanted to go for a while and Antigua is something that just came up when I saw this itinerary, but there are a lot of cruises going to Grand Turk. Antigua

 

Thank you all again so much for your responses… you’ve definitely given me a lot more to contemplate. I think when my MD gets in later today, I’ll just casually bring up the idea of traveling in December and see how he responds.

Ok, I lied. :o I'm good with my one bottle of wine, I don't smoke, and I only have one butt to put in a chair, but it totally is a pick my cruise thread...

 

I know which ship I want to go on (Freedom) but I'm having a hard time choosing between the 11/15 and 12/13 sailings.

 

11/15: St. Maarten, NA; Antigua; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nassau, The Bahamas

12/13: St. Maarten, NA; St Kitts, WI; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Grand Turk

 

My main problem here is that I have a slight preference for the 12/13 itinerary, but it's one of the busiest weeks of the year (year end wrap up meetings) for my team at work. I'd likely meet with resistance for booking that week and then be expected to check in while in port. Blech. I can do it, but it'll be a little more annoying.

 

I plan to take the Southern Caribbean cruise on the Valor at some point, so I can let St. Kitts go in favor of the Bahamas, but Grand Turk I really do want to visit and it's not on the Valor itinerary. Once I started looking into Antigua though... now I kinda like the idea of going to Antigua. I guess it boils down to Grand Turk v. Antigua. Actually, one thing the Nov sailing has over the Dec is more time in San Juan. I love Puerto Rico like it's my mom and savor every second there, so even if it's only +3h, it makes a difference to me. Price difference on the cruise and flights is negligible, it's about +$70 for the earlier dates.

 

I guess if I'm asking what I'll like better I should give a little detail - I'm a female planning to cruise solo. As far as what I'm looking to do, at some point sitting on a beach for sure but given my Scando/Irish complexion, I'm not a full day beach roaster. I like to go to museums, see historical/natural sites, shop, swim/snorkel and hang out at beach bars so I pretty much can find a way to make myself happy in port. I'll be solo, but I'm social so a completely remote island of tranquility will make me crazy after an hour or two.

 

If anyone would be willing to share any experiences or thoughts about the ports I'm torn between I would really appreciate it.

I'm loving this review! I am looking to do this cruise at the end of this year and this recap is making me super anxious to book it immediately! :)