ProfCruise

Headed out on the Zaandam for 14 days and trying to stick with my fitness routine (lame, I know - but I plan on sampling pretty much every desert). Can someone tell me if the spin bikes can be used when a spin class is not in session. I know on several other lines they are off limits unless one takes a class (you don't want me in a group spin class unless everyone else is interested in a sweat shower), but I'm hoping it might be different on HAL (newbie here).

Other fitness center tips welcome too!

Thanks!

We live near the cruise port in downtown Seattle and always leave our place 2.5 hours prior to any scheduled flight out of SeaTac (we always take light rail which, depending on traffic, can take longer than driving). We've never had a problem making a flight. If you feel confident that you'll be off the ship by 9ish, I think you'll be fine. And even if there's some risk of missing the flight, you're on Southwest and they will re-book you for no charge. I'd go for it if it's helpful for you to get home earlier in the day. Have a great trip!

We have a great view of the cruise port from our apartment in downtown Seattle. I like to tell people we moved here for the weather and cruising.

Both my son and I are vegetarians and have always had great food on NCL, although we've never eaten in the speciality restaurants, so I can't speak to those. I wrote a detailed review of the Breakaway with a section on dining that may be helpful to you.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2326291&highlight=profcruise

Happy to try to answer any other questions you might have.

As usual, H, you have written a beyond-cute and entertaining blog! Keep dragging your parents on cruises! [emoji568]

 

 

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That's the plan ;) Thanks for reading!

Great review so far. Keep it comin! We love the Breakaway and will be taking our first trip to Bermuda on her in July. Can't wait to read/see more!

Oh my gosh, I'm loving this review!! Also the perspective of a 3 year old. How awesome. I'm now wondering why my young daughter (who started cruising when she was 3 also and is now 7) didn't do this. Maybe I have raised a lazy slum child and I should re-evaluate my parenting skills at this point. :D

 

I "normally" don't read reviews, unless they pertain to a ship I'm going to be on, but well, at this point...there's not many in NCL's fleet I haven't been on. What caught my eye was not the diaper changing babies I might encounter, or the hair shedding puppies that could be around and the thought of apple pie after getting off the Jade 2 weeks ago just disgusted me, but the fact that you said you were normally a Carnival cruiser trying out NCL. I was once in your shoes.

 

I normally cruise with NCL and tried Carnival for the first time in 2013 (the Dream) and loved it so much that we took another cruise last year on the Pride. This Friday I leave on the Breeze and can't wait. I'm telling ya, the snooty NCL cruisers don't know what they are missing...now I'm off to pack my Freddy stuffed animal, grab my Carnival "Cruizin" tee shirt and put my manners, politeness and grammar away for the week. (Just kidding of course. I have found nothing but similarities in the two lines and love them both now). :)

 

I'm hoping you have more for me to read soon...like as in before I leave on Friday for my Breeze cruise. :D

I would only be slightly more excited had Mr. Rogers himself clicked on my review. But I'm far less creeped out (because you're not, you know, "dead"). I LOVE your reviews and am so honored you read mine. It's my dream in life to someday sail with Sakari. Whadya say? :D

My 3 year old used the little Guppies room quite a bit. It's just a small room with toys they rotate each day. There were never more than 1 or 2 kids in there (ages ranging from about a year to 3). They do have a few organized events for parents and young kids in the mornings, but we never participated in those since our son is 3.

You might be interested in the review I wrote of the Breakaway. I wrote it from the perspective of my 3 year old and it includes lots of pictures (including of the Guppies room and the Daily's which lists the Guppies activities) and tips for young kids.

You'll have a blast. Enjoy! I'm happy to try to answer any other questions you might have.

Review is here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2326291

Ouch, you poor thing. I broke mine when I was just a couple of years older than you. No fun and it takes forever to heal.

We should start a cruise group called "The [broken] clavicle cruisers." We could wear matching shirts that look like x-rays with broken clavicles. I feel like it could score us some sympathy drinks. You game?

Who thought "blood and sand" was a good name for a drink..lost me right there! But lots of others going onto the must try list! Loving the review and so sorry about that clavicle..😥

You're so right! Plus, I actually bled onto the sand on this trip (toe injury) and enjoyed that more than this drink! Thanks for reading and for your kind words.

Hmmm I love mai tais, but they are normally fruity flavored & I thought red? That looks like a weird mai tai! And bleuch to cinnamon, not a fan!

I know, right! :eek:

Heal quickly H! Hope your mom and dad have extra orange sherbet and cheese for you to help your healing process!!

I like you. Adopt me? :D

YAY, We're so proud of you.

Thanks, but did you dance? :p

This is the best review ever!! Hope you have a speedy recovery with that collar bone. I had the same injury when I was a tad bit older. Only mine was more of a sports injury and less of a chair injury.

 

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I'm working on a better story for mine ;) Thanks for reading!

Great review. I'm prepping for our Escape cruise with a crash diet accompanied by dental surgery, liquid diet, no alcohol. I'm dying at the food porn. I figure I'll be on mushy food, no alcohol about the time you move on to reviewing the bars. But hey, I'm in! Carry on.

Planning dental work prior to a cruise to lose weight...brilliant! I hope all went well and you were able to indulge properly on the Escape!

Oh my gosh. Your poor little guy. My heart just melted at the picture of him in his cast. Glad you could cheer him up with chocolate. Hope he heals real soon.

Yes! The only times I get sweets are on vacation, at Gigi/Poppi's or grandma's, or when I break something. And they wonder why I'm always running away and jumping off crap! Just had my follow up x-ray yesterday and I'm all healed up. Thanks for all the well wishes everyone!

Loving your review! I keep interrupting DH in his Bones marathon to share your little gems! Since he ignored my Gangham style quote...I may try it on our cruise and tell him I warned him...

LOL! Let's start a movement to bring Gangham style dancing to NCL! Who's in? (and suddenly cancellations on NCL go up 200%). Thanks for reading!

hello H, I love your review so far!

We are cruising on Breakaway very soon & I am loving the info & pictures. My girls are now turning 11yrs old & I miss them being your age!

 

Look forward to the rest of the review!

Thank you for reminding my mom to savor the toddler years. She promises to do that in between screaming into her pillow and cleaning up pee. :cool: Hope you enjoyed your cruise! :D

Psssssst..."H" -

 

Don't tell your mama (we don't want her to get a big head or anything) but she writes a great review. And her sense of humor is da bomb!! I think that you and daddy are 2 lucky dudes.

 

Oh, I can almost imagine you with that hipster beard. You look a lot like my son did at your age, and now at 25 he rocks a fantastic hipster beard!

 

Big Doug and Suze (thats me and my baby daddy) are on the Breakaway on April 3. You're making it sound like lots of fun.

Mom's head is so big and full of hot air, she's started a new career selling advertising and flying over baseball stadiums. How did you like the Breakaway? I hope you drank a bushwhacker and ate a cinnamon roll for me! :D

More More More:) !!! Really I'm so hungry now after looking at those pictures.

I know, right! Mostly I just do these reviews so I'll have some food pics to help me get by between cruises! Thanks for reading (or "looking").

Looking forward to your review of the food. Did they have orange sherbet and cheese?

Not only that, they had hard ice cream at the buffet and frozen drinks made with ice cream mix. Toddler heaven.

My little man

Hi Gigi!!!

Love, love, love this review. And I too laughed in all the right places...as well as some wrong ones as well. ;)

Attagirl ;)

Love this! Our only experience with Carnival was the Sensation. It was our 2nd cruise with our 1st being on the Disney Dream. We were just a little disappointed......

 

 

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I'm experiencing joke diarrhea thinking about the contrast between a Disney cruise and the Sensation. :eek:

Subscribing... Great review so far, and your son is soooo adorable!

 

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I know, right! Thanks for reading! :D