poohdreaming

What's your favorite deck/cabin on the Breakaway to be on and why?

Each deck/cabin is special in their own ways, and each person like different things.

For those in Haven, they would like Haven's areas.

For those in a Studio, perhaps deck 11 as the Studio Lounge is on the same floor.

Deck 8 - some restaurants are on this floor, easy walk to most things.

From the site: Dress Code: Resort Casual, plus nice jeans are allowed. No shorts after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.

Formal or casual dress is waived on the first night.

You can book in 120 days, you should be able to book now.

Other cruisers mentioned there are some thing to do near the dockyard.

You can visit the National Museum of Bermuda, visit stores like the glass store.

You need to call to make any changes (delete/cancel/moving to another time/date) regarding any reservations.

We're about to book the Breakaway for the Oct 16th sailing. I have enough points on my NCL MC to do a meta upgrade from OS to Balcony. The rate on a sailaway is about $900pp plus port chgs, etc. If we take the perks we'd do the UDP and internet. Last yr we were on The Jade about the same time in Oct. We found it difficult to get reservations for dining, along with a lot of other people. We ended up doing restaurants that weren't our first choice. We didn't wait until the last days in the cruise to book, either. Waiting in line for the reservations to book sucked, too! Is the Breakaway like this? This is our first time on this class of ships. We've only been on the Jewel class. What's the pros and cons of booking a sailaway rate?:confused:

Well, factor in the price that is not at a sailaway rate with the perks added on. The internet and the shore excursion credits - these you do not have to pay anything extra for. But the dining and the drinking package, there is gratuity added on. Some will not pick the drinking package as they will not be able to break even or go above the value of the package.

For the Breakaway, please reserve for shows as well as any of specialty dining ahead of time. This also include shore excursions if booked through NCL. You can reserve by calling the shore excursion line. Shows and restaurants, you can reserve on NCL site. If any of the ports you visit use tenders - you can reserve for it through the TV in the stateroom.

The great outdoor is a good place and if there are no seats, you can go into La Cucina to seat for breakfast. They opened up La Cucina for more tables and seats. It is so quiet and you can just exit to the great outdoor to get juices and some breakfast items rather than walk all the way back to the garden cafe.

At the show, you can use the exit near the stage rather than walk all the way up.

Anothere question about the Studio Lounge at the Breakaway. Bar Service is only 1 hour a day? Is there 24 hours something to drink what is included in the drinking package? In a video i saw Water and Orange juice and a wine machine, but the machine is not in the package include or?

If you are in a studio, you would have access to the studio lounge. The coffee (espresso/cappuccino)/hot chocolate/ tea/water/orange juice along with some bakery items (cake/cookies) are available for free to take.

You do not need a drinking package for these free drinks (juice/coffee).

The wine machine - it is not free and it is there for people to buy wine to drink.

Definitely attend the Meet & Greet - sign up on your roll call. And then the 2nd option is to attend solos meetings listed on the daily freestyle newsletter. On the Breakaway, it was in the studio lounge. Had a wonderful host and the studio lounge was the right place for these meetings.

You do not need to attend every nights/solo meetings. Inside the studio lounge - the host had some sign up sheets - to see show together or to have dinner together with the host. At the meeting, the host would ask how many people would like to have dinner together and at which restaurant. (Taste/Savor/MDR) The host then would need to call to reserve and then no need to wait when everyone get together at the restaurant.

Every hosts do their solo meetings differently. But I had fun in the first one compared to the second one on the Gem because on the Gem, they do not have the studio lounge or a good place for solos.

Thanks for writing and sharing your review along with pictures. Thank you so much. I do have 1 question, do you remember how much it cost for the behind the cruise ship tour? Thanks.

It is easy walk to everything on that floor and you should not hear any sounds. Are you inside or an ocean view cabin with the sail away?

Sometimes sail away have their own good prices without any promotions. It is just that you would not know which deck/cabin.

http://6abc.com/business/major-food-service-company-ditches-plastic-straws-at-1000-cafes/3556893/

More companies to ban/ditches plastic straws to save the environment/sea animals.

For those that still want plastic straws would need to buy and bring it on board.

Or use a tumbler cup with straw or use a spoon to drink those frozen drinks.

http://6abc.com/business/major-food-service-company-ditches-plastic-straws-at-1000-cafes/3556893/

More companies to ban/ditches plastic straws to save the environment/sea animals.

For those that still want plastic straws would need to buy and bring it on board.

Or use a tumbler cup with straw

Hello all... First time NCL cruisers and also our first time on a mega ship! We will be sailing on the Bliss soon and I have a million questions. Thank you in advance for all of your helpful replies.

 

We were given a three night specialty dining package as part of our booking. I noticed that we will be able to make our dining reservations soon but I'm really confused as to which restaurants are included without paying an additional fee. How do you tell what's included and what you can book with the specialty dining package?

 

http://www.bliss.ncl.com/dining#specialty

You can book at any specialty restaurants for any 3 nights of the cruise. Specialty restaurants included:

• Texas SmokeHouse
  
• Ocean Blue
  
• La Cucina
  
• Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at Sea
  
• Cagney's Steakhouse
  
• Food Republic
  
• Teppanyaki
  
• Le Bistro
  
• Los Lobos
  

Are there up-to-date menus posted online for the specialty restaurants? - Bliss is a new cruise ship, but you can search online for some of these specialty restaurants or look on here at Cruise Critic for menus/pictures.

 

What are your favorite specialty restaurants? For me: Cagney's, Le Bistro and La Cucina - On NCL Gem.

 

I noticed that we will also be able to make reservations for shows in advance. How do you coordinate shows with your dining reservations? Certain shows are repeated at nights or another time/day throughout the cruise. If you want to see a show, you would either eat dinner early or after the show.

 

How long does it usually take to dine in one of the specialty restaurants? It depends on what you order as well as for which restaurant. For example, Teppanyaki - it might takes longer. Probably 1 hour?

 

What is the dress code at dinner time in the specialty restaurants? Le Bistro - a little formal, but all other restaurants - casual dress code.

 

Are the specialty restaurants open at lunchtime? Specialty dining is only at night.

 

How long does dinner usually last in the MDR? 1-2 hours?

 

What is the dress code in the MDR at dinner time? - Casual dress code

 

Again, thank you for your replies. It's confusing sailing for the first time on NCL. I'm sure we will be fans once we get the hang of it.

From NCL Term & Conditions:

Specialty Dining Package:

Sail Length# Of Dining

Package MealsRetail Value20% Gratuities3-9 Nights3$69 per person$13.80 per package10+ Nights4$84 per person$16.80 per package

Package prices are subject to change.

Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to cruise.

20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package are included when booking through the Australia office.

Packages are based on a per meal basis.

Applicable to guests 1-2 on the reservation.

Dining package is applicable to guest ages 2 and older.

Any Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues, Food Republic, The Bake Shop, Ice Cream Bar, Gelato, specialty items in the Asian restaurant, Special Occasion/Holiday menus (New Year's, Christmas, etc.),

Jazz Brunch, Wine Lovers and Murder Mystery lunches, and beverages are not included as part of the Specialty Dining Packages.

You may choose to dine in the following venues as part of your Specialty Dining Package for the corresponding upcharges: The Supper Club ($15 USD), For the Record ($15 USD),

Ocean Blue ($15 USD), Bayamo ($15 USD), Cirque Dreams and Illusionarium ($10 USD regular seats/$15 USD premium seats/$35 USD VIP seating on Breakaway), Sushi Bar ($7 USD), Pincho Tapas Bar ($7 USD), and Raw Bar ($7 USD).

Specialty Dining Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro restaurants. Additional main courses will be charged at the a la carte price listed on the menu.

There is no minimum or maximum to the number of meals that can be redeemed in a day, however each meal is counted towards the package.

Enjoy your cruise!

following.. so interesting. Hopefully, Bliss will be a future cruise for me.

Will be on first NCL cruise in a few weeks, but it is not my first cruise. From reading posts here, it seems that you need a reservation/ticket to see the shows at night. Is this correct? If so, when/how do you make a reservation? This has not been the case on any of my previous cruises.

 

Going on short 4-day to Bahamas on July 16 on the Sun.

 

TYA!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If you can not reserve on the NCL site, then you would need to do so once on board the first day to the box office.

Newer ships, it depends - some can reserve through the TV.

No need to take the life vest with you to the drill. The drill is inside that gathered at a place. The place is located on your stateroom door as well as on your key card. It only last like maybe 30 minutes. When you get to that place - check in with the staff. That way you are marked for attending the drill and does not need to make up for it on the 2nd day of the cruise. On new cruise ships, your key card would be scanned. But for older cruise ships, it is by paper and pen to mark you off attending the drill.

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/minisuites-and-balconies'

See what other cruisers said about their staterooms:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/norwegian-epic-deck-plans/dp/family-mini-suite-with-balcony-m2/cc/

Depends on the cruise ship, a mini suite - it is just the bathroom a little bit bigger. Not the size of the room.

Thanks called and balcony’s were basically gone so the upgraded me to a ocean view :):)

That's wonderful that everything worked out well and off you go to enjoy the cruise.

Have Fun!

The promotion would still be listed on NCL site. It is NCL way of marketing. Once in awhile, the promotion can be changed. However, the drinking package / the dining package / shore excursion credits / and wifi - these options do not change. Haven't seen them change or remove these selections. They would only add another type of promotion: Distinctive voyages, OBC, Tax Free, and then around the holiday specials.

Hi, I keep looking at the NCL page to see if they have updated shore excursions for this cruise. They only show a total of 9.;) Does anyone have 'inside info' as to when all will be published? Thanks in advance.

 

 

Also, been trying to see what ships are in each port with this sailing the two places I've looked are totally incorrect. Any help would also be much appreciated.:)

Well, Haven/suites guests are able to book ~130 days and the rest - 120 days before the cruise. Check around July/August. You can also call the shore excursion desk to ask/book tours when available.

For any of the port - you wanted to check for it schedule, check this site:

http://www.cruisemapper.com/ports-in-bahamas-and-caribbean-and-bermuda-8

At San Juan -

Crystal Symphony Arrival time: 07:00, Departure time: 18:00

To The OP: You already gotten answers to your two questions.

Just wanted to let you know that before you go on the cruise, to be sure to:

1.) Find your roll call and to join the meet and greet.

2.) Read forums/threads on here about Epic/read other people review/ask any questions you have

3.) On the cruise - if you like trivia questions - NCL have these and would give out activity cards. Toward the end of the cruise, NCL will list the time/place on the NCL Daily Newsletter to let cruisers know where to redeem for prizes (NCL pen/shirt).

4.) To book ahead with dining if you selected the dining specialty promotion.

We just got back from our first cruise to Bermuda and I found it terribly easy to get around on. We did it all on our own, no excursions so I'll post my itinerary for you.

 

Wednesday 0800 Arrive Royal Naval Dockyard

Visitor Information Center, Buy 2-day transit passes. $31.50

Take ferry to Hamilton

Bus 10 to Aquarium/Zoo, 20 minutes. BAMZ $10, closes 1600

Bus 10 or 11 to Swizzle Inn/Grotto Bay/Blue Hole, 10 minutes

Lunch at Swizzle Inn

Kayak Blue Hole, $20 for 2 hours

Bus 10 or 11 to St George's

Ferry back to Dockyard, 1545 or 1745

Ferry back to Hamilton, pickup at 1845, return at 2100 or 2230

Harbor Nights 1900-2200

Thursday Bus 7 or 8 to Church Bay, swim/snorkel (we missed this stop but I think the surf would have been too rough that day to snorkel)

Walk to Gibbs Hill lighthouse

Walk to Horseshoe Bay, swim/snorkel

Bus 7 to Botanical Gardens, 20 minutes. (We skipped this but could have gone, we had time)

Bus 1, 2 or 7 to Hamilton

Lunch at Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy, St Monica’s Rd, 20 minute walk

Gosling’s Distillery, 9 Dundonald St, closes at 1700

Ferry back to Dockyard, 1630 or 1800

Friday 0845 NCL ferry to St George

Walk to Unfinished Church

Walk to Tobacco Bay and snorkel, walk around St George

1315 NCL ferry return to Dockyard, All Aboard 1430

Wow, thanks for sharing what you did. For the 2 day passes, do you think it was worth the money and did you have to wait long for some of these buses? I heard right now that their buses are limited and are having problem.

Thanks.

Why do people even bother buying water?

Because certain people do not like the cruise ship water / tap water and wanted certain brands like Poland Spring.

Even though there are free water on the cruise ship as well as flavor water/juices/milk.

With the sailing date so close, you still have some options. You can wait to call your normal rep. But if the individual said you only qualified for an inside cabin. You can also ask if you can pay extra to upgrade to another type of room: Ocean view room. Yes, it is based on your play and tier. FYI, inside cabin can still have a choice of 1 promotion to pick as long as it is not at a sail away rate.

Good luck.