HoosierShipmate

The captain really needs to speak up during his announcements. He’s so soft spoken. CD is loud and easy to hear.

I was asked by @ltmguy who my favorite bartender is - and when I read other reports I’m always curious because folks seem to have definite favorites. I don’t know that I’ve ever spent enough time in one bar to create a rapport or have a favorite - if if I’ve really paid attention. Despite our use of the drink package to ensure we get our money’s worth it’s usually fly-by drink pickups as we are wandering or via poolside servers. BUT I’ve been paying attention and today I’ll say Jose Mercado at the pool bar or whomever made my iced espresso thing at dueling pianos. I reserve the right to change my mind as we are only halfway thru our week!

If you’ve been reading from the start my #1 bucket list item was to recreate a photo as the kids are older. I failed to consider we might have taken the original at a different port 😞 Original: Today: It’s close right? They didn’t grow up THAT much 🙂

Quick photo dump from Harvest Caye - we were on the island from about 9:30-1:15 and it rained on and off. Sat on the beach until the heavier rain then moved to the pool under an umbrella. Love the setup of the island - plenty of chairs (even when it isn’t raining we have never had a problem) and a great pool complex. There is som shopping (of course) and a restaurant and a grill. Now we are back on board for a quick lunch at the buffet.

Our beach day at Harvest Caye, Belize isn’t looking pretty. But the cruise director just announced they’re selling ponchos to ‘ensure we have 101% of our planned fun’ - I would say his math skills are challenged as clouds and rain aren’t going to make that possible even with a poncho! 🙂

Wow @cruiseny4life beat us both to the punch! Quick fingers! Thanks!

Good morning @PaperSniper4 below is a pic of the breakfast room service menu - a $4.95 flat fee for whatever you request. Just hang on the door by 4:00am. As to the beverage plans that’s more than I can type on my phone so unless somebody beats me to it I’ll reply to that one later.

Hey @KtayRN per your request 🙂. Full menu and they do have a small selection of pastries in the case. Lines have been pretty reasonable even when I go early morning. If you don’t have Starbucks as part of your dining/drink package you can also use Starbucks app or gift cards. That’s a hot topic on the boards and I personally witnessed it happening 🙂 Guy in front of me ordered a medicine ball off the ‘secret menu’ and barista didn’t flinch. My extra espresso shots are always covered in the drink package no additional charges.

Freestyle Daily - Norwegian Breakaway - Day 5 - December 21, 2023. Here are your dailies for the day!

Oooh I didn’t know this was an option - now I may have a project tomorrow to get the next few MDR menus!

@justhappy I was momentarily stuffed into a ridiculous place but lucky to decide to power thru! The only specialty we have been disappointed with in the past is moderno - I love Brazilian steakhouses and it was just meh. We haven’t done the French place because my family would starve in there - nothing that would really be enjoyable for us unless it’s just another steak - so we just skip it. Maybe someday/

Before I forget here are pics of the kids’ cabin - a typical inside cabin. Normally we have two inside cabins as I’m not a balcony guy and would rather travel frugally more often. But I may be spoiled now. We are always happy in the inside but I admit it feels a bit small now more than before.

@KtayRN We were on Breakaway in ‘21 for NYE and it was a blast. I remember it bc the deck party at spice h20 (all ages for that) was the first night their DJ had gotten out of his Covid protocol or something and suddenly it was like a whole new world opened up that night in their poolside and evening entertainment- was a full on rave that night and was a lot of fun lol. My idea would hav le been 17 and 14 at the time and loved it too. I’ll see if I have the dailies from 2021 when I get home. Starbucks pretty much has the whole beverage menu but I can’t remember seeing any food items. I’ll take a pic tomorrow. They only have nitro cold brew so I’ve been living with iced coffee.

Dinner tonight at Ocean Blue. They take their dress code seriously including signs and they left a message on our cabin phone this afternoon! We have eaten at OB in the past and loved it, so we knew what we would be getting. First the menu: The server was much more ‘by the book’ on what comes with the meal package than the Cagney’s server. ONE appetizer, ONE soup or salad, ONE entree, TWO sides and ONE dessert. That’s exactly how she sounded 🙂 The wine steward pushed hard on some off their menu but in the end we wanted the Riesling again from Eroica so we went with that. They kept our bottle a fair distance away but were great at watching and refilling when appropriate. Appetizers, Josh and I both had the pan seared scallops, Angie had the jumbo shrimp cocktail and Chelsie had blazing shrimp. Everyone loved their apps. For soup/salad I had the clam chowder, J and A had the gumbo and Chelsie had a wedge salad but made so many changes it was a head of lettuce covered in a pound of bacon with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Again all enjoyed this course - I’ve had better clam chowder but it was very good. Entree time: I have a habit of second guessing myself after it’s too late and I’ve already ordered. That happened tonight too but once my food came and I had the first bite I knew I didn’t mess up. I had the blackened tuna with au gratin potatoes and jasmine rice. A had the grilled seafood platter. C and J did exactly as I predicted and had the 8oz filet mignon. I believe Josh is 4/4 steaks for dinner now. Can he run the table? He chose friesx2 and Chelsie ricex2. Tuna was fantastic. Angie’s grilled platter was good. Kids said steak was great but just a tad less so than Cagney’s. We will be back at Cagney’s on the last night so I know they’ll get it again. At this point even I thought about skipping dessert but it’s vacation so that would be wrong. I had key lime pie w/ a cappuccino, Angie had cheesecake in a jar, Josh the apple tart and Chelsie the chocolate mousse cake. All were great! Service was great. They’re really good at dealing with picky eaters, nut allergy, refilling water for people who drink like camels, and they haven’t balked once for any odd menu request.

Miami Vice over Roatan. Don’t know if I mentioned this earlier but some of the frozen drinks have had such a heavy pour that they’ve had TOO much alcohol and it’s affecting the taste - a bit strong. Seems so odd to have that problem since normally it’s the opposite. This one was like doing shots and chasing with a tiny bit of slushee.

Todays treats are better than earlier this week….in our stateroom when we returned from the pool.

We were discussing earlier how we have been on board for three days and haven’t heard a single Taylor Swift song or reference. It’s like being in an alternate universe. A few minutes later…..Shake it Off plays.

Controversial post: As much as I like real straws, I like the boxed water better than bottled. We will have Aqua Panna at dinner but that of course is glass so none of that here. By the pool I like the boxed.

Breakfast buffet this morning. Many options. Everything was the proper temperature and pretty good. We don’t normally do the buffet often other than grazing at lunch but would repeat. To the family who yelled ‘Go Boilermakers!’ at me as I passed thru, I’m arranging for the the washy washy guy to move into your cabin for the rest of the cruise. Random photos:

@IamPEBJ It’s been beautiful after we got away from NOLA. We are pool people and have been enjoying swimsuit weather each day so far. Late night activities I still am wearing shorts and short sleeves but bringing a jacket doesn’t hurt. I spend a lot of time watching weather reports for each port the week before I sail…anything earlier is like gambling bc the weather changes so often. It’s cloudy this morning but I’m by the pool in a swimsuit and it’s very warm.

In the time since the first pic this morning as I fought the upload of Freestyle Daily, things changed drastically- a better good morning from Roatan pic!

@BornPisces The lowest 3-card I saw last night was $10. They had Let It Ride at $5. I didn’t look for blackjack minimums but will tonight along with the rest and report back.

@BornPisces The lowest 3-card I saw last night was $10. They had Let It Ride at $5. I didn’t look for blackjack minimums but will tonight along with the rest and report back.

Well it was first dinner. 🙂

Freestyle Daily - Norwegian Breakaway - Day 4 - December 20, 2023. Ugh how is it already day 4? Here are the dailies! Internet is not my friend this morning, it was struggling with these!