cage keeper

We'll be traveling for 9 days, so a little bigger than a backpack....lol. I'm glad I didn't commit to anything in Positano so no money lost.

Yes, "gonna need a bigger boat". (Suitcase) :D Sounds like an amazing vacation. Hope you have a great trip.

cage, what's your latitudes status? if you are platinum (possibly even gold) you can arrive at any time. we never have to pick times anymore.

I'm at the bottom. This is our second NCL cruise. I am planing to get there really early because we are taking a train, there is a half marathon in the city and the Gem is also sailing that day.

Keep checking.

Lots of people miss the boat. Can you fit all your stuff in a backpack?

1. They ask for your boarding time when you do your online check-in, but as far as I can tell - it has not been enforced.

 

2. Sailing out of NYC CAN be choppy and rough anytime - not just October or November. We sailed in September - and it was rough. We know of people who sailed in October, November, December - just about anytime - and it can vary from calm to rough. I would ALWAYS be prepared - just in case of rough weather.

 

3. Mini suites are just like any other regular cabin - no priority anything - and no special services once on board. It should not be called a "suite".

I keep reading where you pick a boarding time but did not have this when I did my check in. Don't see it on my e docs either. How do I find out about my check in time?

Well duh!

 

The problem lies when the smoke from the casino drifts up to the eating areas above or down the hall to the bars farther on that level because of an overly open design. Did you see the post where they said they smelled smoke in the atrium eating area for La Bistro? That isn't even on the same deck as the casino.

Ann, a LOT of things that go on on these ships are in the atrium as they do not have a large theater. (BA's theater is quite small) Not that the Atrium is big enough either but is is open to the above decks and casino.

Joni

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately, she starts gasping for air before we can even smell the smoke sometimes. On most ships, we can just avoid the stairs and are immediately around the casino, but with the two deck open area, it makes it harder to avoid. We had the same problem on the Explorer of the Seas, but we wasn't diagnosed at that point, so we couldn't figure out why she was having problems.

Hey my cruise friend. How are you. Loved seeing the photos from your last cruise. The smoke is bad if you walk through the casino. I don't remember too much on the decks but breakaway is more open than Explorer. We spent most of our time in either the jazz club or headliners, H20 or one of outside decks and they were ok. Going on Breakaway again in three weeks, I'll make a point to check it out for you. Miss you.

Joni & Mark

So nice having drinks and or wine on the balcony.

Yes, We have Cagney's twice and LeBistro twice.

we did not want to book in advance. We like to pick dinner place based on menus and feeling..

but "beg and wait" approach is not relaxing either..

I agree with you. This is why it's free style dining. But it appears to not work that way.

Shoes so I could do the ropes coarse. Was really bummed too. But had fun taking photos of our friends and their kids doing it. I didn't catch the "closed toed shoes" and live in open sandals.

I didn't realize these were still around.

I do this all the time. I love apps. We are planning Ocean Blu, even with the up charge and I am looking at 3 apps, no main course.

Our last time on breakaway there was a free dining special. We did not have this and I didn't know about booking online. We booked in the terminal before boarding and so glad we did as there were so many complaining they could not get resies except for 9:00. Don't see how they can give a perk then not have it available. If you must reserve ahead then what does the "Free Style" stand for?

Yes, Our cruise for March went up quite a bit. Jan 1st it went way down and I was able to move up to a Large Balcony for only 30 pp and they added a bunch of perks. (Jan perks). By mid Jan it went up a couple of hundred pp.

Would LOVE a Haven suite, but they are a little over our budget! :(

I agree. Could do 3 cruises for that price.

We love Celebrity and RCCL. But the #1 on a cruise for us is a great night life. So that put Breakaway in first place. (Haven't sailed Escape but not a huge difference?) I know a lot of people don't like the new NCL ships but we honestly only felt huge crowds a couple of times. One being at the buffet so we avoid it.

Yikes! But on the bright side, now you can take it on and off. I know my heads swell with water retention and of course I am always on or off a diet so I occasionally have the same problem.

In 21 days it will be coming off again so I can play on the slides. LOL

Love the review. We are going on her sister ship for the second time but looking at Getaway for next year.

21 ;p

Your room steward will bring you and iron and ironing board on request. Because it is a fire hazard, they only let you keep it a short time.

 

Alternately, on the first day of the cruise, they have a pressing special (50% off) in the ship's laundry. Again, you coordinate that through your room steward. Regular prices below.

 

Half price? Now that makes me happy. No way am I ironing my own on Vacation.

Hubby always got annoyed with RCCL when during March Madness,(we cruise this week every year) in the sports bar they would have soccer or rugby on. Until he learned all he had to do was ask.

I'm sailing solo Monday on the Gem. I booked a guarantee inside cabin the first week of January. Several weeks later I got my room assignment and had an obstructed ocean view cabin on deck 8. I was thrilled. Yesterday morning I got an email from Norwegian offering upgraded cabins at a low cost. I know this sounds crazy, I accepted the offer and paid an additional $500. I now have a 2 bedroom family suite penthouse on deck 11. It even comes with a butler. I'm not even sure what I would have a butler do for me. I have spent less of this trip than I have paid for a studio cabin during peak sailings. I could never afford this type of cabin otherwise,

Can I come with? LOL. That is an amazing upgrade. Have a great cruise.

100% refund plus 50% off a future cruise to be temporarily stuck off the best city in the world :):). Lucky ducks!

Wish my ship broke down if this is what I got.

Love these photos. We Love to snorkel. Only been to Barbados once and did the Silver Moon II. It was amazing. You would love it if you go back.