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December 3, 2022: Travel Day. · Drive: 6 hours to New Orleans, LA. · Activity: Watched TikTok video’s the whole way. · Pre-Cruise Shopping: Then, we went to the Mall to the official Lego’s Store. This was a special request of my wife. She was completely thrilled. · Hotel Drop Off: Dropped my wife and luggage off at the hotel and parked the car at the port with an Uber back to the hotel. · Pre-Cruise Dinner/Drinks: Mumba New Orleans, LA Fare. December 4, 2022: Embarkment Day · Breakfast: At Hotel and average at best as normal · Ground Transportation: HINT #1: Order an Uber and ask to go the back way to the port. From hotel, less than five minutes. · Luggage Check-In: No issue, you must show your passport. Four bags and a $10.00 tip. · Check In Security: There was no 09:00 AM check in which now makes sense. The ship was filled, and they needed some extra time unloading. Security opened at 09:30 AM on the dot. Uneventful. · Check In for Suite: We are not in the Haven this time but for those that are, when you exit security, look for the Haven Sign on the wall. For us, no wait, boarding group #1. Vibe Beach Cabana wrist bands, explanation, and boarding cards in an envelope. HINT #2: Don’t put your Vibe Cabana Wristband on to tight. Once you meet the staff, they won’t need to see it again. · Seating In the Waiting Lounge: Move forward to the closest seats to the wall for · 11:15 Boarding: We were group #1. Part of my plan. The line to go on the ship and the people crowding to get on was a bit overwhelming. I pulled my wife’s hand until we go to open area to board. · Headliners: This is the place you go to for changing or making reservations for specialty restaurants. I had to change one to accommodate the slot pull tournament. · O’Sheeehan’s: We got a seat right away at 11:30 AM. I had the Ruben, and my wife had the fish & chips. The Fish & Chips were great. The chicken wings were great. The Ruben was OK. · Vibe Beach Club: The staff was amazing as always. I tip the folks on day one and thank them for their hospitality. · 04:00 PM: Cocktail Party for the Slot Tournament. There are 200 folks in the Tournament. Round one 50 folks move on. Round two later this week 10 folks move on. The last sea day is the finals. · 07:00 PM: Cagney’s Steak House. The food was good but not great. Oysters Rockefeller was not fully hot; Lobster soup was good; Wedge Salad was great. Both my wife’s rib eye and my prime rib were over cooked. The Crème B was below average, and the Chocolate Cake was outstanding. The meal was a B-. We went to bed early and it was just want the doctor ordered. · NOTE: HINT #3: Always look at your boarding card for codes: o 2D: This is two Specialty Dining Dinners o 2UP: This is another specialty Dining Dinners o P+: This is the Premium PLUS Beverage Package. Conclusion of Initial Embarkment: Uneventful and nicer than I thought it would be. I sat for about an hour and fifteen minutes and did this blog post. Therefore, I get to the port early. The waiting area fills quick especially when the ship is almost sold out. Questions asked of Me: 1. Shooters: Will they make shooters like B52’s. Answer is yes but you have to pay extra for them unless you are on the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Seems some of the ingredients on Shooters have gone up. My thoughts on this matter is NCL is just raising prices and needs to make back a profit so these kinds of items will cost the consumer more. 2. Free At Sea Plus Program: You can upgrade to this program when you get on the ship. Go to Guest Services. 3. Reservations for Specialty Restaurants: You can find better days and times when you get on the ship. On the Breakaway, just go to “Headliners” and see what is available. 4. Muster Drill: It is e-drill. You go to your station to check in. That takes a minute. When you get to your cabin, you can’t watch TV until you watch the Safety Video. No more standing y a lifeboat or in a crowded place. Simple and short time invested. The ship is really crowded but with a little planning, you can navigate around the crowds. Cruise Well and Enjoy Every Moment.

I am having a hard time posting. Internet issues. I will keep trying.

We always do the Teppanyaki on the last night. We also love it. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Go to Guest Services on Deck 6. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

11:15 AM, Tommorrow is the first round just after the CruiseCritic.com M&G. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I am not in Haven but , no special line for Haven for security. Only when you pass security. we got to the port at 9:00 am. Got right through security in 5 min or less.

No, that is why I am outside the Haven port lounge.

I will start posting “LIVE” from the NCL Breakaway this afternoon. Currently in normal waiting area outside. Port Haven Lounge. Cruise Well and enjoy every moment

Here is the story. I ALWAYS do the Premium Plus Beverage Package and upgrade my internet from the normal Free at Sea promotion. My NCL Haven contact said, for just a few more dollars I should do the Free At Sea Plus. For me it is the right decision. Neither my wife or I drink that heavily. EDIT: I don't drink that heavily. EDIT: We both are not shy of drinking on our cruises. If one of use did not drink or did not like to drink, it is a bad deal for sure. This is my quest, to follow that BAR (Man of LA Mancha) If a bottle exists on this cruise, I will find it. I am good at only one thing. Finding Don Julio. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you so much. My dream was to do Regent on one of their new ships. Our friends can't do that in their budgets. Also, this will be their first cruise. I love watching folks enjoy their first cruise. Thanks again for the wishes. We are realistic. I say, it is better odds than the lottery. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Treasure Hunter After going on a Crystal Cruises ship that was 25% filled, I will not be in shock. The Cruise On Oceania is with our best very competitive friends. We will rule that ship. Time to Havenize Oceania, LOL. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Call the Haven Pre-Cruise desk. I think what you will have to do is have the Haven Desk on the ship handle if for you. Don't worry, you will be boarded first. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@AndyCapnI think you knew when you added your last bullet point it would gain lots of attention. Anyone on any social media site knows it is a melting pot of opinions, personal accounts, extremely nice people and folks you would not invite over for Thanksgiving Dinner. I personally truly enjoy NCL and enjoy writing about it. Yet I have also cruised, Royal, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, HAL and soon Oceania. I can do a similar list of likes/dislikes for each of the brands. Where it is true, on occasion some CruiseCritic.com members get a little to combative, it is a lot better then many other sites. When it is your money, you get to spend it anyway you like. With any cruise brand, stateroom category, drink package or meal program. I have done many comparisons of prices to see if another cruise line is that much better or less from a money standpoint. Each cruise brand has a way to distract a guest from really doing an accounting through there marketing. Yet most are close to the same. So it all boils down to which one you feel most comfortable with. For me it is the NCL family. That said, once upon a time, I had saved to go on what I called a Bucket List Cruise. The Brand was Regent Seven Seas. It was going to be for my wife and my 45th wedding anniversary. The fare was so much more than I have ever paid of considered paying so I did my research. I wanted to know what other thought of the brand that went on it. I went on FaceBook and CruiseCritic.com. That experience was awful. I was attacked, put down and criticized. So I know what you are talking about on your controversial bullet point. That said, with the fewest exceptions, there is a bad egg in ever box, NCL has been welcoming and embracing. Your comment about those with lots of post should include me. However if you have ever read my op-eds or comments I hope I have come across as a considerate and help member of this community. Part of the push back you are getting is alienating folks that love to post on a hobby they have enjoyed for years. Generalities get us all in trouble when we make them matter of fact. Enjoy your Celebrity Cruise. I hope you consider the Celebrity Beyond because is has Captain Kate. She is a super star. My recommendation is look at every cruise as a brand new experience because it is all about the people we meet which changes every time. The experience here on CruiseCritic.com or on any cruise regardless of brand is up to you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@RocketMan275 Here is where you will find this information. I will describe in great detail how embarkment goes. From when I get there, to what happens after you board. That should handle the Emuster. My understand at this time is we all have to watch the video again. NCL has sent it to me 4 times so far. When we get on board, they send you to an area to check your name. No long presentation anymore. I will confirm. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I will attempt to ask.

I already did Free At Sea PLUS. I really like that program. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

My wife and I are departing in two days on the NCL Breakaway. It leaves on Sunday, December 4, 2022. I had five bids for upgrade to the Haven and one for a Club Balcony Spa Suite. The Haven has been sold out for all most two months now. The Club Balcony Spa Suite was not available however a Balcony Spa Suite was until two days ago. I have check every day mostly on Cruise.com because I can see the inventory there without taking a cabin out of NCL's inventory. All I am saying is I have used every once of strategy I know and have used in the past. With two days to go, all of my bids are still saying "Pending". The likelihood of me getting any upgrade is slim and none. I knew that when the Haven sold out. But you can't blame me for trying. I am glad I did all the things I did to make this cruise a "Haven Lite" cruise. All of my post endorse having a strategy and realistic expectations. That seems to have worked out for us on this trip. I hope my quest helps some folks on this stream. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

December 2, 2022: Well two days before our trip. All packed and leaving from Birmingham, AL for the 6 hour drive in the morning. Some would say, why drive 6 hours. I did the math, it would take 8 hours if I did a flight. I love the freedom of stopping on the way and no pressure when I leave New Orleans after the cruise. Just a little less pressure on my wife and I. The People of CruiseCritic.com have asked me to find out some things. I will do my best. Here are a couple of questions/requests: Embarkment: Everyone seems to me a little uneasy about how the boarding will go at the Port of New Orleans. I have cruise out of this port before in 2019 for Thanksgiving. It was nuts then, there was all kinds of road work and I don't think a thing has changed. I will report but I am also realistic. It will not be pleasant. Shooter Drinks: It seems a rumor is that NCL on a few ships and or the entire fleet is no longer doing Shooter Drinks like B52 on the Premium Beverage package or at all. The opinion on this vary so I will have to put myself on the line to determine the policy on the NCL Breakaway. I am up for the task. Baily's Irish Cream: It seems some sailings have been out of Baily's and Amerada. It also seems that the Baily's is $16.00 providing a upcharge for the Premium Drink Package. This issue will be solved shorty. Nights and Times for Entertainment: Specifically the big production shows like six and Burn the floor. My habit it to collect all the dailies and scan them when I get home. Happy to do that. I will than post it when I get home. Weight Limit at the Water Slides: Some say 250 up to 300 lbs. We will determine and report back. Vibe Beach Club Passes: It shows not available online but the Vibe Cabana which includes two week passes is available. I will see if they held back some for folks when they get onboard. How Many People are in the Actual Slot Tournament: It seems that the Encore during the same week is doing the much more popular Casino at Seas Texas Hold-Um finals. So less big gamblers are in the Slot Tournament. I hope that is the case but I also found out, you could have an entry or if you lose the first round for $500.00. At 04:00 PM Sunday night, in the Bliss Lounge is the initial cocktail party for all the winners. Where is the Don Julio 1942 Tequila: "And this is my quest, to follow the stars....." I will find that bottle and put a hurting on it if I find it. Those are the question or assignments I have been given so far. The CruiseCritic.com M&G has over 160 people I believe. I will attempt to join but it is within 45 minutes of the first round of slot play. Well other than that, the driving plan includes stop at a Steak and Shake on the way. We cancelled the fancy restaurant we were going to go to in New Orleans. My wife said, "I think we should just go somewhere super casual and not have to dress up." I agreed and to be honest, part of the reason I travel with NCL is casual dining. There you have it. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The world need an "In and Out". I am driving tomorrow to the Port of New Orleans for a NCL Breakaway Cruise out on Sunday. I looked up if there was a "White Castle" on my way. I know this is the dredge of burgers but I love them. No White Castle. I know there will be no "In and Out". So the moment I see a Steak and Shake, I am taking a pit stop. Cruise well and enjoy every Burger.

@wil e coyote Thank you for the Shout Out. BTW, I love your screen name. If you read the thread then you know, my goal was for folks to have realistic expectations. The foundation of why it was written was because at the time, there was little clear indication on how to get every bit of value if you booked or got lucky enough to have won a Haven Upgrade Bid. Social media is a strange place indeed. Part of my tone was because I disliked the anger folks had. Usually that anger was when someone called them out for making statements that were less then accurate. I knew that everyone exaggerates and just wanted to make sure my writings was a close to reality as possible at the time of writing. I hope your Haven Trip is fantastic. I envy you. I am going out on the Breakaway on Sunday in a Club Balcony Suite. I wish I was in the Haven. Instead, this trip will be "Haven Lite". Thanks again for the very kind words. Cruise well, enjoy every moment in the Haven.

@DCGuy64 I am going to answer the questions on my other op-ed instead of here. The one that is my Journey to the Casino's at Sea Slot Tournament finals for my wife. That way this stream can be answered and done. I am logging off this topic. The bricks they are a flying. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

GREAT idea.

Call NCL, explain your issue and ask when the last moment you can cancel the package. Only NCL can give you the best advice on this one. Cruise Well and enjoy every moment.

For Balcony's or higher categories, Amex Platinum gives up to $300.00 per cabin in OBC and Dinner for two at the French Restaurant. Make sure your agent is an Amex participating agent. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@zanydoc First welcome. 21 days before boarding the NCL website opens up for you to Check-In online. Do it right away. You can than choose a time for embarkment. NOLA on a good day is a horrible place to board a ship. My strategy is to check in early and plant myself by the boarding door. They will give you a boarding group when you check-in. Unless the covid rules have changed, you are good to go with your boarding passes, credit card and passports. If you are in the Haven VIP area, you can make dining reservations 130 days prior to your cruise. If you are in a Suite or Club Suite, you can do it125 day and everyone else is 120 days. Make them as soon as you can. They fill up fast. If you have not done this yet and don't like what is being offered online, make a reservation anyway and change it when you get onboard. The shows sometimes open up for online reservations. Some times you need to do it when you get on board. Go to the box office, guest services or on the screen in your cabin. If you are in the Haven, the Haven desk will handle it. Most folks go to the buffet or the 24/7 restaurant. It depends what time you get on the ship. All venues tend to be crowded especially now that the ships are more filled up. If you are in the Haven you can eat lunch at the Haven Restaurant or the American Diner. I would do the Haven Restaurant. No limit to number of drinks. The drink needs to be $15.00 or less. If it is more, you will be charged the difference. You can get two drinks at one time. Remember Bottle water, Starbucks Coffee, Specialty Coffee, Fresh Squeezed juices and energy drinks are not included in the Premium Drink Program. There is an upgraded drink package for a cost called the Premium Plus Drink Package. I love it and always do it the last night because it is always a great memory. Bigger room with a bigger shower is a good description. If it is a club suite you get a few afternoon snacks and one bag of laundry. There are day and week passes for the Thermal Spa and the Vibe Beach Club. You can purchase the week passes on your online NCL account. Vibe is a adult only sundeck with a bar, comfy lounge chairs, umbrella's and hot tubs. This is the choice if the weather at the time is good. If they weather is not good or cold, the Thermal Spa is also an adult only area but inside with Sauna, Steam and Salt. Six and Burn the Floor are excellent and I am really picky. The pay for dinner show does not get great reviews. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.