RnR_cruise

We just got off the Breakaway & had the premium drink package. Everything $15 and under was covered. Everything over $15 & we paid the difference, plus 20% gratuity.

We did go to the martini bar & here were the few items I noted: most were $12-13. The Espresso & Chocolate Martinis were $18, which only cost me $3 plus gratuity.

They have a tasting flight of 6 martinis, 3 oz each. It's $20 + grat at full price. For premium beverage package holders, there was a 20% discount & for premium plus beverage package holders, there was a 30% discount. However, each of the 6 martinis - full-sized - were fully covered in the "regular" package.

Any way you go, you will enjoy!

I like Stevia in my coffee & do not trust any establishment to have it available. I am pleasantly surprised when I am wrong, but knowing it is in my bag makes me happy. I actually have a little squeeze bottle of liquid Stevia & have never had a problem with it on the table. I just got off the Breakaway.

I will, however, agree that breakfast is the least impressive meal of the day. We usually go to one of the MDR restaurants for "eggs to order." The waffles on the menu come coated in caramel, with a sliced banana and some sort of whipped cream - not the canned variety, but I couldn't tell you how they made it. The waffle was chewy & tasteless. I ordered it with no caramel & syrup instead - but that syrup was NOT real maple syrup.

I love that you are so particular with what you want. We all have those preferences that can easily make or break the day.

We had breakfast in the buffet once & were disappointed not to see crepes - those came out at dinner & yes, there was plenty of Nutella then. At breakfast, I did see plenty of individual peanut butter packets - and no one will stop you from taking a few extra for your room or later. 🙂

As for the syrup, if you are even thinking of bringing it - DO IT! Don't let anyone stop you. You do you. It's YOUR vacation.

Thank you all! We are on the October 31st sailing & I hurt my back a week ago. I did not bend, I did not stretch, I did not twist. I wasn't lifting anything heavy. I just stood up!!! That day, walking was terrible. Today, it's just hard.

I'm not worried about being on the ship, as I know I can take breaks when needed & we don't need to rush. I'm just concerned about getting on & off the ship. Oy. The last time we got off a ship (Oct 2019), we "serpentined" for over an hour.

@JamieLogical - I LOVE your reviews & posts. They are so informative. We've actually cruised together before without knowing it. I am hopeful that one day in the future we can meet on one!

I have a specific question about the NYC port these days: Are there golf carts or something for people who have difficulty walking? It's never been a problem for me before & I cannot remember.

Thanks in advance!

Getting back to that question about the Veuve Clicquot... were you able to enjoy that by the glass at Le Bistro, at least? I was introduced to it by a former boss. It was her fave, so it quickly became my fave (besides tequila - I don't drink beer or wine). I took a pic of the enormous bottle outside Le Bistro for her a few years ago & she totally wanted to drink the whole thing!

Am I the only one that wants to see pictures of a Caribbean Dinosaur? Pretty Please??

Ms. Mary - I used to sell for Creative Memories, a scrapbook company. When I say sell, I really mean buy to keep my status as a seller until I gave up. I therefore have a ton of supplies & would be happy to send you some. Please message me if you're interested.

In fact, if anyone here is interested, please let me know. I am not interested in selling... I would like to give stuff away.

16 hours ago, sunsetsoon said:

 I know because one time he said to me - quietly and not in anger - "I'm the only man in the world that would put up with you". I choose to believe that what he was really saying was "I love you".

I am far from perfect myself & my husband says "I love you" the same way yours did!

6 hours ago, sunsetsoon said:

The cannellini bean soup at La Cucina was really good and served hot which is the way I like soup.

You like soup the same way my grandfather did! HOT! If it wasn't hot, he'd send it back asking "you call this soup?" Servers & my mother (yes, his daughter) all had photos of him in their kitchen with "do not serve" written above.

Your writing style is unmatched. You are funny and serious at the same time. You have us on the ship with you one moment & in your tiny town's post office the next. It's wonderful! How can we get you published???

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Just because it is on the internet, doesn't make it true.

This. Your reviews (BirdTravels) are spot on & I love your comments.

I am also sailing on the Bliss next month... When is your spring break?

21 hours ago, phillyguy31 said:

If you can't self carry your bags, get a porter they will get you out of the terminal fast.

This. Getting off the ship last time was terrible. We weaved through the Manhattan room & it took 2 hours.

But once in the terminal, we were at our car within minutes.

We only cruise once a year (or once every 2) and I think you were on our last cruise - April 7-14 on the Escape, but never got to meet up. We'll be on the March 22nd on the Bliss with you, too.

Thank you so much for your thorough review! I was on the sailing after you & experienced delays getting ON the ship and delays getting OFF the ship once we were back in NYC. I have to say both were the SLOWEST I've ever experienced.

When they called our color, I thought the line looked short to get off the ship. Boy was I wrong. From where I entered the line to "just down the hall" took an hour because we were serpentined (think a Disney World que) through the Manhattan Dining Room.

However, the best thing we did was get a porter once we entered customs/where our luggage was. He took us through a short-cut to customs. He then brought our luggage upstairs to where we parked and helped us load into the car. Best $20 we spent!

Wow. Your posts are amazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this in such detail. We will be like ships passing in the night, but during the day. I am sailing on Sunday the 14th.

If you would be so kind, I have a question about lobster. Previously, I had seen pictures of MDR menus that had lobster for a upcharge. Are they still doing this or is lobster only at Ocean Blue?

Thanks again!