Calicoskies1234

On Breakaway last yr I tried to get plain tomato juice at the bars but they only had Bloody Mary mixer.

It’s a calorie thing, we’ve eliminated a lot of sugar and calories. Will have to stick to the hard stuff to avoid sugar, even more merrier.

Ok, now with more info I think we will just keep the package and maybe we drink more and be merry!

Those are both the replies I needed! Thank you both. I think since we only like beer or simple cocktails, it’s better for us to not have to drink pkgs.

Can someone help me with ball park cost on buying drinks individually? We are not big drinkers, prob cocktails at dinner and maybe 1 after dinner. We drink lots of water, bringing a water bottle with us. Will both drink Starbucks 1-2x day. I’m thinking to cancel the alcohol packages and just pay for the drinks as we go. Same with Starbucks. I’d like to know a little on pricing so I can do the math. We will be off ship many hours on port days too. Thanks for the help. I tried searching but only got convoluted search replies. Will be on the Encore.

I find it silly that you think they served you soup made with gravy dry mix and instant mashed potatoes. You should have told your server there was something wrong with your foods, let them serve you other foods.

I stayed in a studio on Breakaway in Feb 2023. I loved it. I enjoyed my privacy. The room had great storage. My bed was 3xtremely comfy, I think it’s a full size mattress, as opposed to a twin. The lounge was a great perk. I think studio lounge had the best coffee on ship, 2nd only to Starbucks. The private studio hallways were quiet. I wld not hesitate to book another studio room.

I brought a usb chargeable 5” fan on Breakaway in Feb. No issues.

I was on Breakaway early Feb 2023. It was a very nice ship. I didn’t have much trouble getting on/off ship. My only complaints were that we all found the food to be hit or miss, more misses than hits. Lots of cold food or just not yummy food from MDRs. Buffet was a learning issue to figure out good from bad. Coffee was undrinkable except for Studio Lounge. We got Starbucks everyday. The specialty dining was all great, but that only proves that the ship kitchens can prepare really yummy food, but they choose not to do it in complimentary dining options. My room was great, ALL crew top notch. The live music was pretty good, very enjoyable but the venues too small to accommodate #guests wanting to listen. The shows Six and Burn The Floor were excellent. My last complaint is that I couldn’t find many comfy places to sit on The Waterfront (my fave outdoor area). The furniture here is pretty old/worn/uncomf. Not everyone wants to spend hours in a pool lounger. I def had more good than bad on Breakaway. I won’t sail BA again tho, I want that observation deck found on breakaway plus.

I would never let my 11+ yr olds order from a kids menu. First, kid menu food is yucky and my kids would never eat that over the adult menu. Second, I find it cheap and rude to have a 15 yr old or an adult order from a kid menu. If she didn’t want to eat Teppanyaki, why would you have her use a seat? You could have gone as a couple on a date? Let her eat a burger n fries in buffet?

On Breakaway in Feb, we had very slow service, lukewarm-cold food and hit or miss dishes in all 3. I’m not the only one that was disappointed in the food on that sailing. Ppl all over ship were also complaining. Still had a nice cruise.

On Breakaway a few wks ago, with my iPhone in airplane mode and connected to ship Wi-Fi, I could text msg any iPhones, land or ship. The WhatsApp didn’t work at all. I didn’t have to use any of my 150 Wi-Fi min for texting iPhone to iPhone. We used the Ncl msg within the app for the android phones in our group of 19. The app text worked fine for us.

Thanks for reply Wolfie. At this point I’m wondering if we should just relax and enjoy the town and not try to do an excursion in short time. NCL does have a Totem Bight exc so maybe I’ll look at that.

Thank you Coral & Disney, both very good info I’ve put in my notes.

I had small usb fan still in box in my checked bag. No issues. Also, I didn’t use it. Won’t pack again.

On Breakaway early this Feb, there were big urns of ice water, orange juice, a coffee machine, hot water for teas and for-fee wine dispenser. No fridge or other drinks. A bartender was there 5-7pm but very limited on drinks he can make.

I have finalized Juneau. Jayleens Alaska sent a great email and I booked a 6person tour with her company. Very excited! Yea, I’m the type of person that books tours 16months out. She can get us at port 330 and we will be back with 3 hrs to walk Juneau.

Thanks for that rec, I’ll see what I can get planned in such a short port time. Prob just do Totem Bight since it’s close and not see the town, which makes me sad. Gives me a reason to return to AK.

Ahh thank you, I had them backwards.

I’d appreciate any opinions on this in-process itinerary. First time to AK for our group of 6 60yr olds. Juneau 230-11pm Whale Quest plus Orca Point Lodge w/dinner included (5.5hr) resv thru NCL, operated by Allen Marine or Jayleens Alaska small group whale tour (4hr) After both tours we would like to explore Juneau on foot to shop/snack and have dinner if we do Jayleens. Skagway 7am-815pm Chilkoot Charters (booked direct not with NCL) 730am Train up Bus back (4hr) After tour we would explore Skagway on foot shop/lunch Ketchikan via Ward Cove 7am-115pm This port is causing me stress, it’s a short stop and we are at Ward Cove. We would really like to do Totem Bight SP or Saxman Park. Not sure of timing and transportation. I understand Saxman is very near to Ward Cove so that makes good sense. We also want to walk the town and Creek St, grab a snack. Not sure what time will be like after Saxman, I would need to grab the ship shuttle to town, 20-30min. Then allow for shuttle time back. Is it better to skip Saxman and just enjoy the town?

Covid is just like a cold or flu or Norovirus risk that could possibly affect you on vacation. 12 out of my group of 19 on the Breakaway have Covid from early Feb sailing. That’s the new normal. Only way to prevent a respiratory virus would be a hazmat suit and oxygen mask 24/7.

Does anyone know if I sign up for the NCL Totem Bight SP excursion if they pick us up at Ward Cove or do we still need to shuttle to Ketchikan to meet the tour?

I have some questions regarding our port times and excursions. We port in Juneau from 230-11pm. We want to do the Whale Quest and Orca Point Lodge +salmon dinner (at lodge.) I’m not seeing available times listed for this excursion yet. It would be doable to do this excursion straight from disEM, correct? This tour is operated by Allen Marine Tours but their website asks that we book via NCL. It runs about 5 hours. Then, upon finishing that tour are there suggestions for something else to do in Juneau after? Or should we just return to ship? Not sure what stays open in Juneau on a Tuesday evening. I’m guessing it will be 8pm-ish after that tour. Our next port is Skagway 7am-815pm. We plan to do a train + bus tour with Chilkoot Charters. Please give advice if we should do the train up and bus down or vice versa? Also, should we do this tour right from disEM or later in the afternoon? We’d like some time to shop and explore in town as well as fit in a meal. I am thinking to do the tour early then find lunch in town after? Our Ketchikan port is short, 7am-115pm and I understand Ward Cove is a 30min-ish shuttle to/from town. This leaves us barely 4 hrs. Is there a short but worthwhile excursion here or are we best off just shopping, walking town and grabbing lunch? I’ve read about the Ketchikan Ducks, the Trolley tour, Totem Bight SP, Lumberjack show. Last port is Victoria BC 8pm-12am. Not sure what we can do with this odd late port time.

My #1 fave was Rye and Rum Sour at Maltings. I also enjoyed Mango Meltdown, Mr Worldwide, Grass Clippings, Mudslide.

TwoWheels, any thoughts on Encore cabin 12310? We found limited info, but I think the balcony is 84sf. I don’t really mind where the bed orients. I hope it’s a great cabin, we went over budget for it but YOLO. Can’t move now because two couples traveling with us booked inside cabins right across the hall. Sail away party on our balcony hopefully!