christinalvt

Has anyone found out if they are doing the weekly John Lennon concerts in the dockyard this year?

Thanks,

Christina

112 days til I "cruise like a Norwegian" for the first time! (1st time on NCL)

Yes, the kids clubs often have video games (Wii, Playstation, etc) for free use, and lots of activities planned. I'm sure she will have a great time!:)

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this one, but one thing that bothers me are kids that get into the hot tubs and SWIM and SPLASH around!! Hot tubs are for relaxing, not swimming. I have said something to kids if they do this, and if their parents are nearby, I will say something to them, too. I am always polite about it. One time a kid jumped into a crowded hot tub and kicked my granddaughter.

Also, here's a tip for those who get on an empty elevator after someone has pushed all the buttons: it doesn't work on all elevators, but try holding down the "close door" button as the elevator goes up/down. It has worked for me on Carnival, not sure if it will work on all elevators.

Christina

Their F B page shows the last show September 5th. I'm going in October, and was hoping to see it, but I guess not.

I was looking for that information, too. What's the name of the F B page?

Thanks!

Christina

I love iced tea, I'm curious, what made it weird?

 

christinalvt, we're on the same cruise. :) It can't get here soon enough!

Yes, I can't wait! I saw that you are on the roll call, or else I would have told you about it. Counting down the days!

Christina

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Thanks for a great review, I enjoyed it very much and it helped dispel the myths/bad reviews I have read.

When you go to Vieques, you have to go to the Bioluminescent Bay. There is a chart on this page to show the best nights to go (when there is no moon or very little):

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/biobay-and-moon/

Have fun!!

Christina:)

I found a list of 10 caves in Bermuda, including Crystal & Fantasy, here. There are 2 listed at the Grotto Bay Beach Resort which has said access to the caves is restricted to their guests. Solution - try not to look like a cruise ship passenger :D.

 

There is cave swimming at Blue Hole Park which is near Crystal Cave; I couldn't correlate it to any of the list of 10.

 

Some caves are on private property, none (except for C & F) would be crowded, but nothing I read at the link indicated that any of them would be suitable for a large group.

 

If you get to C & F at opening, you will beat the crowds.

 

Here is the warning at the bottom of the last page of the link: ....exploring or diving Bermuda’s caves can be dangerous. It is always best to check with local government and tourism offices to make sure that the caves above are still open for public exploration.

 

SBtS

Thanks, SBtS! That is exactly what I was looking for. I am probably going to go to Walsingham Reserve, it sounds perfect!

Christina

Can anyone recommend any caves besides Crystal & Fantasy that are not touristy, go-with-a-group caves? Are there any blue holes that won't be crowded with tourists? I love finding places off the beaten path.

Thanks!

Christina

It makes me so sad that people are ripping Breakaway! I just got off and had an amazing time.

 

Someone said the entire crew was 'rude.' WHAT!? I've never seen a group of people work so hard to please their customers! Everyone we passed was friendly and warm and genuinely happy to be there. Not to mention, the officers gave out their personal cell phone numbers in case you had any issues!

 

Also, you should know before you go that there are 'for fee' restaurants. You can learn all of his on their web site or here on CC.

 

NCL really blew me away with service. Breakaway is beautiful. The entertainment is amazing. And the food was almost all INCREDIBLE!

 

I commend NCL and the entire crew on a job well done!

 

I'll be back.

Thank you for posting this...I too was getting scared for my upcoming Breakaway cruise, hearing all the bad reviews. But it's true what everyone is saying, you make your own experience, and if you are a negative person or one who expects everything to be perfect, you WILL be disappointed. But please don't make it hard for everyone else to enjoy their experience, which will probably be a lot different.

And yes, sometimes a bad experience can come from the other people onboard (i.e. chair hogs, rude people, small kids running amok at 2 a.m.), but if you choose to ignore them and let yourself have a great time, you will!

Now I am looking forward to my Breakaway cruise....thanks Kocalli!

I'm sorry, I just followed this link when I googled Aristocat catamaran:

http://www.bermuda.com/things-to-do/diving--watersports/sailing--parasailing.aspx

If you scroll down, you see "Aristocat" and when you click on their link, it takes you to the link I posted, Capt. Kirk's Adventures. Maybe there is another Aristocat?

I did originally get my info from Gambee's review which you posted the link for. I googled the Aristocat because he did not provide a link.

Sorry for any misinformation.

Great! Thanks for the info, SBtS!!!:)

I also read all those raving reviews on TripAdvisor, and really wish I could afford to go on that tour, but I thought, maybe I can do it on my own....is there anyone that has gone on this tour that can tell us the name of the caves and beach she takes you to? I'm more interested in the cave and blue hole to swim in.

Thanks!

Christina

I have been researching the same thing, and came across an excellent review by Gambee in which he went on this one:

http://kirksadventures.com/catamaran-sail-snorkel/

The cost is $65 if you book it at the dockyard at the pink excursion hut, and it is the same excursion the ship offers at $80! There were only a handful of people on the cat, so it seems relaxed. They also offer sunset sails.

Have fun!

Christina

Thank you very much for your very detailed review! I haven't even looked at your photos yet, but I'm sure they are great! I'm going on the Breakaway in July with my daughter and granddaughter, it will be our first time on NCL, we've previously cruised on Carnival and Royal.

I have a couple of questions:

I've heard from the boards that for the Cirque show, its better viewing to sit up on the upper level. If you went to this show, did you happen to notice if this was true?

The other lines don't need reservations for the shows, so I was wondering, does reservations mean having specific reserved seats?

Thanks!!:)

I've just been doing research on this topic and a couple of things I've found:

Gel-based hand sanitizers won't work because the gel actually "protects" the virus.

The Clorox WIPES don't have bleach in them! Better to use the Lysol spray, then use wipes to clean surfaces, doorknobs, etc.

The researchers are going back and forth between the issue of whether alcohol-based sanitizers work (vs. chlorine-based) and now they say as long as it's over 70% ethanol.

To anyone who thinks washing hands is enough: if you can only kill Norovirus with over 70% ethanol, how will plain soap kill it? Washing hands is essential, but you should also use some sort of sanitizer, and avoid touching surfaces that others have touched. Most ships now have a tissue dispenser at the bathroom door to use when opening the door.

I might also bring my own (plastic) utensils! How's THAT for paranoid?

Good luck and Happy Cruising!!:)

Christina

Thanks Peg! It would be nice to get OBC for a price drop, but since this NCL cruise is selling out fast, there probably wont be any. I'll check the travel website anyway!

Christina

For price drop questions, what about if you booked it yourself through a travel website, is that considered a TA? Or would you just call NCL directly or fill out the online form? I have just made a deposit, but I am constantly checking the price and will be ready if it drops.

Thanks for the advice!

CHristina

**note to self...stay on Breakaway until the last possible moment this July. Why rush to get off the ship anyway?**

 

 

 

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Yeah, if you don't have a flight to catch, why not wait on the ship, have a leisurely breakfast, then get off with the last of the crowd. That's what I always do. I do that in ports, too. Why wait in line?

Christina

THIS is what they should have on the Lido...they would only have to pay one person (same as a DJ), as opposed to a whole band.

http://youtu.be/SVbrEih8lUc

Couldn't vote in this poll, because I would like to see both. And while I do love the idea of Carnival Live, I won't book a cruise specifically because of it. Just like I wouldn't book specifically for any other paid excursion. So no options for me. I think it's a good addition. Steel drums would be good too. On Lido. Bring them back Carnival! come onnnn!!!;)

My thoughts exactly!! PLEASE bring back the steel drum bands!

I don't know if this is a secret or not... I found out a few cruises ago that porthole cabins can be booked at interior rate. We are usually cruising on a budget and I was delighted to have outside light for inside price! The porthole itself it cool in that it provides you with a "window bay" that we use to store souvenirs or other items.

Yes, I am booked in a porthole cabin, it is under the Interior category. When you go to "Deck Plans" on the Carnival website, you can put in your room # and see pics and 360 degree views.

:)

At this time I ran into Ryan and we went to the Cartoon Trivia at the Spectacular Lounge. Though we only missed three questions out of forty, it wasn’t good enough to win.

 

 

 

I was feeling a little bit hungry so I decided to give the Tandoor a try. I had both the fish and the chicken over rice, and it was very good….

 

 

 

 

Here’s a little info to help you procure your lunch in a timely fashion. If you crave the Mongolian Wok, start lining up ten minutes before it opens at Noon, otherwise you will wait. For little or no lines, the Tandoor , and the Rotisserie are your quickest choices. At all other stations the lines ebb and flow like the tides, so if you see a line under 10 people, jump into it!! You remember the pictures with all those people up on deck? Those people get hungry, so hence the lines!!

 

The line at the Deli…..

 

 

It was now time for the first blackjack tournament of the cruise, so Patti used her BOGO to get us entries. I made the Final Table as the 2nd highest qualifier, but only finished 3rd in the Finals. I received yet another t-shirt that will never fit me!!

 

2nd Qualifier…..

 

 

Final Table…..

 

 

Afterwards I stayed in the casino and played blackjack for a few hours, and lost about $75. Patti and Ryan went to the Spectacular Lounge for the afternoon bingo session…

 

 

 

 

Guess what? She won again!! Whooo Hoooo!!! Another $300.00!!

 

 

To be continued….

I am enjoying your review very much! Going on the Splendor in 19 days! Question for you: What's Patti's secret to winning Bingo? Does she have a strategy, for instance how many cards does she play at once?

Thanks!

Christina

For those who like to make coffee and ice cream or shakes, don't forget to bring your own travel mug so you have something to carry around (on and off the ship) with a lid, and big enough for a decent sized drink.

Try the food station above the main buffet area, Fish & Chips on some ships, on the Splendor its the Rotisserie. Always lots of seating!

Trivia buffs! Try the call-in Morning Show that you can watch on your TV and call in the answers to win prizes!

Happy Sailing!!