McCutie

Thx all! Answers I was hoping to see...😀

1pm to 9pm is the time that we will be in Orlando/PC unless, of course something changes...

We’ve done Disney excursion before and I do agree that you don’t have a ton of time and it is $$$.... But we were hoping to get to Universal 

Hi there.... we haven’t been on a cruise in 2 years and we just booked the Pearl for June 2020...... I shouldn’t have assumed but looking at excursions listed for Port Canaveral, I saw just 1 for Cocoa Beach transfer.... Nothing else.... no Disney, Universal, gator tour... nothing... 

is this what it is? Am I missing something? Is it too early to book excursions therefore only showing one? 

Or did NCL do away with theme parks excursions and you are on your own? 

Thx in advance! 

Hi again RealCindy!

I total forgot to report back regarding the dinners....

Well, this is the first time ever that we were not offered a specialty dinner from the concierge or for being in the GV.

A lot has changed....we are also platinum plus and now those perks are per cabin ....not per person.

There were times we had all platinum people in our GV in the past and we all got individual perks....

I guess with all the new levels and the ultimate dining package kind of changed things....

Anywho, we had great cruise.... The Mexiacn restaurant was a nice addition ! The refurb of the villa inside is nice..Esp, now carpet in dining and living area ..the outside looks rather plain but probably easier for them to maintain. Upstairs in the sun deck area is also a nice change.... No green flooring and a bunch of nice, new furniture...

You are going to have a great trip! Enjoy !

RealCindy... Congrats on all the things you are celebrating on your upcoming cruise esp. your youngest son beating cancer!

We leave this coming Friday and I can report back to you with a definite answer when I return....

This wil be our 6th time in the GV and we always had a complimentary specialty dinner of our choice that was arranged/offered through our concierge but just thought it was a perk of booking the Garden Villa.

17 McDays to go!

I am going with Septmeber with having the least amount of kids... June can be tricky... We live in CT and our kids are scheduled to get early June (6/8)

We've cruised to Bermuda a bunch of times including in the month of May and it wasn't crowded with kids but it wasn't kid free either....

Sept is still nice and warm....

Freestyle in my eyes has changed over the years.... Esp. With specialty restaurants that need reservations and shows that need reservations etc.... So freestyle used to be do whatever, whenever.....and pretty much wear whatever.....

We still like cruising NCL for the relaxed atmosphere ...

I may just do that Mike! Lol

Thanks.... I didn't even think of the liability issue.

My memory escapes me at the moment on what was on the spa menu but was wondering if the spas offers in cabin services....ie: massage

Thanks!

Sorry.... I meant in not on! Lol

Thanks.... I should have been even more specific and said the July 2nd sailing ..... I think it may be wishful thinking because it is a big vacay week with July 4th.

I'll keep an eye out.....

I am already booked with my family but my newly single brother was looking to join us but paying for double occupancy can be a little steep.... Even with lowest category guarantee.

Hi there,

I was wondering. If anyone knew if NCL offers solo/single rates during the summer months in the North East? Specifically on the Gem which does not have studios for solos.

Right now, they do not but was wondering if they will as the date nears and ship isn't full.

Thanks!

Thank you!

Hi there!

Do any recent Breakaway cruisers know if there is still a cake decorating class at Carlo's bakery?

Thx!

Hi there!

From the research you have done, I think you already talked yourself into cruising on NCL : )

But I think you will enjoy it, only if you book the GV. I say this because of your description of what you enjoy doing while cruising. And that is very similar to what we enjoy.... Even though we travel with 3 children. I think the Haven suite would not be ample enough room for the four of you as you already have investigated.

We have been in the GVs 4 times and the Jewel 14500 was one of them. The Pearl is in the same class and although I haven't been on the Pearl, it does have the same layouts.

We did visit the Jewel Haven but other than taking a look at it, we didn't go back simply because the GV was terrific and there was no need. There is so much included with the Garden Villas and since you are looking to go in either May or September, the price will most likely be cheaper.

If we didn't eat our breakfast and lunch in the villa, we would go to Cagney's which we thought was very good. We also like to go to the specialty restaurants or have dinner brought in. We have been extremely lucky that we have had outstanding service which adds to the experience.

Let me know if you have any questions or specific concerns and I will do my best to amswer them. I am not sure if you and the people you are traveling with enjoy shows, live music, comedy, casinos, art, working out, going on excursions, etc etc but there is a variety for all.

Quick one: can the bed be separated?

Tia!

There were no promos when we did this for the April 24, 2010 Jewel cruise except for OBC which we still received but I have to look at the old invoices to see if the couple in the balcony(my bro & his wife) still received the OBC when combining the two cabins for the GV.

They (NCL upsell dept) combined our 2 cabins ....with an neg. price.....

It was an incredible deal for 8.

We have..... On the Jewel....

1 balcony for 2

1 Haven Suite for 6

Upgraded to the GV for a negotiated amount via the upselll dept.

Ahhhh, yes! My memory is coming back to me now.... It's been 2 years since we've been on the BA.

I went to book an excursion today for our April cruise and I had to choose between two times and the rep recommended the earlier time so we wouldn't miss lunch and I asked what time the Haven restaurant lunch closes and he didn't know.

Not a big deal in the grande scheme of things but it's great to have food options esp. when traveling with 3 kids! : )

You are awesome!! 2pm closing works even better! : )

Thank you again!

Hi there,

I just your your post with the picture of the Haven lunch menu on the Breakaway....

Can you tell me the hours? For the life of me I couldnt remember if it closes at 1? 1:30?

Thank you!

Hi! Just chiming in to let you know that where we live in CT, our spring break starts the week after so we are on the sailing after yours on the 10th. : )

It will be our second time on the Breakaway. It's a great ship and we just didn't have enough days/nights the last time to do everything we wanted to do, see and eat! : )

There are plenty of areas that kids are not allowed so you will be fine! : )

There is H20 that is adult only..... I think just during the day....

Also VIBE is a cool place to hang out but not sure of it is adult only...and there are limited passes....

There are just so many activities, shows, etc etc that are geared for so many different ages and interests.

Would I say that the ship is crowded? Hmmm..... Yes, to be honest, there are times where it did seem that way but it didn't ruin our cruise.

Have a great trip!

Just off the August 21st Dawn sailing and yes, Karabi was our concierge. We Love her and this was our second time we had her. Sorry to hear that others were not happy with her and quite surprised, but I can say is that she has gone above and beyond for us (family of 5 this cruise) (family of 8 last cruise).

She never said "no" to us no matter what we wanted or needed and we saw her quite a bit during each day/evening as well as phone communication.

We have had a number of good to great concierges over the 10+ NCL cruise that we have been on and she is our fave with Adrian coming in a very close second. (We had him twice as well)

On a side note: Although we thought Virginia was a nice person, she was rarely around and didn't even compare to Karabi or Adrian.

Hi, we are just off the Dawn and we received 25% off the photo package so we purchased the 20 pic package. We are Platinum level.

Thanks for the update! We are hoping at least one is working when we go in August : )

I know it may seem ridiculous and easy enough just to get off on deck 13 and walk up the stairs but when you are in a wheel chair and can not walk, what is one to do?

Hi!

Just wondering if the elevators are working properly and are able to go to deck 14? We've had trouble in the past and I was reading a fairly recent review where they were not working at all, so I was just wondering if anyone can confirm yay or nay.

Tia!