Froufie Breezes across the Atlantic - Nov 3, 2012

[Froufie]

2 things i want to add to my bucket list !!

 

a Transatlantic and the Breeze!!

 

Loving your review and pictures!!!

 

Excellent additions to the bucket list in my opinion - I fully approve! :D

[Froufie]

Welcome back! So glad you had a great time. I'm really enjoying your wonderful pictures. I'm curious what you thought of the larger ship. The Breeze looks really nice.... I'm just hesitant to book a ship with that many people onboard. Probably unfounded, but after reading a bunch of Dream reviews I got worried about crowds. I'm guessing they've fixed a lot of those little kinks?

 

We are back to the Liberty next month - want to join us? :p

 

Hey Jocelyn - hope you guys are both doing well - and wish I could join you on the Liberty (so we could win more trivia games! :D:D).

 

The ship is big and beautiful - and I too have been reading the recent Caribbean Breeze reviews where everyone is talking about the crowding??? Not sure if there are more 'people' on the ships now - however to be honest I never found it that busy. Granted I am not a 'buffet' fan and the only time I had to wait in line was for Jimmy's C-Side bbq but I really wanted to try it out so it was not a big deal....otherwise I just didn't find it that bad?

[Froufie]

Can't wait to read all of your review. I am so happy that everything worked out ok for your dinner seating.

 

Hey Laura - thanks for 'dropping by' - yes the dinner thing worked out in my favor - and I got to make even 'more' friends to hang with onboard :)

[Froufie]

After my 7 am wakeup call and room service breakfast off I went to meet up with Moe and Rick from our Roll Call. Moe was instrumental in arranging this private tour for about 20 of us on the roll call - Valdemossa, soller train excursion - similar to the Carnival one but at a much cheaper price and a more personal tour as well. It was to include a visit to the monastery in Valdemossa and a Chopin concert in the church as well (Chopin is my favorite composer!!).

 

I find Moe and Rick and we finally find our group, bus and guide Frank along with driver Michael. On the bus and off we go for a fun day of exploring the island. Past the marina and the fancy yachts, and the huge cathedral for the 45 min drive to Valdemossa. The views and scenery are beautiful with lots of homes/orchards in valleys.

 

 

 

 

 

When we get to Valdemossa we are given instructions on meeting times and I ask Moe abou the concert - what concert? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? So I point this out in the tour info - and now the tour guide is asking who wants to go to the monastery and concert and who wants to walk around the town.

 

There is now a group of about 8 of us who want to do the monastery/Chopin museum/ concert thing so off we go - we get a ‘group’ rate of 7 eu since there are more than 4 of us and in we go to explore - we are to meet back at the bus at 11 am and the concert is scheduled for 10:30 am - or so we are led to believe.

 

The place is interesting and many groups are touring with guides so we get to listen in on some of the facts while taking tons of pics and visiting the different areas.

 

 

[Froufie]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At around 10:15 we head towards the church where the concert is to take place only to find out the concert is no longer at 10:30 am - but since nov 1st there has been a change in schedule and it will be at 11:30 am instead - well that sure doesn’t work out for us- as our bus is leaving at 11 am.

 

Yes I try not to be too disappointed but I really really really had my heart set on this and was not feeling too happy at this point - but of course I tried to make the best of it.

[Froufie]

Trying not to be too upset off we went to explore some of the small shops and cafes along the way. I did end up buying my daughter (turning 21 when I returned) a beautiful pair of mallorcan pearl/crystal earrings for her birthday (thinking well if she didn’t like them I know someone who would:D:D).....than back onto the bus.

 

 

The Bunnies of Palma (lol):

 

 

Edited December 20, 2012 by Froufie

[kjunea]

Awesome review Froufie! I'm really looking forward to more!

[Coolcruise02]

Great review and pictures! Can't wait for more. :)

[Froufie]

Next up was a gorgeous photo opp stop to view La Foradada - what a view!

 

 

 

 

With a drive thru the small and cute town of Deia we ended up in Soller - lovely little place with an interesting ‘town square’ with of course a fountain and an old church. It was lunchtime at this point so we all split up choosing one of the various restaurants/cafe around the square. I enjoyed lunch with Nancy and Julie (spanish omelette, salad, coffee) and then we all walked around looking at the little shops. I noticed some of the other restaurants had these ‘blankets’ hanging on the chairs - and finally realized they were to keep warm if it was chilly - what a nice touch!

 

 

 

[Froufie]

 

Train going right thru the town square!

 

 

 

Note the hot pink 'blankies' hanging on the chairs in case you get cold!

 

Lunchtime coffee - so good!

[lettienets]

Hi Loretta - thanks for stopping by! :)

 

I used to used the now defunct Webshots so was forced to find another webhosting site - using photobucket now (yes I had to creat two 'free' accounts cuz I had so many pictures to post !).

 

Once the pics are uploaded on the site it is VERY EASY to copy and paste them into a review - codes are provided for each pic - you just click on the one for a specific pic and then paste onto your post (yes you have to have 2 or in my case, more, windows open). Try it out!

That's the part I can't figure out, having 2 or more windows open. I have downloaded photos to photobucket and then moved them one at a time, going out of CC, back to photobucket, back to CC etc. I wondered if there was an easier way to get your 6 photos added per post. :confused: Can you drag them or is it always cut and paste?

[Froufie]

After lunch Nancy, Julie and I strolled some of the side streets and got some of the 'local flavor'

 

 

If you're looking for a new pair of 'clown shoes' I know just the spot!

 

 

 

We then proceeded to the train station to catch the 2:10 train- instead of heading all the way back to Palma on the train the tour guide suggested, and we agreed, to taking the train only halfway as it was a) cheaper and b) had the best scenery and the bus would meet us in Bunyola.

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2012 by Froufie

[Froufie]

Tickets purchased we boarded the train - it was really cool to be on such an old train with windows that opened and going thru a dozen tunnels. It was about a 30 min ride to Bunyola and yes we had to take lots of pics there - esp of me and the sign (everyone at this point knew of my fondness for bunny rabbits so it was a pretty funny photo opp).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Froufie]

The bus picked us up and we ended up in downtown Palma for an hour of shopping. It was quite lovely - a smaller, more high end ‘las ramblas’ with lots of shops, cafes, restaurants and interesting characters.

 

 

 

 

I did a bit of window shopping and ended up at the McDonald’s cafe (along with many other cruisers trying out the free wifi) where I had a super fancy cappuccino while I did some people watching from my outdoor seat.

 

 

 

[Froufie]

Back on the bus for our ride to the ship arriving at 4:30 pm for a 6 pm sailaway.

 

 

 

I grabbed sushi snack from the buffet, did some emailing then back to my cabin to find a gift of a lovely bottle of pinot noir from my husband! (Now remember I had a bottle of wine in my luggage - yes it made it thru, 2 bottles purchased in Spain and now my 4th bottle!- I also ended up purchasing a bottle at a winery in Gran Canaria).....I am not a big drinker so by the end of the cruise I had to give 2 bottles away for others to enjoy. Also of note there seems to be no real concern about bringing wine (or alcohol?) onto the ship in the European ports. Unlike the caribbean where you are directed to the ‘table’ and your liquor/wine confiscated and returned on the last night- this did not happen at all - to me or others! Thru the scanner pick it up and walk away - no one blinked!

 

Shower/change and off to the piano bar for 7:30 pm - I meet up with Carolyn and Catanya (another roll call member - poor thing with a cast on!)....and finally get my rontourage t-shirt from Ron (I ordered it on his website but with little time to ship it to me before he cruise he offered to bring it onboard!). I also run into my roll call ‘sister’ Deborah (ya we sure like the same things!)....and airplane friends Martin and Nathan. Then off to dinner for 8:15 (where I do like to change seats each evening so I can chat with everyone!).

 

Catanya, me and Sue

 

Martin and Nathan

 

I am partcularly excited forsome of the menus which for me were so brand new and interesting - having been on so many 7 day caribbean cruises I was used to the same old menus - don’t get me wrong I did like them a lot - but it was getting boring so I was excited to be on a 15 day cruise with new and different stuff. This evening I enjoyed calamari, langoustine bisque, grilled shrimp and scallop brochette and cheesecake for dessert.

 

Off to the show with tablemates Anne and Ursula to see the new Playlist productions of Divas - all I can say is WOW - I was so impressed with the new style of show. No more showgirls making umpteen costumes changes and singing the same old songs. This is HIGH TECH SPECIAL EFFECTS entertainment. Very talented group of singers/dancers and all I can say is kudos to Carnival as this must have cost a pretty penny!

 

Tablemates Anne & Ursula:

 

Off to the casino - still have not found my ‘favorite’ machine (one that pays off perhaps? :)) so I am not doing that well - but again playing with Carnival’s money so can’t get too upset?

 

Email check and cup of tea and off to my cabin around 1 am!

 

Edited December 20, 2012 by Froufie

[SenatorsFan]

Hi Froufie. I've been waiting for this!:) Always look forward to your reviews and I need to soak up as much Breeze info as possible. I'm waiting, not so patiently, for my turn in July.:D I'm really enjoying your pictures and commentary.

Heather

[Froufie]

Awesome review Froufie! I'm really looking forward to more!

 

Great review and pictures! Can't wait for more. :)

 

Thanks so much - glad you're enjoying it :)

[richstowe]

Wonderful wonderful review. Going to bookmark it on the chance that we get to go on a Breeze cruise some day.

 

Thanx :)

saving my place.... loving the review!!!

That's a good idea.;)

[Froufie]

Hi Froufie. I've been waiting for this!:) Always look forward to your reviews and I need to soak up as much Breeze info as possible. I'm waiting, not so patiently, for my turn in July.:D I'm really enjoying your pictures and commentary.

Heather

 

You will LOVE the Breeze - hope the time goes quickly for you :)

 

Wonderful wonderful review. Going to bookmark it on the chance that we get to go on a Breeze cruise some day.

 

Thanx :)That's a good idea.;)

 

Thanks so much - glad you are enjoying it!

[Spudder]

Hi Froufie,

 

Great review, really makes me want to get my butt to Europe.

 

Thanks for sharing...

[glomarrone]

I enjoyed your review of both Barcelona & The Breeze. We had a great time, too & loved the ship. Gloria

[Froufie]

Hi Froufie,

 

Great review, really makes me want to get my butt to Europe.

 

Thanks for sharing...

 

You must definitely get there - so beautiful - put it on your 'bucket list'! :)

 

I enjoyed your review of both Barcelona & The Breeze. We had a great time, too & loved the ship. Gloria

 

I think we have all become TA junkies now - can't wait to do it again :D:D

[Froufie]

So sometime during the night I did feel the ship stop and start again - I was half asleep and wondering if we were in port? Then remember a sea day? In the morning there is a 9:30 am announcement about a helicopter rescue at 5:30 am - with the Coast Guard picking up a very sick passenger and delivering him to Malaga...the family was still onboard and would be joining him the next day when we ported - it was kind of sad to hear this news and we were told to keep this individual in our thoughts and prayers!

 

10:30 am and it was off to find some breakfast - this is where I met Carnival Momma (otherwise known as Dorothy) having done 39 cruises with Carnival she was kind of like a den mother/mascot and spoke with the crew when needed and participated in many crew and officer events - she is an older lady, from texas and such a hoot - I have lots of fun chatting with her and saw her at various times throughout the voyage!

 

12 pm and off to the gym - yup- got to do that workout - me and LOTS of other people it seems. Gym was very crowded and busy - but the worst was the heat - you would think they would understand to keep the place ‘cooler’ than some other spots but that was not the case..

 

Off to shower and change into my ‘custom made embarkation’ t-shirt once again and proceed to our 1:30 official meet and greet (kindly arranged by Carol on our roll call). It was held in the Limelight Lounge and was very well attended - in fact I was surprised to see so many there - while the roll call as mentioned was very active I guess there were also many ‘lurkers’ who turned up to enjoy the party and meet everyone. I had ordered some cruise ship blinky pins (which I think you can see in many of the pics) which I distributed however I obviously didn’t order enuf and ran out of them pretty quickly (even giving mine up as well). Got lots of pics of everyone and Carnival kindly donated some champagne and ships on a stick so a draw was made for those.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Froufie]

 

 

 

 

 

[Froufie]

Then it was time for our first ‘ritual’ Funtime Teatime with Froufie and Friends - yes I was the ‘official’ hostess and we usually got a small group showing up every day and having lots of fun. The smoked salmon sandwiches were plentiful, the service was excellent and the dessert cart always had some super yummy stuff to eat (this usually turned out to be my ‘lunch’!). We usually closed the place down at 4 pm as they tried to get rid of us to prepare for dinner.

 

 

 

Tonight is first elegant night with late seating ‘captain’ intros at 7 pm - so off I go to prep. At 7 pm I am at Ocean Plaza ( a great spot on deck 5 by the way) and there are lots of lovely dressed people milling about. The captain finally appears and there is a line to take pics with him, but I also spot John Heald and go have a chat with him and kindly ask if I can have my picture taken with him!

 

 

7:30 finds me in the piano bar (with friends Carolyn, Catanya, Gus, Nathan and Martin and new friend Mike) where Silviya has a ‘chat’ with me in order to customize a martini for me (pink I say)...I am presented with a very yummy strawberry martini with extra cherries - so good I have another and ‘sway’ all the way to the dining room :)