Breeze 1/13 sailing review

[bingomamma19]

I see a couple of reviews already from our sailing, and wanted to add one also.

 

We got in a few days before and stayed in South Beach at the Congress Hotel. Location was right in the middle of everything. A really nice hotel with a decent room rate ($180 per night). One word of warning if staying or visiting South beach--the 2 for 1 drinks at the outdoor patio restaurants and bars---AGGHH--my boys 21 and 23 ordered and when we got our bill (6 of us for lunch and the boys each had 2 drinks-one being free). It was $236 !!! Each 1st drink was $55 a piece:(:(. Ok, lesson learned--always ask how much each item is.

 

Got to the boat about 11am (despite the email saying to arrive between 1-3pm). We walked right in to the terminal, got our cards and sat down --we were zone 12. Called on within 15 minutes--very easy.

 

We headed to the Breeze bar first to buy the Cheers program for my boys. It IS a 15 drink maximum, and those are counted from 6am to 6am the next day. It is all printed right on the card of rules for it.

 

We then went to deck 5, Ocean plaza to relax, eat and wait until the rooms are ready--nobody was there--it was wonderful--we got 2 tables and took turns going up to get food.

 

We then went to our rooms at 1:30p--one cove and 2 insides. LOVED the cove balcony.

 

Weather was beautiful all week long.

 

On Sea Days we did trivia, swam, played in the sports square. Camp Carnival was great for my 7 year old. We all did the ropes course--A BLAST for any age.

 

We got in the dodge ball tournaments, my boys played basketball everyday and one the basketball tournament on Wednesday. I was able to get a chair wherever we went--lido deck, aft pool area. Loved the new seating around deck 11--soft cushioned seats in alot of areas.

 

We ate at all of the free venues--buffet, MDR, burgers, pizza, italian for lunch, deli, mongolian wok--all great, mostly no wait at all.

 

We just stayed at the beach in Grand Turk--got a few chairs under the trees.

 

In Jamaica, we got a taxi from the people inside the terminal area (a big mixup with a private tour company that showed up in Ocho Rios instead of Mohagonay Bay) The director lady out there was so nice and aranged for a private taxi to take my boys and I to Bob Marleys grave. It was a 2 hour drive one way--but he took us through so many really interesting areas that really showed us alot of what Jamacain towns are. Only issue (and a big one) was a really , really bad traffic jam due to an overturned tanker by the airport. Traffic was at a dead stop for miles and there was no way out. Luckily our taxi driver drove on the emergency lanes to get us past this. We would certainly have missed the boat--we just made it at 2:30 as it was. That was pretty scary--luckily I had trip insurance also--but my 7 year old was on board with my mom and I am sure she would have been really upset had I not returned.

 

Overall. The boat is beautiful, seating is plenty--even at the pools-but to get away, try the other decks and the ocean plaza areas. The lines at the buffet, the burgers and the mexican place were never an issue. The pizza line could get a bit long when all the other eating places were closed.

 

A few things that I guess you could call complaints--

 

The tiled walking areas of the buffet were quite slippery all the time.

 

The movies at night--free popcorn, but with a very small machine only making 5 servings at a time it was ridiculous. I just dont get why Carnival would not have either a movie style and sized popcorn maker, or just bring in those huge bags of popcorn and stick them under a heat lamp to warm it up.

 

The drinks on us card from the casino--I earned this the 2nd morning. However, trying to get a waitor or waitress to serve you was crazy. They were never around and they seemed to avoid you if they saw that card. Several of us who earned these free drink cards had the same complaint. When you did get a drink order in, it took another 15 minutes or so to be served to you.

 

The eggs in the buffet--DISGUSTING. They are boiled powdered eggs. They have the consistency of oatmeal when you eat them and they tasted awful. I got fried eggs from the omelet station every day--not much of a wait there either.

 

It is pretty late, and I'm sure I missed a few things. Will post if I think of them. But I was very happy with our vacation and would HIGHLY recommend the Breeze to anyone. You really cant go wrong.

[cruisegirl29]

Thanks for quick review! I'm heading out on the breeze in 6 more days! :)

 

Sue

[ready2cruzagain]

Thanks for the review and I have to agree with you...the eggs in the buffet are even worse than Carnival's coffee. I had never eaten powdered eggs and I now know why...disgusting to say the least.

 

Glad you had a great cruise and made it back to the ship on time.

[Purplehaze21]

TY for the review! I am loving all the positive reviews I have seen

recently! I read all reviews, good or bad and

either way, I can't wait :D

[Rex827]

Hey Cruise Girl.

 

I'll see you on the Breeze in 6 days.

 

It'll be 5 o'clock everywhere all day long.

[teamkern]

We then went to deck 5, Ocean plaza to relax, eat and wait until the rooms are ready--nobody was there--it was wonderful--we got 2 tables and took turns going up to get food.

 

Thanks for your review. I think we are going to copy your idea once we board. We will have some bags and hate how crowded some areas can get until the rooms open up.

[bingomamma19]

Thanks for your review. I think we are going to copy your idea once we board. We will have some bags and hate how crowded some areas can get until the rooms open up.

 

 

We had always just headed up to the lido deck on other cruises and felt so crowded and crazy. I said lets look at this ocean plaza and see if we can sit there--It was great--nice outside decks and no crowds to be in. A nice wait--and the bar was right inside, so we could get any drinks we wanted--no lines, no waiting.

[Bigschu68]

:)was on the Breeze 1/5 to 1/13. Awesome ship! Had a wonderful time. Not sure why all the bad reviews in the past. Never waited in any line for food...anywhere. The food was great...especially Guys burgers! Awesome burgers! Condiment bars are the bomb. Maybe not in the best spots...kinda of bottlenecked the walkways. But manageable. The ports were decent...except La Romana..if we go there again, will definitely stay on ship. Did 3 excursions...Grand Turk..reefs and rays. Highly recommend, we'll worth the money. Curaçao ...see&sea sightseeing tour. Terrible...do not waste your money! Crowded hot bus, looking at run down buildings and beer bottles. By the time you return to port, all the stores are starting to close or are closed away from the port.

Aruba..4x4 north coast jeep tour. It was pretty awesome. Started off a little slow. But at the end, Wow! The scenery and drive is breathtaking!

Would definitely go on the Breeze again!