Review of our 2013 Spring Break Carnival Breeze Cruise

[PaulMedik]

Our favorite ship with the sun setting behind her;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Cobblestone path / street to town;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

They have a similar fountain at a mall near Myrtle Beach South Carolina and any time we were near there with the boys they would spend hours splashing in the fountains;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

My assistant lugging gear while I shoot pictures......don't get the wrong impression: the Senior pics were at her insistance and naturally at her direction as well;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Overlooking the waterway;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Bryson and Heather on the pontoon bridge;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The computer I'm using doesn't have the best color reproduction so I hope I'm choosing the best pictures......if not I'll post better one's this evening;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our hometown friends Kimberly, Mike, Marina, Lucca, and Taylor were crossing the bridge returning from a shopping excursion;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Steel arch bridge;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The pontoon bridge swinging against the bank so a ship can pass;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Wall mural near the bridge;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

The people on the bridge were moving so the HDR renders them in pieces, but they weren't the subject so.....;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The kids were internet deprived for the week up to this point so they enjoyed the evening connected to the world via wifi and caught up on texts, FB, and the internet;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Britt and Lucca walked back to the ship early and I followed to make sure they made it;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

Edited April 30, 2013 by PaulMedik

[PaulMedik]

Their favorite excursion of the week?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

We were back on board @ 10:20 for 11:00 sailaway and found our room in quite a bit better shape than when we left;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Platinum pins and PG party invitation for tomorrow;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

As we pulled into Aruba the next morning we spotted a ship that looked very similar to our first ship the Premier Majestic; It wasn't as it turns out, but it did look like it (Other than the color);

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

The ship is owned by the Church of Scientology BTW, but we never saw Tom Cruise.........

 

RCCL ship approaching from the distance;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Port waiting for the RCCL ship;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[crewsweeper]

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Carnival Breeze Day 5 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

There you go! The money shot at night! Nice clear shot! :cool:

We used a similar picture for the cover of our cruise photo book. I like your sunset shot a lot, too.

[PaulMedik]

There you go! The money shot at night! Nice clear shot! :cool:

We used a similar picture for the cover of our cruise photo book. I like your sunset shot a lot, too.

 

 

Crew,

 

Thank you.

 

Hopefully I chose the correct pics............the graphics on this computer are OK for text, but images aren't even close to being acceptable; 15 years ago they'd have been fine. :p

[PaulMedik]

Breakfast on the balcony in Aruba;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

RCCL closing in;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Ever see a pickup truck tow a cruise ship? 'RCCL towed to port by pickup truck' would be a CNN headline......if it were CCL you know they're run with it;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[DolfanNY]

Was the $8 round trip for each person? Did you pay up front or on the return?

Edited April 30, 2013 by DolfanNY

[PaulMedik]

Was the $8 round trip for each person? Did you pay up front or on the return?

 

 

DolfanNY,

 

Round Trip would have been reasonable, but it was each way for $166. We paid upon arrival at Dreams then upon arrival back at the port.

[DolfanNY]

Thanks for the info. We will be going on May 14th.

[Jimmy Geegitz]

great review

[BarbG]

Thanks for another review...Read 15 pages in three hours....I couldn't step away!! Awesome review and Pictures. :)

[Topo Gigio]

What was your impression of Curacao?

[PaulMedik]

Jimmy, Barb,

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

What was your impression of Curacao?

 

 

Topo Gigio,

 

The first thing that stood out is the terrain is more mountainous than expected. Granted it's not like St Thomas or Jamaica in terms of mountains, but not a flat expanse like Grand Cayman.

 

The second and perhaps most striking is the development that maintains older buildings and structures while blending new construction in seamlessly. Unlike other Caribbean ports, Curacao appears to be following a plan and doing so well IMO.

 

The laid back atmosphere in town seems more like a gathering area for a large university or college town vs a Caribbean Island.

 

I can't imagine a better location for an evening port stop. I used to look forward to evenings in Cozumel with late sailaways, but Curacao will be the evening port I look forward to the most. It would be absolutely ideal if they had a place like Paradise Beach for us to spend then day and then spend the evening just strolling around town.

 

Perhaps similar to a tidy little San Juan? ;)

[PaulMedik]

Before I get too far ahead, here's two I missed sharing from Curacao;

 

Curacao by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Curacao by paulmedik, on Flickr

[BenjiRodney]

Saw the very first picture and knew it was Yeager Airport, I'm down the road in Dunbar. Thanks for sharing.

[PaulMedik]

Saw the very first picture and knew it was Yeager Airport, I'm down the road in Dunbar. Thanks for sharing.

 

 

 

BenjiRodney,

 

My pleasure.

 

It had been a couple of years since we'd flown from Charleston and it sure has changed since they added on.

[Topo Gigio]

Jimmy, Barb,

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topo Gigio,

 

The first thing that stood out is the terrain is more mountainous than expected. Granted it's not like St Thomas or Jamaica in terms of mountains, but not a flat expanse like Grand Cayman.

 

The second and perhaps most striking is the development that maintains older buildings and structures while blending new construction in seamlessly. Unlike other Caribbean ports, Curacao appears to be following a plan and doing so well IMO.

 

The laid back atmosphere in town seems more like a gathering area for a large university or college town vs a Caribbean Island.

 

I can't imagine a better location for an evening port stop. I used to look forward to evenings in Cozumel with late sailaways, but Curacao will be the evening port I look forward to the most. It would be absolutely ideal if they had a place like Paradise Beach for us to spend then day and then spend the evening just strolling around town.

 

Perhaps similar to a tidy little San Juan? ;)

 

Since I live in Curacao I just wanted to hear your opinion.

[grandmallie]

Paul,

Great review, we will be sailing on the Breeze October 12th,

cant wait... so enjoyed your review . haven't been on a cruise in 3 yrs so,really looking forward to it.. we are doing the Eastern Caribbean.

Tortola,Antigua,St Thomas and Nassau, we will be going to Junkaroo,and probably just get off the ship at the other places and go to beaches by taxi there also...;)

[PaulMedik]

Paul,

Great review, we will be sailing on the Breeze October 12th,

cant wait... so enjoyed your review . haven't been on a cruise in 3 yrs so,really looking forward to it.. we are doing the Eastern Caribbean.

Tortola,Antigua,St Thomas and Nassau, we will be going to Junkaroo,and probably just get off the ship at the other places and go to beaches by taxi there also...;)

 

 

Grandmallie,

 

Thank you.

 

Going to the beaches via taxi is always a great plan especially in October. :)

[gapearl]

Your picture are ridiculously AWESOME! :D

 

Question about La Romana- when you exited through the port area to the taxis, were there drivers there offering tours onsite, like a 2-3 hour city tour for $20-30?

[PaulMedik]

Your picture are ridiculously AWESOME! :D

 

Question about La Romana- when you exited through the port area to the taxis, were there drivers there offering tours onsite, like a 2-3 hour city tour for $20-30?

 

 

GaPearl,

 

Thank you.

 

There were several options available. As we exited the port there were reps talking with people asking how many and what plans, then they directed them to cabs and instructed the cab driver where to go.

 

Our driver was a driver only because he spoke minimal English. I think he only knew the words '8 dollars each.' :D Everything else he responded with 'uh huh.' :rolleyes:

 

I never noticed signs or placards about tours, but that doesn't mean they weren't there. ;)

[kybluecruiser]

Living in Ashland all my life and only getting the Huntington news stations like Wsaz. I always assumed that nothing good ever came out ofvWest Virginia. You have proved me wrong. This is probably the best review ever posted on cruise critic. Thanks so much for sharing.

[PaulMedik]

Living in Ashland all my life and only getting the Huntington news stations like Wsaz. I always assumed that nothing good ever came out ofvWest Virginia. You have proved me wrong. This is probably the best review ever posted on cruise critic. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

 

KyBlueCruiser,

 

LOL, thank you.