Carnival Breeze review from June 8th sailing

[murraync]

We sailed the Breeze on June 8th - 8 day cruise to Grand Turk, DR, Curacao, and Aruba. Both of us in our mid 40s with our son (14yrs). Great vacation.

 

Arrived at port about 11:00am- quick process -minimal lines - checked in quickly - boarded with zone 15 - was on ship by 11:35 - glad I didn't pay for Fast to Fun - didn't need it.

 

Breeze is beautiful- like the toned down decor, as others have mentioned. Always being cleaned - hard workers- everyone we met was very friendly! Grabbed a few pocket deck plan cards (at check in and by Guest Services desk) and navigated ship easily. Liked the kiosks available to cruisers that you can use to put cash on your Sail & Sign card- check/print out your charges - even breaks down your 100s and 50s into smaller bills - fantastic service and didn't need to wait at the Guest Services lines!

 

We had balcony cabin 8436- port side aft - very convenient to elevators and good location to use stairs to go up to fun decks or down to dinner and shows! Cabin is usual size - very clean - cabin steward was great- lots of fun towel animals and chocolates, always fresh towels and ice- had two small issues with sink drain and shower drain, and both were addressed and fixed within 20 minutes of a call to housekeeping, very pleased with service. Plenty of drawer space, closet space, and space under beds for luggage. We bring extra hangers- but there were plenty there for use. Bathroom is usual size - plenty of storage shelves on both sides of mirror. They provide soap, body wash, and shampoo - my son and husband used all and were very happy. Hair dryer in a drawer by vanity mirror in room. Pull out sofa was firm- son slept soundly every night and bed stayed made during day which was fine. Our bed was firm but very comfortable- no complaints and we can be picky mattress people!

 

I did laundry a few times on the ship- I brought pods of detergent and bounce sheets- use your card to pay- $3.25 to wash and $3.25 to dry. Wash took about 30 mins and dry took about 52 mins. Gets crowded last days of cruise, 3 of each machine in each of the 3 laundry rooms. They do offer laundry service that wasn't too pricey for cruise line prices.

 

Son found great friends - they didn't participate much in Circle C events- did more on their own- kids loved the water slides, ropes course, foosball, mini golf, and in Red Frog the mini shuffle board game. We noticed there were lots of kids running the halls and elevators being very rude and disruptive- thankful ours wasn't one of them - wish Carnival could somehow curb this nuisance- just not sure what the solution for this is.

 

We enjoyed the all the food - we are not picky eaters and are not expecting gourmet meals. The buffet area is usually controlled chaos, so we chose to eat breakfast every day in the Sapphire DR - nice and peaceful without all the elbows and shoving! The comedy brunch days are a bit busier- same food offered- 5 minute comedy show meant to lure you to the evening shows. We did brave the buffet for lunch most days at an "off" time - no problems and usually took advantage of the salad/cold-cut/fruit areas and it was all yummy. We never had problems getting burgers at any time, lines always moved quickly or were non existent. Lunch at Blue Iguana twice was delicious. Lunch for free at Italian place- very good- wish we went earlier in week and would have gone again had we known. Pizza was great says son and husband. Main DR dinners were good, we had fine service- I tipped drinks guy first night and we always got served quickly rest of cruise. Waiters were attentive but busy, very pleasant, eager to serve, food was hot, bread was always offered twice, water was always refilled, food choices seemed fine for our family- same menu all cruise offered on one side of menu, and different offerings on other side of menu each day, so really couldn't complain about not finding something to make everyone happy. All food we had was good and plentiful, we even doubled up to share a few appetizers or desserts, and the waiters were happy to accommodate requests. Snacks up on back deck late night were usually cookies, brownies, ham and cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, etc. Along with pizza and deli station, so you wouldn't starve. We didn't eat at Steak House, Sushi(smells amazing and always crowded), or plaza cafe- just didn't see the need.

 

We enjoyed the Piano bar for drinks and people watching - Red Frog also nice place to relax and listen to music, play dominoes, and people watch. Enjoyed the comedy shows - both family and R rated - great fun. The 5 person band and another singer could be found around the ship at other locations and were fun easy listening. We watched some movies and NBA playoffs out on the big screen TV - fun and relaxing - even popcorn. The "main entertainment" was disappointing - singing is not great - the juggler was funny if you are in middle school - so we didn't go to any more - they are way below par compared to all our previous cruises- not sure how they are on the Breeze if this is supposed to be the best Carnival has to offer......yikes!

 

Pool area could be crowded, but you can find chairs on a deck to be by the main pool - the comfy chairs one deck up are hard to grab - but pool chairs weren't a problem. Plenty in other spots by back pool as well, and plenty in shaded areas as well. We never had an issue. We did go to Serenity one day at sea- it was very windy so we found a spot on the back of the ship that was just as nice.

 

We did the "Cheers" program and feel it was worth the $50 a day. We never had a problem with bar service anywhere on the ship- pools or bars. Most drinks run $5 - $8 and wines run up to $10. So by the time we had a few frozen drinks, wine with dinner, and after dinner cocktails- we more than covered our costs, and didn't feel like we were over drinking ourselves to make sure we got our moneys worth . We got the soda card for our son. They do offer for free in certain areas - water, lemonade, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

 

I found there to be lots of smoking on balconies - which is just the way it goes - they allow smoking on pool deck port side and other deck areas on port side - seemed more places to smoke than not - so as a non smoker that was trying at times - however - you could find plenty of spaces to avoid smoking and the smell was not bad in the casino- so other than maybe having to change a chair it was manageable.

 

Grand Turk is nice for a free beach day- everything right at the end of the pier, beach chairs, shops, bathrooms - we didn't know about all the space capsules landing by Grand Turk, or that whales migrate there - neat place and nice to beach and shop right there. Dominican Rep. we walked to shop at pier, bought nothing (everything said Punta Cana on it....)- got back on ship and watched baseball all day at the fields next to pier. Nice to be on ship and have space to ourselves - sounds like many excursions were a disappointment. Curacao we walked the town ourselves and saw the pontoon bridge and forts - fun easy day then plenty of room on ship. Aruba we did a catamaran snorkel since the one we wanted was booked - it was fun and we did see fish and a ship wreck.

 

Leaving ship was easy- we took own luggage off- left about 8:15am after breakfast and showers -short lines of about 10 minutes and walked off - through customs and in a cab by 8:30am.

 

We would go on Breeze again - a few minor complaints as you see- but nothing that would ruin a day or a cruise. I hope everyone else enjoys their time as much as we did.

Feel free to email me with questions. Murrayfamnc@aol.com

[Keith1010]

Thanks for writing and sharing this review.

 

Keith

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

[bigsmooth]

We sailed the Breeze on June 8th - 8 day cruise to Grand Turk, DR, Curacao, and Aruba. Both of us in our mid 40s with our son (14yrs). Great vacation.

 

Arrived at port about 11:00am- quick process -minimal lines - checked in quickly - boarded with zone 15 - was on ship by 11:35 - glad I didn't pay for Fast to Fun - didn't need it.

 

Breeze is beautiful- like the toned down decor, as others have mentioned. Always being cleaned - hard workers- everyone we met was very friendly! Grabbed a few pocket deck plan cards (at check in and by Guest Services desk) and navigated ship easily. Liked the kiosks available to cruisers that you can use to put cash on your Sail & Sign card- check/print out your charges - even breaks down your 100s and 50s into smaller bills - fantastic service and didn't need to wait at the Guest Services lines!

 

We had balcony cabin 8436- port side aft - very convenient to elevators and good location to use stairs to go up to fun decks or down to dinner and shows! Cabin is usual size - very clean - cabin steward was great- lots of fun towel animals and chocolates, always fresh towels and ice- had two small issues with sink drain and shower drain, and both were addressed and fixed within 20 minutes of a call to housekeeping, very pleased with service. Plenty of drawer space, closet space, and space under beds for luggage. We bring extra hangers- but there were plenty there for use. Bathroom is usual size - plenty of storage shelves on both sides of mirror. They provide soap, body wash, and shampoo - my son and husband used all and were very happy. Hair dryer in a drawer by vanity mirror in room. Pull out sofa was firm- son slept soundly every night and bed stayed made during day which was fine. Our bed was firm but very comfortable- no complaints and we can be picky mattress people!

 

I did laundry a few times on the ship- I brought pods of detergent and bounce sheets- use your card to pay- $3.25 to wash and $3.25 to dry. Wash took about 30 mins and dry took about 52 mins. Gets crowded last days of cruise, 3 of each machine in each of the 3 laundry rooms. They do offer laundry service that wasn't too pricey for cruise line prices.

 

Son found great friends - they didn't participate much in Circle C events- did more on their own- kids loved the water slides, ropes course, foosball, mini golf, and in Red Frog the mini shuffle board game. We noticed there were lots of kids running the halls and elevators being very rude and disruptive- thankful ours wasn't one of them - wish Carnival could somehow curb this nuisance- just not sure what the solution for this is.

 

We enjoyed the all the food - we are not picky eaters and are not expecting gourmet meals. The buffet area is usually controlled chaos, so we chose to eat breakfast every day in the Sapphire DR - nice and peaceful without all the elbows and shoving! The comedy brunch days are a bit busier- same food offered- 5 minute comedy show meant to lure you to the evening shows. We did brave the buffet for lunch most days at an "off" time - no problems and usually took advantage of the salad/cold-cut/fruit areas and it was all yummy. We never had problems getting burgers at any time, lines always moved quickly or were non existent. Lunch at Blue Iguana twice was delicious. Lunch for free at Italian place- very good- wish we went earlier in week and would have gone again had we known. Pizza was great says son and husband. Main DR dinners were good, we had fine service- I tipped drinks guy first night and we always got served quickly rest of cruise. Waiters were attentive but busy, very pleasant, eager to serve, food was hot, bread was always offered twice, water was always refilled, food choices seemed fine for our family- same menu all cruise offered on one side of menu, and different offerings on other side of menu each day, so really couldn't complain about not finding something to make everyone happy. All food we had was good and plentiful, we even doubled up to share a few appetizers or desserts, and the waiters were happy to accommodate requests. Snacks up on back deck late night were usually cookies, brownies, ham and cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, etc. Along with pizza and deli station, so you wouldn't starve. We didn't eat at Steak House, Sushi(smells amazing and always crowded), or plaza cafe- just didn't see the need.

 

We enjoyed the Piano bar for drinks and people watching - Red Frog also nice place to relax and listen to music, play dominoes, and people watch. Enjoyed the comedy shows - both family and R rated - great fun. The 5 person band and another singer could be found around the ship at other locations and were fun easy listening. We watched some movies and NBA playoffs out on the big screen TV - fun and relaxing - even popcorn. The "main entertainment" was disappointing - singing is not great - the juggler was funny if you are in middle school - so we didn't go to any more - they are way below par compared to all our previous cruises- not sure how they are on the Breeze if this is supposed to be the best Carnival has to offer......yikes!

 

Pool area could be crowded, but you can find chairs on a deck to be by the main pool - the comfy chairs one deck up are hard to grab - but pool chairs weren't a problem. Plenty in other spots by back pool as well, and plenty in shaded areas as well. We never had an issue. We did go to Serenity one day at sea- it was very windy so we found a spot on the back of the ship that was just as nice.

 

We did the "Cheers" program and feel it was worth the $50 a day. We never had a problem with bar service anywhere on the ship- pools or bars. Most drinks run $5 - $8 and wines run up to $10. So by the time we had a few frozen drinks, wine with dinner, and after dinner cocktails- we more than covered our costs, and didn't feel like we were over drinking ourselves to make sure we got our moneys worth . We got the soda card for our son. They do offer for free in certain areas - water, lemonade, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

 

I found there to be lots of smoking on balconies - which is just the way it goes - they allow smoking on pool deck port side and other deck areas on port side - seemed more places to smoke than not - so as a non smoker that was trying at times - however - you could find plenty of spaces to avoid smoking and the smell was not bad in the casino- so other than maybe having to change a chair it was manageable.

 

Grand Turk is nice for a free beach day- everything right at the end of the pier, beach chairs, shops, bathrooms - we didn't know about all the space capsules landing by Grand Turk, or that whales migrate there - neat place and nice to beach and shop right there. Dominican Rep. we walked to shop at pier, bought nothing (everything said Punta Cana on it....)- got back on ship and watched baseball all day at the fields next to pier. Nice to be on ship and have space to ourselves - sounds like many excursions were a disappointment. Curacao we walked the town ourselves and saw the pontoon bridge and forts - fun easy day then plenty of room on ship. Aruba we did a catamaran snorkel since the one we wanted was booked - it was fun and we did see fish and a ship wreck.

 

Leaving ship was easy- we took own luggage off- left about 8:15am after breakfast and showers -short lines of about 10 minutes and walked off - through customs and in a cab by 8:30am.

 

We would go on Breeze again - a few minor complaints as you see- but nothing that would ruin a day or a cruise. I hope everyone else enjoys their time as much as we did.

Feel free to email me with questions. Murrayfamnc@aol.com

How much did the Cheers Program cost you guys?

[cathyoo]

Thanks for the well written review. Sounds like you had a nice time. Would you sail the Breeze again?

 

That's the question I always ask my husband when we go out to eat. When I ask if he likes the food he always says "its okay" So now I ask would order that again? If he says "probably not" I know it wasn't that good. If he say "yes" than I know we have a home run.

[murraync]

Bigsmooth- the Cheers program was just about $50 each day per person - we did the 8 day cruise so it was just over $900 - well worth it for us-

 

figure me each day had 2-3 frozen slushy drinks at $7-8 each, then one or two sodas each day at about $2 each, I would buy my son a frozen virgin concotion each day at $4.75 each, then at least one glass of wine with dinner at $8- 9.75 each, and 2-3 after dinner drinks while enjoying the evening- so easy to spend $50 each day - it might not be worth it if I was just a beer drinker because most beers were about $5 - but the frozen drinks and wines can run just under $10 so they add up quick, and I liked to try different drinks, and if I didn't like it, no worries - just ordered a different one and wasn't bent out of shape - so I sampled quite a few new drinks.

 

my husband would drink about the same- he enjoys high end ports/scotch/burbon etc, so he would visit the Library Bar where the selection was very nice and those drinks are close to $10 as well.

[murraync]

cathyoo-

 

Yes we would sail the Breeze again ! We talked about it while still on the Breeze- we would take her to St.Thomas/St. Marteen area if the timing worked out- yes.

 

We are RCL Oasis of the Seas fans - so it's hard to beat all that that ship offers- however we enjoyed the Breeze enough that we would go again providing it had the itinerary we wanted. We loved the ports we visited this cruise- would love to visit Aruba and Curacao again-

[crazy.cruzer]

Did you bring your own dominoes or are they at the RFP?

[sjcruiser]

Thanks for the review. Will be on the Breeze in 50 days, and trying to keep up and read all the reviews of recent cruisers.

[riclop]

Thanks for sharing.

[LuckyZ]

Nice review. We did Seavis Tours on Dominican Republic and it was excellent. But you really needed to have something planned for this port or you are wasting your day.

 

Here is the link to my past review of the same cruise

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1865113

[gapearl]

Thanks for the review! Which days are the elegant nights on the 8 day itinerary?