All Things Breakaway (secrets, tibits, to do)

[yukongold]

What a great thread. Loads of good information. Thanks!

[dizizit]

For the shows like Rock of Ages - how do they check if you Pre booked it online? Do you have to show them your printed confirmation copy?

[Tyskie]

For the shows like Rock of Ages - how do they check if you Pre booked it online? Do you have to show them your printed confirmation copy?

 

They know by your room key card. I brought our confirmation but it wasn't necessary

 

Sent from my XT907 using Forums mobile app

[dizizit]

^thanks!

 

For GSC - isn't you have to tender - I don't see anything on the ship excursion for tender fees going to GSC - is it free?

[*Luv2Cruz*]

^thanks!

 

For GSC - isn't you have to tender - I don't see anything on the ship excursion for tender fees going to GSC - is it free?

Yes

[Mis94]

I know on some ships there are Interactive things to do like a cooking class or dance lessons. Does anyone have information on any activities offered?

 

If I remember correctly there were cooking demos, dance classes, and a (fee based) Carlos cupcake and cake baking class.

 

 

Carnival Destiny 1998

Carnival Legend 2000

RC Voyager of the Seas 2003

Norwegian Dawn 2006

Crown Princess 2007

Norwegian Breakaway 11/10/13

[ruchaos]

Just off breakaway 12/8 had an awesome cruise! One neat little thing pointed out to us by an observant little girl is that elevators and stairwells in aft end of ship have circle glass decorations/mirrors and forward they are squares. Helps determine what end you're at! Beautiful ship!

[meatball_nyc]

Good tip! Thank you!

 

 

 

~robin and brian

(summertime jersey shore beach bums)

 

Norwegian Breakaway 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[ruchaos]

You're welcome. Oh also regarding the power slot requiring card that's just inside your cabin door: any type card does work instead of your room card for convenience just leave in the slot and pull out or in as you come and go but remember if you leave your phone or camera on a charger leave power on when leaving - we kept doing that!

 

Try memorizing deck plan helps so much to avoid getting lost. I remembered some things this way: Mixx bar is on six (rhymes) casino is on the 7th floor so I just thought "casino = lucky #7" also works for O'Sheehans on deck 7 also - Irish Pub = luck of the irish - these may seem silly but it helps a lot. I don't like being lost on my ships- I want to enjoy them!

[*Luv2Cruz*]

You're welcome. Oh also regarding the power slot requiring card that's just inside your cabin door: any type card does work instead of your room card for convenience just leave in the slot and pull out or in as you come and go but remember if you leave your phone or camera on a charger leave power on when leaving - we kept doing that!

 

Try memorizing deck plan helps so much to avoid getting lost. I remembered some things this way: Mixx bar is on six (rhymes) casino is on the 7th floor so I just thought "casino = lucky #7" also works for O'Sheehans on deck 7 also - Irish Pub = luck of the irish - these may seem silly but it helps a lot. I don't like being lost on my ships- I want to enjoy them!

Thanks for the mapping!:)

[gizmo911]

Lets keep this thread going. I know many of you have sailed Breakaway since this one started and may have some interesting info to share.

[carsaw]

My husband and I are going on the Breakaway soon (first time NCL). I was wondering for breakfast and lunch in the MDR, can you sit at a table for 2 for do they put everyone at the large tables like they usually do on some of the other cruise lines. Carnival and RC have anytime dining where you can sit together for dinner but breakfast and lunch they usually only use the larger tables.

[pj17]

Never had a problem in any restaurant on the Gem getting a table for 2.

[carsaw]

Never had a problem in any restaurant on the Gem getting a table for 2.

 

Thanks :)

[miataman19]

With Freestyle Cruising I'm assuming that you get a different server every time you dine in the MDR for dinner. Can you ask to be seated in the same section each night so you get the same serving staff knowing that you might have to wait for a table? Also, can you get with the Maitre d' and actually set a reservation the same time each night with the same staff? DW likes to eat at the same time and have the same staff each night while sailing. Yes, we are throwbacks to the olden days of cruising :)

[gizmo911]

With Freestyle Cruising I'm assuming that you get a different server every time you dine in the MDR for dinner. Can you ask to be seated in the same section each night so you get the same serving staff knowing that you might have to wait for a table? Also, can you get with the Maitre d' and actually set a reservation the same time each night with the same staff? DW likes to eat at the same time and have the same staff each night while sailing. Yes, we are throwbacks to the olden days of cruising :)

 

 

I hope someone who really knows will answer this question as I too would like to know. On the Gem last year a self proclaimed "seasoned cruiser" advised that if I wanted to sit at the same table/wait staff I would need to make a reservation for the entire week. I am not sure if this is correct but I decided against it because we had planned to dine at a few specialty restaurants.

Edited December 14, 2013 by gizmo911

[khell51]

I hope someone who really knows will answer this question as I too would like to know. On the Gem last year a self proclaimed "seasoned cruiser" advised that if I wanted to sit at the same table/wait staff I would need to make a reservation for the entire week. I am not sure if this is correct but I decided against it because we had planned to dine at a few specialty restaurants.

 

There is a set time that you need to dine each night to guarantee that you will have the same server each night. I believe it was between 5 and 6, but I could be off on the time a little bit.

[Momofcandk]

My husband and I are going on the Breakaway soon (first time NCL). I was wondering for breakfast and lunch in the MDR, can you sit at a table for 2 for do they put everyone at the large tables like they usually do on some of the other cruise lines. Carnival and RC have anytime dining where you can sit together for dinner but breakfast and lunch they usually only use the larger tables.

 

We always were able to sit at tables for two in July

[Momofcandk]

They know by your room key card. I brought our confirmation but it wasn't necessary

 

Sent from my XT907 using Forums mobile app

 

When we got to our room all of our reservations were in individual envelopes (shows n dinners). But u did not need them bc everything goes by room key

[Momofcandk]

The package is three specific speciality restaurants and the discount is only $8pp total, little over $2pp per restaurant. Also one needs to prepurchase it online before the cruise paying it with CC immediately when making the reservations.

 

There were specials during the week that were announced for discounts on restaurants n shows. This was in July

[Momofcandk]

Lets keep this thread going. I know many of you have sailed Breakaway since this one started and may have some interesting info to share.

 

In July we were very lucky to be able to purchase VIBE passes for all of our sea days. These sell out fast so important to buy as soon as u get on the ship.

 

At this time of the year with the ship going to the carribean instead of Bermuda, how many days on both ends do u lose the ability to use the pools due to cold weather? Was the ship warm enough during these colder days?

[gizmo911]

In July we were very lucky to be able to purchase VIBE passes for all of our sea days. These sell out fast so important to buy as soon as u get on the ship.

 

At this time of the year with the ship going to the carribean instead of Bermuda, how many days on both ends do u lose the ability to use the pools due to cold weather? Was the ship warm enough during these colder days?

 

I was also thinking about Vibe passes but with cost of Spa being $199 I am not sure if I want to purchase both. Can I pay a daily rate and are there always available loungers/space in Vibe area.

Edited December 16, 2013 by gizmo911

[tammy531]

In July we were very lucky to be able to purchase VIBE passes for all of our sea days. These sell out fast so important to buy as soon as u get on the ship.

 

At this time of the year with the ship going to the carribean instead of Bermuda, how many days on both ends do u lose the ability to use the pools due to cold weather? Was the ship warm enough during these colder days?

 

We were on the Dec 8-15 sailing...Sunday when we left it was snowing. The employees and kids were making snowmen in spice H2O....some of the employees had never seen snow so they had a lot of fun. The next day by 11 it was 70's and we were in the pool and on waterslides. Florida and Bahamas we had great weather. Friday sea day the temperature was probably high 60's to low 70's but it was windy....people were still in the pools. Saturday was 50's....but again people were in the pools and on waterslides.

 

sent from my Samsung galaxy s3

[Momofcandk]

in July VIBE sold out by 1pm on departure day for the week. I don't know what it is like this time of year. We enjoyed VIBE because we don't have kids, its very quiet up there, no wait for drinks, and plenty of chairs and beds. Plus Jacuzzis were empty.

[gizmo911]

Just wanted to bump this thread as it has so much good info on it. Thanks to those who contributed and I hope some of you who have done Breakaway will add some additional information. Will be cruising on her early March. Can't wait. Also trying to decide if spa passes good idea because of the cold leaving NYC and returning.

Edited January 17, 2014 by gizmo911