Finatic gets Breezed 3/9/2014

[Fascinationfinatic]

Thought id give this review thing a try so here it goes:

 

Pre cruise:

We had been planning this trip for a few months, some of the trip was finalized "last minute". This was my(38) 11th Carnival Cruise and GF(36)(ready2sailaway77) first (blue carded rookie).

 

3/8/2014: We drove into Atlanta (about 1.5 hours) and flew via delta to Miami. Flight was uneventful with the exception of i swore the pilot blew a tire on touch down.MIA is a shocker to me, having flown mainly out of Atlanta, the Airport just simply is not as busy as I expected. We had a car rental with thrifty as i had a master plan to go watch the ships come in from South Beach at omygoditsearly o'clock (more on that later).WARNING: if you rent a car from the airport, be prepared to walk 270 miles (exaggeration) to the train that takes you to the rental car place. We stayed at the Embassy Suites MIA which was a beautiful and clean place, all the staff where extremely friendly, the onsite bar was mediocre. the Only minor downside to this hotel is that you pay for parking now its not a bank breaker but it seems just silly to me that if i am a booked guest i have to pay to park in the parking lot, i know this is common practice but c'mon really?

Edited March 30, 2014 by Fascinationfinatic

[Fascinationfinatic]

My master plan of watching the ships come into port in the early morning was thwarted by the awesome bed at the hotel, we got up around 9 i think. The hotel had a nice looking breakfast that we did not partake in as it was just too busy. This hotel did offer shuttle service to the port but since we had the car rental, we had to go back to MIA.

As soon as we returned the car, we boarded the shuttle to the port and arrived around 11am. There was a line at the door already but it moved pretty fast. Once through security we where directed to the Captains lounge, where we got our SS cards and where told to have a seat, within 20 minutes we where walking onto the ship, I believe we where on board by 11:30.

First stop was our cabin (Cove Balcony 2275). Which was ready for us, and i swear the door had not shut before our steward was at the door. Aris, is by far THE BEST steward I have ever had. I asked for Ice and an ashtray for the balcony, and was told the ashtray would be in place after they finished fueling the ship and ice was presented within 15-20 minutes. I selected the cove balcony as i like to watch port activities and see the water, from prior reviews i read on the breeze i judged that a normal balconies view of the walking deck just was not for me. I was not disappointed. While the cove balcony does not get direct sunlight and the view up is the bottom of the life boats, the enclosed feel of the balcony and the proximity of the water line made this an awesome cabin. Much better then watching kids play in the hot tub.

I dont really remember what we did from time to time, but i will touch base on a few things.

We ate lunch at guys, i was not impressed, she was. Muster drill for us was in the Sapphire dining room lasted about 30 minutes. We had assigned early dining also in the Sapphire Dining room. The Dining room didnt seem as big or grand as say the dining rooms on the conquest class ships, and it was NEVER busy, we sat alone on a 6 top table the first 3 nights of the cruise, we found out later that it did not seem busy because that is the main "your time dining" dining room.

MINOR COMPLAINT: Our waitstaff was efficient and friendly, and i very rarely have a drink other then water or lemonade at diner, but i do like the option. We where not visited by the bar server in the MDR not ONCE on our cruise.

 

Will attach funtimes and a few photos, soon as i work the bugs out

[vwrestler171]

I read somewhere that they were going to do away with the bar staff in the MDR and the waiter could take the order for drinks.

[ondeegoh]

going on the Breeze soon so I'm all "ears!" -- thanks for the review -- i'm subscribing to this thread. BTW - did you travel with kids? Were you able to get a copy of Capers - Kids activities? thanks again!

[Fascinationfinatic]

I read somewhere that they were going to do away with the bar staff in the MDR and the waiter could take the order for drinks.

 

Saw bar waiters everywhere, just could not get one to stop for us

[Fascinationfinatic]

going on the Breeze soon so I'm all "ears!" -- thanks for the review -- i'm subscribing to this thread. BTW - did you travel with kids? Were you able to get a copy of Capers - Kids activities? thanks again!

 

I do generally travel with my kids, I did not this time due to i wanted to get the lay of the boat first. I am a paranoid parent and need to make sure i can manage them without impeding them, In addition, my children were not on spring break yet.

 

I did not get the Capers

I did not see Camp Carnival

I Did see both club O2 and Circle C

There was ALOT of children on board

The Water park is a hit with kids

I would absolutely without hesitation take my children on this ship

 

I personally got a kick out of watching the kids "eat it" every time the water bucket dumped

Edited March 30, 2014 by Fascinationfinatic

[Cruising_from_swfl]

I was on the same cruise in a cove balcony (2258) so I'm interested in reading your review. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

[Fascinationfinatic]

On the First Sea day (Monday) (1st Formal Night) We really didnt do much, we went to the show, the jury is still out of wither i prefer the new shows compared to the older ones I have never been a big fan anyway. We also watched the Hasbro Game show, it was neat but unless your participating once youve seen it, youve seen it.

We ate in the marketplace for breakfast and lunch and while there where lines, it was nothing to stress about.

We also went to the comedy show. Now i read in past reviews about the comedy on this ship but i wanted to try it anyway.

 

The Comedy lounge is an epic FAIL on this ship. On my paradise cruise last year, i saw 4 different comedians in 6 different shows. This cruise only had 2 comedians and there where not enough shows, especially giving the fact that they empty out the lounge between shows and there's already a line at the door to get in as you come out.

 

In addition the other comedian this night thought the statement "God Bless Our troops" made by the comedian on stage was funny and had an extremely annoying laugh from the back of the room. When i asked what was funny about that statement he told me it was a private joke between them. Still not funny.....

 

We also went to Liquid Nightclub this night, it was ok but filled with college spring breakers.

Edited March 30, 2014 by Fascinationfinatic