Just off the Breeze. Loved it!!!

[kleibo]

Very fast review as I wait in the airport - I will add more later.

 

Really loved the Breeze. This past week was either sold out or close to it and I really did not think it felt crowded at any time.

 

Embarkation was delayed till after 1pm last Sunday. Don't be crazed to get to the port sooo early - get there by 2 and you should get on quickly. We also stayed in our cabin till 10 am this morning. At that point they were only calling tags 1-9 so they were a bit delayed. Saw the first self assist off at 730 - first shuttle bus left at 8am for all those considering an early flight.

 

We had a balcony - 8228. Just a perfect location. And no - there was no weird movements or swaying - really smooth sailing the whole time. I think this was the smoothest cruise we've ever had. And there are bad balcony locations - make sure you look at the outside deck below where your balcony is- is it above the Pub or the BBQ - you may want to move. You quiet peaceful balcony will not be that for sure.

 

I can't wait till there is no smoking on the balconies - there was smoke coming into my balcony from an adjoining one.

 

Ok hubby wants to get a bite to eat. Will post more later and scan some docs Monday to post as well.

 

But if you are booked on the Breeze, you will love it!!! And I would be happy to answer any questions as well.

[Dgshooter]

Glad you had a good trip. Makes me look forward to Oct. 19 when I board the Breeze.

[Roberta Rader]

Glad you had a great time. We sailed on the Breeze last year and it was our favorite ship so far. That's weird about the embarkation. We were on board by 11:00 last time.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[lauski]

glad u had fun.We loved the Breeze sooo much too.

[rrraydon]

Looking forward to your review! :)

[kleibo]

The Dining Room. My DH and I were traveling with our two sons, aged 20 & 23. We were assigned Sapphire Dining Room - 2nd level - semi private table. Sapphire on our cruise was 1st level - eat whenever dining and 2nd level - the early and late seating. Doesn't seem to be to any strictly private tables, there is just a slight separation between tables. I hated the location and view of this initial placement. The Sapphire has no view on the 2nd level and a bit better on the first but both are less than stellar. The 2nd level looks directly at the lifeboats - blocking nearly the entire view of the water. I went to the matre de and requested a move to the Blush - we received our request change and had a beautiful water view for dinner the rest of the cruise. It was awesome - with the first night in the blush - we saw dolphins in the water - very cool. Also on our way back to FLA from Cozumel, there were schools of dolphins going along with the boat for a long while.

 

The food in the dining room - I would give it a B. We all had plenty of options to choose from or try, but the Prime Rib was not good - We did not like it at all. We ate in the DR for each dinner so I can't comment on the dinner buffet, but the breakfasts and lunches were very good. We did not eat at any extra $ restaurants. Guys burgers we're very tasty and quickly served.

 

Casino - was very adequate. Lots of penny slots and always open tables. One thing that did strike me though is the amount of big money winners we saw on the boat. Numerous multi thousand dollar winners and numerous hits on the crane and key money machines. Big money wins in blackjack. Lots of pretty big wins. Was a fun place to be.

 

Karaoke was great on our cruise - lots of really talented singers and nice sized crowds cheering them. The piano bar singer was good, the band that played in Ocean mid was not that good, but the acoustic singers in the pub were really great. The pub was just a great place to hang out. Great music, food ($), and games - outside had bean bag toss and inside there was foosball and shuffleboard. Loved the pub. But here is one area where you may not want a balcony above - there is outside seating in this pub area and also outside bean bag toss. The bean bags hit the boards and are loud - I did feel for the people on the balconies just above. And of course people are hanging outside talking and if you are on your balcony for peace and quiet - you may not get it if you are above this area. Another area of concern (from above) is jimmy C's BBQ area. Another outside sitting area and the smell of BBQ on sea days. I would not want my balcony above these areas.

 

Punch liner comedy club - you do have to go early - 30 minutes early was good for our cruise - we liked one comic and did not like another. But all in all - very good shows - very funny.

 

I only saw one musical show in the theatre - the Brits - I did not care for it, but my DH liked it a lot.

 

We did a lot of the trivia and various contests - my one son won ping pong and bean bag toss and we did win some trivia as well. We ended up with three 24k gold ship on a stick, three breeze medals and a bottle of champagne. Not bad!!! There were always the usual players. After the first day, you start to know the hard core trivia players - just like my family. Shout out to Dorothy and Al. 😃 They were usually held 12-4 on most days in ocean mid 5. You could plant yourself with a drink and enjoy afternoons of trivia. The trivia was usually given by Venice - she was from Canada and delightful. After the first day she knew all our names.

 

Orlando was also the MC for a lot of the events - he was fantastic and very funny.

 

But hats off to Cruise Director Matt - he was awesome. Go to the activities that he hosts. So funny. Especially the music name that tune, and the "couples game" - our longest married couple was 62 years married (God bless)

 

Excursions - key west - DH and boys did jetskiing from the Hyatt - really enjoyed it. Then we got some key lime pie. Boys went back on the boat for afternoon trivia and hubby and I stayed in town for a couple of drinks and shopping. Hubby also got cigars.

 

Cayman - DH and boys did Snuba. Thought it was just ok - nothing special. I stayed on the boat.

 

Cozumel we did the chakanuub park snorkel ( probably spelling that wrong ) with sea lion show excursion. What a great day. Got there about 1130 - hubby and sons snorkeled about an hour - then we had lunch in the restaurant there - food was great. Then they went snorkeling again followed by some quick tequila tasting and then back to the boat at three. We did not go to sea lion show. The excursion offered shuttles back to the boat at 2 pm and 3 pm as part of the excursion. You could stay later but would need to pay for a cab back - it is less than 10 miles away from the boat. Park was beautiful and I do recommend the restaurant there.

 

On a final note - I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse crowd that Carnival attracts - from young couples/families to multigenerational and reunion families to Asian / African American / Latinos and middle America. We are a white, middle class family from the Jersey Shore and we loved the culture, style, fun and happiness shared by everyone. Just was a wonderful cruise and we can't wait to do it again.

 

I will try and scan the fun times and post them on Monday.

[mosiegirl]

 

Embarkation was delayed till after 1pm last Sunday. Don't be crazed to get to the port sooo early - get there by 2 and you should get on quickly. We also stayed in our cabin till 10 am this morning. At that point they were only calling tags 1-9 so they were a bit delayed.

 

Is this the "norm" now? When we last sailed 2012 we were on no later than 1130am.. wow.. 2pm is harsh.. :(

[kleibo]

When we got off the boat at 1020 today there were people everywhere. The ovation theatre, all hanging around deck three and five and Lido. I don't think anyone was getting on before noon today the earliest.

[mosiegirl]

 

On a final note - I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse crowd that Carnival attracts - from young couples/families to multigenerational and reunion families to Asian / African American / Latinos and middle America. We are a white, middle class family from the Jersey Shore and we loved the culture, style, fun and happiness shared by everyone.

 

I agree! I love the great mix of people.. :) People are people, equal and same.. :)

[mosiegirl]

When we got off the boat at 1020 today there were people everywhere. The ovation theatre, all hanging around deck three and five and Lido. I don't think anyone was getting on before noon today the earliest.

 

 

Yikes!!! NOT liking the sound of getting embarked late.. :( sniff sniff.. I get sooo excited before our cruise.. and I used to love getting to port nice and early to get onboard nice and early. Really miss that.

[kleibo]

Another thing I found different on this cruise is that we were not docked any morning when I woke up. Not that we were late per say, but on previous cruises we seemed to be docked early in the am - even this morning when I awoke at 6am, we were still coming into port.

 

Oh just an FYI. We flew from Phil to Ft Lauderdale, rented a hertz rental car for 40 at FLL drove to miami and stayed at the comfort suites in Miami springs and had dinner at Toms (I forget the full name if the restaurant) but walking distance from hotel. That night Hubby brought rental back Mia airport and took a can back to hotel for 10. So our cost from FLL to Mia was 50 for four people. Shuttle to port if Miami is free with stay at comfort suites. Hotel was perfect for us. Junior suite had 2 queens and a sofa. Included breakfast as well. They had shuttles at 930 and 1030 to the port.

 

For the return to FLL we booked QLS shuttle for 55 for the 4 of us. Not bad. Wonderful service. Constant phone contact throughout the morning with them.

 

Sorry for any typos. Trying to type while hubby speeds home. Lol!!

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[Seago2]

Quote: On a final note - I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse crowd that Carnival attracts - from young couples/families to multigenerational and reunion families to Asian / African American / Latinos and middle America. We are a white, middle class family from the Jersey Shore and we loved the culture, style, fun and happiness shared by everyone. Just was a wonderful cruise and we can't wait to do it again.

 

You said it! Exactly why I have grown to love Carnival. No one gets bent out of shape if someone is wearing a lanyard on formal night or there are some kids in an elevator. I like seeing a good cultural/age/ethnicity mix as well. Love.

[Isa65]

Thanks for your review. We will board the Breeze in 28 days and you made the anticipation even better!

[GaNavy]

Glad you had a good trip. Makes me look forward to Oct. 19 when I board the Breeze.

 

I will be on this cruise with you - come join the roll call if you're not already there (and my apologies if you are).

 

And thanks, OP, for your review - also my apologies for hijacking this thread.

[Cruise-Crazy]

I really enjoyed the Breeze.