Oh, Island in the Sun: Breeze-ing Back to the Southern Caribbean

[Nicole721]

After drying off and changing, we headed to the Shore Excursion desk to book our activities for our four ports: we left Grand Turk open, booked a beach excursion for the Dominican Republic, a sunset boat ride for Curacao and a catamaran for Aruba. While we typically book our excursions before we leave, we held off in favor of ensuring the weather would hold up this time. With three water/beach related excursions and our trip taking place in the tail end of hurricane season (and a tropical storm brewing to the west), we wanted to make sure any activities we booked were weather-appropriate.

 

 

As lunch time approached, we headed out to the Lanai, where a line was forming for Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ nearly ten minutes before it actually opened. Last year, Stephanie and Mom were insistent on dining at Fat Jimmy’s while I rallied for tacos at the Blue Iguana. Once we tried it, our roles reversed: Mom and Stephanie thought it was unremarkably good while I thought it was the second best lunch option (behind the tacos, naturally). It didn’t disappoint this time, either. Despite the long lines, the food is solid – full of flavor and well-prepared.

 

 

 

 

[Nicole721]

It was getting too hot to finish our meal outside, so we headed in. You’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there, but if none of the barbecue, tacos, burgers, comfort food, regional cuisine, pasta, tandoor, deli, brunch offerings or pizza appeal to you, Carnival has one more option for lunch that’s just as good (and in some cases, even better), but takes some effort to discover: the salad bar.

 

In the Taste Bar during sea day lunch hours, they set up a decently expansive salad bar where one of the cooks will toss you a salad to order. It’s not the Tutti salad bar on Royal Caribbean, but it’s offerings are much more diverse than those available up on Lido, and they offer turkey wraps and soup alongside.

 

 

 

While we were finishing up our lunch, TV Theme Song Trivia began. We didn’t play officially – just went along in our heads. But we should have played because we would have won! We had more right than anyone else playing.

[Nicole721]

Being our first sea day of a four port/four sea day trip, we didn’t want to over-do the sun and end up with sunburns that would make us miserable on our beach excursions, we headed back to the room to relax. When we got there, we found a surprise on our vanity desk.

 

 

With the first day at sea usually being the first formal night, a plate of treats isn’t a surprise – it’s one of the few Platinum perks that haven’t been taken away since we turned Platinum in 2011 – but we’ve always gotten one plate per cabin, not one per person!

 

[Nicole721]

The treats made for excellent snacks while we watched a constant loop of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Hours passed by in a blur of napping, balcony lounging and Matthew McConaughey, and before we knew it, it was time to get ready for formal night.

 

 

 

We took a round of obligatory balcony photos and then headed out towards Ocean Plaza.

 

 

[Nicole721]

Not all of the ships in Carnival’s fleet have Ocean Plaza (the Dream and the Breeze do. I’m assuming the other newer ships do, as well, but older ships do not). It’s a larger, more expansive promenade that lends itself to gatherings. It’s a nice place to just…be. There’s live music beginning in the early evening (and the Taste Bar on most nights, offering small tastes from the specialty restaurants). There are open areas to sit and people watch or read, and there are plenty of bars and servers. The first formal night is the Captains Celebration, which used to mean live music and free drinks in the theater. Now it means $1 off drinks. We grabbed a bite at the Taste Bar and took in some of the live music.

 

 

 

A watch sale was taking place outside the jewelry store facing the atrium, and I’m pretty sure everyone who wasn’t participating in formal night was shopping at this sale.

 

[Nicole721]

We grabbed a drink in the atrium before heading to dinner. There was a pretty lengthy line to get into the dining room but it passed by quickly. We were seated at window-facing table with a nice view of the water.

 

 

Dinner was unremarkable. Mom thought the lobster was just okay. The prime rib was slightly chewier than I would have liked. My Cherries Jubilee dessert had a whopping three cherry portion (which could have been because I ordered it with a Warm Chocolate Melting Cake because mixing the two together brings a new level of decadence, but Mom and Stephanie’s portion was a slightly more generous four cherries).

 

Bread Basket

 

Baked Stuffed White Mushrooms

 

Greek Farmer Salad

 

Spaghetti Carbonara (Starter Portion)

[Nicole721]

Broiled Maine Lobster Tail and Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp

 

Tender Roasted Prime Rib of American Beef Au Jus

 

Cherries Jubilee

 

Warm Chocolate Melting Cake

 

Warm Chocolate Cherries Jubilee

[Nicole721]

After dinner, we made a stop at the room so I could change out of my heels and into some flip flops, and keeping our towel creature du jour company were our pins, invites to the past guest party and our Platinum gift: a toiletry bag (which I’ll find good use for – it’s a nice one!).

 

 

 

With some time to kill before Divas and the boat rocking pretty hard, we stayed in with some more Matty McConaughey before heading down to the Ovation for showtime.

 

 

 

Here’s the thing about Divas: it could be a great show. With proper sets and a full dance crew, this could have been the kind of show that had been missing in Carnival’s show rotation prior to the 2.0 changes. The set list ties together older classics with contemporary hits. It’s a show you dance along in your seat to. But the size of the troupe is too small to carry the show as it is, and the lack of sets (and overuse of the animatronics) takes away from the experience.

 

 

(Pro tip: Diva’s has a T-shaped catwalk extending from the stage. The best seats are not the seats in the front of the theater, but rather the seats in front of the catwalk).

[Nicole721]

After a quick pit stop at the room to change out of the lace and into some comfy sweats, we made our way upstairs for The Fault in Our Stars at Movie’s Under the Stars. I knew the premise of the movie but hadn’t actually seen it before this cruise and while it’s a typical young adult romantic angst movie, it’s incredibly depressing. Watching it in the best of surroundings, with a cool ocean breeze and millions of stars overhead provided a temporary distraction from the fact that this movie was written to make people hate themselves for watching said movie.

 

 

Mom and Stephanie went to bed after the movie and I went and sat on the balcony trying to forget the previous two hours.

 

[Nicole721]

Day 2 Lido Lunch Menus:

 

 

 

 

Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ Menu:

 

[Nicole721]

Day 2 Taste Bar Menu:

 

 

Day 2 Lido Dinner Menus:

 

 

[azteacher_0614]

Loving your review! My husband and I are traveling on the Breeze for a second time, this upcoming June. Unlike the first time, we're taking the entire family!

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[sc4125]

I will be back on the Breeze for an 8 day on the last day of January. Did a B2B in Aug/Sept and loved the ship!! Can't wait to get back on.

 

In reference to Cruise Director, I heard that Matt will be back on when I go again (I hope so). I've been onboard with Wee Jimmy and like him - but there's something about Matt that resonates more with me.

 

I'm enjoying your review - thank you so much for taking the time - I know what a job it must be!!

[dltvermont]

Loving the review so far. We are taking my teens on their first cruise in April aboard the Breeze. My wife and my first time with CCL, our second cruise ever.

[cruiser2053]

We were second. We got into the pub as the first people in there were having their picture taken. And as I turned to Stephanie to ponder how we were beaten when we were literally the first three guests to board, I caught a glimpse of a visitor tag.

 

We were beaten by people who weren’t even on this cruise.

 

It was okay. I don’t like beer anyways. And the thrill in the rush to be first was an exhilarating way to start our eight days onboard the Breeze.

 

Your a better sport than me. We are on the breeze in June 2015 and I am hoping to be the first in the Red Frog, probably won't happen but we will try.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write this review I am enjoying the read very much

[Spring1onu]

You all looked great on elegant night! Love your dress :)

[Jenny in TX]

I can't wait to read the rest of your review. I am debating between the Breeze and the Glory for a cruise in April.

[Sherryleea]

I'm so happy to find this! Just booked the Breeze for June. Love your writing style!

[Elmo31]

Love the review so far...can't wait for more but hurry please :) because we sail a week from Saturday ( dec 20th) a 14 day cruise.

[mum2bradley]

Love the review so far. I did the 8 day last Christmas and am back on her for NY Eve this year!

[gapearl]

Another great review from you! Why didn't I think to bring sprinkles for ice cream and order cheese arepas? Face palm!!! I'll have to remember to bring sprinkles next time. That's a great idea. I had the same problem on the Breeze last year with the warm pool and cold hot tub. They still haven't gotten it right, I guess. :rolleyes: I see Wee Jimmy is still wearing the kilts. lol Hurry back with more! :D

[jimbob70]

Thank you very much, we are enjoying your review and pictures and looking forward to more. On the Breeze Valentines cruise February 14, Also 8 night Southern Caribbean.

[DCT61]

I have been reading your reviews for more years than I care to mention. (I miss Grandma) Every one is as good as the last. Your writing is superb. Looking forward to reading more, and THANKS for taking the time to entertain and inform us.

[cntrycutie987]

We NEVER knew that Blue Iguana had cheese arepas!!! We're heading out on the Freedom next month - can't wait to try these! Your description had my mouth watering.

 

Awesome review!

[Muumuu]

You mentioned your cove balcony had a lot of sun.

Was it between lifeboats?

We had one in April and it was in the middle of a lifeboat

resulting in the shade I need due to skin cancer.