Just off the Breakaway - May 31 - June 7

[carol54]

What a fabulous cruise we had. Just got home today. Weather was wonderful every day except for Sunday (sailaway) and some on and off rain yesterday (Saturday). We had the beverage and food package and would do both of those again in a heartbeat. Dinner in Cagneys on two nights and the other specialty restaurants were La Cucina, Moderno, Teppanyaki, Ocean Blue and Cirque de Solei. We enjoyed them all. Cagneys being our favorite.

 

We had an aft balcony room - 12306. A couple of nights you can hear the music from Spice H20 but that was easily solved by using ear plugs. Other nights we could hear nothing. I had to laugh to myself one night when I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and could hear the DJ yelling "Let's get ready to make some NOISE." I was thinking, please don't. :)

 

We never had a problem ordering drinks with our drink cards and the bartenders were wonderful. Courtney in Vibe has always been a favorite of ours. He is leaving the Breakaway at the end of June and after a 3 month vacation will be heading to the Getaway. Rachel in Shakers was also fantastic with a great sense of humor!

 

We saw Rock of Ages and it was great. Just wish they would do something about those seats in the Breakaway Theater. That metal bar in the back of the seat is brutal. Also saw Cirque and the show was so good. The food and service were also very very good.

 

Lobster roll from Ocean Blue - FABULOUS! Wasabi for lunch - FABULOUS - Mudslide from O'Sheehans (they use vanilla ice cream in the drink).

 

Getting on and off was easy as could be.

 

It was a great cruise. We met so many wonderful people all out for some fun. No complainers that we encountered.

 

Can't wait to book the next cruise. Happy to answer any questions.

[Ilovesailing]

Thanks for taking the time to do review. Also made a note of the Lobster roll from Ocean Blue.

[Dorhead1230]

Thanks for the review! It's nice to hear that you had such a good time! I am kind of asking anyone who's just returning from Breakaway and nice enough to post a review each week about the difficulty of obtaining reservations for the specialties. I am assuming you booked them in advance with the UDP? My boyfriend and I only want to go to Cagney's and Le Bistro this time. We would rather book using iConcierge while we eat lunch on embarkation day, but based on some recent comments, I am wondering if even that is too late! Did you happen to notice if the specialties were largely "red" on the boards right from the beginning?

 

Did you have any soot issues on your balcony? Also, you mentioned a couple of bartenders; is Chips Ahoy still on board now? I hope he hasn't departed for vacation and then Getaway yet!

 

Thanks so much in advance for anything you can answer!

[bob brown]

I asked the same question on your roll call...any idea why your cruise speeded in so early this morning arriving around 0400?

 

Usually it's for some kind of medical emergency, but clarkro thought that the Captain just likes to go fast and arrive early (said that he announced yesterday that you would be arriving early).

 

Have you heard any other explanation?

[mking8288]

Welcome home - was watching it last night on marine tracking, she was moving quite fast at 20+ knots all night, with the Celebrity Summit behind racing in at 21.5 knots with a patient medical emergency onboard - they docked after 7 AM, an hour earlier than usual.

 

BA usually doesn't move that fast on its leisure return runs to NY - weather and seas are calm. Could it be that the BA needed some extra time after docking for maintenance & loading of supplies, scheduled inspections or running safety drills, etc. ?? Vessel was at the pier around 7:40 UTC or 3:40 AM - did anyone see the moon (too early for sunrise)

 

What time was the Express Self Walkoff called - 4:30 or 5:00 AM local time ? Priority Walkoff at 6 AM if one skipped early breakfast ... assuming porters showed up that early at the piers with extra ships in port today.

[albeeee]

Thanks so much in advance for anything you can answer!

 

 

What was your Bermuda itinerary?

[chrisc71]

I asked the same question on your roll call...any idea why your cruise speeded in so early this morning arriving around 0400?

 

Usually it's for some kind of medical emergency, but clarkro thought that the Captain just likes to go fast and arrive early (said that he announced yesterday that you would be arriving early).

 

Have you heard any other explanation?

 

Just a thought but the Gem is in NYC today also so maybe they wanted to allow extra time for the turnaround.

[carol54]

Thanks for the review! It's nice to hear that you had such a good time! I am kind of asking anyone who's just returning from Breakaway and nice enough to post a review each week about the difficulty of obtaining reservations for the specialties. I am assuming you booked them in advance with the UDP? My boyfriend and I only want to go to Cagney's and Le Bistro this time. We would rather book using iConcierge while we eat lunch on embarkation day, but based on some recent comments, I am wondering if even that is too late! Did you happen to notice if the specialties were largely "red" on the boards right from the beginning?

 

Did you have any soot issues on your balcony? Also, you mentioned a couple of bartenders; is Chips Ahoy still on board now? I hope he hasn't departed for vacation and then Getaway yet!

 

Thanks so much in advance for anything you can answer!

 

WE did book our dining reservations in advance. I think you would be okay with booking the dining reservations once on board. They only take so many online reservations ahead of time. I did notice that on the last day Cagneys was fully booked. But I always seemed to see empty tables so it never hurts to try even without a reservation.

 

My husband and I actually discussed the "soot" issue. We had no soot at all on our balcony.

 

Not sure about Chips Ahoy. We frequented the same bars pretty much, except for an occasional drink here or there. Rachel was in Shakers.

[carol54]

I asked the same question on your roll call...any idea why your cruise speeded in so early this morning arriving around 0400?

 

Usually it's for some kind of medical emergency, but clarkro thought that the Captain just likes to go fast and arrive early (said that he announced yesterday that you would be arriving early).

 

Have you heard any other explanation?

 

The captain made an announcement the night before that we would be arriving early due to the water current. We had smooth sailing the entire way. Some people were wearing patches on Saturday but I was fine and I usually always need to wear a patch.

[carol54]

Welcome home - was watching it last night on marine tracking, she was moving quite fast at 20+ knots all night, with the Celebrity Summit behind racing in at 21.5 knots with a patient medical emergency onboard - they docked after 7 AM, an hour earlier than usual.

 

BA usually doesn't move that fast on its leisure return runs to NY - weather and seas are calm. Could it be that the BA needed some extra time after docking for maintenance & loading of supplies, scheduled inspections or running safety drills, etc. ?? Vessel was at the pier around 7:40 UTC or 3:40 AM - did anyone see the moon (too early for sunrise)

 

What time was the Express Self Walkoff called - 4:30 or 5:00 AM local time ? Priority Walkoff at 6 AM if one skipped early breakfast ... assuming porters showed up that early at the piers with extra ships in port today.

 

Express walk off started around 7:30 and we are Gold latitudes and got off around 8:15. Disembarkation was very smooth. We were in our car going home by 9:00.

[carol54]

Thanks for taking the time to do review. Also made a note of the Lobster roll from Ocean Blue.

 

Should have also said that Ocean Blue serves lunch outdoors on the waterfront on sea days. It isn't open on port days.

[carol54]

Thanks so much in advance for anything you can answer!

 

 

What was your Bermuda itinerary?

 

We got a day pass at Coco Reef on Wednesday. It includes use of their pool and beach (beach is small) and a very nice lunch - which included a glass of wine or beer. The pool, lounge chairs and umbrella were very nice.

 

On Thursday we just walked around Kings Wharf. We took a look at Snorkel Beach which is about a 5 minute walk from the ship. They charge to get in ($10) but it includes your chair, umbrella, rafts, etc. They also have pedal boats and kayaks for rent.

 

There was a pirate ship docked right across from the ship in a little cove area. They had drinks on board and they were doing trips with a waverunner where someone was tethered to the waverunner and they stood on what I can only describe as a small snowboard and then water was pumped through it and the swimmer is shot in the area with area. The idea is to stay up as long as you can. It looked like a lot of fun. Everyone was watching!

 

Other guests went to ST. Georges and rented a boston whaler boat and rode up the shoreline and then went out a bit and did some really great snorkeling. The guy said it was some of the best snorkeling he has ever done!

 

Got a massage one day that was really good too. We always were back on the ship for dinner and nightly entertainment.

[Dorhead1230]

WE did book our dining reservations in advance. I think you would be okay with booking the dining reservations once on board. They only take so many online reservations ahead of time. I did notice that on the last day Cagneys was fully booked. But I always seemed to see empty tables so it never hurts to try even without a reservation.

 

 

 

My husband and I actually discussed the "soot" issue. We had no soot at all on our balcony.

 

 

 

Not sure about Chips Ahoy. We frequented the same bars pretty much, except for an occasional drink here or there. Rachel was in Shakers.

 

 

Thanks so much for the reply!

[mking8288]

Express walk off started around 7:30 and we are Gold latitudes and got off around 8:15. Disembarkation was very smooth. We were in our car going home by 9:00.

 

Thanks, that made sense - pretty sure lots of pax slept thru pre-arrival & docking, early bird risers being the exception. It's been years since we actually arrived in time to see the sunrise & then slip past the SOL to dock. Didn't think CBP officers begin showing up that early nor those pier porters & contract employees for port operations in the terminal, etc.

 

Since NYC is homeport, we're never in a hurry to get off the ship - leave when we are ready, short of being dragged & "thrown" out of our cabins screaming - we do vacate the stateroom & let the busy stewards do their major turnaround on the busiest day of the week.

 

send from my Google Nexus 7 MD 5.1.1 via Tapatalk

[bob brown]

I am surprised there was even anyone on hand to tie up the ship's lines that early...must have been pre-arranged or something...

[Rileyz]

I agree with your comment about the Breakaway theatre seats, HORRID! Welcome back :)

[layn133]

 

 

There was a pirate ship docked right across from the ship in a little cove area. They had drinks on board and they were doing trips with a waverunner where someone was tethered to the waverunner and they stood on what I can only describe as a small snowboard and then water was pumped through it and the swimmer is shot in the area with area. The idea is to stay up as long as you can. It looked like a lot of fun. Everyone was watching!

 

Other guests went to ST. Georges and rented a boston whaler boat and rode up the shoreline and then went out a bit and did some really great snorkeling. The guy said it was some of the best snorkeling he has ever done!

 

Got a massage one day that was really good too. We always were back on the ship for dinner and nightly entertainment.

 

Loved to read this as this includes all of our plans for our upcoming trip in 2 weeks... my husband is so excited to go flyboarding (which I described as Iron Man on a jetpack but with water) in the dockyard and we will do a Boston Whaler near St. George too! I am glad to hear good things about both! :-)

Edited June 8, 2015 by layn133

[ncklhaus]

 

We never had a problem ordering drinks with our drink cards and the bartenders were wonderful. Courtney in Vibe has always been a favorite of ours. He is leaving the Breakaway at the end of June and after a 3 month vacation will be heading to the Getaway.

 

Oh no! We loved Courtney also. Were Leon and Noel still there? They were a fantastic team. Some of our favorite bartenders in Vibe.

[carol54]

Oh no! We loved Courtney also. Were Leon and Noel still there? They were a fantastic team. Some of our favorite bartenders in Vibe.

 

Courtney was pretty happy about it. He said he loves the Breakaway and the New York port but the upside is that the Getaway will be visiting Jamaica every other week so he will get to see family much more often. Courtney's assistant in Vibe was Garry who was also very good!!

Edited June 8, 2015 by carol54
ADDED INFO.

[fstuff1]

What a fabulous cruise we had. Just got home today. Weather was wonderful every day except for Sunday (sailaway) and some on and off rain yesterday (Saturday). We had the beverage and food package and would do both of those again in a heartbeat. Dinner in Cagneys on two nights and the other specialty restaurants were La Cucina, Moderno, Teppanyaki, Ocean Blue and Cirque de Solei. We enjoyed them all. Cagneys being our favorite.

 

We had an aft balcony room - 12306. A couple of nights you can hear the music from Spice H20 but that was easily solved by using ear plugs. Other nights we could hear nothing. I had to laugh to myself one night when I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and could hear the DJ yelling "Let's get ready to make some NOISE." I was thinking, please don't. :)

 

We never had a problem ordering drinks with our drink cards and the bartenders were wonderful. Courtney in Vibe has always been a favorite of ours. He is leaving the Breakaway at the end of June and after a 3 month vacation will be heading to the Getaway. Rachel in Shakers was also fantastic with a great sense of humor!

 

We saw Rock of Ages and it was great. Just wish they would do something about those seats in the Breakaway Theater. That metal bar in the back of the seat is brutal. Also saw Cirque and the show was so good. The food and service were also very very good.

 

Lobster roll from Ocean Blue - FABULOUS! Wasabi for lunch - FABULOUS - Mudslide from O'Sheehans (they use vanilla ice cream in the drink).

 

Getting on and off was easy as could be.

 

It was a great cruise. We met so many wonderful people all out for some fun. No complainers that we encountered.

 

Can't wait to book the next cruise. Happy to answer any questions.

 

Did you buy any CruiseNext certificates?

 

if so, I was wondering if you knew the answer to my questions about CruiseNext obc and converting it to casino credit:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2218698

[wrestlemom]

We also just returned from the Breakaway yesterday. We had perfect weather, sail away was some rain but seemed to stop as we passed The Statue of Libery and the Verazano Bridge. Had a few storms Saturday but no big deal. Horseshoe Bay is beautiful, but Jelly Fish were bad. A girl got stung and they took her for medical attention. I heard they were poisonous. We were booked in a suite and we have been before, (we were upgraded once & seems we can't go back LOL). We have had a few different Concierges, they have all been good but Anoop has to be one of the best. He was really awesome!! Can't wait to go back, we have this same cruise booked for next year with friends.

[bangzoom6877]

Subscribing to this thread so I can read through all of it later today when I have the time. Can't wait to go in 6 weeks! :)

[LorraineP]

How was the water temperature? Easy to get in?

[Kenlorz]

Loved to read this as this includes all of our plans for our upcoming trip in 2 weeks... my husband is so excited to go flyboarding (which I described as Iron Man on a jetpack but with water) in the dockyard and we will do a Boston Whaler near St. George too! I am glad to hear good things about both! :-)

 

Hi, we were the couple that the OP mentioned that went to St Georges one day and did the Boston Whaler the next day. Just to clarify, that was two separate days. We rented the Boston Whaler from H20 Sports in Sommerset. We did their early bird special which was 5 hours for the price of 4 and included snorkel gear, but brought our own (ours is much better quality). It was a quick 10 minute cab ride from the pier and cost us $15 each way. The boat rental ran us $205 after gas usage added in. We snorkeled off of some tiny islands just off of King's Point and saw huge blue Angels, tons and tons of sergeant majors, parrot fish, fan coral, brain coral and lots of other great stuff I don't specifically know the names of.

[juniortrooper]

Thank you for your review! Sounds like a great time and we can't wait for our turn in July! We too have an aft balcony. I have some questions you might be able to help me with--

--what documentation do you need to get back onto the ship in Bermuda--do we need our passports?

 

--the coffee maker in the room--does it take the filter packs or some other type of pods? We are thinking about bringing our own coffee and we're trying to figure out in what form we should bring it!

 

--were there lounge chairs already on the balcony? I've read where you can ask your room steward for them, but how do we do that exactly--do we just leave a note the first day? or is there a number to call them? (only been on one cruise 15 years ago!)

 

Thanks again and welcome back!!

 

Amy