Questions after Reading BA Review

[TheDougOut]

First and Last Time on NCL

 

I have some questions after reading the review linked above, and would appreciate any feedback.

 

I'm admittedly a little over-sensitive about this upcoming trip. It's in celebration of our parents' 50th wedding anniversary, and as such I'm hopeful everyone will have a great and memorable experience. The BA is a new ship for everyone in the group, and only a couple of us have ever been on any NCL ship before (Dawn class - which was great fun).

 

And now, the comments from the review...

 

"Anyone under 21 can not use the pool and lines for the water slides were over 2 hours long so the teens really had no way to swim or cool off on the ship."

 

Any truth to the pool age restrictions? Has anybody experienced anything CLOSE to a 2 hour wait for the waterslides?

 

"We went to see Second City in an extremely small venue with wooden seats the MOST uncomfortable seats I ever sat in. Second City were terrible and not worth enduring the pain caused by the seats to watch."

 

I realize individual tastes in entertainment come into play, but any suggestions from recent passengers on which Second City shows to catch or skip?

 

"Other than that there was nothing to do in the evening. I was back in my cabin most evenings by 10:30 at the very latest many times earlier which was not a bad thing since I had to get up at 6 in order to get a seat in the shaded area by the pool."

 

Just including this one in case anyone wants to comment. I don't expect we'll have any problem finding things to do.

 

Thanks everyone!

Doug

[spidybabe]

Can't comment on the slides.

Second city is great. it is held in a large bar type venue, with wooden seats, but it wasn't uncomfortable, and is extremely funny. We enjoy the late adult only show, but try to go to as many as we can. The only downside to second city (as well as most entertainment on NCL) is that we have seen it sooo many times, and the material very rarely changes, but if your first time, it is a DO NOT MISS~!

Tons of stuff to do all night'...clubs with DJ's, casino, music in venues, Jazz club, dueling pianos.... tons of stuff for fun.... just search for any recent dallies to check.

Safe sailing

[WaldosPepper]

First and Last Time on NCL

 

I have some questions after reading the review linked above, and would appreciate any feedback.

 

I'm admittedly a little over-sensitive about this upcoming trip. It's in celebration of our parents' 50th wedding anniversary, and as such I'm hopeful everyone will have a great and memorable experience. The BA is a new ship for everyone in the group, and only a couple of us have ever been on any NCL ship before (Dawn class - which was great fun).

 

And now, the comments from the review...

 

"Anyone under 21 can not use the pool and lines for the water slides were over 2 hours long so the teens really had no way to swim or cool off on the ship."

 

Any truth to the pool age restrictions? Has anybody experienced anything CLOSE to a 2 hour wait for the waterslides?

 

Utter nonsense. There is an "Adults Only" pool, plus a kids' splash area, plus a kids/family pool. On top of all that, there are 5 huge watersides. The assertion that teens had no way to swim or cool off is utter rubbish. Regarding the 2-hour wait for slides... even on the most crowded sea day, I find it awfully hard to believe. Yes, lines can be long, but not 2 hours long.

 

"We went to see Second City in an extremely small venue with wooden seats the MOST uncomfortable seats I ever sat in. Second City were terrible and not worth enduring the pain caused by the seats to watch."

 

I realize individual tastes in entertainment come into play, but any suggestions from recent passengers on which Second City shows to catch or skip?

 

Second City gets very mixed reviews. Personally, I'm not a fan at all, but others find them hilarious. Perhaps I've just seen the same skits too many times. They do have several shows - read the descriptions in the Freestyle Daily to see which one(s) might suit your style.

 

"Other than that there was nothing to do in the evening. I was back in my cabin most evenings by 10:30 at the very latest many times earlier which was not a bad thing since I had to get up at 6 in order to get a seat in the shaded area by the pool."

 

I'm laughing so hard I almost fell off the couch. Perhaps the fact that the reviewer was "newly single" as reported in one of her recent posts on the roll call, had something to do with her being back in her cabin each night at 10:30? I dunno. What I do know is that I've never been on a Norwegian ship that had nothing to do in the evening, and I generally don't make it back to my cabin until the wee hours of the morning.

 

Just including this one in case anyone wants to comment. I don't expect we'll have any problem finding things to do.

 

Thanks everyone!

Doug

 

Every sailing is different (different mix of demographics & different passenger count/mix), every individual will see things differently, and every review should be taken with a large grain of salt (some need larger grains). ;)

 

Go, have an amazing time, and be sure to report back with your thoughts!

[spidybabe]

http://rs1383.pbsrc.com/albums/ah298/JoAnn_Vigotty_Nickl/Day%201/img004_zps89c1cf64.jpg~320x480

[cruiseJMO]

I am so glad you posted the highlights so I know NOT to read that review. So bitter about so much tells me this person may be more than difficult to please.

The blunt lie or total confusion where they say only 21 can enter the pool tells me to dismiss anything else they might say, thus making it a review not worth my time.

 

Don't let that review discourage or worry you! 😁

[rogue 35]

All I can say to that review is, that was definitely not my experience.

 

I don't even think you could logistically have a line long enough to equal a 2 hour wait. It would have to wrap around the buffet!!

 

 

 

We loved Breakaway, is it perfect? No but we already have our second trip on her booked.

[TheDougOut]

tons of stuff for fun.... Safe sailing

 

I'm laughing so hard I almost fell off the couch.... Go, have an amazing time, and be sure to report back with your thoughts!

 

Don't let that review discourage or worry you!

 

All I can say to that review is, that was definitely not my experience... We loved Breakaway, is it perfect? No but we already have our second trip on her booked.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts! It's all very reassuring to hear. As I said previously, we're all looking forward to this new experience!

[mizLORInj]

We've found The Second City to be hit or miss. Truly depends on the troupe that is performing at that time. Most have been great on our NCl cruises, but a couple times we just did not enjoy them.

 

I will give them another chance next month and hope the troupe onboard is entertaining.

-----

I wouldn't let one review sour me. I've tried various cruiselines for myself and am glad I have.

[ktcat cruz]

We plan to do both the comedy shows and the dueling pianos on our first upcoming cruise. If it sucks so bad.... I assume you can get up and leave? It's not like it's been paid for, right?

[meatball_nyc]

We had such a great time on Breakaway last year we are booked again in a couple months. So much to do onboard we didn't get a chance to do everything last time.

Can't wait to sail her again!

Study the deck plans before you board so you have a good idea of venue / stateroom locations. It will save you time. She's a big beautiful ship and a great sailing adventure.

Enjoy your cruise!

[ncklhaus]

We had such a great time on Breakaway last year we are booked again in a couple months. So much to do onboard we didn't get a chance to do everything last time.

Can't wait to sail her again!

Study the deck plans before you board so you have a good idea of venue / stateroom locations. It will save you time. She's a big beautiful ship and a great sailing adventure.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Same experience here. We loved the Breakaway last October and there was just too much to do that we are going again in November.

[Kenlorz]

Granted we didn't go to the slides on sea days, only port days; but we never experienced more than five people in front of us on the slides on our Breakaway cruise in June. It took longer to climb the stairs than to wait for your turn.

 

As for the chairs in second city, if you can sit and enjoy yourself in a kitchen or dining room chair, you'll have no problem in the venue at all. I never gave it a second thought.

[Dorhead1230]

We plan to do both the comedy shows and the dueling pianos on our first upcoming cruise. If it sucks so bad.... I assume you can get up and leave? It's not like it's been paid for, right?

 

 

Yes, absolutely. You do not pay for those shows and could leave at any time if you're not enjoying yourselves or want to go to something else. It was a different format last year on the Gem because Second City performed their stage show in the theater, but once my boyfriend and I realized that the skits were exactly the same as the year before, we left...no biggie!

[Sotermarler]

2 hours for slides? What? :rolleyes: Was every passenger on the ship lined up at the same time? Was on the GA last Nov and was 2 kids in front of me.