Breakaway 3/13 Mini-Review (SPD,UBP,Vibe,Spa and and the hunt for good Champagne)

[LouBNYC]

Wanted to do a quick mini-review of our March 13 cruise to the Bahamas, going to be brief and to the point.

 

We are a Couple in our early 50s that needed a getaway from daily life for a bit. Our goal was to basically be day slugs and relax

 

Full Ship: Lots of families from Canada due to school breaks, some college spring breakers and several large Asian tour groups.

 

Room: Spa Mini Suite, we usually go for the Spa Balcony but the cost difference was minimal as we booked about 4 weeks from sailing. Bigger bathroom was a nice to have as was the larger shower. More noise than the FWD rooms so not sure if we would do it again

 

Boarding: As latitudes members it was quick and easy we arrived at the port at 10:30 was checked in and on board by 12:15.

 

Vibe: Headed right to guest services, and we got the last Vibe cabana. I was told Vibe sold out but it was very quiet there all week. We only saw 1 other cabana used infrequently during the week which was a shame as it really does help with the wind up there. As for Vibe it is our go to morning or afternoon place !! Leon and Eligo took very good care of us. DW like SavBlanc and they pour Manu there!!

 

Spa: We love to just chill in the Spa, especially on the first and last days when it is too cold for Vibe. The Spa did get a bit crowded and noisy and it was the first time I saw people bring bar drinks in. We spend a few hours a day there.

 

Meals:

Breakfasts – We did breakfast most days in one of the dining rooms, makes me wonder why we did buffet on most of our other cruises. Well-paced, and prepared. We did do Moderno buffet once and I wasn’t a fan. We also did one standard buffet it was OK..

 

Lunches- We did have a great grouper on a pretzel roll first lunch ! Other than that we skipped lunch most days an opted for a snack from buffet mid afternoon

 

Dinners: SDP 4 and we did an additional

 

Taste/Savoy – We eat once in each – First night had a really really good double pork chop and DW had striped bass. We both really enjoyed that meal, Duck salad as also very good. Tuesday we had a serviceable Chicken Kiev etc dinner.

 

Cagneys – I like the revamed menu – I had the 32oz prime and it was nicely cooked and flavorful. I was going to have the tomahawk which looked real good also. My wife had the filet which was also fine. Sides were good and the service acceptable. Apps and deserts were good

 

La Cucinna – OK meal, we eat outside which was nice even though it was Port Canaveral. Seafood pasta spice and had a decent amount of seafood. Osso for dinner which was ok, not the best I have had but flavorful and tender.

 

Moderno – Meats were well cooked (I like rare/medium) and well seasoned. Even the chicken was juicy. Did have to ask for certain meats as they were pretty slammed. Pineapple and deserts we good ! We paid the $25 for this above the SDP.

 

Le Bistro – Normally our favorite meal onboard. We started with a couple of glasses of VC champagne (at $9 a full pour with UBP a bargain). While food was flavorful (butter poach lobster) things we warm not hot and the meal seemed rushed even though I asked to slow down. Deserts were very good, better than last time !! We took a second round of VC to go !!

 

Ocean Blue - All I can say is wow, did they make this much better from the GZ days (and I go to the Lambs Club in NYC a lot!!). Wait staff was great, Moet (full pours $6), Florida stone crab, surf and turf, deserts all just really perfect !! Worth the extra $30 over the SDP IMHO.

 

GSC – The one time we got off the ship and well worth it. Wish we had a small cabana but the clamshell of cabana beach was really nice too.. Since it was college break we had a lot of “Bros” on the main beach so this was quieter for us.. families enjoying the water. Service here was problematic, they were slammed and over matched by UBP wielding people. I gave a nice tip to one of the servers and he came by every 15min to make sure we were OK.

 

Casino – took $90 from slots on their $100 credit which paid for some of the cash we used for tips etc.. We do tip bartenders and excellent service.

 

Entertainment – We have been to most of it but went to Howl and did some time at the bars listening to music which was good for the most part. We do like Fat Catz and Les is good (like Slam better) but man do they take a lot of breaks.

 

UBP – We were on UBP which saved us a ton – Mimosas in the AM, Frozen during the Day, Coctails before dinner, Champagne (small cost)/wine with dinner (Estancia Pino is OK), woodford reverve night caps….. Service for us was very good.

 

Overall a really nice relaxing trip.. We are now on a diet and detoxing !!

 

Questions??

Edited March 28, 2016 by LouBNYC

[Clarea]

Found the report interesting, thanks!

[klhokah]

Great mini-review! Thanks for posting it.

 

Sounds like the Vibe is more of a hideaway than anything else. Seems like if the boat is packed, then it's a great place to relax. If not or if weather's an issue, it's not a place many will be.

 

I'm on the fence for using it on my first time on NCL.

[LouBNYC]

Great mini-review! Thanks for posting it.

 

Sounds like the Vibe is more of a hideaway than anything else. Seems like if the boat is packed, then it's a great place to relax. If not or if weather's an issue, it's not a place many will be.

 

I'm on the fence for using it on my first time on NCL.

 

Never saw more that 15 people up there !

[Keith1010]

Love your close.

 

Thanks for a very well written review.

 

Keith

[Suze10860]

Thanks for the nice to-the-point and very helpful review. You had my husband at "Woodford Reserve," but I'll just ask out of curiosity: any other nice Bourbons to be had?

 

We are sailing this Sunday. Cannot wait.

[LouBNYC]

Thanks for the nice to-the-point and very helpful review. You had my husband at "Woodford Reserve," but I'll just ask out of curiosity: any other nice Bourbons to be had?

 

We are sailing this Sunday. Cannot wait.

 

I saw Gentleman Jack but prefer the Woodford

[Suze10860]

I saw Gentleman Jack but prefer the Woodford

 

Thank you Lou. My husband is not a fan of "Jack" in general. Of his favorites, Woodford is the only one I've ever seen mentioned on any menus, etc., but I thought I'd see if perhaps there was something else hidden out there.

 

Thank you and I'm really happy you had a nice relaxing cruise. Did I mention that I cannot wait until this Sunday!?!?!?!

[ricruise]

Was the casino open when you were in port in Florida and GSC?

[Marine Mom]

Did I mention that I cannot wait until this Sunday!?!?!?!

 

Me too!!!

[LouBNYC]

Nope casinos were closed then

[sayla27]

I'm surprised people were allowed to bring drinks into the spa. Didn't think this was allowed? I take it no one said anything?

[flower**power]

Doing a transatlantic on the Getaway in 2017. Never sailed NCL only Celebrity so I am unfamiliar with the Vibe beach club. Can you elaborate. This is a 17 day cruise with about 11 sea days. Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited March 28, 2016 by flower**power

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[LouBNYC]

I'm surprised people were allowed to bring drinks into the spa. Didn't think this was allowed? I take it no one said anything?

 

 

 

I asked at the front desk and they said it was fine as long as no glass... Was a surprise to me too.

[LouBNYC]

Doing a transatlantic on the Getaway in 2017. Never sailed NCL only Celebrity so I am unfamiliar with the Vibe beach club. Can you elaborate. This is a 17 day cruise with about 11 sea days. Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

Vibe is a private area next to the Haven. It has a bar, 2 hot tubs and several cabanas. There is a fee to access

[flower**power]

And what is the advantage other than private?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[LouBNYC]

And what is the advantage other than private?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

No kids, and private.... On a ship with 4000 people it is a oasis sometimes

[bobg529]

Thanks for your report Lou, very well done and proof that you don't have to be overly wordy to be effective. I will be on board the Breakaway for my second go round in May. Back to the question of bourbon please, ;), do they have Bulleit?

[LouBNYC]

Thanks for your report Lou, very well done and proof that you don't have to be overly wordy to be effective. I will be on board the Breakaway for my second go round in May. Back to the question of bourbon please, ;), do they have Bulleit?

 

 

 

Not that I saw...maybe in the bar between cagneys and moderno..