Just off the Breakaway. Parting thoughts:

[DMH15]

On our first cruise the only sport on television for the entire 9-day trip was Cricket. I thought my husband was going to lose his mind. Instead he embraced it, got into it, learned all about it, and when we got home he ordered his new favorite team's hat. Now he gets slightly sad when we're on a cruise and there isn't Cricket on the tv. It's his cruise sport. It's much more fun to go with it than rally against it.

 

 

Talk about making lemonade. Husband sounds like a great guy.

 

I agree, as a sports enthusiast, I sat down in a fun little section on the Jewel last year and watched some matches outside of what I call my "fave four", baseball, football, basketball and hockey. It was very enjoyable and met some nice folks.

[SMHCPA]

Talk about making lemonade. Husband sounds like a great guy.

 

I agree, as a sports enthusiast, I sat down in a fun little section on the Jewel last year and watched some matches outside of what I call my "fave four", baseball, football, basketball and hockey. It was very enjoyable and met some nice folks.

 

 

Are you guys saying there will be no Yankee games telecast on our 12 night Anthem cruise??? Because if so I will need to start prepping DS8 now. When we originally announced the cruise his immediate response was "will there be a tv.?" Which was odd because he rarely wants to watch tv. I said well there will be but it won't be like home why? He says "cause 12 nights is an awful lot of Yankee games to miss!" Lol. His little brother (6) was concerned about where the fridge was kept and "how are we going to eat???" I think he will be covered[emoji106]

 

And yes - I am just kidding and no lack of Yankee games will NOT ruin our vacation [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[riverbeachgirl]

How early did you arrive in Nassau? Early enough to get off the ship on Wednesday?

 

We actually arrived about 5 and while I'm sure there is crime, I didn't hear any warnings about getting off. Quite a few people I talked to got off and enjoyed their time. Your vacation is what you make of it. If you choose to sit in the haven and be miserable about things you have no control over than yes your vacation will probably not live up to your expectation.

[lilpum430]

I was on this cruise and I was outside on my balcony as they were trying to get the tenders in and also the boat to get all the food and liquor on for the party. The boats were rocking like crazy and they stalled out a couple of times. Considering the 2 captains that were arrested in the past for steering into the storm they knew was coming and the captain that left the boat first after the accident, I applaud our captain for thinking of the safety of the passengers, Yes, everyone was dissapointed as the GSC was one of the reasons the 7 of us went on this cruise to begin with but it certainly wasn't a deal breaker cause we couldn't go. As for the medical emergency I was in the gift shop when that was announced and I was talking to the cashier and she said it happens ALL THE TIME. You have almost 5,000 people on a ship **** is going to happen. I also asked why they didn't life flight off the boat. She said if it is non life threatening they will speed up and go to port and if it is life threatening then they call the bird. Overall we had a very nice cruise and made the best of it. I'm up in the air about NCL there were things I liked and things I didn't like. I do think that it is great for families and kids and I think I would def go again with the family. When my hubby and I go just the 2 of us I think I will stick with RC.

[CruisinStump]

And yes - I am just kidding and no lack of Yankee games will NOT ruin our vacation [emoji3]

 

Aa a diehard Tigers fan, a lack of yankees games sounds like a WONDERFUL vacation ;)

[esm54687]

Recently I was on the Breakaway and decided to take advantage of the CruiseNext promotion. The day I went down to purchase the certificate, the promo ad in the Freestyle Daily said "buy one $250 certificate and get one free". The standard $250 certificate came with a $100 OBC so I figured it was a great deal..... two $250 certificates for $150... why would I think it wasn't a deal considering everything else on the ship was being marked down... what a great way to increase CruiseNext purchases \ metrics while locking in future revenue from passengers by discounting them. NOPE! It turns out that NCL's definition of buy one and get one free is completely different than the the real world.

 

NCL requires you to buy TWO $250 certificates for $500 and get a $250 OBC.... wait, the ad said buy ONE not TWO...this actually cost me $100 more than the ad read. So I talked to the CruiseNext Manager and gave her an example using the CruiseNext ad's wording.... "the Best Buy ad says buy a $250 television and get a second for free. You would walk into Best Buy with $250 and expect to walk out with TWO tvs..... not walking into Best Buy and pay $500 and being issued a $250 store credit".... she agreed with my Best Buy example but could not understand her own ad....... I then gave an example "NCL is running a promo where the first two guests pay and the third \ fourth are free..... NCL doesn't charge full price for the third \ fourth and then issue an OBC for that amount, right?".... of course she said that they don't charge for the third \ fourth.

 

While in the big picture, it's not a huge deal..... but considering NCL is nickel and diming us, increasing prices quarterly, holding the passengers accountable for all their T&Cs that are out there, and I'm sure their legal counsel ok'd the ad..... I expected it to be honored. According to her, I am the only one who has ever read the buy ONE get ONE free exactly as it was written....or the first to challenge the promo ad.... she seemed out of sorts that someone actually was standing in front of her complaining. She did not have a viable solution other than comping me a specialty dinner, however this offer wasn't made until 7:30pm on our last night and logically impossible to use.

 

I had submitted a card to the Hotel Director and he referred me to Guest Services..... while I appreciate his response... the CruiseNext Manager reports directly to him.

 

Make sure you have NCL explain their promos before you do anything... it was a great cruise and didn't really ruin anything but I was not pleased with the "bait and switch" tactics and the "dismissive" attitude from the CruiseNext staff

Edited March 29, 2016 by esm54687

[Starflyr3]

I don't think the city a ship sails from has anything to do with their TV choices. My husband and I are admitted TV junkies, but we've never been able to find great TV choices on any cruise. But that's ok - we'll watch TV at home and it's the least of our worries when we are on vacation. As long as we can get news updates (which sometimes I don't even want...)

 

On the Jade, they had a TON of good TV. Hotel Transylvania 2 (for the kids, plus it's cute!), Hunger Games, many other new-ish movies and also several good news channels. And Jade hasnt even been upgraded past the DVD system yet.

 

I cant imagine it would be worse on a newer, bigger ship.

[hansolosmom]

Recently I was on the Breakaway and decided to take advantage of the CruiseNext promotion. The day I went down to purchase the certificate, the promo ad in the Freestyle Daily said "buy one $250 certificate and get one free". The standard $250 certificate came with a $100 OBC so I figured it was a great deal..... two $250 certificates for $150... why would I think it wasn't a deal considering everything else on the ship was being marked down... what a great way to increase CruiseNext purchases \ metrics while locking in future revenue from passengers by discounting them. NOPE! It turns out that NCL's definition of buy one and get one free is completely different than the the real world.

 

NCL requires you to buy TWO $250 certificates for $500 and get a $250 OBC.... wait, the ad said buy ONE not TWO...this actually cost me $100 more than the ad read. So I talked to the CruiseNext Manager and gave her an example using the CruiseNext ad's wording.... "the Best Buy ad says buy a $250 television and get a second for free. You would walk into Best Buy with $250 and expect to walk out with TWO tvs..... not walking into Best Buy and pay $500 and being issued a $250 store credit".... she agreed with my Best Buy example but could not understand her own ad....... I then gave an example "NCL is running a promo where the first two guests pay and the third \ fourth are free..... NCL doesn't charge full price for the third \ fourth and then issue an OBC for that amount, right?".... of course she said that they don't charge for the third \ fourth.

 

While in the big picture, it's not a huge deal..... but considering NCL is nickel and diming us, increasing prices quarterly, holding the passengers accountable for all their T&Cs that are out there, and I'm sure their legal counsel ok'd the ad..... I expected it to be honored. According to her, I am the only one who has ever read the buy ONE get ONE free exactly as it was written....or the first to challenge the promo ad.... she seemed out of sorts that someone actually was standing in front of her complaining. She did not have a viable solution other than comping me a specialty dinner, however this offer wasn't made until 7:30pm on our last night and logically impossible to use.

 

I had submitted a card to the Hotel Director and he referred me to Guest Services..... while I appreciate his response... the CruiseNext Manager reports directly to him.

 

Make sure you have NCL explain their promos before you do anything... it was a great cruise and didn't really ruin anything but I was not pleased with the "bait and switch" tactics and the "dismissive" attitude from the CruiseNext staff

 

I thought about going down and getting the certificates, but their "bogo" offer was confusing so I didn't even bother.

[hansolosmom]

I've been on the Breakaway twice over the last two years, and have been fortunate to have been in the Haven on both trips. These vacations were during the summer. We had a fabulous experience with the service, dining room, sauna, and the outside areas accessed from the upper level.

 

1. and at the risk of sounding like a "get off my lawn" type, which I'm not, there were a LOT of young children in the Haven. In that enclosed area where the pool and jacuzzis are, the sound of yelling and screaming as kids splashed around was at times deafening. It was almost impossible to enjoy a jacuzzi without a bunch of kids / toddlers using it as their swimming pool. Hey, they have as much right to be there as I do... I get it... but it took away from the experience I was expecting at the Haven. I would MUCH rather go and experience the Haven at an "off peak" time.

 

This year we're doing the spa package and not doing the Haven thing. We'll enjoy the spa instead.

 

You can't expect no kids off season either. I know that kids are allowed in the Haven, so I expected some. But OMG!!!! there was a family reunion on our cruise and these kids were all over the Haven - jumping, screaming, running around like maniacs. I actually felt a little bad for the one mom, because she was the only one in the group trying to control the kids. I almost yelled at one because they were running around the top inside deck and almost knocked over my 80yo mother. Believe me if she got knocked over there would have been heck to pay!!

 

We also had a set of chair hogs there were 4 older people who would sit in the only 4 lounge chairs next to the pool. They would even have lunch delivered to them in the chairs so they didn't have to move. Several of us joked about trying to go out at 6am to try and get the chairs first.

[BIG POOCH]

On the Jade, they had a TON of good TV. Hotel Transylvania 2 (for the kids, plus it's cute!), Hunger Games, many other new-ish movies and also several good news channels. And Jade hasnt even been upgraded past the DVD system yet.

 

I cant imagine it would be worse on a newer, bigger ship.

 

Again, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TVS IN THE CABINS. Apparently people are having trouble with this part of the comment.

[jdro]

My family was on the same cruise and it turned out to be one of our favorite vacations!

 

We actually enjoyed getting to the Bahamas early, we were in H2O all day (doing what we would have been doing minus the sand and ocean ;)) We headed over to Señor Frogs and had a blast, was I a little leary walking back, of course but that wouldn't stop me from getting off the boat, I'll take my chances I need to touch land!

 

O'Sheehan's was much better than our last Breakaway cruise in September, the fajitas were surprisingly good as were the wings and the Sundaes OMG!, a good snack after a day/night of drinking :D

 

I can only comment on the specialty restaurants, Teppanyaki was DELICIOUS! Cagney's is always good and Le Bistro I love!

 

Oh I can comment on the buffet, but I was taught if I don't have anything nice to say don't say it.

 

The bars, I never even thought about them being in the open, I actually liked that I always found who I was looking for instead of going in and out of bars! I love the outside bars also.

 

My son and husband did watch March Madness so they do change it when there is I'm guessing a national event, because what team do you pick to watch Yankees, Mets not sure how the Philly or Boston fans would feel about that LOL!

 

My only complaint was our excursion to Disney the whole ordeal with getting off the boat took almost an hour? Who thinks its a good idea to let 500 people off the boat before 150? Logistics anyone!

 

I'm not sure why anyone would get upset about getting home faster for a medical emergency? We knew the last night we weren't staying out crazy late so unless if I was in the casino bringing down the house that would be the only reason :p

 

We disembarked carrying our own luggage and will say it was the best ever, we were home by 8:45, who does that! If we planned it, it would have never worked out so YEA US!

 

Just thought I would give a different perspective to this cruise...

 

Jennifer

[Suze10860]

My family was on the same cruise and it turned out to be one of our favorite vacations!

 

We actually enjoyed getting to the Bahamas early, we were in H2O all day (doing what we would have been doing minus the sand and ocean ;)) We headed over to Señor Frogs and had a blast, was I a little leary walking back, of course but that wouldn't stop me from getting off the boat, I'll take my chances I need to touch land!

 

O'Sheehan's was much better than our last Breakaway cruise in September, the fajitas were surprisingly good as were the wings and the Sundaes OMG!, a good snack after a day/night of drinking :D

 

I can only comment on the specialty restaurants, Teppanyaki was DELICIOUS! Cagney's is always good and Le Bistro I love!

 

Oh I can comment on the buffet, but I was taught if I don't have anything nice to say don't say it.

 

The bars, I never even thought about them being in the open, I actually liked that I always found who I was looking for instead of going in and out of bars! I love the outside bars also.

 

My son and husband did watch March Madness so they do change it when there is I'm guessing a national event, because what team do you pick to watch Yankees, Mets not sure how the Philly or Boston fans would feel about that LOL!

 

My only complaint was our excursion to Disney the whole ordeal with getting off the boat took almost an hour? Who thinks its a good idea to let 500 people off the boat before 150? Logistics anyone!

 

I'm not sure why anyone would get upset about getting home faster for a medical emergency? We knew the last night we weren't staying out crazy late so unless if I was in the casino bringing down the house that would be the only reason :p

 

We disembarked carrying our own luggage and will say it was the best ever, we were home by 8:45, who does that! If we planned it, it would have never worked out so YEA US!

 

Just thought I would give a different perspective to this cruise...

 

Jennifer

 

Thanks for the write-up. It's nice to read something where there is both positive and negative, and written in such a way that you it's not seething with anger. I like your perspective!!

[jdro]

Thanks for the write-up. It's nice to read something where there is both positive and negative, and written in such a way that you it's not seething with anger. I like your perspective!!

 

Thanks and enjoy your cruise!

[takeadip]

We were very disappointed not to go to Great Stirrup, we were looking forward to it big time. I'm beginning to think there is something going on with Norwegian and skipping GSC, and these "medical" Emergencies that make them go so fast to get home. Something smells fishy.

 

Now for my review of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

1) Good: HAVEN. Everything HAVEN was awesome! From Eugene & Nelson our steward and butler, to the private pool, to the private restaurant bar. Thank god for Haven, or our whole trip would haven't been as good. MIXX bar, and Rho the bartender. He was great!

 

2) Bad: Above. No stop at GSC sucked big time.

 

3) Ugly: a) ALL THE TVS ON THE BOAT WERE STUCK ON THE SAME CRAPPY CHANNEL, AND THE COLORS ON THAT CHANNEL WERE ONLY GREEN AND RED. EVERY BAR, EVERY LOUNGE, EVERY TV, EXCEPT THE ONE IN OUR ROOM WERE STUCK ON THIS CRAPPY SOCCER CHANNEL THAT EVERYONE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT.

b)Getting on and off the ship, was also UGLY. Especially getting back on after excursions, with the NCL staff dancing/blocking our way onto the ship, while people are stepping on our heals.

c) For such a big ship, it rocked like crazy. Don't let anyone tell you ships don't sway. This thing was rocking the entire trip.

 

Overall, the cruise was ok, but could have been better. Not sure if we will do Norwegian again. Our time on Carnival last year was better, and no issues stopping at their private island (the highlight of our cruise last year).

 

Big,

we were on for 3/6/16 and the soccer on ALL the tv's were killing me as well!!! I wish NCL would realize that americans care as much about soccer as wee do about knitting...or calico cats!!! the color and picture quality was something out of 1986...

 

for a brand new ship there is no excuse...but i agree EVERYTHING haven was awesome for us as well...

[mattyone77]

Just got back a week later than you did. We also skipped Great Stirrup Cay as the captain said it was too rough. It was overcast and it was not rough I have been on these ships before and have seen much worse. There is something going on with NCL. The staff is not as friendly as they used to be and supposedly they are not getting the tips that we are being charged per day. They also nickel-and-dime you for everything. I sailed Royal Caribbean last year and they did not charge for most things that NCL did.

[TeachertoCruiser]

Since the Breakaways partnership with Nickelodeon has ended, what has been done by the pool area with the Nickelodeon splash zone? Has it been remodeled? If so, does anyone have any pictures? Thank you in advance:)

[mjkacmom]

Just got back a week later than you did. We also skipped Great Stirrup Cay as the captain said it was too rough. It was overcast and it was not rough I have been on these ships before and have seen much worse. There is something going on with NCL. The staff is not as friendly as they used to be and supposedly they are not getting the tips that we are being charged per day. They also nickel-and-dime you for everything. I sailed Royal Caribbean last year and they did not charge for most things that NCL did.

 

Besides room service, what other extras does NCL charge for? You do realize that NCL loses revenue when they skip, GSC, right? It's in their best interest to have passengers book their excursions on the island, and buy their alcohol, rather than paying extra to dock in Nassau early, where passengers are free to disembark, and gamble and drink on land.

[mattyone77]

I do realize that since it was raining and overcast people would not be laying on the beach spending money so instead they were on the boat spending money on high % service charge casino and drinks.

[Butterfinger1954]

No!!!!! I love the welcome back party! And you don't have to rush...if you're in line to go up the gangway, they're not going to pull up the gangway & leave you there!!!

 

 

Sounds like fun to me. Do they do this in Bermuda??? I don't recall seeing it in Bermuda last OCT. on the Breakaway.

[bjinouno]

Trust me, it was more like an ambush than a welcome back. All it did was slow people down, that were already rushing to get back to the ship. Get out of the way and let people board.

 

What was the Rush,, did you think the ship was leaving with out all those people enjoying the welcome back dancing and having a good time...

And maybe they should load people into those boats banging on the side of a big ship due to swells, And I know this person should have known they were going to get really sick and needed medical attention just to ruin everyone elses vacation...

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

I'm on my way home from a 4 day Sky cruise & we had a different GSC experience.

Early birds did get to the island but later tenders were cancelled. The capt explained it's not just wind & waves that affect the decision but current too. The tender operators said they were drifting & didn't want to hit the rocks.

 

Jo