Semi live quick update, Breakaway 5/22/2016 to Bermuda

[mking8288]

Limestone roof of the house gathered rainwater, house being rebuild & earth pit for 10,000 gallon water holding tank.

 

 

Returning to mothership BA

 

The Summit

 

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[mking8288]

On a roll here w uploads since we are on Fi Network by Digicel, Jamaica- based at $10 per GB

 

Paid behind the scene tour is $79, 2 hours on Saturday, adding Backstage & Environmental along with the free Platinum's 3 stops.

 

Airport transfer is priced at $99 p/p.

 

Soozy is the CD onboard, Dan Dan is away.

 

Day 5 MDR menu

 

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Edited May 26, 2016 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Food pictures to go attached menu ... duck served tonight is good.

 

 

A good H+ signal inside deck 7 reception lobby & Taste MDR

 

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[LCfromFL]

Thank you for your 'almost' real time review and pictures! I am really enjoying them! We are sailing on BA on the 12th...and I cannot wait! :D

[Gershep]

What time was the ferry that you caught back to the ship from St. George? How long were you in St. George?

 

How is Suzy(?) doing as a CD? I would appreciate it, if you can, find out when Dan Dan is coming back. My son's get a kick out of him, hoping he will be back when we sail.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[mking8288]

Footnote, disembarkation airport transfer of $99 p/p include driving tour of Manhattan & storing luggage on the bus.

 

Main pool has a sign that children under 12 need adult supervision.

 

The Bake Shop, looks sad to me this evening.

 

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[Sea Legs]

When did you sign up for the tour? We did one on the Breeze but it cost about $100. It was very interesting and worth the money. Did you see the control room and the bridge?

[mking8288]

Our BTST is free as part of the Platinum perk for laundry, gallery & provisions area. Paid tour is longer w 2 extra area, but no longer do bridge or control room for security reasons.

 

Good sunny Friday morning to all, just a little scattered clouds, eating breakfast in Taste MDR - still busy, folks sleeping in late, 9:20 am local/ship time but 8:20 EDT.

 

Went up to the buffet for a bit of late night snack before they closed it at 11:30 pm. Last 2 nights, heard a tiny bit of music from one of the lounge upstairs in our room, till about 12:30 am.

 

 

Part of deck 5 AFT, hallways are wide in most area and a big open space near the stairs & crew area.

 

 

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[mking8288]

Free shuttle train for a scenic & easy tour around Dockyard.

 

 

 

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[mking8288]

Inside Clocktower Mall

 

 

 

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[mking8288]

A quick reminder & security staff at gangway to be back by 2:30 pm, ship time or else, this could be the new ship to board - after joining the pier runners club, if the pilot/tug boat can safely do the transfer ...

 

 

150 minuted to all abroad time for BA.

 

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Edited May 27, 2016 by mking8288

[mking8288]

All abroad now at 2;30 pm, standby for the farewell & pier runners, if any.

 

Our huge basket of Platinum laundry send out yesterday is back, ready to go again on another cruise.

 

Here's BA ship pricing for BDA tours

 

 

 

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Edited May 27, 2016 by mking8288

[mking8288]

NY disembarkation info - we are moving, 2 late runners got on last minute.

 

 

 

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Edited May 27, 2016 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Well, I've used up our 1st 250 free minutes based on 1gb OR 1000 MB of usable data, now using our best friends free data for next 2 days until NYC, it should last. Also, thanks to Flyertalk's tip on Fi Network that made all the uploads possible.

 

It was a "dad" slowly walking back with a young child & another that stroll slowly, as Guest Services called out the names over PA at 2:45 PM after sounding the loud ship horns. They got on about 2:50 & we left at 3:05 PM. We are now running almost 20 knots after turning northwest passed the reefs at SG, almost calm seas with 1 ft. wave & light breeze, change our clock at 2 AM to NY/Eastern time.

 

Gershep, walked thu duty-free, no Sheridan's for sale. Cigarettes are $72 for 2 cartoons.

 

Playing cards are sold in the gift shops, $4.95 each - better bring your own.

 

Doors & Wall panels will hold the magnet, see pictures.

Will resume more Q&A tonight, please feel free to ask while I find answers to other questions already posted earlier. Apology for the typos & spellings, not easy on a phabet or even with a Bluetooth keyboard attached. Time to round up the casino gangs to go to dinner at Manhattan MDR.

 

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Edited May 27, 2016 by mking8288

[esm54687]

Just an outstanding job and appreciate the effort and time you are taking to bring us along!!

[Gershep]

Thanks for info on Sheridan's so disappointing.

 

I know you will tell us in your official review but are you enjoying this cruise?

[js]

Good morning, can you tell me if Anoop (Concierge) is on vacation or is he onboard?

 

 

Im sailing the Breakaway beginning of August and asked shore side concierge who would be the concierge and they wrote me back Anoop. Only sailed with Adrian. I dont know how anyone else could compare but happy we wont have John after reading some reviews.

 

OP...LOVE your review!! Thank you for taking the time. If you go to the gym, can you please let me know if they are still giving the morning complimentary classes and check if there are rowers. Thanks!

[eiloo]

Free shuttle train for a scenic & easy tour around Dockyard.

 

 

 

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Where do you catch this free train tour?

[mking8288]

Without quoting, a few notes & comments. We are enjoying our cruise, food is subjective so I try to share the pix in telling the story, you as the reader can decide. Is there room for enhancing the sailing experience, sure. I will do a post cruise summary w/o using another GB or 250 minutes on the last 2 days. We made the best out of every cruise, even when it briefly showered on us, no dancing necessary. Stores sell rain poncho for $2 each.

 

CD Soozy is okay, I guess, didn't affect us one way or another as we are too busy. Announcement are kept to a minimal, it's good & no push for Bongo, so far.

 

Free shuttle trains are clearly marked as Dockyard Shuttle, it's near the Taxi stand with the sign & pavement markings, for Heritage Wharf. It then go to King's Wharf before leaving for the bus stop/museum and CT Mall. Don't confused it with the other shuttles, look for the sign as I shown above.

 

CruiseNext Certificate is on sale at 50% off, if you buy 2 or 4, only $250 or $500 charged to the credit card once the adjustments are posted at midnight, so you get 2 certificates valued at $500 for 250 or 4 for only 500, without worrying about how to spend the OBC ...

 

Tonight's MDR dessert menu included creme brulee, other items being repeated for 3rd or 2nd time already, a little imagination could go a long way ... especially on a 10+ days itinerary or TA major crossing for Asia next year. Roast beef was good.

 

Good news for OSH, service improved on speed & staffing, food is warm to hot, and specials are back for tomorrow night - Seafood Basket, no such special in the buffet all week long. Yet to see any dinner entertainment aside from music & singer, during our prime time dining in Manhattan MDR - unlike last year.

 

This evening's Latitude Welcome Back party was held outdoor at H2O at 7:30 PM, short & brief, maybe 100 to 125 guests, Silver & higher. Capt. and Staff Capt & several other officers were present but the Capt. spoke briefly after intro by cruise staff, Sean.

 

Took the 10 photo package for $149 minus 25% Platinum discount, for a net of about $112. Release & transfer to USB drive is $20 extra as add-on. Need to ask them what if the data files are corrupted or wrong ones after getting home, as i know that's been asked before here on CC.

 

Our casino clan called it a night early, we are almost breaking even and that's a win-win. Still going strong upstairs with lots of slot & table gaming.

 

Ship at 20.5 knots speed now, wind is 10 mph and small waves under 5 ft. - good for sleeping.

 

Tonight, we turn the clock back at 2 AM to EDT, a reminder on the bed.

 

I will check out other questions & come back tomorrow, with a wrap-up as I will need to start packing for disembarking for Sunday, but we will not be in a hurry - LoL, got our yellow priority tags & customs forms.

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 28, 2016 by mking8288

[Jasalth]

Loving your semi-live review and it makes me kinda almost wish I had an internet package on board, alas we booked to early!

 

I have a question for you. Did you use the T-Mobile data at all on Bermuda or just the Fi Network? If so did you find the T-Mobile free data and such okay? I was planning on using just that as my oldest DS decided he doesn't like to cruise and it staying home with his great grandma and I have to Skype message them to check in on them while in Bermuda.

 

TIA for any info on how the T-Mobile service is in Bermuda, it seems so few people here on CC have T-Mobile and it has been rather hard to get info on the service out of the US since they started all their free stuff.

[Sizzlechest]

Loving your semi-live review and it makes me kinda almost wish I had an internet package on board, alas we booked to early!

 

I have a question for you. Did you use the T-Mobile data at all on Bermuda or just the Fi Network? If so did you find the T-Mobile free data and such okay? I was planning on using just that as my oldest DS decided he doesn't like to cruise and it staying home with his great grandma and I have to Skype message them to check in on them while in Bermuda.

 

TIA for any info on how the T-Mobile service is in Bermuda, it seems so few people here on CC have T-Mobile and it has been rather hard to get info on the service out of the US since they started all their free stuff.

 

I was in Bermuda two years ago and it worked fine. You have to make sure your phone has data roaming enabled. However, this can be dangerous since you might be roaming in areas that have a charge associated with it. You should go online to your T-Mobile account settings and turn off roaming that causes a charge. Then it will be safe to allow data roaming on your phone.

 

Click on your "Profile" and chose blocking. Your settings should be like this:

 

 

Of course, contact T-Mobile and verify your plan details before doing anything.

[Sizzlechest]

BTW, here's the info for T-Mobile and international travel:

 

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-3226

 

For Bermuda, it's free text and data. Calls are 20 cents per minute. This assumes you have the Simple Choice Plan.

[mking8288]

Cruising at 17 knots, calm seas under 5 ft. & light breeze of 10 knots, pilot boat will pickup ship at 4:30am & go under VZ Bridge around 5:45 & SOL at 6 am, docked at Pier. 88 by 7 am.

 

Sitting at the buffet for dessert.

 

Fitness Center is open, free access, 6 am to 11 pm. Stretch & Abs class at 7 am.

 

T-Mo works fine in Bermuda (as Jamaica) for voice & texting, free data is slower but OK for Skype, FaceTime voice & Google Voice calling, and web browsing. Fi Network is faster on data.

 

Cirque Dream & Jungle Fantasy Dinner is $39.95 but $59.95 + 18%, not a typo and no discount on day 1.

 

 

 

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Edited May 28, 2016 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Correcting, VIP seating for the Cirque is $59.95 vs. regular seating at $39.95.

 

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[mking8288]

Last evening onboard, dinner show finally on, 6 pm in Manhattan MDR & tonight's menu, prime rib - no extra charge.

Daily items, including extra surcharged ones

 

**** Footnote: multiple adult male guests in Manhattan MDR wearing shorts & sandals to dinner, not enforcing dress code or turned away, etc. - whatever !!

 

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Edited May 28, 2016 by mking8288