keystonemama Posted March 7, 2018 #51 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Maybe redneck isn't the right word... LOL. I've got some friends who used to always do CCL and finally convinced them to try NCL. They say they'll never go back to CCL now they were so impressed with the difference. Every cruise line has their thing though... A lot of people feel like NCL nickels and dimes people to death but I don't think they do. Yes, if you choose the UBP or SDP, you pay gratuities up front but you know what, if you buy drinks onboard or buy speciality dining on board, you're going to pay gratuities anyway (and likely more than if you just booked the package). And sure, CCL's drink package if you are going to pay outright is cheaper than NCL but I think that is part of the reason they get the bad wrap as party boats. You can sail cheap and drink to your hearts content. Yes, we usually get the drink package and it is cheaper, we get specialty coffee's and large bottled water at dinner to take back to our cabin we like and I can buy CCL gift cards thru AARP with points, so I actually pay less on the package, about a day's worth free and then I put those cards on our account so it usually covers the costs of tips. I noticed NCL grats were higher than CCL their's is 15%, so when we booked I chose the "free" drink package NCL offers and it actually comes out a little cheaper, may also purchase the restaurants to try a few, I do like getting on a ship though where I know some of the staff already, especially the bartender's, lol, I had one call me by name when we boarded on Sunshine, haha, he remembered I love his key lime martini's, he makes the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtkenmore Posted March 7, 2018 #52 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Yes, we usually get the drink package and it is cheaper, we get specialty coffee's and large bottled water at dinner to take back to our cabin we like and I can buy CCL gift cards thru AARP with points, so I actually pay less on the package, about a day's worth free and then I put those cards on our account so it usually covers the costs of tips. I noticed NCL grats were higher than CCL their's is 15%, so when we booked I chose the "free" drink package NCL offers and it actually comes out a little cheaper, may also purchase the restaurants to try a few, I do like getting on a ship though where I know some of the staff already, especially the bartender's, lol, I had one call me by name when we boarded on Sunshine, haha, he remembered I love his key lime martini's, he makes the best! If you don't have the SDP as one of your perks, I would definitely recommend doing at a minimum the 3-meal one. The 2-meal is there but the difference in price from 2 to 3 is a no brainer to just jump to 3. We love dining at Cagney's (usually the final night of the cruise) and also Teppanyaki. I haven't been on Breakaway so can't give too much more insight then those two and La Cuccina which is outstanding our last cruise in Thanksgiving. They had an updated menu it seems because the last time we had La Cuccina in 2015, we were not impressed at all. They went from being a more family Italian place to more upscale Italian and we didn't enjoy that menu. They've added more true Italian now it seems and it was much improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingUnguided Posted March 7, 2018 #53 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Interesting read. I'll be sailing on Breakaway May 11... So I guess that will be the first cruise after refurbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drtwin Posted March 7, 2018 #54 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Interesting read. I'll be sailing on Breakaway May 11... So I guess that will be the first cruise after refurbs. Let us know how it is!!:D Here is NCL Breakaway's itinerary in 2018: http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/norwegian_breakaway_itineraries_2018.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Laszlo Posted March 7, 2018 #55 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Interesting read. I'll be sailing on Breakaway May 11... So I guess that will be the first cruise after refurbs. Good luck! My wife and I got off a 14 day sailing about 2 weeks ago. I don't know what they plan on doing but a lot of areas need work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexandNessa Posted March 7, 2018 #56 Share Posted March 7, 2018 I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they are replacing Moderno on the Breakaway during refurb? Of course, I could be imagining that, but I'm not all that creative... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtkenmore Posted March 7, 2018 #57 Share Posted March 7, 2018 I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they are replacing Moderno on the Breakaway during refurb? Of course, I could be imagining that, but I'm not all that creative... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Forums mobile app I would honestly be okay with them replacing Moderno on every ship with Los Lobos. To me, Los Lobos is 100 times better than Moderno. And on Dawn, just replace Moderno with something else entirely (possibly a new concept) or Q even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEW 2 CRUISIN Posted March 7, 2018 #58 Share Posted March 7, 2018 I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they are replacing Moderno on the Breakaway during refurb? Of course, I could be imagining that, but I'm not all that creative... HAHA! That would be a BUMMER, as I'm sure we would have selected Moderno as one of our "Free" Dining choices! We liked Moderno in the past.....but then again, we're always up for something new and exciting if it's replaced! With so many other choices, we may never even miss it! HAHA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexandNessa Posted March 7, 2018 #59 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Ha! Once I got the hang of Moderno, we loved it! (For us, this means, tell them what cuts you want, and only eat those. Ribs, leg of lamb only for me. Only items wrapped in bacon for the hubs. Skip the sausage. Always skip the sausage!) I've heard that there is a lot of food waste at Moderno icw low bookings. Hence the change. I would be THRILLED with a Los Lobos replacement or even the Q concept announced for Bliss. We shall see in April or May whether I'm drinking from a cup of the crazy, or I really did hear the rumor. :) Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmeraldCoastCruisers Posted March 8, 2018 #60 Share Posted March 8, 2018 The Breakaway ends up in New Orleans for the winter. She has a variety of cruises/itineraries in the next year:cool: We are booked on the BA in Feb 2019 out of NOLA for a Western Caribbean. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studygirl Posted March 14, 2018 #61 Share Posted March 14, 2018 We are booked for the May 20 sailing from Copenhagen. That is to be the second sailing for the Breakaway following her dry dock. Moderno is still available for us to book for dining as are Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages for entertainment. It doesn't appear to me that there will be any changes in dining or entertainment offerings following her refurbishment, but I could be missing something since I'm basing that thought from what we're being offered for our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted March 14, 2018 #62 Share Posted March 14, 2018 That's great! At least you are not on the first cruise after the dry dock. We were on the first cruise after the last NCL mega ship dry dock, which got extended twice, rescheduling us twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeleyez915 Posted March 14, 2018 #63 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I think the Breakaway is going into drydock mid-April 2018? Not sure how long and not sure where she is going afterwards. I know the Escape is taking over her NYC-Bermuda run from mid-April. She is going to New Orleans :) I am booked on her in November of 2018 Embarking New Orleans on 11/11/18 - then going to Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, back to New Orleans on the 18th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Writerguy Posted March 15, 2018 #64 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I know at some point Breakaway will depart from New Orleans. I'm booked on it for 12/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sand and Seas Posted March 15, 2018 #65 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Are there any recent Breakaway cruisers who have heard details about the refurbishment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneticfreak Posted March 15, 2018 #66 Share Posted March 15, 2018 For a five year old ship, it is showing some wear. Things I noticed a couple weeks ago were broken or missing tiles in random places, the seats in the theater are just dreadful (actually noticed that last year) and hopefully they will retrofit the casino with an enclosed smoking area like Escape. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ox Fan Cruiser Posted March 28, 2018 #67 Share Posted March 28, 2018 If The Breakaway will soon be home ported in New Orleans, will the hull art be changed while in dry dock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linbobky Posted March 28, 2018 #68 Share Posted March 28, 2018 She is going to New Orleans :) I am booked on her in November of 2018 Embarking New Orleans on 11/11/18 - then going to Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, back to New Orleans on the 18th we are also on this cruise! it will be the first cruise out of new orleans. i hope it will not be hectic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaucajun Posted March 28, 2018 #69 Share Posted March 28, 2018 we are also on this cruise! it will be the first cruise out of new orleans. i hope it will not be hectic. We'll try to leave it in good shape when we get off on the 11th. No promise that there will be any alcohol left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linbobky Posted March 28, 2018 #70 Share Posted March 28, 2018 We'll try to leave it in good shape when we get off on the 11th. No promise that there will be any alcohol left. please, don't drink it all! this is the 1st cruise that we will have the drink package. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summerstravel Posted March 31, 2018 #71 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Thanks for the information. We will be on the Thanksgiving 2018 cruise on the breakaway out of New Orleans. We splurged for an AFT Haven Suite so I hope they work on those. Have fun everyone and please update us on the improvements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erdoran Posted March 31, 2018 #72 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Thanks for the information. We will be on the Thanksgiving 2018 cruise on the breakaway out of New Orleans. We splurged for an AFT Haven Suite so I hope they work on those. Have fun everyone and please update us on the improvements. Take good care of those suite, DH and I are spending Christmas in one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summerstravel Posted April 1, 2018 #73 Share Posted April 1, 2018 Take good care of those suite, DH and I are spending Christmas in one. We will lol I can't wait to sit on the balcony. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose102798 Posted April 1, 2018 #74 Share Posted April 1, 2018 We booked Breakaway June 2019 Eastern Caribbean out of Miami. Must be going to Miami after New Orleans Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowandzah Posted April 15, 2018 #75 Share Posted April 15, 2018 we are also on this cruise! it will be the first cruise out of new orleans. i hope it will not be hectic. We are also on this cruise! So excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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