Breakaway Haven quick review December 2017

[DaisyGoldberg]

This is not a full trip report, just a summary of a recent(early December) solo trip on the Breakaway. This trip was about getting away,spoiling myself a bit, pushing my boundaries in terms of excursions, and generally relaxing.

 

I booked a sail away balcony late for a low volume re-routed BA trip Dec 3-15, then bid for various Haven suites and got the upgrade to a Courtyard suite. Might have gotten away with bidding less, given hints from other passengers, but was looking forward to a long trip of quiet and relaxation. In rereading this review, a lot of it comes off as negative, but I DID get the vacation I wanted in terms of rest, relaxation and change of scenery, so I was happy. Hours listening to podcasts on my balcony and staring out to sea, or listening to music while watching stars rise across the night sky were pleasures I enjoyed almost daily,but not particularly enlightening reading for prospective cruisers, so if I don’t dwell on those things here, it’s not because they weren’t a great part of my trip.

 

I booked the Hilton Garden Inn in Ridgefield, NJ and got their pickup/drop off deal. Not cheap, particularly for a Saturday overnight stay, but as a solo traveler from out of state it was easy to get to, a nice place to spend the night, and the transportation both ways (and parking for the 12 days) were factored in. The breakfast (included) was very good, but they were not open for dinner as I had assumed they would be, so plan to eat elsewhere or bring dinner with you. There is an enormous movie complex in the office park it’s located in,so you can also go to the movies if you’re looking for something to do.

 

Had pickup at 10; driver came into the lobby to collect me and my bag. There were traffic issues so we took an alternate route. Once at the pier moved smoothly through Haven lines (Platinum lines also seemed super short). Things slowed down in the Haven lounge. 5-10 mins to register, then another 5 until we were called to board. Previous passengers had left with an escort to the ship, so I expected that, but four of us were scanned, wished a good cruise… then nothing. The lady disappeared. We looked at each other, shrugged, and took off on our own, not wanting to just stand in the cold indefinitely. Nobody chased us down or anything, so I don’t know if we were expected to wait – it was vacation time!

 

Got to the Haven at about 11:00 and it was full of officers and the concierge was finishing whatever introduction was given. I was disappointed to have missed it – still don’t know what secrets may have been shared! Was given a slider and fries and fruit punch that hit the spot. Sat and texted/called family until rooms were ready at about 12:30. (Note: 4G texting and phone calls worked on the ship on departure day, but NOT arrival day.) A delightful family initiated us all to the pleasures of listening to their children run shrieking around the upper Haven deck (later in the trip those of us in the upper Haven deck were treated to the sounds of them cannonballing and shrieking in the pool below most evenings). Ended up with the same family on excursions and in the dining room and children were well behaved– just no respect for public quiet space, I guess. The Christmas music was inescapable – easy to tune out on most of the ship, but not in the Courtyard. Since most folks are reading or speaking quietly, it would be nice if they could turn it down a bit. I imagine the staff were sick of it, too!

 

Dining: From previous cruises I knew I wouldn’t bother with the dining rooms. I don’t find the food to be any better than the buffet and I don’t need two hours to eat bymyself. Also not that big a fan of the Suite lunch menu at Cagney’s on non-Haven ships, so wasn’t anticipating many meals there. Ended up eating 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and one dinner in the Haven restaurant. One lunch each at (empty) Margaritaville and (really disappointing) O’Sheehans. Ate once in Le Bistro, once in Cagneys, meant to get to Moderno with certificate but didn’t feel like it towards end of cruise. The rest of the meals I was happy to eat in the buffet. With one exception I guess I ate at off-peak times – usually got a table right at the back of the ship overlooking the wake, didn’t have any issues with Passengers From Other Lands there or anywhere on the ship (as some have alleged), and always found a bit of this or that to enjoy, especially the Indian food and the pineapple, which I saved to end each meal. Nothing tempting about the desserts (and butler-brought treats were plenty). Sometimes I grabbed a softserve cone to enjoy on the way back to the room. Had my kindle with me, ate a quick meal, went on to other activities.

 

Entertainment: I enjoyed Howl at the Moon and Charley Love, hypnotist Nadeen and Harry O’Donoghue. The couple in the atrium seemed good when I walked through, but I don’t really like the setup for watching entertainment in large public spaces. I like to go to a venue and have the lights go down and really get immersed in the show or game – having shows/games performed in a lobby situation changes the dynamic and works against the performers when passersby are milling around, discussing where to go to dinner or how they did at the casino or calling to each other across the lobby. Not really fair to performers or audience. Maybe the two big shows required a lot of rehearsal time, but I did not understand why the theatre was seldom utilized during the daytime hours.

 

 

One night I saw three comics– good, fair, and okay. Burn theFloor was really impressive, and I’m not really a dance person, so I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Didn’t care for Rock of Ages. The singers and dancers were quite good, but the show itself was basically a Scooby Doo episode cobbled together with whatever songs they were able to get the rights to perform (I’m the prime demographic, but it did nothing for me. Enjoyed the 80s danceparty play list in H2O much more – video screen of original videos playing alongside the dance tracks.)

 

Excursions: In Cape Canaveral I did an airboat excursion which was fun – saw an alligator, ate some alligator, held a skunk at an animal rescue presentation they did after the ride. Loved Stingray City (Bahamas), and the bobsled/ziplining in Jamaica.

 

One morning at sea my toilet flushed but then started refilling and wouldn’t stop. Fortunately, I heard it from the other room and picked up that something was wrong, saw that the water was rising (and rising!) and dialed housekeeping who said they’d call a plumber. Looked in hallway for steward, but (learned later) they were at some staff meeting. I didn’t think to call the Butler, having already been told by Housekeeping that they were sending a plumber.

 

Drains in the bathroom worked remarkably well, and no water went over the threshold, but there must have been gaps within the doorframe/under the threshold because water started seeping into the carpet. I threw down as many towels as I could, stole more from the hallway cart, and eventually a plumber showed up, shut off the water, and replaced a part. Then multiple layers of staff showed up including an officer. I guess “overflowing toilet” conjures nightmare scenarios, but it was “clean” water so aside from basic disinfecting no harm done. They placed blow dryers in the room to dry the carpet.

 

 

Speaking of the bathroom (16704, an H5), it did not have a walk in shower. I'm a perfectly able bodied person and I managed well enough, but that's a really tricky tub to be climbing in and out of. My short, elderly mother certainly would not have been able to get in without assistance, nor my middle aged sister with hip issues, and I would not recommend that either of them attempt it in rough seas. I'm 5'5" and had to lift my knee above my hip to step in -- and it's not just stepping in, because the sides are curved, so I was lifting my knee above my hip and then stepping quite a ways forward at the same time. And no real place to hold on outside the tub except the shower doors (not recommended) or the edge of the sink (which was what I used getting out). I know they wanted a soaking tub because it's a suite, but it's something to keep in mind if you are anything less than coordinated/able.

 

All in all it was a great vacation. The primary benefit for me of being a suite passenger is the expedited boarding/disembarkation and priority tendering, which were especially appreciated on this very large ship.On this particular sailing it wasn’t really necessary to be escorted to the saved section in the show room, but I can definitely see on busy cruises where it would be a great perk. It was nice to leave the bustle of “the ship” for a much more serene atmosphere (most of the time). A number of people gathered at the bar every evening so it appears that friendships were definitely struck up during the week among the sociable. I spent a great deal of time on my balcony, which of course is just as accessible when traveling in a balcony cabin.

 

Post-cruise I was especially grateful for the tip I had read here advising the use of a porter to exit quickly. There were literally hundreds of people lined up to go through customs/immigration ahead of us and we passed through in mere moments. Called my driver (as directed) upon arriving outside and met him minutes later a block away, and whisked back to my car at the hotel.

 

 

Caution for out of state drivers – if you don’t have an EZpass, the GW bridge is $15 (going towards the city). I had assumed that it would be billed to me via mail as other tolls are in the system, but they wanted cash, and thankfully I had it, though it took some maneuvering while jockeying for the correct lane to accomplish it. So have that out and ready if you’re going that way!

Edited January 25, 2018 by DaisyGoldberg

[Keith1010]

Excellent writeup.Thanks for sharing.

 

Keith

[WashyWashyHappyHappy95]

What was your upgrade bid?

[MikeyB]

I was on your cruise in the Haven.

That family in the Haven pool drove me crazy numerous times......well them and the Christmas music. Very nice review.

[padams2017]

What a good read. I sailed solo on the Dawn last September and have been wanting to do a solo Haven.

[17cruisesnsl]

Your comments about the tub/shower are spot on. I travel with my elderly mother, who is quite limber for her age (89) but I won't book a cabin with a tub only -- sides are way too high compared to "land" tubs even in calm seas. Last two CAS cruises, we upgraded to Haven 2 bed room - we' re spoiled forever.

 

Enjoyed your review

[Clarea]

Thanks for sharing, excellent report!