Mitsugirly BREAKAWAYs for a summer cruise: Review/Pictorial

[mitsugirly]

Well hello there big fella..you're kinda all up in my personal space don't ya think?

 

 

 

A large group of tangs

 

 

 

These Bermuda Chubs just don't care...they have no worries in the world and you don't scare them! They will follow right alongside of you everywhere you go.

 

 

 

 

I have a very memorable picture of a Bermuda Chub coming up out of the water and looking at Sakari right in the face when she was 3 years old at Chankanaab. I will never forget this day!

 

 

Yea, she wasn't so sure about it being all up in her personal space at the time either! LOL

 

 

That group of tangs still hanging out down there beyond my reach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Then I spotted this....

 

 

 

Now I swear it looked like a remora to me. Flat surface on top with gills up there but the guide tried to say it was a barracuda....um no, no it's not.

 

 

Then my favorite fish...a trigger. This is a niger trigger and they are so beautiful. I just love their fins on the top and how they swim. My trigger died in my tank. 😞

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another niger trigger. They were everywhere here and I was loving it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A whole lot of fishies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see when the coral getting closer to the surface because of the better picture quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by mitsugirly

[ABQrobin]

Sorry I am so late to the party, I forgot you had a cruise this month or I would have been watching for it.

 

Yikes, your ankle!  Hope you are doing better.  

 

Diving in Roatan -  yep, that was pretty awesome, huh?  Beautiful dive and photos.  

 

robin

[mitsugirly]

A video of the second snorkeling spot...

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

This amazing snorkeling lasted for around another half hour or so and then we all piled into the boat again and we were off to the sandbar and looking forward to a little relaxation and seeing the starfish.

 

However, I would discover that the starfish and the sandbar were kinda 2 different things. We pulled up to an area, that was somewhat shallow but you couldn't stand in, and that was where the starfish are.

Sakari and I jumped out and the hubby said he was going to stay on the boat this time around.

Immediately there were starfish EVERYWHERE...like tons. Everywhere you looked you would see them. It was exactly like it was for us in Aruba at one of our favorite beaches.

 

 

 

I spotted a huge white trigger hanging out in the water. It was really big! I have never seen a white one before. I tried looking it up online and I couldn't find many pictures and what I did find said they are really rare???

 

 

 

 

Then we started seeing some stingrays

 

Here's my capture of the day (if only it were clearer)...a stingray, triggerfish and starfish all in the same picture.

 

Then a couple of rays off to another side.

 

 

Then back to the boat we went after about 20 minutes.

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

Here comes the sandbar

 

 

 

Oh, I wanted to mention that this company had these types of devices to wear during snorkeling. I absolutely LOVED them! I want one now! Better than trying to wear a snorkel vest and better than a life jacket. These went around your waist and worked great and wasn't bothersome. Anyone know what they are actually called?

 

 

 

There were already several boats here and people enjoying this area. But it was a huge area and plenty of room.

 

 

 

 

 

Selfies

 

 

 

 

 

The sand was so soft and felt so good on your feet...and body. The guide mentioned the ??"type"?? of sand it was and stated that it was good for exfoliating your feet or whatever. I was dragging my feet around the sand because I sure could use it after our day walking around on the rough concrete in Costa Maya. I also decided to put it to the test and grabbed a handful and cleaned my rings with it. They actually did sparkle after that.

 

 

 

No clue what she's searching for but it's probably looking for some shells, which wasn't in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

I'm always the queen of flying/floating kids in my pictures at the beach...so even though we weren't on the beach, we decided to try some funny shots in the water. Sakari had a lot of fun and some of the facial expressions on some of the pictures I ended up with (some not shared on here) was hilarious and we had a good laugh at them last night when reviewing them for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun doing them and Sakari was laughing so hard it took a bunch of tries just to get one of them in a certain pose. LOL

[Laszlo]

What Great Shots!!!😊👍

[mitsugirly]

More huge triggers

 

 

Ah ha! I noticed my camera was on the wrong setting after one picture.

 

 

 

Here comes a stingray, right close to where Sakari is (to the left of the pic).

 

 

 

 

They were everywhere

 

 

 

Then our guide asked us if we wanted drinks...so how he made margaritas was to use the Limonada drinks they brought with them, add tequila, and then shake them up. It was super yummy too!! I had my fair share of them.

 

 

 

The hubby has a few and then moved on to whatever type of beer they had brought along (I know it was not Modelo).

 

 

 

It doesn't get any better than this...soaking up the sun (that was now out), sitting on a sandbar in the ocean, and having a cold drink.

 

 

 

It wasn't too much longer that I noticed they were passing out food. Freshly made pica de gallo and guacamole that the captain had been making since we first arrived at this spot. It was SO GOOD! There was plenty of it and plenty enough for seconds...don't mind if I do. They cranked up the music and it was a blast.

 

 

 

When the guide was done with his food, he swooped the plate down into the water to clean it and the fish came swimming on a mad frenzy. The stingrays were interested as well.

 

 

 

I spotted a huge spotted trunk fish and wished that I was down in the water with it.

 

 

 

Titanic reenactment...

 

 

 

 

 

Now we were in this area for quite some time. They didn't rush us or anything. They just let us hang out, drink, eat, listen to music and watch the rays and fish. We were there from 12:45-2:10 so 1 hour and 25 minutes. It was awesome.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

A small video of snorkeling with the starfish and rays and then the fish frenzy

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Off we went and headed back to the port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a long ride back, the same as getting there. This boat is not a speed boat. They go pretty slow. I don't know if it's because the boat is slow or because they are just taking their time enjoying the coast line. We had a blast. It is about 1 hour one way.

 

Coming up on the ships: Carnival Freedom, Carnival Miracle, RC Liberty of the Seas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the Breakaway and MSC Armonia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say we had a wonderful day with a wonderful guide and captain. Although it's not my "thing" to do snorkeling from a boat (only because of the picture problems), it was well worth it and the reef was amazing! Hopefully we can go back some day and do the scuba diving there. The reef was beautiful and healthy and plenty of fish. It was more than what I had expected out of the reef and the drinks and food was delish! The sail along the coastline was a little slower than I'd like, but we enjoyed our time on the boat and conversation and the wonderful views of the shore and beaches we had been to in the past. I would highly recommend this excursion and this company. They were nothing but professional (other than the little bump in the beginning with having to wait so long to leave) and very pleasant. Our entire trip, from beginning to end, was around 5 1/2 hours. At least an hour over the estimated time (and I'm not including our waiting time, I'm only counting from the start of it until we walked off the dock). Definitely worth the money for sure. Also, the communication with this organization was top notch as well and multiple emails and questions answered prior to booking. They required a $18 deposit pp via paypal to book.

 

 

[Mimi0129]

On 8/15/2019 at 8:19 AM, mitsugirly said:

Sorry it will be awhile before I continue. Fell at gas station and broke leg in both fib and fib and ankle yesterday and have been in the hospital. Surgery today to get plates screws and who knows what else. I’m going to be down for several months so once I get moving around I’ll get going. 

OMG!  I am so worry.   Hope you're feeling better real soon!

[zencruisers]

Looks like a great day in Cozumel! Great pictures and commentary. 

[mitsugirly]

We did a little shopping in port and headed back to the ship.

 

These guys sure know how to put on a show and everyone was trying to figure how he was suspended in air. Sakari says...it's by the pole going up his arm and around his body. She's such a smart cookie.

 

 

 

 

The coming back party is always grand for NCL with singing and dancing.

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by mitsugirly

[TPgal]

On 8/22/2019 at 9:34 AM, mitsugirly said:

The buffet is EXPENSIVE! $25 per person. YIKES! But everyone was hungry and what can you do?

When we were there in April we went first thing in the morning, and we stayed as long as we could without eating.  Then we went back to the ship (Jade) and ate by the pool while kiddo enjoyed an empty pool area.  I could not add $75 onto our day for a questionably reviewed buffet,. 

 

The great thing about our plan was we had the whole park almost to ourselves, as we started to packup the folks from the Breakaway & the other large ship started to arrive.  There were lines everywhere, when we had none earlier in the day.  

 

You are 100% correct about water shoes, and we wore rash guards because we are slide people and had read that the slides are bumpy - correct.

 

(sorry about your leg...)

[mitsugirly]

After returning to the ship...I bet you can all guess what transpired at this time....

 

 

[mitsugirly]

After returning to the ship...I bet you can all guess what transpired at this time....

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, Sakari met up with her friends for more water time of course. Then her and Daniel took off to the water slides...for.ev.er!

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the kids pool is closed....like always...2 days straight.

 

 

 

 

 

After pool time, we decided it was time for a REAL meal since we hadn't ate anything other than the chips, guac and pico.

 

It was none other than...Mexican night of course...since we were just in Mexico.

 

 

 

This Mexican coleslaw was the bomb! They also had Mexican Lasagna and it was totally awesome too! The hubby even went back for seconds. LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm always having to dig around something smothering my cheesecake. Can't they just offer plain cheesecake for us weirdos?

 

 

 

 

Now lets talk about this bread...oh em geeeeeee weeee!!! This was the best tasting bread I have ever encountered.

 

 

 

Mexian pan de muertos bread...or day of the dead bread! Soooo tasty! I think it has sugar on the top. I'm going to have to learn to make this sweet bread.

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

After dinner we wanted to catch a show. There was a magician/comedian guy and we were happy to see something different than the same old song and dance shows.

 

 

 

Jean Pierre Parent was his name and we had seen him before on another ship.

 

 

 

 

 

We laughed and he did tricks and jokes and he was good. He used a lot of people from the audience and it was basically the same show we had seen before many years ago (or either he was on another cruiseline and we seen him...I don't remember).

 

He pulled a lady up from the audience...only to find out she was in the audience at his last show and he had picked her that time too! LOL  He said "Well I guess I have a type" LOL  He only caught this because he ask her what she did and she said some type of engineer and her husband was a doctor. Oh, well I had someone earlier with the same thing...wait, are you the same person?

 

Then another segment he ask for other people in the audience. He ended up pulling a girl out of the audience...ask her what her name was, what she did (student in college), what her parents did (dad and lawyer mom stayed home) and what do you know...it was the family of 4 we were on the boat with earlier in the day that was going scuba diving! LOL  Next kid they pulled from the audience...what is your name, what do your parents do (dad lawyer, mom lawyer) geesh....he was sure he needed to pick different people otherwise he would be sued by the end of the night.

 

I guess there are a lot of doctors and lawyers sailing on our cruise.

 

 

After the shows a lot of people got up and left and we were waiting for either end to get up to decide which way to go (we sat in the middle and this NEVER happens but Sakari insisted). Well all of a sudden they told us to WAIT...there's more...and people came out singing...oh geesh....then pictures started go up on the screen behind the singers....oh no not this....staff started coming out...and I'm looking for any slight movement from either end of our aisle that might indicate they were leaving at all (they were all standing). I had to stand there and endure this entire "show" that we were "allowed" to take all the pictures we wanted of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At one point, I couldn't take it any longer and excused myself to go to the restroom and the family followed. We were free (but I really did have to potty). I don't like hanging out for these things. Yea, clap clap if you did a good job and made my trip enjoyable, but if you did, I was telling you and showing you and I don't need to know all this other song and dance. I'm well aware of the behind the scenes people and I can almost guarantee that all those workers on the stage would rather have a break, a nap or doing something else for the cruise line to show their appreciation to them other than putting on yet another show.

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

One thing Sakari had been looking forward to all day was the Glow Party. After the show she wanted to go back to the room to "get ready" for it (dressing up again in her white dress and heels). We went to the casino for a bit. I did pretty good and by good I mean stayed even and still had fun.

 

 

 

We went by the room to get Sakari and headed to the party.

 

So far so dead but hey we were able to get seats in the front row. 😉

 

 

 

 

 

They set up a table to paint glow faces and the line started to form. Sakari was 3rd in line...I know it's hard to tell these days since she's almost as tall as the adults in line.

 

 

 

 

 

Sakari was right up there and had her face being done. I couldn't wait to see what she got. I seen all kinds of cute little drawings and shapes on everyone's face.

 

 

 

 

 

She comes back with this....really? Just a few dots across the face? Did you tell them to do that because it resembles a S and bless your heart! 😉 She said no and just told them to do whatever and she was happy with it and that's all that mattered. 

 

 

 

 

Then the music started playing and people started coming. Sakari found some of her pool friends (actual girls this time) and was so excited and took off to the dance floor. How she is 11 years old and stomps her feet in these high heels dancing back and forth is beyond me (video below). I don't think I could have ever done it at that age!

 

Then a video starts with a countdown and then all the goodies go up and the party starts and it is crazy and crowded and I lost my child...for at least an hour or longer. I knew she was still on the dance floor because my seat was by the entrance/exit to it and she wasn't getting past that without me knowing.

 

 

I would finally decide it was time to sift the crowd for our kid and we ended up finding her and all her friends all the way up at the stage by the blasting speakers. If you read my last Breakaway review to Bermuda with Kendra...you'll remember Kendra laying Brayden right by the speakers to "SLEEP" while we were at this party and every dirty look known to every parent combined were given that night...including me giving mine. Those speakers brought back memories for sure. Embarrassing memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy and I ended up dancing with Sakari and had a great night. Then we decided to head over to the bar for a drink and the hubby took his place at the bar stool and waited and waited and 20 minutes passed by. Sakari and I were waiting on the soft chairs behind him. I watched as everyone in the row was served and moved and others walk up and be served next...while he still waited. He's a quiet man but I could tell his temper was ready to explode. I watch the other side of him as 3-4 people line deep was served and still nothing from him. He moved from his spot over to another and was finally served. I watched the lady take his seat where he was...and the same thing happened to her. Note...do not sit at the bar in the middle beside the pole. You will not get served.

 

When he did get served...they gave him several drinks for us and a virgin for Sakari. She was happy, and tired, and her feet hurt. Imagine that.

 

 

 

Back to the room went went and it was around 1 or 2 am. I can't remember.

 

 

 

 

[SenatorsFan]

7 hours ago, Laszlo said:

What Great Shots!!!😊👍

I agree! 😃

[Tigeroy]

Great review!  Love your photos especially the snorkeling/diving ones!  Hope you're feeling better!

[perfect match]

I’ve fallen behind the past few days, but I’m caught up now. 

 

Thanks for for the pictures and update on your injury. I’m like you in that I love seeing the gory pictures as long as they’re somebody other than me. Actually, I’d prefer it if they weren’t of you, either! Hope you’re starting to feel better.

 

I really enjoyed your pictures of the water park in Costa Maya. I was planning to go there on our Brilliance OTS cruise next year - only our Brilliance cruise was cancelled due to a whole ship charter. Now, we’re going on Harmony OTS, going to the eastern Caribbean instead of western. No Costa Maya for us, at least not this time around. We will get there at some point, I’m sure.

 

Sorry you didn’t get to dive in Cozumel. Still, it sounds like the snorkeling was good, even though you weren’t happy with how they turned out. You saw a lot of marine life, even your spotted eagle ray! Too bad about the late start, though. I would not have wanted to have waited that long with my VERY impatient DH! They did end up giving you a really awesome excursion, so hopefully you will be able to dive the next time you go there.

Edited August 24, 2019 by perfect match

[newmexicoNita]

16 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

I'm always the queen of flying/floating kids in my pictures at the beach...so even though we weren't on the beach, we decided to try some funny shots in the water. Sakari had a lot of fun and some of the facial expressions on some of the pictures I ended up with (some not shared on here) was hilarious and we had a good laugh at them last night when reviewing them for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun doing them and Sakari was laughing so hard it took a bunch of tries just to get one of them in a certain pose. LOL

She certainly knows how to have fun and is one adventuresome young lady. You have done something right in raising her. I love these pics, especially the ones where she is so into her snorkeling. 

[Von & John]

All your photos are Great...

The ones of Sakari truly demonstrate the Fun & Excitement of your Cruise!!!

Cheers  --   Von