Breakaway 5 day from NO 12/18 Live-ish

[CoffeeGoddess]

I am here in New Orleans after a very long shuttle ride from the airport and after a couple of fantastic cocktails have decided to do a as much as I want to be live trip report.

 

Flew from Vegas this morning and got to the airport around 2:30pm but didn't get to my hotel until around 4:30. I'll spare the details on the shuttle ride and stick to the good stuff right now.

 

I had my first meal of the day at Curio which was crab cakes along with a couple of cocktails.

 

Then I put in bars and found The French 75 right down the street that had a James Beard awad for outstanding bar program along with a seasonal menu.  If you know me, then you know how much I appreciate a great craft cocktail. They have not disappointed.

 

 

I started with their Kalikimaka Colada with rum, coconut cream, pecan orgeat, and winter spices. Fantastic.

Next up was their Oaxacan Wassail with Tequila, mezcal, and their homemade wassail.

 

So. Good.

 

Next up is a Moroccan Cobbler.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Okay, the Moroccan Cobbler is one of the best cocktails I have ever had. It is seriously that good.

 

 

Seriously,  if you love cocktails and are in New Orleans you NEED to stop in to The French 75.

[CoffeeGoddess]

So, I have this thing where if I'm inebriated I want to buy hats. Well, I passed by a store with some great hats and now I have a bowler.

 

And a sword cane. It's a sickness.

 

[YVRteacher]

I look forward to reading live cruise reviews from anyone who buys hats when inebriated!  Have a wonderful cruise!

[cantravel1]

Great start!  I'm really looking forward to your review!  We just got off the Breakaway on November 20th.  we had a fantastic time and I'm sure you will as well...

 

Colleen

[CoffeeGoddess]

Got up too early so went around the block for a coffee and a ham and cheese roll. Got all packed up by about 8:30 so checked out and made a leisurely half hour stroll (with a little struggle with my luggage on some of the walks) to the Julia St. Port. Got here and saw a bunch of people sitting and no one in line and security confirmed check in didn't start until 9:30. So chilling out and watching all the people coming off from the ship going to the taxis and airport transfers.

 

This is the first port that the people disembarking go through the same area at the same time as the people embarking that I have been in.

[CoffeeGoddess]

And now . . . More Waiting!

 

One of the port ladies said they usually start boarding around 11:30 or noon. That's pretty normal. We did have an itinerary change that they told us about at check-in with a letter.

 

 

So we've switched to Cozumel first and we now get in at 8:00 instead of 7:00. Then Costa Maya we get in at 6:00 and stay to 1:00 instead of 11:00 to 7:00. I actuallylike this better so no complaints from me.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Onboard and got my dining reservations all buttoned up, scanned in at my muster station, and got my first drink.

 

 

A Cariphina at the Mixx bar before heading into Taste for lunch. Ordered the risotto which is delicious.

 

 

Menu for today's lunch:

 

 

 

 

[CoffeeGoddess]

Finally got into my studio and dropped off my back pack and cane part of my sword cane. We shall see if I get called to the naughty room or not for the sword part in my checked luggage.  I did write a note apologizing for it since I bought it in NO and completely forgot about the cruise portion of my trip.

 

I'm at the outside Maltings and think I have found my first favorite bartender. I've had a Pineapple Surplus and then something with Tequila and Midori.

 

 

[CoffeeGoddess]

Went back to my cabin to get ready for the solo meeting and dinner and my luggage was outside my door with my sword still inside.

 

Had a cucumber basil at Shakers before heading down to the solo meeting.

 

 

Another solo cruiser joined me for dinner at Cagney's on my Platinum voucher and we enjoyed our filet mingion and the rest of our meal. The server did bring up that we were allowed one appetizer, one entree, two sides, and one dessert before we ordered.

 

I did the onion soup and mushrooms and mashed potatoes with my dinner

 

 

 

I enjoyed the cheesecake for dessert.

 

[spenecer]

Can you order cocktails at lunch/dinner or do you need to bring one with you from a bar?

 

[psmoove]

Thanks for this live review.  What time did the ship depart from the Port of New Orleans?

[fethiyeden]

Loving the review, thanks for taking the time to share it with us. On embarkation do they let you know what entertainment is on at Syd Normans each night or just the theater entertainment?

Thanks.

[ziggyuk]

How is the alcohol situation?
We just got off the Breakaway yesterday and they were running out of a lot of items at the bars, there were very few premium spirits available for those with the P+. The bar tender told me they were expecting a big shipment at New Orleans and if it did not happen they would have real problems for the Dec 18th cruise.

[Sjb0704]

I'm looking forward to your live review.  We sail on Breakaway in March.  Have a fantastic cruise.

[sheila77]

Loving your review...and your choice of beverages!!

 

For the Muster drill - is the process still just watching the video online and then checking in at the appropriate check point?  Or do we all have to meet on the ship like before the pandemic?

I prefer the video and check in when you get onboard.  just curious.

thanks!

[rnr4thatsme]

Loving your review!  We are sailing soon so would love to see dailies from day 1 and 2!  

[debenson0723]

56 minutes ago, sheila77 said:

Loving your review...and your choice of beverages!!

 

For the Muster drill - is the process still just watching the video online and then checking in at the appropriate check point?  Or do we all have to meet on the ship like before the pandemic?

I prefer the video and check in when you get onboard.  just curious.

thanks!

Post #8 states that she scanned in at the muster  station so they are still doing the post covid procedure on this ship at this time. 

[debenson0723]

11 hours ago, spenecer said:

Can you order cocktails at lunch/dinner or do you need to bring one with you from a bar?

 

Are you asking about eating in the MDR? If so, you can order cocktails from your waiter but sometimes it is faster to bring one in with you from the bar just outside Taste and Savor.

[CoffeeGoddess]

13 hours ago, spenecer said:

Can you order cocktails at lunch/dinner or do you need to bring one with you from a bar?

 

 

 

You can order wine no problem but if you can order cocktails then be prepared for a long wait. Best to get them from the bar and bring them in.

[CoffeeGoddess]

10 hours ago, psmoove said:

Thanks for this live review.  What time did the ship depart from the Port of New Orleans?

 

 

We finally left about 5ish

[CoffeeGoddess]

5 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

How is the alcohol situation?
We just got off the Breakaway yesterday and they were running out of a lot of items at the bars, there were very few premium spirits available for those with the P+. The bar tender told me they were expecting a big shipment at New Orleans and if it did not happen they would have real problems for the Dec 18th cruise.

 

 

So far so good. The only thing I've heard missing so far is the Crown Royal.

[CoffeeGoddess]

3 hours ago, sheila77 said:

Loving your review...and your choice of beverages!!

 

For the Muster drill - is the process still just watching the video online and then checking in at the appropriate check point?  Or do we all have to meet on the ship like before the pandemic?

I prefer the video and check in when you get onboard.  just curious.

thanks!

 

 

You don't even need to watch the video, you can check in at your station as soon as you board. They do a little speech over the PA system as well and run the singal during it.

[CoffeeGoddess]

2 hours ago, rnr4thatsme said:

Loving your review!  We are sailing soon so would love to see dailies from day 1 and 2!  

 

I already pitched day one but here's day two:

 

 

 

 

[CoffeeGoddess]

Well not much going on today for our sea day. Just chilling and reading mostly. I haven't checked if the ropes course is open but it is pretty windy so I wouldn't be surprised if it is closed.

 

I was very sad to not see any Indian food on the breakfast buffet.  I guess Bliss and Encore spoiled me with that and the regular Breakaway doesn't do it.

 

Sadness buffet.