NCL Breakaway tips

I just booked the Breakaway for March 22, 2015 and looking for any tips or advice or helpful hints, I've never sailed on the Breakaway before :)

 

 

Thanks so much !!

I just booked the Breakaway for March 22, 2015 and looking for any tips or advice or helpful hints, I've never sailed on the Breakaway before :)

Thanks so much !!

Just let us know your questions and I'm sure you'll get some answers!:D I'm going the week after you and btw; here's the link to your roll call and I'm sure they can help ya out!;) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2090162 Edited October 27, 2014 by *Luv2Cruz*

Thanks so much!! I'm definitely going to check out the roll call...I'm mostly interested in what shows and restaurants have to be booked before we get on the ship :)

Thanks so much!! I'm definitely going to check out the roll call...I'm mostly interested in what shows and restaurants have to be booked before we get on the ship :)

When I went last March I didn't book anything and had no problems attending the restaurants and shows!:) Maybe I was lucky or just picked the right restaurants and shows at the right times?:confused:;)

Just got back- would recommend some of the following things:

 

1. Waterfall by Spice H20

2. Try Cagney's once

3. Try the Pot Pie at O Shennans

4. Try the Pot Pie at O Shennans again

5. Call a week before or so to check on upgrading

6. Also sit out by waterfront during the day- walk around it later at night

7. Go to GSC for 4-5 hours, make that port priority #1

8. Have Pot Pie again at O Shennans- to go- and eat on balcony

9. Go to Howl at Moon

10. Go to Fat Cats

11. Try Eggplant Parm

12. Pack on Friday so you can enjoy Saturday-

13. Do Bingo 1-4 times but skip slots, Bingo is more sociable

14. Do Wine Lovers show and when you get there drink everything in sight ASAP as they will replace it.

14b. If you are not sure if the drink is your neighbors; drink it anyway to be on the safe side.

15. Try to sleep 6 hours a night so you won't be writing a silly list of 21 things to try the evening after you get back and return to work for 11 hours.

16. Bring one of those 24 ounce or 32 ounce water bottles- they come in handy for orange juice, tea etc.. Especially when faced with having to carry Pot Pie outside.

17. Think twice about shore excursions, sometimes it is more enjoyable to stay on the ship and spend the money on bingo instead.

18. Consider doing a shore excursion perhaps after losing at bingo 3 times.

19. If you are still reading this, consider going to NCL and researching the shore excursions. Or perhaps just read a book instead.

20. Sometimes it is worth it to pick you cabin even when upgrading- read others reviews to see if there are areas to avoid

21. Go to the MDR for lunch perhaps at least once or twice- it is a nice break from the buffet and relaxing to sit.

Wow, Howard, that's some list you've got there... And very helpful I may add :)

 

I'm guessing you liked the pot pie?!?! LOL

 

 

:)

14. Do Wine Lovers show and when you get there drink everything in sight ASAP as they will replace it.

14b. If you are not sure if the drink is your neighbors; drink it anyway to be on the safe side.

 

This made me laugh so hard I spit my dinner all over my iPad :p:D

Listen to Howard. He is your friend.

We never made reservations for MDR's and never had more than a ten minute wait for our group of ten.

Go to the Martini Tastings. The times will be in the dailies.

Spice H2O and it's water fountains are heaven during the day (adults only). Get a hot dog from the Sabrettes Cart. Watch the wake of the ship for hours. Go up at night and watch the stars.

Have dinner at Savor.

Get Gelato on the waterfront.

Like ice cream? Get hand scooped hard ice cream in the buffet after dinner. Six revolving favors with warm caramel or chocolate sauce.

Drinks on the waterfront in the evenings outside either Shakers or Malting's. Tell Dancho (bar server) that Miss Robin and Brian say hello.

Do the Ropes Course and Walk the Plank.

Get a Lobster Tail Pastry in either Carlos Bakery or the Atrium Cafe on deck 8.

Go to Karaoke at Malting's.

Make reservations for the Ice Bar. $20. 2 drinks. 45 minutes. 17*F. Tip will get you more drinks. Get the Broadway Dream drink.

Ocean Blue on the waterfront Lobster Roll.

Watch fireworks from your port side or aft balcony (if you have one). If not, go to deck 16. Port side.

Have fun! Pace yourselves. There's so much to do. We plan on going again next summer.

Don't miss the Waterfront and the Chicken Pot Pie in O'Sheehan's.

Happy Sailing!

Hope you make it to Great Stirrup Cay!

P.S. If you want to do shopping on the ship, do NOT wait until the sales at the end. Get what you want early on. The place is a mob scene for the sales at the end of the cruise.

 

 

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

Edited October 28, 2014 by meatball_nyc

Try the Uptown Grill at breakfast. They have better bagels up there. (Not GOOD bagels, but better.)

 

The deck above the pools usually has loungers available.

 

On sea days they sometimes show 3D movies in the Breakaway Theater. With popcorn.

 

The Waterfront area has lovely comfy couches and seats where you can get sea breezes. Avoid the area of the Cigar Bar if you don't want tobacco smoke.

 

You can see the fireworks from any balcony on the Port side, aft is better. Or go up to Spice H2O and get the full experience.

Keep this coming. Going in January. Really? 3D Movies, and they provide the glasses?

 

I'm getting an urge for Chicken Pot Pie......

Go to Karaoke at Malting's.

 

Make reservations for the Ice Bar. $20. 2 drinks. 45 minutes. 17*F. Tip will get you more drinks. Get the Broadway Dream drink.

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

 

Aha! I've been wondering if there was karaoke on board! I've heard Maltings was the most fun bar on board and I've been wondering why... is it the karaoke or is there more to love about this place?

 

And also have never heard about a tip getting you an extra drink in the ice bar.... Good tip (pun somewhat unintended ;))

I didn't do karaoke but people seemed to have fun doing it. I liked playing at Fat Cats and Howl at the Moon every night. On the last day after the infamous Wine Lovers (liquid) lunch (which was my b-day) I was able to get use of a piano next to mixx/savor to play on all afternoon.

 

I was not aware of the 3-d movies but would have tried one.

I did have some of the soft serve ice cream and enjoyed it.

The cruise was like a Rolling Stones concert I went to here in 2002; it started good but kept getting better and better with every song.

 

I am planning on going the same week next year. Also, special shout out to Freddie who was not only a good person in the bingo games but was excellent in directing people when disembarking.

 

He simply said "put your bags in line, and wait a little back in the casino area and we will call you". Much better than previous trips (not that that was mishandeled)

 

A good time to go to Cagney's could be early on the Nassau port day; it is not very busy then. Next time I will try Moderno as well.

Did anyone mention the chicken pot pie ?

If you go to the spa, don't accept treatment room # 15 as it's directly beneath the weight room. It literally shook with every boom of a weight being dropped on the floor above.

 

Also...I second, third, fourth the lobster roll on the waterfront!

 

Have a great time! :)

Love these....we were on in August and going again in less than 2 wks. I have a list of what I didn't get to in August that I want to do and what I did do that I must do again, lol.

 

I have read several comments about the hotdog cart and I have to say that the description of "dirty water hot dogs" is cringe-worthy. Luckily for me, I eat about 1 hot dog a year and it's usually at a baseball game. I'll pass.

 

Robin, can you tell me what is in the Broadway Dreams drink at the Ice Bar? Vodka is my alcohol of choice so I'm sure I'll like it!

 

My personal tip is to try all of the tastings - martini, beer, wine, whiskey, etc. Great value at $15 and you may discover a new favorite drink.

 

HowardK, I wish I knew about the wine refills at the Wine Lover's Musical. We had a blast w/o refills but will be sure to drink our wines upon being seated this time!!

Did anyone mention the chicken pot pie ?

 

 

Not that I can remember lol.

 

I however only found the hot dog carts on GSC but they were great. Different than the ones at the buffett ( I did like both though but only did 2 of each the whole week)

 

I just looked at the Escape latest plans, and it doesn't seem that much different yet than these ships

Guess, I'm going to try the pot pie since it comes so highly recommended!! How many tastings does the Breakaway have during the week? I want to got to at least 2 of them.....

The tastings are on sea days so there will be at least three. The latest Dailies I saw posted showed beer, martini, and margarita. The bad thing is they are often offered on the same day but no way could the average person do a margarita tasting at 2 and then a martini tasting at 3:30 without just passing out the rest of the night, lol..... We did the Wine Lover's musical at 12:30 and then did a martini tasting at 3:30 and then had to take a nap til about 8, lol. I'm surprised we found our way back to our cabin!

Guess, I'm going to try the pot pie since it comes so highly recommended!! How many tastings does the Breakaway have during the week? I want to got to at least 2 of them.....

 

I think at least 3. I'll go with you

I think at least 3. I'll go with you

 

If there's one the same day as the Meet & Greet and Slot pull, I'm game!!! Then it matter of Wine Lovers Musical and/or tasting on Friday but I don't know if I can see and walk straight enough from going to the 1st to the 2nd one!! :o

What exactly is the Wine lover's musical?

Keep this coming. Going in January. Really? 3D Movies, and they provide the glasses?

 

Yep. I saw Frozen, and I remember another movie listed that I didn't go to.

I found a posting for you

 

 

Summary of some of the above items - I hope the individual contributors don't mind.......

General....

· There's a real lack of electrical outlets in your cabin so don't forget to bring along a power strip.

· It's good to carry a little penlight with you too. You need it to find the little doojigger thing you stick your room card in as it also turns on the lights.

· If you're not worried about being "green", you can use any discount card you have and leave that in the slot all the time.

· Deck 17 Forward Sundeck (way forward) has cabana loungers and was always lightly attended and quiet even on sea days with an overbooked cruise.

· Don't miss the ropes course and walking the plank. The feeling you get looking out and seeing nothing but blue sky and blue ocean is exhilarating.

· Try going to the pool around dinner time. We did that, and had the entire pool and a hot tub all to ourselves for about 30-40 minutes.

· If you are getting a spa treatment and they take you to room 15, request a different room. 15 is directly under the weight room and the thudding and shaking (literally) does not make for a relaxing treatment!

· As others have said don't miss the free fall slide....the purple slide is the fastest ...the yellow slide is a tad slower. But remember when you do the free fall slide be sure to either wear nose plugs or hold your nose...because when you hit the bottom....water comes hard and fast from everywhere.... (i thought i was drowning ) Much more so than the others.... You don't expect it at all!!! we all want to do a 'do over' but then the tube broke...so was unable to slide again that time!!

· If you want to be at Spice H20 for the fireworks go early. They close it when it gets to a certain capacity.

· The fish on the carpet in the hallways "swim" forward. Good to remember if you are "directionally challenged" as I am.

· You cannot wear any jewelry on the slides. Take it all off before climbing to the top. Also, if you wear glasses all the time, you need to take them off and that will mean you will need someone at the bottom to give them back to you!

· Walking the Waterfront in the early morning, relaxing on a lounger. The entire Sports Complex - Water slides, ropes course with zip line and walk the plank, mini-golf, etc.

· Shows....Burn the Floor (excellent), Rock of Ages (very good show, excellent band, mature themes). Reservations recommended but you can also try to go in on standby minutes before the show. Any performances in the Atrium, Headliners, and Fat Cats, go early because of limited seating. Fire & Ice, and Fat Cats excellent.

Food

· If you go to Moderno be careful of that salad bar. It's fantastic, but it will fill you up fast and you have 11 kinds of meat to sample. They're all great, and they are quite free about giving you seconds and thirds!

· Everyone will tell you about the wings and fish and chips at O'Sheehans and they are great as advertised, but don't forget to try the chicken pot pie.

· Don't miss the gelato stand out on the board walk. They change the flavors every day or so. Keep an eye out for the Cappucino flavor. Wow!

· And try to find the Sabrett hot dog stand if you can. It moves around and it's only open for about an hour a day, but they're real Sabrett dogs in a steamed bun with all the right condiments. They're free and they rock! (response The hours (usually 12 - 4) for the hot dog carts, and their locations, are listed in the Freestyle Daily.)

· Bring beverages! We fill a cooler with soda and water, and put a luggage tag on it. We check it in with our luggage at the curb. When you get to your room, ask your room steward to empty the fridge. You can then fill it up with your own goodies.

· A little secret for me was the prime rib dinner at O'Sheehans on the 1st night. Even with football on atrium screen the restaurant wasnt over crowded

· Uptown Grill is a lightly used covered open air lunch and breakfast spot. It's on 16 I think aft nice little out of the way spot. We didn't find it till day 5 and sorry we didn't find it sooner. more..... Uptown Bar & Grill on 16 is a great breakfast spot. They have pre-made egg mcmuffin type sandwiches, but also bagels, fruit, croissants and they do eggs/omelette's to order. It's never crowded and has a great view. Just go up one flight from the Garden Café on 16 aft

· O Sheehans has an added ice cream menu, you pay extra but the sundaes are yummy.

· On our cruise they offered a free bottle of house wine - red or white - at any of the pay dining venues on the first night. We had a nice dinner at La Cucina for $15 each so was a deal. It may not always be on so check.

· A word of warning if you're a coffee drinker. The coffee was really strange and we didn't like it at all. I mostly drank the coffee in the cabin but someone suggested the Starbucks coffee packets or something similar.

· Main dining rooms (Taste/Savor) and O'Sheehans is open is for lunch on embarkation day... You don't have to go to the buffet if you don't want to but that's good too.

· A Sabrette hotdog that's pink and snappy (not a grey dirty water dog like NYC) - Both on the waterfront during the day, and indoors at night (included)

· Lobster night (second night) in the Garden Cafe buffet (included)

· Lunch at O'Sheehans - Corn Beef Cabbage Soup amazing! Buffalo Wings, Burger, Corn Beef sammich Yum! (included)

· Lobster Tail from Carlo's Famous Bake shop YUM! (a la carte)

· Lobster Roll from Ocean Blue on the Waterfront for lunch WOW! ($10) The roll is toasted and buttered, and the lobster is tossed in a type of butter sauce and very rich. It's different than a Maine Lobster Roll which is served two ways 1) Tossed with mayo like a slaw or 2) "Naked" drizzled with drawn butter.

· Steak Tartar and Dover Sole in Ocean Blue for dinner AMAZING! ($49) Dragon Roll and Godzilla Rolls from Wasabi very good (a la carte)

 

 

 

Best Pot Pie Ever.....

 

 

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What exactly is the Wine lover's musical?

 

It is a paid lunch with wine. It is held in the Spiegel tent and the menu is basically the same as the cirque show. The skit is three actors, one is a wine connoisseur and the other two are taking a class to learn about wines. There are a few songs and I thought it was cute and funny. If it holds in the current pattern, it will be performed on the last sea day at 12:30pm. The meal and 5 glasses of wine are included in the $25 fee and I thought it was a good value. We stayed afterward and met the actors and had pictures taken with them. They were the stars from Rock of Ages.