McDebbie

Waiting to hear more!

Wonderful time of the year to be going, the weather should be beautiful but not too hot.

Yes, shorts are allowed in all the restaurants even though "the rules" may say not in the aft dining room. DH wore them each night last year. Funny thing, the first 2 nights hardly anybody was in the dining rooms and the 3rd night it was packed. When we asked the maitre'd (?spelling) he said that on the short cruises it is so much of a party cruise that they either a.) don't know there are dining rooms - they just go to the buffet or b.) they are too drunk to care. :D So many of them don't get to the dining room until the last night.

Not sure how crowded this weekend will be but don't forget the hot tub all the way in the front of the ship behind the bar that is the deck above the pool. (Can't) remember the name. Most people won't find that until the last day either.

Have fun!

Aww, so sweet. I bawled! Thanks for sharing.

Keep it on. The terminal may be cool and the top deck will be cold for the first few days. Or you could skip the jacket and do 2-3 layers. Shirts, sweater, light jacket.

Our last 2 cruises the butler always rang or knocked first but still came right in. Seems the daily snack delivery was timed to coincide with our naps. If this is going to be an issue with you let the butler know on the first day.

Nice review so far and great pictures. I noticed in one of the pool pictures there seemed to be a fair amount of children on board which seems odd for that time of year and cruise. Can't wait to see the rest!

Oh my, you've had quite the week! Keeping fingers crossed that the rest of the week is "boring" (yes, boring is good). Have a great cruise and enjoy the suite, has DH found out yet?

Don't miss the suite check in experience! Our last 2 cruises out of Miami we were not escorted to the suites but to Cagneys as the rooms were not yet ready. And the concierge was not there either time, it was shore staff who escorted us up to the gangway and then a butler took over. He might get suspicious when you all get to go ahead of everybody else but I would wait and let him figure it out himself.

Beautiful pictures, reminds me so much of the Pearl villa we visited. I did not realize the master bath also had access to the garden area. Can't wait to read your review!

Sure makes it easy getting back on the ship when they just swipe it and people are behind me digging in their wallets, pouches, camera cases, etc.

It's always the people in FRONT of me who are diggning around for their card. :D

We don't wear lanyards, I find them annoying and DH would be too embarrassed. I do like seeing them though, they always make me smile. Especially when we see them off the ship here in Florida. Often when we travel up the state we'll come upon a bus of people who just got off a cruise and so many will still have their lanyards on. If we have time to chat I always have to ask "what ship, where'd you go, what did you do, etc etc" :)

The only charges are for Le Bistro, Cagneys and the Italian place at night. In 2010 the Italian place was open for lunch with a limited menu, pizza and a few selected pasta's, not sure if it still is. The MDR was nice at lunch to get away from the buffet crowds. We'll be right behind you, going 9/6!

I have the Teva water sandals, I think this is my third cruise with them. They have a lot of support in the bottom but look like sandals from the top. Used them at Dunn's River Falls and a wave runner tour. I think you might get more use out of a sandal type than the tennis shoe type.

Don't get the leather, it will dry hard and chafe.

I put on 10 pounds when I quit smoking and now my legs rub together. Never had chaffing because I can't stand the feeling, so didn't wear dresses. I looked at ladies options, but wanted something cool, so I bought some men's boxer briefs. They work great, although the bf laughs when I'm in my boxers and wifebeater!!

I've been searching for some "boy cut" panties but it seems they are all either low riders (which does not work on a down sloping belly, they end up at my crotch) or spanx type things. How does the fly in the men's shorts work out? Can you see it under your pants or do you just wear them with a dress? I am desperate, the monistat cream was too much mess for me so I may try the deodorant tomorrow.

We have ALWAYS got an upsell call when we booked AFT balcony, like someone else said, we've never actually sailed in one!

Booked both through NCL and a TA.

Inside to balcony may be a bit harder to come by, best check the prices and try to upsell yourself.

Wonderful pictures! We are actually going on the Oasis but the title of your thread made me want to check it out. Thanks for the tip on getting a starboard cabin for the Western Carib trip!

I think NCL anytime dining is much better than CCL, on CCL it seems like they just move the tables a little apart but you might as well be eating with those next to you since they are so close. NCL you get a bit more privacy.

Agree with rooms bigger on CCL

However, if you spring for a suite on NCL you will never go back, the perks are so much more above CCL. But the suite cost is a lot more also.

I say go with the one closest to you for your mother's sake, she won't want to drive all those hours and won't probably know or care about the differences. Either way, have a great cruise!

Thanks for all the info. This sounds like a great and cheap way to take 4 kids. Excursion prices are just too much for 8 people!

Also, wanted you to know that we used your pictures to compare my brand new iPad mini with the iPad 2 to see if the naked eye could really see the difference. Yep, we can! Beautiful pictures!

Gambee, Gambee, Gambee, you certainly outdid yourself today with those pics from Horseshoe Bay. Or it should be called Unbrella Bay. I don't think I ever saw so many umbrellas on that beach before. But, sure added to the coloring in the pictures. Of course did not outdo the pictures of that beautiful water. I agree, it has to be the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.

 

I loved the pictures of the longtail birds too. They are just too cute. Except for the one that tried to attack you. I love watching birds, even in my back yard.

 

Although I really miss not being able to be there this week, this is certainly the next best thing. Thank you so much. Your review came just in time for me.

 

You really need a career change. You need to have those pictures published in some travel magazines. Just awesome. Love those night time pictures too.

 

Thanks again,

Gwen :)

No kidding, send some in to the Sun Sentinel, they publish in the Travel section each Sunday.

I saw now that you answered that question on page 6, sorry for the duplicate question but I got so excited seeing the coke.... :D

Another question, did you think you had enough time to see everything on the ship with the number of sea days you had? We want to do Getaway next year when it comes to Miami but I'm afraid with the number of ports we will have that we won't get to see all the ship has to offer. And I recall Gambee saying a few of the places were only open a few hours a day.

Only through page 2 so far but where did you get the Coke in O'Sheenan's? Can you buy them on the ship or did you bring them on?

Love the food porn! Will be back when I get home to see the rest.

Oh my, I've been reading for three hours and still on page 35. Thanks so much for all the info and pictures. We won't be going on the Breakaway but can't wait for the Getaway to come to Florida.

Sarah in Weston, how are you liking 595? :eek: We are right off Flamingo so it's killing me.

DH says "lights out" so will catch up tomorrow. Thanks again for all the work you have put into this!

Not on a cruise but a trip to Disney World with a new boyfriend, I forgot to pack ANY nightgowns! He thought it was a come-on but I didn't really like him that much, ended up buying a $32 Mickey Mouse baseball nightgown which I still wear. :D With the "new improved boyfriend"

One year 6 friends came from Canada to go on a cruise, they get to the hotel in Ft Lauderdale and realize they left all the formal clothes -yes!! on the back of the door. The ladies go to Sawgrass and buy more but DH offers the husband his suit. DH is 4 inches taller and 50 pounds heavier but the husband takes it. The formal pictures look like a human in Shrek clothes. hehehehe

Did forget the toothpaste one time but CCL who we were cruising then had some samples of those travel toothbrushes with paste in them. Does CCL still do the little samples in the bathroom? Anyway, it was a lifesaver for us and those we met that day.

Went on a timeshare trip last week and realized we had forgotten a few things that WERE ON THE LIST! The secret I guess is to CHECK the list before you leave.

Can't wait to see the inside of Breakaway! Have a good trip Ben!

Thanks for all the tips, we are planning our first Baltic cruise for August 2013.