Georgia_Peaches

4 minutes ago, hammermw said:

I guess that was my assumption since the previous cruise ends the day before in another city. I looked up Breakaway cruises and there isn't anything listed in between. 

Ok got it.  Thought maybe you knew about some website that told those kinds of things.  I'm always very amazed by the knowledge some people have as it relates to cruise ships/itineraries.  To answer your question, if I knew the ship was empty, I'd get there at 10:15 to ensure the earliest boarding possible.  Have a great time.  We were on Breakaway last Thanksgiving and had the best time!

How did you find out it was traveling empty to your port?  Not challenging the information, just wondering how you knew.  Thanks!

So there's a steam room in each of the men/women areas but not in the coed areas?  Did I see that correctly?  Part of the fun is sitting in these spaces with my hubby.  Hmmm

7 minutes ago, DebInAntigua said:

 

Actually looking at the Dec 23rd holiday sailing. It's a great time to get away for a small business owner.

Nice!  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. What’s the ship?

On 8/13/2019 at 12:10 PM, Mr&MrsBee said:

Just booked our Dec 2020 cruise from Tampa.  Glad to see X back in Tampa.

Good to know. Took my first Celebrity cruise out of Tampa several years ago and was disappointed when they stopped using that port. 

I can’t imagine ever being bored on a cruise. Loved the Constellation (M class) and never ran out of things to do. Though I haven’t done a Panama Canal itinerary yet, it’s my understanding that in order to do so, you will have to be on a smaller ship. 

Seems kinda harsh. I’ve never purchased jewelry on a cruise ship but if I found something that I loved at a price point I’m willing to pay, I’d buy it be it called Tanzanite, Zultanite, Dynamite. I don’t think it makes me a sucker if I like it. 

I don't have the departure sheets you asked about but I can tell you that we were off the ship by 8 AM in order to catch a 10:05 flight.  Had plenty of time.  I will also say that we were in the Haven so had an escort to the security/customs line on the debarkation deck of the ship.  It was the first time we didn't go through customs in the terminal.  We showed our passports and looked into a facial recognition camera and were off the ship in a matter of minutes.  The non-Haven passenger debarkation line was adjacent to ours and it was not long at that time and was moving swiftly as well.  Not sure how much earlier than 8 others were able to get off the ship.

Just as an aside, if you're asking because you're trying to time a flight, know that every debarkation situation is different.  I have read of situations where, for whatever reason, delays have occurred.  Although we were lucky in that we made it to the airport without incident, I was not without a certain level of stress that some unforeseen incident would cause us to miss our flight.  In a perfect world, I would recommend a departure time that doesn't cut it quite so close. 

All very good information and advice.  I would add that if you consult this mile-long thread (below), you may get some idea of what people have done in the past and what has worked/not worked.  One thing I noticed when reading this thread is that more offers were rejected than accepted...at least as it relates to what is reported on the thread.  Therefore, my take-away has been similar to that of another poster...watch the pricing of the cabins that you have an eye on and if they fall in your comfort range without worrying about the bidding process, go ahead an upgrade outright.  Then at least you know for sure what you will be getting and where (location on the ship).  I was in an aft-Haven penthouse in June on deck 9 of Breakaway (largest balcony) and absolutely LOVED everything about it.  I started with a bid but kept watching the prices.  About 3 weeks out, I called my TA and just upgraded.  I knew I wanted that cabin so there was no point in playing the wait-and-see game.  Best of luck!

15 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

Opening credit cards can have negative results.   Just sayin'.

🙂

Cole, your point is well taken and I don't disagree at all.  But I make that suggestion generically without presuming to know the OP's financial situation.  A credit card can be a solution (albeit, not always the  best solution) in a pinch...which it seems like she's in.  Only the OP knows if that's a viable option for her.  With any debt comes risk and responsibility.   

1 hour ago, clw1624 said:

Great review and pictures. We're on the Sun next Monday and I am looking forward to a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Thanks for sharing. 

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The Veuve Clicquot was the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Have a great time!

Could have sworn I just read this thread where Birdtravels pointed out that the only ship with a nursery is Escape.  What happened?

I like the idea of opening an NCL credit card to get the OBC and the cruise!  Sounds like a silver lining in what could have been a very disappointing cruise cancellation.  At this point, I think it's a lucky thing you have not been cancelled and forced to re-book at a new rate.  Pay it quickly before it's too late.  Good luck!

17 minutes ago, BostonGal35 said:

GeorgiaPeaches - how much did you tip the waiters (if at all) who assisted you in the cabana?   any chance you snapped any photos of the provided snacks?   i rented one for my solo cruise later this month as the price with my Plat Plus discount was teh cheapest ive ever seen.

We tipped $25 at the end of the day for about 6 hours of service.  Not sure if this was too much or too little but our guy was very attentive, even when it rained.  And he seemed happy with it.  Sadly, no snacks were included in the small cabana rental.  Just bar service, mats, bottled water, and towels.  The towels were a nice touch too because I heard some people on the tender complaining that they had to lug their towels back and forth from the ship.

8 hours ago, chemmo said:

The RS has a double door so banners would need to be one side only or split in the middle. 

Perhaps it depends on the deck or location but our RS on Equinox only had 1 door while the nearby PS had a double.  The butler hung a sign on our door for our wedding anniversary but it wasn't with a magnet so I can't say for certain if they are magnetized or not.  

Curious about the answer myself.  Have only been on Equinox and Reflection but will be in Silhouette in November.  I actually liked Reflection's PG better.  And if I may piggyback on this question, does anyone know the cost of a pass for a 9 night cruise?

Drink package is available in all ship venues as well as Great Stirrup Cay, but not Harvest Cay.  It is inclusive of alcohol as well as soft drinks.  Depending on the package you get, you may have to pay a slight up charge if you order a drink that isn't covered on your plan.  In order to have water and specialty coffees included, you must have the Premium Plus plan.  Although I had the PP on the Sun, the only specialty coffee venue available was Starbucks and that was not included in the plan.  Escape may have a coffee bar that isn't Starbucks that is covered by the plan but others will have to chime in on that as I haven't been on Escape yet.  If you do not have the Premium Plus plan and are wondering about water, I have found that there are plenty of water dispensers available around the ship, many infused with cucumber or citrus, that can be used to fill up a water bottle.  Just be sure to fill a clean cup and then pour into your own water bottle.  Many people put their water bottles directly under the dispenser spout and this is a no-no.

As mentioned, I had the PP on the Sun and while I enjoyed to idea of having a bottle of wine with dinner, it didn't really afford us anything more than what we would normally order with the Premium package.  Therefore, I would not upgrade to PP but would take it if it was offered as a perk.

Hope this helps!

Good move by Celebrity IMO.  Silk Harvest was more than forgettable when we ate there and with fewer specialty dining options on Equinox that other S class ships, it's nice to know that it has been replaced.  

Just now, Zignewt said:

We are silver and did not get a bottle of sparkling wine in our room on our last sailing (7 nights).  Is this something you have to ask for?

I have to think it is nothing special when they give this at bronze level but you have to be gold to get a bottle of water!

Lol...so true. 

We didn't have to ask.  It was in the room upon arrival.  Perhaps your lack of sparkling was an oversight.

Am wondering...if the premium + is cheaper than the premium (which I already have), will they pay me to upgrade? 😁😀

4 minutes ago, scottygirl said:

Shows up on my cruise planner for $67.50 per day but with absolutely no description of what it is!

Yep, I just found that as well but it's not listed/shown with the other packages.  I found it in a drop down menu under Specialty Dining/Drinks packages.  No picture or description.

9 hours ago, keep on cruisin said:

That would match our planner.  I upgraded 1 of our perk classics during the last sale.  When looking at the planner today i was only given the option to upgrade to premium, but not premium plus.

   ..this is the only thing showing in my cruise planner for our November cruise...

We took our first cruise with NCL on the Epic a few years ago.  Shortly after we booked a short booze cruise on the Sun.  We did not receive a bottle of sparkling wine on the Sun because according to the room steward, you have to be  on a cruise 7 nights or longer (not sure if it says that on the list of Bronze perks).  On our next 7 nighter, it was in our room.  

Every palate is different.  Whether you like it or not doesn't matter IMO.  It's a nice way to kick of the cruise!

I can totally relate.  I have a cruise in 100 days but I'm feeling withdrawals from the fact that after this one, there's nothing more on the books.  And 2K pp for Haven is really good!!

Regarding Breakaway, we were on her in June and we stayed in the Haven.  Ship is in great shape and we enjoyed her very much!  We spent a lot of time in the Thermal suite, which was awesome, and also the casino.  Casino was tight during our cruise and there was not much variety in machines available.  (Just got off the Sun last week and found the casino to be fantastic!)  For a large ship, I think Breakaway could be a little better in this area.

I hope you go for it!

So clever!  Thank you for the recipes.  Have a wonderful cruise...definitely following!