CaptnG

Sailed the breakaway in February this year, and there was a fantastic musician named Melvin Harold that sang and played the acoustic guitar, and some nights piano. He did a lot of classic rock themed music, and even had a Beatles tribute one evening.

Has anyone noticed if he’s been onboard recently? We’re sailing the breakaway again in October and I’m very much hoping he’ll be joining us.

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I used Home away (just like air b&b) a few years ago. Had an amazing flat in old San Juan with 4 Verandas, 2 beds, 2 baths, full kitchen, and marble floors throughout. It’s probably the nicest place I’ve ever stayed, and only cost $100 per night. I’d look into something like that if you’re not set on staying at a hotel.

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Look up pinel island, to me it’s paradise.

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I’d consider driving to Seward the day before. Not sure on availability but you can find some fantastic cabins on Kenai lake just outside Seward in moose pass. My favorite are the spruce moose cabins. I think that would afford you more time to enjoy the drive without having to leave too early. Another possible issue is the highway from anchorage to Seward has frequent accidents and construction that can hold up traffic for hours. This is especially frequent in the summer and there’s no alternative road.

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We got off Breakaway 10 days ago after a 9-day cruise. I passed thru Margaritaville several times, but never once saw it open.

Possible it was open, but so slow inside you thought it was closed [emoji23] we were the only people eating there one morning.

On our Caribbean sailing the buffet was open in the morning on at least all of our port days. Maybe more, but those were the days we went.

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My best tip for the breakaway is going to margaritaville for breakfast on port days. It was never crowded and we could enjoy a view of the island. Options are limited, but all the traditional American breakfast items were available.

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Thanks!! I was really worried that wasn’t going to work, glad to know there’s a gap still!!

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I’m sailing with my mom on the Breakaway this October, and I’m noticing that it appears we have the bed next to the closet layout in our balcony room. If we have the beds separated as we intended will we be able to access the closet or will it be blocked by the bed?

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We just did the Epic in May for the first time and are doing Breakaway out of NOLA in November. The Epic cruise had several issues we did not like:

 

1. Elevators - only one set on each end of ship. Lots of long waits; aggravating at times.

2. Atrium area - Like others have mentioned it was loud. We don't do game shows but we did have several meals at the O'Sheehan's and we had trouble conversing with our cruising friends because of the noise.

3.Walking track - very small for a large ship. Also bad smell coming from somewhere. Therefore only used once. We found another deck that we used instead. Really not a walking track but better than stinky, small Epic walking track.

4. Casino location - had to go through casino to go to almost all dining and entertainment venues it seemed.

1. Elevators appear to be in the same location on both ships, so you may experience the same frustrations.

2. (I’ve only been on the breakaway, not epic)the atrium on BA is open to osheehans. More often than not when we tried to eat there during the evening there would be a musician playing so loudly no one could converse at the table and we had to yell for the waiters to hear us. Probably not much improvement over epic, possibly worse..

3. Walking track was around the upper pool deck, and was also a major thoroughfare and where many end up putting their loungers as the pool deck is crowded in the afternoons. Likely to have a better experience walking on the waterfront.

4. We never walked through the casino with our children as it was very smokey. I don’t recall making much additional efforts to avoid, usually crossed on decks 6 or 8.

All that being said we had a fabulous time! Our last trip prior to the a Breakaway was on an Oasis class (HOTS), and we’re planning on spending another week on both ships this March since we couldn’t decide which we preferred.

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I just booked these rooms on the Harmony and was wondering if you had any noise from the elevators or foot traffic from being so close to the elevators? I’m hoping this location will make getting around the ship easier than the last time we sailed her and stayed pretty far forward.

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There’s always a line of taxi waiting just outside of baggage claim. I’d say 25$ is a good estimate, unlikely to be higher. Uber and Lyft are also available in anchorage now.

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Having a great time following along!

Just wanted to say I can sympathize with noticing the available discount after the fact.. realized after our trip to the natural history museum and intrepid museums in New York that our local museum membership includes the ASTC feature that would have gotten us into both museums for free.. which would have saved us about 200$ 🤦🏼*♀️

Felt like a big oversight once I realized that, but at least our money went to support a good cause.

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Well I tried to not say anything else.. But I can’t help myself [emoji28]

http://auroraforecast.gi.alaska.edu/

Around our latitude in the summer months the aurora index needs to be at lvl 3 or higher to see them, and tonight’s forecast is 5.

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I guess you can believe what you want to believe but it is simply too light to see them at this time of year.

Ok, honestly wouldn’t bother arguing about this with you, but I posted in hopes that a traveler would get to see them if they happened.. now I was in bed early so I do t know about last night, but I have personally seen northern lights in Alaska, in the summers, even this close to solstice. It’s like I said earlier, fireworks and northern lights are not as spectacular in the summer.. but when they happen you can see them and they are worth watching. I will not be commenting further, as this post has about 12 hrs of potential value left in it.

Look up all you want... The sky will be lit up, but it will be with sunlight, not northern lights.

If you’re an Alaskan that’s never seen the northern lights during the summer you’re missing out! I’m fully aware it’s bright, but that doesn’t stop them from happening.

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Still possible to see em, just not the same as winter lights. If you happen to be here for 4th of July fireworks it’s kinda the same, visible but not as spectacular.

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I’m an Alaskan Mom and I can tell you from experience that waterproof shoes or boots and lots of extra socks are always the first thing I grab if we’re going out for anything off the beaten path.. I second what everyone else recommends, and that goes double for layers, it swings between kinda cold to sunny and warm rapidly and frequently up here.

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The chase sapphire reserve credit card pays for your global entry enrollment as a perk.

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If you’re in Alaska tonight or tomorrow remember to look up at the sky. They’re predicting a solar storm that should produce a good light show over the next couple nights.

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It's late and I'm a bit wired...

 

 

Writing usually helps me sort my thoughts...so here we go.

 

 

 

I did chronicle my own packing. I did not chronicle packing for DS or DH.

 

 

I can tell you that they are taking way more clothes than I am! Which I think is rather funny...going against the stereotypes.

 

 

 

Men get a bum wrap though...when it comes to clothing. A lady can wear a dress...and some sandals. Might need underwear and a bra. MEN...they need pants, undershirt, shirt, socks and rather large shoes. By the very nature of things...men end up needing and taking more clothing.

 

 

As I said...we aren't doing formal wear...but DS enjoys a bit of dress above a typical graphic tee. He's taking 4 short sleeved button down shirts, 2 sweaters, and 6 undershirts. He has 3 pairs of technical cargo pants...quick dry, wicking fabric...but the style is nice. Also 2 pairs of jogger style out of Chino like fabric.

 

 

 

DS also has a pair of completely comfy lounge around sweat like joggers.

 

Several tees for day wear

 

3 base layers (2 short sleeved, 1 long)

 

a borrowed fleece pullover

 

raincoat

 

2 beanies

 

windproof gloves

 

Chucks

 

Hiking boots

 

flip flops

 

swim trunks

 

so many pairs of normal and athletic underwear! (we will be 10 nights before we hit the laundromat)

 

4 pajama bottoms

 

so many socks!!

 

 

 

Now DH...he has even more clothing...and it's bigger and takes up more space because he is 6'1".

 

 

 

DH likes to wear shorts...Vancouver will be warm...and DH might wear shorts at some point on the cruise if the weather is upper 60s...

 

 

 

So DH has packed...

 

 

 

2 athletic shorts

 

2 cargo shorts

 

2 cargo pants (non technical)

 

3 technical pants (or was it 2?)

 

3 tees

 

2 button down long sleeves

 

2 undershirts

 

1 button down short sleeve

 

1 nicer knit shirt short sleeve

 

1 nicer knit shirt long sleeve

 

tons of underwear, normal and athletic

 

casual but dressy enough shoes

 

walking shoes

 

hiking boots

 

flip flops

 

swim trunks

 

4 base layers...2 short sleeved, 2 long sleeved

 

fleece pull over

 

raincoat

 

2 beanies

 

windproof gloves

 

hiking socks

 

walking socks

 

dress socks

 

 

 

OMG.

 

 

 

Both men are pulling from what I've listed here for their travel outfits...

 

 

DH ended up with some heavier, bulkier camping items in his pack. I went light on the camping items for DS. So DH is having to supplement with a normal wheeled kind of carry on. DS is supplementing with a very small overnight duffle thing. I've already mentioned that I have my backpack carry on.

 

 

 

The duffles are all sorted...I ended up also taking on DH's sleeping pad in my duffle.

 

 

 

One more purchase tomorrow and the duffles with be completely done! I saw luggage tie downs at Walmart. They are the kind of thing that is normally stuck in your suitcase that you clip and clamp down on your clothing. The duffles lack any such thing. I want to strap those fishing cases into a bundle with my pack...just in case the duffle is opened by TSA...I don't want those cases rolling away.

 

 

 

Weighed all the duffles and they are all within 1-2 pounds of each other. We do the weigh yourself...pick up the suitcase and weigh yourself again process.

 

 

 

I'm very happy to report that each duffle is 36-38 pounds.

 

 

 

Woo hoo!!

 

 

 

Not bad at all. All things considered.

 

 

 

Today, I also deconstructed the big map book...taking out only the pages that I needed. I actually sewed the pages back together at the staple holes with the cover. I also deconstructed the MilePost book...tearing it apart into sections, so that we have that information. This saved me several pounds in paper...

 

 

 

Which is good because I also printed out all my confirmations! I could go electronic...but I prefer paper. We have AT&T mobile service and I've heard that's decent in Alaska...but I'm not taking any chances. I want IRL proof of where, when, what, and how much.

 

 

 

I have a working day tomorrow to get work done around the house. The final prep for leaving after DH finishes his work day.

Great review! Sounds like your well prepared! Just wanted to reassure you that you will have cell coverage along the road and rail systems in Alaska. My husband works for the railroad, they have a contract with AT&T that requires they maintain coverage in those areas.

Have you considered taking pics on your cellphone of the pages you’re planning to bring with? I’m all about having a backup plan, and have found this to be an easy solution that doesn’t take up extra space and weight.

Hope you have a fantastic time, can’t wait to hear all about it!

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Hello everyone ,

 

 

 

We are about to sail on our first cruise with Norwegian Star on June 24 from Venice.

 

 

 

We have 2 very disappointed boys aged 6 & 9 as we have just been informed that the kids pool has been removed along with the water slides!

 

 

 

Can anyone, who has sailed on the Star recently, confirm if the 2 yellow slides are gone?

 

 

 

Disappointed with NCL, disappointed for our boys!

 

 

 

Thank you in advance.

Just wanted to offer my sympathy for your family. I know that water slides are one of the most important features we look for on a ship when we sail with our boys because that’s what they most look forward to. Also having a kids pool allows them to play and swim. Most often in the main pool there’s a lot of adults that do not appreciate the splashing that happens when a kid tries to swim past.. I can totally understand why, but still not fun for the kids or the parents trying to enjoy their vacation.

Our last family cruise we were faced with the slides All possibly being out of commission (fortunately they were open it turned out), so I found a water park we could visit during one of the stops. Figured worst case scenario the boys would get at least one day of water slides. I imagine that’s harder to do in Europe than the Caribbean, but might be worth looking into.

Hope it all works out and your family has a fantastic trip!

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Made final payment over the weekend so now I’m just waiting and hoping! Was a surprise trip for my mom and I, currently inside room but I’m hoping we can at least get an OV for the extra space.

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I got my upgrade email 60 days before cruise, keeping our fingers crossed for a 2 bed Haven to surprise the kids:D

Good luck! Sounds like it would be a fun surprise!

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The invitation to bid appears on your MyNCL home page 80 days prior to cruise. NCL award upgrades 80 days to 2 days prior to cruise (Suites are awarded week of cruise 5 days to 2 days).

Thank you!

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I’m wondering if we’ll get the offer to bid on upgrades for our cabin category. Does anyone know on average when you’d receive the offer?

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