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We did Norwegian Breakaway as we live in NY and try to cruise out of NY whenever possible. Keep in mind, I LOVE cruising and in most ways feel that the cruise is what you make it. I'm very easy going and always try to look at the bright side, however, I was very disappointed with the ship and crew. Yes, it's huge, but the hallways are extremely narrow. The way the ship is set up, there are crowds of people everywhere, and the staff was very rude. I was very disappointed. There are only 2 pools and the adult pool is so deep, you can't stand up. We spent our time at the kids pool, no big deal. The ship goes out of NY in February and does not have a retractable roof, so you can't enjoy the lido deck until day 3 when you far enough south where it is warm. Also, as we Learned from other cruisers, they coin NCL as "no cash left" because they charge you for so many activities and entertainment. My father in law became ill and had to fly home to NY from Florida. They did allow us to use the phone on the ship to communicate with him and family members to ensure he could get home safely. Apparently, the insurance did him no good, as he had to pay for his airplane ride home. Anyway, we are sticking with Carnival and looking forward to the Dream.

I have to agree with all of your points about BA.

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I happen to love the Fantasy-class ships. I have a total of 53 nights on them. Haven't sailed one since Fantasy almost 4 years ago, so I'm looking forward to sailing Ecstasy soon.

 

 

 

I have no need for most of the new bells and whistles. Yes, I was on Vista's inaugural cruise but I went for the itinerary, not the ship. I'm also booked on Horizon's TA next spring. Again, not for the ship, but because I've been wanting to do a TA for years.

 

 

 

Anyway, I personally feel that the crew gives better service on the smaller ships and that the MDR food is better. I swear, when Fantasy was in Charleston, she had the best food of any Carnival ship I'd sailed.

 

 

 

Oh, and the upcoming cruise will be #27 for Carnival, #30 overall (with another HAL cruise booked for November on their newest, largest ship - again, I booked for the itinerary and the casino fare I received - not the ship).

 

 

 

Some of us appreciate the smaller ships. Every time I board a Fantasy-class ship, it feels like I'm returning home. :)

 

 

 

But I'm grateful for the reminder about hair dryers! I'd forgotten that there won't be one on Ecstasy. Just made myself a note to remember to pack mine. Thanks!

My first cruise was on Carnival Glory 7 years ago. It was the best vacation I've ever had. Everything from the ship to our room and our excursions were wonderful. Ship size was good. I then tried Norwegian Breakaway and it wasn't nearly as nice as our first cruise. We felt the ship was too big even though we chose to try a larger one. Our next cruise will be on Ecstasy in 49 days so we're looking forward to enjoy the pluses a Fantasy class (and Carnival!) ship has to offer again. It seems the people who enjoy Fantasy class are all looking for the same thing. [emoji16]

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I have no idea what BA you were on, but not one thing you found not to your liking did we experience except for the larger atrium. The food, is our opinion was outstanding with great selection. We have cruised over 30 times, on all mass marketed lines; this was the best food we have had in, maybe 10 or 15 years. Our cabin was spotless all the time: check in was rather fast and the crew bent over backwards to be helpful and pleasant. I am surprised they wouldn't make your son a sandwich there must have been a reason for that. YOu could have gotten him one in O'sheenans. Did you even try Modernos for lunch? they did a wonderful job and it was part of the no charge dining. Oh, one more thing, I agree with on, the cabins are smaller than Carnival. We normally do some research before choosing a cabin so we, at least know what to expect.

 

Your opinion and mine is why we have so many cruise line choices, what works for one person does not always work for another.. Sorry you had such a horrible, unpleasant experience.

You are right about differences in opinions and experiences! My cousin who we cruised with, was on BA two other times prior and even he said this trip was unrecognizable from his previous sailings that same year on her. Unfortunately we cruised during Jersey Week, second week of November. The staff told us they were at the absolute max capacity and I think that contributed to our experience. The kiddie pool section was closed the entire week except 1 day as well. We did enjoy Moderno. We ate their for lunch on the first day as well as dinner. I did forget to mention that. We asked the staff in Manhattan Room about the grilled cheese and they were pretty adamant they would not make a special item. Again, being backed up could explain that.

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OK, Carnival cruiser here looking to jump ship and do a 14 day on the Breakaway out of NY in 2018. So far everything I have read is negative and I wonder if this is a good move. I've never been unhappy on any cruise.........love Carnival.......but prices have gone up and itineraries out of NY gone down with Carnival. Just want to cruise out of my home port and have a great cruise. Any advice or info appreciated.

My husband and I cruised aboard BA with our 3 year old son, cousin and his Fiance'. My cousin and his fiancé have cruised BA 2 other times and raved about it. My husband and I are also avid Carnival cruisers. Pier 88 in NY is really small; long and narrow. We arrived at 11am and the waiting in the check in line for an hour and a half. Once on board we found the inside of the ship tiny and claustrophobic for a mega ship. There is no open air atrium like on most Carnival ships. You are corralled to walk along the inside. Because of this we were stir crazy, feeling mostly trapped in a submarine feeling for a week. We had a ocean view cabin on deck 5, #5178. I also have a walk through up on Youtube.

Our room was filthy when we arrived at 3pm (after safety drill and we were already moving). Our room smelled of sewage the entire time and was smaller than an oceanview room on Carnival. Buffet food was terrible. Nothing like the choices on Carnival. The dining rooms wouldn't even make my son a grilled cheese sandwich after he was sick of pizza, fries and chicken fingers all week. The staff is nothing like Carnival. They are downright miserable, rude, can't seem to be bothered. Food in the main dining rooms also left a lot to be desired. Best food we had was from Jimmy Buffets and we had to pay extra and it was well worth it. For us, Carnival offers better food, service, rooms, ship layouts.

That is an accurate assumption, for quieter... and for a solo on the other extreme,,one of the most affordable great location deals is the 1A and the inside 1A's with one bunk on Empress Deck are slightly larger...so much so that they will sometimes put another bed next to the twin, leaving the bunk up, Nobody is across from you on these rooms and they seem larger to me than the regular Spirit and Conquest insides. Also much more apt not to be kids next door and parents across hall mania...and a straight shot out to Centrum Bar and elevators. Middle ship location. I had bad memories size wise and narrow one wall bed wise from an old inside in 80's and found this delightful with a large enough for me just twin...the fake curtained window held the animals on the sill. Next time I will maybe try the double bed...one guy way back was a regular solo on this class whom they remembered and made the double for........the nobody across hall and under carpeted dining room and over reg cabins makes them unique and special..like a HUGE train cabin in a way...loved it. I liked it better than friends on Cabin crawl for that 4 day Cruise because even less commotion in my hall.... and it was friends then with a 1600 cost for the Veranda Jr Suite for one and 1600 for 2 and 290 (appx..then 1A's were 0nly 150%} for mine for one...it was a Catalina Ensenada 4 day one on sale on Paradise at the time..2nd favorite cruise I think..second week in June in 2009. All this said..I would still be very happy with a Junior Veranda Upgrade...knowing what they are...a unique nice cabin.

Excellent tips, thank you!!

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Do you realize you replied to a post that is about 3 years old?

 

 

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Yes, I am well versed in reading. If you aren't going to contribute anything useful to the post, please keep scrolling. That is the point of forums, isn't it?

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I am with you. I love the Fantasy class ships, and when on them we usually stay on the Verandah deck in a JS. We really like V1 or V2. We can participate in sail away but still be on our own balcony. After sail away, there is very seldom anyone on the bridge wing.

 

The more negative the reviews, the more likely we are able to book them (and maybe the better the price). We paid more for our Verandah suite on a 5 day in 1994 on the Ecstasy than our family members have paid for their OS for a 7 day on the Conquest this month.

 

Amazing values now!

 

Kevin C

My husband and I, I guess you'd say downgraded, from a Grand Suite to a Junior Suite on Ecstasy; V10. I'd assume people either love it or hate it. We are okay with a smaller balcony, being up higher in the ship and hoping the halls up there have a little less hustle and bustle and the stewards are less bogged down? Accurate assumption?

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Any information, tips or pictures of the Jr Suite V10 (or any other) on Carnival Ecstasy? I opted not to choose rooms V1-4 as they are closer to the outside stairs and offered limited privacy. I'm aware these rooms and balconies are smaller and are open to the deck below. I had booked a Grand Suite but I do not want to be on such a low deck and the savings in money will allow me to purchase other excursions that are desired. :)

Glory was the first ship we went on, too!

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My first cruise was Carnival and it was the best vacation of my life. Second cruise was recently on Norwegian and it was the WORST vacation of my life. Going back to Carnival.

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First cruise on Ecstasy in August; what's the American Table Menu? Good? Bad?

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I want to see a video of the new upgrades like they always put on YouTube, hope they do soon!

I agree! Waiting impatiently lol

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Just browsing tips on travelings with kiddos. This is our 2nd cruise and 1st with our 3 1/2 year old son. Wonderful and logical advice, thank you! I have been so worried about forcing my kiddo into the kids clubs or him being bored with us.

Any moms have experience with using a stroller during check in, up the gangway and onto the boat? With waiting and the crowds I want to keep my 3 year old close and out of trouble during the process especially if it will take some time. Would it be okay to use around the ship and fold up during dinner? I know he will be pretty exhausted at some points. TIA

Wow, confirmed 2 full days in Nassau?! I'm on the 11/6 sailing out of NY with a stop in Port Canaveral and Nassau but we will stay there overnight and leave 10am and just be at sea an extra day. I'm also super disappointed in this change and would have LOVED 2 full days at least in Nassau to make up for this. I still understand your frustration.

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Thank you for the feedback! I will definitely take advantage of the tour in the first day.

We will be cruising on the Breakaway for the fist time with our 3 1/2 year old.

Curious about how clean the kids clubs are? Germ prevention? Is there a limit on capacity? Safe? Any tips you can offer?

TIA:o

Was reading reviews that stated Nikelodeon exited from Breakaway in January of this year. Has anyone been on the ship recently to advise if anything fun has replaced SpongeBob especially at the kids splash pool?:eek: