newcruiser48

Our first Breakaway cruise was a blast, BUT...there were 30 friends and family sailing, and it was August to Bermuda. Spice H2O was available to us every day, which alleviates some of the crowding. Most nights we would be able to squeeze next to one of our travel mates to see an event. And I mean SQUEEZE!

My second was a 2 night cruise to nowhere, in January....bad, bad, idea. People were packed everywhere...everyone was nice, crew was awesome, etc, but crowded is putting it mildly.

Third was February....same scenario as January until we reached warm ports. The waterfront seating was a blessing, never crowded and was a quiet place to read or view the ocean.

I rarely went to the night time parties in Spice, but did hear they get crowded too.

The ship definitely needs bigger venues for for it's activities, the atrium just doesn't work well.

The movie is Gravity

Thanks

Hi John,

On one of my Gem cruises last year I did see movies playing in the Atrium, very loudly, and with subtitles. The one I remember was the space movie with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Sorry don't know the name. If I recall correctly, it's listed in the Freestyle Daily when they play.

Me too!! The way I see it, the worst cruise is still better than my best week at work!

Great attitude! I did have a "worst cruise" though. 2014 Labor Day week on the Gem, the amount of rudeness of so many people actually did put a damper on our cruise. I almost swore off of sailing out of NY, but now I just time it better. Loving reading your review!

Make that 13750's!!

 

Thanks everyone!!

 

Aren't these considered more desirable than aft? She did tell me smaller balcony..

I've sailed the same mid ship deck on Breakaway and also aft balcony on deck 9. I prefer the midship....(don't shoot me, LOL) The aft balcony was huge, but I wasn't impressed with always seeing the wake or where we've been. And unless you stood or sat right at the railing, you only see the side walls or the wake. I like the side view much better.

We also had soot, vibrations and no real breeze back there when it warmed up.

Enjoy your cruise!

Beautiful pictures, Thank you.

I've been on the BA three times, the last 2 were due to convenience and availability. Each time I asked myself why did I sail it again! Just my opinion....I hate the buffet, hate the pool area, the closet/bed situation is ridiculous.

All the interior public areas are way too small for the events that they try to host in them. The theater is used only for their big production shows, I truly enjoy the variety on the smaller ships.

And such a large ship with only two stair/elevator banks doesn't make sense to me either.

I do like SpiceH20 and the cushioned seating on the waterfront, but would definitely hesitate to ever book it again. Love the Gem layout so much better.

Unfortunately the worst criticism was from family. Specifically the ILs. [emoji57] they wanted to warn my husband. Whatever...

 

 

Anyhow thank you for all of your support.

 

I went and had a great time. There were a few awkward moments but in general I met great people and had fun.

 

The worst part was one night I was seated on the main floor in the middle of the dining room at a table for 2 by myself. I felt like I was on stage with everybody watching me. Probably just my own insecurities though. I just read my book and enjoyed a glass or 2 of wine with dinner.

 

I met some great women from noway traveling to celebrate their birthdays and hung out with them a bunch.

 

I had a great time. It was so relaxing. If the price and timing is right I will definitely travel solo again. [emoji41]

Good to hear from you! I experienced an awkward solo lunch in the MDR while sailing, but it wouldn't stop me from doing it again.

last 2 balcony cabins didn't, I bring my own spot mirror on a 2 sided small stand mirror.

Saw on fb Willy Freeman posted they are working on the azipods, will depart 0600 tomorrow.

When I was on the BA, the IConcierge app was used for accessing onboard activities, restaurants, show schedules. Sort of a mobile Freestyle daily. For a charge of approx $14.95 for the week, you could call and text others onboard with assigned ID numbers. If you're looking to use it for calls to home, etc. that's not what it will do. Download the app before you sail if you plan on using it, and contact your cell phone provider for information regarding international usages.

We've eaten at LeBistro with a gift, otherwise I see no need. There are so many complimentary food options.

I'm also a married soloist (one done at age 57, and one planned if no one can go with me). I've cruised with my husband, and cruised with 30 family/friends. I enjoyed the solo as others have said, no pressure from anyone. There were a few lonely moments but they didn't last long. Just got up and out doing something. Don't let the negative people sway your choices, the only person you have to answer to is you. Happy Sailing!

not true, just priced it still $1538 for single occupancy, not sure where you got that info....not that I would go but I checked in case my Son wants to go.

Click all the way through to pick your cabin, it shows there.

I completely agree with everyone here, but.....on the Breakaway last time, many people got a "little" dressed up. Sundresses, or a dressy top, etc. I didn't pack much for dressing up, but wished that I had. I rarely have the opportunity to do so in my daily life, so maybe that made a difference too.

Seeing as no one else has replied, I can tell you that when I sailed in February, our show reservations for ROA were changed multiple times. The actual show times/days were also changed. We ended up not going at all, we had seen it on a prior sailing. I don't know it this helps you, but best to be prepared for the unexpected. Happy Sailing!

You are so so right.....Once you have bed bugs they get into everything.....At first i didn't know what they were, as i have a dog, and i thought at first that they were either fleas or ticks.... they were all over my apartment....they were in the rugs...and i had white carpeting so they were easy to see, they were in my furniture, i had a wood dining room, and entertainment center, they were living in them, my entire bedroom set including matteress....notified the maintentance in the aprartment complex, and he came into and told me that these were bed bugs and the entire building that i livied in were invested with them also.... the exterminators notifed all of us we had to get rid of everything, furniture, bed room set....clothing....everything that was in that apartment i had to get rid of....i cannot tell you how much it cost me to replace it with new....needless to say i moved out of that apartment fast...i did not move back in there with new stuff.... and you can encounter these anywhere...but the exterminator told us that being that we are all attached in one building....that these critters travel...and if one apartment has them....everyone else has them as well....

My husband owns a pest control company, I've worked for him since 1996 and know more than I ever wanted to about bed bugs. Furniture can be treated, clothing and personal items can/should be laundered and dried as hot as possible or treated in an enclosed container to eliminate bed bugs. We also use a vacuum for large infestations. Granted, it could take a few applications of insecticides, but it will work. So sorry you had to get rid of so much. Apartments are trickier than single family homes. Some just can't afford the cost of these very involved treatments, and if all units aren't treated, the insects could travel everywhere in the building.

They come in handy if the cabin isn't ready yet and you leave your luggage at the Bliss lounge or wherever else they set up. There are not usually porters for a CTN though. We were once told the cruiseline doesn't want to pay for it--can't blame them for a short cruise though.

Makes sense, but I think somewhere should indicate the inability to drop luggage off at the entry to the terminal....before we arrive..

I've heard they will use both piers on January 30th, two of the wonderful pier workers (Brenda and Denise) told me this as we were chatting before getting on our January 4th cruise. Brenda will be at the pier with the Breakaway....which uses the full building and will be going into it's regular pier. The GEM will be down at the next pier.

 

The Breakaway won't be doing checked luggage on the 30th, since it's a 2 day cruise getting on.

I just completed my check in for 1/30, it offered luggage tags. I haven't seen anything stating no checked luggage. I'm not checking any, but someone might so as to not carry around their stuff.

Try these links:

 

Day 1

 

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Day 2

 

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Hopefully that works!!!

Yes it did, Thank you so much!! I am so excited even though it's only 2 nights. Did 7 nights on BA and loved most of the ship (pool area too small).

You should be able to click on each thumbnail and then it will pop open a larger, readable size.

They won't enlarge for me....

I was also on this cruise. It was the most disappointing cruise vacation I've ever had. There is no reason to run in the hall (deck 10), slam your door every time, or yell for your friends while some people tried to sleep. I also witnessed the behavior previously mentioned.

Needless to say, we avoided the buffet whenever possible, it was like a free-for-all...no respect or courtesy. I witnessed a senior crew member practically being run over by the hordes. Disgusting!!

My husband did wear shorts to LeBistro, but it was a surprise dinner, so we weren't prepared with formal wear. They were dress shorts, though.

GSC was the best part of the cruise. We had a small cabana ($249 with a $50 credit back). We were far away from the maddening people on this trip.

We did meet some very nice people, not everyone on the ship was rude. The crew and entertainment were excellent, the food was mostly good.

Thank You! I'll get in on the last one!

Hi Dawn,

Fortunately the storm appears to be moving slowly so hopefully you can get ahead of it. Stay safe...

Debbie and Dave

We use the battery operated votive candles. I hate having the big bright light hit me in the face if I get up in the middle of the night.