Calicoskies1234

We bought new binocs to bring with us. Also got a gimbal handle for the phone.

We hv full days in ports we’ve not been to before. I wld stress abt being back and dressed in time. Also one other couple bought extra specialty dinners so days we are all together are only a few.

By dinner clothes I mostly mean a fresh shirt, pants and some makeup/cologne lol. We are not packing any formal or fancy clothes.

The reason I made this resv is that options were very limited for party of 6 and days we are doing excursions I didn’t want a fancy dinner resv to worry about. I was thinking we’d all be excited to celebrate our first cruise together and have a great dinner on the first night. I don’t want to be the cruise planner but if I don’t make plans with this group nothing would get reserved or planned. I will try to chg the time to later once onboard when I go first thing to make MDR resv.

Ok, great tip to put in carryon what we need for dinner dress. I’m going to leave resv the same. Get the nice dinner over then have fun rest of evening.

I’m cruising to Alaska this summer on the Encore. I’ve only cruised once before on the Breakaway. In this group of 6 ppl, I’m the only one that’s done a previous cruise. I’ve somehow been appointed as the Cruise guide/director. I made resv for 530 at Cagneys on sail away. Now I’m wondering if we will have access to our rooms/luggage at that time to prep for dinner? Times online for group of 6 were very limited, should I try to change time once on board? Is window seating available for 6seats in Cagneys to watch sail away?

On Breakaway last yr I tried to get plain tomato juice at the bars but they only had Bloody Mary mixer.

It’s a calorie thing, we’ve eliminated a lot of sugar and calories. Will have to stick to the hard stuff to avoid sugar, even more merrier.

Ok, now with more info I think we will just keep the package and maybe we drink more and be merry!

Those are both the replies I needed! Thank you both. I think since we only like beer or simple cocktails, it’s better for us to not have to drink pkgs.

Can someone help me with ball park cost on buying drinks individually? We are not big drinkers, prob cocktails at dinner and maybe 1 after dinner. We drink lots of water, bringing a water bottle with us. Will both drink Starbucks 1-2x day. I’m thinking to cancel the alcohol packages and just pay for the drinks as we go. Same with Starbucks. I’d like to know a little on pricing so I can do the math. We will be off ship many hours on port days too. Thanks for the help. I tried searching but only got convoluted search replies. Will be on the Encore.

I find it silly that you think they served you soup made with gravy dry mix and instant mashed potatoes. You should have told your server there was something wrong with your foods, let them serve you other foods.

I stayed in a studio on Breakaway in Feb 2023. I loved it. I enjoyed my privacy. The room had great storage. My bed was 3xtremely comfy, I think it’s a full size mattress, as opposed to a twin. The lounge was a great perk. I think studio lounge had the best coffee on ship, 2nd only to Starbucks. The private studio hallways were quiet. I wld not hesitate to book another studio room.

I brought a usb chargeable 5” fan on Breakaway in Feb. No issues.

I was on Breakaway early Feb 2023. It was a very nice ship. I didn’t have much trouble getting on/off ship. My only complaints were that we all found the food to be hit or miss, more misses than hits. Lots of cold food or just not yummy food from MDRs. Buffet was a learning issue to figure out good from bad. Coffee was undrinkable except for Studio Lounge. We got Starbucks everyday. The specialty dining was all great, but that only proves that the ship kitchens can prepare really yummy food, but they choose not to do it in complimentary dining options. My room was great, ALL crew top notch. The live music was pretty good, very enjoyable but the venues too small to accommodate #guests wanting to listen. The shows Six and Burn The Floor were excellent. My last complaint is that I couldn’t find many comfy places to sit on The Waterfront (my fave outdoor area). The furniture here is pretty old/worn/uncomf. Not everyone wants to spend hours in a pool lounger. I def had more good than bad on Breakaway. I won’t sail BA again tho, I want that observation deck found on breakaway plus.

I would never let my 11+ yr olds order from a kids menu. First, kid menu food is yucky and my kids would never eat that over the adult menu. Second, I find it cheap and rude to have a 15 yr old or an adult order from a kid menu. If she didn’t want to eat Teppanyaki, why would you have her use a seat? You could have gone as a couple on a date? Let her eat a burger n fries in buffet?

On Breakaway in Feb, we had very slow service, lukewarm-cold food and hit or miss dishes in all 3. I’m not the only one that was disappointed in the food on that sailing. Ppl all over ship were also complaining. Still had a nice cruise.

On Breakaway a few wks ago, with my iPhone in airplane mode and connected to ship Wi-Fi, I could text msg any iPhones, land or ship. The WhatsApp didn’t work at all. I didn’t have to use any of my 150 Wi-Fi min for texting iPhone to iPhone. We used the Ncl msg within the app for the android phones in our group of 19. The app text worked fine for us.

Thanks for reply Wolfie. At this point I’m wondering if we should just relax and enjoy the town and not try to do an excursion in short time. NCL does have a Totem Bight exc so maybe I’ll look at that.

Thank you Coral & Disney, both very good info I’ve put in my notes.

I had small usb fan still in box in my checked bag. No issues. Also, I didn’t use it. Won’t pack again.

On Breakaway early this Feb, there were big urns of ice water, orange juice, a coffee machine, hot water for teas and for-fee wine dispenser. No fridge or other drinks. A bartender was there 5-7pm but very limited on drinks he can make.

I have finalized Juneau. Jayleens Alaska sent a great email and I booked a 6person tour with her company. Very excited! Yea, I’m the type of person that books tours 16months out. She can get us at port 330 and we will be back with 3 hrs to walk Juneau.

Thanks for that rec, I’ll see what I can get planned in such a short port time. Prob just do Totem Bight since it’s close and not see the town, which makes me sad. Gives me a reason to return to AK.

Ahh thank you, I had them backwards.