milanojosh

We just had a wonderful cruise on the Breakaway despite the holiday crowds and unpredictable winter weather. I think it's almost (ALMOST) always what you make of it. So get on board and enjoy!

I'm with you on the tendering process--that was excruciating.

We did, however, have three really great meals at the Manhattan Room. Our first server actually stopped us to say hello whenever she saw us around for the rest of the cruise. It's a bummer that you didn't experience the same.

I'm just adding to the positive New Year's Eve experiences above. I just got off the Breakaway and we had a wonderful New Year's Eve. Parties of different kinds in numerous spaces (something for everyone, really) and fireworks at midnight. People in everything from casual to formal attire.

Years ago, I was aboard the Dream for New Year's Eve and it was equally fun.

Now you just have to wait! ;) Enjoy!

New Year's Eve was a "formal" night when we sailed the Star last year over the holiday. There was a balloon drop in the atrium at midnight.

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!

I sailed an NCL cruise over New Year's Eve years ago and they adjusted the weekly happenings so that "formal night" conveniently coincided with New Year's Eve.

Anyone have more recent experience with this that can speak to whether or not they still do this (generally)? We are sailing next week and are wondering how many "dressed up" evenings there will actually be (not that there is an expectation to dress up on New Year's Eve, we just plan to).

Happy Holidays, all!

We sailed Oceania for our honeymoon (late 20s/early 30s), and had a fantastic time. Not only were there plenty of other friendly gays on the ship, we met many new straight friends as well. The food and service was perfect. I look forward to sailing again in several years when we're more in line with the demographic. :) All in all, though, a really great line.

Great! Can't believe we sail so soon!

My husband and I got off the ship first thing when we docked in the morning and walked the length of the main strip to the Southernmost Point, then we went and spent the remainder of the day eating, drinking, swimming, and lounging at Island House. It really was the perfect day (for us), but enjoy, no matter what you do! We're looking forward to a more extended visit to Key West in the near future.

So glad you're joining us! We're definitely doing Vibe passes. It sounds like a good adult escape on what will surely be a fully-booked cruise.

What an excellently done review. Thanks so much for it. Looking forward to my sailing next month!

I guess I would agree with neilrr on the lack of entertainment/nightlife, but that wasn't what we were looking for or expecting on that particular cruise. We booked it at a really unbelievable price for the interesting itinerary and the "almost-luxury" feel of this smaller vessel and line. To be fair, since it was an uncharacteristically short itinerary for Oceania (7 days, whereas they tend to sail longer) and they seemed to have trouble filling it, the lower price point brought the median age down a bit (we are late 20s/early 30s) and we were pleasantly surprised to have quite a few other younger people sailing with us. That said, there still wasn't much to do after midnight, which was okay with us this time around with our active itinerary (we are admittedly mass market "fun ship" cruisers otherwise and love nightlife).

I don't really agree about the food and beverage, however, which I thought was quite good and served impeccably. To each his own, of course!

As I expressed earlier, and to the point of this thread, everyone was lovely to us aboard. Have fun!

My husband and I had the most amazing honeymoon aboard the Regatta last November. Not only were we among several other very friendly gay men (our FOD meeting was well-attended and very fun), the general populace of the ship was of the slightly older, more cosmopolitan variety (I dare say "progressive" in comparison to what we encounter on our mainstream cruises), which lends itself to a more tolerant/accepting environment. The crew was equally welcoming and so very excellent in terms of service.

I hear the Riviera is a wonderful vessel. Enjoy!

Anyone else sailing? Group of 5 here!

"Shark Ray Alley", as it was called when I did the excursion back in 2005, was one of the best (if not THE best) excursions I've ever taken. A fantastic day out.

What a shame! Would be so good to meet you guys. My husband and I are sailing with a group of friends for the NYE cruise on 12/29.

Hope you have a great cruise!

So glad to read all of these positive reviews. Having really enjoyed the beverage package on Oceania, I am so glad that NCL has joined the trend. It will keep me sailing NCL!

I started a thread of my own for feedback on the UBP and Vibe, but where is the best place to buy as soon as we board? Is Mixx the only place to do so?

We're taking the NYE cruise on the Breakaway next month and will certainly be taking advantage of the UBP. We'd rather wait and purchase onboard (any tips on the best place to go do that as soon as we board?), but if it's truly best to purchase ahead of time, open to doing that, too. Any strong opinions either way? From reading the forum, it seems you still have to wait in line even if you pre-purchase, so what's the point?

Also, will a week pass at Vibe be worth it at such a cold time of year? It seems to me that in a best-case scenario, we'd only get 3 or 4 days use out of it (and that's if we stay on the ship in port). On the other hand, assuming that for those 3 or 4 days the public pool deck would be a madhouse, perhaps it's even more worth it to have a pass to Vibe.

Any thoughts from those who have already sailed her? So looking forward to it!

We are sailing NYE on the Breakaway and just scored an upgrade from Oceanview (deck 5) to a Balcony on deck 10. VERY pleased.

We are going on the Breakaway in June celebrating a 30th birthday and a graduation, and we are still debating if the drink package is worth it or not. We will be having MULTIPLE drinks throughout the trip and we enjoy having a good time. Our concerns are...

 

- if we are docked in Bermuda for 3 days is it wasting too much money with the package

 

That depends on your in-port habits. We generally return to the ship for dinner (at least), so if you're anything like us (this is using an active port day as an example): stop at the bar for a "getting ready" cocktail, maybe a cocktail before dinner, a glass of wine or two during dinner, and drinks as you hang out/party for the rest of the evening. I don't think it's too hard for it to be "worth it" even on a day when you're mostly off the ship, such as that one.

 

- will we be charged for 7 days or 6 days considering our ship gets back to NY early Sunday You will be charged for six days. Disembarkation day doesn't count.

 

- I love martinis and I read somewhere martinis were not included yet on the list someone posted early I see blue curacao, flavored vodkas, etc....so wouldn't that be considered mixtures for martinis?I can't speak to that. We did the wonderfully inclusive package on Oceania (almost EVERYTHING is included).

 

- We will have about $200 onboard credit can that go towards the package? It sure does!

 

Any help/more opinions are GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

I think given the nature of your trip (sounds like a wonderful celebration!), it would probably be worth it for anyone in your party who is a social drinker. We are by no means lushes, but we find it a carefree way to vacation. Have a great time!

if i never had another alcoholic drink in my life i would be ok

 

 

i can not believe people will pay for unlimited booze.

 

At $50 a day x 7 x 2 people

that is $700

 

some of you out there drink like fish.

 

i now you are on vacation but your poor body is working double time/

 

even that you are not drinking and driving people can get drunk have

 

have fights etc

Oh, good grief, if you don't like it or want it, don't buy it. Believe me, it's fine. But some of us like having that poolside beverage (or two or three), that glass of wine at dinner (or two or three), and maybe another one or two as the night rolls on. It's really not that hard to "break even" (it's amazing that the people most critical are the ones most concerned with "breaking even") without being a total lush. "Starting fights"... (?!?!)

We both ordered it on our Oceania cruise last November and it was just incredible. Mind you, their plan is considerably more inclusive (as is the cruise itself), but there is a lovely freedom about not worrying about how much the bar tab will be at the end. DH drinks a great deal less than I, and it still proved to be a great value.

In my humble opinion, of course. :)

surf & turf sandwich is on regatta too. They must have added it to the waves menu everywhere.

thank goodness!

I believe that they are talking about the, are you ready for this?, "Grilled lobster medallion & petit filet mignon with roasted garlic jus and parmesan-dusted truffled French Fries"

 

 

Quite a mouthful and......er.......quite a mouthful!!! :D

WOW. That's all I can say about that.

Thanks for the reassurance, Bill! Can't wait!

All this talk of Oceania's fabulous food and all those brilliant pictures only serve to prove that this thread is in direct violation of one of the most important elements of our constitutional democracy: the ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

 

Surely Host Andy could step in and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent this uncalled for torture of CC's readers.

 

It's just not fair for those who have been on the O ships to thumb their noses at those who have been limited to the R class.

 

On the other hand, in 20 days I plan to sprint to the Terrace on the Marina, lest they run out of ice cream or lobster tails or hand sliced roast beef or sushi or, or , or......

Is the food that much better on the O ships? First Oceania cruise on the Regatta next month and now you're worrying me a little!

Having both worked on NCL (as a performer) and sailed as a pax, I have never heard of or seen any problems. Most are just there to have a great time and leave to each his own. FOD meetings are indeed hit-or-miss, but not always necessary. Have fun!!!!