Live From Carnival Breeze: Questions, Comments, Cocktails on Me?

[Dan Askin]

Looking forward to your daily reviews.

 

Do you know what dining room that Ken Byrnes, the singing Maitre d' will be in on the Breeze--Blush or Sapphire?

 

Thanks!

 

Ken is in Blush (my assigned dining room) -- but I can't say with certainty whether or not he'll switch at some point.

[Dan Askin]

and what Carnival is offering for the free drink in the Punchliner brunch, will it be a Bloody Mary..... :p TIA

 

I'll do a full review (might dramatize one of the jokes via photo collage) of Punchliners, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. Stay tuned.

[soulpower]

Can you confirm that there is an EA Sports bar onboard? I recall reading somewhere that there wasn't, but this link: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=609 says that the Breeze has it.

[GRAMMYTAN]

Not really related to the Breeze, but I have a question about the BCN airport. When we arrive in October for our Breeze cruise, we have a guide meeting us at the airport. How long did it take you get cleared once you landed in Barcelona?

Thanks and have a wonderful cruise.

[tanner2]

This is interesting since John Heald announced that they would be allowing smoking on the forward and aft portions of Lido, portside...so this is not the case?

 

Thanks for providing the pics and the answers for us! Much appreciated!:)

So no smoking on lido deck ? is there any place to sit on deck 11 to smoke ? step father like to relax on the deck and have a scotch and cigg.! Thanks so much for this Post !:D

[bazarr2]

Internet willing, I'm shooting to publish a couple times a day on this thread. Feel free to post any questions you might have about Breeze, Fun Ship 2.0, connecting cabins (I have one) or the now-legendary John Heald (no poop-related questions, please).

review page.

 

 

Was wondering if you can find out something for me please. Will be doing a B2B on the Breeze and have booked cabins 6460/6468, had asked John Heald whether the balconies are able to be connected. He kindly got back to me and said yes. While talking to my PVP he said they are not able to be connected. Can you please try and find out for sure, I would truly appreciate it, as well if you can get a picture of that type of balcony and inside of the cabin would be really awesome!!!

Cheers,

Helen

I got this from Cruisedeckplans. com

 

If there is a way go to the service desk and ask anyway, it might open and the PVP might be seeing this as it says it doesn't . No harm in asking...

BREEZE

6460 8A 185/75 = 260 sq ft

Beds: twin/king

View: window and large balcony Balcony partition connects to: None

Bathroom: shower-toilet-sink

Features: flat screen-TV; telephone; 110 AC current; individual climate control; hair dryer; safe; minibar; 3-closets; desk and ottoman seat; Balcony features: 2 patio chairs and table

Smoking permitted on balcony only

6468 8A 185/75 = 260 sq ft

Beds: twin/king

View: window and large balcony Balcony partition connects to: None

Bathroom: shower-toilet-sink

Features: flat screen-TV; telephone; 110 AC current; individual climate control; hair dryer; safe; minibar; 3-closets; desk and ottoman seat; Balcony features: 2 patio chairs and table

Smoking permitted on balcony only

MAGIC this looks like a maybe:

6460 8A OSTW 185/75 = 260 sq ft

Beds twin/king / rab: 0

View window and large balcony Balcony partition connects to: ---------

Bathroom shower-toilet-sink

Features: flat screen-TV; telephone; 110 AC current; individual climate control; hair dryer; safe; minibar; 3-closets; chair and coffee table; Balcony features: 2 patio chairs and table

[Dan Askin]

Not really related to the Breeze, but I have a question about the BCN airport. When we arrive in October for our Breeze cruise, we have a guide meeting us at the airport. How long did it take you get cleared once you landed in Barcelona?

 

Thanks and have a wonderful cruise.

 

Very quickly, but we were one of the first flights in -- what time are you scheduled to land?

[Dan Askin]

Can you confirm that there is an EA Sports bar onboard? I recall reading somewhere that there wasn't, but this link: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=609 says that the Breeze has it.

 

Unfortunately, that's a no. It was based on erroneous information (were told that Alchemy would be part of the mix, too). I've corrected the review. That said, you will be able to see major sporting events at the casino bar. Is there something in particular you're looking to watch?

[Buz1986]

Loving reading through this forum! But make sure you enjoy your cruise as well!

[Firewmmom]

Just got off the Breeze Inaugural cruise. It was very nice and considering how big it is and how many people were on it. there were no lines and no crowds. We were on the Dream when it was new and I felt that cruise was a bit crowded.

[GRAMMYTAN]

Very quickly, but we were one of the first flights in -- what time are you scheduled to land?

 

We are scheduled to arrive at BCN at 8:30 am and the guide says it would be best to meet us one hour after arrival. Just wanted to be sure it wouldn't take more than an hour to clear. Thanks.

[armymomof4]

We sail next week and are grateful for the picture and descriptions. Any other tips/info on the Breeze. We are new to cruising (2nd time) and don't really know the little details. We are just looking for the big changes or additions to the ship. We have four kids so any info on the kids programs would be great, too! Thanks!

[Prairie_Gal]

Can't wait to read your posts. We sail in 13 days (6/27)!

 

I do have one question........does the ship handle the exchange of currency on board?

 

Karen

 

Just got home from the first sailing of the Breeze. There was an ATM that dispensed euros. Guest Services would not exchange U.S. dollars to euros when I asked.

 

Just an FYI for Canadians (or maybe just because my bank is a Credit Union), but the ATM would not recognize my bank card. I had to use my Master Card to withdraw euros.

[GRAMMYTAN]

Just got home from the first sailing of the Breeze. There was an ATM that dispensed euros. Guest Services would not exchange U.S. dollars to euros when I asked.

 

Just an FYI for Canadians (or maybe just because my bank is a Credit Union), but the ATM would not recognize my bank card. I had to use my Master Card to withdraw euros.

 

 

When we were on the Dream (Med) in 2007 the ship did have a couple of designated times set up to exchange currency on board, but did not make exchanges at all times in GS. Did the Breeze staff have any times set up for exchange? Also is there a limit on the Euros you could withdraw from the ATM on board?

[MrsShash]

Thank you for all your posts and updates.. very helpful!!

Keep them coming :)

[gobucks_43228]

I'll do a full review (might dramatize one of the jokes via photo collage) of Punchliners, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. Stay tuned.

 

 

Is there a blog we can follow also?

[palmtree12345]

We are also booked and paid in full for The Breeze on April 27,2013 and this will be our 9th cruise but not all on Carnival....we are really looking forward to all the new food courts on this ship...we were just on the Dream this last April 2012 and she was super, and the lines were not long at all..... One big question ???

 

Will there be any live music on the Lido Deck when we embark...this is a question that has been flying all around on the message boards here on CC....no biggy all will be enjoyable I am sure..just curious...

[palmtree12345]

We are early seating for dinner, will we be in Blush or Sapphire? Just woundering I just like to know as much as I can before I board for my wounderful Carnival Fun Ship Cruise again.....

[Lissete]

Just got home from the first sailing of the Breeze. There was an ATM that dispensed euros. Guest Services would not exchange U.S. dollars to euros when I asked.

 

Just an FYI for Canadians (or maybe just because my bank is a Credit Union), but the ATM would not recognize my bank card. I had to use my Master Card to withdraw euros.

 

Hi, just wondering if you had notified your credit union that you would be using your debit card overseas? We used our credit union debit card in France and Barcelona last year with no trouble at all. We did notify them of our travels ahead of time. However, I did try to purchase a flight from Paris in Euros several months before our trip and it would not authorize.

 

I just want to make sure that I don't need a back up on the Breeze. My credit union has the best rates over any of my cards. Plus I would hate to have to pay a cash advance fee as well.

 

Thanks!

[maryann2]

 

I took the shuttle, wandered aimlessly (but always upwardly) until I reached the Notre Dame, a mid-19th century basilica that offers 360-degree views of the sprawling city and Mediterranean Sea. (A kitchy "choo-choo" or bus will get you to all but 170-odd steps of the way there.) Staring down, it was easy to imagine why this was a strategic post in WWII, and a plaque reports that one of the walls bears the marks of the liberation of Marseilles from August 1944.

 

I also sat near a woman who said she was a psychic. She told a neighbor that her dead relatives missed her.

 

I love your overheard conversation.LOL Was it in French?

 

I did the B2B on the Magic last October and went to Marseilles twice. The first time went to Aix by shared taxi and loved the market etc there. The second time I did as you did and made my way up to the Basilica on the hill. I had the Rick Steves European Ports book and caught the local bus #60 which takes you up.

 

the steakhouse the first night (free bottle of wine with dinner),

The tables for 2 in a lot of cases are 2-3 INCHES from a table for 8.

 

BTW Dan, if you are Platinum, watch out for the free laundry. We sent 3 bags to the laundry and found ourselves charged for each one. Every time we had to go down to guest services and get it removed. No problem doing so, but check you S&S bill frequently.

 

 

I have noticed that the tables for two always seem very close together.

Thank you for the information about the free wine still available in the steakhouse on the first night.

I have already booked it for Nov 6th so may see you there.

 

Also thank you for the warning about the laundry charges.

I'm not platinum, but my steward has delivered ice and pillow chocos daily for the last two days. Didn't ask for ice either.

 

Glad to hear that the chocolate and ice are still available.

Perhaps it depends on the cabin steward.

[Prairie_Gal]

Hi, just wondering if you had notified your credit union that you would be using your debit card overseas? We used our credit union debit card in France and Barcelona last year with no trouble at all. We did notify them of our travels ahead of time. However, I did try to purchase a flight from Paris in Euros several months before our trip and it would not authorize.

 

I just want to make sure that I don't need a back up on the Breeze. My credit union has the best rates over any of my cards. Plus I would hate to have to pay a cash advance fee as well.

 

Thanks!

 

Yes, i did notify them that I would be travelling overseas. Like I said, it may be because I am from Canada. It is always good to have a back-up plan.

 

I had most of the euros I needed for excursions, etc. I bought them ahead of time and brought them in envelopes marked for each day. I just needed an extra 200 euros or so for walking around money and the taxi in Barcelona to the airport.

[maryann2]

We are scheduled to arrive at BCN at 8:30 am and the guide says it would be best to meet us one hour after arrival. Just wanted to be sure it wouldn't take more than an hour to clear. Thanks.

Hi Jeanette,

Last year when we arrived in BCN it took no time to clear customs/immigration and just had to wait for our luggage to unload so one hour should be ample.

FYI there is an ATM in the Arrivals area. That's what I used to get my euros.

 

Just got home from the first sailing of the Breeze. There was an ATM that dispensed euros. Guest Services would not exchange U.S. dollars to euros when I asked.

 

Just an FYI for Canadians (or maybe just because my bank is a Credit Union), but the ATM would not recognize my bank card. I had to use my Master Card to withdraw euros.

OUCH with having to pay a cash advance with your Mastercard.

I have found I can use my Van City (credit union ) before on ships ATM so maybe this is new. I also have my TD card.

Some ATMs in Europe attached to different banks have a plus or cirrhus network so this may be a problem.

[Froufie]

Yes, i did notify them that I would be travelling overseas. Like I said, it may be because I am from Canada. It is always good to have a back-up plan.

 

I had most of the euros I needed for excursions, etc. I bought them ahead of time and brought them in envelopes marked for each day. I just needed an extra 200 euros or so for walking around money and the taxi in Barcelona to the airport.

 

Thanks for the heads up - I always call ahead as well - for my credit cards, but will definitely check w/TD re ATMS/debit card usage in Barcelona/Spain - just in case!:eek:

[celticd1]

More, more, more!!

 

Please post pics of the ship...LOTS of pics please!!! :D

[GOUSFBULLS44]

looking forward will be on her in November.;)