Review of our 2013 Spring Break Carnival Breeze Cruise

[poptart]

This is probably the best review ever posted on cruise critic. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

I totally agree. But I have loved all of your reviews and watching your boys grow up over the years! :D

 

thanks to your review We are dreaming of cruising on the Breeze next year if time and money permit! (or maybe the Dream, it's a days drive)

 

Can't waiting CCl releases the fall schedules!!

[PaulMedik]

I totally agree. But I have loved all of your reviews and watching your boys grow up over the years!

 

thanks to your review We are dreaming of cruising on the Breeze next year if time and money permit! (or maybe the Dream, it's a days drive)

 

Can't waiting CCl releases the fall schedules!!

 

 

Poptart,

 

Thank you.

 

Bryson has one full week of high school left.......time sure has flown by.

 

Breeze will be worth the extra drive time; Dream is OK, but Breeze is outstanding!

 

 

 

 

*****************************************************

 

 

Waiting for elevator down to deck 0;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival photo as we exited the ship;

 

Carnival Breeze Carnival pics by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Very colorful tour bus;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

It's a pretty good stroll from the ship to the area where taxis await;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

 

Looks like we just got off the RCCL ship;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Loaded up in our taxi and on our way to Palm Beach ($5 per person taxi fare);

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our driver navigated the less traveled routes to avoid traffic congestion;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

Edited May 2, 2013 by PaulMedik

[PaulMedik]

Our driver took us right up to the beach and hooked us up with the young lady on the left;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our host for the day provided us with chairs, umbrella, and throughout the day arranged for our various water activities. When I say 'arranged' I mean she provided info, contacted the individual companies, kept us informed of times, arranged to have us picked up right on the beach in front of our chairs, and collected the fund$ which in every instance were discounted from the listed prices.

 

She gave us a card with a list of everything available on the beach as well as how much the co$ts were and I apparently lost it...........I've looked everywhere.

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

After we sat down and became comfortable, the day's entertainment began;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Britt protecting his Mama from the sun;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Did I mention the entertainment?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[mephistoles]

Our driver took us right up to the beach and hooked us up with the young lady on the left;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our host for the day provided us with chairs, umbrella, and throughout the day arranged for our various water activities. When I say 'arranged' I mean she provided info, contacted the individual companies, kept us informed of times, arranged to have us picked up right on the beach in front of our chairs, and collected the fund$ which in every instance were discounted from the listed prices.

 

She gave us a card with a list of everything available on the beach as well as how much the co$ts were and I apparently lost it...........I've looked everywhere.

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

After we sat down and became comfortable, the day's entertainment began;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Britt protecting his Mama from the sun;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Did I mention the entertainment?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

I am LOVING your review! I'm so excited for our upcoming cruise! Also, the "entertainment" looked so fun. I would love to try something like that but I have a feeling that I would spend more time under water than above.

[PaulMedik]

When one thinks of Aruba, they think of vast expansive beaches with beautiful views;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

And football on the beach?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

A beach where anything you wish to do is brought to you and all you have to do is enjoy;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Their smiles remove any doubt as to whether they had a good time;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

I am LOVING your review! I'm so excited for our upcoming cruise! Also, the "entertainment" looked so fun. I would love to try something like that but I have a feeling that I would spend more time under water than above.

 

 

 

mephistoles,

 

Thank you.

 

A few of the entertainers did crash and go to the bottom. The jet pack functions equally well both above and below water, but without exception the riders we saw all did better above the water surface than below....

 

 

 

 

 

****************************************************

 

 

 

Britt got these shots from his kayak ride;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Anyone up for a game of chicken?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

When the boys got out of the smooth area, the winds were wicked;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The winds that buffeted our ship over the past few days had followed us to Aruba;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

This pic is zoomed in quite a bit so you can't really tell that they are way out to sea;

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Spencer and Jacob were gliding thru the water;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

And in the next instant they were treading water as a jetboat shot by and capsized them;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Bryson and Britt were getting a great workout trying to work against the wind;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Meanwhile Spencer and Jacob were at the mercy of the winds until a passing boat caught their wayward kayak;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

 

Big brothers are a good thing to have around when you are worn out from paddling;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Bryson headed back out to sea with Jaden;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Britt had enough;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

 

Spencer was convinced that he'd never be able to raise his arms again;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our tender to the jetski area arrived;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Don't make fun of my white sunhat....it did it's job;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Bryson enjoying an ocean spray shower;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Even though the boat ride was just transportation to the jetski area, it was also fun;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Aruba has a distinct lighting unlike anywhere else;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The smile is not a posed smile; it's a smile one would see on a roller coaster or similar ride;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

The water in the background looks deceptively smooth......

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Once we arrived at the JetSki launch area we completed paperwork listing our names, hotel etc for insurance purposes (All funds were collected earlier by our host);

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The view from the JetSki area looking back down Palm Beach;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our plans for the day included snorkeling, but did we remember to bring our snorkel gear with us? No.......... and as you can see it would have been perfect for snorkeling;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Our JetSkis were three passenger models. Co$t was $70 per JetSki for 35 minutes and we rented four of them;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Karen shot this pic as her and Spencer headed out. Notice the ocean spray? It was that way the ENTIRE time;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

The wind was so strong that the jetskis couldn't get up out of the water. Instead of jumping a wave, they would plow thru;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Britt and I plowing thru the water;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

We had a blast, but the ride wouldn't have been for everyone;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Water on a camera lens is normally blown away by the wind, but in this case each drop of water was immediately replaced by a dozen more drops;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Three nearly drowned boys. The Caribbean water level dropped quite a bit since we drank half of it;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

35 minutes of being pounded by wind and water will take the spunk out of the most active;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

I maxxed out the speed on my jetski to try and get up out of the water and it just didn't happen........I loved it, but it did try and kill me;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

BTW, the beach to my left (Right side of pic) is Eagle Beach;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Everyone else abandoned their jetskis and got back in the boat. I got my money's worth;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

I picked up a jetski company guy who was taking the jetski to the next customer;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Reboarding a small boat from a jetski is tricky;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Safely on and headed back to our beach;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

One doesn't think of Mr Donut as typical beach food, but after the jetski ride it was the perfect pick me up;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Was it a good day for an amateur sail boat ride?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Can you right a sailboat against the wind?

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Pro sailboat passengers had very easily sailing;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

On any other day, these boats would have been in the water;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our tuckered out crew;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[JohninDC]

Keep it coming! :D

[46 cruiser]

Awesome review, and incredible pictures. Good job!!!!!!

[PaulMedik]

Keep it coming!

 

 

JohninDC,

 

Aye aye captain!

 

 

 

***************************************************

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

 

The Hyatt Regency Aruba is just down the beach from where we were located and their pools are open to guests of our host;

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Swim up bar at Hyatt Aruba;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our shelter;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Jaden, Bryson, and Britt out cold;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[PaulMedik]

Karen was out too;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Looking up Palm Beach;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Looking down Palm Beach;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Our hostess;

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

This young lady has been taking care of people in this same spot for over a dozen years. Look her up and she'll take care of you too (And ask her what her name is and email her these pictures since I lost her info);

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

 

 

Carnival Breeze Day 6 by paulmedik, on Flickr

[Pine Bluff]

Lovin the pics. I'll have to go back and read this now!

[mnh]

Love this review....taking my 14 year old gd on Breeze in June for her "graduation" from middle school to high school!

[bghill]

did you buy a snorkel package? from where? or just go off the beach at grand turk?

[PaulMedik]

did you buy a snorkel package? from where? or just go off the beach at grand turk?

 

 

bghill,

 

We brought our own snorkel gear on the cruise and used it in Miami, Nassau, and in Dominican Republic. We had planned to snorkel in Grand Turk, but we missed Grand Turk due to the virus outbreak there (It's back open now, but had been closed the three weeks or so prior to our cruise).

 

We got our gear from Amazon

[bghill]

thanks, we bought snorkels last year so we will be using them, hope you saw a lot of fish