My 8 Day Semi Cruise from hell aboard the Carnival Breeze 10/26/13 - 11/4/13

[cantswim78]

Amazing review!! I was homesick and stranded while traveling for work in your hometown waiting for the ice to melt.. And your review was really comforting! Thanks for the company ! I had to buy the wifi on the plane to continue reading.. Haha!

 

 

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[Leo's Rule]

Thanks for that great review, it was quite a story! My wife and I took that same cruise on the BREEZE, and we had an amazing time, and we loved the ship! So far I have to say she is my favorite, mostly because the crew was amazing.

 

Glad you are feeling better, your review brought back lots of great memories! Thanks again!

 

Thank you for reading the review. Did you do a Carnival excursion or an independent one in DR? The unorganized way the taxis were handled has turned me off, but I sure would like to see Bayhibe. And I'll agree that the crew were amazing.

 

Glad I could help you relive some of your cruise. :D

 

Thanks for sharing your review! I enjoyed it. I am so glad you are feeling better now. Vacation is not the time to be sick! :)

 

You're welcome, thanks for reading and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm also glad I'm feeling better and you're absolutely right, vacation is not the time to be sick. My Dr. tried talking me into a flu shot today; I said no way, I leave in 19 days and can't be sick on another cruise.

[senior lady]

great review. Your very lucky that you and your Mom travel so well together.

[kruzerci]

I wasn't ready for this. I saw his photos on the ship and so wanted to snap a picture' date=' but thought I'd get in trouble. He had various poses. I don't even want to imagine if he flew to Miami. Where was that wedding dress stored?

 

[img']https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1525742_10200619156995902_1446804756_n.jpg[/img]

 

 

This was the guy with the dirty diaper. The audience wasn't ready for him. He walked down the aisles and stopped in front of people to pick up something he supposedly dropped. He even attempted to sit in peoples laps.

 

 

 

Carnival, Carnival, Carnival....

[Leo's Rule]

Ok...I fell asleep responding to posts. I was in bed before 9 pm or in the 9 pm hour. :eek:

 

PLEASE tell me there is no sad story on your dog...please. I own 2 dogs and would hate to read about anything happening to your dog.

 

I wonder if my sentence stating that I'll leave out talking about my dog has you concerned. I just left out how happy she was to see me. She didn't know how to act. Her actions were heartwarming.

 

But I thank you for your concern; my baby is fine. She is laying next to me as I type this. :D

 

Wow, I just read thru this entire thread and it is quite entertaining. Nice trip review, Leo's Rule. I know I have had some similar experiences just before a cruise that you had when you were already onboard. It seems like you did have fun once you were feeling better and I am glad to see that you didn't let it completely ruin your trip. And don't pay attention to people who rip your reviews. It takes time to write good, detailed reviews and unless you want to sit down for 24 hours straight (nobody's got time for that lol) and type until you are completely cross-eyed, it cannot be done all at once. I know it took me the better course of a week to write each of my reviews, and I didn't even have a lot of pictures to include in either one. [/Quote]

 

Yes, I did enjoy myself afterwards; I just wish there was more to do on the last two sea days. Though I couldn't remember what I did, I do know the nightly activities seemed to be non existent for me. I had a sinking feeling that all of the good times were had while I lie in bed. LOL

 

Now, I remember I got a horrible flu about 2 days before a cruise I took in October of 2009. The Wednesday before, I was very tired. Thought nothing of it. I got dinner that evening, got a horrible pain in my stomach, and shortly after, I was sicker than I could remember being since maybe 1997 when I had the chicken pox. Laid in bed the next day, unable to move much. Had to work the next day because I was flying out that evening and I cannot call out and then fly but whatever. Was so sick then. My folks actually thought I was getting appendicitis. It coincided with the H1N1 outbreak of that year, so in hindsight, it was probably that. It wasn't the most pleasant trip down to FLL that afternoon and evening, just believe that. I was better but sore by Saturday, embarkation day, so were good to board. I had a hard time eating for the first day or two of the cruise but other than that, I was fine. It would have devastated me to miss out on a family cruise that was in the works for about a year. I couldn't imagine being as sick as you got while onboard though. I have heard that apples and ginger ale do help cure upset stomachs while at sea. I have eaten at the wok tons of times and never had a problem. I just make sure that the guys cook the meat all the way through when I go there and it's all good. [/Quote]

 

At least yours happened prior to the cruise and you were able to enjoy all of yours. And the chickenpox had you sick as a dog? I don't recall being sick when I had them; I just itched like crazy. LOL

 

Though I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the Mongolian Wok, the fact that the sauce is what did my gallbladder in has me leery to eat it again. I find that most foods that caused me to puke, it happens again when I eat the food. It's possible it's a mind thing, but I don't want to take any chances.

 

I was on the Sensation at Halloween of this past year. I don't think the costumes were quite as elaborate as what you described on your sailing but there were decorations throughout the ship and some people, including crewmembers, did don interesting costumes. Kudos to you for going all in with the costume choice though. It seems you had a lot of fun with it. I am too reserved a person so I am not sure I could do something like that but it is something that lots of people really enjoy.

This was my first one and I hope to do another Halloween sailing. I saw a couple of people who chose to do the gory side of it, but it seemed like everyone had playful costumes. I guess I should count my blessings and end on this note, because I would hate to be on a cruise where the majority of cruisers decided to depict the 'evil' side....but I guess that would only happen on a chartered cruise...unless there was a large group. Looks like I'm talking myself out of doing another Halloween cruise.

 

 

I think I stayed at the holiday inn (it might have been something else - I don't remember) right off Biscayne Blvd before a cruise once also. I actually prefer to stay out of the beaten path when I go and get a cab or bus into town as it is not as expensive but there is plenty to do in that area of Miami for sure.

 

It is interesting what the ship crew does to try to contain illness outbreaks though. I never really knew about the quarantine rules until just recently and knock on wood, I will never have to see the inside of the infirmary on a cruise ship.

 

So, anyway it was a blast living vicariously through your review. :) Thanks again for posting.

 

It's possible you were at the Holiday Inn; a lot of people from my roll call stayed there. I will have to stay in the Brickell area again. It was easy to use their bus and the metrorail and metromover. My first time in Miami I stayed in SoBe, but I had a car; I was there for a week, and I was in for the surprise of my life; you had to pay to park just about everywhere you went AND you had to parallel park!!!! I can't parallel park to save my life. LOL We don't have a lot of parallel parking here unless you're downtown.

 

I pray you never find yourself in the infirmary on the ship and I pray the same for myself; well that I don't find myself there ever again.

 

Thank you for reading the review; I'm glad you had a blast. :p

[Leo's Rule]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It was a good read on this icy day.

 

You're welcome. And thank you for reading.

 

Thank you for the great review, Leo's Rule.

 

I got sick after I got home from my first cruise in 2009. I was very sick with high fever and vomiting and diarrhea for three days. I am sure it was Noro. At least it hit AFTER the cruise. I also caught the cruise bug. I don't think I will ever get over that bug. :D

 

You're welcome and thank you for reading. Ugh, I hate being sick, but at least you enjoyed all of your cruise, but I'm sure it sucked having to nurse yourself back to good health afterwards. I wonder if your employer gave you the side eye after returning from vacation and then becoming ill when you were due back to work; assuming you were due back to work. :D

 

I wouldn't want to lose the cruise bug either. :p

[Leo's Rule]

I went on a Red Hatter's cruise years back without DH. I always accused him of jinxing me because I left him at home. Day of embarkation I had a tickle in my throat that by day 3 was a full-blown bout of bronchitis. On day 2 my 'friend' showed up after almost a year without one. Day 4 I woke up with a swollen eye, I thought I had pinkeye but it was gone the day we arrived home). Same day, tripped and bruised a kidney. I figured I really pee'd in God's corn flakes that week- He really paid me back in spades! It was the most miserable cruise I've ever been on, health-wise.

 

BUT as miserable as all of that was, I would go through it all again rather than deal with what you went through, Leo! I hate nausea and diarrhea worse than anything which is why I live in fear of getting Noro on a cruise.

 

Good for you that you made the best of it!

 

Shaded Lady, you did more than pee in his Corn Flakes. LOL I'm glad you survived it! OMG, I would hate to be on any vacation and my friend came unexpectedly. :eek: I know plans change, but if I really had my heart on doing some activity or didn't pack the right clothes for her...I don't want to imagine it.

 

Amazing review!! I was homesick and stranded while traveling for work in your hometown waiting for the ice to melt.. And your review was really comforting! Thanks for the company ! I had to buy the wifi on the plane to continue reading.. Haha!

 

 

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Wow, I feel like a low key author; you purchased wifi to read my lil 'ol story? :D Well, I'm glad I could keep you company while you waited in my hometown. Hope you made it home safely.

[Leo's Rule]

great review. Your very lucky that you and your Mom travel so well together.

 

We've had our challenges, but for the most part, we really do travel well.

 

Carnival, Carnival, Carnival....

I say it's the wearer of the costume. But I get that you're saying (or at least I think you're saying) that it might have planned on Carnival's part.

[beatcop49]

Thank you for the review. Sorry you were sick, but glad you are better...and glad it was not caused by any food eaten on the Breeze.

 

I feel your review, while thorough, was tainted (for lack of a better term) by your being sick as there are many, many reviews that are more positive. However, I will say that had I experienced your sickness and had written a review, mine, most likely, would have been "tainted" also.

 

In any event, it has not deterred me from still being extremely excited about my first cruise, on the Breeze, coming up in March.

 

Than you again for being thorough.

[jlindemer]

Did I miss the diagnosis?

 

 

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[beatcop49]

Did I miss the diagnosis?

 

 

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Post 309. Gallbladder.

[Georgiagolfer]

Post 309. Gallbladder.

 

Although we had to wait for the confirmation, I felt from the beginning this would be the diagnosis. I had the same symptoms and had mine removed 5 years ago.

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Yes' date=' I did enjoy myself afterwards; I just wish there was more to do on the last two sea days. Though I couldn't remember what I did, I do know the nightly activities seemed to be non existent for me. I had a sinking feeling that all of the good times were had while I lie in bed. LOL

 

 

 

At least yours happened prior to the cruise and you were able to enjoy all of yours. And the chickenpox had you sick as a dog? I don't recall being sick when I had them; I just itched like crazy. LOL

 

Though I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the Mongolian Wok, the fact that the sauce is what did my gallbladder in has me leery to eat it again. I find that most foods that caused me to puke, it happens again when I eat the food. It's possible it's a mind thing, but I don't want to take any chances.

 

 

This was my first one and I hope to do another Halloween sailing. I saw a couple of people who chose to do the gory side of it, but it seemed like everyone had playful costumes. I guess I should count my blessings and end on this note, because I would hate to be on a cruise where the majority of cruisers decided to depict the 'evil' side....but I guess that would only happen on a chartered cruise...unless there was a large group. Looks like I'm talking myself out of doing another Halloween cruise.

 

 

 

 

It's possible you were at the Holiday Inn; a lot of people from my roll call stayed there. I will have to stay in the Brickell area again. It was easy to use their bus and the metrorail and metromover. My first time in Miami I stayed in SoBe, but I had a car; I was there for a week, and I was in for the surprise of my life; you had to pay to park just about everywhere you went AND you had to parallel park!!!! I can't parallel park to save my life. LOL We don't have a lot of parallel parking here unless you're downtown.

 

I pray you never find yourself in the infirmary on the ship and I pray the same for myself; well that I don't find myself there ever again.

 

Thank you for reading the review; I'm glad you had a blast. :p[/quote']

 

I always hate the sea days on the last day of the cruise because it is depressing to know that it is almost over and it is back to reality the next morning. I do try different things on the last sea day but there is only so much I haven't seen on Carnival sea days if you know what I mean. I end up napping a bunch and eating. lol. Maybe a little casino, a stop by the gift shop and packing of course. Always sure to thank and tip the steward in case we don't see him the morning of debarkation. At least you got to relax some those last few days.

 

I was soooo sick when I had the chicken pox. Late 1996 or 1997, I believe. I was about 15 or 16 at the time and they say that the older you are when you get it, the worse it is. I have a few scars to this day from all the pox I had. I was in bed for a week literally, and was delirious for a few days and did not remember anything. Funny thing is, I almost got vaccinated against it weeks before but I had a cold at the time and they didn't want to introduce the virus while I had something else. I have interestingly though, never had a flu shot. My sister has done it numerous times, and gotten sick every time. No thanks.

 

I understand your apprehension to going to the wok again. I know the sauces they use are very spicy and who knows what ingredients are actually in them, so it is wise to be careful. I didn't set foot in a Wendy's for almost 10 years after I got sick from some chicken nuggets almost 20 years ago. It is totally natural. I still do remember exactly how sick I was before that 2009 cruise though, and hope I never feel like that again. I seriously thought I wasn't going to be able to go right up to the night before I flew out.

 

If nothing else, halloween costume contests bring out the true inner side of some people. It is an interesting social study in peoples' behaviors. Of course, while some people have fun with it, some go too far and some do stuff just to get attention. I can't remember anyone doing anything that was in what I would consider horrible taste though. I enjoyed the little change of pace experience on that sailing.

 

I actually went to that Holiday Inn before my very first cruise in 2006, IIRC. Someone else took care of all the planning (I was a cruise newbie and didn't know any better haha) and I just went along. If I am in charge of planning, I pick a more reasonable priced place and use the money saved for onboard and in port spending. Call me cheap. :p Don't feel bad about not being great at parallel parking. Unless one does it every day, it is hard to be an ace at it. I can sort of do it but I don't have to do it every day so it's not a skill I really excel at. I really don't even like backing into parking spaces in a parking lot. lol But that parallel and pay to park stuff is what you will get in any city. It's just something that has to be factored in when going into a city with a car.

 

And getting sick is one of my fears of cruising. I just try my best to safeguard against it by always washing my hands and not touching doorknobs, etc when possible. Hopefully I will never get sick enough to have to go get emergency treatment.

 

I do think it is awesome that you can cruise and spend time with your mom like you do. I am the same way - my mom and I cruise together at least a few times a year. It honestly is some of the best quality time we get to spend with one another. She's retired so she is always on the go with her grandchildren or seeing friends, etc so it is good to both spend time doing something we both enjoy. I have learned to really cherish the time I get to spend with loved ones because you just never know when you won't be able to anymore. Life is so uncertain, especially these days.

[mephistoles]

Check in at this hotel is unique. You stop at the front desk and once your reservation is verified' date=' you're sent up to the 6th floor to check in. This is also where the bar is located as well as where you'll go for breakfast.

 

Our room was on the 12th floor. We had to use our keys to get to any floors higher than 6. If memory serves me correctly, they had to be used to go down as well. We put away our belongings and i took pictures of our room.

 

[img']https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1509182_10200630072388780_59527391_n.jpg[/img]

 

View from the entrance of the door

 

The bathroom

 

The room

 

Our beds

 

View from our window. Do you see the pool on the roof top?

 

We watched tv for a moment then we looked up nearby places to eat. Mom and I couldn't agree; I wanted seafood and she wanted her usual, yep, you guessed it; chicken strips. (If you've read my Victory review you know my pain). I had my heart set on going to Bubba Gump but I found a Chili's on my GPS and agreed to go there for lunch and we'd do Bubba's for dinner.

 

Our plan was to do a trial run with the rail to get to the airport, then we were to come back and eat, and do some sightseeing. Well, we didn't do the trial run, but we did head to Bayside Markert via the Metromover. It was maybe a 10 minute ride on the mover and a 10-15 minute walk from the drop off.

 

We took pictures along the way. Once we made it to Bayside we walked around and took more pictures.

 

 

We stayed at the same hotel and LOVED it. Our room faced the condo that was across from us and many residents kept their drapes open. I wonder if they didn't know that people staying in the hotel could see into their apartments. One morning, we got a show...nothing too bad but just a guy in skivvies. Anyway, we just kept our curtains closed because I'm sure that if we were able to see in their place they could see into ours. If we stay there for our upcoming cruise, I'm going to try to request a room not facing that condo. Our son LOVED the pool. I loved the anti-steam mirror in the bathroom.

[katyj]

Thanks very much for the review Leo, been reading and keeping up with posts for a couple of weeks and although i am really sorry you were sick on the cruise i am also pleased that you did get to enjoy at least part of it and that you are all better.

 

Its really good to hear other peoples opinions on things, be they good or bad, these things are subjective and you are entitled to have your own opinion, whenever i read anyones views of things I always take this into consideration, and I appreciate you taking the time to let us know how, you coped with being ill on board ship and how you enjoyed what was left of your cruise

 

We are really looking forward to joining the Breeze in May x

[Leo's Rule]

Thank you for the review. Sorry you were sick, but glad you are better...and glad it was not caused by any food eaten on the Breeze.

 

I feel your review, while thorough, was tainted (for lack of a better term) by your being sick as there are many, many reviews that are more positive. However, I will say that had I experienced your sickness and had written a review, mine, most likely, would have been "tainted" also.

 

In any event, it has not deterred me from still being extremely excited about my first cruise, on the Breeze, coming up in March.

 

Than you again for being thorough.

 

Oh yeah, I'm glad you're not letting my review taint your views of the Breeze. I really had nothing bad to say about the Breeze because I didn't really get to experience her. I hope you have fun on your upcoming cruise.

 

I always hate the sea days on the last day of the cruise because it is depressing to know that it is almost over and it is back to reality the next morning... At least you got to relax some those last few days.

Yeah, the last sea day always sucks. I wasn't trying to relax during the last few days; I spent too much time in the beginning relaxing. LOL

 

I was soooo sick when I had the chicken pox. Late 1996 or 1997, I believe. I was about 15 or 16 at the time and they say that the older you are when you get it, the worse it is. I have a few scars to this day from all the pox I had. I was in bed for a week literally, and was delirious for a few days and did not remember anything. Funny thing is, I almost got vaccinated against it weeks before but I had a cold at the time and they didn't want to introduce the virus while I had something else. I have interestingly though, never had a flu shot. My sister has done it numerous times, and gotten sick every time. No thanks.

Good Lord! I can't imagine being sick like that. I'm thankful I got chickenpox at a young age. My cousin probably hates me because I gave them to him. I itched so and had him scratching my back for me. My scars are gone, but it took some years for them to go away.

 

If I am in charge of planning, I pick a more reasonable priced place and use the money saved for onboard and in port spending. Call me cheap. :p Don't feel bad about not being great at parallel parking. Unless one does it every day, it is hard to be an ace at it. I can sort of do it but I don't have to do it every day so it's not a skill I really excel at. I really don't even like backing into parking spaces in a parking lot. lol But that parallel and pay to park stuff is what you will get in any city. It's just something that has to be factored in when going into a city with a car.

 

I don't blame you and don't consider you to be cheap. I feel the same way too. I pay less than $60 for certain rooms. The most I'll pay is $120 per night; including taxes. I can honestly say Miami is the only place I've visited where you had to pay to park just about everywhere you went. The one shocker for me was when I went to San Antonio; you had to pay to park at the mall! That is just unheard of here...unless you're downtown. If you're there after a certain hour, street parking is free.

 

I do think it is awesome that you can cruise and spend time with your mom like you do. I am the same way - my mom and I cruise together at least a few times a year. It honestly is some of the best quality time we get to spend with one another. She's retired so she is always on the go with her grandchildren or seeing friends, etc so it is good to both spend time doing something we both enjoy. I have learned to really cherish the time I get to spend with loved ones because you just never know when you won't be able to anymore. Life is so uncertain, especially these days.

 

I'm glad you can spend time with your mom too. And you're so right; life is a precious gift and tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Express your love every moment you can.

[Leo's Rule]

We stayed at the same hotel and LOVED it. Our room faced the condo that was across from us and many residents kept their drapes open. I wonder if they didn't know that people staying in the hotel could see into their apartments. One morning, we got a show...nothing too bad but just a guy in skivvies. Anyway, we just kept our curtains closed because I'm sure that if we were able to see in their place they could see into ours. If we stay there for our upcoming cruise, I'm going to try to request a room not facing that condo. Our son LOVED the pool. I loved the anti-steam mirror in the bathroom.

 

That's what it was, the mirrors were anti-steam! I feel like a dunce. LOL I loved that hotel and would love to stay there again. But I would like to know when did Hamptons start charging $200+ a night. That's how much the hotel would have cost me pre-cruise (I guess something was going on that same week). And you're absolutely right about being able to see into the windows of the condos across fro the hotel.

 

Thanks very much for the review Leo, been reading and keeping up with posts for a couple of weeks and although i am really sorry you were sick on the cruise i am also pleased that you did get to enjoy at least part of it and that you are all better.

 

Its really good to hear other peoples opinions on things, be they good or bad, these things are subjective and you are entitled to have your own opinion, whenever i read anyones views of things I always take this into consideration, and I appreciate you taking the time to let us know how, you coped with being ill on board ship and how you enjoyed what was left of your cruise

 

We are really looking forward to joining the Breeze in May x

 

Thank you for reading. And you are correct; everything is subjective to our own views and what we've grown accustomed to and expect to occur.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time on your upcoming cruise!

[lissa42886]

i read MOST of the review.. i may have some how misssed a few posts.. it was great.. did you say what made you so sick ?? i also LOVE pics. the more the better

[lissa42886]

Thanks for reading. If you missed the diagnosis' date=' you skipped the Finale. It was my

gallbladder. I had surgery the week before Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lol. Not true. I was sick of people typing lies.

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Forums mobile app[/quote']

 

aw man! so glad ur ok, if i missed a day of reading i sometimes couldnt figure out where i left off w. all the new additions LOL. u did a great job tho.

[CruiseHappy3]

Wow..Nice! two bathrooms.

[Leo's Rule]

aw man! so glad ur ok, if i missed a day of reading i sometimes couldnt figure out where i left off w. all the new additions LOL. u did a great job tho.

 

It's ok. But I truly thank you for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow..Nice! two bathrooms.

 

Yes, but only one has the toilet.

 

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