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Breakaway 13 Day Southern Caribbean Review with lots of pictures (plus Haven) again

ncklhaus

By ncklhaus,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Thanks so much for writing to me. It is appreciated.

We (dad included) have decided to not have the chemo. The drs feel it will not benefit him and will just make him suffer. He will be coming home from the hospital, most likely on Friday, in the care of at home Hospice. Everything is happening so fast, it's like a bad dream.

 

Both my grandfather and my father were able to spend their final days at home thanks to palliative care workers who worked hard to make them comfortable and to give the rest of us the support we needed. I'm so thankful that they were able to be at home. *hugs* It won't be easy but I hope you all can find some comfort having your dad at home.

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njmomof2

njmomof2

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Thanks so much for writing to me. It is appreciated.

We (dad included) have decided to not have the chemo. The drs feel it will not benefit him and will just make him suffer. He will be coming home from the hospital, most likely on Friday, in the care of at home Hospice. Everything is happening so fast, it's like a bad dream.

 

I'm sure that you've considered all options and this is the best one for him. We didn't realize at the time the severe effect just one dose of chemo would have on my dad, and had we known, I'm not sure we would have done it. The hospice caregivers will keep him comfortable and pain free and you'll be able to spend some quality time with him. I'm glad he's able to go home.

 

Sending hugs and prayers to you during this difficult time. No matter our age, facing the loss of a parent is awful.

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ncklhaus

ncklhaus

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Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Besides what's going on with my dad, Mike and Melissa have both been home sick. Melissa has fever, cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose. Mike has acute bronchitis and double ear infections. It's been a barrel of fun around here. Oh and we are expecting blizzard conditions tomorrow. Joy of joys.

 

Now back to the review, but it don't know how much I will get through tonight.

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ncklhaus

ncklhaus

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We got back to the port area and we wandered around a bit before getting back on the ship. If you were wondering, they had no shops with underwear. LOL

 

Once back onboard, we showered and got ready for dinner.

 

Pictures from our balcony

 

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ncklhaus

ncklhaus

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When we went to Maho Beach, we brought 2 NCL pool towels with us. When you get back to the ship, they have a wet towel exchange. So we exchanged for dry towels.

When we got back to our room, we found that our room steward had also replenished our pool towel stash.

 

7 towels!!

 

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The view into our living room from the balcony

 

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I don't have pictures of what we did for dinner tonight. I think we just ate in the Haven restaurant, took Melissa to Splash Academy, and went to the casino for a while.

 

So, how did we do in the Casino this cruise? Was it better or worse than our last cruise? You'll find out by the end of the review.:D

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ncklhaus

ncklhaus

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So sorry to hear about your Dad. You have been through so much. I know your Dad is home with hospice. I saw you are in Long Island, if he decides to go into hospice, St. Charles Hospice in Port Jefferson is really good. Stay strong.

 

My parents live in Valley Stream. If he needs to go into inpatient hospice, my mom wants him to go to Franklin Hospitals hospice. She was the Assistant Director of Nursing at the hospital for over 40 years. He is still in the hospital now and is supposed to go home Friday or Saturday.

Dad is deteriorating fast. He's confused when awake, which isn't often. It's almost impossible to wake him. He doesn't eat and barely drinks. It could be from the meds, but they aren't sure. It might be the cancer.

As long as he's peaceful and not in pain, we are ok.

 

Thanks so much for reaching out to me.

I think it was St Charles Hospice service that took care of my Mother-in-law in her final days in the nursing home.

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AliceIn

AliceIn

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Thanks so much for writing to me. It is appreciated.

We (dad included) have decided to not have the chemo. The drs feel it will not benefit him and will just make him suffer. He will be coming home from the hospital, most likely on Friday, in the care of at home Hospice. Everything is happening so fast, it's like a bad dream.

 

I'm so sorry your dad is going through this, and I send my good thoughts and prayers to you and your family. My dad briefly tried chemo and it made him really sick, and also ruined the tastes of his favorite foods. He lost some quality time because of it, and it wouldn't have helped him anyway. Hospice was a wonderful service - he had no pain and was comfortable. I just wish he had decided to go that route sooner.

 

Thank for your amazing photos and information! My family is taking our first cruise on Norwegian this year. We'll be in a 2 bedroom in the Haven on the Escape. I'll probably be viewing this thread over and over before we go!

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jessyka182

jessyka182

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We thought leaving from Maine to NY on Black Friday sounded totally logical when we booked. We are both from NY origianally (Commack and husband is from Albany) but travel is pretty light in New England on major highways because all of the nuts are out loading up their trucks with gifts!

 

Plus it seemed like the perfect way to start a New England winter.... on a cruise ship, in the Bahamas!

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travelerblue

travelerblue

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I'm glad you are enjoying the review. Ill try and post more tonight.

Melissa was back to herself within a few hours.

Yes, it was a bit of a shock to see the bill. I'm glad we had the insurance, but we paid almost as much as the bill for the insurance. If she had been removed from the ship or God forbid med-evaced, it would have been so much more. That's why we ALWAYS get the insurance. You just never know. I'm filing the insurance claim with her regular medical insurance tomorrow. They will deny it and then I can put in my claim to the travel insurance.

 

Thank goodness it was only a UTI. We use to always purchase the insurance with NCL until I did some research and found out if you do need to be med-evaced, their coverage is not nearly enough. My DH has numerous medical problems now so I always get trip insurance somewhere else now. It's no more money, sometimes less, and the coverage is much better, especially to be airlifted (a million vs $25k). Cruise critic has tons of helpful info on it. So glad it never got to that point for your family. Love your review. We are booked on our 3rd Breakaway cruise in May. Do you happen to remember if they still offer a 25% discount on the Cirque show if you book the first night?

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Dajbman22

Dajbman22

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We thought leaving from Maine to NY on Black Friday sounded totally logical when we booked. We are both from NY origianally (Commack and husband is from Albany) but travel is pretty light in New England on major highways because all of the nuts are out loading up their trucks with gifts!

 

Plus it seemed like the perfect way to start a New England winter.... on a cruise ship, in the Bahamas!

 

Black Friday should be pretty manageable most people are heading south Wednesday or Tuesday. I'd fully expect you to hit some traffic on the Pike, though, going through Natick, but otherwise you'll be good.

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Thrilled2012

Thrilled2012

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We went here 2 yrs ago, and had drinks at the Sunset bar & grill. Is that where you were? Or no? I would have loved to have known this pool was there.

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

 

I lived in St Maarten for a few years and we now do land vacations every year there. When we were there this Christmas and New Years, it was the first time that the Sunset Beach Bar expansions were there (pool and all). Last Christmas, it was not there. Sad that they charge for it. I worked at Sunset 10 years ago when it was just a cabana bar, Heinekens and Caribs still cost $1.50 and you could order a freshly made burger grilled on charcoal flame for $4-$5 while watching the planes arrive and depart. Times have changed! Still great fun though!!

Edited by Thrilled2012
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Thrilled2012

Thrilled2012

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I love the different license plates on the island. I know, it's such a random thing but I thought they were neat.

 

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On our way back to the bus, Melissa's hat blew off into oncoming traffic. A traffic agent saw it and tried to stop the car from running over it but he didn't stop. Crunch under the front tire. Just before the back tire was about to crunch it again, the traffic agent lady banged on the hood of the car and yelled at the driver with some colorful language to stop where he was. She retrieved Melissa's hat and miraculously only one shell was broken on it. The hat survived!

 

Back on the bus.

 

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De plane, de plane!

 

 

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah298/JoAnn_Vigotty_Nickl/20170108_142852_zpsarasocmn.jpg[/img][/url]

 

Just in case you don't already know, the license plates that are blue and white with the "F" on them are for cars registered in French St Martin. The plates with the "M" are registered in Dutch St Maarten. There are also green plates with an "R" on them and those are rental cars (although rentals often also have the French or Dutch side plates as well). But if you rent a car that has the rental "R" plate, you are a walking (or driving) billboard just asking for solicitation as you have a big "tourist" sign written on you :)

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da'seaman

da'seaman

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More please....just amazing ,,we are book on Breakaway 2-26 and reading this is hyping me up bid Time...have a corner aft haven suite on deck 9....can't wait for more ...But do take time to be with your family ...just lost my Mother last month...and holding her hand in those last moments were very special...Bless you and your Family

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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ncklhaus

ncklhaus

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Love the review. I'm sailing BA for the first time in April with my husband and two toddler sons! I'm originally from VS as well! My parents live in Gibson!

 

 

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My parents live in Gibson! Right off Rockaway Ave.

You're going to love the Breakaway.

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