August 25th review of the SS Minnow...I mean the Breakaway

[Shoppie124]

6 hours ago, Von & John said:

 

I'll jump on this wagon...

GREAT Pic's!!!

Thank you!

[Shoppie124]

4 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Some have them. Some don't. No logic to it.

 

I think that people steal them.  

We never bothered to look or ask.  I didn’t find the chars uncomfortable.  Let’s face it, I wasn’t out there for hours like I was at the bars😂

[Cruisercl]

34 minutes ago, Shoppie124 said:

We never bothered to look or ask.  I didn’t find the chars uncomfortable.  Let’s face it, I wasn’t out there for hours like I was at the bars😂

Any handstands from you? lol

Enjoying your review. 😊

[Shoppie124]

24 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

Any handstands from you? lol

Enjoying your review. 😊

The picture would not be pretty😂😂😂

 

glag am you are enjoying the review!

[Shoppie124]

 

 

The view from the van as we left Chaccoben.  The van was equipped with a dashboard recording device.  One view was the road and the other was the cabin (where we sat). 

 

Many of these photos were taken while we were driving.  Our guide had told us pineapples are one of the few things that grow well in the Yucatan Peninsula.   He told us that the pineapple sold at the roadside is much better than what we get in the supermarkets because it ripened before it was picked.  The supermarket pineapples are picked while still green.

 

Our guide warned us that he would not talk on the way back and we would have a snoring contest.  He wasn't kidding!  Sara was old cold the ride back as were many other passengers!!

 

At this point we are still blissfully unaware of what Dorian had in store for us!

 

[Shoppie124]

Back to the port to do some shopping or so we thought!  Everything was way overpriced!  They tried to charge my daughter $25 for a shell necklace.  Same necklace on amazon, $8.  She was disappointed but I told her I could get her 3 for that price and we promptly left.  I guess the NFL is a big seller in Mexico.  Go Bills!!!!

 

Met our new friends Holly and Malcolm for a beer and snack at a restaurant near the pier.  Then took some photo's of our little aspiring model.  The swing picture is one of my favorites from the trip!  Then back to the ship we go....

[Shoppie124]

This picture of Doug explains why we need a suite...Could you imagine him in a regular room???

 

Meet the MSC Armonia, she will be our mate for the next couple days...  Sail away time...  Here we go to Cagney's!

[Shoppie124]

Dinner tonight is brought to you by Cagney's!  We saw Bowen right before we checked it.  He said something to the hostess, next thing you know we had the best seat in the house!  Center table, aft... We saw the sun set during dinner!  So beautiful!

 

Apps:

Me: Ahi Tuna Tartare... I swear I died and went to heaven

Doug:  Jumbo Shrimp Trio

 

Soup & Salad:

Me: Lobster bisque - I was surprised it wasn't a cream based soup but I really enjoyed it!

Doug: Iceberg Wedge

Sara:  Tomato Soup and grilled cheese

 

Dinner:

Me: Surf and Turf (I thought I took a picture but I must not have)  It was perfectly cooked...Blue but heated.

 

Doug had the 4 oz filet - again perfect cooked (or killed, as Sara and I would never touch a medium steak let alone a medium well one!)

 

Sara:  8oz filet (rare - perfectly cooked) and double baked Poe TA Toes... 

 

You can order a double of the same side.

 

We shared a dessert: warm apple cardamom crisp - it was amazing!!

 

So now the fun begins....

 

 

 

[deladane]

Thanks for posting your review!  I'm really enjoying it so far and can't wait to see what happens when Dorian strolls into the equation!  We docked in Costa Maya in March and took a similar trip to Chacchoben with a different company called Island Marketing.  On the way back to the port, our driver stopped at that pineapple stand and gave each couple a bag of cut up pineapple for a snack!  It was very sweet and definitely the best pineapple I've ever had... even better than in French Polynesia where they are known worldwide for growing pineapples!  What a shame that your driver didn't stop for you to try it!

 

[Shoppie124]

1 minute ago, deladane said:

Thanks for posting your review!  I'm really enjoying it so far and can't wait to see what happens when Dorian strolls into the equation!  We docked in Costa Maya in March and took a similar trip to Chacchoben with a different company called Island Marketing.  On the way back to the port, our driver stopped at that pineapple stand and gave each couple a bag of cut up pineapple for a snack!  It was very sweet and definitely the best pineapple I've ever had... even better than in French Polynesia where they are known worldwide for growing pineapples!  What a shame that your driver didn't stop for you to try it!

 

super cool!  I forgot to mention:

 

1. Exclusive viewing of the ruins

2. Passed the mobs on the way out

3. We were there at the coolest point of the day

4. It was half the price NCL charged!!!

[Shoppie124]

I didn't want to cloud good food porn with what was coming next...  Bare with me as I am consulting texts, IM's and facebook to give as close to an accurate timeline as possible.  Please do not take what I am going to be saying as gripping or whining.  I am a straight shooter and will tell you like it is without opinion.  If I am giving an opinion, I will let you know.

 

I have seen many posts that are giving incorrect information.  This was my first cruise on NCL and my families first cruise ever. 

[Shoppie124]

At 5:21 PM on August 29th, I received a message from my friend Holly (wow was staying in Genpop).  She said the rumor from the crew is we will be staying in Cozumel overnight as there will be no flights out of Miami on Sunday.

 

We enjoyed our dinner awaiting the "official" notification.

 

After dinner we walked the promenade.  The skies were breathe taking!

 

Back to the room to find snacks...  Cookies and a cheese plate... can you guess what was on the cheese plate????  GRAPES!!!!  This butler just can't get it right!  My husband said something to the Butler.. You know my wife can't have grapes.  Her response is I delivered it for the little girl... She didn't even address Sara by name!  Meanwhile, the cabin steward down the hall (not even assigned to our room) knew her name.  We would walk by and he would call her Princess Sara.

 

Our promo laundry came back as well.  In case you are wondering I fit over 50 pieces in the bag.  Mainly clothes.  The undergarments I was able to squeeze into small areas in the bag!  Huge win!

[ColeThornton]

13 minutes ago, Shoppie124 said:

 

 

Our promo laundry came back as well.  In case you are wondering I fit over 50 pieces in the bag.  Mainly clothes.  The undergarments I was able to squeeze into small areas in the bag!  Huge win!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dumb question:  What else do you put in a laundry bag besides clothes?

[Shoppie124]

7:05 PM ship time (all times are at ship time) - I text my dog sitter to let her know we are hearing rumor we might not come in until Monday.

 

7:46 PM - The Captain announces that due to Hurricane Dorian, we will not arrive in Miami until Tuesday September 3rd.  The plan is as follows:

 

Dock in Cozumel and remain in the Punta Langosta Pier until 5am and then we will move slips and remain until 5PM.

 

The team distributes the attached letter as well as an excursion list for Cozumel.

[Shoppie124]

16 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Dumb question:  What else do you put in a laundry bag besides clothes?

Let me clarify... Shirts and shorts vs undies

[Shoppie124]

At this point, it's become bedlam!  Here are the views between the Haven and Genpop:

 

Haven: 4 computers and 3 landlines for 80 cabins

 

Genpop: 5-6 computers and 4-5 landlines (I heard both from my friends as we drank at the bar)

 

Seems a little unfair in my opinion.

 

Bowen called Southwest for me, I waited on hold for 30 minutes and was able to change my flight.  I offered the phone to anyone else who needed Southwest.  A women said I need them I need to get my flight info.  She disappeared and never came back.  After making small talk with the CSR from Southwest, Bowen told me to go ahead and hang up as the lady did not return fast enough!  Her loss!

 

For the most part, people were taking it in stride...  I really felt bad for the NCL staff.  I understand for my friends that in Genpop, Customer Service was crushed immediately following the announcement.

[Shoppie124]

Cozumel

 

Sara doing her handstand!

 

Our traveling companion, the MSC Seaside

 

Sara riding a burro.. So much fun at the pier!  You will notice Sara is wearing a shell necklace.. $8 in Cozumel!  Remember when negotiating... always offer half! 

[Shoppie124]

Next up Chankanaab!

 

We took a taxi to Chankanaab.  It cost $15 and was only about 15 minutes away.  We did the Royal Swim with memories and 15 minutes with the manatees ($417 total).  This is less than the ship and the website.  If you email them, they give you a better price.

 

We arrived and then the pick pocketing begins.  For $90 you can get time with the Sea Lions and for $150 you can get pictures with them...  They threw in a family picture with the manatee if I bought the Sea lion photos...  Sara's face said it all...  Have you ever seen a money shooter?   Yep...That's what today feels like!

 

So for $657 you get the honor of wearing multiple bracelets...  These are my wrists..

 

NCL was charging $425 just for the dolphin swim and transportation... no photo's.  Even though I feel like I was pick pocketed, we got a huge deal booking direct!!!

[Shoppie124]

It's Dolphin time!!!

 

Let me start by saying, I can't swim.  Life vest are mandatory but I was till very scared.  This sounded like such a good idea when I was planning...  I started to panic the closer I got to the pier and water.  The following photo's were taken by the staff photographer

 

Our dolphins were named Louis and Iliana.  Our trainer had a great sense of humor.  As you swam out, he made the jaws sound... duna duna, duna duna. 

 

First up, Doug with a foot push. 

 

 

[Shoppie124]

Next up... Me... I was so panicked!  Thankfully they sent a life guard out with me!  That's Charlie in the background.  He helped keep me calm.  He was there the whole way.

 

I started with the easy one.. the dorsal fin ride.

 

You can see how scared I was!  The endorphins kicked in!  It was a blast!

[Shoppie124]

Sara's turn to do tricks with the dolphin.  They do trick while another participant is swimming out to get setup for a ride.

 

Hand touch

A dance

Kiss on the cheek

Kiss on the lips

Snuggle

Smiles and a backrub

 

Sara's smile in these photo's make the $657 money well spent!!!!

[Shoppie124]

Next up, Doug doing the same tricks!!!

 

[Shoppie124]

Ready for a scared face?????  My turn for the foot push... I'm not really one to toot my own horn but I'm really proud of myself for doing this!!!  Again a HUGE thank you to Charlie for going out there with me!  He asked me how far I wanted to go.  I chose medium which is a little closer than what Doug and Sara did.

 

Our trainer knew better than to do the Jaws theme when I went out and I thank him for that!!!

[Shoppie124]

Up next.. Sara's Dorsal fin ride!!!

 

Sara's smiles are really making me feel good about the money spent!!!!

[Shoppie124]

My turn for some dolphin love.

 

If you look carefully, you can see Sara's hand holding my life vest... Yes  I'm still afraid but I did it!!!!!