Breaking Away from NOLA 1-22-23

[Panhandle Couple]

Hello!

New to CC, but as a couple we are both Gold on NCL, and had 4 cruises in 2022, 3 on NCL (eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Canada-Maine) , 1 on Princess (Alaska).  NCL ships Dawn, Bliss, Pearl.  Princess ship Discovery.

 

We will be cruizing on the Breakaway from NOLA this Sunday.  Seems like a few here will be on the same trip. We will be the ones drinking at the bar, all of them, but probably the one on the deck outside Syd Normans.

 

I have been enjoying and appreciating many of the comments here.  

I may do a summary of our 4 cruises from 2022 after this cruise.  Our last one was in October, and it seems like a few changes have happened to NCL since then.

I won't be updating during the cruise, but will try to answer any questions afterwards.  Ask in advance and be patient for our replies.  I will respond in this thread, but I don't want to provide pictures of the daily's, sorry.

 

We both enjoy NCL more than other cruise lines.  We like the "freestyle" approach.

 

Thanks. 

[like2cruise]

Not sure if your willing to take pictures of the MDR menus each night OR if you could try to note one or two of the main food items that are served on day 1, day 2, etc. so we can figure out the meal rotation and plan accordingly.  Also, would be anxious to hear if they continue to get to Costa Maya and Cozumel late and how minimal is the entertainment with the cut backs.  Thanks in advance and have a fabulous cruise.

[PatandStu]

I’d be interested to know which nights & times the big shows like Six & Burn the Floor are scheduled.

We do the same cruise Feb 5-12

[Panhandle Couple]

Like2cruise - I will take note of what they have outside the everyday selections, but no guarantee it will be the same every week.  Seems like it should be but you never know.   If we get in late to either port, that will ruin our excursions, so I will certainly let you know.

 

PatandStu - I can do that.  I have seen them listed on other posts here, but will update that when we return.  Seems like reservations are available once on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RocketMan275]

10 hours ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Hello!

New to CC, but as a couple we are both Gold on NCL, and had 4 cruises in 2022, 3 on NCL (eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Canada-Maine) , 1 on Princess (Alaska).  NCL ships Dawn, Bliss, Pearl.  Princess ship Discovery.

 

We will be cruizing on the Breakaway from NOLA this Sunday.  Seems like a few here will be on the same trip. We will be the ones drinking at the bar, all of them, but probably the one on the deck outside Syd Normans.

 

I have been enjoying and appreciating many of the comments here.  

 

I won't be updating during the cruise, but will try to answer any questions afterwards.  Ask in advance and be patient for our replies.  I will respond in this thread, but I don't want to provide pictures of the daily's, sorry.

 

 

Thanks. 

Appreciate your embarkation experience.

What time did you arrive at the port?

How long was the line to clear security?

What time did you board the ship?

We're on Breakaway in March and I'm trying to decide when to arrive at the port to minimize standing in long lines.  No need to arrive early to make reservation.

We had a very poor embarkation last March.  We stood in the security line for well over an hour.

[Panhandle Couple]

Rocketman - Our time is 12-12:30.  We chose that based on reading about long lines on CC.

No sense waiting in a line that isn't going to move until 11.  (has happened to us before in LA)

 

Also rain predicted Sunday AM, so waiting some might be better.

 

We are staying in nearby hotel, so no huge rush for us.

 

[Mechman]

Keep it running for us.  As you are coming off, the infamous Vlogger group cruise will be embarking!

[Panhandle Couple]

Mechman - We will.  Look for the older guy with a hangover.  Could be me.

[ouiswim]

1 hour ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Rocketman - Our time is 12-12:30.  We chose that based on reading about long lines on CC.

No sense waiting in a line that isn't going to move until 11.  (has happened to us before in LA)

 

Also rain predicted Sunday AM, so waiting some might be better.

 

We are staying in nearby hotel, so no huge rush for us.

 

Our time is also 12-12:30 tomorrow. Hope it's a wise choice. We've seen so many negative remarks about embarkation. See you on line!

[RocketMan275]

30 minutes ago, ouiswim said:

Our time is also 12-12:30 tomorrow. Hope it's a wise choice. We've seen so many negative remarks about embarkation. See you on line!

 

1 hour ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Rocketman - Our time is 12-12:30.  We chose that based on reading about long lines on CC.

No sense waiting in a line that isn't going to move until 11.  (has happened to us before in LA)

 

Also rain predicted Sunday AM, so waiting some might be better.

 

We are staying in nearby hotel, so no huge rush for us.

 

Appreciate any information you can provide.

One more thing.  Lots of speculation about changes in the mustering process.  Would appreciate your feedback on how the muster was done.  

We plan on arriving at the port around 1130 and drop our bags with the porters.

If the lines are long, we'll go upstairs and surf the mall for an hour or so.

[pandncruisers]

The muster drill is the old way you go to your station at 3:30 when they announce it and wait until everyone shows up

[RocketMan275]

14 minutes ago, pandncruisers said:

The muster drill is the old way you go to your station at 3:30 when they announce it and wait until everyone shows up

typically where are the stations located? Inside? Outside?

[like2cruise]

2 hours ago, pandncruisers said:

The muster drill is the old way you go to your station at 3:30 when they announce it and wait until everyone shows up

Article about that from this week...https://www.travelmarketreport.com/Cruise/articles/Cruise-Lines-Return-to-Traditional-Muster-Drills

[Mechman]

19 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

typically where are the stations located? Inside? Outside?

Typically inside...theater, or MDRs..depends on where your room is.  Pro TIP -  Be sure to have a couple drinks in hand about 1/2 hr before the event, as the bars all close down about then for the duration of it.

Edited January 22, 2023 by Mechman

[cruisinmeme]

1 hour ago, Mechman said:

Typically inside...theater, or MDRs..depends on where your room is.  Pro TIP -  Be sure to have a couple drinks in hand about 1/2 hr before the event, as the bars all close down about then for the duration of it.

Don’t they make you throw out drinks for the drill.  They have in the past.

[wolft927]

42 minutes ago, cruisinmeme said:

Don’t they make you throw out drinks for the drill.  They have in the past.

Yes, no drinks at the boat drill

[Mechman]

dang it... 🙂

[Panhandle Couple]

Arrived in building 12:15. On board about an hour later.  Line was past door 4, but moved steadily. Before we got to official check in, all waiting groups were cleared.

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, cruisinmeme said:

Don’t they make you throw out drinks for the drill.  They have in the past.

 

2 hours ago, wolft927 said:

Yes, no drinks at the boat drill

Umm...haven't you heard of chugging? Throwing it out is alcohol abuse!

[Panhandle Couple]

4:30 moving from dock.

 

[Panhandle Couple]

A quick update, in port at Cozumel.

Everything has been moving smoothly.

Weather has been warm and partly cloudy. Luckily no rain when in port, but maybe some today.

Food has been consistently good, better overall than our last cruise in October.

Burn the floor was on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Six is tonight and tomorrow night.

7:30 and 10:00 shows for both.

 

[DCGuy64]

On 1/20/2023 at 10:13 PM, Panhandle Couple said:

Hello!

New to CC, but as a couple we are both Gold on NCL, and had 4 cruises in 2022, 3 on NCL (eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Canada-Maine) , 1 on Princess (Alaska).  NCL ships Dawn, Bliss, Pearl.  Princess ship Discovery.

 

We will be cruizing on the Breakaway from NOLA this Sunday.  Seems like a few here will be on the same trip. We will be the ones drinking at the bar, all of them, but probably the one on the deck outside Syd Normans.

 

I have been enjoying and appreciating many of the comments here.  

I may do a summary of our 4 cruises from 2022 after this cruise.  Our last one was in October, and it seems like a few changes have happened to NCL since then.

I won't be updating during the cruise, but will try to answer any questions afterwards.  Ask in advance and be patient for our replies.  I will respond in this thread, but I don't want to provide pictures of the daily's, sorry.

 

We both enjoy NCL more than other cruise lines.  We like the "freestyle" approach.

 

Thanks. 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

[Panhandle Couple]

A chance of rain turned into 3+ hours of steady downpour. 

We still had our excursion, more details in the full cruise summary.

 

[Panhandle Couple]

Back home and ready for a summary.

I will do each port as a separate post.

 

Ship had ~4180 people, making it crowded.  Staff said that during "spring break" (not certain which week, but either 2nd or 3rd week in March it will be 4700.  If you are sailing those weeks, be prepared.

 

We thought the food overall was better than our last cruise in Oct (Pearl - Canada-Maine).  Lines can get long at MDR in first hour they are open.  However, sometimes a 30 minute wait was only 5.

 

We did not feel the ship was understaffed to any large degree.  It may feel that way when another 600 are squeezed in.

 

Daily additional MDR options always had a beef, pork, chicken (turkey 1 night), shrimp, fish and veggie selection.  We always chose from them, bypassing the regular selections.  My wife had fish twice, (Hake and Tilapia) and enjoyed it.  She never had a bad shrimp selection either.  Appetizer selections are varied, and on the small side, but we usually get two.  There is always 2 salad choices.

MDR breakfasts (twice) were good, no complaints except for crying babies nearby. 

 

If you didn't know, about 5 or 6 wine selections are available in MDRs with the drink package. Mid-level quality, but Ok.  

 

Desserts were very good.  Seemed to be more variety than last year.

 

Buffet we only use for breakfast or quick snacks in afternoon.  Based on that, about the same as previous NCL cruises.  Full lunch options looked good, but we always got finger food (tacos, charcuttery) 

 

Our first Breakaway cruise.  As probably discussed, it has an odd pool area (deck 15) that makes it seem like you are on a small ship.  Good if not crowded, not so good when crowded.  Bars next to each other ensure a crowd on that end of the pool. Stairs leading to deck 16 overlook are poorly placed, blocking the doors inside behind them.  All of this was changed for the Bliss, which has a much nicer layout.  This will not stop you from having fun, just a head scratching design.

 

There is also a semi-closed smoking area on the port side of the pool area.  We have never seen this before on other ships.  Smoke wasn't obvious due to constant wind.  Smoking still allowed in casino, but our trips through there weren't breath holding.  Smoking on Spice H2O deck was also not too noticeable, but we only visited it twice.  The bar there is much bigger than on the Bliss.

 

The ship was kept clean and they were working and painting areas, like any other cruise we have been on.  This has to be a challenge with a near full capacity. No evidence of "deferred maintenance" beyond what we have seen on other ships.  You can always find something if you look hard enough on any ship.  But you can't paint on rainy days, and you can't block major walkways for any length of time.

 

If you are on an upcoming sailing, either attend the "How to run a floating Hotel" presentation, or watch the video (easier to do when in the room) on the ship channel.   Very eye opening, and maybe fewer will complain when shown the volume of items they stock and actions they do daily.

 

Disembarking, we opted for the walk off, since we drove and parked in local hotel.  A much larger amount of people seemed to do this, but it might be a NOLA thing, with the many parking options nearby.  The typical wind you from one end of the ship to the other was used, but moved OK.  About 12-15 minutes to get from forward elevators through customs.  Customs was face recognition and not questions asked.  After initial boarding, we never showed our passports again.

 

Muster.  Yes, back to the old drills, abiding by international Safety at Sea standards.  Locations were on decks 6 and 7.  With people complaining and not paying attention, if there is any real emergency, good luck.  The crew can only herd cats so far.  Cats have to cooperate at some point.

 

Age mix was the most we have seen on 5th cruise since Covid break.  Plenty of boomers, Gen X, Gen Y.  Many kids under 5.  Only a small amount of school aged, which is predictable w/o a holiday near.

People dressed nicely (for most part) at night.  Not award show glamor, but nicer, some fashionable.

 

 

 

 

[like2cruise]

This is a phenomenal review...very well stated!!  Did you happen to have an opportunity to jot down a  main course or 2 each night in the MDR to give us a general idea the order of their menus?  If not, I understand...you were on vacation...if yes, thanks in advance for doing that for me!!