Carnival Breeze Cruise June 2015
After
a heavy traffic journey we got to the Premier Inn near Heathrow about 4.30 with
no problems at all. Were given a nice room on the second floor away from the
noise of the M4. For our evening meal we
both had prawn cocktail and fish and chips then both had a sweet with crushed
meringue, fruit, ice cream and cream, Tony's was Eton Mess and mine was Pavlova.
We had a very large comfortable bed but the room was very hot so neither of us
slept well, Tony was still coughing as well which didn't help.
Saturday
13 June 2015. Up just after seven and down for breakfast which was quite good
except Tony found a hair in his which he gave to the manager. They told us as
we left that they had deducted the price of his breakfast. Found Purple parking
Business with little problem and soon got to terminal 3. Dropped the bags and
cleared security. Then it was not an auspicious start to the flight. we boarded more or less on time, we then sat
on the plane waiting for a slot for take- off for an hour. Virgin Atlantic
economy is not the best place to spend an hour especially sitting next to two
tall and large rather excitable twenty something West Indian young men who did
not stop talking the whole time and the one next to me was too large for his
seat, however, it got better, the
attractive and pleasant female purser came round and told us we were quite
empty in economy and also in the wider leg room seats and to feel free to move
as soon as the seat belt signs went off.
It
was quite hilarious to see as soon as the seat belt light went off there were
people everywhere looking for empty rows. We were very quick off the mark as
directly opposite us was a row of three empty seats that were wide leg room,
normally costing £50 extra each. We left an empty seat between us and it was
suprising how much more comfortable the seats were. The meal was
quite good, a salad starter, then Tony had beef burgundy and I had. Vegetable Bolognese,
then there was a chocolate fudge type pudding and cheese and biscuits and
coffee. With the meal we had red wine and the pre dinner drink we had was
G&T. So not bad at all, a long time since we had airline meals and they
seem to have improved.
Landed
well on time, having caught up the time, then joined the first of several
queues (lines). This for emigration which was not that bad really, we then
collected the luggage which by now was waiting for us and joined another queue
to hand in the customs form. Our Private Hire vehicle was waiting for us and we
were soon at the Hilton downtown. This was a very nice hotel, very welcoming
and we had a nice room with two Queen beds. It was very hot and humid outside
although not sunny. Had a walk around, tired by now and went in early for a
light meal. Bruschetta, which was very good, and calamare which was not. Cost
was over 50 dollars. Early bed.
Sunday
14 June we were up fairly early for breakfast which was another 40 plus
dollars. We sat out by the pool in the sun after going for a short walk down to
a park by the sea. The taxi arrived early and we were soon in yet another line
for pre boarding security, this didn't take too long and we then joined the
longest
line of them all
which was checking in to board, if you looked back down and across the lines
all you could see was heads and all you could hear was the noise of hundreds of
American and Mexican voices. So a mix of languages.. We eventually got our key
cards and joined the final line to board, considering the number of people, it
all went very smoothly. We reckon they have had lessons from Disney World on
the art of moving people and we later estimated that there were probably up to
4000 people on board. The afternoon was
spent finding our way around while waiting for the luggage to be delivered. The
stateroom is compact but everything is there. There was a lot to see which was
tiring, lunch we had on the lido deck which has a lot of different self service
places, we just had a mixture of salads and some grilled Mahi Mahi. We sat on our
balcony for a while then went to our muster station which was two decks down,
where we had a safety lecture and demonstration. This was compulsory and the
few people who did not attend were caught and had their names read out over the
ships tannoy system. As we had not left harbour they were very lucky not to
have been put ashore, safety is taken very seriously, all children under twelve
were fitted with wrist bands which they were to wear for the duration of the
cruise. This was to help members of the crew especially designated to return
the child to the lifeboats and their parents in the case of emergency.. After
the lecture we were free to go and we made our way to the bows to watch her
leave harbour. It was fascinating to see all the up market houses along the
water, and then the lovely beach stretching into the distance. Soon though
there was nothing to see but sea. In the evening we again visited the salad bar,
choosing to do this because we had been allocated an eating time of 8.15pm
which is late for us to eat and there seemed to be no way it could be changed..
While we were eating there was a terrific thunderstorm with forked lightening
across the sea. After our meal we went to a bar where we had ice cream and a
drink, Bud light for Tony and a whisky for me and listened to a group called
Deja Vu for an hour. Back for another early night.
Pool
deck where films shown on large screen, Pool under screen.
Monday
15 June. This morning we decided to go to Blush restaurant for brunch which was
very good. We both had fresh fruit followed by an omelette and a croissant. Today
was a ‘FUN AT SEA’ day. So we then made our way to the Serenity deck which is
the quiet area only accessed by those over 21. We finally managed to find a
seat and had a peaceful enough hour until a large group of black American
adults, eight of them all together sat next to us, sharing a two seat settee
and a double hammock. They were drinking wine and were extremely loud. We had
seen them the day before and they were just as loud then. There are lots of big
groups on board but mostly they are not where we are. The constant noise takes
a bit of getting used to though, like one long day at Disney World or Butlins.
Including the tannoys. We again had lunch on the Lido deck, I had salad, cheesy
potatoes and grilled fish followed by peach cobbler, Tony had similar. Back to
our room then to find the TV, which is used for information, was not working so
I sat on the balcony writing this while we waited for somebody to fix it. It
was the remote which was eventually changed after a phone call to client
services to remind them. During the day there was a large wedding, the
bridesmaids were all dressed as Southern Belles with huge crinoline style
dresses, very pretty as was the brides dress. (I believe dresses could be hired
on board somewhere. The men were all in full dinner type suits and bow ties as
were the young page boys. We didn’t see the wedding but saw the group having
photos taken. Also in the day there was a renewal of vows with an older couple
in full wedding gear. And every night in the restaurant there were birthdays
with much singing of happy birthday. (once even at breakfast).
In
the evening it was cocktails with the captain followed by elegant dining night
so, all dressed up we stood in line to have our photos taken then we bought a
margarita each and, together with, it seemed, most of the passengers on board
we stood and/or sat for an hour. This proved to be farcical and a waste of our
time. the captain appeared, chatted to his crew friends and departed, not a lot
of meeting him went on. As I said before, our meal time slot is late for us
being 8.15 so we don't eat in the main restaurant every night. Food in this
restaurant which has about 800 tables seating from two to twelve, with two
sittings, is a bit hit and miss, I had shrimp cocktail followed by lobster tail
and then creme brulee and mine was nice. Tony had mushroom soup which was nice,
followed by prime rib which was stringy and not good, followed by ice cream. The
restaurant is very attractive to look out on, our designated table was upstairs
so we had a good view of the restaurant below, mainly red with lots of tiny lights
forming chandelier type shapes. We sailed overnight to Jamaica.
Tuesday 16 June
we arrived in Jamaica at about 8am and could see all the coaches waiting for
those booked on trips which was 95% of the passengers on board. We docked in
Montego Bay and from here Jamaica looked very attractive with a lot of trees
and distant hills, nice to look at from the ship. We watched all the people
milling around as they looked for the coach they were booked on or for a
vehicle to take them on a trip. The official ones were all in a compound but
there were some unofficial ones touting for trade from outside. We had a lovely
peaceful day, we were easily able to find a seat to sunbathe in the Serenity
area, however after sitting in the jacuzzi for 15 minutes we moved back into
one of the igloos to get some shade as the temperature was over 90. At one
stage, because there was a breeze, my sun hat blew across the deck, without
thinking I ran after it and the deck was so hot I could hardly bear to walk on
it, my feet actually felt
sore
for the rest of the day.. We had salad for lunch then went to find the photos
we'd had taken the evening before. Paid for those another thirty dollars worth.
We watched all the coaches returning, deadline was 5.30 pm, some arrived at
5.45 only just making it as the ship won't wait for late comers. Went
back to the stateroom and checked our bill so far on the TV and noticed that
the bottle of wine we had Monday night and took back to drink on our balcony
today was $35. I think two glasses of similar in a bar yesterday cost just over
$16 so the bottle is still cheaper. Had dinner in Blush restaurant again, this
time it was my meal that was not so good, my broccoli soup with cheese was nice
I then had Mahi Mahi with vegetables and jacket potato and the fish was
uncooked and not nice, the jacket was really the only edible thing on my plate
as the broccoli was almost raw, the server offered to change the fish but I
didn't bother and we just had ice cream for sweet and went to listen to Deja Vu
with a whisky for me and a beer for Tony. Overnight we sailed to Grand Cayman
arriving as we got up at 0730. Always a nice sight to see land as we get up.
Wednesday
17 June. Tenders were waiting to take people ashore. We had a good breakfast in
Blush restaurant. We again had a peaceful day. Grand Cayman is not very big and
seems to have a lot of industrial sites for a small Island. It didn't tempt us
at all. Tony went in the jacuzzi in Serenity and I sat and read, only 83
degrees today!!! and a lot of cloud, quite humid too. Went to one of the bars
for a coke for me and a coffee for Tony, then back on our balcony to write up
this, went to watch the people returning from their trips and again there were
several who were late. But that seemed to be more due to the tenders ferrying
them as there was another cruise ship in a Royal Caribbean ship, smaller than
ours. We had our evening meal in the Lido food bars, I had salads, jacket and
some roast lamb which was a bit tough. Afterwards we saw one show in the
theatre called 88 keys the rock and roll show; then we went for a drink in the
casino bar. We had Amarettos which cost 14 dollars for the two; it was a good
measure though. We then went to a second show called Divas again a very good
show. I slept really well. Tony is not coughing at night but is still coughing
and catching his breath in the day.
Thursday 18 June as we woke up we were
about an hour off Cozumel a small Island off the coast of Mexico. Again we had
a very good breakfast in Blush restaurant. I started with smoked salmon cream
cheese and bagels, then had eggs, bacon and toast. Once those going ashore had
left, we spent a lovely peaceful morning sunbathing and reading and visiting
the jacuzzi in Serenity, it is always peaceful once everyone has gone off on
trips. While sunbathing there were two large birds overhead, white with black,
wing span about two feet shaped almost like a seagull, with pointed beaks, fairly
long. we didn't know what they were. There was another Carnival cruise ship in,
Carnival Triumph, smaller than Breeze which is carnival’s flagship, and both
ships docked at the same time. So, all the people off both ships made a lot of
people visiting this small island. We were told that Carnival actually own the
small village where we docked. So all the franchises, restaurants, any hotels
etc are putting money in Carnival’s pocket. Can’t lose can they? We started to
have lunch in the Lido area and both had a lovely platter of fresh fruit –
three types of melon, pineapple, grapes, all beautifully ripe and juicy. I had
finished mine when a piece of melon caught Tony's breath and he had a really
bad choking coughing fit which went on for ages (I am used to him choking on
his food he has done it ever since I first knew him, it doesn’t happen often
but can be scary for people who don’t know) The normal choking was exacerbated
by the cough he has so it sounded worse than usual, as if he had croup or
whooping cough.. We didn't get our main meal then but returned to our room then
I fetched him a plate of food which he ate in the room while I went back down
and had mine. He was fine when I got back so we went back up to Serenity and
sunbathed and read (me) and walked around (Tony). People were told to be back
at the ship by 5.30 as we were to sail at 6pm. The last stragglers came on
board after 6.30. We left then just ahead of Triumph whose passengers lined the
decks to watch us leave, waving us off. Had a shower and changed and went up to
the Lido for dinner, we do prefer it to the main restaurant and we can eat
earlier. I had salad, jacket, spring rolls and veal cordon bleu which was all very
nice. We then went for a drink in the Plaza bar and left before the magician
started. By now the wind had got up and was a head wind, we were going very
slowly down the coast of the Mexican mainland. By now the ship was rolling a
bit so my wristbands were on, however I have had no need of the Stugeron
tablets.
On our balcony
Friday
19 June another FUN DAY AT SEA.! Breakfast
on Lido deck of cheese omelette and fruit, followed by toast and marmalade. We
spent the morning on Serenity deck reading, not really sunny but very warm.
Lunch in Lido
market place of salads etc then walked around a bit, then sat on promenade deck
5. Back to pack and wonder why it is always more difficult to get things back
in the case on the way home, and why is it heavier, all I added was spare
glasses and chargers trying to lighten the carry on rucsac for the day at the
airport in Miami. We again had a meal in the lido in the evening jacket potato,
broccoli in white sauce and beef strogonoff. Followed by a whisky outside Ocean Plaza. We watched a beautiful sunset. Back to our
room to change, pack what we were wearing and put cases outside to be taken to
zone 28 for tomorrow, then back down for a final drink listening to Deja Vu.
Didn't sleep well of course, I hate all the travelling and wondering if the
travel plans will work. It was also quite a ‘rolling’ sea so it took a while to
adjust to when laying down.
Saturday
20 June. Woke up to see a beautiful sunrise as we arrived at Miami port, and it
was already hot at 6am. Yesterday was way over 90 in Miami and apparently 99
degrees in parts of Florida phew! Breakfast of mushroom and cheese omelette in
lido market place then sat outside Ocean Plaza until time to be called to
disembark.
We realised that the taxi firm had the wrong
mobile number for us, they were supposed to ring to confirm their arrival. However,
we also discovered that Ton’s phone didn’t recognise their number and we
worried they might not be able to contact us. We went to client services who
put us through to them on their phone, the girl confirmed the driver was there
early and said if he waited more than an hour we would be charged, so Tony put
her right about our pick up time so that we would not be charged. True to form,
as we had queued to embark, so we queued to disembark. This took a while as
there must have been three to four thousand people on board, We were called
according to our zone number. In the end we were only half an hour late
disembarking and were quickly through customs to pick up our luggage. It was a
bit of a zoo outside and really hot waiting for our private car hire to pick us
up. He arrived eventually though and drove us smoothly to Miami International.
Unfortunately, in their wisdom, Carnival had us booked on a Virgin Atlantic
flight for which we couldn't check in until 5pm and this was about 11.30am. We
had intended catching a bus to the beach if we could find out the details as we
knew there was one that went from the airport somewhere, but the young girl on
information was less than helpful being more intent on fiddling with her
Iphone. So we put the cases into a baggage holding area at $9 a case and then
just killed time around the airport, buying lunch in Burger King. I shall be
eternally grateful not to have air conditioning, the airport was freezing and
my sweater was with my case.
Before we left
home on 12 June Tony had entered an auction to upgrade our Virgin Atlantic
seats on the way home to Premium economy at £257. (actually he didn’t really
realise at the time that that was each!) Because his phone was not receiving
calls and we were not on line he didn’t know what had happened about the
result. At the airport when the desks opened he found that we had got the seats
so we travelled home in a bit more style than usual. We thought in this case it
was worth £500+. Premium was quite good for an 8 hour journey as the leg room
was really good, there are two seats in the space of three in economy and they are
more comfortable seats, bucks fizz or orange juice before take off and drinks
served in what appears to be glass tumblers although I guess they are toughened
glass of some sort. The meal was very good again, salad starter followed by
slow cooked beef with mash and minted peas, cherry almond tart, cheese and
biscuits and a soft fresh baked roll and butter with wine, followed by coffee
in a china cup. After being woken at 9am breakfast was scrambled egg, fried
potato, beans and a sausage followed by a blueberry muffin with coffee. The
flight was very good, a bit of turbulence but not a lot and I actually did
sleep which is unusual for me, it was so much better having room to get
comfortable. We landed at 11am on Sunday 21st (UK time) and were in
the car driving home at 12. No problem with immigration, we used the automatic
booths for passports and somehow it worked. And the cases were among the first
off which, given that it was a 747 was very lucky.
But: US airport security was always very strict.
UK airport security is still extremely strict with no liquids etc,
belts/watches and sometimes trainers off.
When we got home
and unpacked from US this week Tony found his second wash bag in his flight
bag. (We had had to put our cases into collection storage overnight so had to
keep a spare wash bag with us for departure morning.) I then put mine into the case when we
retrieved them. He didn't. So, all his shaving gel tubes, toothpaste, deodorant
and razor (not electric) had gone sailing through security at Miami airport. He
also kept his belt and watch on and we both had trainers on. I had taken my
Ipad out but he was told there was no need. How strange!
So
that was our cruise experience.
Did we enjoy it? We enjoyed the 3 lazy days in
the sun when most people went ashore, the shows we saw, though only half an
hour long, were very good The lighting and other effects in the large theatre
were excellent. We enjoyed sitting on our balcony watching the sea. The
stateroom was comfortable once we got the air conditioning as we liked it, the
bed was large and comfortable and we chose the room well as it proved to be
quiet, even late at night except for the last night. I didn't have any real
problem with the motion of the ship although I wasn't keen on eating in the
stern restaurant when the ship wallowed a bit. I didn't take any pills but did
wear wrist bands when at sea. We didn't enjoy how they charged quite a lot for
things not included; e.g. you could get free coffees, as many as you liked but
it was like instant, then you could buy a good skinny lattee coffee for almost
$3, they certainly know how to make money. The food was mostly average, with
some good although to be fair we didn’t try the Mexican, Indian or Chinese food
as spicy made Tony cough, and we didn’t try the burgers although they smelled
very good, we didn’t want to end up like a quarter of the people on board who
were very obese, the service was mostly excellent and everywhere was very
clean, they cleaned all day long. I would think you could literally eat off the
decks. We saw one day (a sea day) the lads who kept the place clean were
scrubbing around some wooden railings in the Lido restaurant area, they were
scrubbing between the tiles on the floor with little brushes. All the servers
in the buffet areas wore gloves and everything had utensils with which to serve
yourself food, there were hand sanitizers everywhere. Apparently the whole
Carnival fleet has a very high rating for food hygiene and a low incidence of
norovirus and tummy bugs.
The only things we bought besides evening
drinks and a couple of bottles of wine were the two photos we had taken and a
couple of postcards. We could have bought watches, jewellery, perfume, alcohol,
T shirts etc but we didn’t need any of that. However our account when we ended
the cruise stood at approximately $430.
Would
we do it again, possibly not, it was a bit too crowded and noisy, although that
may have been the people. Mexicans are very voluble and noisy en mass. There
were a lot of children on board and they were certainly enjoying themselves.
The water park looked fantastic for those who liked that sort of thing, there
was a huge slide. Then the people who enjoyed gambling had plenty to entertain
them in the casino with big money to be won. Teenagers had the thrill theatre
(we didn’t go in) and late night disco type things. There were two night clubs
and lots of different bars with acts in most of them. Some people seemed to
spend all day on loungers in the lido pool area laying there watching films on
a large open air screen, this was a very noisy area and a lot of the younger
children were there as there were often cartoons on. And food was nearby,
available all day and in some parts for 24 hours. It was all there but we are
not party animals, not great pool users, tend not to stay up late. There was
also crazy golf and a gym, pool tables
etc. And, if you could afford it there was a spa. We enjoyed what we
did, a quiet drink on our balcony or in a bar watching an act for half an hour.
We enjoyed the days sunbathing. I imagine if you were in a large family group
or with a group of friends, it would be fun, Maybe we were a bit out on a limb
being the only English on board as far as we could tell But we are pleased that
we went, grateful for the opportunity.
The ship statistics are: 14 decks: Tonnage 130,000: Length 1,004
feet: capacity 3,690 guests: staff 1,386.
