Carnival Breeze, Cruise March 2015

Just got back on Saturday from our first cruise on the Breeze!  Needless to say, it was wonderful!!  After reading these forums, FAQ's and anything else I could find, I think I was somewhat prepared.  The cabins weren't as small as I expected, but the shower lived up to expectations!  It was small, but man the water pressure was great!!  There was lots of storage in the stateroom, closets, shelves, drawers, and room under the bed to store the suitcases, and we put our dirty clothes in one of them.  There was storage space in the bathroom also.  We had our fridge emptied so we could store our wine in it.  And the safe was a key code.

We did the YTD, worked out perfect for us.  We were a party of 8, all adults, we never had to wait for a table, and we could time dinner with what we wanted to do that evening.  The food was good.  But the unusual stuff to try on the menu, wasn't really anything unusual for us.  I guess because we are a bunch of rednecks, we had already tried rabbit & frog legs!!!!  Only complaint was that the ice cream servings with the melting cake and pie were in such a small cup?  So we just started ordering 2-3 cups of ice cream!  We thoroughly enjoyed dinner every evening, we liked having a different wait-staff each night, we got to meet & talk to many different people from many different backgrounds.  We enjoyed the dinner entertainment!  It was disappointing to see how some people dressed for formal night.  There were t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and everything else you could imagine.

We got the Bottomless Bubbles, it was a good deal for us.  We never did understand why we still had to sign a receipt every time? But, whatever!   We also didn't realize that even though we pre-paid the gratuities, that gratuity was added on to each drink you bought.  We didn't have them taken off, but did hear of other people who did.  Most of the time the soft drinks were flat and tasted old, but there were time that they did bring the whole can and we checked the expiration date and they were good.

The chogging was bad on Sea Days.  But finally the attendants started tagging the chairs and removing stuff.  Then people got mad!  Pools were very crowded, and the hot tubs weren't hot at night!!  But it was still all good, because we were on a cruise!!!

We didn't schedule any excursions ahead of time or thru Carnival.  We knew what we wanted to see and so we just got a van and went to where ever.  At Ocho Rios, Jamaica, we went shopping and to a small water fall.  The people here were almost to the point of harrassment, trying to sell you their excursions, and cab rides.  We went outside of the circle of cabbies and found a van for a cheaper price.  We were surprised at the poverty, and at the blatant nonchalant way they tried to sell you marijuana, and people just walking around smoking it.  Even in Margaritaville!!  We went there for the free Wi-fi!  There was a man at one of the "Malls" with a donkey named "Peggy", a chicken named "Jesus" and a parrot who ate bird seed out of his mouth!  Of course he reminded everyone who wanted a picture that he needed tips!!!  Ocho Rios isn't a place that I would want to make a return visit!!

Our next port was Grand Cayman, it was beautiful.  We secured a van to take us to 7 mile beach, she told us that she would come back to pick us up when we told her to, so we gave her a time, and sure enough she was waiting on us!  This beach was a blast!  We rented chairs for $5 each, then some of us rented snorkling equipment, and some of us took a banana boat ride.  The beach was beautiful.  The drinks were expensive.  But overall the day was great!  We went back to the port area a couple of hours early, got a bite to eat, and did some shopping.  Then we went to port an hour early, the last tender was supposed to go back at 3:00, so we got there around 2:00.  The lines were ungodly!  Plus, it was hot, and of course there are those people who think they shouldn't have to wait with the peons!  So there were some heated discussions!  

Next port was Cozumel.  This was interesting!  We took a private excursion,(Wild Tours)  with dune buggies!  It was a blast!  We had a guide and he was great.  Took us to a preserve where there were animals, we held an owl, a macaw, and a burmese python!  Plus we had a Tequila tasting and lesson on production, then saw a Mayan Ruin.  Got back on the road and rode up the coast to a small restaurant on the beach for some good seafood.  Then we cut back thru the city, back to a resort to catch a van back to port.  Again, we did some shopping, then back on the boat.

The entertainment was fantastic!  We saw a few of the Adult comedy shows, and a couple of the Musical shows.  I couldn't believe how many people tried bringing their children to the Adult Comedy shows!  When it says 18+, it means it!!!  The pictures are astronomical!  $22 for an 8X10, and $12 for a 5X7.  And to think that when you leave they are throwing all of these away!  Why not offer some package deals?  We did stand behind the photographer and snap some of our own!    Wrong, I know, but they are soooo expensive!!  They had some really nice specials on jewelry & watches one evening.  I loved the Bella Perini(?) bracelets!  They also had a good sale on the last night on T-shirts.  I was really glad that I didn't have to purchase any sunscreen or tylenol!!!  

Guys Burgers was fantastic!  It would be nice if there were more snack options for the night time.  Not everyone wants Pizza or ice cream, and we weren't in our room to order room service.  And there were no tortilla chips for the salsa bar!!! 

The Water Works area with the slide was a lot of fun for adults as well as children.  Many people couldn't read the sign for the Serenity Deck, and were promptly told to leave.  

Overall, our cruise was fantastic!  We can't wait to go again!  Only 2 people had ever cruised before, so the majority of us were Cruise Virgins!  

We used the Carnival Transportation back to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, which was good.  The airport left a lot to be desired, but we survived!  

Also we arrived in Miami the day before the cruise, and we stayed at the Fortune House.  The Fortune House was really nice!  And we got a good deal!  

I will try to answer any questions that I can, to try to help the next person!!!