Five Little Words

Are you ready for Days 3, and 4 of our first Norwegian Breakaway Cruise family vacation? 

Dear Diary: 

Day 3 (Port Canavera, Florida) (Cocoa Beach) Partly Cloudy, 73 Sunrise: 7:01 a.m. Sunset: 7:44 p.m.

We were to arrive in Florida at 12:00 but were a little behind schedule but it was still good. After breakfast those who wanted to leave for shore had to get in line and head through a passageway with I.D’s (freestyle card) in hand which led us to a table letting you know to get to the beach you will have to take a bus. Adults $12.99 roundtrip and kids $6.99 roundtrip. You could use your freestyle card to pay for this. Once we arrived at the location which was a drop off for buses and tourist type of store to purchase clothes, accessories, etc. A back door led us to Cocoa Beach about a block or two away. My daughter was excited because she wanted to play in the water and sand. She did collect seashells with her brother too. I got my feet wet but didn’t dive in. My boys were busy making phone calls home since we finally had connection. That was fine but they didn’t want to get in the water. It was all beach. No places to eat, no restrooms, just sun, sand and water. If you decide to get off the boat for Cocoa Beach just be prepared. Have drinks, food, towels, sunscreen, hats, and whatever else will keep you occupied. The sand was very hot. If you booked other excursions then you should have time for those and the beach. Next time we will either stay on the boat, or book an excursion. We still enjoyed our day. 

For those who remain on the boat there’s still things to do like:

Basketball Free Throw Contest, Sudoku Challenge, Rock Wall Climbing, Aqua Park, Nintendo Wii U Sport, Body Sculpt Boot Camp, Bingo, 70’s Music Trivia with Cruise Staff, Scavenger Hunt, Family Arts & Craft, Ping Pong Tournament, Ropes Course, Party Line Dance Class, and Family Karaoke Extravaganza. 

Those returning to ship by 8:00 p.m. enjoyed: 

Entourage Dodgeball, Spring Break Family Party, The Not So Newlywed Game, 70’s Disco Groove Party, Super Shopper Raffle, Citizen Watch Event, Late Night Party and Paradise Lottery Draw which takes place every night. 

Country Western food was being served in the Garden Cafe for dinner or you could have Chicken at O’Sheehan’s. We decided to try Shanghai’s another complimentary restaurant. The food was amazing!!  Spring rolls, noodles, fried rice, dumplings, etc. The line gets long for this small restaurant so get on line early like we did. They open 5:30 for dinner . 

Day 4 (Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas) Sunny 79 Sunrise: 6:54 a.m. Sunset 7:31 p.m. 

Today we arrived at10:00 a.m. to the Bahamas.  Those going ashore were led to the Breakaway Theater on Norwegian and sat till our rows were called and taken in groups by a Tender (boat) to Norwegian’s private 250 acre island Great Stirrup Cay. We were all anxious to get on the boat and head over. It’s so beautiful when you arrive. It truly is like paradise. My daughter and I headed to the water and the boys hung out together taking in other activities. We met for lunch and enjoyed the rest of the day together. There was lots to do. Besides complimentary BBQ all day there was a *40-foot high Hippo Water Slide,* Snorkel Center, *Massage Cabanas, *Beach Yoga, *Kayak Tour, *Wave Runner, *Parasailing, *Stingray & Snorkel Rental and *Eco Boat Adventure. ( *Fee will be billed to your on-board stateroom) Free things to do were Splash Academy, Family Limbo Competition, Family Water Games, Family Tug-O-War, Family Dodgeball, Beach Volleyball, Ping-Pong, Swimming with the tropical fishes, just relaxing and having fun (priceless). For those looking for frozen specialty drinks, cocktails, beer and soda you had the Patron Bar, BoBoLink Beach Bar and Lighthouse Beach Bar. The complimentary island BBQ lunch was served at Jumbey Beach Grill, Bertram’s Bar and Bacardi Bar. There’s lockers, beach chairs, first aid, restrooms and wheelchairs. If you bring towels from the ship you must return it to ship. They highly recommend sandals/water shoes to prevent stepping on rocks or coral covered by sand. Upon returning on the Tender there are water jets to clean your feet. Last Tender to return to ship was at 5:30 p.m. 

Back on the ship fun activities: Mini Golf, Shuffleboard, Soccer Tournament, Movie: (Dolphin Tale 2), Ring Toss Challenge, Rock of Ages (musical), Movie: (Mama Mia), Movie Clip Trivia, Girls Night Out, Glow Party, and Piano Entertainment. 

A Taste of Asia (oriental) was the dinner special in the Garden Cafe and O’Sheehan’s had Prime Rib. 

Today was a great day!! 

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I won this 7-day cruise from @themoms. Opinions are mine and my children 100% as always. Enjoy the pics!!

Our first 7-day family cruise vacation on Norwegian Breakaway was successful. Thanks again to @themoms Denise and Melissa for giving us the chance to experience what will be one of many cruises for us. We counted down till we finally were in a cab on the way to the west side highway where the ship awaited. Seeing the ship up close is so amazing and we got to take the Peter Max special (a great artist) who delighted us with his art work on the outside of the ship. 

Our ship was leaving at 3 pm so we left at 12 to get there early and check in. There were so many people. All of our luggage was the right size to be carry on so we didn’t have to check it in which was a good thing. Also, if you have a disability, health issue or handicap there was an express line. We also appreciated that. 

After identification and luggage was checked the next line was to get pictures taken for cruise I.D.’s (freestyle cards) and get credit cards linked. The only mixup was my son and daughter I.D. Her name had his face and vice versa. Of course they wanted they’re own cards and we had to keep explaining the mixup but eventually they got used to it. 

Finally we were on the boat finding our room and still couldn’t believe the day had finally arrived. We loved our room which had a balcony, 2 twin beds a couch that turns into a full bed and a bed that comes out of the ceiling that the housekeeper has to open with a key every night. We took turns sleeping on different beds. 

My mother and sister who came down to wave us goodbye were still outside waiting for the boat to pull out. We could see them from our room and were waving once we left. 

We did some unpacking and waited for instructions for the mandatory life boat drill. It lasted no more than 5 minutes. 

Dear Diary:

Day 1: (New York)) Sunny 55 degrees Sunrise 6:38 a.m. Sunset 7:24 p.m. 

You had your choice of a Guided Ship tour, then there was a Sailaway Celebration with cruise director JC Sanchez and his team on a high energy dance floor as we passed the Statue of Liberty. Next was a Family Welcome Social where you could meet your fellow cruisers for a family party filled with kid friendly foods (including Nickelodeon Slime Smoothies), ice breaker games raffles, music and more. 

Since we left on Easter Sunday they had a Family Easter Celebration. There were so much activities to do on board. We had our first family dinner at one of the complimentary restaurants called Taste. Everything from Salmon, Shrimps, to Steak. ( my three favorite S words). Our family picture was taken by a staff member. Dress code for dining: Resort Casual and Shorts are allowed in all dining venues except the Manhattan Room, Ocean Blue and Le Bistro after 5:00 pm. Shoes and shirt must be worn. 

Facial and acupuncture consultations for those that wanted, gaming lessons, spa raffle, karaoke, liquor tasting, game shows, lottery drawings, welcome aboard show and late night kids fun zone. Those were just some of the fun things to do. 

So after we took in the sights and ate we explored and called loved ones while we still had a cell phone connection. We didn’t stay up all night because we wanted to get up early the next day and check out the buffet at the Garden Cafe. 

Day 2: (At Sea) Partly Cloudy 60 degrees Sunrise 6:38 a.m. Sunset 7:33 p.m. 

There was lots to do after breakfast. Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Giant Chess Play, Rockettes Style Stretch Class, Yoga, Fitness Class and Indoor Cycling. We went for the Nickelodeon’s Art & Craft. We also saw the Rockettes. Dora the Explorer and Team Nick hosted a Dora’s Dance Party for kids. The Aqua Park opened and my daughter made sure to go in the pool and the water slides today. The boys played video games and enjoyed the courts. We also played the game show Deal or No Deal (that was fun) even though we didn’t win $5,000. Bingo was fun and no money but a scratch off gave us a dollar. Lol. I hit the slots later that evening. Much better. 

We also participated in an Art Auction and seminar before the auction. Whoever attended the seminar received authentic art to take home. More fun activities to participate in were Soccer Tournament, Cha Cha Class, Wine Tastings, Dance Class with the Rockettes, Family Dodgeball, Carlos Cupcake Decorating Class, Karaoke, Bingo, Meet & Greet with Dora, 3D Movie: Big Hero 6, and Name that Tune Trivia to name a few. 

For those who wanted a photo with the Captain Hakan Svedung they could do so in the Atrium (main stage).

For dinner we went with Seafood in the Garden Cafe. O’ Sheehan’s had BBQ Spare Ribs. 

If you didn’t get a chance ahead of time to book your shows, restaurant reservations and excursions on Norwegians website you could do so in your room on the interactive tv. You could also check your Freestyle Card balance of what you spend. I loved these options and also see the menus of each restaurant and  see what you could order for room service. There is a $7.95 convenience charge added for room service might I add so unless you’re dead tired and can’t go out of your room then use this service. My advice is go to the Garden Cafe for free and bring food down to your room. Even at o’Sheehan’s you can bring food back to your room. Another great tip if you did order room service like we did one night ask for a pitcher of water and you get to keep that pitcher and use everyday to bring water back to your room. That saved us a lot of steps back and forth filling up cups and we used it at our table in the Garden Cafe too. Your housekeeper will give you ice daily. 

These are the first two days I’m writing about. My next post will be about Florida and The Bahamas. Enjoy the pics!!!

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored. I won this 7-day cruise from @themoms  Opinions are 100% mine and my children as always.