Breaking Down The Breakaway - In Pictures

Okay, so I am catching the Breakaway in 12 days. But Norwegian took delivery on Friday, and she is sailing a couple of overnighters from Rotterdam, and then England, before she hops across the Pond to come get me. I think I have said all I can say over the last 6 weeks, so this week, we'll let pictures do the talking! Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President of NCL posted a slew of shots the first day in Rotterdam, and I am not above stealing them. So, without further ado:

First, a couple of shots of the 80's Party at Spice/H2o.  Fireworks will commence soon.

 

 

And then, a couple shots of the Spa...the Salt Room, a first of it's kind at sea and the pool w/waterfall

Now,  couple shots from the Fitness Center.  Note the Flywheel spinning bikes.  For those of you who aren't up on Flywheel, Google it.   For some bizarre reason (because I am way to competitive for my own good), I accepted an invitation to Flywheel at 7am on the Saturday of the PreInaugural.  My only hope is that the open bar has the other 9 people badly hungover Saturday morning.  There are some advantages to not drinking.

Yeah...That's the Flywheel Room...

And, finally, a few of the people who make the whole thing possible:

 

There is Andy Stuart, Exec VP, my old buddy Klaus Lugmaier, Fleet Hotel Director, and nicest guy on Earth, and Francis Riley, VP and General Manager/International.

Fleet Hotel Director, Klaus, again, this time with Denis "Deno" Prguda, Norwegian Breakaway's Hotel Director.  Another truly nice guy (I have sailed with him as HD before), and obviously the best Hotel Director in the fleet...since that's the guy who gets the best postings.

And, finally, Andy and Francis Riley hanging out in the Ice Bar.

So, there you have it.  Did I mention I am boarding in 12 days?

Norwegian Breakaway im Detail (playlist)

Halloween Cruise with Ghost Hunter International, Barry Fitzgerald!

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Pricing:

Interior Cabin: $735 per person

Oceanview Cabin: $800 per person

Balcony Cabn: $1010 per person


Deposit Required: $250 per person at bookingWhat’s Included?

• All Ghost Hunters International on-board programming, cocktail party/halloween party, walking tour through the Bermuda Royal Dockyard with Barry Fitzgerald - Ghost Hunters International Lead Investigator.
• A host of delicious options included in your cruise fare, from traditional fine dining to endless buffets with custom-order action stations. For an additional cover charge, you’ll have access to a world of possibilities including gourmet French, Japanese teppanyaki and an upscale steakhouse – 14 different dining options in all.
• Second City® comedy troupe, Broadway-style shows, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a sports court, bars and lounges of all kinds, pools, hot tubs, kid’s centers, teen discos and more are all on board and included in your cruise fare.
• Cruise fare, taxes, and fees.
• Wireless Internet access is available in all public areas, 24 hours a day. Fees apply.

It’s not too late to join the Ghost Hunter International Investigator, Barry Fitzgerald! Balconies, Ocean View and Interior Cabins are still available. Call or email us for up-to-date prices and promotions.

Sneak Peek/Ocean Blue Menus - NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY

Here it is folks - The menu from Ocean Blue.  Norwegian Cruise Line had Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian create their first ever seafood speciality restaurant for the new Norwegian Breakaway.  And your intrepid reporter has been trying to find out what's on the menu.  Today, SUCCESS.

 

I am totally looking forward to dining at Ocean Blue soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking Down The Breakaway - New York Pre-Inaugural

Seems I started this weekly run up to the Breakaway about two weeks early...I am getting onboard in 19 days, and I done run out of stuff to say about the ship.

So, this week, I'm gonna give a rundown of the festivities on the 2day May 10th Pre-Inaugural, and next week a rundown of the activites on the May 12th Bermuda Inaugural.  And the Sunday after that, I will be blogging LIVE FROM THE BREAKAWAY!!!

Okay, so I'm heading to New York on the Virgin America red-eye from LAX.  Y'all already know Virgin is my favorite airline these days.  They are so good I am almost looking forward to flying.  Almost.  I'll be getting into Newark at 8am and a friend who is on the trip with me will be picking me and my Plus1 up at the airport.

Now, I know everyone thinks travel agents get all this free stuff, and it's nothing but a big ole party with free food and booze and all, but there really is a lot of work that gets done.  It is a chance for the cruise line to give us the information we need to sell their product, and a chance for us to learn, first hand, all about the ship, so that we can give you, the client, REAL information to make the best vacation decision.

So, check it:  In about 44 hours, from check in Friday to debark Sunday, we have to get onboard, find our cabin (11750 in my case, but don't tell anyone I already know), do a muster drill, attend whatever inaugural festivities and, in addition to eating, drinking and laying by the pool:
Download an app that gives directions for a scavenger hunt.  The point of this is to make you check out venues all over the ship.

Check in at Sales HQ and talk to the Business Development Team about blocking group space, etc.

Go on an official Ship Tour (which will have a cabin in every category open for inspection), again to make you walk the whole ship and get to know what is where.

Attend a small group product update session with Andy Stuart (EVP of Sales and Pax Svcs) and Camille Olivere (Senior VP/Sales), by appointment.

Attend a session with Stuart Cohen (an industry stalwart and entertaining sales trainer) on client loyalty.

And another session on booking groups with Vivian Ewart from NCL

And another session with the Bermuda Tourism Dept. 

So, you can see, the day is pretty busy.  And I am not one of those who shirks the sessions.  I know some agents are just there for the freebie, but I really do think it helps me be a better travel agent.  And I really do appreciate that travel suppliers like Norwegian Cruise Line are willing to provide both the fun times, AND the education.  Which is good for me, and for you!

Of course, after all that, the evening is pretty open, and yes, I will take advantage of some fine dining, and an 80's party after Rock of Ages and a fireworks show, etc.

As far as laying around the pool or basking in the Spa, I'll just have to let my plus1 do all that and report back to me.

btw - did I mention I'm getting on the Breakaway in NINETEEN DAYS?  and staying for nine?

Have a great week!  Next week I'll tell you what I have planned for the Bermuda Inaugural!

Breaking Down The BREAKAWAY - Video Style

So, tonite, instead of writing, I am experimenting with a vlog format.  Along with my daily "Live From the Breakaway" posts, I am going to try at least daily video uploads.  Got a great new phone.  A Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx Hd. And a cool program to live post video.

Check it out, let me know what you think!

Breaking Down The Breakaway - THE SPA

Okay, full disclosure:  I am not much of a spa guy.  But I have friends and clients who are, and the Spa on Norwegian Breakaway sounds like it will be a huge feature, for those who DO like to be pampered and stay fit while on a cruise.

By the way, the Breakaway WILL have a barbershop, as the Epic does.  THIS is the kind of thing I can go for.  In fact, I did, on my last cruise and positively swooned about it in a post in that series...so look it up if you want all the details.  But suffice it to say, they do all those old fashioned barbershop things with the hot towels and closer than close shave (I seriously did not have a 5 o'clock shadow for 3 days after getting a shave.  And people actually noticed), plus the newer fangled spa treatments like facials masks and stuff.  But it's sitting in a barber chair in a room with a barber pole out front.  Very manly!

Now, to the Spa:  It starts off with a first class Day Spa, then a Medi-Spa and a Salon, continues to the Fitness Center, and finally a Salt Room, as well as a large Thermal Suite.

The journey begins on Deck 15 where you can experience well-trained massage therapists specializing in over 50 treatments from hotstone massages to oxygen facials. Acupuncture and age-defying treatments are on the menu as well.

Of course there is a full-service Salon for all your hair care needs, main-pedis, and the like.
The Fitness Center has free weights, TRX training, cardio on the most advanced equipment or aerobics, spinning or kickboxing classes.  You can also stretch like The Rockettes® by taking an exclusive fitness class designed by The Rockettes® training team.

Norwegian Breakaway also has a large Thermal Suite, with steam, dry sauna, a Vitality pool, hot tubs, waterfalls and heated tiled lounges that ensure relaxation. The waterfall is not just to look at...you can sit under it for a nice relaxing massage.  And those heated loungers, I have to tell you, get RAVES from everyone I know that has used them.

Within the Thermal Suite is the Salt Room, a dramatic grotto surrounded with layers of salt crystals to help cleanse the body. Simply inhale, exhale and be well.  The Salt Room mimics natural salt caves found in Eastern Europe. The noninvasive treatment, halotherapy, is relaxing, natural and scientifically proven to improve respiratory and skin ailments and aid in overall wellness.

So, there you have it...the quick and dirty on The Spa!

In case you haven't heard, Norwegian has recently announced a slamming deal, to fill the last few cabins on both the TransAtlantic and the Bermuda Inaugural Sailings:  One FREE Hotel night, pre-cruise,  in London or in New York!

So, it's about your last chance to CALL ME and book your Breakaway Cruise.  760.265.3687