Pool Party
Costa Maya, Mexico
Friday, November 23, 2018
Costa Maya is quickly becoming one of our favorite ports and we were excited to share it with the kids. We had an idea of what we wanted to do but ended up going a completely different direction. It was yet another day of fun in the sun!
Morning
The NCL Breakaway arrived in Costa Maya shortly before 7AM so when we woke up at 8:15AM, we were already parked and guests were getting off the ship. The NCL Pearl and the Holland America Rotterdam were already parked at the pier as well.
The Norwegian Pearl docked at Costa Maya!
The Holland America Rotterdam!
The Costa Maya pier is very long. They do offer a SHUTTLE but it was not running when we got off but you could tell they were getting ready to take passengers back and forth between the ship and the entrance to the terminal.
I love this beautiful place!
We got dressed and ate a quick bite before getting off the ship and making our way to the tourist area of the port. We had hoped to be able to get a massage and enjoy the lagoon area of the Port by using the Port Pass but it was not sold through NCL. We knew we would have to purchase it at the terminal entrance; however, when we got to the entrance it was not offered for NCL passengers. This was discouraging but we made the most of the day, anyway. We found our way to the pool and reserved 2 extra large chairs but committing to purchasing $15 each at the bar or restaurant!
The entrance to the port area is really nice and the kids LOVED seeing Nemo!
This was yet again another MASSIVE pool at the port area and the kids loved it. TIP- I will admit that this was the dirtiest pool or the trip and to be honest, kinda nasty! We played volleyball in the pool and splashed each other before playing a game with the hostesses. It was a BALLOON FIGHT! It was a lot of fun throwing water balloons at each other and the kids loved it. Then Natalie won a shirt by picking up the most balloon trash in the pool.
This was a VERY FUN game for all of us and a great way to spend the day!
This was so much FUN!
Natalie's new shirt for picking up the most balloon pieces.
Luke and I had a great time resting on the comfy pool chairs.
The kids wanted their own, ahem virgin, drinks at the pool.
The kids wanted their own, ahem virgin, drinks at the pool.
We spent the rest of the morning at the pool and enjoying the pool and gorgeous sunny weather. It was a tropical 90* and absolutely perfect way to spend Black Friday.
You've gotta love Mexican souvenirs!
I think they, too, are now fans of Costa Maya!
Afternoon
The kids and I did a little souvenir shopping before we all got back on the ship around 1:30PM. The drinks we had at the pool bar left us hungry and dehydrated so we went straight to the Garden Cafe and got lunch. The theme for this day was “Mexican” and it was not what we expected (I swear it never is on a cruise ship) but it was fulfilling and just what we needed after our morning in Costa Maya.
Luke lost a tooth at lunch!
After lunch we spent the majority of the afternoon on the Lido deck enjoying the pool and hot tub area. The AquaPark opened at 2PM and we all made our way to the slides. Natalie and I did some racing on the Whip Slides. TIP- The purple Whip slide is MUCH faster than the Yellow Whip Slide. Also, I was hoping to be able to do the FreeFall slide at this time but it was not open. I asked why and it was because the water was not flowing correctly. The workers told me this happens frequently.
The NCL Breakaway was supposed to leave Costa Maya at 2PM but we did not have all of the passengers on board until nearly 3PM. I later learned that is because there was a group tour sponsored by NCL that was late getting back to the ship. TIP- Remember, if you book an excursion through the cruise line, they will wait for you no matter what. If you book and excursion through a 3rd party, they will leave you. Be mindful of this as you plan excursions.
We laid out on the Lido deck the rest of the afternoon and enjoyed the live entertainment and the "Miss Biceps Contest" as well. The kids played some more mini-golf and Luke ran 3 miles.
Evening
We cleaned up and got ready for our evening dinner. Chris and I had reservations at Le Bistro at 8:45PM. Once again, since the Splash Academy does not offer meals in the evenings, we had to get the kids fed before the 7PM drop off time. We took them to O'Sheehans for dinner around 6PM. There was not a line and the service was pretty good at this time.
While the kids were eating dinner I noticed on my bank account that NCL charged me $300 2 separate times. I tried to figure out what it was for and decided to go down to Guest Services to find out. I spoke with an agent who explained that NCL takes out a $300 deposit on EACH CREDIT CARD associated on the guests' account. This covers any charges they spend on board throughout the duration of the cruise. So I had $600 taken out of my bank account, one for my bank card and one for Chris's bank card. This was a little disturbing and was not made clear AT ALL by NCL. At this point we had about $125 in On-Board spending so this was not sitting well with me. FYI- The $600 WAS TAKEN OUT of my account during the cruise and I eventually got back what we did not spend on board but it wasn't until 5 days AFTER we got off the ship. That is NOT COOL NCL! NOT COOL at all!
I told the agent that I would be sharing this with my blog followers and she was understanding and the overall experience was fine, I just didn't like the actual process of taking out the money without telling the guest. As I walked away from the Guest Services to go back up to Deck 7 since the kids and Chris were still eating, a woman pulled me aside and said she recognized me from my blog. We talked a bit and then she told me that her and her sister in the same cabin found BEDBUGS in their cabin on the 1st day of the cruise. NCL disagreed that they were bedbugs and did nothing on Night #1. It wasn't until additional guests complained of the same thing did NCL move this sister pair to a new room. We talked for a bit and come to find out, her and her sister were moved to 3 different rooms. NCL quarantined their room and washed all their laundry but ruined several pieces in the process. She mentioned that she knew of at least 5 additional cabins that had been effected and NCL did not handle the situation very well. Now keep in mind- This DID NOT happen to me or my family but this woman found me and wanted me to share this with my followers. This all happened on Deck 5, where our original Family Ocean-view was located. Thank you LORD for knowing this would happen and having us change to a balcony stateroom on Deck 12. Once again... GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
To you, Mary, I am so sorry y'all had to go through this on your vacation! I hope you got it all resolved and still had a great cruise!
The kids finished dinner and we went and got in line to drop them off at the Splash Academy at 7PM. TIP- Reminder, NCL closes the Splash Academy from 5-7PM on sea-days. Even though this was not a sea day, since we left Costa Maya at 2PM, NCL treated it like a sea day and the SA was closed from 5-7PM. Keep this in mind as you plan your day and activities.
We arrived at 6:40PM to find a line of about 50+ deep waiting for the SA to open. We waited and talked to fellow passengers but the line continued to grow while we waited. The "Tenors of Rock" entertainment began at 7PM so Chris went and got us seats for that show (you did not have to reserve tickets for this one). We did not get to the front of the line for drop-off until 7:25PM so in essence, I missed the first 25 minutes of the evening entertainment. Again, this is where I feel NCL really misses the mark. Having the Splash Academy closed from 5-7PM and then a show starting at 7PM is TERRIBLE TIMING. Change the open times or show start times or something. It is not very accommodating to parents of younger kids to say the very least.
My view of the line at 6:40PM.
A true look at the line and swarm of people checking in to the Splash Academy!
In my opinion, this is where NCL struggles THE MOST!
The line after I dropped off my kids at 7:25PM. I learned in passing that at that point the 3-5YO room was already filled up.
In my opinion, this is where NCL struggles THE MOST!
The last 15 minutes of "Tenors of Rock" was fantastic and even though I missed the majority of the show due to the Splash Academy line, I would still pay to see them perform in Las Vegas. They were an outstanding group and I highly recommend you see them if possible.
After their performance, the Captain, offers and countless crew members came on stage and gave us thanks for cruising with Norwegian. This is always emotional for me as I know this means the end of our cruise. I enjoyed the singers, and even the Cruise Director, sing "You are Norwegian Now" and it once again, brought tears to my eyes.
I don't know why this makes me cry... BUT EVERY SINGLE TIME!
The Breakaway crew did an #OUTSTANDING job with this!
After the show, we made our way to Le Bistro for our 8:45PM reservation. We were early but got seated around 8:25PM. TIP- Le Bistro is a SPECIALTY DINING offered by NCL but is easily the best food I have ever had at sea. It is priced a la carte if not on the Dining Package. The French cuisine is phenomenal and the service is just as good. I highly recommend it.
The best cut of meat I have ever had!
We got done with dinner shortly after 10PM and quickly went and got the kids from the Splash Academy to go to the Glow Party in the Spice H2O area. We had heard about this event from our NCL PEARL sailing in March and had planned it prior to our cruise. TIP- The glow party is usually held on the "mega-ships" on the 6th night and guests are encouraged to wear all white. NCL hands out glow sticks, but we came prepared with our own. We all enjoyed this party very much.
Natalie sure loved this party! She was getting down!
Of course, then got embarrassed that I was videoing her!
WE all LOVED this party!
I am so glad we brought our own GLOW STICKS, they ran out by the time we got there!
Natalie sure loved this party! She was getting down!
Of course, then got embarrassed that I was videoing her!
After the Glow Party we spent time in the arcade with the kids before calling it a night!
This day was filled with fun in the sun and lots of time in the pool(s). The kids had another good night at the Splash Academy and we enjoyed more phenomenal dining at Le Bistro. Overall, it was a great way to spend Black Friday.
Here is our RECAP of DAY 6!
Stay Tuned! Up next... Our last day on board the NCL Breakaway!
Thanks again for following along! We appreciate your support!
God is good... ALL the time!
Thank you for these blogs. I cruise often with Carnival and am leaving Sunday on my first 7 day NCL cruise for NYE. Do you by chance have a copy of the “dailies”? Also, I couldn’t find your blog for the last sea day.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for taking the time to put together these amazing blogs.😊😊
I apologize for the delayed response. They are now all posted.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a GREAT cruise! Thanks for following along!