Carnival Breeze 2022 4-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 1 Part 1 September 22, 2022 Galveston, Texas
Scheduled Departure: 3:30pm
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Day 1 Part 1 September 22, 2022 Galveston, Texas
Scheduled Departure: 3:30pm
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Waking Up Early To Start Cruise Day:
I did not get much sleep the night before the cruise because I was very excited. My alarm was set for 4:45am, but since I was awake earlier I got out of bed to take a shower & finish packing. I was packed and ready to leave by about 5:20am, but since I did not want to leave too early I checked the Marine Traffic App on my phone to see the Carnival Breeze's location. The ship was a few miles from picking up the local Galveston pilot to come onboard to help the ship navigate the Galveston Harbor. At 5:45am we loaded the car and began our journey to Galveston!
The drive to Galveston took about an hour & a half due to traffic along some spots on Beltway 8 and a couple of slow downs on I-45. Overall the drive down to Galveston was better than expected. As we approached Galveston I was able to see the Carnival Breeze's funnel from the Galveston Causeway, but due to being the driver I was unable to look around too much. After exiting I-45 for Harborside Drive we switched seats and I was able to take pictures of the ship from the passenger seat of the car. Below are some pictures I took as we made a pass by the Carnival Breeze on our way to McDonalds:
I did not get much sleep the night before the cruise because I was very excited. My alarm was set for 4:45am, but since I was awake earlier I got out of bed to take a shower & finish packing. I was packed and ready to leave by about 5:20am, but since I did not want to leave too early I checked the Marine Traffic App on my phone to see the Carnival Breeze's location. The ship was a few miles from picking up the local Galveston pilot to come onboard to help the ship navigate the Galveston Harbor. At 5:45am we loaded the car and began our journey to Galveston!
The drive to Galveston took about an hour & a half due to traffic along some spots on Beltway 8 and a couple of slow downs on I-45. Overall the drive down to Galveston was better than expected. As we approached Galveston I was able to see the Carnival Breeze's funnel from the Galveston Causeway, but due to being the driver I was unable to look around too much. After exiting I-45 for Harborside Drive we switched seats and I was able to take pictures of the ship from the passenger seat of the car. Below are some pictures I took as we made a pass by the Carnival Breeze on our way to McDonalds:
First Look At The Carnival Breeze
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Passing Carnival Breeze On Harborside Drive
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Passing Carnival Breeze On Harborside Drive
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Since we did not eat breakfast at home, we stopped at the McDonald's along Seawall Boulevard by Stewart Beach. I ate a very light breakfast due to only being a few hours away from eating tons on the ship. My breakfast for the day consisted of a Sausage McMuffin & half sweet half unsweet tea. It was good!
After finishing up eating it was time to head back to the Port of Galveston to get parked.
After finishing up eating it was time to head back to the Port of Galveston to get parked.
Parking At The Port of Galveston's Parking Garage & Arriving At The Cruise Terminal:
For this cruise we parked in the Port of Galveston's Parking Garage. The parking garage is located across Harborside Drive from Cruise Terminal #1 and is very close to the crosswalk that cruisers can use to walk to Cruise Terminal #1 and #2. We chose to park in the Port of Galveston's garage due to the price offered at the time of searching for parking and proximity to the cruise terminal. Upon arriving at the parking garage we showed our parking confirmation to the garage attendant. He compared our reservation printout to a paper on his clipboard and then handed us a ticket to keep in the car's dash. We were allowed to park in any open spot, but were told that due to debarkation still place most departing guests had not yet picked up their cars.
Finding a parking spot was actually very easy. We got a spot on the second floor that overlooked the Carnival Breeze. After parking, we took our suitcases out of the car and made sure the car was secure. I stopped and took a few picture of the Carnival Breeze from the parking garage. There is no shuttle service offered at the Port of Galveston's Parking Garage so all guests that choose to park here have to walk across the street. We wheeled our luggage out of the garage and crossed the street in order to line up at the crosswalk in order to cross Harborside Drive. It took a few minutes for the crosswalk signal to come, but the wait gave me an opportunity to take another picture of the ship. Once we got the signal to cross we were able to easily get across the street. Crossing through the cruise terminal's roadways was a bit more difficult due to cars & people everywhere.
Click Here To View My In Depth Review Of Parking At The Port of Galveston's Parking Garage
For this cruise we parked in the Port of Galveston's Parking Garage. The parking garage is located across Harborside Drive from Cruise Terminal #1 and is very close to the crosswalk that cruisers can use to walk to Cruise Terminal #1 and #2. We chose to park in the Port of Galveston's garage due to the price offered at the time of searching for parking and proximity to the cruise terminal. Upon arriving at the parking garage we showed our parking confirmation to the garage attendant. He compared our reservation printout to a paper on his clipboard and then handed us a ticket to keep in the car's dash. We were allowed to park in any open spot, but were told that due to debarkation still place most departing guests had not yet picked up their cars.
Finding a parking spot was actually very easy. We got a spot on the second floor that overlooked the Carnival Breeze. After parking, we took our suitcases out of the car and made sure the car was secure. I stopped and took a few picture of the Carnival Breeze from the parking garage. There is no shuttle service offered at the Port of Galveston's Parking Garage so all guests that choose to park here have to walk across the street. We wheeled our luggage out of the garage and crossed the street in order to line up at the crosswalk in order to cross Harborside Drive. It took a few minutes for the crosswalk signal to come, but the wait gave me an opportunity to take another picture of the ship. Once we got the signal to cross we were able to easily get across the street. Crossing through the cruise terminal's roadways was a bit more difficult due to cars & people everywhere.
Click Here To View My In Depth Review Of Parking At The Port of Galveston's Parking Garage
View Of Carnival Breeze From The Parking Garage
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View Of Carnival Breeze From The Parking Garage
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Carnival Breeze - View While I Waited To Cross Harborside Drive
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The Carnival Breeze was docked at Cruise Terminal #1. Our first stop at the cruise terminal was to take our luggage to a porter for check-in. There were two porters standing by the luggage entrance and we were able to give it to one of them very easily. Before taking our luggage we were reminded to make sure our passports and documentation was in carry-on and not in our bags that were getting checked in. After checking in our luggage we headed to the other end of the cruise terminal for check-in. The doors to the cruise terminal were not yet open. A cruise terminal employee was outside helping direct people that were arriving, but until the doors opened cruisers were stuck sitting on a bench or on the cement walkway. Right before the cruise terminal doors opened more employees came outside to help guests enter the building.
Cruise Terminal Outside Lines
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Check-In Process:
When the doors to the cruise terminal opened we were directed to an identification checkpoint. The lady checked our passport & boarding pass. This was quick and took less than a minute. Next we were directed to security. I had to empty my pockets and stuffed my camera bag with my phone, wallet, and the camera batteries I had in my shorts pocket. Going through security only took a few minutes and was a bit slow due to a limited number of lines being open. After going through security we were directed up an escalator to continue the check-in process. On the second floor of the cruise terminal we were directed to another check-in station. The lady working the desk asked if we did the Verifly app. Since we did the Verifly app we did not have to show our paper vaccine cards, but having this on hand was still required. The lady took my phone to look at the Verifly app to confirm it was completed. Next she took our passports & boarding passes. Each passport was scanned. Due to the lighting coming in from the window it took a little bit of time for the scanner to work right. Once everything was scanned and our boarding passes were stamped we were told to head to the seating area to wait for boarding. |
When we approached the seating area, a cruise terminal employee looked at our boarding pass and told us we could sit anywhere. There were designated sections for suite guests and special assistance. Due to the Covid-19 protocols there was not a Captain's Lounge for Platinum & Diamond guests. Faster to the Fun was also not offered for this cruise due to the Covid-19 protocols. I miss the Captain's Lounge and having priority boarding. Hopefully that will be back soon! While waiting in the cruise terminal I walked over to the windows to look down at the pier and look at the ship. Luggage & food provisions were being loaded. I could see the passenger gangway in the distance. It looked like guests were still getting off the previous cruise.
View From Cruise Terminal: Carnival Breeze's Side
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View From Cruise Terminal: Looking Down Side Of Carnival Breeze
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View From Cruise Terminal: Carnival Breeze's Lanai Above
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Starting The Boarding Process:
Around 10:30am a lady came over the cruise terminal loudspeaker to announce boarding was going to begin soon. The announcements included information about how the boarding process would work as well as what to expect once on the Carnival Breeze. The information was the exact same as my previous cruises on the Carnival Breeze in May 2022 & December 2021. Boarding the Carnival Breeze is based on zones which are assigned after online check-in is completed and based on arrival appointment times. Suite guests are first and have "Priority" printed on their boarding pass. After suite guests have been called, the next zone is A01 and subsequent zones (A02, A03, B01, etc.) board next. My zone number was A01 for this cruise.
Before the boarding process was able to be started the cruise terminal staff asked that anyone standing in the main aisle clear the area. When guests did not move the lady announced she would not start boarding until it was clear. Most guests cleared except for a couple of difficult ones that needed a special invitation from another employee to move out of the way. When zone A01 was called over the cruise terminal loudspeaker I jumped up to get in line. An employee checked the zone number on the boarding pass to make sure no line cutting was occurring. To record boarding my picture was taken using one of Carnival's Smile & Go machines. The machines are fast and Carnival had multiple machines setup to expedite the process. After getting my picture taken we were directed up a long ramp that would lead to Cruise Terminal #1's gangway. Guests could stop and take a picture with Carnival's Pixels photography staff, but we passed due to wanting to get onboard.
Around 10:30am a lady came over the cruise terminal loudspeaker to announce boarding was going to begin soon. The announcements included information about how the boarding process would work as well as what to expect once on the Carnival Breeze. The information was the exact same as my previous cruises on the Carnival Breeze in May 2022 & December 2021. Boarding the Carnival Breeze is based on zones which are assigned after online check-in is completed and based on arrival appointment times. Suite guests are first and have "Priority" printed on their boarding pass. After suite guests have been called, the next zone is A01 and subsequent zones (A02, A03, B01, etc.) board next. My zone number was A01 for this cruise.
Before the boarding process was able to be started the cruise terminal staff asked that anyone standing in the main aisle clear the area. When guests did not move the lady announced she would not start boarding until it was clear. Most guests cleared except for a couple of difficult ones that needed a special invitation from another employee to move out of the way. When zone A01 was called over the cruise terminal loudspeaker I jumped up to get in line. An employee checked the zone number on the boarding pass to make sure no line cutting was occurring. To record boarding my picture was taken using one of Carnival's Smile & Go machines. The machines are fast and Carnival had multiple machines setup to expedite the process. After getting my picture taken we were directed up a long ramp that would lead to Cruise Terminal #1's gangway. Guests could stop and take a picture with Carnival's Pixels photography staff, but we passed due to wanting to get onboard.
View Of The Carnival Breeze As I Exited The Cruise Terminal And Entered The Passenger Gangway
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Looking Towards The Front Of The Ship As I Boarded
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Looking Towards The Back Of The Ship As I Boarded
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Finally Onboard The Carnival Breeze!
After walking up the gangway we entered the Carnival Breeze on Deck 3 in the ship's atrium lobby. One side of the atrium lobby was blocked with a rope to direct guests towards the atrium bar. Crew members were standing around to answer questions and direct guests to their assigned muster station. I went to the front elevator/stairwell area. I typically take the stairs throughout the cruise, but since an elevator was waiting we decided to get inside. Each elevator in the front had an operator inside to help direct guests. We told the crew member we wanted to go to the Lido Deck and within 30 seconds we were stepping off the elevator onto the Carnival Breeze's Lido Deck (Deck 10). The ride up was quick!
Once we were out of the elevator we walked across the Lido Deck level of the Carnival Breeze's atrium. Some SPA staff were trying to sell treatments in the atrium.
After walking up the gangway we entered the Carnival Breeze on Deck 3 in the ship's atrium lobby. One side of the atrium lobby was blocked with a rope to direct guests towards the atrium bar. Crew members were standing around to answer questions and direct guests to their assigned muster station. I went to the front elevator/stairwell area. I typically take the stairs throughout the cruise, but since an elevator was waiting we decided to get inside. Each elevator in the front had an operator inside to help direct guests. We told the crew member we wanted to go to the Lido Deck and within 30 seconds we were stepping off the elevator onto the Carnival Breeze's Lido Deck (Deck 10). The ride up was quick!
Once we were out of the elevator we walked across the Lido Deck level of the Carnival Breeze's atrium. Some SPA staff were trying to sell treatments in the atrium.
Deck 10 Stateroom Hallway - Rooms Were Not Yet Ready
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Lido Deck (10) Level of Carnival Breeze's Atrium
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After exiting the Lido Deck level of the atrium we were outside by the Carnival Breeze's Lido Deck Main Pool. Looking up I was able to see the SeaSide Theater which was used to show movies at various times throughout the cruise. Six rows of deck chairs were setup outside by the Lido main pool. This seems like fewer chairs compared to pre-Covid times. On the sides of the pool area are the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and Red Frog Rum Bar. I continued walking towards the back of the deck to enter the Carnival Breeze's Lido Marketplace buffet.
Lido Main Pool Area
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Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
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Lido Main Pool & Seaside Theater Above
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By Lido Main Pool - Looking Towards Blue Iguana Cantina
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Looking Up At The WaterWorks From The Lido Deck
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First Lunch on the Carnival Breeze:
The Carnival Breeze's buffet is called the Lido Marketplace. The Lido Marketplace had four buffet lines open and two dessert stations. Outside of the Lido Marketplace by the main Lido pool is Guy's Burger Joint and the Blue Iguana Cantina. At the back of the Lido Deck by the aft Tides pool, the Pizzeria and Seafood Shack lines were open. In the middle of the front section of the Lido Marketplace is the Mongolian Wok and in the middle of the aft section is the Deli. I stopped to get some pictures of the food on the main Lido buffet line. Below are some pictures of the food on the first day's Lido Marketplace buffet line:
The Carnival Breeze's buffet is called the Lido Marketplace. The Lido Marketplace had four buffet lines open and two dessert stations. Outside of the Lido Marketplace by the main Lido pool is Guy's Burger Joint and the Blue Iguana Cantina. At the back of the Lido Deck by the aft Tides pool, the Pizzeria and Seafood Shack lines were open. In the middle of the front section of the Lido Marketplace is the Mongolian Wok and in the middle of the aft section is the Deli. I stopped to get some pictures of the food on the main Lido buffet line. Below are some pictures of the food on the first day's Lido Marketplace buffet line:
Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace - Main Buffet Line
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After looking at what was offered at the ship's main Lido buffet lines, I walked over to the dessert station. The Carnival Breeze's dessert station at lunch typically had 6 cakes to choose from, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and jello. Besides the dessert station, both sides of the buffet had ice cream and frozen yogurt machines. These machines could be found near the front of the buffet on both sides. Here are some pictures from the dessert line:
Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Lido Marketplace - Dessert Station
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Misc. Food From The Buffet Line
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Funghi Pizza From The Pizzeria Del Capitano
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Funfetti Cheesecake & Cookie
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Touring The Carnival Breeze:
After eating lunch I was ready to walk around and see the Carnival Breeze. I went from the Lido Deck (10) up to Deck 12 at the very back of the ship. Looking behind the Carnival Breeze I was able to see Cruise Terminal #2, which did not have a cruise ship docked today. In the distance I was able to see Texas City behind Pelican Island. While walking along Deck 12 I alternated between looking out at the Galveston Island side of the ship and the Pelican Island side.
After eating lunch I was ready to walk around and see the Carnival Breeze. I went from the Lido Deck (10) up to Deck 12 at the very back of the ship. Looking behind the Carnival Breeze I was able to see Cruise Terminal #2, which did not have a cruise ship docked today. In the distance I was able to see Texas City behind Pelican Island. While walking along Deck 12 I alternated between looking out at the Galveston Island side of the ship and the Pelican Island side.
Cruise Terminal #2 - View From The Back Of The Ship
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Pelican Island - Texas City In The Far Distance
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View Of Galveston From Deck 12
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The back section of deck 12 is where the Carnival Breeze's SportsSquare complex is located. SportsSquare on the Carnival Breeze includes the ship's basketball court, some outdoor fitness equipment, jogging track, mini golf course, ropes course, and several games tables (such as billiards and foosball). Below are some pictures of the Carnival Breeze's SportsSquare area.
Deck 12 - Outside Fitness Equipment
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Deck 12 - Outside Fitness Equipment & Galveston Island In Background
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Jogging Track & Side View Of Basketball Court
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Basketball Court
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Walking Along The Jogging Track - View Of Deck 11 Below
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Mini Golf Course & Jogging Track
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Above the Carnival Breeze's mini golf course is the ropes course. The entrance to the ropes course is located at the aft section of Deck 14 which can only be accessed via a stairwell right by the mini golf course. By the entrance to the ropes course on Deck 14, there are also some mini golf course holes and a chess board with giant game pieces. I will have pictures of Deck 14's part of SportsSquare in a later part of the review.
In the middle of the mini golf course on Deck 12, there are bean bag toss (corn-hole) game boards as well as numerous seats. A bar area is also part of SportsSquare, but I never saw this bar open during the entire cruise and did not see an open time listed in the What's Happening daily newsletter or on the Carnival Hub App.
In the middle of the mini golf course on Deck 12, there are bean bag toss (corn-hole) game boards as well as numerous seats. A bar area is also part of SportsSquare, but I never saw this bar open during the entire cruise and did not see an open time listed in the What's Happening daily newsletter or on the Carnival Hub App.
Foosball Table
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SportsSquare Bar Counter & Mini Golf Course
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Chairs In The Middle Of The Mini Golf Course & Looking Up At The Ropes Course
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Mini Golf Course & Ropes Course
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Ship's Funnel
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Tug Boat Passing By In Galveston Harbor
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After looking around the mini golf course and entire SportsSquare complex I continued walking towards the front of the ship on Deck 12. I passed by an open area that looked over the main pool on the Lido Deck. Some of the deck chairs were already taken, but many empty chairs were available. On the sides of the Lido Deck the tables & chairs that were under cover in the shade were almost all occupied.
Deck 12 - Looking Back At The Funnel & SportsSquare
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Jogging Track & Seaside Theater
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Deck 12 - Looking Towards Back Of Ship & Lido Deck Pool Below
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While walking on Deck 12 I looked over towards Pelican Island and saw the Battleship Texas in dry-dock. The Battleship Texas was towed to Galveston from LaPorte a few weeks prior to the cruise departure date for an extended dry-dock at Gulf Copper Galveston. The Battleship's next home after dry-dock has not been announced as of the time of writing this cruise review. I enjoyed seeing the Battleship Texas from the ship!
The Carnival Breeze's WaterWorks is at the front area of the outside portion of Deck 12. The WaterWorks was not yet open, but crew members had the water running on the slides and splashpad on in preparation for opening. The Carnival Hub App showed 12pm was the official opening time for the WaterWorks on this day of the cruise. On the Carnival Breeze, the WaterWorks consisted of the Twister Waterslide, Drainpipe Waterslide, mini racing slides for children, and a splashpad. The entrance to the Twister Waterslide and Drainpipe waterslides was on Deck 15 and the landing to the slides is on Deck 12.
The Carnival Breeze's WaterWorks is at the front area of the outside portion of Deck 12. The WaterWorks was not yet open, but crew members had the water running on the slides and splashpad on in preparation for opening. The Carnival Hub App showed 12pm was the official opening time for the WaterWorks on this day of the cruise. On the Carnival Breeze, the WaterWorks consisted of the Twister Waterslide, Drainpipe Waterslide, mini racing slides for children, and a splashpad. The entrance to the Twister Waterslide and Drainpipe waterslides was on Deck 15 and the landing to the slides is on Deck 12.
Battleship Texas In Dry-Dock
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WaterWorks
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WaterWorks
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Serenity Adults Only Retreat:
The Carnival Breeze's Serenity Adults Only Retreat is located on Deck 15 at the front of the ship. Deck 15 is the highest deck on the Carnival Breeze. This area is for guests that are 21 and older only. A variety of different deck chairs and clamshell chairs were available in this area for guests to use. Carnival Breeze's Serenity also had a few hottubs. Below are some pictures of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat:
The Carnival Breeze's Serenity Adults Only Retreat is located on Deck 15 at the front of the ship. Deck 15 is the highest deck on the Carnival Breeze. This area is for guests that are 21 and older only. A variety of different deck chairs and clamshell chairs were available in this area for guests to use. Carnival Breeze's Serenity also had a few hottubs. Below are some pictures of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat:
Entrance To The Serenity Adults Only Retreat
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Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Padded Deck Chairs
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Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Padded Deck Chairs
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At this time of the morning and given that most guests were not yet or elsewhere on the ship, the Serenity Adults Only Retreat was quiet. A few guests were already in some of the clamshell chairs, but almost all of the chairs were unoccupied. The Serenity Adults Only Retreat has a small bar area.
Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Hottub
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Serenity Adults Only Retreat
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Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Bar
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There are two sides to the Serenity Adults Only Retreat on Deck 12. All of the pictures shown above were on one side. I walked to the other side which had a hottub, more deck chairs, and clamshells. I did not get take as many pictures of this side as other guests were walking up to use deck chairs.
Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Padded Deck Chairs & Clamshell Chairs
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Serenity Adults Only Retreat
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The next part of Day 1's review will start with my walk down to the ship's Cloud 9 SPA and Fitness Center.
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