Carnival Breeze

Carnival's biggest ship until the May 2016 launch of Carnival Vista has a light and lively Caribbean feel and offers passengers a little taste of everything. That includes food options from 24-hour handmade pizza to a Michelin-quality chef's table; and an excellent string trio in the Atrium to a DJ spinning dance hits at high volume in the futuristic Liquid Nightclub.

The 3,690-passenger Breeze, which can pack in 4,724 when every bed, bunk and sofa bed is occupied, attracts everyone from young partiers, to wedding groups, to families and older couples and often sails at capacity.

Carnival Breeze is definitely not for those seeking serenity at sea. Prepare to stand in line at popular venues such as Fat Jimmy's C-Going BBQ, Guy's Burger Joint and the Comfort Kitchen buffet. You'll probably hear babies crying, groups calling to each other in the hallways and encounter an over-imbiber wandering the long hallways trying to remember the number of his or her stateroom. It's easy to clock 2 to 3 miles a day just getting around.

Those expecting Carnival's infamous gaudy decor might be pleasantly surprised by Breeze's more refined ambience (though some bemoan the toned-down look). Public areas are decorated in neutral colors. Halls and stairways are adorned with Caribbean images, including large, striking photos of marine life. Cabins are light and bright, with blond wood and beige walls. Constant polishing, cleaning and repairs keep things shipshape. On a top-to-bottom tour, we saw few signs of wear.

And, while Carnival Breeze is a mass-market ship, crew members are trained not to say no and most are notably accommodating. Service is a strong point, from the twice-daily tidying up by cabin stewards, to smiling hamburger flippers on deck and dining room servers who do a generally great job of remembering your name and favored dishes.

As befits a mega "fun ship" catering to thousands, you'll find a nearly nonstop range of activities, entertainment and chow-down options. Stage extravaganzas geared for today's shorter attention spans run 30 minutes, and Carnival's effervescent "Fun Squad" hands out trophies and medals in constant contests and activities on sea days (from naming tunes to bean bag tossing, to the notoriously embarrassing hairy chest competition). You'll be lucky to get a seat at a $6 blackjack table in the smoky casino, which buzzes on sea nights. During the day, kids pop up top, where two scream-inducing water slides, mini golf and an elevated ropes course beckon. Parents will savor the me-time afforded by Breeze's kids' clubs and for-fee babysitting.

Pool decks on most ships are hubs of activity, but this one (on Deck 10) is particularly frenetic. Grab a themed cocktail from a passing server, watch concerts and movies on a mammoth LED screen or order a slice of pizza 24/7.

Peace is possible if you look. Navigate toward the lesser-populated Lanai Deck (Deck 5), where loungers are plentiful and the four elevated hot tubs that project over the sea are rarely crowded. The Serenity Deck (Deck 15) is an adults-only sanctuary. We'll share a secret: Few passengers find secluded spaces at the front of the ship accessed by doors on Deck 6 and 7.

Then again, why sign up for a Fun Ship if you're seeking tranquility? Better get back to the Lido Deck now, 'cause they're doing the electric slide.

(To get the most out of your experience, download the free Carnival Hub app from the iTunes store before you sail for an ever-updated list of activities as well as maps and eatery info. You also can chat with fellow passengers for a fee).

Carnival Breeze Fellow Passengers
This ship's passenger list is as diverse as the United States, but you probably won't rub shoulders with the country club set. Lots of past passengers consider Breeze one of Carnival's best. You'll see toddlers, grandparents, gay and hetero couples and family groups wearing matching T-shirts. There's not much formality: Infants crawl in halls and some cabin doors are decorated like school lockers to reflect the family or couple within. Passengers tend to be unpretentious, friendly and social. Don't be surprised if the cruiser at the next penny slot machine starts up a conversation or if a stranger asks you to join a trivia team. Nearly 90 percent of passengers hail from North America.

Carnival Breeze Dress Code

Carnival sells itself as the "come-as-you-are-and-enjoy-yourself cruise line," so casual is king. A six-to-eight-night sailing will have two "cruise elegant" nights. But you probably won't see many gowns or sequins. We counted just two tuxedoes and a handful of sport jackets the entire cruise. Cutoff jeans and tank tops are prohibited in dining rooms, but we saw some passengers wearing them get in. Women will be fine packing dressy tops and pants or short dresses; men will feel fashionable in polo shirts and slacks on more formal nights. At the buffet, where some cruisers choose to eat dinner, we spotted a young man with baggy jeans hanging unappetizingly below his underwear.

Carnival Breeze Gratuity

Gratuities of $12 daily per person are added to bills, with $6.10 allocated to main dining room staff, $3.90 to cabin stewards and $2 to others (buffet workers, guest services and other staffers). That amount can be adjusted up or down at the guest services desk. It's customary to tip room service staffers a couple of dollars on free deliveries, 15 percent when you're ordering for-fee food and alcoholic beverages. Payment of tips on your bill can be via credit card or cash. Fifteen percent is automatically added to spa and bar bills. Onboard currency is the U.S. dollar, which is generally also accepted at Caribbean ports. Note: On sailings departing September 1, 2016, or later, gratuities will increase to $12.95 per person, per day ($13.95 for those in suites).

 Carnival Breeze Cabins 

Depending on one's aesthetic, some might call Breeze's 1,845 cabins merely functional, though with contemporary touches. But we found them well designed, comfortable and cozy and actually regretted saying bon voyage to our balcony cabin (8446), despite being able to hear the fussy baby next door. All cabins are outfitted with flat-screen TVs that swivel for viewing in bed; standard size is 22 inches, which might be too small for today's tube addicts. Suites have TVs up to 42 inches. Most cabins have sofa beds that sleep one or two. Robes and slippers are provided, as are beach towels.

The color scheme for the majority of accommodations is a soothing soft blue, brown and yellow, with beige walls. Furnishings include light wood laminate coffee tables, desks that double as vanities and three ample armoire-like closets. Decor is complemented by colorful swirly abstract artwork. Beds aren't hard or saggy and are dressed with cloud-soft white duvets. Spa cabins have a green-and-yellow scheme. Different colors and upgraded finishes are used in Breeze suites.

Most bathrooms have robin's egg blue faux tile, showers with newer, non-clinging curtains, six glass shelves to hold toiletries, wall-mounted makeup mirror and a razor outlet that must be flipped open to use and can be easily missed at first. In most cabins, the shower has soap and shampoo dispensers, as well as bar soap. Passengers in premium cabins and spa rooms get extra goodies (well-regarded Elemis spa@home shampoo, conditioner and bar soap on our sailing).

You'll find an adequate but low-end hair dryer in a drawer of the desk/vanity, which has a cushioned stool. Outlets fit U.S. plugs, with three-pronged options for laptops. However, we couldn't find an outlet by our bed to keep devices charged while we used them there. Minibars (that can be emptied upon request) and a safe not big enough to hold a laptop computer are also standard.

Storage space in all cabins is generous unless you're packing four or five in a room, with three closets, a desk with four drawers and bedside tables with a storage compartment. You can stash suitcases under beds.

Around the ship, there are 35 wheelchair-accessible staterooms of various sizes, all with roll-in showers, roll-up sinks and wider doorways. Also offered: 144 connecting staterooms and 20 family accommodations that can fit five passengers. Some cabins have tubs and two bathrooms.

(Tip: Cabin tap water is OK to drink; the 1.5-liter bottles of water stocked in rooms cost $3.75. You can't carry aboard water or soda in bottles, only up to 12 cans per person. Many repeat cruisers pack insulated water containers that they fill at the Lido Deck buffet).

Interior: Carnival Breeze's 719 interior cabins typically feature 185 square feet of space. Configurations vary. You can choose upper and lower bunk, two uppers and lowers or twin beds that can be configured as a queen. Some have a curtained window overlooking a walkway. (Keep the curtains closed if you don't want passersby to look in.)

Oceanview: The size of the 221 oceanview cabins ranges from 220 to 230 square feet. Twin beds that can be converted to queens and sofa beds are standard. The more spacious ones have two baths: one tub/shower combo and one with shower.

Balcony: The largest room category, with 851 balcony cabins available, has 45-square-foot balconies and 185 square feet inside. You'll find twin beds that convert to queens, two bedside tables and a sofa bed that sleeps one. Most balconies have two mesh, metal-armed chairs (some adjust to tip back) and a small table.

"Cove" balcony cabins of the same size are located on Deck 2 (28 feet above the waterline) under a row of lifeboats. Their balconies have cut-out holes under railings rather than glass. The openings can be closed during inclement weather to prevent water from sloshing in.

"Vista" balcony options are 245 to 260 square feet and are located in aft corners, with the twins or queen bed placed between two large windows. They boast stunning 85- to 90-square-foot wraparound balconies with chairs and two chaises for sunning.

Suite: Those who like their sea digs with grand pianos and such should look elsewhere. But Carnival Breeze does have 54 attractive suites.

Ocean Suites, usually 275 square feet with a 65-square-foot balcony, have foyers with laminate hardwood floors and walk-in closets, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, plus upgraded bathrooms with the shower over a jetted tub and his-and-hers sinks. Sofas covert to beds. Note that Ocean Suite 7270 (wheelchair-accessible) boasts 450 square feet and a 110-square-foot balcony.

Ten Grand Penthouse Suites are on Deck 7, the ship's version of Park Avenue. They offer 345 square feet of space and 85-square-foot balconies. Grand suites also have laminate hardwood floors in the entryway, plus a walk-in closet with dressing area and makeup table, upgraded bathrooms with oyster-colored tiles, his-and-her sinks surrounded by granite counters, a shower/jetted bathtub combo and a swiveling 42-inch TV. Another feature: European-style bidets. There's a large pumpkin-colored lounging sofa with chaise that can be used as a bed. A lounger and two chairs sit on the balcony.

Those who book suites get early VIP embarkation and debarkation.

Spa Cabins: Seventy-eight so-called spa cabins, on Decks 11 and 12, and available in multiple room categories, have the same furnishings as standard oceanview and balcony rooms, but feature a serene green-and-yellow color scheme. Extras include an upgraded embroidered bed throw, higher-quality towels, better toiletries (Elemis spa@home shampoo, conditioner and soap on our sailing), priority access to spa appointments and free entry to Breeze's steam rooms, thalassotherapy mineral pool and exercise classes.