Turned off by some Breakaway reviews

Was thinking of possibly booking the Breakaway for a June cruise to Bermuda. Husband, me and 3 adult (20s) kids.

However, after reading many negative reviews I'm not inclined to book. The Summit is sold out or more expensive. I am not going to book the Haven for 5 people. The complaints that nixed it for me is the utter confusion during embarkation/debarkation. Terrible smoke that permeates too many areas of the ship. A tiny pool - how uninviting for a summer vacation. Loud, crowded (hard to find a table) buffet with rude behavior. Minimal seating in auditorium.

Is this really what it's like? I do not want to drop multiple thousands of dollars and be disappointed.

In my opinion, The Haven takes up too much precious space. I think that for their future ships NCL should do away with the Haven pool. Have 2 glorious pools for everyone where you don't have to fight you way through. Still have the Haven suites and restaurant but if all pools (one in back could be an infinity pool) are large and inviting with a tropical atmosphere and space for everyone, well then it's a win-win.

In genreal, not just with NCL, I find cruise lines are giving the customer less and less. For instance, if you think about it, there is no reason to make bathrooms so tiny. If paying for a balcony stateroom, I believe that bathroom should not be the same cookie cutter replica as the inside bathroom. If you're paying more for the stateroom, the bathroom needs to reflect that. Another example is HAL's newest ship has no sofas from inside to balcony. All their ships prior had sofas in all staterooms. Another HAL ship we were on a few years ago had (I think 11) balcony staterooms added to an upper deck. Why take away passenger space ratio? They could have made that space into something wonderful for all passengers to enjoy. And the list goes on....

You kind of sound that no matter what anyone says here you will find things to complain about.

Have you read this review:

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/breakaway-review-2/

Breakaway is within a rounding error of being identical to Getaway and Escape. All share most of the things many people don't like about NCL's mega ships. The only difference is that the BA sails out on NYC. I honestly think that a lot of people are intimidated by or put off by their fellow passengers. This midwestern boy has enjoyed all 4 of our BA cruises and finds NY and NJ folks to be honest, fun, and sassy. And that's regardless if we're in the Haven or not.

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We really enjoyed our Breakaway cruise to Bermuda, yes the pool area was crowded but we spent most of our time at the adult only area H2O which was very relaxing and no up-charge.

I really liked the Boardwalk area, the casino and our balcony cabin.

I don't remember cigarette smoke being a problem.

Any cruise in the summer will be crowded and high demand for pool space

The complaints that nixed it for me is the utter confusion during embarkation/debarkation.

That is usually a port problem, not a NCL problem. It is also usually remedied by booking the Haven

Terrible smoke that permeates too many areas of the ship.

I'll agree on that one.

A tiny pool - how uninviting for a summer vacation.

There are 2 pools. An adult-only pool and a family/everyone pool.

Loud, crowded (hard to find a table) buffet with rude behavior.

At the rear of the buffet (same food choices) there is usually less of a crowd. Most people crowd at the front. There are few "lines" so people zip in, grab what they want, and zip out. It isn't like a school cafeteria where the single line goes from station to station.

Minimal seating in auditorium.

Agree but I/we don't spend much time there.

Is this really what it's like? I do not want to drop multiple thousands of dollars and be disappointed.

You won't be disappointed unless you look for things to disappoint you.

In my opinion, The Haven takes up too much precious space.

No....just no. The ship is large enough for a section for Haven guests. On the newer ships, the size (and capacity) of the Haven has grown.

I think that for their future ships NCL should do away with the Haven pool. Have 2 glorious pools for everyone where you don't have to fight you way through.

Why would anyone pay for the Haven if it offers nothing more than the same pools that non-Haven guests use?

Still have the Haven suites and restaurant but if all pools (one in back could be an infinity pool) are large and inviting with a tropical atmosphere and space for everyone, well then it's a win-win.

I agree on the infinity pool in the rear but that would be in addition to the Haven pool. Having a pool in the Haven doesn't prevent more pool space on other parts of the ship.

In genreal, not just with NCL, I find cruise lines are giving the customer less and less. For instance, if you think about it, there is no reason to make bathrooms so tiny. If paying for a balcony stateroom, I believe that bathroom should not be the same cookie cutter replica as the inside bathroom. If you're paying more for the stateroom, the bathroom needs to reflect that.

Book a mini-suite or above. The bathrooms are better than standard.

Another example is HAL's newest ship has no sofas from inside to balcony. All their ships prior had sofas in all staterooms. Another HAL ship we were on a few years ago had (I think 11) balcony staterooms added to an upper deck. Why take away passenger space ratio? They could have made that space into something wonderful for all passengers to enjoy. And the list goes on....

You'd have to ask HAL. As for the space-to-passenger ratio, future NCL designs do take that into consideration. Project Leonardo will have much in common with MSC Seaside and Seaside (supposedly) has the highest outdoor space-to-passenger ratio of the entire MSC fleet.

You kind of sound that no matter what anyone says here you will find things to complain about.

 

Have you read this review:

 

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/breakaway-review-2/

Thanks, I'll try to read that by tonight - looks like a lot of info! :)

So that people don't get the wrong idea, I should have mentioned there are also favorable reviews; but the items (talked about in some of the more indepth reviews) l listed that bother me are pretty important. So, no, you are wrong about me. Wish you had not jumped to that conclusion. I posted this hoping some replies may change my mind! I've cruised too many times and want my basic expectations to be met. Spending beyond $5,000, you better believe I'm going to be pretty sure the cruise is going to be a good fit.

One of my kids just texted that the flywheel spin studio would be a definite plus lol.

I wouldn't let reviews sway me. Throw out the best one and the worst one, go from there.

Not everyone has the same opinion or likes and dislikes.

If you go with a good additude, it can make all the difference in the world.

Good luck with what ever you decide. Enjoy. :cool:

There surely aren't any perfect ships. Breakaway has it's problems like any ship. But remember where it embarks. New Yorkers love to complain. It's part of the culture I think. It's not wrong, it just is. I remember my first cruise out of New York, I just sat in the Atrium listening to people just boarding, complaining loudly, about this and that at guest services. I thought it was entertaining. We're on the Breakaway again next week. I expect the same vibe I got from the Breakaway and Gem on previous cruises. Large number of tristate folks, acting like it. You don't get that feeling cruising out of other popular ports since you have a mix of people from everywhere. Just consider the demographic when you're reading the reviews.

I've done three BA cruises. The first one was the Trans-Atlantic when she was delivered. I wasn't overly impressed with her then. I did a solo cruise to Bermuda but didn't get off the ship much and enjoyed it when the passengers were ashore. I had a great time. I just did a 14 day cruise on her last year and besides the crew I knew, I would definitely steer clear of the BA.

I do realize you're doing the Haven. The treatment in the Haven is far better than any other category outside of that. The exclusivity of the areas you have available to you are far superior to the rest of the ship. That would be a selling point for sure. Otherwise, it was lackluster at best. I realize they were training a lot of Chinese crew for the Norwegian Joy but the service in the restaurants was seriously lacking. The management of the ship was very standoffish. The cabin was in poor working order for a ship so new (electrical issues). I won't be sailing on her again anytime soon. (I also wrote a review of the BA all three times I've been on them so if you search my name you can read them.)

The best thing the BA had was an awesome set of bartenders at the martini bar and one great DJ who is no longer on the ship. The rest of it was mediocre to poor service.

Good luck with whatever you choose! :)

There will ALWAYS be negative reviews and someone complaining somewhere on a cruise. Take it with a grain of salt and it will be what you make it. My father just went through this and I told him to go in with a positive attitude or he would be disappointed!

It really depends on how you feel about the megaships and knowing where/how to get away from the crowds. The Gem is also sailing out of NY btw.

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We are booked in Sept. Was on her once before in August to Bermuda. We where in the haven and had a wonderful time. Outside of the haven was crowded and lots of kids but it was August so to be expected. Thus why this time we are going in mid Sept when the kids are back in school.

I also noticed the NY attitude and complaining. Was also on Gem in March and same. I agree with other poster it is the NY attitude. Not bad just not what I am used to.

Bermuda is wonderful and so looking forward to going back. I have never been on a bad cruise yet and this coming trip will be my 21st sailing with NCL. If you can though do haven. So worth it.

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The Breakaway is home ported in the NY metro area and a good % of passengers are local. As a group we folk raised complaining to an art form. But if you're from here you understand it doesn't mean anything. Listen to a Giants or Yankees fan talk about their team; a constant stream of complains, but they will their season tickets to their children. Our norm is very different from say Baltimore, Atlanta, etc.

Read the negative reviews to learn things +/-; but if you read one that goes on & on, don't worry about it.

The Breakaway is a great ship, enjoy it.

Thanks everyone for the helpful opinions/suggestions! Much appreciated and enjoyed all the comments! What is probably true too is that there are variables (such as cig smoke) from week to week, cruise to cruise. I sent Cole's link for Gambee's Breakaway review to my kids. ..See what they think and try to get a vacation going! Would LOVE to book the Haven but too expensive for 5! Hopefully one day for the two of us. ;)

Thanks everyone for the helpful opinions/suggestions! Much appreciated and enjoyed all the comments! What is probably true too is that there are variables (such as cig smoke) from week to week, cruise to cruise. I sent Cole's link for Gambee's Breakaway review to my kids. ..See what they think and try to get a vacation going! Would LOVE to book the Haven but too expensive for 5! Hopefully one day for the two of us. ;)

I've been on the Breakaway in a Haven suite and a balcony, both were great cruises. My favorite part of the balcony cruise was getting passes to Vibe ($99pp), it's adults only, always lots of open lounge chairs, two hot tubs, a bar where there's never a line and a shower. We didn't spend any time at the pool but the area around the pool is always crowded but there were usually empty loungers on the sun deck that overlooked the pool. The Haven pool is useless, I can stand in it and almost touch all four sides but I didn't book the Haven for the pool. I've never had any issues with smoke, my wife has asthma and the smoke only bothered her when we were in the casino near someone who was smoking.

The other posters are right about people who like to complain, I've seen negative reviews about cruises that I was on and had a great time.

Was thinking of possibly booking the Breakaway for a June cruise to Bermuda. Husband, me and 3 adult (20s) kids.

 

However, after reading many negative reviews I'm not inclined to book. The Summit is sold out or more expensive. I am not going to book the Haven for 5 people. The complaints that nixed it for me is the utter confusion during embarkation/debarkation. Terrible smoke that permeates too many areas of the ship. A tiny pool - how uninviting for a summer vacation. Loud, crowded (hard to find a table) buffet with rude behavior. Minimal seating in auditorium.

 

Is this really what it's like? I do not want to drop multiple thousands of dollars and be disappointed.

 

In my opinion, The Haven takes up too much precious space. I think that for their future ships NCL should do away with the Haven pool. Have 2 glorious pools for everyone where you don't have to fight you way through. Still have the Haven suites and restaurant but if all pools (one in back could be an infinity pool) are large and inviting with a tropical atmosphere and space for everyone, well then it's a win-win.

 

In genreal, not just with NCL, I find cruise lines are giving the customer less and less. For instance, if you think about it, there is no reason to make bathrooms so tiny. If paying for a balcony stateroom, I believe that bathroom should not be the same cookie cutter replica as the inside bathroom. If you're paying more for the stateroom, the bathroom needs to reflect that. Another example is HAL's newest ship has no sofas from inside to balcony. All their ships prior had sofas in all staterooms. Another HAL ship we were on a few years ago had (I think 11) balcony staterooms added to an upper deck. Why take away passenger space ratio? They could have made that space into something wonderful for all passengers to enjoy. And the list goes on....

You've been on CC for a long time.

You should know better than to trust the griping on CC

Your loss. The BA is a great ship. Will be sailing on her again in a few weeks. 13th cruise on NCL mega ships (3rd on BA)

I think the only problem with Breakaway is the people it attracts being in NYC [emoji6]

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I've been on the Breakaway in a Haven suite and a balcony, both were great cruises. My favorite part of the balcony cruise was getting passes to Vibe ($99pp), it's adults only, always lots of open lounge chairs, two hot tubs, a bar where there's never a line and a shower. We didn't spend any time at the pool but the area around the pool is always crowded but there were usually empty loungers on the sun deck that overlooked the pool. The Haven pool is useless, I can stand in it and almost touch all four sides but I didn't book the Haven for the pool. I've never had any issues with smoke, my wife has asthma and the smoke only bothered her when we were in the casino near someone who was smoking.

 

The other posters are right about people who like to complain, I've seen negative reviews about cruises that I was on and had a great time.

Thanks, brian99, for the heads up re Vibe. It definitely would be nice to have another area to "retreat" to. If we choose this cruise I think we would have to buy passes. I guess we'd want to be in the first main boarding group to secure these. It's reassuring to hear the smoke wasn't an issue, especially for someone with asthma. I've been looking for prices and I think I just would want to go with the basic guarantee rate. It's $250 more pp for the pick 2, plus $100+ for drink gratuities. Plus my kids would probably be tempted to drink too much!

I think the only problem with Breakaway is the people it attracts being in NYC [emoji6]

 

 

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I'm from NY, actually NJ, but originally from Utah and I couldn't agree more.

I think the only problem with Breakaway is the people it attracts being in NYC [emoji6]

 

 

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What kind of people would that be ?

Well...if you are booking the Haven, then I think most of these issues would not apply to you....but you said you didn't want to book that for 5 people. Pretty pricey for 5 people I'd say and for that price I'd expect most of my concerns to be nonissues. It's interesting to note for me....Out of all my cruises, which were not all that many compared to some here, I had complaints about all of them...........but also loved all of them. I just didn't let the complaints I had spoil my cruise. I've been on NCL 2 times and here we are going again....this time on the Breakaway for 14 days. Just a balcony cabin, no access to special areas, but I can't imagine I will enjoy it any less. We've experienced "inside cabins on up to beautiful suites with wrap around huge balconies on the aft" ....all were great cruises. Too many expectations can sometimes destroy any good time we set out to have.

I love the Breakaway! Makes me so sad to see bad things about her [emoji50]

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Is it just me or is everyone forgetting about the 3 young people coming along who are in their 20's. Pool aside, something tells they are going to love the water side, ropes course, etc, etc.

For instance, we're cruising on BA in July to Bermuda and are expecting hundred's of kids to be aboard. If it was just us, we'd be going on Celebrity for a more relaxing time. However, our son, DIL, 4 of our 6 grandkids, and a nephew are coming along and they would be bored stiff on Celebrity Summit. So, we're going on BA for them because they are going to love all the ship has to offer.

Was thinking of possibly booking the Breakaway for a June cruise to Bermuda. Husband, me and 3 adult (20s) kids.

 

However, after reading many negative reviews I'm not inclined to book. The Summit is sold out or more expensive. I am not going to book the Haven for 5 people. The complaints that nixed it for me is the utter confusion during embarkation/debarkation. Terrible smoke that permeates too many areas of the ship. A tiny pool - how uninviting for a summer vacation. Loud, crowded (hard to find a table) buffet with rude behavior. Minimal seating in auditorium.

 

Is this really what it's like? I do not want to drop multiple thousands of dollars and be disappointed.

 

In my opinion, The Haven takes up too much precious space. I think that for their future ships NCL should do away with the Haven pool. Have 2 glorious pools for everyone where you don't have to fight you way through. Still have the Haven suites and restaurant but if all pools (one in back could be an infinity pool) are large and inviting with a tropical atmosphere and space for everyone, well then it's a win-win.

 

In genreal, not just with NCL, I find cruise lines are giving the customer less and less. For instance, if you think about it, there is no reason to make bathrooms so tiny. If paying for a balcony stateroom, I believe that bathroom should not be the same cookie cutter replica as the inside bathroom. If you're paying more for the stateroom, the bathroom needs to reflect that. Another example is HAL's newest ship has no sofas from inside to balcony. All their ships prior had sofas in all staterooms. Another HAL ship we were on a few years ago had (I think 11) balcony staterooms added to an upper deck. Why take away passenger space ratio? They could have made that space into something wonderful for all passengers to enjoy. And the list goes on....

with your pre-conceived view of the BA I don't think it is the ship for you. In fact I am not sure unless you want to go luxury any ship would be. You already are taking every negative you can find to form your opinion. Who cares the size of the bathroom for instance? we have cruised every mass marketed line: all bathrooms are somewhat alike. The BA actually has nice bathrooms. Enbarkation was a breeze, and yes, debarkation was a disaster. Yes, there is smoke, but it isn't all that horrible. Small pool, that is true.

How about the positives: great food for a mass marketed line: dozens of eating choice, great entertainment, value for the money,, lots of fun things to do. I could go on and on.

Will we sail the ship again? Probably not, but only because we prefer the smaller, more relaxed ships. If we were in our 40s we would love the Breakaway.

we have sailed from NYC 4 times, soon to be 5. we sailed on Star, Breakaway twice, and Gem. We are doing Breakaway for the 3rd time this month. we love the ship and sailing from NYC.

you may be better off doing a land based vacation. breakaway will be crowded and sold out with children and families if you go june/july/august. we avoid sailing any ship during those months, we learned our lesson early on.

also, i think 5 adults in even a mini suite room would be very, very tight. i assume you are looking at two rooms then?

I think the only problem with Breakaway is the people it attracts being in NYC [emoji6]

 

 

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When we took the POA cruise in Hawaii the three people who were openly critical about petty things were all proud to be from North NJ. One bitched that the handicapped people were allowed on the bus before him, even though he was first in line. "They pull the same crap in NJ" was his complaint, gave me an ugly look as I smiled.