Live Blog: Norwegian Breakaway Inaugural Transatlantic Cruise!

Thanks for the very informative review and photo's.

Could you ask them if they will ever upload their bridgecam to the web?

Seems to be the only NCL ship that doesn't.....

Also, it doesn't show on the deck plans, but is there a bridge viewing room?

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions....:)

Subscribing. Thanks :)

Thanks so much ... loving the live updates and pics!

BTW ... are you staying onboard for any of the 2-nt Inaugural sailings?

I'm so jealous that I actually want to cry :o I'll blame it on the hormones :)

Thanks so much!

 

Can anyone let me know if we have 10 people for dinner a few times during the week do we have to let the MDR know in advance to set up the tables? We will be sailing in Summer so I expect the ship to be full. Is having a group of 10 a problem with Freestyle dining?

Thanks so much!

I doubt it would be any different than on the EPIC, so I'll give you my experience from the EPIC. I was sailing solo and the solo people would eat dinner together every night. The group sizes ranged from just a few up to 20. We usually called up the dining room after dinner had started, let them know we were coming and they'd get a table ready for us. We usually had to wait five or so minutes and there were times we had to wait about 20 minutes. When we had to wait 20 minutes or more, we were given a free glass of champagne each at the bar next to the dining room. They accommodated us very easily.

thank you for the great pictures. Can you please get one of the raw bar menu & of the brands of cigarettes available.

thank you enjoy your cruise

I doubt it would be any different than on the EPIC, so I'll give you my experience from the EPIC. I was sailing solo and the solo people would eat dinner together every night. The group sizes ranged from just a few up to 20. We usually called up the dining room after dinner had started, let them know we were coming and they'd get a table ready for us. We usually had to wait five or so minutes and there were times we had to wait about 20 minutes. When we had to wait 20 minutes or more, we were given a free glass of champagne each at the bar next to the dining room. They accommodated us very easily.

Thanks so much! I think I will do as you did and once the Dining Room opens, I'll call and let them know what time we will be there. Thanks so much!

Looking forward to the rest or your review. Thanks in advance.

I have a question regarding the iconcierge app. Are you using it? Can you provide any information on it? I am mostly interested in communicating with the kids while on the ship and this seems like a good way to do it. I appreciate any information you can provide.

This is great. Thanks for doing it!

Could you possibly post some dailies?. I know interenet is a premium so no worries if you can't

Love the forward swimming fishies!

As far as the key card, we stayed at Sandals RC in Jamaica and it was the same way. The room got really hot and if we tried to "fake" it, the housekeeper always took the card out.

Great review and pictures! Thanks so much!

Wonderful review! I look forward to reading more!

Thanks again. Let us know how the meet and greet went? Who showed up to speak, etc.

Lyndamr: re: cabin categories and hairdryers. My interior stateroom is a IA. I’m not sure what my friend’s balcony stateroom is, but it’s a typical mid-ship balcony stateroom. The hairdryers are under the desk in the stateroom, not in the bathroom. I just turned mine on, and it seems pretty powerful!

Beachmonkey: re: Friends of Dorothy meeting. There are A LOT of “Dorothy”s on this sailing! I’d say about 35 folks came out to the first gathering, and I’ve spotted/met additional ones. Most I’ve seen on a non-chartered sailing. In my experience, NCL attracts a strong gay/lesbian clientele, which is a testament to their company’s friendliness and respect for diversity.

Lyndamr: re: air conditioning. That’s a very good question, and since it’s rather chilly on this sailing, I haven’t had the AC on in the room. So I don’t know what the temperature is like after returning to the room. If I get a chance to find out, I’ll let you know.

Babys mom: re: interior room size. I’ve been in balcony and outside staterooms on the Dawn, and I’d say Breakaway’s are a little smaller than the Dawn’s outside room. But it’s very well designed, and I don’t think it would be too much of a downgrade. It’s a little hard to say, though, because I’m not sharing my cabin with anyone (as I did on the Dawn).

Gambee: re: fireworks. The great news is that we ARE supposed to get fireworks on this sailing! Of course it’s weather-dependent. I’ll share where they get launched from when it happens.

Igfan: re: casino and smoke. Like the Epic, the casino is in the middle and it surrounds the atrium. So far, I haven’t thought that the smoke smell has been very strong as I passed through. I’ve experienced far worse on other ships.

Bob brown: re: bridge cam and bridge viewing room. There’s a channel listed on the TV’s guide for a bridge cam, but it doesn’t seem to be working yet. (There is one for the navigation info/map, though.) Unfortunately, there is no bridge viewing room on board. I really like those, so I’m disappointed about that.

Chiapet: re: inaugural sailings. No, I won’t be on board. My cruise agent gig is just a part-time side business, and I don’t have the status that’s required to get invited. :-)

Angelfish: re: raw bar menu. I’ve photographed most of the menus so far, but not yet the raw bar. I will try! I’ll also see what ciggies they have on board.

KrazyK: re iConcierge app. Yes, I have it and I am using it! But my friend doesn’t have it on his phone, so I haven’t been able to test the communication features. I was talking to another passenger who is using it to communicate with his friend. He said it works in making calls to him, but the messaging feature is a little buggy. He also mentioned that it’s not possible to leave a message for his friend if his friend doesn’t answer the call. Otherwise, you can use the app just as you would the interactive features on your TV, including making reservations.

Shaun07: re newsletters. I plan to post those after I get home. Unfortunately I didn’t get a newsletter on embarkation day, so I’m missing that one.

Zlacruising: re Meet & Greet. I’ll post about it tomorrow! :-)

Thanks Mike for all your info. Ummm I am wondering can you somehow sneak into 9706 and check it out for me? I saw the video of the 10th floor but am wondering if 9 is a semi hull. You can hardly see it on the front of the shi because it is so low on bow. Thanks and party on

Thanks so much for the blog. I am booked on the May 12th sail out of New York. Will enjoy reading your blog!!

Philamike most thankful to you for answering my questions, hugs to you.

Thanks Mike. I'm pretty surprised to hear they turn off the outlets when there's no key in the slot. I can see lights, but outlets? Dumb.

Mike, EXCELLENT review - you are answering my questions without me having to ask them. Thank you for your time and effort doing this.

Shaun07: re newsletters. I plan to post those after I get home. Unfortunately I didn’t get a newsletter on embarkation day, so I’m missing that one.

 

Check the pursers desk, they have always been able to give me a replacement, worth a try if you are saving it as a souvenir of your voyage.

Thank you so much for the great review. :) We leave in 45 days & I have to say, your review is a huge help. Can't wait to read more!

good morning

could you also post the freestyle dailies.

thank you

Thanks for the review! The cabin seems a little... Sedate, no? As in prison-like? Rest of the ship looks fantastic so far. Agreed on the hull art: questionable is putting it nicely.

Agreed on the hull art: questionable is putting it nicely.

:eek: Peter Max fan here! The hull art is exciting and fun! :D Sorry, gotta agree to disagree on this one. :cool: Mike - Very nice of you to keep updates during your sailing here at CC. We greatly appreciate it.. ;)

Thanks for the info and photos Philamike!