NCL Breakaway or RCCL Liberty of the Seas

Hello,

I'm in the beginning stages of planing our family vacation for next summer. We are a family of 3 (parent and 2 teenagers ages 13 & 14) from south Jersey. I am really torn between NCL Breakaway and RCCL Liberty of the Seas. I compiled a short list of the pros for each ship. Which ship would you choose and why?

Breakaway

7 nights as opposed to 5, Aquapark, Broadway style shows, newer ship

Liberty of the Seas

Crown and Anchor member, sailing from NJ, Dreamworks experience, Flowrider, H20 zone

Hi. What kind of room are you getting? If you are doing a suite with perks, I would do NCL. If not I think I would lean more towards Liberty depending on the price.

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Hello,

 

I'm in the beginning stages of planing our family vacation for next summer. We are a family of 3 (parent and 2 teenagers ages 13 & 14) from south Jersey. I am really torn between NCL Breakaway and RCCL Liberty of the Seas. I compiled a short list of the pros for each ship. Which ship would you choose and why?

 

Breakaway

7 nights as opposed to 5, Aquapark, Broadway style shows, newer ship

 

Liberty of the Seas

Crown and Anchor member, sailing from NJ, Dreamworks experience, Flowrider, H20 zone

I priced both of these a few weeks ago for the 4 of us next July and the 9-night on the Liberty would have cost us $2000 more. I was torn between these two ships because of all the amenities on both, but the Breakaway was within our budget while the Liberty was not. So definitely check out prices if that makes a difference to you. The 5-night is around the same price as the 7-night in Breakaway when I priced both.

The funny thing is, while I was torn between the two ships, I was sort of siding with the Breakaway to begin with. My son will love the aqua park, both boys love NCL's camp, we love their food, Rock of Ages was a terrific show when we saw it on Broadway and it will be great to see it again, lots of specialty dining options (we will probably take advantage of two of them), Nickelodeon characters and activities for the kids, fireworks one night at sea, etc. I also have read they have a beautiful thermal suite in the spa with amenities not found on other ships like the salt room. DH and I plan to buy the week long spa pass so this is important to us as well.

Hi. What kind of room are you getting? If you are doing a suite with perks, I would do NCL. If not I think I would lean more towards Liberty depending on the price.

 

 

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I priced both of these a few weeks ago for the 4 of us next July and the 9-night on the Liberty would have cost us $2000 more. I was torn between these two ships because of all the amenities on both, but the Breakaway was within our budget while the Liberty was not. So definitely check out prices if that makes a difference to you. The 5-night is around the same price as the 7-night in Breakaway when I priced both.

 

The funny thing is, while I was torn between the two ships, I was sort of siding with the Breakaway to begin with. My son will love the aqua park, both boys love NCL's camp, we love their food, Rock of Ages was a terrific show when we saw it on Broadway and it will be great to see it again, lots of specialty dining options (we will probably take advantage of two of them), Nickelodeon characters and activities for the kids, fireworks one night at sea, etc. I also have read they have a beautiful thermal suite in the spa with amenities not found on other ships like the salt room. DH and I plan to buy the week long spa pass so this is important to us as well.

Thanks for the replies - No suite just an oceanview cabin. And we are gold status on Royal so I don't think we will get any other special perks either.

The price difference between the two Bermuda cruises is only $400 which would not break my budget and 3 days in Bermuda would be nice and relaxing. But I keep reading these negative reviews of Breakaway that has me hesitant about booking.

We loved our Breakaway cruise, and it's so easy to get to the pier from NJ on a Sunday morning. My teens loved the teen club (15 and 17), and my son LOVED the guy running it. Five days would be too short for me.

We loved our Breakaway cruise, and it's so easy to get to the pier from NJ on a Sunday morning. My teens loved the teen club (15 and 17), and my son LOVED the guy running it. Five days would be too short for me.

Thank you - how did you get to the pier may I ask? Did you use NJ transit and then a cab from Penn Station or did NCL provide a bus from Penn Station?

I priced both of these a few weeks ago for the 4 of us next July and the 9-night on the Liberty would have cost us $2000 more. I was torn between these two ships because of all the amenities on both, but the Breakaway was within our budget while the Liberty was not. So definitely check out prices if that makes a difference to you. The 5-night is around the same price as the 7-night in Breakaway when I priced both.

 

The funny thing is, while I was torn between the two ships, I was sort of siding with the Breakaway to begin with. My son will love the aqua park, both boys love NCL's camp, we love their food, Rock of Ages was a terrific show when we saw it on Broadway and it will be great to see it again, lots of specialty dining options (we will probably take advantage of two of them), Nickelodeon characters and activities for the kids, fireworks one night at sea, etc. I also have read they have a beautiful thermal suite in the spa with amenities not found on other ships like the salt room. DH and I plan to buy the week long spa pass so this is important to us as well.

IMHO, it's not even close--I would choose the Breakaway even if the prices were the same, or even if the RCCL ship was cheaper. Been on the Breakaway with my son a few times and both of us loved every sailing. I'm also not a fan of RCCL's older ships. Tried a few and the only RCCL ones we'll sail on now are the Allure and Oasis. Quantum is next for us, but will not consider boarding an older RCCL ship ever again. We felt that they were not maintained well and the crew we encountered left a lot to be desired. Sounds like you've done a lot of research on the Breakaway and everything you've mentioned, we've enjoyed. Absolutely no contest as far as my son and I are concerned.

Thank you - how did you get to the pier may I ask? Did you use NJ transit and then a cab from Penn Station or did NCL provide a bus from Penn Station?

I live in north Jersey, so we've taken a car service, and we've driven. However, if we took NJ Transit, we'd just take a cab from Penn Station.

I like to read reviews of cruise ships too, but whenever I read them, I look at the details that people give. For example, if someone says there was nothing to eat the entire week, I know that wouldn't apply to us. We've been on plenty of cruises and never once was I on a ship where there was literally nothing to eat. We love good food, but we are not that picky. With food, I try to remind myself that it is very subjective, and also that some people are looking for mcdonalds and the like, which I don't particularly care for but some people literally live on that stuff and don't like to expand their horizons.

The second thing I ignore is when people talk about the internet connection. I don't use the internet on a cruise so it doesn't apply to me.

The third thing I look at and take with a grain of salt is when people complain about "nickel and dining". I don't want to eat in a specialty restaurant every night...I don't want to go see Cirque Dreams...I don't want to buy a soda package or an unlimited alcohol package. Therefore, I'm glad my cruise fare isn't higher in order to accommodate those who do want those things and make them all included for everyone, nor would I want the cruise fare to be higher for other passengers to accommodate people like me and my husband who purchase the week long spa pass. I don't care that tipping is extra...the crew works very hard on the cruises, and they deserve the tips. And the once or twice we do go to a specialty restaurant, $20 or $30 a person is very reasonable in my opinion for what they are giving you.

Some people also complain in their reviews about rude passengers, and that can happen anywhere at any time, no fault of the cruise line. Some people complain about the weather which the cruise line cannot control.

And then there are people who aren't happy unless they have something to complain about.

Also keep in mind that people are much more likely to write a review in order to lodge a complaint, than they are to write a review that is 100% positive. Therefore, I take every review with a grain of salt, whether it is a hotel or a cruise ship or a restaurant. Tell me it's dirty and there were bed bugs and that's a different story...but tell me the internet didn't work fast enough, you starved the whole week or you had a rainy cruise and I move onto the next review.

Also keep in mind that people are much more likely to write a review in order to lodge a complaint, than they are to write a review that is 100% positive. Therefore, I take every review with a grain of salt, whether it is a hotel or a cruise ship or a restaurant. Tell me it's dirty and there were bed bugs and that's a different story...but tell me the internet didn't work fast enough, you starved the whole week or you had a rainy cruise and I move onto the next review.

I agree with EVERYTHING you said... but THIS in particular. People who have something to complain about will undoubtedly look for an ear to hear, so they will complain from the rooftops if they are unhappy and will look for the audience who is most likely to want to hear about it and possibly sympathize or agree with them (ie... post a bad review on CC).

On the other hand, when people have a great time, they tend to tell their coworkers, friends, family and facebook peeps all about it and endeavor to write a review... but then time marches forward and you never get around to it (yes finger... you're pointing straight at me). You will ALWAYS be able to find more people who will publicly complain about a place then rave about it.

To the OP, I have cruised the Allure of the Seas and loved absolutely, positively every second of it and the 80+ percent of positive reviews back that sort of experience up. So, when we booked the Breakaway for our upcoming 25 year anniversary celebration I, too, was nervous about the negative reviews; but look at the negatives and see if they would apply to you or detract from your experience at all.

Typical Posted Negatives:

1. FOOD: if you are a "foodie", you MIGHT be disappointed in the comparison between RCCL food and NCL food. However, we are going into our cruise knowing that it will probably not be on the same level, therefore we are prepared for this experience and won't be ranting over it. Most reviewers who complain about the food call it equivalent to Outback or Olive Garden... Hey, I eat at those places, so if that's what I get, I certainly won't be starving or severely disappointed! Moral of this story... know what to expect and be happy if it ends up better than that :D

2. POOL SPACE: if you are sun lover and pool lounger, than you MIGHT be disappointed in the limited pool space and loungers placed nearby. We have read these reviews and are planning accordingly... things like: swim later in the night, get spa passes and use that pool, use the slides to cool off, use the cool water feature in H2O, lounge all the way forward on deck 17 where there are less people, relax on the waterfront where there are less people. Moral of this story... research your ship of choice. There is usually a way around the common issues, you just have to know what it is.

3. NICKLE & DIMING: if you want as much as absolutely possible covered in your cruise fare, you MIGHT be disappointed in the way NCL does things. They DO charge for more things than RCCL does once on board, but we haven't been upset over this one bit. We know all the things they charge for and we will choose which ones we want to do. We have figured out what those things will cost for the week and are FINE with those totals. It really isn't that much at all! And if these charges keep the over all cruise fare down for all those who don't spend extra... then that's good all the way around. Moral of this story... know what hidden charges are there and add it up and see if you're ok with it.

OVERALL, Breakaway is a STUNNINGLY beautiful ship with fantastic entertainment, amazing spa and fabulous amenities. We have personally made the decision to book and learn how to overcome the possible negatives that we might encounter.

Hello,

 

I'm in the beginning stages of planing our family vacation for next summer. We are a family of 3 (parent and 2 teenagers ages 13 & 14) from south Jersey. I am really torn between NCL Breakaway and RCCL Liberty of the Seas. I compiled a short list of the pros for each ship. Which ship would you choose and why?

 

Breakaway

7 nights as opposed to 5, Aquapark, Broadway style shows, newer ship

 

Liberty of the Seas

Crown and Anchor member, sailing from NJ, Dreamworks experience, Flowrider, H20 zone

Breakaway! Longer cruise- more time in Bermuda.

Breakaway! Longer cruise- more time in Bermuda.

It is very relaxing being in Bermuda for 3 days straight...come and go as you please without having to worry about making it back for sailing time on the first two days you're there!

Our plan in July is to NOT set an alarm clock for the day we dock in Bermuda. We will sleep until we wake up, have a leisurely breakfast and go to the pool where it won't be nearly as crowded as on sea days. Then go onto the island when we feel like it. We don't feel the need to rush off the ship with 3 days there...plenty of time to enjoy what we like! :)

Breakaway! Longer cruise- more time in Bermuda.

Good decision. We have sailed the Breakaway to Bermuda twice...love it!

Thank you so much for the replies😊 I am really leaning toward booking Breakaway. For those who have sailed-did you find there was enough to do on the two sea days headed to Bermuda? And how is the weather at the end of June? Is it warm enough to swim?

My concern is the opposite, I fear I won't find enough time to do it ALL, LOL...

5 water slides

Ropes course

Rock climbing wall

Mini golf

Game shows

Casino

Spa

Arcade

Bowling

Ship Tours

Tastings

Wine lovers Luncheon

Roll Call activities (cabin crawl, slot pull, M & G)

....and that's only the daytime things on our list of things to do on sea days PLUS find time to relax :p

We just got back from our getaway cruise on Sunday<insert a mllion super sad faces here>!!!

For the question concerning Sea days-will there be enough to do-Heck yes!!!! We LOVE sea days and relaxed and did whatever-There is soo much to do and not to do-whatever you want one way or the other-You can literally fill your day full of all the activities or Chill!!!You will have so much to choose from-you will never be bored. If someone does get bored it is them and def. not the ship-

Best thing about the Breakaway is the Waterfront on deck 8. That's my idea of a grand cruise experience. Eating a lovely meal alfresco or sipping a cocktail at an outside bar at sunset as the ocean slides past. With just a railing between you and the sea (no 8ft perspex screens to obscure your view like at the top of the ship.)

So glad I posted my question on this forum. I am going to book the Breakaway and hopefully the weather will be very hot at the end of June. Temps in the high 80s/90s are my kind of weather:D

I was on a 7 day BA cruise and did not do everything I wanted to do, will have to cruise her again just to experience some items for the first time.

I would go for the Breakaway with the extra time. Now if they were both 7 day the choice might be tougher.

We were on Breakaway in July and loved it so much we are going again next June.

Didn't get to do everything we wanted to.

Great ship. Great crew.

Love Breakaway!

Have fun!

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

I haven't sailed Breakaway (yet -- coming up soon), but if I had that decision I would start with Breakaway in the lead because it's 2 nights longer. I've done several 5 night cruises, including on Royal Caribbean to Bermuda out of Bayonne, and they just feel so darn short... You're paying a premium on either line to sail to Bermuda during prime season, so I think you might as well take the extra day in Bermuda.

...of course, if I end up not liking Breakaway I reserve the right to change my opinion :p. I will say as a counterpoint to what I said above that I have sailed on Liberty of the Seas and loved her, she's a great ship, so if you went that route I don't think you'll be disappointed for any reason other than the length of the cruise.