Summit or Breakaway ~ New York or Bayonne?

Which would you select .... and why?

Both spend about the same amount of time in Bermuda.

I assume the sailaway from New York is breath-taking, how is the sailaway from Bayonne?

I know Summit is older (we were on her many years ago when she was "it" ... now she's an old lady). We've stayed away from the larger NCL ships because of too many people, however, we're considering Bermuda in May, so perhaps there will be less people, certainly less kids (don't you think:o).

We're just in the beginning stages of planning. So any help you can give me would be appreciated.:)

I've been on the BA twice. Very new and usually much less expensive than Royal Caribbean. Passing the Statue of Liberty is awesome! You don't get that from Bayonne. We did Bermuda in August, it was great! I can't say anything about the Summit as I've not been on it, but we've been on the Breakaway twice and loved it both times. No complaints whatsoever.

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We did this trip a few years ago on the Summit and loved it. People we met and spoke with from the Breakaway indicated the ship was too big and had too many people, they often felt crowded. Leaving from Bayonne you go right by the Statue of Liberty, it was awesome!

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Which would you select .... and why?

 

 

 

Both spend about the same amount of time in Bermuda.

 

 

 

I assume the sailaway from New York is breath-taking, how is the sailaway from Bayonne?

 

 

 

I know Summit is older (we were on her many years ago when she was "it" ... now she's an old lady). We've stayed away from the larger NCL ships because of too many people, however, we're considering Bermuda in May, so perhaps there will be less people, certainly less kids (don't you think:o).

 

 

 

We're just in the beginning stages of planning. So any help you can give me would be appreciated.:)

I found the Breakaway too crowded and the interior too smoky because the casino opens into the public areas. I prefer the smaller, less crowded Summit and it is smoke free in the interior. No smoking in Celebrity casinos. Don't know about kids on Breakaway in May, when I was on it when you would have thought not many kids, first week of December to the Bahamas it was loaded with kids.

The sail away from Summit is fine. If you do the Breakaway you will go past the Statue of Liberty for sure. The Summit goes up the Hudson and past the Statue of Liberty if the harbor master gives permission. So last year we didn't but the year before we did. And there were sailings last year that did. So with Breakaway you are guaranteed, with Summit no guarantee but they do sail by it a lot of sailings.

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Thanks everyone.

I grew up in New Jersey, so I've seen the Statue of Liberty many times, but would still like to sail by her again.

We'd probably drive up from Florida, visit family, and Atlantic City (I know, but it would still bring back memories), so ease of getting to the port and parking will weigh in on our decision, tool

Charles,I know what you mean about thinking you've picked a week without kids. We once booked a cruise on Carnival the week beforeChristmas. You would think if they were going to book a cruise it would be Christmas week, wouldn't you, and who takes their kids out of school for the week before? Well, there were over 1,000 kids on this cruise. I have never and would never book Carnival again.

We did this trip a few years ago on the Summit and loved it. People we met and spoke with from the Breakaway indicated the ship was too big and had too many people, they often felt crowded. Leaving from Bayonne you go right by the Statue of Liberty, it was awesome!

 

 

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Leaving from Bayonne, you are already down river from the Statue of Liberty. You can see her off in the distance when the ship is at the pier but you do not pass right by her. You only pass by the Statue of Liberty sailing from the Manhatten Pier.

Leaving from Bayonne, you are already down river from the Statue of Liberty. You can see her off in the distance when the ship is at the pier but you do not pass right by her. You only pass by the Statue of Liberty sailing from the Manhatten Pier.

As I explained in one of my posts, leaving from Bayonne, Summit often sails up the Hudson River and comes back downriver past the Statue of Liberty. No guarantee but they have been doing that the last two years when they can. Here are some images I took on June 21, 2015 onboard the Summit.

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Here's a Google map showing the approximate distances from Cape Liberty to Ellis Island and SoL:

SBtS

If you're are not a fan of big ships, I'd steer clear of the Breakaway. I always thought I would like a big ship - until the Breakaway. Too many people + small venues = crowded.

i appreciate that map above as i've never researched where the NJ port is. can i assume cheaper parking there vs 280 for my BA trip?

i appreciate that map above as i've never researched where the NJ port is. can i assume cheaper parking there vs 280 for my BA trip?

from cruiseliberty.com:

Parking

A safe, secured parking facility, operated by SP+ Parking, is conveniently located adjacent to the cruise terminal. Parking fees are $20 per day including all taxes ($7 for pre-approved day visitors). Cash and major credit cards are accepted. No reservations are necessary. Oversized vehicles, such as campers and RV’s will be charged double the normal rate.

Oversized vehicles, such as campers and RV’s will be charged double the normal rate.

SBtS

half price parking is nice. for the fun of it i priced a bermuda cruise balcony with both ships on may 7. seems you can get it cheaper on BA but summit has half the capacity so i'm assuming it's a tad less busy.

half price parking is nice. for the fun of it i priced a bermuda cruise balcony with both ships on may 7. seems you can get it cheaper on BA but summit has half the capacity so i'm assuming it's a tad less busy.

Having been on both I would say Summit is noticeably less busy. Even more important to me is that Summit is less smokey since the casino is non smoking. And oddly enough the smaller Summit has more pool area.

are there more hot tubs than BA? :) i guess somewhere there's a comparison on the ships and if i ever get back to bermuda i'm willing to try. i also see summit has a nice variety of itineraries.

I have been on the Summit twice and am doing my first BA in 12 days .I will decide afterward which ship to take my annual Bermuda cruise on.

When HAL left from NY I loved taking their ships because they dock on Front St and they offer Lanai cabins.No other cruise lines offer either.

Breakaway has an awful pool area. The ship feels very closed in and I would only go again if staying in the Haven!

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I have did the Summit to Bermuda in 2015 and it was the best cruise experience ever. Loved the ship and the crew. I had a less pleasant experience on Norwegian to Quebec but it was an older ship (and really showed its age in unpleasant ways). However, we have booked Breakaway for Bermuda cruise this year in June. We are taking the whole family- kids and grandkids. I thought the Breakaway was a much better option for cruising with children hope we will not be disappointed.

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Loved the Summit. Captain Leo sailed up to the SOL and then we turned around and followed Breakaway out. When we were in Bermuda, docked right next to Breakaway we only heard complaints from those passengers. We heard no complaints from Summit passengers. As others have said - as non-smoking a ship as can be found, great staff, great food. The only reason I would consider the Breakaway would be if traveling with kids - multiple, active kids - and only in the Haven.

Breakaway has an awful pool area. The ship feels very closed in and I would only go again if staying in the Haven!

 

 

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have you seen the anthem? i've only seen pics of it but wow. those pools look awesome and 2 indoor ones look great.

We have been on Anthem four times, pool areas are the best we have seen on any ship!

We have been on Anthem four times, pool areas are the best we have seen on any ship!

id appreciate any insights you have into anthem. i hear nothing but good. how is this possible. i want to book before the 100OBC goes away this weekend and the balcony sale stops.

do you think its better to stay closer to solarium or two70? im likely gonna do 7 or 12. dont like to be right over or under activities.

On our Sept. cruise we were aft, close to 270. For us it was a perfect spot. There was an entrance to the upper part of 270 and we used it a lot. The last trip we were mid-ship and that worked out great too. We also were on deck 6 twice and did not find the obstruction annoying. I would not take them if there is not much difference from a regular balcony. The Anthem is not perfect, we prefer the Oasis and Allure but not having to fly is terrific. There are a lot of indoor spaces and the Solarium is fantastic! The MDR was okay, although we did eat in Windjammer three nights out of 12 on the last trip. We really did like Dynamic Dining😢Had no problems with staff, most really went out of their way for all. Make sure you make your Dining and show reservations online, you can always change them onboard. We had no trouble Dining when we wanted to, even managed to get our favorite waiter often.

Rooms and balconies are spacious, plenty of storage. Shows were good, go with an open mind!!!

Sorry, did not realize I rambled on! Anything you want to know just ask. Good luck.

I love rambling, you should see my reviews on here lol..that's rambling!

I just have to keep looking at deck plans and see what I want. if I knew when the balcony sail was ending I wouldn't feel so much pressure but I really don't wanna pay 3 or 4 hundred more for the same room

Hi all,

I'm following this thread because I'm trying to make the same decision...Summit or Breakaway (or Anthem).

I'll be traveling with a 17 yr son and 86 yr old Dad. Which ship will a 17 yr prefer? Dad will be happy anywhere I think (no current mobility issues).

Thank you!

Lynne

Anthem is great for teens.

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