Which would you book? Elation vs Breakaway

Which would you pick? Traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids in a balcony stateroom.

We've sailed Elation once before. It's an older ship, but ok for our needs. 5 day trip going to Grand Turk and Mahogany Bay. Been to both ports, easy kids activities within walking distance.

--OR--

NCL Breakaway. Sailed NCL Epic and was thoroughly disappointed/unimpressed but that was right after a transatlantic with lots of crew changes, etc. And I know Epic is a love/hate ship... This is a 7 day going to St. Marteen, St. Thomas, Great Stirrup Cay. Been to St. Marteen and St. Thomas. Both have kids activities within driving distance. GSC I know is hit or miss with weather.

NCL is $900 more, but comes with drink package.

I like Carnival ports better, but I like the 7 days more than the 5 days. Also Platinum on CCL and just bronze on NCL, only benefit is laundry really. Is the Breakaway that amazing?

I’ve been on Breakaway 3 times , Great ship. Can’t beat free drink package. For me I would do Breakaway !!!

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A no-brainer for me...Breakaway! Have been on the Getaway x3 and love the ship with water slides, ropes course, excellent entertainment and free drinks! Booked on Escape and Breakaway in 2018- give NCL a try!

NCL is our most hated cruise line and hate the Breakaway/Getaway layout, lots of negatives on those ships but considering 5 day on the older smaller Elation vs 7 nights, go for the Breakaway.

I’ve been on Breakaway once and never again. I just can’t imagine why anyone would love that ship. Nothing against NCL it’s just the ship.

Jerseygirl1416- That goes for us too, never again!

Breakaway isn’t our favorite ship, but in this competition she wins.

Which would you pick? Traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids in a balcony stateroom.

 

We've sailed Elation once before. It's an older ship, but ok for our needs. 5 day trip going to Grand Turk and Mahogany Bay. Been to both ports, easy kids activities within walking distance.

 

--OR--

 

NCL Breakaway. Sailed NCL Epic and was thoroughly disappointed/unimpressed but that was right after a transatlantic with lots of crew changes, etc. And I know Epic is a love/hate ship... This is a 7 day going to St. Marteen, St. Thomas, Great Stirrup Cay. Been to St. Marteen and St. Thomas. Both have kids activities within driving distance. GSC I know is hit or miss with weather.

 

NCL is $900 more, but comes with drink package.

 

I like Carnival ports better, but I like the 7 days more than the 5 days. Also Platinum on CCL and just bronze on NCL, only benefit is laundry really. Is the Breakaway that amazing?

Even with your drink package added, Carnival will still be cheaper.

Do you like large ships with a zillion dining options and activities? Do you like large crowds? Kind of like, some people like the big city, others like the smaller suburban life. Which are you? That will help you decide.

For me, I would not touch ships like Epic or Breakaway with a 10-foot mast.

Always Carnival over NCL, NCL serves Pepsi products.

Which would you pick? Traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids in a balcony stateroom.

 

We've sailed Elation once before. It's an older ship, but ok for our needs. 5 day trip going to Grand Turk and Mahogany Bay. Been to both ports, easy kids activities within walking distance.

 

--OR--

 

NCL Breakaway. Sailed NCL Epic and was thoroughly disappointed/unimpressed but that was right after a transatlantic with lots of crew changes, etc. And I know Epic is a love/hate ship... This is a 7 day going to St. Marteen, St. Thomas, Great Stirrup Cay. Been to St. Marteen and St. Thomas. Both have kids activities within driving distance. GSC I know is hit or miss with weather.

 

NCL is $900 more, but comes with drink package.

 

I like Carnival ports better, but I like the 7 days more than the 5 days. Also Platinum on CCL and just bronze on NCL, only benefit is laundry really. Is the Breakaway that amazing?

Elation is an old clunker. Breakaway is also better for kids.

Breakaway you find yourself in traffic jams all the time...for instance, when the shows let out of the main theater everybody has to walk through the casino, just one example of constant huge crowds and real traffic jams.

I’ve been on Breakaway once and never again. I just can’t imagine why anyone would love that ship. Nothing against NCL it’s just the ship.

Just curious what did u hate about the ship ?

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Always Carnival over NCL, NCL serves Pepsi products.

Really ??? Soda choice decides your cruise ???

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I been on the horrible Breakaway and Getaway crowds crowds and more crowding....I been on RC Oasis twice, Harmony and Allure those ships were built correctly, you don't run into crowds, unless that one hour or two on two days at sea when they have the "sale shopping" on the promenade, that was the only time we ran into crowds on RC ships, honestly, RC sure knows how to layout their ship perfectly.

What I didn't like about the Breakaway/Getaway oh boy the list is so long but I give you some reasons:

1-When your up on the top exterior decks you run into cubby holes of areas

2- The pool is WAY TOO SMALL everybody is packed like sardines, its discusting

3- The blowdryer and outlet is located under the desk, my blowdryer did not work on the ship it kept blowing the electric out and they told me I had to use theirs, although at that time the blowdryer was decent, the length of cord was too short, I am 5'6" and I had to sit on that little stool leaning my head over right and left to get my hair dry.

4- The hallways were much narrower so if a scooter/wheelchair had to get by you literally had to maneuver yourself against the wall where the indentation was for the cabin doors

5- No meat carving in the lunch buffet and the salad bar small and simple

6- The ship is the most rockiest ship I ever been on and I been on 74 cruises....it was beautiful weather also

7- When you leave the main show its such a long traffic jam right into the casino

8- Found the staff not friendly at all, never had any problem with staff on Carnival, Princess or RC, I actually thought at the time they had a rule that they can't mingle/talk to the customers

9- Balcony is smaller then the RC ships

10-We had reservations every evening for specialty restaurants, never once did we get to sit on time, we always had to wait

11- I don't care but some like the aft adult only area, no pool though

Well.....I could go on but too much lol.

Just curious what did u hate about the ship ?

 

 

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I thought the layout of the ship was awful. The theater was plain and ugly with uncomfortable chairs. The pool deck felt like it was squeezed in with deck chairs packed tightly side by side. Too many smoking areas. No big open grand feeling area. The atrium where most things were held was too small and just a weird place to hold movies being right next to guest services in the middle of the ship. The drink package didn’t include bottled waters or specialty coffee. The steak restaurant was dark and dated feeling and the food terrible. I’d swear my steak was precooked. I could go on but the 3rd quarter just started.

Can I ask you if you’re a smoker? I really think this ship is a smokers paradise.

Breakaway you find yourself in traffic jams all the time...for instance, when the shows let out of the main theater everybody has to walk through the casino, just one example of constant huge crowds and real traffic jams.

I’ve been on Breakaway 3 times , main theater is all the way foward , then elevators, then Oshehans , then art gallery, then casino . So don’t know why you would have to walk through casino . Lots of chances to avoid it.

I thought the layout of the ship was awful. The theater was plain and ugly with uncomfortable chairs. The pool deck felt like it was squeezed in with deck chairs packed tightly side by side. Too many smoking areas. No big open grand feeling area. The atrium where most things were held was too small and just a weird place to hold movies being right next to guest services in the middle of the ship. The drink package didn’t include bottled waters or specialty coffee. The steak restaurant was dark and dated feeling and the food terrible. I’d swear my steak was precooked. I could go on but the 3rd quarter just started.

 

 

 

Can I ask you if you’re a smoker? I really think this ship is a smokers paradise.

Nope not ya smoker. The only thing I didn’t like was the casino . It seemed like it was spread out by the walk ways and not one big room . Other than that I liked it . Shows were great. Although I think the second city comedy show sucks!!! Not funny at all. The dueling pianos though fantastic.

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Tom66-

Theater lower level deck 6 you have to exit around Speigel Tent

Theater middle level largest most seats you must exit pass the narrow hallways in between O'Sheehans and Neighborhood Bar and you must keep walking and you must go through the casino to get out. Yes, there are 8 elevators outside the lounge which actually make it much more of a jam with people waiting for the elevators which makes it more difficult for others to leave the theatre.

Which would you pick? Traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids in a balcony stateroom.

 

We've sailed Elation once before. It's an older ship, but ok for our needs. 5 day trip going to Grand Turk and Mahogany Bay. Been to both ports, easy kids activities within walking distance.

 

--OR--

 

NCL Breakaway. Sailed NCL Epic and was thoroughly disappointed/unimpressed but that was right after a transatlantic with lots of crew changes, etc. And I know Epic is a love/hate ship... This is a 7 day going to St. Marteen, St. Thomas, Great Stirrup Cay. Been to St. Marteen and St. Thomas. Both have kids activities within driving distance. GSC I know is hit or miss with weather.

 

NCL is $900 more, but comes with drink package.

 

I like Carnival ports better, but I like the 7 days more than the 5 days. Also Platinum on CCL and just bronze on NCL, only benefit is laundry really. Is the Breakaway that amazing?

Carnival, every time. I would take the worst, most rusted ship in teh Carnival fleet over anything NCL has to offer.

Tom66-

 

 

 

Theater lower level deck 6 you have to exit around Speigel Tent

 

Theater middle level largest most seats you must exit pass the narrow hallways in between O'Sheehans and Neighborhood Bar and you must keep walking and you must go through the casino to get out. Yes, there are 8 elevators outside the lounge which actually make it much more of a jam with people waiting for the elevators which makes it more difficult for others to leave the theatre.

I’m just saying u don’t have to go through casino there are other ways out that’s all

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The complaints with the Breakaway sound very similar to my experience on the Epic. Darn. We cruised the Epic in the Haven as a last minute upsell and that experience made the trip. Even with the Haven cards, we waited for dining and only got into shows by having the concierge escort us. That isn't an option right now, but hopefully get another upsell..

Was hoping that was just an "Epic" thing or first cruise back in the US kind of thing. Got an amazing price with OBC through that competing cruise website but am hesitant. CCL has the best drink package hands down with the non-alcoholic drinks included.

I do agree that the Oasis class on Royal has ship layout down. That was great. Loved the spread out options.

CCL is by no means the 'best' line, but yeesh NCL is getting hammered here.

I’ve been on Breakaway 3 times , Great ship. Can’t beat free drink package. For me I would do Breakaway !!!

 

 

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A "free" package that has a mandatory cost of almost $100 isn't "free". :rolleyes:

A "free" package that has a mandatory cost of almost $100 isn't "free". :rolleyes:

Considering full cost of $79 or $89 pp per day it is basically free.

Agree. I have found on most bigger ships, crowds are a nightmare. Lines upon lines for everything. I think it’s a case of a certain population of cruisers feeling “It’s ok to stand in lines and do nothing, I am on a newer/bigger ship, so it’s worth it”. I will continue to have awesome vacations on the old “clunkers” while the others can make their cruise memories standing in line [emoji23]

Exactly!

Not to mention free speciality dining thrown in too. Have sailed the sister ships twice in the last couple years and the family loves them! Never felt crowded. We purchased Vibe passes and avoided the main pool area never ate in the MDR because their specialty dining is so outstanding. Many smaller more intimate dining and bar spaces were never crowded. loved the waterfront! Sailing Harmony of the Seas in a few weeks and feel that's what I will miss the most. Well that and all the cash out of my wallet for a similar experience given higher costs for two balcony staterooms and drink packages and dining packages... enjoy!

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