Norwegian Breakaway Latest Reviews not good

Lots of those look reviews look bogus to me...same thing, over and over again, very few post counts etc...

I remember a few years ago when there were 3 or 4, almost in a row that were obviously written by the same family. it was easy to pick up on that. this probably happens more than we realize.

We go on a cruise to enjoy our self, is it always perfect ? no, but neither is life, but we always have a great time. We read a lot of negative reviews about the Breakaway before we booked it for Oct 2nd 2016 but wanted to cruise with friends so we booked it anyways,so glad we did,and booked it again for Thanksgiving 2017.We had a great time even though the cruise was got short leaving Bermuda because of a Hurricane, dint matter we had a great time and loved the Breakaway.We heard of complains about smoke ,I'm a none smoker and can smell it a mile away, didn't bother me on the ship.( I guess i was having too much fun lol) anyway my point is I don't look at reviews anymore, I form my own opinion . We decide when we get up in the morning if we are going to have a good time or not. We always decide that having a good time is the better way to go

Marion

I was on that ship (post-storm cruise January 5-19). I do think people are being a bit ridiculous, though some grumbles about it are fair. I'll post an abbreviated pros and cons:

 

Cons:

-9/10 days at sea is a LONG time out of 14 days. Even on a big ship it can get boring.

-Even though we could board Friday night before the ship left NYC a day late, because it was in the pier, we had to pay taxes on drinks even with a UBP. This adds up in a day and a half between soda and alcohol.

-I do think that NCL wasn't totally transparent on not being able to make it to Aruba. I think we could have sailed faster but that missing a sea day would have really hurt NCL's bottom line. Of course, they could not have predicted that the medivac happened and that we would be shut out of Aruba altogether, but if we had steamed faster there it could have been saved. Or they could have tried to replace the port with something else.

-There was a lot of misinformation by staff about when/whether the water slides, ropes course, and rock wall would be open.

-Both embarkation and disembarkation were absolutely terrible and took about half a day. We had to reschedule our bus home twice because the line took hours. I do think NCL could have helped with this - they were calling multiple colors at once and kept the line backing up.

 

Pros:

-I think the amount of credit they gave us was quite generous and the future cruise credit was as well. By the end we had amassed a ton of credit and for a 14 day vacation barely had to pay for anything! We are definitely cruising with NCL again as we will save a ton of money due to the future cruise credit.

-Every time we spoke to Guest Services they were informative and helpful.

-Staff was amazing and cheerful despite having to work harder during the storm/post-storm and deal with additional guest complaints. Staff on Norwegian was really what made it for us.

-There were always back-up plans for when weather went unexpected. Never did I feel like staff was unprepared when plans changed.

-The facilities were excellent given that some of them took a beating on the storm. Nothing was musty,wet, etc.

 

Of course, I have my general pros and cons about food, entertainment, and ports that has nothing to do with the storm but I will post that in a general review. I think people were majorly overdramatic about the storm and while it did put a damper on a few things - and I think embarkation and disembarkation are really the only things where NCL could have done stuff differently - the storm wouldn't affect my decision to cruise NCL again. We probably wouldn't do the same ship/itinerary but that has more to do with personal preference.

I am on the Breakaway right now, and am having a great time....aside from the usual complaints from past passenger's about how they are getting 'less' now than previously, I have not heard of any serious complaints...

 

I have rather low expectations, and they have fulfilled all of them. I am however, looking forward to the Escape, and then the Bliss coming to NYC, for their design improvements, as well as some variety.

I agree, don't believe everything you read. Thanks for the link though, some of those reviews were laugh out loud ridiculous. I'll be on the Breakaway in March, I'll post a review. I have no worries and know I will have a great time.

 

Then why wait for the cruise? Post your review now. You are 'certain' you will have a great time so your review will have less credibility than the reviews you are calling ridiculous.

Luckily we haven’t experienced a BAD cruise with any of the cruises we have been on. We have missed a few ports because of weather issues, but it didn’t ruin the whole cruise. I look at the BEST parts of our cruises and let the not so great parts go by the wayside(not forgotten by any means). I always say if something happens it will become an adventure, and a great story to tell!!!

We were also on the Breakaway on that Jan 5, 14 day cruise, that missed Aruba. For some to just dismiss some bad things about the ship, some of it's crew,. and things in general as 'grumpy' posters is being pretty naïve. If some want to only see the positives, great for them, I envy you. But to just say things are perfect when they weren't, or just ignore them because they don't bother you, is, again, being a bit naïve.

We had a good cruise. I didn't come here to complain right after the cruise, but I did offer an honest assessment, the good with the bad. We had a good time. It wasn't our best cruise, but it wasn't our worst. For a person who walks with a cane, not to have a place to sit when you wander about the ship, or try and watch some of the entertainment, not in the theater, is pretty bad, if I do say so. Sorry, but the inside of the ship isn't made to accommodate all it's passengers, nd that was a big minus for me.

Cheers

Len

When reading reviews I always look for consistent pluses and minuses, not just good or bad reviews, and make my decisions based on those alone. Sometimes consistent bad or good reviews mark up or down for things that I don't really care about and I take that into consideration.

I am just disappointed that Cruise Critic eliminated the ability to "click" in number of reviews from a reviewer so that I can see whether the reviewer always complains or always compliment. I contacted Cruise Critic about this and never received a reply.

Howdy South Lyon. I used to hail from Brighton. Now in little ole' Fowlerville. :cool:

Then why wait for the cruise? Post your review now. You are 'certain' you will have a great time so your review will have less credibility than the reviews you are calling ridiculous.

 

Not sure why you felt that comment was necessary, but yes I am certain I will have a great time since I will be vacation. Literally, I can have a great time doing just about anything. Life is too short to not enjoy it and sweat the minor stuff, and yes to me all the negative reviewers obsess over minor inconveniences. But I am completely honest, and always post my actual thoughts and experiences. My reviews, here and on other travel sites, always reflect that. Sorry if you don't believe that.

We’re scheduled for our 3rd trip on the BA in March, we’ve also sailed in her sister ship the Getaway. We totally agree with you, the BA is not perfect, atrium is too small, not enough pool area, etc...But you can’t beat the price out of NYC, we’re booked for barely $2k which includes UBP and prepaid tips. It’s all what you make of it, go with the flow and have a great time!!!

 

I'm about to take my 4th trip on the BA in March, going on when you're getting off. I agree with the Atrium being too small, but we get there super early for seats and just play cards or read until the show starts. My only disappointment is I've heard that Fat Cats is closed and we loved that place. Other than that we love the BA.

Was also starting to get concerned about our March cruise on the BA.

 

But I also know that it’s not unusual to hear more complaints than good.

 

In the end, it’s what you make if it with realistic expectations.

 

Although it’s good to hear opinions from various points of view.

 

 

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This will be our first trip on the Breakaway, and only our 2nd cruise. Our first was last year on the Dawn out of Boston. We absolutely loved the Dawn and didn't have any complaints. But everything I am readying about the BA (I am assuming that stands for Breakaway) has me thinking maybe we should have went with a smaller boat like the Dawn again.

When reading reviews I always look for consistent pluses and minuses, not just good or bad reviews, and make my decisions based on those alone. Sometimes consistent bad or good reviews mark up or down for things that I don't really care about and I take that into consideration.

 

 

Completely agree. We are booked on the Epic in March and there are so many negative things written about her. I researched as much as I could find and decided I don’t care about weird bathrooms or how the ship is “difficult to navigate” and some of the other things. I like so much more about the ship than the cons people have posted. Super excited!

 

And I’ve never understood those who complain about the food not meeting expectations. They put out such an extraordinary about of food on a daily basis that I guess I don’t go to every meal expecting it to be the best place I’ve ever eaten. Yes, raw is inexcusable. But just good food, not crazy good food? I’m ok with that. But on vacation I’m just happy to not be at work! [emoji4]

 

 

 

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Then why wait for the cruise? Post your review now. You are 'certain' you will have a great time so your review will have less credibility than the reviews you are calling ridiculous.

What a rude comment.

Cognitive bias works both ways.

 

 

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We were also on the Breakaway on that Jan 5, 14 day cruise, that missed Aruba. For some to just dismiss some bad things about the ship, some of it's crew,. and things in general as 'grumpy' posters is being pretty naïve. If some want to only see the positives, great for them, I envy you. But to just say things are perfect when they weren't, or just ignore them because they don't bother you, is, again, being a bit naïve.

We had a good cruise. I didn't come here to complain right after the cruise, but I did offer an honest assessment, the good with the bad. We had a good time. It wasn't our best cruise, but it wasn't our worst. For a person who walks with a cane, not to have a place to sit when you wander about the ship, or try and watch some of the entertainment, not in the theater, is pretty bad, if I do say so. Sorry, but the inside of the ship isn't made to accommodate all it's passengers, nd that was a big minus for me.

Cheers

Len

No one is claiming it was or is perfect and no people are not that naive. What many are saying is; learn to enjoy life and don't let little things turn into big issues because you want perfection. After a storm there may be hang ups; you might even see a few cranky crew members. They are going through or have gone through a stressful time, but look at the bright side.

Reading some of the comments....the vast majority seem cogent, well-written, and fair. Unlike the swarm of NCL fan boys/girls (employees?, stockholders?) who seem to instantly show up (do you work?) to denounce everyone as a whiner.

This will be our first trip on the Breakaway, and only our 2nd cruise. Our first was last year on the Dawn out of Boston. We absolutely loved the Dawn and didn't have any complaints. But everything I am readying about the BA (I am assuming that stands for Breakaway) has me thinking maybe we should have went with a smaller boat like the Dawn again.

This year will be the first time I'm on one of the mega ships, the Breakaway, because I've always sailed the smaller ships and love them. In reading the current reviews, they are from those that had bad weather and they are inundating the review section and FB with negative posts in an effort to force NCL to give them refunds, so as far as I'm conerned, those reviews don't even come into play when looking at this ship. If you want a truer picture, go back to reviews that were posted before the cruise that went through the storm.

This year will be the first time I'm on one of the mega ships, the Breakaway, because I've always sailed the smaller ships and love them. In reading the current reviews, they are from those that had bad weather and they are inundating the review section and FB with negative posts in an effort to force NCL to give them refunds, so as far as I'm conerned, those reviews don't even come into play when looking at this ship. If you want a truer picture, go back to reviews that were posted before the cruise that went through the storm.

 

 

I have been reading quite a bit about it, and I do realize that many have written about going through the storm (which is why we wait for winter to be over to go on our cruises personally) But with it being our first time on a Mega ship as well I am a little worried. I do always try to see things positively.

I have been reading quite a bit about it, and I do realize that many have written about going through the storm (which is why we wait for winter to be over to go on our cruises personally) But with it being our first time on a Mega ship as well I am a little worried. I do always try to see things positively.

I'm a little apprehensive being my first time on a mega ship, not because of the service, food, etc., but because there will be so many passengers on the ship. I'll give it a try and if I don't find the cruise as enjoyable as the ships I like (Pearl, Jewel, Dawn), then I just shy away from the bigger ships and stick with the smaller ships.

 

I notice that folks can be on the same cruise, but their reviews have totally different tones. One will say the crew was grumpy and another will say the crew was fantastic, I think the old adage might apply here; you get back what you give, so I really never worry about the crew. The good thing for me, is that I'm not that passengers who will go to the atrium to see a show, so that won't be an issue. It is just the darn crowds that will bother me.

I'm a little apprehensive being my first time on a mega ship, not because of the service, food, etc., but because there will be so many passengers on the ship. I'll give it a try and if I don't find the cruise as enjoyable as the ships I like (Pearl, Jewel, Dawn), then I just shy away from the bigger ships and stick with the smaller ships.

 

I notice that folks can be on the same cruise, but their reviews have totally different tones. One will say the crew was grumpy and another will say the crew was fantastic, I think the old adage might apply here; you get back what you give, so I really never worry about the crew. The good thing for me, is that I'm not that passengers who will go to the atrium to see a show, so that won't be an issue. It is just the darn crowds that will bother me.

 

 

We are traveling with our 2 daughters, so if I were to bet, the probability of sitting for a show would be slim. I see myself and them spending a lot of time on the slides and pool/other children friendly areas. But I think like you stated the amount of people is more or less my largest concern,

When we were on the Dawn last year it didn't seem like that many people at all. (thankfully)

Having sailed the BA just 4 times, I would say, IMHO - the only time that the darn atrium lobby & area surround O'Sheehan's get serious packed & overcrowded is - during the mandatory life boat/evac muster drill on embarkation day, if your "station" is assigned there. I had pictures of the madness with the crowd right after the "dismissal" (in prior reviews) - there had to be easily 800 to 1,000 guests combined together on both deck. Getting into the elevators was a nightmare or even thru to the Fwd staircases for crowd dispersal - if we're to conduct our quarterly fire drills on land in our workplace as required, it would be written up as a fire/safety hazard, far exceeding the optimal public assembly/occupancy level for any sort of gathering.

 

Our Halloween BA cruise took us to the Manhattan MDR for the assembly station & muster drill, and, that was far better & more civilized, several hundreds inside with much, much more elbow rooms & chairs to sit while everyone waited.

 

If the reviews are for the Bliss, I would probably give more "weight" to some of the "negatives" but the BA isn't a brand new ship - it's been doing milky runs in & out of NYC since 2013, almost 5 years - some of the "complaints" and concerns" aren't nothing new, been well known & established, and written up by CC'er over & over, i.e. pool & deck space, smoking, lack of indoor space, etc. etc.

 

Food opinions are almost entirely personal & highly subjective in nature, but I don't need to bring a digital food thermometer to say that entrees are served just warm, especially in the MDR - even with the cover on ... as it sat in the gallery under those heat lamp.

 

Imagine if legacy US airline passengers are just as vocal about flying coach these days with all their nickels & dimes ... well, United the once "Friendly Skies" apparently backpeddled & learned that fare paying customers just "buying" some of the latest no-frills trick.

I have been reading quite a bit about it, and I do realize that many have written about going through the storm (which is why we wait for winter to be over to go on our cruises personally) But with it being our first time on a Mega ship as well I am a little worried. I do always try to see things positively.

 

A few years ago my dh and I cruised on the Jewel. While we enjoyed it, it wasn't a cruise that made us say "lets cruise again". Two years ago I saw a great deal on the BA and thought let's give it another try. Best decision ever made. Hands down we love mega ships and now want to cruise on every vacation. We cruised on the BA again last year and I was afraid it wasn't going to compare to our other cruise, I was wrong. We still found new things to do as well as doing the things we enjoyed the year before. Not every ship is for every person. Is everything perfect, maybe not but to us it was. We are scheduled to sail on the Getaway this summer, may change due to itinerary change, and can't wait. Last thing I'll say is I never would cruise out of NY in the winter, too many things can spoil your cruise.

I'm going on my fifth BA cruise in 2 days.

 

The only time it seemed really crowded and we couldn't get seats in the atrium was when there was a very large (50%?) non-American group of people who only did the "included" things. We never saw them anywhere if they had to spend additional $$$...and that included the casino.

Personally, I've sailed the Breakaway 3 times so far, including her maiden voyage out of NYC when she was brand spanking new. The first cruise was in a minisuite, and the other 2 were in Haven Spa suites. I always have enjoyed the ship. Yes, she has certain problems with her layout that can make the ship seem very crowded, as the mega ships seem to have focused their size increase on space for more passengers than in space for passenger activities. Still, the ship always has a fun vibe, good to great food, and excellent entertainment. I feel bad for those on the bomb cyclone sailing as I'm sure they had a rough voyage, but that's all a part of being at sea. One of my favorite memories of sailing on the Breakaway was that first voyage, when we sailed through a violent thunderstorm. Well I plopped myself on a chair on that tiny balcony and watched nature in all her glory, with lightning bolts coming down and slamming into the water and the ozone infused air making me feel a little drunk on the whole experience. Nasty weather? I guess, but I went and had a few drinks and felt none the worse for wear.

We'll be sailing on the Breakaway again in April, on her 12 day transatlantic sailing. Going in an oceanview this time (have a bid in for a balcony upgrade, root for me!). Since my retirement I'm trying to spend less so I can sail more if you know what I mean. I canst wait for that one, even though I now the North Sea can get rough. It's not my first transatlantic, but that was on the QM2, and that ship laughs at the weather. [emoji6] I've got my spa pass and UBP so I'm good. Europe, here we come!

 

 

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