Anyone just off the Breakaway?

Was wondering if anyone has just sailed on the Breakaway the last couple of weeks? Would love to hear your thoughts on the comedy club, shows, activities, music, and if you got to visit Great Stirup Caye? Thanks.

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Also did anyone do the Escape room? What did you think?

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Friends of ours are on the 12 day sailing right now and made it to Great Stirrup Cay. We are on the next sailing and I have fingers that we make it there.

I will ask her about the shows when I message her tomorrow.

Also did anyone do the Escape room? What did you think?

 

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I didn’t know they had an escape room. My hubs would LOVE this. Can’t wait to tell him.

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Was wondering if anyone has just sailed on the Breakaway the last couple of weeks? Would love to hear your thoughts on the comedy club, shows, activities, music, and if you got to visit Great Stirup Caye? Thanks.

 

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Just off today!

We are superfans of Rock of Ages and Howl at the Moon - loved them as usual (our third Breakaway cruise)

Comedians and Howl at the Moon and many other entertainers rotate on and off - as short as one cruise for many, or just a few. So don't expect any continuity except Rock of Ages (6 month contracts), Burn the Floor, and Arvin and Emily, to repeat my joke, who I think may be glued to the Atrium floor.

Good reaction to the comedians overall. Howl at the moon was great. Two were leaving, Rachel is on through early January. Tell her hello from her cat people fans.

We had a magician with a good set of shows, but he left today as well. Feature singers generally change often.

The pool band was Soulful Pleasure - and Leo, the male lead singers, with the musicians, are the best pool band and reggae I have ever heard. And I love reggae.

We did get to GSC... lovely day. What do you want to know?

How warm was the weather in Florida GSC and Nassau? Could you order a la carte at Margarrietiville? Did you use the thermal spa?

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Also, did you try the Escape room?

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How warm was the weather in Florida GSC and Nassau? Could you order a la carte at Margarrietiville? Did you use the thermal spa?

 

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We had strangely warm weather for the first day at sea... then, it was cooler than usual in Florida and GSC. High 70s, maybe it got to 80 or 82 on GSC. Next day was Nassau, the best day of the trip at about 85. Nice. Our next day at sea was okay, about 80 and pleasant. Then it went downhill and underground. A massive cold front delivered 40-50mph winds and rough seas for the next 3 port days, in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. Rainly at Ocho Rios. And it continued on that way until back, through the Bahamas, past Florida, and NC, and to New York. Everyone had to make the best of it but the weather stunk most of the time. A fluke though. This rarely happens and it rarely lasts more than 2 or 3 days.

No spa use, no Escape room.

We did go to Margaritaville, trying to be hungry as it is still $15 cover charge. You get a appetizer, entree and dessert. And each portion is huge. The food was high quality, but way too much! Nobody finished their food. A shame. It really needs to be a la carte. My margarita was NOT the best one I had on the ship. The watermelon margarita was not watermelon puree, it was a syrup and it just tasted like sugar.

The escape room is a fun distraction (even though our team wasn't very good at solving the clues). And it is free (compared to other cruise lines).

I‘m also just off the ship and really enjoyed the comedians. I personally liked them much more than second city. Rock of ages was great as always.

Margaritaville, as mentioned, was still with the cover. We ate there because we wanted to eat outside for lunch. I also agree that the margaritas were not the best on the ship. They tasted like they had artificial sugar. I do not remember that from last year.

Were you able to reserve seats to each of the comedians shows or did you have to go on a wait list to get in? Did they have these shows each night?

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There was a range of comedy on board, but we only saw three shows. (Note: no need to reserve). We often find cruise ship comedy crude with more than necessary foul language – that was not the case on BA that seemed to strike a good balance in adult humor. Burn the Floor was tremendous, but Rock of Ages included crude acts that detracted from the show. Howl at the Moon was an awesome mix of great music and interwoven comedy – Rachael, Steve & Tom really blended together quite well.

GSC was the best day of the cruise! We caught the first Tender (after the crew) and were able to secure well shaded loungers for the day. Note: Book your tenders as soon as you can for the best excursion. Food, drinks and music were all great; the water was cool, but very swimmable.

We did do the Escape Room, which was fairly challenging; our team only got about half of the clues…watch out for red herrings. We also did “Wine Lovers the Musical,” which was well worth the price of admission even if you have the UBP. Here again, book this early if you want to attend. While the music in the blues club (FatCats) was good, it was much louder than necessary, which detracted from the experience.

We booked excursions at Costa Maya and Grand Cayman Island, but missed the former when the ship was redirected to Cozumel due to an on-board medical emergency, and cancelled the latter after boarding the cruise bus when the tour operator attempted to get everyone to sign an ‘open-ended’ waiver because the water was extremely rough at the beach (NOT swimmable) and it was raining. We refused to sign and suggested if conditions were so bad, they should cancel. They refused at first and would not agree to a refund. When we pressed them they relented and agreed to allow us to cancel and NLC readily agreed. Point: Stand your ground if something is not right. Your excursion contract is with NCL, not the operator.

We did not go to Margaritaville except for breakfast (complimentary) on one of the better sea days. Pretty much every time we went by there, it was >75% empty. There is plenty of great food elsewhere on the ship and you can get the same drinks anywhere so why pay $15?

More to follow when I get my review together. Happy sailing!

I am sailing on Breakaway next July on a Northern European itinerary - I believe she is going in for a 'minor' dry dock in April - is she needing TLC in terms of wear and tear on furniture and carpets etc? I understand it's not an old ship by any means and believe the dry dock is mostly technical with some cosmetic touch ups on high wear areas such as carpets and soft furnishings.

I suspect the shows and activities might change for the different itinerary and given it's 7 months away but the ship itself will still be in broadly the same condition.

Thanks for your thoughts and details of your experience all.

there was a range of comedy on board, but we only saw three shows. (note: No need to reserve). We often find cruise ship comedy crude with more than necessary foul language – that was not the case on ba that seemed to strike a good balance in adult humor. Burn the floor was tremendous, but rock of ages included crude acts that detracted from the show. howl at the moon was an awesome mix of great music and interwoven comedy – rachael, steve & tom really blended together quite well.

 

 

Gsc was the best day of the cruise! We caught the first tender (after the crew) and were able to secure well shaded loungers for the day. Note: Book your tenders as soon as you can for the best excursion. Food, drinks and music were all great; the water was cool, but very swimmable.

 

 

We did do the escape room, which was fairly challenging; our team only got about half of the clues…watch out for red herrings. We also did “wine lovers the musical,” which was well worth the price of admission even if you have the ubp. Here again, book this early if you want to attend. While the music in the blues club (fatcats) was good, it was much louder than necessary, which detracted from the experience.

 

 

We booked excursions at costa maya and grand cayman island, but missed the former when the ship was redirected to cozumel due to an on-board medical emergency, and cancelled the latter after boarding the cruise bus when the tour operator attempted to get everyone to sign an ‘open-ended’ waiver because the water was extremely rough at the beach (not swimmable) and it was raining. We refused to sign and suggested if conditions were so bad, they should cancel. They refused at first and would not agree to a refund. When we pressed them they relented and agreed to allow us to cancel and nlc readily agreed. Point: Stand your ground if something is not right. Your excursion contract is with ncl, not the operator.

 

 

we did not go to margaritaville except for breakfast (complimentary) on one of the better sea days. Pretty much every time we went by there, it was >75% empty. There is plenty of great food elsewhere on the ship and you can get the same drinks anywhere so why pay $15?

more to follow when i get my review together. Happy sailing!

what band was playing in fat cats?

what band was playing in fat cats?

On our Oct. 22 cruise it was Charlie Love & the Silky Smooth Band.

On our Oct. 22 cruise it was Charlie Love & the Silky Smooth Band.

Thank you very much, I saw them before and they're not one of my favorites. Hope someone else is there in March.

what band was playing in fat cats?

And still was last week.

I am sailing on Breakaway next July on a Northern European itinerary - I believe she is going in for a 'minor' dry dock in April - is she needing TLC in terms of wear and tear on furniture and carpets etc? I understand it's not an old ship by any means and believe the dry dock is mostly technical with some cosmetic touch ups on high wear areas such as carpets and soft furnishings.

 

I suspect the shows and activities might change for the different itinerary and given it's 7 months away but the ship itself will still be in broadly the same condition.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and details of your experience all.

I believe carpet and soft furnishing are often updated during cruises. I have seen carpeting being done in some area on nearly every one of my 8 cruises. I have seen mattresses being changed and they have an onboard crew that repairs wall damage and similar kinds of wear and tear. I generally found her to be in good condition. The only thing I noticed is that many theater seats are worn and need replacing.

I believe carpet and soft furnishing are often updated during cruises. I have seen carpeting being done in some area on nearly every one of my 8 cruises. I have seen mattresses being changed and they have an onboard crew that repairs wall damage and similar kinds of wear and tear. I generally found her to be in good condition. The only thing I noticed is that many theater seats are worn and need replacing.

Thanks - I must have sleep-walked through my last 13 cruises as not once have I seen carpet being replaced, or mattresses for that matter. I have seen the usual hull painting and other light maintenance work but nothing in terms of 'refurbishment' whilst on an active cruise. Not to say it doesn't happen, just that I've probably been perched at the bar all the while it's been going on. ;)

Glad she is in good condition - hopefully the April dry dock will fix the theatre seats.

This is kind of funny. I was up early and walked through Maltings to look out the Starboard side, and took note of the pastries and coffee that were set out there to bring back to the sleeping family. After looking over the rail a bit, I turned around to walk back in and the glass door was disabled. Hand sensor was red. Hmm. Walked around to the forward stair, and into the elevator hall, and whoops: there is a wall. No going further on Deck 8 from the forward elevators.

About 5pm, we dressed for dinner and headed toward the elevators (our cabin on deck 8 also) and the wall was now gone, with a carpet crew trying to quickly wrap up the last of their work. All the Carpet in that area from elevators to the Atrium was replaced. I remember seeing the same thing on Breakaway in 2015, and on Carnival or RCCL I recall a cabin hallway getting new carpet. That was a trick!

Thanks - I must have sleep-walked through my last 13 cruises as not once have I seen carpet being replaced, or mattresses for that matter. I have seen the usual hull painting and other light maintenance work but nothing in terms of 'refurbishment' whilst on an active cruise. Not to say it doesn't happen, just that I've probably been perched at the bar all the while it's been going on. ;)

 

Glad she is in good condition - hopefully the April dry dock will fix the theatre seats.

I was on the Breakaway about a year and a half ago and the crew was working on replacing some tiling near the Haven area by the elevators while the ship was embarking. My mom was with me and she had cancer. While waiting for an elevator to take us to our cabin the smell of the glue took her under quickly (one of my scariest moments) and she came close to passing out. I thank God that some of the passengers and an officer quickly helped. The officer escorted us to our cabin and opened up the balcony doors and stayed with us until he knew she was going to be okay. He did immediately call to have fans put out on the floor so that we could go back to the Haven area and then asked the butler to check on her and then check out the area to make sure the smell was gone. I was happy with the quick response but a little puzzled that NCL would allow that kind of tiling and smell with passengers (and crew!) and no fans. It was my last vacation with mom and I have to say NCL took very good care of her.

Wow! Glad they handled that well at least.

Just off today!

 

We are superfans of Rock of Ages and Howl at the Moon - loved them as usual (our third Breakaway cruise)

 

Comedians and Howl at the Moon and many other entertainers rotate on and off - as short as one cruise for many, or just a few. So don't expect any continuity except Rock of Ages (6 month contracts), Burn the Floor, and Arvin and Emily, to repeat my joke, who I think may be glued to the Atrium floor.

 

Good reaction to the comedians overall. Howl at the moon was great. Two were leaving, Rachel is on through early January. Tell her hello from her cat people fans.

 

We had a magician with a good set of shows, but he left today as well. Feature singers generally change often.

 

The pool band was Soulful Pleasure - and Leo, the male lead singers, with the musicians, are the best pool band and reggae I have ever heard. And I love reggae.

 

We did get to GSC... lovely day. What do you want to know?

Love Howl at the Moon!.

the best performer that I have seen in that show on the Breakaway, was in January of 2016...her name was Elisa, IIRC, and her rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", on the fiddle, brought the house down....she was also a good singer, and did a good job on the drums....wish she came back....:)

Wow! Glad they handled that well at least.

Yes they did...it should not have happened....someone should have had a clue that the strong glue smell would be a problem and the fans should have been out there at the very least for the workers. I was terrified and calling out help help when I noticed her going down....but you have 2 choices..you can dwell on it and let it define the cruise or say wow ok this happened it was wrong...but it happened and people came to help and the situation was immediately taken care of and the butler visited us a few times that night to let us know the smell had dissipated....we enjoyed and that is all that matters. Life is too short to hang on to the negative.

Yes they did...it should not have happened....someone should have had a clue that the strong glue smell would be a problem and the fans should have been out there at the very least for the workers. I was terrified and calling out help help when I noticed her going down....but you have 2 choices..you can dwell on it and let it define the cruise or say wow ok this happened it was wrong...but it happened and people came to help and the situation was immediately taken care of and the butler visited us a few times that night to let us know the smell had dissipated....we enjoyed and that is all that matters. Life is too short to hang on to the negative.

It's good they managed to turn that situation around, but you're right, it shouldn't have happened. How many threads have there been on CC asking people to go easy on perfume etc. as it triggers people in the dining rooms and theatre etc. - a stronger smell like tile glue and doing that kind of work while passengers are boarding was a poorly considered decision. Glad you had a good cruise overall.