Breakaway Review -- New to NCL

[DisneyGuy15]

My family and I were on the BA to Bermuda from 7/28 – 8/4. We were new to NCL and after reading many posts on this forum were not sure what our experience would be like. We’ve cruised RCL and Disney numerous times and have enjoyed both. There were some things about the ship that were troublesome for us but the overall experience was extremely positive.

 

Many comments about the staff being rude and/or unaccommodating was something that we did not find. There were 2 specific individuals who were less than pleasant but that was all. Every other staff member was smiling, helpful, polite and always had a nice word for my children or me.

 

The food was quite enjoyable. We ate in specialty as well as the comp dining rooms and found the food to be very good. The wait staff was great. Our 4 year old a has limited menu and they made sure to get him whatever he wanted and got his food before our main dishes came out. One problem that I had with the restaurants and the ‘freestyle’ idea was that it really isn’t freestyle. Yes, you’re free to choose the time, place and clothes to wear but if you don’t make reservations early you could be waiting for some time. If you are out on excursions and exploring the island, you are not sure when you will be back or when you want to eat 4 days in advance and that made it difficult to find a place (other than the Garden Café). However, this was only 1 out of the 7 nights for dinner and we ended up waiting 10 minutes for a table in Savor. The other issue was that the dining rooms had to prepare tables for odd numbered parties. As a party of 5, we had to wait or sit at a table really for 4 and an extra seat at the end of the table.

 

The entertainment was good but we are used to major shows for most, if not all, of the nights on board. Yes, I know that there are entertainers in many venues, but not everyone wants to listen to the 70’s stylings of Fire and Ice. Plus, many of the shows were running simultaneously. The cruise staff was exceptional. Julie, the cruise director, and her staff were great. Always full of energy and lasting until after 1 am while keeping the crowds partying.

 

New to the mega ship, it was a bit much for us. I’m not saying that we couldn’t get everywhere or do everything that we wanted to. The size of the ship really just took away from the rooms and, as you have all read, balconies. We had 2 balcony rooms that had the door outside opened so we passed through the balcony to get to the other room. 678 Ocean Place was annoying. I don’t like that we had to get around the shops or casino to get from 1 end of the boat to another. It was not helpful to have only 2 banks of elevators on this ship, due to 678. Was it terrible, no. Did it ruin my vacation, absolutely not. It’s just a design that really doesn’t work well.

 

Will I travel NCL again? Without a doubt we would! They are a high quality cruise line the trip was great and we had a wonderful time. We will most likely still cruise Disney and RCL but NCL is a great choice for us. The Breakaway is a great ship with design issues, but we would still travel her another time if the chance comes around.

[JuneauWhatIMean]

Thank you for the review!

[OnTheGoMom921]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise! Thank you for your review!!

[Highboy90]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing. My turn on the Breakaway in 3 weeks. :)

[Ms.Eva]

Thanks for your review. I agree with you about the entertainment though, and that the mega ship just was too much; too crowded, but then again that may have been because I was on during the Fourth of July holiday, so that could have been an issue.

[BruinsFan08]

678 Ocean Place was annoying. I don’t like that we had to get around the shops or casino to get from 1 end of the boat to another. It was not helpful to have only 2 banks of elevators on this ship, due to 678. Was it terrible, no. Did it ruin my vacation, absolutely not. It’s just a design that really doesn’t work well.

 

Hey DisneyGuy, I am split on 678. I agree that plopping the casino in the middle of everything is distracting, especially with the great "smoke" debate. I really wish that it wasn't in the middle of 678. My guess is that they see an uptick in gambling with that design. But, I loved the 678 concept and having most of the restaurants and bars in one area to add a fun vibe. Was there anything that you didn't like other than the casino?

[Fins2theleft]

Thanks for the review and thoughts.

[newcruiser48]

Thanks for your perspective. I'm going with an open mind, but I can understand where you're coming from.

[DisneyGuy15]

Hey DisneyGuy, I am split on 678. I agree that plopping the casino in the middle of everything is distracting, especially with the great "smoke" debate. I really wish that it wasn't in the middle of 678. My guess is that they see an uptick in gambling with that design. But, I loved the 678 concept and having most of the restaurants and bars in one area to add a fun vibe. Was there anything that you didn't like other than the casino?

 

Hi Bruins --

 

I just didn't like having to navigate through all of the people to go from FWD to AFT. I get why it was done, either you see the art work (don't waste your money) the casino or the shops and bars. NCL wants you to spend some more money and the best way is to force you to pass through the $ venues. Again, this did not stop us from having a great time. We were part of a group of 18 and always kept busy.

[shepherdqueen]

Thank you for your very fair review. We are "on the fence" about the Breakaway, so I am reading everyone's perspectives.

[sjnyc323]

Thanks for sharing

 

Suzanne

[BruinsFan08]

Hi Bruins --

 

I just didn't like having to navigate through all of the people to go from FWD to AFT. I get why it was done, either you see the art work (don't waste your money) the casino or the shops and bars. NCL wants you to spend some more money and the best way is to force you to pass through the $ venues. Again, this did not stop us from having a great time. We were part of a group of 18 and always kept busy.

 

Yeah that makes sense. I was focusing on the Casino, but now that you mention it, it was that way on all the decks with the shops or casino breaking up the 678 central area. I really do like the concept though, hopefully they tweak it on the BA Plus ships. Glad you had fun on it, we did too.

[NYGirl1002]

Thanks for taking the time to write this review. I enjoyed reading it.

[bingo3]

Thanks for your review. This will be our first cruise on NCL as well, having cruised 3 times on RCL and twice on Carnival. We are the oppposite in that we prefer the larger ships and have outgrown the pool scene, so don't care that they are crowded, Ha! I think anyone could find pros and cons for any ship on any line. And we can't expect them to all be the same or do things the same way. That's why there are choices. I am looking forward to this cruise and will also go with an open mind as you did. I know we will love it!:D