timcar Posted September 1, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I just got off the Breakaway this morning, and I will add my review to the many reviews already. Traveling with myself was my husband and 2 children 13 and 11. This was our 5th cruise together and our first on a megaship. We live in central NJ and got to the pier about 10:45, we boarded about 11:30, we immediately went to O'Sheehan's for lunch and got our chicken wing and mozzarella fix. We then went up to check out the rock wall and slides, etc. I can't remember what time the rooms were ready but I think around 1ish. We had a balcony room and after reading all the reviews of the balconies, we didn't find it all that bad. The rock wall, ropes course, spider thing and trampoline bungee were open at certain times during the day and evening, so check out the Freestyle daily every day. There were very long lines for ropes course, rock wall and bungee, BUT if you keep checking back, you will hit it sometimes where there is a very short line. Especially the last sea day, the ropes course was open from 10 to 7, at 10 the line was up the stairs to the basketball court, we went at around 1 that day and there were about 10 people in front of us. The ropes course is so much fun! And yes, I did walk the plank! It really was not that bad and I am terrified of heights. The bungee trampoline line usually stopped taking kids about 1 hour before the close time, so plan accordingly. The rock wall could have been manned with a couple more guys to make the line go quicker. The slides were fun, the purple slide hurts more on your back than the yellow one. I didn't do the free fall since I wasn't able to get my wedding ring off, NO jewelry is allowed on this ride at all! We didn't do any specialty restaurants so can't comment on that. We had absolutely no wait time for the Taste, Savor or Manhattan room. The first few days, we were never told the chefs special (didn't even know there was one) but after we found out about it, they were the better meals. The jerk chicken chef special was awesome! They had a prime rib night at O'Sheehan's on Tuesday and my husband ate there by himself, but later in the week, they had prime rib at the other restauarants. The desserts were just okay. The Garden Cafe seemed to have a better variety most nights and we may have thought about eating there, but we like to sit down and be served. :) I don't know who suggested the Uptown Grill on here, but this place is awesome! Not too many people know about this, but they have some egg sandwiches for breakfast and you can even get an omelet made there without dealing with the lines in the Garden Cafe. my kids would get their breakfast and head upstairs to sit and eat, very quiet and nice. This was especially helpful on port days, as the buffet crowds were crazy! We loved Rock of Ages, and even took the kids, we didn't think it was that inappropriate for our kids. Burn the Floor was nice, but I could have done without it. There are a few different Second City shows, we went to the improv one, it was okay. We didn't mind the card being used to turn the lights on, although, we had to get security to our room because there was someone else's card in our slot. Supposedly the room steward used someone's card from another room and thought it was his "dummy key card" that he uses when he cleans the room. We went to the Ice bar the last night, it was pretty cool :p and now off my bucket list. I was a little worried about freezing in there as I only had on shorts and flip flops under the cape, but it was bearable for the 1/2 hour we were in there. Fireworks were awesome, I thought that Spice H2O would be too crowded but if you walk further in and away from the doors, it is not that bad at all. We liked the party afterward and the party on Thursday night but the farewell party was lame, there were only a handful of people in there. My daughter spent a bit of time in the kids club and had fun, although she didn't like that if she signed herself in, she was "trapped" there for 2 hours. They wouldn't let her sign herself out unless she spent 2 hours in there. My son didn't care for his club too much, I think there is too big of an age difference, the club is for 13 to 17 year olds and he just turned 13 so was one of the younger ones. Overall, my kids and I had a great time, it didn't feel any more crowded than some of the smaller ships I have been on. And I would cruise it again. If you have any questions, ask away. And if I think of anything else, I will add to this. Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeriToT Posted September 1, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Thanks for the review! I too am from Central NJ (woot woot!), and very much enjoyed reading your tips about omelets at the Uptown Grill (now I know where we'll go for breakfast!) and the sports deck timing. Our cruise is in two weeks, and I'm curious: did you happen to keep your Freestyle Dailies? If so, just wondering if you'd be able to post them. Thanks again for the review and tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattycakes Posted September 1, 2013 #3 Share Posted September 1, 2013 you can use any card to keep the lights on if you want to charge your ipad or whatever while out of the room -- I used my AAA card for those times. The room steward has a cardboard cutout. Deck 8 on the Boardwalk is a great alternative to watch the fireworks without the crowds. The Boardwalk is the best part of the ship :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noshoobie Posted September 2, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Would love to hear your thoughts about Bermuda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karoo Posted September 2, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks for your great review-not that you can answer my question, but I thought I would ask anyway. Nearly every review for the Breakaway I have read, people seem to get to the port around 10-10:30. Is embarking time earlier on the Breakaway -not the usual noon. I'm definitely not someone who likes to wait in lines or alternatively have to wait in an area to board. If we went later -around 1-1:30pm do you think the wait time/lines would be much quicker? I guess I'm wondering on the Breakaway what would be the best time to embark to avoid lines and wait time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdvmd Posted September 2, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks for the great review! I am scared of heights so it is admirable to hear that you still did the plank! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highboy90 Posted September 2, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thank you for taking the time to write a review Donna. I agree that the Uptown Grill was a nice place to grab a bite to eat. Did so on a few occasions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunchmomd Posted September 2, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 2, 2013 By any chance do you know what the menu is for ocean blue on the waterfront? I know they have lobster rolls, but any other info? Great review, btw, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timcar Posted September 2, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Would love to hear your thoughts about Bermuda. We love Bermuda! Bought the 2 day bus/ferry pass on wed and took the ferry to St George. We walked to Tobacco Bay and snorkeled. The kids didn't care for it too much since they like big waves and this beach is very calm. We then walked to Alexandria Battery Beach to look for sea glass, it was plentiful there! Took the bus to Horseshoe Bay, it was beautiful! The waves were big, my kids had a blast. The day we went, the sand was blowing and we got caught in a rain storm, it cleared out the beach. Friday, we just hung out at the pier and did a little shopping then went back on the boat for ropes course, however got rained out after being harnessed up. Oh well. I recommend the bus/ferry pass to get around, the 2 day is $25 pp, half price for kids. I think the 3 day is $35pp. They only take cash and I think travelers checks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timcar Posted September 2, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted September 2, 2013 By any chance do you know what the menu is for ocean blue on the waterfront? I know they have lobster rolls, but any other info? Great review, btw, I don't know what they have, except for crispy calamari. They were only open at certain times which was a little disappointing as I would have gotten the calamari in the middle of the day. I think if you search for the menu, you can find it on cc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timcar Posted September 2, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks for your great review-not that you can answer my question, but I thought I would ask anyway.Nearly every review for the Breakaway I have read, people seem to get to the port around 10-10:30. Is embarking time earlier on the Breakaway -not the usual noon. I'm definitely not someone who likes to wait in lines or alternatively have to wait in an area to board. If we went later -around 1-1:30pm do you think the wait time/lines would be much quicker? I guess I'm wondering on the Breakaway what would be the best time to embark to avoid lines and wait time. They started boarding at 11:15, when we got to the pier, there was no line at all to get our room cards, but as we were boarding around 11:30, the lines were starting to build just to check in. I would probably shoot for getting to the pier at about 10-10:30. Maybe someone could give you a better answer about the wait time around 1. It really was not all that bad waiting, besides, we wanted to get a quick sit down lunch and start having fun! We also never got stopped for the corkage fee for the one bottle of wine we brought on. I never cruised NCL, and I think there is supposed to be a table to pay for it, but we didn't see it nor were we directed to a table. To be honest, since I wasn't carrying the bottle, I completely forgot about it and the fee we were supposed to pay. The room steward never "tagged" us for it either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattycakes Posted September 2, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I met someone who got to the Pier about 1:30 and encountered no lines. I guess it depends on if your fellow cruisers are early or late arrivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibcnusoon Posted September 2, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 2, 2013 We also never got stopped for the corkage fee for the one bottle of wine we brought on. I never cruised NCL, and I think there is supposed to be a table to pay for it, but we didn't see it nor were we directed to a table. To be honest, since I wasn't carrying the bottle, I completely forgot about it and the fee we were supposed to pay. The room steward never "tagged" us for it either. Was the bottle in your carryon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYFirstTimeCruiser Posted September 2, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks for your great review-not that you can answer my question, but I thought I would ask anyway.Nearly every review for the Breakaway I have read, people seem to get to the port around 10-10:30. Is embarking time earlier on the Breakaway -not the usual noon. I'm definitely not someone who likes to wait in lines or alternatively have to wait in an area to board. If we went later -around 1-1:30pm do you think the wait time/lines would be much quicker? I guess I'm wondering on the Breakaway what would be the best time to embark to avoid lines and wait time. Reading your post, I had to comment. Breakaway is huge and gorgeous. Unfortunately, there will be lines, and lines.... And more. Although you don't like lines, I'm letting you know so you will expect it and can work your way around it so you'll enjoy your cruise. We did and we'll be going again.... - we were there at 10am and there were already a lot of people. If you are early, you are first on board but have to wait till boarding around 11. If you arrive around 11am boarding time, you will be waiting behind those people who arrived early. In short, there is no way around the waiting. Arriving early would have a long wait on boarding but being on deck first will give you less or no lines for your lunch. - go off hours for a shorter line. 5:30 pm dinner, late lunch or early dinner. We ate breakfast at 8am and we were fine. Most people i think are up and about later. - shows, we arrived at least 1/2 hour early. Again, you avoid the lines going i. But you'll be sitting at the venue for 1/2 hour. In short, the waiting will always be there. Up to you how uou want to handle the wait. Don't let it deter you from having fun now that you know that there will be lines. Our group of 8 loved it and we'll be going again next year. Have a wonderful cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibcnusoon Posted September 2, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Other than the buffet, which restaurant is available for lunch upon boarding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timcar Posted September 2, 2013 Author #16 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Was the bottle in your carryon? Yes it was Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timcar Posted September 2, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Other than the buffet, which restaurant is available for lunch upon boarding? I think it was either taste or savior and o'sheehans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tymike Posted September 2, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 2, 2013 By any chance do you know what the menu is for ocean blue on the waterfront? I know they have lobster rolls, but any other info? Great review, btw, Thank you OP for your great review. I can only comment that ocean blue on the water front also has a crab tostada on the menu. I had a lobster roll and the crab tostada and I have to say that even with eating at Cagney's (twice), Le Bistro, La Cucina and the Haven restaurant, these two things were the best of the best! I highly recommend both of them. I posted pics of them in my review titled "Breakaway 7/7-7/14...Finally!". As I don't know how to attach links:o you can find it by searching my name and posts. Anyway....go for the lobster roll and the crab tostada...and have a great cruise!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunchmomd Posted September 3, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Ty tymike!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tymike Posted September 8, 2013 #20 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Ty tymike!! You're welcome!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngestof9 Posted September 8, 2013 #21 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Great review! I am reading every single review now that my time is SO close!! lunchmomd: I did a ship tour in July and took this pic of the Waterfront Ocean Blue menu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halos Posted September 8, 2013 #22 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Overall, my kids and I had a great time, it didn't feel any more crowded than some of the smaller ships I have been on. And I would cruise it again. Donna That's the part I wanted to know about and I'm glad your experience was good all around. Thank you for posting your review :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.JPG.96d987581f47119868550054af6588e6.JPG)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.