My Breakaway Review Feb 2-9 2014

[RVachon]

I'll preface to say that this was only my wife & I's (age early 40s) 3rd cruise, all 3 with NCL. 1st was the small Sky, then Epic last December, and now this one out of NY. This was a last minute decision, a quick getaway from the cold - we booked on Wednesday Jan 29th, left on Sunday Feb 2. Booked a GTY inside, and they put us in a Mid-Ship Balcony so that was a bonus that made us happy.

 

Embarkation in NY wasn't too bad. We got there around 10:30 AM and the line ups were minimal at that point. Since it was Superbowl Sunday, the ship was docked at Pier 88, but we had to check-in at Pier 90 so there was a little bit of weirdness there. We were sitting in O'Sheehans for lunch by noon, rooms ready around 1:30.

 

The ship itself is beautiful - it's new, what do you expect. I like the layout overall better than the Epic, except I still don't like having the casino in the middle of the place taking up most of Deck 7 including the smoke. I was there for an hour one day and when I went back in my cabin, I smelled like I had been in a smoky bar all night.

 

One thing I was disappoint with was Spice H2O. Since we don't have any kids, we like to spend a considerable amount of time there as we did on the Epic a couple months ago. But they changed the design from Epic - pool is gone and replaced with a waterfall type sitting area, the restaurant is gone, and the area seemed smaller overall. Still a good place to hang around if you don't want to deal with the kids running around and invading the hot tubs.

 

The food was fantastic. We didn't do any of the specialty restaurants but did eat at the Manhattan Room (1 breakfast and 1 dinner), Savor/Taste (2 dinners), O'Sheehan's (a few lunches, 1 dinner), Uptown Bar & Grill (2 lunches), and the Garden Cafe (a few dinners, lunches, and breakfasts). The menu in the MDRs were pretty good, and there was some overlap of items between Manhattan and Savor/Taste.

 

The entertainment - Second to none as far as I'm concerned. I'm not a "dancing type", nor do I watch "Dancing with the stars", but Burn The Floor was amazing.

 

Rock of Ages, outstanding! There were a few technical glitches but the laymen would not have noticed (I use to do sound production so I notice these things). In speaking with some New Yorkers that see Broadway shows, they indicated that RoA was better than some Broadway shows they've seen.

 

Second City in Headliners - they do a couple different scenarios. Some shows are improv only, others are skit comedy with some improv. We saw both versions at least once, improv twice. Always a good time.

 

Howl at the Moon - Not bad but I thought it was kind of ridiculous that they basically said that unless you give money with your request, you're probably not going to hear your request. I thought I paid for this entertainment as part of my cruise fair.

 

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy - I was a little disappointed with this one because I saw the version on the Epic 2 months and it was WAY better IMO, more entertaining. Food was good though.

 

Finally, the fireworks. Loved it! It was on the Thursday after we left Nassau, during the 80s Remix party in Spice H2O. They were fired at 9:15 PM to a soundtrack, and lasted approx. 5 mins. I recorded them with my cell phone so the sound wasn't great, but it gives you an idea. Here's the link for the video:

Edited February 10, 2014 by RVachon
grammar

[antsnanny]

Great review. Just watched the Firework display, it was great thanks for posting. I was on the same cruise and WOW I agree, the Rock of Ages was awesome. Great upgrade you got, we wound up from a balcony to a mini suite. I sure could use a little bit of that sun we had right about now! Glad you enjoyed..

[RVachon]

Great review. Just watched the Firework display, it was great thanks for posting. I was on the same cruise and WOW I agree, the Rock of Ages was awesome. Great upgrade you got, we wound up from a balcony to a mini suite. I sure could use a little bit of that sun we had right about now! Glad you enjoyed..

Yeah, it was pretty depressing pulling into port yesterday and seeing all the cars on the top level of the parking garage covered in snow. :(

 

I had a 7 hr drive back to Canada afterwards and it was uneventful which is good.

[meatball_nyc]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a great cruise!

 

Please let me know if you were able to use the Waterfront on deck 8. If so, did you sit outside for drinks at either Fat Cats, Malting's or Shaker's?

 

Thanks in advance!

We will be cruising on her this summer with a group of 10.

 

Cheers!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[RVachon]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a great cruise!

 

Please let me know if you were able to use the Waterfront on deck 8. If so, did you sit outside for drinks at either Fat Cats, Malting's or Shaker's?

 

Thanks in advance!

We will be cruising on her this summer with a group of 10.

 

Cheers!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I did see some people drinking and smoking there, but I didn't stick around for the smoking reason. You wouldn't think it matters when the ship is moving, but since most people that go there are smokers, you always get someone's smoke in your face.

[antsnanny]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a great cruise!

 

Please let me know if you were able to use the Waterfront on deck 8. If so, did you sit outside for drinks at either Fat Cats, Malting's or Shaker's?

 

Thanks in advance!

We will be cruising on her this summer with a group of 10.

 

Cheers!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Hi Meatball. we used deck 8 all the time, we drank at the bars and ate at Cagneys and Le Bistro outside. Try booking one at sail away, its really beautiful. Also is you have any cigar smokers, the cigar lounge is right off the Malting's bar and they also have a small area outside where you can smoke cigars. We had drinks at all but Shaker's on deck 8.

[meatball_nyc]

Thank you for the replies!

Sounds like pre- and post-dinner drinks will be done al fresco! Perfect :D

 

Happy Sailing All!!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[antsnanny]

Thank you for the replies!

Sounds like pre- and post-dinner drinks will be done al fresco! Perfect :D

 

Happy Sailing All!!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Enjoy, I think you going to love it on the Waterfront...

[meatball_nyc]

It's part of the reason why we chose Breakaway. Why spend a lot of time inside when you have the outdoor seating/drinking option? We want to enjoy the ocean and the stars and the breezes in the evenings as well as sunning during the day (probably in Spice H2O or deck 17 forward port side).

 

Thank you and glad to hear you had a great cruise.

Looking forward to our turn. Anything to not think about the snow and cold is good!

 

Happy Sailing :)

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[antsnanny]

It's part of the reason why we chose Breakaway. Why spend a lot of time inside when you have the outdoor seating/drinking option? We want to enjoy the ocean and the stars and the breezes in the evenings as well as sunning during the day (probably in Spice H2O or deck 17 forward port side).

 

Thank you and glad to hear you had a great cruise.

Looking forward to our turn. Anything to not think about the snow and cold is good!

 

Happy Sailing :)

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

 

 

We loved deck 8. BTY, Deck 8 port side is a great place to watch the fireworks. I think your going to love the Breakaway. What itinerary is the Breakaway doing when you go in July?

[meatball_nyc]

We sail to Bermuda. Haven't been in over 20 years!

I thought we might watch the fireworks from our balcony, deck 10, port side, somewhat aft. If not, I will take your suggestion on location.

Thanks antsnanny!

Happy Sailing!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[jakeT]

Are they doing the NEW MENU ...MDR on the Breakaway???