Breakaway 8/31 review

[dinzitari]

Just got back and wanted to take a moment to write up some stuff for the boards. No photos here because there are plenty already, and imagery is my profession so decided to leave the work at home!

 

I'll keep it short since most has been covered, but I wanted to add my thoughts on a few things:

 

Staff/Service: As has always been the case, the NCL staff was eager, professional, super nice and even seem genuine even though they are on direct orders to always greet and smile. Travelled with my 16 month old daughter, and everyone appeared to genuinely love seeing her :-) Gloria was a fantastic housekeeper, and have no complaints in this department, except for the lady staffing the casino service booth. She was short, seemed like she couldn't be bothered in the two times I talked with her.

 

First time, I just needed to set up a pin for my room card (to gamble slots), and she just seemed like she didn't want to be bothered.

Second time a few days later, I was playing the "deal or no Deal" slot game, and ordered a drink. The waitress asked for my card and when I removed it, I lost all of my bonus points for the big money round. It's the whole point of playing the game, and I lost anywhere from 50$ to 500$ dollars as a result. The casino host lady didn't even understand the complaint, wouldn't let me properly explain, and made no attempt to resolve. I just walked away, I have better things to do on my vacation. Only bad apple in the whole ship!

 

Rooms: we had cabin 10112 (balcony) and 10409 (interior). Small, but clean, new, and totally adequate. I spent lots of time on the balcony, and even though it was small it was perfect for my needs.

 

Could hear a lot of noise from other cabins, and that sucked at times. Couldn't tell you if this was more than any other ship, because this was the first cruise I actually went to bed at a normal hour. (before 1030pm sometimes :(

Food: I read a lot of negative reviews about the food, and set the expectation for the whole family to not be "wowed". Well, we all still thought the food was pretty bad. The preparation and presentation was totally fine, but the taste and ingredients were bottom of the barrel.

 

I consider my self well versed in what makes a good dish, both of the large groups and cooked to order types. The garden cafe was on par with any other ship, and is a very good buffet. But the MDR's were really, really uninspiring, even bad at times. By day 3 we kind of gave up on them and ate at the buffet, which really dampens the trip. we went back a couple of times, but were kind of laughing about how the food tasted. Our last trip was on the Dawn three years ago, and no one in our party could remember the food being anything but good on that trip.

 

We were gonna spend on a specialty restaurant, but after trying Wasabi for some Sushi, which was an absolute joke and although fresh, the most bland and ridiculous sushi I've ever had. The "spicy tuna" tasted more like rice and mayonnaise. After this, we decided not to risk any more of our money on upgraded dining.

 

As much as I loved this ship, I can't see how I can go back on it with food like this. It's a deal breaker for me.

 

Entertainment: This is where the food money went. We saw "Rock of Ages", and as someone who has behind the scenes knowledge on this sort of thing, I was BLOWN AWAY by the production quality involved in this show. Terrific talent, choreography, lighting.... literally my favorite show i've ever seen, anywhere.

 

We also went to Cirque for our anniversary dinner. I had no idea it was shared seating, and when we were seated at the end of the table (with no room), next to a very odd couple, we were immediately looking at each other, and both got up. I politely asked for a refund or OBC for a premium restaurant, and told them I didn't know it was shared seating. They were going to oblige with no questions asked, but then the lady heard me say something about it being our anniversary, and walked us back in to room. She gave us an AWESOME PRIVATE table right up front, and this made the experience truly unforgettable. I felt a little posh and important, something we don't get very often, and was very upset that the lady who's name I don't have, was not there at the end. I wanted to thank her and get her name for a review, but never saw her again :(

 

The show was amazing, and would be impossible to really appreciate the talents from the back of the room.

 

I could go on and on about entertainment, I love to party, and my wife comes along to please me, and the Spice H20 dance parties were so much fun. Terrific presentation by Julie, great music for everyone, and an experience I've never had before (dancing in the open ocean breeze).

 

If you are bored on this ship, you are just plain boring. PERIOD.

 

So to sum it up, food sucked....bad. Everything else...fantastic!

 

Side note.... they charge for WAY to many things: $5 bowling pp/per game. $5 pizza room delivery, for crappy pizza. $4 delivery charge for room service after 11pm. and this list could be much longer!

[cruisingcasinos]

Have to agree with you on your point regarding one of the lady casino hosts. I thought everyone else working around the casino from waiters/waitresses, Slot hosts and the other casino hosts were Excellent. I thought the one blond lady manning the desk was just having a few bad days But I sailed on aug 17 and you sailed 2 weeks later. Not sure if she was the same lady you encountered But she was my Only complaint for any of the staff onboard the BA. All Other staff we were quite impressed with.

 

We ate mostly at Specialty restaurants- favorite is le bistro, then cagneys, then teppanyaki(sp?) My DH and his buddy did have sushi one afternoon- they said it was good. (I don't do seafood ;) ) I am disappointed that they did away with the chinese restaurant- I know they have the noodle bar but Idid like the restaurant on the Epic.

We try O'sheehans on every sailing and are always disappointed. I just chock it up to different people like different things. We were lucky enough to be in the Haven so also ate at the Haven restaurant- every breakfast, a couple of lunches and one dinner. Always Good.

 

Glad outsde the food you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for taking the time to write your review.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Sorry you didn't enjoy the food in the MDR. I ate in the manhattan room 4 out of 7 nights and never had a bad meal in fact we all loved it. So food is definitely to each their own. I did have lunch in savor on embarkment day and didn't care for it so never went back.

[conandrob240]

I agree completely. Savor for lunch was completely disappointing- bland food and a really weak menu ( seemed like it was mostly sandwiches)

 

The main dining rooms at night were good- very good. I had a few specials that were excellent. A few items off the regular menu were also very good. We had a few appetizers that were just okay. For the most part, we found the MDR food to be very good food with a lot of variety and the new menus with more of a difference between the two dining rooms made it much less boring as well.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I agree completely. Savor for lunch was completely disappointing- bland food and a really weak menu ( seemed like it was mostly sandwiches)

 

The main dining rooms at night were good- very good. I had a few specials that were excellent. A few items off the regular menu were also very good. We had a few appetizers that were just okay. For the most part, we found the MDR food to be very good food with a lot of variety and the new menus with more of a difference between the two dining rooms made it much less boring as well.

 

 

Yeah I had pasta with shrimp. It had NO taste at all.

[nancynana9950]

We had Gloria on our Breakaway sailing last September and she was the best steward we've ever had! Although we ate in the MDR 3 nights out of seven, we much prefer the up-charge venues, especially Le Bistro. Much better food and service. We are sailing on Breakaway to Bermuda again next year and will most likely purchase the UDP.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[dinzitari]

Have to agree with you on your point regarding one of the lady casino hosts. I thought everyone else working around the casino from waiters/waitresses, Slot hosts and the other casino hosts were Excellent. I thought the one blond lady manning the desk was just having a few bad days But I sailed on aug 17 and you sailed 2 weeks later. Not sure if she was the same lady you encountered But she was my Only complaint for any of the staff onboard the BA. All Other staff we were quite impressed with.

 

We ate mostly at Specialty restaurants- favorite is le bistro, then cagneys, then teppanyaki(sp?) My DH and his buddy did have sushi one afternoon- they said it was good. (I don't do seafood ;) ) I am disappointed that they did away with the chinese restaurant- I know they have the noodle bar but Idid like the restaurant on the Epic.

We try O'sheehans on every sailing and are always disappointed. I just chock it up to different people like different things. We were lucky enough to be in the Haven so also ate at the Haven restaurant- every breakfast, a couple of lunches and one dinner. Always Good.

 

Glad outsde the food you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for taking the time to write your review.

 

Yes, your description fits the bill. Sounds like the same

Woman to me. I'm amazed at how such a poor attitude can end up in such a key position for a company who demands service with a smile from their employees.

[dinzitari]

Sorry you didn't enjoy the food in the MDR. I ate in the manhattan room 4 out of 7 nights and never had a bad meal in fact we all loved it. So food is definitely to each their own. I did have lunch in savor on embarkment day and didn't care for it so never went back.

 

I did have a dinner at savoy also. Ordered the "chefs special" which was cordon blue. My wife and MIL actually commented on it before I stuck my knife in it. Looked to be a frozen chicken patty. Food is definitely a subjective thing, and I'm glad that you enjoyed your food experience.

[monkeybone]

I agree about the MDR food, Not good, the buffet was even worse.

 

The specialty restaurants we tried were all good.

 

O'sheehans was good for late night snacks, ribs, and great banana splits that cost a few extra bucks but worth it.