Advise please- Breakaway vs Gem

[cuculola]

Hi all,

 

My boyfriend and I are trying to decide between two cruises and would greatly appreciate your advise! We are both in our late 20's and I've only cruised once before, last March on the Norwegian Jewel to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans. My boyfriend has been on a few cruises, but all when he was a small child.

 

The cruises we are interested in:

7 night - $585 Total ($84/day) - Breakaway to Orlando, Great Stirrup, and Nassau - Feb 22

 

10 night Eastern Caribbean - $755 Total ($75/day) - Gem to San Juan, St Thomas, Philipsburg, and Tortola - Feb 27

 

We are budget conscious so will likely not be doing many excursions, but love going out to explore. The Gem is extremely appealing to us in terms of the itinerary and value, but we love all the activities on the Breakaway, which seems to have more available suitable for adults.

 

So for those with experience;

--Given the cold weather, will that hinder outdoor activities on either ship?

--How do the destinations compare for those that are looking to just relax and not participate in excursions? (We'd like to go horseback riding one day and greatly enjoy beachside bars.)

--NCL is offering an Ultimate Dining Package for Ocean cabins and above; would they (or third party) be able to offer this for Inside Cabins if we called?

 

If there are any other cruises that we should consider, we'd love to hear suggestions on those as well.

 

Thanks all for the help!

 

Cheers,

--Cherry

[Gregor4500]

No question, if I had the choice I'd always pick 10 days over 7, I'd always pick the Caribbean over Florida and always $75 a day over $84.

[Demonyte]

I'd go with Gem "simply" because of the value, much better ports, longer cruise, less people, etc, etc.

 

Also no promo perks for insides even if you called NCL or a third party.

[amydandrea]

Gem is a great ship. I'd go 10 day for sure

 

 

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[Pikaia]

I'd choose the Gem for the better itinerary. It's a really nice ship. But I'll admit that the bells and whistles of the Breakaway are tempting. Unfortunately the itinerary is not at all appealing.

 

Also no promo perks for insides even if you called NCL or a third party.

The current promo does give insides and studios a token $25 OBC, as well as Friends & Family Sail Free or 50% off, though it sounds like this poster won't utilize that.

 

http://www.ncl.com/promo/wave15

 

Third party travel agents may add more OBC to an inside booking, but generally the amount is based on cabin fare, so it won't be much.

[Demonyte]

The current promo does give insides and studios a token $25 OBC ....

 

Third party travel agents may add more OBC to an inside booking, but generally the amount is based on cabin fare, so it won't be much.

 

Yep, I should have said "perks other than possible OBC" as that was they asked (UDP). We always get extra OBC from our TA so I consider that as standard procedure. ;)

[bradship]

Mid30's here and have done both itens. In colder, windy weather, ropes course on Breakaway is closed. San Juan is all about walking and culture. St Johns is a cheap and quick ride from st Thomas. St Marteen has too many options to list. Tortola is just okay.

I'd chose Gem again unless Bermuda were an option.

 

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[Dave85]

I would take the longer cruise. I loved the Breakaway, and did that exact same cruise, but would not do that itinerary in late February. It's possible the weather will not get truly warm the entire cruise. You will not have that issue on the Gem itinerary.

[chrisc71]

Breakaway is a great ship but I would take the Gem based on itinerary. Sailed Breakaway last year and we got diverted to Orlando and Nassau and was not all that impressed. Ports are better with the Gem.

 

Since you are thinking about budget remember you will be on the ship 3 extra nights so that could lead to more spending.

[aquarianne11]

We have done both the Gem and Breakaway. We have done both itineraries as well.

 

Ports are better with the Gem. I'd always pick the Caribbean over Florida and Bahamas.

[sparks1093]

Gem for the itinerary.

[cuculola]

Thank you all so much for your helpful responses! All the great amenities of the Breakaway sure is alluring. We were mostly torn mostly because the Breakaway seemed to offer more entertainment catered to adults, which we would utilize when at sea due to the uncertainty of the cold weather.

 

But I agree completely, the ports and value of the Gem seems to be the much better option.

 

Much appreciated all! :)

[mking8288]

Inside cabins will get you $25 OBC now on either ship - last month's promo was zero, nothing. You can ask but the answer is almost definitively no on UBP or UP for insides, you will need to book at least Oceanview to get them - which appeared SOLDOUT on the BA for 2/22 sailing. Great price for the inside, however - as low as it will ever get on a last minute sailing, don't blink if the price is good enough - book it & start packing.

We've done both ships and both ITN at least twice - and been on the Jewel twice (Mexico & Alaska). The Gem is just the Jewel in the same class, nearly identical layout, tonnage & onboard facilities, room design, etc. and has a great crew. Gem's itinerary is better as others said and more days away from the cold - it's going to cost a bit more, including daily service charges. If you exercise discipline & keep your alcohol bills down or zero, you will save $$.

Going in late February, expect to see some children on the ship (late winter school breaks from other towns/districts) but you'll hardly noticed them, except at the pool & buffet. Heading south, weather will usually warm up by Day 2's afternoon off the coast of Carolinas and likewise, cool down on the way up on the last full sea day. There are plenty of public and free spaces to sit, relax & enjoy the indoors - the lobby is a great place to hangout and do people watching, on either ships. There are more dining options, at extra costs, on the Breakaway but otherwise - both ships have the MDR and smaller dining room, buffet, 23 hours snack place (Blue Lagoon or O'Sheehans) and, of course, free room service (except late night, for a small fee) so it will keep your budgeted expenses low.

Horseback-riding during a cruise can be expensive and if you do this on your own, be sure to NOT miss the cutoff time returning to the ship or else, it WILL leave without you.

BA's inside cabins are small even when compared to the Jewel/Gem's so be prepared to be cozy, but plenty of the storage & bathroom is actually bigger.

If you follow our signature links below - you will see previous pictorial reviews done for the Caribbean on the Gem, and Florida/Bahamas on the BA. If sea conditions are rough due to waves & storm, the ship will NOT go to GSC or dock at NCL's private island - it's an extra sea day instead & often arriving at Nassau at stay overnight for a longer stay in port - you are free to come & go (it's 50/50 & twice we skipped GSC island.) Usually, everything are closed and unless you gamble, not much to do going over to Atlantis Resort & Casino @ 10 PM.

If the price is right, go BA for 7 days but if you can go for 10 days and don't mind spending a bit more, go with the Gem for 10 days - which we would've done except for our scheduling. We booked last minute the BA with an oceanview next month for a great price with $200 OBC and to us, 7 days is on the short end - but it's going to be fine. The ship itself is the destination, we might not even get off the gangway at all until it's back in NYC - aside from stretching our sea legs and to do a bit of walking around the pier.

The ship's drinking water is fine and they now have flavored water (so we skipped most soda drinking) - and the included meals & dining options are just fine, don't feel you must do specialty dining. For special occassion or otherwise, we will do it once or twice on each sailing but we love Freestyle & hating booking reservations and checking our watches.

If you can't decide, do a coin toss - you can't lose as it's a win-win for both ship.

[Cruzinnana47]

Cuculola - looks like you have made your decision, and don't think you'll regret it, as my choice would definitely be the GEM - for the better itinerary, better value, and less passengers/crowds to deal with, not to mention more cruise days! Hope you have a wonderful cruise--the GEM is a great ship.

Edited February 7, 2015 by CRUZIN'NANA

[SuiteTraveler]

I agree - take the longer cruise with the better ports. Later on you can try the mega ships which are a completely different kind of cruise - really oriented more towards the ship being the destination as opposed to the ports.

[AlwaysNeedSun]

I agree, I would pick the Gem over Breakaway because of the ports. Me personally, I don't want to go to Florida and Bahamas in Feb. Not warm enough for me. I want to be in the Caribbean where it's warmer.

 

We just got off the Gem in Dec and we had a lot of fun. Plus, it's a longer cruise!

 

Have fun

[tlreze]

I did the Gem 10 day and it was one of my favorite cruises......We went last week of March/1st week April and the 1st full day was an inside day but by Day 2 we used the pool ....... The Atlantic was a little rough and we really felt it on the Gem but hey we are cruising right......besides Breakaway being a bigger ship the difference is the entertainment. The Gem has different production shows each night vs more broadway shows on Breakaway but you only see it once.....You won't be disappointed with GEM and those islands, we loved it!!!

[Family Travel Story]

I have done both itineraries out of New York City and have done the Gem. I can honestly say the gym was my favorite fruits are of twenty plus I've done over the last 10 years. The port on the gem also lend themselves better to walkin around hitting the beach is rather than needing an excursion. With that said the weather out of New York City in February can be rather cold but by the first morning you're off the coast of Virginia and its at least nice enough to be outside without any issue. I am currently having the same debate with my wife and my child for April vacation. I think we are going to do the break away only because we've never done that ship and have done both itineraries. With that said I'd love to go to the 9 day again

 

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[tlreze]

Here is a video my son did of our Gem cruise - I think it was a few different islands but you can see a lot of the ship on this video

http://www.nickrezendesphotography.com/Personal-Videos/n-ThJS3/

Edited February 7, 2015 by tlreze

[tlreze]

Here is a video my son did of our Gem cruise - I think it was a few different islands but you can see a lot of the ship on this video

http://www.nickrezendesphotography.com/Personal-Videos/n-ThJS3/

 

after photography put dot com/

then Personal-Videos/ and the rest and it should come up

[Kroozen]

I've done the Bahamas/Florida cruise twice before, and I'm going again in 2 weeks on the Breakaway (Feb 22). I'm not overly excited about the ports, but I'm mainly going because I wanted to go on Breakaway. If I had more time, I would have done the Gem 10 night, but I was limited to 7 nights due to work.

[Md81593]

I will be on that sailing 2/27/15-3/9/15! We paid $729for an ocean view. And are about to add a 3 person to our trip. I was on the breakaway 12/15/13 and it was way too crowded...5500+ people!

[mommyto2girls]

We have done both on both ships many time..we are on the Feb 27th Gem. Love the itinerary love the Gem, love the ship. First sea day the weather is usually pretty nice Its a great itinerary. You should join our roll call if you book.

[kayhil3]

I have done both the Fla and E. Carib. a few times. The Gem is my favorite ship in the fleet. Great crew. I would suggest you get a ocean view and take the free ubp and save money on your drinks which add up very quickly. It might be more cost effective for you. Have a great time.:D

[msg12188]

Hi all,

 

My boyfriend and I are trying to decide between two cruises and would greatly appreciate your advise! We are both in our late 20's and I've only cruised once before, last March on the Norwegian Jewel to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans. My boyfriend has been on a few cruises, but all when he was a small child.

 

The cruises we are interested in:

7 night - $585 Total ($84/day) - Breakaway to Orlando, Great Stirrup, and Nassau - Feb 22

 

10 night Eastern Caribbean - $755 Total ($75/day) - Gem to San Juan, St Thomas, Philipsburg, and Tortola - Feb 27

 

We are budget conscious so will likely not be doing many excursions, but love going out to explore. The Gem is extremely appealing to us in terms of the itinerary and value, but we love all the activities on the Breakaway, which seems to have more available suitable for adults.

 

So for those with experience;

--Given the cold weather, will that hinder outdoor activities on either ship?

--How do the destinations compare for those that are looking to just relax and not participate in excursions? (We'd like to go horseback riding one day and greatly enjoy beachside bars.)

--NCL is offering an Ultimate Dining Package for Ocean cabins and above; would they (or third party) be able to offer this for Inside Cabins if we called?

 

If there are any other cruises that we should consider, we'd love to hear suggestions on those as well.

 

Thanks all for the help!

 

Cheers,

--Cherry

I have been on the GEM 10 day - loved the itinerary - loved the ship!

 

I have been on the JEWEL twice with the Florida, Bahamas itinerary. It is more of a laid back itinerary. Although we liked the JEWEL not quite as well as the GEM

 

We are going on the BREAKAWAY Florida Bahama itinerary on 2/22. Obviously 1st time on that ship

 

We are in our early 60s and truthfully I think we prefer the 10 day - more to do and see. As I said we haven't been on the BREAKAWAY so I can't give you an opinion on the ship.

 

IMHO, since you appear to be in the younger crowd, I would go for the 10 day based on the itinerary again as we cannot compare those 2 ships.