Does anyone like The Breakaway?

[tel2]

My 2018 trip comes with 2 perks and I took the unlimited drink and I am hoping I can get non-alcohol version of the drinks.

 

No problem. I drink very very little and used the UBP mostly for virgin strawberry and banana daiquiris, creamsicles, and a variety of other frozen drinks the bartenders concocted for me ..... I also gained about 5 pounds ....

 

Terry

[lenquixote66]

It's been non stop disaster after disaster of reviews for this ship and it's sister ships, complaints, crying, horror stories, and more. People waiting hours for tables at all the restaurants, no hot water in cabins, cold food, bad service, it's endless.

 

Considering I am getting on in under two weeks I was wondering if anyone actually likes the BA or are people just sailing on it out of duty?

 

 

I just got off the Breakaway this past Sunday .I had been on other NCL ships in the past and decided to try the BA because it leaves from an area close top where I live.

Restaurant service was bad even early in the morning when not too many people are there.

I did not have a cabin issue but disembarkation was a horror show. Many of the Guest Services people were awful to deal with.

I reviewed my cruise in greater detail on another thread.

 

The only things I enjoyed were Burn The Floor and Rock Of Ages .

[UnaPalomita]

I just got off the Breakaway this past Sunday .I had been on other NCL ships in the past and decided to try the BA because it leaves from an area close top where I live.

Restaurant service was bad even early in the morning when not too many people are there.

I did not have a cabin issue but disembarkation was a horror show. Many of the Guest Services people were awful to deal with.

I reviewed my cruise in greater detail on another thread.

 

The only things I enjoyed were Burn The Floor and Rock Of Ages .

 

Do you mean Guest Services in the Atrium? I noticed they were a little slow. We reported about a video game not working and I asked the rep. if she wanted to write the name down, because it was a weird one. I think it was a language barrier issue.

 

We had a great time overall! I posted a mini (ok a lot longer than I thought) review here if anyone wants to read it:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2457471

 

No pictures sadly!

[UnaPalomita]

Sailed on her twice last year and loved it. Everything was great except both times final disembarkation was very slow and disorganized, but it is a lot of people.

 

 

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The worst part is when you are finally off the ship in the terminal. I can't figure out a way to make that experience better. Had workers yelling at my young son because we were "in their way". Why isn't there a deadicated lane for the transport of luggage?

 

It is pretty chaotic when you finally retrieve your luggage and forget about trying to get to 12th Avenue with EVERYONE standing in the way of the crosswalk. :confused: God forbid there is a fire, everyone would get trampled.

 

Does anyone know if you park at the terminal if there is an inside elevator or walk way to the parking lot? Or do you still have to exit the terminal and walk up 12th Avenue?

 

Has anyone left out of the Brooklyn terminal with Royal Caribbean? We did leave out of Bayonne 10+ years ago and I can't remember the process there...

[luckyinpa]

The worst part is when you are finally off the ship in the terminal. I can't figure out a way to make that experience better. Had workers yelling at my young son because we were "in their way". Why isn't there a deadicated lane for the transport of luggage?

 

It is pretty chaotic when you finally retrieve your luggage and forget about trying to get to 12th Avenue with EVERYONE standing in the way of the crosswalk. :confused: God forbid there is a fire, everyone would get trampled.

 

Does anyone know if you park at the terminal if there is an inside elevator or walk way to the parking lot? Or do you still have to exit the terminal and walk up 12th Avenue?

 

Has anyone left out of the Brooklyn terminal with Royal Caribbean? We did leave out of Bayonne 10+ years ago and I can't remember the process there...

 

once you get through customs you just go 'outside' to the elevator and up to the lot. i never experienced any kind of delays at all unless you count a few minutes waiting for an elevator. of course i paid the porter to take my luggage so it was even easier.

[UnaPalomita]

once you get through customs you just go 'outside' to the elevator and up to the lot. i never experienced any kind of delays at all unless you count a few minutes waiting for an elevator. of course i paid the porter to take my luggage so it was even easier.

 

Were you on the Breakaway? We did the Jewel/Gem 2012 - 2016 and I can't remember it being as bad.. but we did have a stroller then so they gave us some priority with the line. Also there were a lot more foreigners on this 14 day Breakaway trip and lots of confusion as to where to go. People were blocking the way to 12th Avenue and then changing their mind and going back into the terminal.

[Maraprince]

The worst part is when you are finally off the ship in the terminal. I can't figure out a way to make that experience better. Had workers yelling at my young son because we were "in their way". Why isn't there a deadicated lane for the transport of luggage?

 

It is pretty chaotic when you finally retrieve your luggage and forget about trying to get to 12th Avenue with EVERYONE standing in the way of the crosswalk. :confused: God forbid there is a fire, everyone would get trampled.

 

Does anyone know if you park at the terminal if there is an inside elevator or walk way to the parking lot? Or do you still have to exit the terminal and walk up 12th Avenue?

 

Has anyone left out of the Brooklyn terminal with Royal Caribbean? We did leave out of Bayonne 10+ years ago and I can't remember the process there...

 

 

 

With the larger ships, it is bound to be more congested in the cruise ship terminal. There is more luggage to be retrieved and more people trying to get their luggage. If there is another ship in port at the same time, porters are overworked since they are pushing to get the arriving ship passengers out the door as quickly as possible before the next cruise departure passengers show up for check in. Best bet, one person gets on line to get a porter while someone else stands near the located luggage. Once you have all of your luggage, porter gets you through Customs/Immigration quicker than people without a porter. After you have been processed, tell the porter where you want him/her to drop you off. Yellow metered cabs are available if you wait on line for one. Eliminates having to cross over with your luggage to 12th Avenue and deal with the crazy traffic.

 

 

Unfortunately, only Princess uses the Brooklyn terminal (in my opinion the best) but they do not sail out of NYC until later in the season.

 

 

Royal Caribbean sails out of Bayonne, NJ and their terminal is a lot smaller in size. There is a single line in and out of the terminal to both drop off new arriving passengers and pick up passengers disembarking. Different process but no less chaotic.

 

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[UnaPalomita]

With the larger ships, it is bound to be more congested in the cruise ship terminal. There is more luggage to be retrieved and more people trying to get their luggage. If there is another ship in port at the same time, porters are overworked since they are pushing to get the arriving ship passengers out the door as quickly as possible before the next cruise departure passengers show up for check in. Best bet, one person gets on line to get a porter while someone else stands near the located luggage. Once you have all of your luggage, porter gets you through Customs/Immigration quicker than people without a porter. After you have been processed, tell the porter where you want him/her to drop you off. Yellow metered cabs are available if you wait on line for one. Eliminates having to cross over with your luggage to 12th Avenue and deal with the crazy traffic.

 

 

Unfortunately, only Princess uses the Brooklyn terminal (in my opinion the best) but they do not sail out of NYC until later in the season.

 

Royal Caribbean sails out of Bayonne, NJ and their terminal is a lot smaller in size. There is a single line in and out of the terminal to both drop off new arriving passengers and pick up passengers disembarking. Different process but no less chaotic.

 

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

Interesting! Thanks for sharing :) This was the only part of our vacation that was stinky. Maybe we'll try the porter next time.

[reefgirl]

I just booked a transatlantic on the Breakaway yesterday. It's our first time on that ship and I had reservations so it's good to hear all the positives and not so positives about the ship. Given that I have thoroughly enjoyed every cruise we have taken I'm thinking we will have a great time. I had originally booked a TA cruise on the Jade, but I think that a larger ship will give us more to do during the many sea days

[SilentHill]

Breakaway is just OKAY, Gem was 100x better IMHO.

[sjn911]

My nephew went and really loved it, granted a kid, but he has cruises and nice restaurants and nice upper middle class (whatever that is in this day and age) travel under his belt and more travel than his cousins in other families. He had the time of his life and said food and service was good. His group leader was life time friends with one of musicians. This kid can talk to anyone and is putting himself through school as the basketball team manager...I love him and am biased but think if it was bad he would have had legit comments on poor service. He said, "people were there to spend money and have fun." LOL. I recall his joy in several older couples he made friends with throughout the cruise who spoiled him,,,he is simply a great kid.

[denatravels]

 

 

Royal Caribbean sails out of Bayonne, NJ and their terminal is a lot smaller in size. There is a single line in and out of the terminal to both drop off new arriving passengers and pick up passengers disembarking. Different process but no less chaotic.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

 

I actually found the Bayonne terminal to be very smooth-- I've done it several times and it's been significantly better.

 

 

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[lenquixote66]

The Bayonne terminal is 100 times easier .The Baltimore terminal is the best ever for us.

[luckyinpa]

The Bayonne terminal is 100 times easier .The Baltimore terminal is the best ever for us.

 

 

i hope this is true. i know anthem is more expensive but if its a better ship and more pleasant in NJ, then ill pay it

[BandM]

We were not crazy about our first trip on the Breakaway two years ago. We sailed its sister ship the Getaway last year and had an amazing time. We're giving the Breakaway another chance because we received an amazing price. I think the biggest draw back is the mix of people on the ship. Going out of NY it's mostly northeasterners and we're not exactly the easiest to please. Many people from NY, NJ, and CT make being rude a full time job and it showed the last time we were on.

[Jezo]

Well we are off the ship (last weekend) after a 14 day cruise and loved the ship. Super friendly crew, great food, lots of choices of things to do, music everywhere, super attentive bar staff..

 

But, we were on a 14 day trip. From what the staff told us, those are the relaxing cruises. The ship is never full, the child count is maybe in the dozens compared to the usual 500 to 800, and there is never really a wait for anything.

 

We lucked out with our choice of trips. I don't know what it would be like on a packed ship but for us it was a superb time.

 

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[Altojudy]

We have sailed Breakaway twice (Bermuda and Southern Carib.) and loved it. Would not hesitate to sail her again.

[UnaPalomita]

We were not crazy about our first trip on the Breakaway two years ago. We sailed its sister ship the Getaway last year and had an amazing time. We're giving the Breakaway another chance because we received an amazing price. I think the biggest draw back is the mix of people on the ship. Going out of NY it's mostly northeasterners and we're not exactly the easiest to please. Many people from NY, NJ, and CT make being rude a full time job and it showed the last time we were on.

 

 

lol "being rude a full time job" I am going to steal that one! :D

 

We had a LOT of Europeans on our trip. Lots of Canadians too.

 

Had an encounter in the pool area where someone thought it was okay to move my son's stuff to a chair she stole from the outside buffet area. Not cool :eek:

[lenquixote66]

i hope this is true. i know anthem is more expensive but if its a better ship and more pleasant in NJ, then ill pay it

 

 

We drive 4 hours,40 minutes to cruise on the Grandeur .We did this in December 2015,December 2016 and are going again in December 2017 ,all with the same Oceanview cabin.

[Dajbman22]

We were not crazy about our first trip on the Breakaway two years ago. We sailed its sister ship the Getaway last year and had an amazing time. We're giving the Breakaway another chance because we received an amazing price. I think the biggest draw back is the mix of people on the ship. Going out of NY it's mostly northeasterners and we're not exactly the easiest to please. Many people from NY, NJ, and CT make being rude a full time job and it showed the last time we were on.

 

 

 

As a guy who grew up on Lawn Guy Land, and is now a M******* through and through (over a decade up here, including college), married to "bitch slap Barbie... from Connecticut"... I know full well what I'm getting into sailing out of the port of NY. DW and I are only rude if people are rude to us first, so we know how to handle some hothead trial lawyer from freaking Wantagh who think's he's hot **** because he once represented Tom Suozzi for a parking ticket who wants to fight us for a deck chair.

[luvtheships]

Breakaway is just OKAY, Gem was 100x better IMHO.

 

 

1000x better

 

 

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[FamCruise2011]

The smoke was a problem for me because I'm asthmatic. However, it kept me out of the casino which is good!

I love the Breakaway. The food is consistent. The staff is great. And the entertainment is amazing. I make sure to book all my dinners and shows as early as possible. Burn the Floor will have two shows in the theater and two short shows in the Manhattan Room. I recommend making dinner reservations in the MR for 30-60 min before their scheduled shows. And try to get a table near the dance floor! :-)

 

 

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[BirdTravels]

It's been non stop disaster after disaster of reviews for this ship and it's sister ships, complaints, crying, horror stories, and more. People waiting hours for tables at all the restaurants, no hot water in cabins, cold food, bad service, it's endless.

 

Considering I am getting on in under two weeks I was wondering if anyone actually likes the BA or are people just sailing on it out of duty?

 

 

We're getting ready to book our 7th cruise on an -away class ship. We love the ships. People who will wait in line for 10 minutes at McDonalds for a burger will come out with flaming, anonymous complaints about the Breakaway who has a 10 minute wait for a white tablecloth, sit down dinner.

 

People who will wait in line for an hour at Dinsneyworld for a ride will complain about a 10 minute wait for a water slide.

 

You come on here flaming the ship having never been on her.

 

We always have a great time on the -away class ships. ANd you will too.

[luckyinpa]

We drive 4 hours,40 minutes to cruise on the Grandeur .We did this in December 2015,December 2016 and are going again in December 2017 ,all with the same Oceanview cabin.

 

 

does that ship have the same amount of indoor area as anthem

[luckyinpa]

The smoke was a problem for me because I'm asthmatic. However, it kept me out of the casino which is good!

I love the Breakaway. The food is consistent. The staff is great. And the entertainment is amazing. I make sure to book all my dinners and shows as early as possible. Burn the Floor will have two shows in the theater and two short shows in the Manhattan Room. I recommend making dinner reservations in the MR for 30-60 min before their scheduled shows. And try to get a table near the dance floor! :-)

 

 

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you can also sit in the rows of chairs 'backstage' in the MDR. if you are in 1st row the dancers are almost literaly in your lap. they are close enough to give you a kiss and i saw that happen