What exactly is wrong with the Breakaway?

[the_redhead]

I ask all you breakaway fans on here. What's some tips of the ship u can share. Quiet spots.

 

The Waterfront early in the morning. On my cruise, there was a self-serve coffee setup at the bar. It was lovely and quiet, with plenty of places to sit and an incredible view of the ocean. Even on the one rainy day of my cruise, the area was covered well enough that I could drink my coffee out there.

 

Oddly, I found the buffet an unexpectedly pleasant place to sit and read. I'm good at drowning out noise, so I'd find a table at the very back near a window and settle in with a book for an hour or so during an off-peak time (think 10:30, after most people have had breakfast and before they want lunch or 2:30 after must people have had lunch but prior to the dinner rush). Plenty of sunlight, a nice ocean view. As a solo traveler, it worked well for me.

[Lineaway]

Since you asked what is wrong with the Breakaway I will answer that first as we just got home from last weeks sailing. Granted, it was Spring Break and that's why we were on it. I did expect a sold out ship but we go every Spring break so I can compare. We also go RCCL and Carnival but have been on NCL the last 3 cruises.

 

The two biggest issues for me:

 

Balcony is really small. Smallest I have ever had. Sure you can "Upgrade" to a bigger balcony but that costs a lot more. I use my balcony a lot but this time didn't. If you get the angled Balconies or Aft ones you can't get a Mini Suite which is what we wanted traveling with a Teen. A Mini gets you the much better Bathroom and Shower. Which you do. So you have to choose. I thought it would be more usable than it was but we mostly just stood out there on sail aways. Lesson learned.

 

Buffet and MDR have shortened their hours. MDR Bfst they stopped seating sometimes at 0900 and sometimes 0915. Never saw the Manhatten rm open in the AM. We are westcoast so three hours different. We tended to sleep in. At night Buffet shut down 1130 and was only limited up till then. That left O Shehans. Very good to excellent food but the four times we went there the service was really slow even at midnight. Quickest was about an hour for a burger. Longest was closer to 2. Margaritaville was quicker by alot.

 

Minor issues:

 

Much like Carnival NCL has to make cuts. I noticed that in the Food selections offered in all free areas. Jade and Pearl last year had more selection and they are smaller ships. Although I would still rate NCL food much better than Carnival any way better than RCCL.

 

Elevators were slow and I mean really slow. I think they took a couple out of operation on each end of the ship for some reason. Half the time you had to wait for multi elevators to find one with room.

 

Felt very crowded this time even for Spring Break. I have been on the big RCCL ships and didn't feel that crowded.

 

Getting off the ship was not well organized. We left our cabin at 0830 and were outside getting an Uber at 1100. Never took so long getting off a ship. Self disembarkation passengers were still trying to get off at 1000. I think there were too many of them on this cruise. Glad we didn't have an early flight.

 

Itinerary was not very good but we knew that when we booked. GHC was nice. Go to the farthest beach to get away from the crowds and eat early, They stop serving food by 2.

 

Production shows had one really good one (Burn the Floor) and one really bad one ( Rock of Ages) I will spare the details. Its all opinion here.

 

I will throw in the good points although you didn't ask.

 

We had the UBP. I never had any problem getting a drink. Drink service was the best I have ever had. Even at crowded shows. Bartenders were good about watching for people stepping up to order. They were allowing you to order two drinks at a time which was nice.

 

SInging Duet, Arvin and Emily were great. Went to see them every night they played.

 

I hate smoke. I wear contacts and have never smoked before so it tends to bother me. I heard a lot of complaints about smoke on this ship. I never noticed any problem. Casino really wasn't bad either although we just would walk through it.

 

Other passengers were all well behaved. Even the kids. NCL had more Security Guys around than I had noticed on other sailings maybe that helped.

 

Our Teen had a good time. Met alot of others which can be tough at that age.

 

Food quality was much better than Carnival and RCCL.

 

Went early for MDR dinners. Never needed reservations and always got in within minutes. Same with the two Production shows.

 

Ship was spotless.

 

Overall, I was not sorry we went. Negatives did not outweigh the positives and we purchased the Cruise Next certificates for next Spring. Will look for a cruise out of Florida again. We booked late for Spring Break this year and the cruise was well priced. If you don't have to fly to take this cruise that makes it much better yet. You should do it. If you have only experienced Carnival ( and there is nothing wrong with Carnival), this is an upgrade but your going to pay a bit more.

[luckyinpa]

OK, Carnival cruiser here looking to jump ship and do a 14 day on the Breakaway out of NY in 2018. So far everything I have read is negative and I wonder if this is a good move. I've never been unhappy on any cruise.........love Carnival.......but prices have gone up and itineraries out of NY gone down with Carnival. Just want to cruise out of my home port and have a great cruise. Any advice or info appreciated.

 

yes its a good move. you gotta try it once. my only 2 cruises were on BA but i was looking for a change and actually considered the Pride. i didnt research any other carnival ships but what made me consider pride is that it seemed to be more of a winter ship. i was not too happy on the BA last december with the weather which is totally the reason the trip was so cheap. but even in winter you will have 4 days max of cold on a 14 day. so you will be ok.

 

i'm not a pool person but you've already read about the pool. that is true how busy and small it is. i loved the food choices and just prepare yourself for 90 minute MDR meals and you will be fine. i have to admit after a while the ship almost seemed to small but that was on the bad weather days.

 

looking forward to Anthem and seeing if she's really better for the cold :)

[luckyinpa]

Based on research I booked the 14 day BA for 2018. Cannot wait. Have the Escape 14 days for 2019 for itinerary. Carnival got skimpy with casino offers after taking 3 free in 1 year

 

I ask all you breakaway fans on here. What's some tips of the ship u can share. Quiet spots. How many shows repeat on 14 nighters!? What times are better to book shows 7 or 9? Does MDR menu differ from taste and savor even ever so slightly? Does Moderno still do complementary breakfast or Margrittaville.

 

behind the atrium is a very tiny library..and a game room. one floor above atrium in back of the osheeans bar is where the bowling is. when no one is playing its quiet there but unsure they had seating.

 

Mville's limited bfast was good enough for me and no crowds at all. well worth the limited selection

[davesgirl51]

Absolutely nothing !

[R2E1GY]

OK, Carnival cruiser here looking to jump ship and do a 14 day on the Breakaway out of NY in 2018. So far everything I have read is negative and I wonder if this is a good move. I've never been unhappy on any cruise.........love Carnival.......but prices have gone up and itineraries out of NY gone down with Carnival. Just want to cruise out of my home port and have a great cruise. Any advice or info appreciated.

 

 

My husband and I cruised aboard BA with our 3 year old son, cousin and his Fiance'. My cousin and his fiancé have cruised BA 2 other times and raved about it. My husband and I are also avid Carnival cruisers. Pier 88 in NY is really small; long and narrow. We arrived at 11am and the waiting in the check in line for an hour and a half. Once on board we found the inside of the ship tiny and claustrophobic for a mega ship. There is no open air atrium like on most Carnival ships. You are corralled to walk along the inside. Because of this we were stir crazy, feeling mostly trapped in a submarine feeling for a week. We had a ocean view cabin on deck 5, #5178. I also have a walk through up on Youtube.

 

Our room was filthy when we arrived at 3pm (after safety drill and we were already moving). Our room smelled of sewage the entire time and was smaller than an oceanview room on Carnival. Buffet food was terrible. Nothing like the choices on Carnival. The dining rooms wouldn't even make my son a grilled cheese sandwich after he was sick of pizza, fries and chicken fingers all week. The staff is nothing like Carnival. They are downright miserable, rude, can't seem to be bothered. Food in the main dining rooms also left a lot to be desired. Best food we had was from Jimmy Buffets and we had to pay extra and it was well worth it. For us, Carnival offers better food, service, rooms, ship layouts.

[1threadshort]

My wife and I are in the same boat (pardon the pun) as you. We are Platinum on Carnival, but started sailing NCL after Carnival stopped sailing year-round from NY. We were on the Breakaway for 14 nights this past January and are booked again for Feb. 2018. We loved it. As the previous poster said, the balconies are smaller, but you can't beat sailing out of NY.

 

Good luck,

 

Mike

 

I cant see "wasting" 2 days down and 2 days back looking at the water. there is nothing else to see. and then I'm taking a chance of hitting bad weather. no thank you. Id rather fly to the ship in fla. and have 2 extra days in the sun and sand. and calm water.

[uneamie]

I cant see "wasting" 2 days down and 2 days back looking at the water. there is nothing else to see. and then I'm taking a chance of hitting bad weather. no thank you. Id rather fly to the ship in fla. and have 2 extra days in the sun and sand. and calm water.

I guess to each his own.....We love sea days. I love the ocean so I guess that's why. Sea days to me are not as hectic as port days. I like a balance of both frankly.

[caddykid12]

I cant see "wasting" 2 days down and 2 days back looking at the water. there is nothing else to see. and then I'm taking a chance of hitting bad weather. no thank you. Id rather fly to the ship in fla. and have 2 extra days in the sun and sand. and calm water.

 

Actually it's 3 days down and 3 days back. Week at sea. Week on land. Stick to your 7 day itinaries and get less sea days :)

[shof515]

I cant see "wasting" 2 days down and 2 days back looking at the water. there is nothing else to see. and then I'm taking a chance of hitting bad weather. no thank you. Id rather fly to the ship in fla. and have 2 extra days in the sun and sand. and calm water.

the sea days gives you more time to explore the ship

[luckyinpa]

sounds like some people like to go to destinations, and some like 'how' they get there. if you want more sand, why not fly to a destination and leave the ship behind and save those pesky travel days.

 

i think cruising means getting there should be half the adventure. plus with the hassle of flying and potential issues, dont think id ever fly to a cruise. plus the money

[newmexicoNita]

My husband and I cruised aboard BA with our 3 year old son, cousin and his Fiance'. My cousin and his fiancé have cruised BA 2 other times and raved about it. My husband and I are also avid Carnival cruisers. Pier 88 in NY is really small; long and narrow. We arrived at 11am and the waiting in the check in line for an hour and a half. Once on board we found the inside of the ship tiny and claustrophobic for a mega ship. There is no open air atrium like on most Carnival ships. You are corralled to walk along the inside. Because of this we were stir crazy, feeling mostly trapped in a submarine feeling for a week. We had a ocean view cabin on deck 5, #5178. I also have a walk through up on Youtube.

 

Our room was filthy when we arrived at 3pm (after safety drill and we were already moving). Our room smelled of sewage the entire time and was smaller than an oceanview room on Carnival. Buffet food was terrible. Nothing like the choices on Carnival. The dining rooms wouldn't even make my son a grilled cheese sandwich after he was sick of pizza, fries and chicken fingers all week. The staff is nothing like Carnival. They are downright miserable, rude, can't seem to be bothered. Food in the main dining rooms also left a lot to be desired. Best food we had was from Jimmy Buffets and we had to pay extra and it was well worth it. For us, Carnival offers better food, service, rooms, ship layouts.

I have no idea what BA you were on, but not one thing you found not to your liking did we experience except for the larger atrium. The food, is our opinion was outstanding with great selection. We have cruised over 30 times, on all mass marketed lines; this was the best food we have had in, maybe 10 or 15 years. Our cabin was spotless all the time: check in was rather fast and the crew bent over backwards to be helpful and pleasant. I am surprised they wouldn't make your son a sandwich there must have been a reason for that. YOu could have gotten him one in O'sheenans. Did you even try Modernos for lunch? they did a wonderful job and it was part of the no charge dining. Oh, one more thing, I agree with on, the cabins are smaller than Carnival. We normally do some research before choosing a cabin so we, at least know what to expect.

Your opinion and mine is why we have so many cruise line choices, what works for one person does not always work for another.. Sorry you had such a horrible, unpleasant experience.

[R2E1GY]

I have no idea what BA you were on, but not one thing you found not to your liking did we experience except for the larger atrium. The food, is our opinion was outstanding with great selection. We have cruised over 30 times, on all mass marketed lines; this was the best food we have had in, maybe 10 or 15 years. Our cabin was spotless all the time: check in was rather fast and the crew bent over backwards to be helpful and pleasant. I am surprised they wouldn't make your son a sandwich there must have been a reason for that. YOu could have gotten him one in O'sheenans. Did you even try Modernos for lunch? they did a wonderful job and it was part of the no charge dining. Oh, one more thing, I agree with on, the cabins are smaller than Carnival. We normally do some research before choosing a cabin so we, at least know what to expect.

 

Your opinion and mine is why we have so many cruise line choices, what works for one person does not always work for another.. Sorry you had such a horrible, unpleasant experience.

 

 

You are right about differences in opinions and experiences! My cousin who we cruised with, was on BA two other times prior and even he said this trip was unrecognizable from his previous sailings that same year on her. Unfortunately we cruised during Jersey Week, second week of November. The staff told us they were at the absolute max capacity and I think that contributed to our experience. The kiddie pool section was closed the entire week except 1 day as well. We did enjoy Moderno. We ate their for lunch on the first day as well as dinner. I did forget to mention that. We asked the staff in Manhattan Room about the grilled cheese and they were pretty adamant they would not make a special item. Again, being backed up could explain that.

 

 

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[newmexicoNita]

I just traveled on The Breakaway on March 26 2016. We had a fantastic time on the ship. Yes the Balcony is small but that didn't bother us and we knew it ahead of time. We also traveled in The Haven and just loved it. It has a larger price tag but I believe it was a great value for this trip. We are scheduled to go to Carnival in October. I would go on the Breakaway any time but I would also book The Haven just because of personal service and how easy it is to get on and off the ship. The food is great on the Breakaway with so many options.

We too agree the balconies were tiny, but again, we knew this: as long as there is enough room for a small table and 2 chairs we are fine. we do not need a lot of room to simply read or have a drink in the evening.