Off the Breakaway yesterday

[Jaime0528]

It is new on the BREAKAWAY..

 

Escape the Big Top

 

A carnival takes an unfortunate turn when a circus act goes awry. A magician puts a curse on everyone, and it’s up to you so solve the clues break the spell. Do you have what it takes to be the first to lift the curse? “Escape the Big Top” is fast-paced and full of excitement and intrigue — a not-to-be-missed activity for the whole family.

 

Sounds fun! Hope it's still going in November! Trying to get through all the negative comments here and find some good info for our upcoming big family cruise, 16 so far, trying to get more to join us for thanksgiving!

[newmexicoNita]

now for the public areas and the cabins. We were in a balcony cabin on deck 9; the cabin was standard, but the shape a little different; it is more like the Epic except no rounded couch which we appreciated and the bath was no sitting in the middle of the bedroom. There was a surplus of storage space in bathroom, not so much in the rest of the cabin, but we had no problem finding places to put everything. The cabin was always very clean but I missed the old desk area with a drawer. Oh well, new is not always best for some of us. As for the small balconies, we were forewards which helped. All we do is read on the balcony anyway or maybe enjoy a glass of wine or coffee so we were not bothered by the size. I did notice the RCI ship docked right by us had large balconies with lounges; darn but still I am not about to let the size bother us. For a ship the size of the BA the atrium was way too small and they held too many activities there. Most of the time it was a mad house, especially at night. The pool area would have been the same had the weather been better. We have one huge complaint that we have stressed before on NCL ships. For those of us who are physically challenged or older sitting and enjoy the sun is near to impossible. The lounges are low and there are no chairs to sit on unless you want to stay in the shaded areas. Some of the older ships do have table and chairs in the sun, so did the Epic. The kids pool area looked awesome.

As for finding a place to eat in the buffet, the few times we ate there we could always find somewhere to sit, even on debarkation day. It was quite large. For simply reading a relaxing there were lots of places to escape.

Bar service was great, loved the bar tenders in the Atruim and O'sheehan's. We did have to show both cards to order more than one drink. Epic, after a few days did not require this.

I will add, walking through the casino the smoke smell was pretty strong but as soon as you got away from the area it was fine and we didn't notice much residue in any other part of the ship, not even O'Sheehans which is right next to the casino. I still think I prefer the closed in casinos.

All in all the service was great, the crew super friendly and always helpful and we had no problems even with service in O'Sheehan's which some have complained about. The ship is in excellent condition. No complaints there.

Tomorrow I will finish up with some last minute thoughts.

[ncklhaus]

We were on the same cruise and if I have to rate it, it will only be 1 star and here is why?

 

1) We went to the main dinning room (Manhattan) on the first night and never went back for the rest of the cruise because it took 45 minutes for the appetizers to arrive and you have to spent 2 hours for a complete dinner which is way too long for us.

 

2) We went to GSC at around 1 PM and we left at around 4 PM, we have to wait for 40 minutes for the tender in the hot sun to get back on the ship. At first they only have one tender and the line was mile long then they open a second tender after people complaining loudly.

 

3) We had a mini suite mid-ship and the balcony is so small that you can't even stretch you legs.

 

4) Nobody is controlling the kids and they were running and talking loud on their way back to the cabins after mid night and disturbing everybody's sleep.

 

5) Disembarkation was a disaster because we got off the elevator mid-ship deck 7 @ 7:15, the line was all the way to the Manhattan dinning room from the front of the ship. The line kept growing longer and longer and they ran out of space in the dinning room so they sent people out to the waterfront. We did not get out the pier until 8:50 AM.

 

6) They pretty much have the same two people (Arvin and Emily) singing at the Atrium night after night.

 

7) The saddest thing is that they allowed kids sitting on the casino floor and let them watch their parents gambling and inhale all those cigarettes.

 

8) We went to the captain's party and all they talk about is your next deposits but they do provide you some free drinks mostly wines.

 

9) On the last day of the cruise, they show videos of the all the staffs saying thank you unlike the past, all staffs come out and thank you in person and also sing the song "We are The World" and now, you have the cruise director Dan Dan sing a couple songs and they call that "Dan Dan Session Jam".

 

We've been on 30+ cruises and I don't think I'd ever go on another NCL cruise again. NCL just taking too many short cuts and I couldn't find a piece of cheese cake in the entire cruise. The pool is way too crowded and the hot tubs are full of kids sometimes there were 15 kids in one hot tub. If you want to use the hot tub in the spa, it'll cost you $220 a week.

 

As for food, We waited for 40 minutes to try out the Shanghai restaurant and the food was no good. They give you beeper while you wait and the beeper works only for deck 6,7, and 8.

 

The only good thing is they have a different theme at the garden buffet every night so for example:

 

When we were in Nassau, the buffet is caribbean night so you get Jerk chickens etc...

 

You have Italian night, Asian night (they serve you roasted ducks), and on the last day is Grill night.

 

The bottom line is we couldn't wait to get off the ship because there ain't a whole lot to do unless you like to drink a lot and hang around the bar all the time.

 

 

Isn't this supposed to be newmexicoNitas review? :confused: Please let her give her opinions and start your own thread to give yours. Thanks.

[newmexicoNita]

Final thoughts on our week with the Breakaway:

Embarkation and debarkation:

anyone who thought it was slow is just not a veryve to patient person. We rarived about 10:30; we did ha wait until the ship was clean to board but certainly I have seen many longer waits. Debarkation: another story: There may be more than one reason for the slowness, regardless it was a pain n the Ass. It took quite awhile for the ship to be cleared and still, as early as 7am people were blocking the stairs with all their luggage waiting to be the first ones off. Not only are too many people opting for walk off, they have way too much luggage to walk off. We saw a family of 3, mom, dad and bratty tween walking off; they each had 2 of the 28 or 30 inch suitcases, at least one additions one per person and the lap tops. How can anyone use that much in a week's time on a cruise I wonder? Maybe it is time for the ships to follow the airlines and limit the size and number of bag one can carry on or in this case, off? Adding to all this, there were only 6 of the 14 customs lines open.

 

The M&G, though well attended, not as much as in years past. This was true with our M&G in November as well. I dont know if it is the larger ships, or just the newer generation, but I do feel bad for the management when they set up the food and bother to attend, just to talk to a handful of people. If you sign up please try to be there people. Think about how you would feel if you threw a party and only 25% of the people you invited attended. The slot pull, on the other had was well attended.

If something isn't right, talk to the hotel manager or whomever, not all the other passengers. And if you are traveling with kids keep your eye on them and teach them to be polite when around older passengers. Kids will always be kids, but rude ones can ruin it for many.

I would give the Breakaway a 5 for ship quality, food and entertainment and a 3 plus for fun when it comes to the older generation. It is geared to those under 60 in my opinion. That is why we are going back to the smaller ships: we are booked on a 9 day cruise out of NOLA in November.

I certainly can not say I would never cruise a mega ship again, I think the word never, isn't a good one to use. I don't like to eat my words.

Any more questions don't hesitate to ask. ;)

[TOMTOMRN331]

To the Entertainment: If anyone had a problem finding something to do, they must have been sleeping during the announcements and never read the Free style dailies. Day time, there are always audience participation games and trivia somewhere on the ship. Later in the day, there are all kinds of talks, we say a group of young people on a scavanger hunt having a great time and our daughter and son in law did the Escape room; said it was really fun, but somewhat challenging. Port days they showed movies in the Atrium and a couple of sea days they had cooking lessons; also in the atrium. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate on some days so activities out by the pool were very limited. That is mother nature doing her thing. Of course if you were sailing with kids there were wonderful family activities every day. The night time entertainment was geared somewhat to the younger generation. We choose, on the advise of our TA not to attend Rock of Ages or Burn the Floor. We did see second City twice, once was good with some laughs, the second one was the game show version and was really stupid. The atrium had music each night; usually Arvil and Emily, which were outstanding. One night there was a tribute to Neil D and Barbara S. and one night the band from the Manhattan room played. If one wanted a place to relax in the evening and still have entertainment there was the dueling pianos and the wonderful guitar player. The only show I know that had an extra charge with the circus dinner show. We choose not to go as we have seen these types of shows many times. There seemed to be a lot of late night entertainment as well, but we are over the hill when it comes to late nights. To us late is 10pm. Just one thing I will add, it does appear the entertainment on the mega ships, especially this one is geared to a little younger set, but we still found plenty to do and realize the cruise line is going to base decisions on what the passengers want and people in their 30s to 60s do not want to hear the music or comedians from the 50s. The smaller ships do offer entertainment for senior travelers more.

Tomorrow I will try and cover the decor of the ship, service and cabins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Can I ask why your TA advised against Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor ?

 

 

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[bmwman]

Try a Celebrity cruise and you'll notice a big different. On the Breakaway, they'll charge you for the water painting class and it used to be free. On Celebrity, scrap book and all arts and crafts classes are free and the cruise fares between NCL and Celebrity are almost the same for the Caribbean cruise. Another example is in the past NCL captain's party, the captain and managers will stick around and chit chat with the passengers and they also have raffles drawings. Now, as soon as they introduced the captain and managers, they get the hell out of there ASAP and the sale pitch guy comes in and all he talks about is your next deposits. We left the party ASAP.

 

Another example is in the past, they use to have juggling and magic for the kids and also a comedy show. Now, zippo, nothing, nada....If you want to see comedy mixed with circus? You have to pay 47 bucks. This is a free show in Celebrity although the circus may not be that extensive but if you have to pay for everything on the cruise, why do you pay 3,600 for a mini suite? Go figure!!

 

Try British Airways or Ryanair both will get you a to B seafely but one is cheaper and take short cuts and the other one is BA

 

How on earth do you compare NCL and Celebrity - different product and therefore I will go with those that had a great time.

 

Yep we are NCL platinum plus but the reason for that its our favourite product absolutely would hate Celebrity so do not go on it. My late mother (GRHS) loved it at 75 -80 years.

 

Sorry to be forthright but your comments about celebrity are an irrelevance to this thread

[newmexicoNita]

Can I ask why your TA advised against Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor ?

 

 

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she advised against it for older people, not everyone. Burn sthe Floor, for those who love dancing and very loud music apparently is great. Rock of ages isn't for the young (minors) or seniors: apparently the language is pretty raw, so is the subject matter. We also talked to several who walked out of the show. By several, I mean about 4 or 5 couples, certainly not everyone on the ship.

[njhorseman]

she advised against it for older people, not everyone. Burn sthe Floor, for those who love dancing and very loud music apparently is great. Rock of ages isn't for the young (minors) or seniors: apparently the language is pretty raw, so is the subject matter. We also talked to several who walked out of the show. By several, I mean about 4 or 5 couples, certainly not everyone on the ship.

 

Speaking as a senior citizen, I found nothing about the show that was offensive, or that I hadn't seen or heard by the time I was 10 years old.

 

The travel agent probably had one customer who, you should pardon the expression, was a prude, and came back and complained. Some travel agents (and I owned a travel agency, so I know) don't want to deal with and don't know how to handle any potentially negative comments from their customers so they overreact and make general pronouncements based on one complaint.

[boopsahoy]

Speaking as a senior citizen, I found nothing about the show that was offensive, or that I hadn't seen or heard by the time I was 10 years old.

 

The travel agent probably had one customer who, you should pardon the expression, was a prude, and came back and complained. Some travel agents (and I owned a travel agency, so I know) don't want to deal with and don't know how to handle any potentially negative comments from their customers so they overreact and make general pronouncements based on one complaint.

I agree! I'm 60 and I already booked it for my breakaway cruise! Already saw the movie...

[fabnfortysomething]

Speaking as a senior citizen, I found nothing about the show that was offensive, or that I hadn't seen or heard by the time I was 10 years old.

 

The travel agent probably had one customer who, you should pardon the expression, was a prude, and came back and complained. Some travel agents (and I owned a travel agency, so I know) don't want to deal with and don't know how to handle any potentially negative comments from their customers so they overreact and make general pronouncements based on one complaint.

 

I'm 55 and the songs are of my generation!

 

seen the show in West End London seen the film and on Breakaway and enjoyed them all

[Veectoor]

You gotta be kidding? Years ago when you go on a NCL cruise, everything is included and now everything is a la cart. Sure, you pay about the same fare today for a balcony as 20 years ago, however, even adjusted with inflation and when you add in the a la cart for:

 

1) Hot tubs in the Spa $220 a week.

2) Vibe beach $ 80 a week. Why do they section off here and make you pay 80 bucks when you already paid for your full cruise fare in thousands? Why do you have to pay again for sunbath?

Why do they let 15 kids in the hot tubs even thought some hot tubs said adults only? Do they care about you? Nope!!

3) Services are getting worst by day since they introduced included gratuities because there are no incentives for the staffs to work hard. Example, how come there are no pool towels at the H2O? I have to go to my room to get the pool towels and I paid thousands for this cruise?

4) When did the captain's party become a sale pitch? I don't think I go on a cruise to listen when I need to make my next deposits? What happen to the day when the captain and his staffs chit chat with the passengers? Oh...you have to pay $ 3000 more to be in the Haven so you can chat with the captain?

5) You also have to pay 10 bucks to tour the galley? What? It used to be free so now you have to pay?

6) Where' the arts and crafts? Sure, they have it. It's call a pay only water painting class. It used to be free.

7) Lets talk about some basic sushi. They used to have sushi in the Garden buffets now is call a la cart. ka- ching ka-ching...Can you hear $$$ now?

 

I am tire of listings and even adjusted with inflation with your cruise fare, the a la cart examples here can easily outweighed inflation by hundred of %%%%.

 

Don't forget about all those kids playing on your lawn while you were away!

[newmexicoNita]

Speaking as a senior citizen, I found nothing about the show that was offensive, or that I hadn't seen or heard by the time I was 10 years old.

 

The travel agent probably had one customer who, you should pardon the expression, was a prude, and came back and complained. Some travel agents (and I owned a travel agency, so I know) don't want to deal with and don't know how to handle any potentially negative comments from their customers so they overreact and make general pronouncements based on one complaint.

you could be right, but she, personally had seen it on the Breakaway about a year or so ago and she isn't a prude nor are we. Anyway, just a matter of opinion. I am glad you found it acceptable. I think when she was advising about seniors, she was probably talking about those 70 plus. those couples who walked out that we spoke with were probably 70 plus. thus it might depend on how you define senior.

[njhorseman]

you could be right, but she, personally had seen it on the Breakaway about a year or so ago and she isn't a prude nor are we. Anyway, just a matter of opinion. I am glad you found it acceptable. I think when she was advising about seniors, she was probably talking about those 70 plus. those couples who walked out that we spoke with were probably 70 plus. thus it might depend on how you define senior.

 

I'm 70 plus, so that theory doesn't work. Since she saw it herself and had that reaction then she very well might fit into the category I've suggested, regardless of whether she thinks so.

Edited April 17, 2017 by njhorseman

[Markj]

We were on the same cruise and if I have to rate it, it will only be 1 star and here is why?

 

1) We went to the main dinning room (Manhattan) on the first night and never went back for the rest of the cruise because it took 45 minutes for the appetizers to arrive and you have to spent 2 hours for a complete dinner which is way too long for us.

 

Blah blah blah and moan. (shortened so as nto to be boring)

 

The bottom line is we couldn't wait to get off the ship because there ain't a whole lot to do unless you like to drink a lot and hang around the bar all the time.

 

I cannot understand why you woudl choose to post this in someone elses positive report? By all means create a report and express your disatisfaction with NCL and the ship but to put it in somone elses report where they are inviting questions and not YOUR review is simply rude!!

 

Shame

[Markj]

Isn't this supposed to be newmexicoNitas review? :confused: Please let her give her opinions and start your own thread to give yours. Thanks.

 

Just got to this post

 

Completely agree!!

[wdsted]

Newmexico Nita: Thanks for your much appreciated review. You've shown much patience trying to share your message. It's a shame it was hijacked by a self-absorbed negative Nellie and then followed up by a ridiculous, ageist conversation about an adapted musical sending our poor seniors running out of the theatre after being exposed to "dirty" words and sexually-suggestive content. Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

 

 

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[njhorseman]

Newmexico Nita: Thanks for your much appreciated review. You've shown much patience trying to share your message. It's a shame it was hijacked by a self-absorbed negative Nellie and then followed up by a ridiculous, ageist conversation about an adapted musical sending our poor seniors running out of the theatre after being exposed to "dirty" words and sexually-suggestive content. Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

 

 

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It was newmexicoNita who raised the issue of seniors running out of the theater and her travel agent recommending that seniors not see the show, so blame her for steering her own thread into this conversation.

[cruise_alot123]

I was on the same cruise and lets face the reality, the Earth is not always round and we did have rough seas with 40 knot winds and 20 foot waves on the Thursday that we left Nassau back to New York. Just because the OP reviewed that the ship is almost a 5 star and to me, nothing even come close to a star if you included all the extra costs and the super slow service in the Manhattan room, and many more which I’ve already described in my earlier posts. Sure, people only want good things in life or in this case only want to hear a good review about the cruise so when it's your turn to go, you’ll feel good about it. The true is not everything is positive or fine and dandy starting with the smoky filled casino that could easily choked the casino staffs to death in a slow motion. I can’t believe all cruise lines still allow smoking and this is to show you how much they care about their staffs. The street is always two ways just like airplanes that go up must come down. You can’t always look at thing one sided or only accept the good things in life because all things are created equal and must be balanced out.

 

 

 

Btw, my neighbor’s kids are well behave and they never play on my lawn and if they do, I just have their parents foot the bill to re-seed my lawn :D :evilsmile:.

[uneamie]

I was on the same cruise and lets face the reality, the Earth is not always round and we did have rough seas with 40 knot winds and 20 foot waves on the Thursday that we left Nassau back to New York. Just because the OP reviewed that the ship is almost a 5 star and to me, nothing even come close to a star if you included all the extra costs and the super slow service in the Manhattan room, and many more which I’ve already described in my earlier posts. Sure, people only want good things in life or in this case only want to hear a good review about the cruise so when it's your turn to go, you’ll feel good about it. The true is not everything is positive or fine and dandy starting with the smoky filled casino that could easily choked the casino staffs to death in a slow motion. I can’t believe all cruise lines still allow smoking and this is to show you how much they care about their staffs. The street is always two ways just like airplanes that go up must come down. You can’t always look at thing one sided or only accept the good things in life because all things are created equal and must be balanced out.

 

 

 

Btw, my neighbor’s kids are well behave and they never play on my lawn and if they do, I just have their parents foot the bill to re-seed my lawn :D :evilsmile:.

I can appreciate everyone's opinion of their cruise....good or bad. I do think that we all go on our cruise with different temperaments and expectations. One person's "big deal" is another person's, "no biggy". So while I try to read between the lines and respect each persons view I don't make my choices based upon anyone's review. I gather information from them and pick out the things I know might not sit well with me and adjust my expectations somewhat. I love NCL...and try to go on any cruise with an open mind, a happy heart that I am even on a cruise, and go with the flow. I likely will not end my vacation without a few complaints here and there, but those complaints never define my experience or good. time...unless the ship sinks.

[Mississippi1]

I can appreciate everyone's opinion of their cruise....good or bad. I do think that we all go on our cruise with different temperaments and expectations. One person's "big deal" is another person's, "no biggy". So while I try to read between the lines and respect each persons view I don't make my choices based upon anyone's review. I gather information from them and pick out the things I know might not sit well with me and adjust my expectations somewhat. I love NCL...and try to go on any cruise with an open mind, a happy heart that I am even on a cruise, and go with the flow. I likely will not end my vacation without a few complaints here and there, but those complaints never define my experience or good. time...unless the ship sinks.

 

This. DH and I always travel this way. And, we seem to experience more "no biggies" than "big deals". Could be because we go into it with the right attitudes, or because we're not terribly hard to please, but it makes for better-than-average vacations, lol.

[newmexicoNita]

reviews and opinion are very subjective as we all know. Curise a lot, experienced things that apparently not many others did. I have to wonder how much of what he experienced was real and how much slightly exaggerated.

Cruise-a-lot, re-read my review I never claimed the cruise was perfect and yes, there were places where they could have been improvements. Nothing in life is perfect. For us, it was more good than bad for sure. The crowds due to poor weather and spring break did put a damper on the trip Our experience in the Manhattan room was fantastic. It may have been the best service we had the entire cruise.

To those who think they may want to be part of the M&G group, this in one thing that can really help people have even more fun. You connect with others right away and sometimes .even build up long time friends. We met a couple at a M&G 15 years ago and are still internet friends. We also met a couple we played trivia with on a repo cruise, we ended up having dinner with a few times on the a cruise and are still in contact with. I will add one thing though, if you sign up to be part of the M&G group, do attend the get together. The management does a great job and they expect people who say they will be there to try and make it. This is a time when you can ask questions or voice concerns. The management is there to answers questions.

Edited April 19, 2017 by newmexicoNita

[Maraprince]

Don't forget about all those kids playing on your lawn while you were away!

 

 

Do they provide those little pocket maps with what is on each deck?

 

MARAPRINCE

[teehuge]

I guess that just like "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", vacation experiences vary. We were on this cruise and enjoyed it very much. We were aware before sailing that it was spring break & would be crowded with many families and teachers. We had fabulous meals (all in the complimentary venues) and avoided children by spending time at Spice2O. The crew was friendly and helpful. The bartenders in the two bars we frequented knew our names and our drinks in the first 24 hours. And guess what - the only "extra" charges we incurred were from choices we made - taxes on drinks in port, a lobster roll at Ocean Blue and Nachos at Margaritaville. The weather can not be controlled by NCL and I appreciate "Safety First". I'm glad for those who took advantage of this amazingly awesome opportunity and appreciated it. Was everything perfect? No. But still much better than a week of work, cooking, cleaning & chores. I'd go again in an instant!

[LSKC]

Not always true!

The BA's longer January cruises are very popular with youngish families, especially from Canada, and we have seen a LOT of kids on some of the January cruises. Doesn't bother us.

 

My main concern with switching our Escape 7 day to a NY 12 day Eastern on Breakaway is that I want my kids to be able to make a few friends - Date we are looking at is Dec 3-15/17... I so would rather do 12 days from NY than fly to Miami (cost of 5 flights) for a 7 day.

 

I know that the ship won't be teeming with kids but I'm hoping for some in each age range (my kids are 16, 14 and 8). Insight? Also, we are mid 40's... will we be in the minority?

[Son of a son of a ...]

My main concern with switching our Escape 7 day to a NY 12 day Eastern on Breakaway is that I want my kids to be able to make a few friends - Date we are looking at is Dec 3-15/17... I so would rather do 12 days from NY than fly to Miami (cost of 5 flights) for a 7 day.

 

I know that the ship won't be teeming with kids but I'm hoping for some in each age range (my kids are 16, 14 and 8). Insight? Also, we are mid 40's... will we be in the minority?

 

12 days is a long time to pull kids out of school for a cruise, no?