Breakaway vs. Gem

[Trela1234]

Looking for some feedback on the Breakaway vs. the Gem. We were 1st time cruisers and cruised on the Breakaway fm 4/2 - 4/9. We LOVED it! Best vacation ever! So now we want to plan something for next year. I see that the Gem also sails out of NY and the dates we are looking at are cheaper than the Breakaway. I'm just worried that we will be disappointed on the Gem because we liked the Breakaway so much. Any thoughts from those who have been on both? Thank you in advance.

[poona1]

gem - advantages- smaller cruise ship feel, intimate lounges, cheaper prices, bigger balconies, longer iternaries

disadvantages- fewer bells and whistles shows as well as restaurants than the breakaway, better for the young people

[Gershep]

We love both ships but I prefer the Gem because it is smaller. There is not much of a nightlife on the Gem and more to do on the Breakaway.

[cruiseelady]

I like the Gem more, it sort of feels more cozy.

 

Its really about preference if you like huge ships or smaller ones. I have been on both a few times and prefer the smaller ships.

 

Plus I liked the shows on the Gem, on Breakaway I really disliked them.

 

However the dancing in the Spice 2O under the moon and the stars is a whole lot of fun, Gem does not have that.

[mugtech]

Everyone should sail the Gem and see Leo at least once.

[Rhea58]

While Breakaway has more shows & a lovely promenade outside the restos

I still prefer the Gem for its smallness and personnel.

[dexddd]

As pointed out above, it depends what you prefer - big ships or smaller. We've sailed both and doubt we will go on BA ever again. Gem had a refurb not too long ago and looks quite nice.

[boopsahoy]

Everyone should sail the Gem and see Leo at least once.

This is a great reason to do the Gem!

[Carrickbeg]

Agree about Leo. Unfortunately, Leo is leaving the Gem soon. Will be gone I believe by Summer.

This is a great reason to do the Gem!

[boopsahoy]

Agree about Leo. Unfortunately, Leo is leaving the Gem soon. Will be gone I believe by Summer.

 

Is that because the Gem is moving? Do you know where he is going???

[mjkacmom]

Agree about Leo. Unfortunately, Leo is leaving the Gem soon. Will be gone I believe by Summer.

Oh no, I've been looking forward to seeing him. We are on the 5/27 sailing.

[skeeter195]

I have been on the Gem 5 times and the Breakaway 3 times within the past 3 1/2 years. Instead of what I like about here is what I dislike about each.

 

Gem

-The shows are lacking overall

-Besides Leo the lounge acts are not that good

-Outdoor activities(only 1 slide and the rockwall)

-Tech stuff is behind. Example last month the Iconcierge app did not work well for the 21 people we had on the ship

-The worst spa we have been to at sea(we go multiple times every trip). Services were average at best and the hard sell was over the top

 

Breakaway

-At times there are way to many people

-at the pool

-after shows let out

-really bad when the weather is bad during the day and everyone is inside(think of when you were in school and the bell rings between classes and everyone converges into the halls)

-no outdoor BBQs

-disembarkation. Just to many people for the port to handle. Not totally NCLs fault. I believe that customs could put on more agents. There have been the same number of agents every time we have left whether it was the Breakaway or Gem.

-you must reserve everything in advance if you want to get into most shows and eat when you want to in the specialties.

 

OK some good points also

 

Gem

-casino layout

-great outdoors

-aisan restaurant

-spinaker lounge

 

Breakaway

-outdoor stuff(ropes course, slides, mini golf)

-shows

-small lounges(jazz, comedy/dueling pianos, ice bar)

-raw bar

-O'Sheehans

[Bobrunner]

Sailed both the Breakaway and the Epic. Big ships for sure. Shows were not our kind at all. Mostly slanted to the sexy side. Not a well rounded family type venues. Smaller ships provided a better all around show for all passengers. Other than that loved the Breakaway and Epic.

[turning40withMickey]

My preference is the Gem.

 

The Breakaway has great waterslides, ropes course, rock wall ....will you use them?

Breakaway pool- so crowded! Hot tub, overcrowded all the time

Game shows, held in atrium area, very poor visibility, really limited seating

We loved the Broadway style shows, disliked having to make reservations for them

No past guest party

 

The Gem entertainment was also great!

Game shows on the Gem and other activities in Spinnaker Lounge- easy to view and participate in them

No reservations needed

Past guest party (maybe, latitudes levels changed...used to be after one cruise you were a part of this)

 

What things did you like about Breakaway?

We like the game show type activities, trivia, and the shows. Gem wins on all of these.

We like meeting new people and seeing them several times throughout the ship....didn't happen on Breakaway....it's too big

[Carrickbeg]

No, it is not because Gem is moving. He's leaving in the next few months. I can't remember what ship he said he was going to go to. :(

Is that because the Gem is moving? Do you know where he is going???

[luvs2beachit]

Everyone should sail the Gem and see Leo at least once.

 

Agree with that! And I will add don't miss the comic Tim Kaminsky, he was very entertaining.

[destiny217]

If you can wait until 4/22 the Escape will be sailing out of NYC.

[NJsharon]

Been on Gem twice and Breakaway once.

 

LOVE the Gem, it is my favorite ship I've been on. Breakaway was okay (but I will say I know others that really love it, but just me & my family didn't).

 

Gem was a lot smaller, but you got to know the staff more because of that. Crew all seemed friendlier.

 

As someone mentioned, the Breakaway, even though it is a larger ship, always seemed crowded everywhere, especially the public areas like pools, game shows, theater or if the weather was poor. For any quiz/game shows, it was impossible to get close to the action, tons of people standing up, squeezed in. They really didn't design the public areas to hold the amount of passengers that are on the ship.

 

The shows on the Gem we much preferred. The ones on the Breakaway were kind of Broadway quality, but not family oriented at all & being we have 11yr old twin girls we couldn't take them.

 

So yeah.... I would choose Gem, unless I had a killer deal for Breakaway, then I would take it, it isn't that bad (I mean a cruise is a cruise!). But definitely prefer the Gem!

[Barb Nahoumi]

We were on the Gem one year ago, and liked it.

 

Foodwise, we usually dined in the MDRs or O'Sheehan's. No complaints there-----food and service was good.

Pool deck was busy, sometimes we had to go up to the next deck, but loungers were available. The pool wasn't overcrowded.

Daytime and evening activities were good. I always checked my Daily to find interesting things to do. Leo's performances were excellent.

We did not attend all of the shows in the Stardust, sometimes opting for the performances in the smaller lounges.

Our balcony cabin was adequate, though small. There was enough room and storage space for two people.

 

We have never cruised on a mega-ship yet, and are perfectly happy with the Jewell Class or Dawn Class ships. Although there are more bells and whistles on the megas, we probably would not use them all, and we don't like crowds, or the need to make reservations for shows.

[Gershep]

Agree with that! And I will add don't miss the comic Tim Kaminsky, he was very entertaining.

 

Every time I've been on the Gem I have missed them because neither one are on the ship. One of these days.

[BostonGal35]

weve sailed both. i would say i prefer Gem because in general we prefer the smaller ships. but tat said, we love breakaway and will be on her for the third time next month.

[Trela1234]

If you can wait until 4/22 the Escape will be sailing out of NYC.

 

This is exactly what we ultimately decided to do. Just booked our Bermuda cruise for next April on the Escape. Thanks everyone.