Better holiday cruise for families

[robbykapnj]

Hi,

 

We cruised on the Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas last year for the holidays. While we are hesitant to book a repeat cruise on the Anthem of the Seas this year, we are very concerned about the lack of indoor space on the Breakaway, when half the sailing for a 7 night cruise will be cold weather (Anthem has Solarium with indoor pool/hottub, a separate indoor pool and a very large indoor space called 270 which overlooks the back of the ship).

 

For those that have sailed Breakaway during the winter - I looked at the Freestyle dailies and didn't see too many indoor activities aside from demos. There are pool activities for the first and last day, but I don't see how those would be possible in 20-40 degrees. What was there to do the firs and last 1.5 days of the 7 day cruise?

 

We will be cruising with our grown kids - 21 and 24. Which ship is better for them? Will either ship for a holiday sailing have more families and people around their age to meet and hang out with at night?

 

Thanks!

[heathermiller86nj]

Also debating between the same two ships for the same two sailings. Similar pros/cons. Anyone have any opinions on this?

[robbykapnj]

Does anyone have any insight on this, need to make a decision which ship and holiday cruise by today. Thanks!

[BostonGal35]

breakaway will have a TON of kids and families on board. it will be very, very crowded. i personally would never sail this week. as they are college aged/older, what about doing the new year's sailing? that will have way fewer families since kids will be back in school, but there may well be young adults. there was a good crowd on the Gem last year wehn we went.

[robbykapnj]

Thanks! What was there to do on the cold weather days to and from NY?

 

Also - were you on for Christmas or New Years last year? Glad to hear it wasn't just families with younger kids but also college aged for our kids. Would you say the crowd was mostly from the tri state area?

[BostonGal35]

we were on for New Years. you couldnt pay me to sail christmas or thanksgiving weeks.

 

there is the spa, if you book a spa room or you can buy a pass. the weather is usually getting warm by late afternoon the first sea day as you approach the carolinas. we spend time in teh casino as well, and we like to walk around for exercise.

 

mostly NY/NJ/PA folks. some ME/NH/MA people you dont usually see people fly to NYC for a caribbean cruise in winter, especially a 7 day. might as well just fly to FL.

[robbykapnj]

Anyone else have an opinion? What does Breakaway have to do indoors on the 1st and last day (no 270 or promenade, no solarium)?

[appzoffear]

Don't sail BA on xmas week! Anthem is better suited for crowded spaces. Stick with Anthem if you have no choice but to sail on xmas week.

[robbykapnj]

Thanks! Have you been on Breakaway for Christmas? If so, how was it? What is there to do on BA on sea days?

[mjkacmom]

Anyone else have an opinion? What does Breakaway have to do indoors on the 1st and last day (no 270 or promenade, no solarium)?

You keep asking this question, the answer is no, a downside of the Breakaway is few indoor areas, unlike the Anthem. Unless you are in the Haven or pay for a spa pass, it will feel very crowded on cool days. We close to purchase spa passes.

[zqvol]

That time of year it might be cold for the entire cruise. It is entirely possible that a cold front comes off the east coast and the temperature never gets above 60 the entire cruise. With that in mind I would think that you would want as much indoor space as possible.

[Nola26]

It sounds like you don't want to fly to get to your cruise. You could enjoy the Escape and have less worry about cold weather as you'll leave from FL.

 

I have not been on the Breakaway, but have been on the Getaway, similar ship and would offer the following:

- Game room, we used it to play board games

- Arts and Crafts offered during the daytime in one of the drinking establishments

- Bingo will be indoor

- All shows are indoor

- Casino

- Spa (extra fee to enter) will have the indoor pool, etc

- Workout area with some classes or your own personal workout routine

- There is a covered area outside the buffet were we played games after breakfast one day

- Atrium offers activities: games, movies, unique shows

- Comedy club is another space for indoor activities

- Cabin use it as you see fit

- Indoor entertainment in various venues, especially at night

- Shopping and sales that last for a specific time period

 

I have sailed the Sky during Thanksgiving, before it was All Inclusive and felt comfortable

I sailed the Dawn last Christmas from New Orleans with a spa pass, good cruise.

I'm about to sail the Dawn for Thanksgiving from San Juan (so NCL says) and don't have a lot of reservations about crowds or kids, I don't hang out by the pool. I am not planning to get a spa pass since we have 5 ports and should be quite warm throughout the cruise. I also aways get off the ship in port and usually have an NCL excursion, though I did my own thing in Nassau and we did our own thing in St. Thomas (bought sky ride tickets from NCL)

 

You know what Anthem offers if you want a difference, try Breakaway. You'll do it as a family so you'll make memories either way.