Norwegian Breakaway or RC Symphony

[Rocky Mountain Cruisers]

Trying to decide between Breakaway or Symphony for October 2019.  We have been on Harmony and loved it.  Symphony is a bit pricey and wondering if it may feel redundant?  Breakaway offering free drink package which is a plus but have read some not so great reviews.  Similar itineraries to western Caribbean.  Thanks for any feedback.

[mdwcruises]

I prefer to try new things so I would take Breakaway.  Symphony looks gorgeous but it is so overpriced right now.  

[OHRiverRats]

If you like 70's/80's rock music, you will have a blast on the Breakaway!  If not, I would prefer the Symphony. But when there's a huge difference in price, we go Norwegian. Really can't go wrong with either one. Enjoy your cruise!

[MrFunInTheSun]

Symphony of the seas! Such a beautiful ship! 🙂 Below is a recent live trip report I did on her.

 

 

[RedRover96]

 

1 hour ago, MrFunInTheSun said:

Symphony of the seas! Such a beautiful ship!

Liked your report! Just out of curiosity have you cruised on an NCL away class ship?

[misguy]

We loved our cruise on the Breakaway.

[CruisingNole]

Comparing Symphony (pretty much the newest, shiniest ship at sea) to the Breakaway is an apples to orange comparison, TBH.

[BirdTravels]

We would recommend the Symphony. Newer. More things to do. For a peek, here are links to our live posts from both ships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[roscoe123]

23 hours ago, Rocky Mountain Cruisers said:

Trying to decide between Breakaway or Symphony for October 2019.  We have been on Harmony and loved it.  Symphony is a bit pricey and wondering if it may feel redundant?  Breakaway offering free drink package which is a plus but have read some not so great reviews.  Similar itineraries to western Caribbean.  Thanks for any feedback.

I’ve cruised on both ships.  The Symphony last year out of Barcelona and the Breakaway in March out of New Orleans.  You can’t go wrong either way.  There are a lot of activities on both to keep you busy.  I was more impressed by the Symphony’s design.  I loved the Central Park and Boardwalk sections.  I also appreciated the original art work throughout the ship. The design of the Breakaway wasn’t that special to me, outside of what the Haven offers.  I did like the Waterfront concept.  The comedy was better on Norwegian.   

[newmexicoNita]

Both ships are worth a try and neither should disappoint if you are into mega ships. I know, one person so far has said comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. It would be hard to compare unless you had sailed both. I would be more inclined to take some comments with a grain of salt. Go ahead give the Breakaway a shot. There are differences between the two ships of course, but both have a lot to offer. 

[1stTIMECRUZER]

Sailing on the Breakaway in February 2020.  Haven't told DH yet! 😏

This will be our 6th cruise and our 4th on Norwegian.  Can't wait! 

[newty25]

We booked Symphony and then rebooked on Getaway (exact same ship as Breakaway) for last Thanksgiving. We wanted the Haven experience.

 

Personally, Symphony and the RCI ships look amazing. Much better designs than the NCL ships. The suites, to us, looked much better on NCL. Combined that with the Haven and we were sold.

 

If I were booking a non-suite, I'd probably do Symphony. If I were looking at a suite, I'd definitely book NCL and the Haven.

 

In fact, we loved the Haven on the Getaway so much that we booked the Breakaway this November in another two bedroom suite.

Edited March 25, 2019 by newty25

[graphicguy]

Oooohhhhh....tough choice.  Sailed Harmony which is similar to Symphony.  Also sailed Breakaway, also a very nice ship.  I have to say, I absolutely love the “WaterFront” on the Breakaway, and spent a lot of time there every day.  Plenty of relaxing, dining and drinking areas overlooking the ocean.  Just a very nice feature.

 

Plus, I really liked the drink package and entertainment that NCL offers.  

 

Can’t go wrong with either, but if Symphony is more expensive, that makes it a no brainer.  Sail Breakaway.

Edited March 25, 2019 by graphicguy

[Tatka]

We cruised on Breakaway and Allure (sister to Symphony without water slides and Abyss).

In some reason we did not become Breakaway fans even though we do like smaller NCL ships.

 

Things that we did like:

 1) MDR set up. Especially Manhattan room, but other two too.

 2) 2 promenades: Waterfront and another one

 3) Our balcony room. Cozy.

 

Things were Breakaway loses to RCCL Oasis class

1) Pools setup... RCCL has amazing pool setup on most of ships

2) We like theaters on Oasis class better and water show is something you won't see anywhere else

3) Oasis class is much more spacious even though it carries more people

4) Casino is enclosed.. unlike on Breakaway where it is not sheltered from atrium so smoke gets out easily

 

I think there is no other class of ship with any company which would match wow factor of Oasis class of RCCL

[misguy]

Here is a video tour of Deck 7 on the Breakaway. 

 

[Granny DI]

On 3/25/2019 at 10:30 AM, newty25 said:

We booked Symphony and then rebooked on Getaway (exact same ship as Breakaway) for last Thanksgiving. We wanted the Haven experience.

 

Personally, Symphony and the RCI ships look amazing. Much better designs than the NCL ships. The suites, to us, looked much better on NCL. Combined that with the Haven and we were sold.

 

If I were booking a non-suite, I'd probably do Symphony. If I were looking at a suite, I'd definitely book NCL and the Haven.

 

In fact, we loved the Haven on the Getaway so much that we booked the Breakaway this November in another two bedroom suite.

My DH said no more suites on RCL......no bang for your buck...minisuites only. Our favorite cabin at Sea is 12304 on the Breakaway. Would never consider anything on the Breakaway below  Haven aft suites. We sail for the Haven experience.

[Brooklyn Bridget]

Symphony all the way!  These two ships are not in the same league.  

[BNBR]

Symphony by a long shot. I've sailed Escape (Haven no less, which was lousy and overpriced) which is bigger and better than Breakaway and it's no comparison. The NCL ships are enclosed, cramped, low ceilings, tight hallways, WAYYYYYY overcrowded pool decks, no solarium or decent adult area, severely lacking in entertainment, etc.  It's just not even close. The best thing about NCL is the waterfront and thats not enough to justify booking it over Symphony. 

 

This isn't even close. Do Symphony. 

Edited April 2, 2019 by BNBR

[jimlv]

I've done Breakaway, Getaway, Bliss, Oasis, Harmony and Symphony. Oasis class is my favourite. More to do, more room to spread out, less up charges.