NCL BREAKAWAY VS. GETAWAY?

[IslandFamilyTime]

Trying to book a cruise this summer and our options are the BREAKAWAY and the Getaway (Need to use a credit for Covid cancelled cruise and our schedules limit us to August out of Florida). I have been on the Getaway in 2013 and was very happy with it. I understand the Breakaway is very similar.

 

However,  I keep seeing reviews that the Getaway is very outdated and dirty.

 

Does anyone have recent experience on either ship? Any recommendations for one over the other?

 

TIA

[The Traveling Man]

22 minutes ago, IslandFamilyTime said:

Trying to book a cruise this summer and our options are the BREAKAWAY and the Getaway (Need to use a credit for Covid cancelled cruise and our schedules limit us to August out of Florida). I have been on the Getaway in 2013 and was very happy with it. I understand the Breakaway is very similar.

 

However,  I keep seeing reviews that the Getaway is very outdated and dirty.

 

Does anyone have recent experience on either ship? Any recommendations for one over the other?

 

TIA

The Getaway underwent a major refurbishment in May 2019.  For most of 2020 and about half of 2021 it sat idle, so it looks almost like brand new.  We have sailed on each of them.  There a few differences, but they are very similar in design.

Edited April 19, 2022 by The Traveling Man

[wil e coyote]

We were on Getaway in Feb 2022. It was clean and up-to-date.

[deweytrader]

Both are great imho would go with best price/itinerary 

[ClevelandCruisin]

We've been on both. Pretty much the same ship. I'm partial to the Getaway, only because it was the first ship I cruised on. 

[BermudaBound2014]

I've been on both. For all intents and purposes they are identical. I believe Getaway was most recently refurbished. Like deweytrader said, I'd book this solely based on price and itinerary.

[NolaBliss]

I just got off Breakaway- clean and seemed updated. I would choose by itinerary- have fun. Fyi I booked a balcony on 14 and there was a large overhang that provided good shade allowing me to utilize balcony more during warm days.

[Two Wheels Only]

28 minutes ago, NolaBliss said:

I just got off Breakaway- clean and seemed updated. I would choose by itinerary- have fun. Fyi I booked a balcony on 14 and there was a large overhang that provided good shade allowing me to utilize balcony more during warm days.

 

It doesn't take much to provide complete shade to most Breakaway balconies. 🤪

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, IslandFamilyTime said:

Trying to book a cruise this summer and our options are the BREAKAWAY and the Getaway (Need to use a credit for Covid cancelled cruise and our schedules limit us to August out of Florida). I have been on the Getaway in 2013 and was very happy with it. I understand the Breakaway is very similar.

 

However,  I keep seeing reviews that the Getaway is very outdated and dirty.

 

Does anyone have recent experience on either ship? Any recommendations for one over the other?

 

TIA

They are sister ships built 1 year apart. The standard balconies on the breakaway are the smallest across the cruise industry. The getaway isn't much better. Either ship is fine. Our next NCL cruise is on the Breakaway. 

[dexddd]

I believe mking just sailed GA and did a review.

 

That being said, we sailed BA in best room and overall experience and ship have no desire to sail BA or GA again.

 

The biggest main difference is BA has movable roof over Haven pool, GA no.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

This comment is from two years ago, so it may no longer be relevant, but we have been on both several times and the BA had a very surly and unhappy staff, the officers kept their distance and seemed to not enjoy their jobs.  However, oh the GA, the staff were their usual happy selves.  As I said since covid crews have changed so it may not be an issue.

[Liljo22]

Same ship.  Breakaway is themed to NYC and Getaway is themed to Miami.  Most venues are the same with only one or two differences.  For example, the Breakaway has a Martini bar and Getaway has a Mojito bar.  

Edited April 19, 2022 by Liljo22

[Treasure Hunter]

Just sailed  in the Haven on the Getaway (NY to Bahamas). So might not be relevant. It was beautiful, clean, great food, terrific staff especially Omar the Haven concierge. It has Million Dollar Quarter, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen at sea and we are Elite on Princess, Celebrity and the equivalent on RCCL. It does not have a retractable roof over the Haven pool but if you are in a regular cabin ( which we have been many times) it doesn’t matter. The casino was rocking! I had four hand  pays. We will be on the Breakaway in September. If you go that route, let me know what you think.

[mking8288]

BA was refurbished in 2018 and GA in 2019 ... then, the fleet went into Covid stand down mode.  We got off the GA just a little over 2 weeks ago - overall, ship is in fine shape as expected.  No, it doesn't have that new luxury ship/limo look ... no fancy leather or high end silverware in the MDR - specialty dining were fine, resort casual is the default norm these days - although a few dress up a notch better for the AFT MDR, but don't expect to take your studio photo with the Captain. 

 

My pictorial semi-live review is here, a few pages back - nothing that I consider really worn, outdated or badly in need of replacement.  Bedsheets, linens, towels, etc. were fine & seemed quite new, replaced (none of that HoJo motel feel ... of course, not quite your Ritz or Peninsula upscale) - depends on what's important & one is looking for, and where you spent your time onboard vs. hitting the pavement as soon as the ship docked or drop anchor to tender ashore.  I didn't feel the need to write anything critical of the little things, like the unexpected bathroom flooding caused by a clogged floor drain in the line ... once the engineering/maintenance in white jumpsuit showed up, reversed it in 2 minutes - leaving our poor Steward to clean up the mess, thank god - it was grey or black water.  By the time we came back from dinner delayed (no reservations needed, just walk up & get seated by the window - with 1,700 souls onboard only - won't be the same this summer with 4,000 bubbling heads everywhere) - things were cleaned, the carpet wasn't wet & it was properly sanitized.  

 

The GA officers, junior ones and the crew, entertainers, etc. were all great - many are due for their vacation & time-off ... we couldn't possibly explore the entire ship & check out everything in just 7 short days.  Her summer schedule shifted due to Euro fleet being redeployed back to the US, I think you should find more availability & pricing - again, depends on your expectations, ship's itineraries and what's important to those traveling with you together. 

 

The only "negative" for us, not a deal breaker, is that, we're not impressed with the offerings in the buffet or the MDR's daily lunch options - O'Sheehan's (not yet renamed "The Locals") served a hot & juicy burger or other items on the menu, hot breakfast there was good.  Otherwise, being pampered for a week is great, regardless of whether on the main decks or living high above toward the top of the ship.  P.S.  our bed's mattress was firm & slept fine for the entire week, no complaint at all.  

 

As a whole, both ships are nearly identical copies ... and the slightly bigger Escape for that matter, layouts & public venues being the same.  

[Cruising Lynne]

We just got off the Getaway two weeks ago. It was not dirty or outdated at all. Cleaning was being done constantly throughout the ship. We are going on Breakaway in the fall, and have been on it pre- shutdown. The ships are almost identical. The main difference I saw was that Getaway expanded their Vibe area which annoyed me a little. I used to enjoy using the public hot tub that was on the deck that has Vibe, but it is now inside the Vibe on Getaway. Getaway also no longer has mini-golf. Does anyone know if they still have it on Breakaway? Other than these things, the main difference would be the shows.

[shof515]

breakaway also does not have mini golf

[hrmkr]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

BA was refurbished in 2018 and GA in 2019 ... then, the fleet went into Covid stand down mode.  We got off the GA just a little over 2 weeks ago - overall, ship is in fine shape as expected.  No, it doesn't have that new luxury ship/limo look ... no fancy leather or high end silverware in the MDR - specialty dining were fine, resort casual is the default norm these days - although a few dress up a notch better for the AFT MDR, but don't expect to take your studio photo with the Captain. 

 

My pictorial semi-live review is here, a few pages back - nothing that I consider really worn, outdated or badly in need of replacement.  Bedsheets, linens, towels, etc. were fine & seemed quite new, replaced (none of that HoJo motel feel ... of course, not quite your Ritz or Peninsula upscale) - depends on what's important & one is looking for, and where you spent your time onboard vs. hitting the pavement as soon as the ship docked or drop anchor to tender ashore.  I didn't feel the need to write anything critical of the little things, like the unexpected bathroom flooding caused by a clogged floor drain in the line ... once the engineering/maintenance in white jumpsuit showed up, reversed it in 2 minutes - leaving our poor Steward to clean up the mess, thank god - it was grey or black water.  By the time we came back from dinner delayed (no reservations needed, just walk up & get seated by the window - with 1,700 souls onboard only - won't be the same this summer with 4,000 bubbling heads everywhere) - things were cleaned, the carpet wasn't wet & it was properly sanitized.  

 

The GA officers, junior ones and the crew, entertainers, etc. were all great - many are due for their vacation & time-off ... we couldn't possibly explore the entire ship & check out everything in just 7 short days.  Her summer schedule shifted due to Euro fleet being redeployed back to the US, I think you should find more availability & pricing - again, depends on your expectations, ship's itineraries and what's important to those traveling with you together. 

 

The only "negative" for us, not a deal breaker, is that, we're not impressed with the offerings in the buffet or the MDR's daily lunch options - O'Sheehan's (not yet renamed "The Locals") served a hot & juicy burger or other items on the menu, hot breakfast there was good.  Otherwise, being pampered for a week is great, regardless of whether on the main decks or living high above toward the top of the ship.  P.S.  our bed's mattress was firm & slept fine for the entire week, no complaint at all.  

 

As a whole, both ships are nearly identical copies ... and the slightly bigger Escape for that matter, layouts & public venues being the same.  

MKing.  I did not see which one was your review.  Can you please give me the thread name?

[mking8288]

@hrmkr - Here is the link - https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2840868-getaway-semi-live-limited-ny-florida-pc-gsc-nassau-3272022/page/8/#comment-63005460

Beer Belly was on the Roll Call onboard the GA following us ... and, he has a slightly different story to tell and share.  Happy "reading" and skim thru the pictures, which I felt - haven't done quite a few of these blog over the years - pretty much tell most of the stories of life on the ship.  Food and others comments, are, subjective & personal - YMMV.  

 

We are now faced with the dilemma of booking or choosing the BA again or GA this Fall, and possibly go with the Joy to do Canada/NE, assuming that borders will remain open & this pandemic is going fade & managed like the seasonal influenza w booster shots.  Well, made a last minute decision after we unpacked ... going to checkout the Joy shortly & see what some of bells & whistles are all about, and that forward Observation Lounge & the Garden Cafe above it, eDocs ready.

 

It's an easy drive up I-95 to embark, assuming you aren't too far from the Beltway - IMHO, just toss a coin to choose if you can't decide or pick the week with the itinerary that fit, and, book it.  

 

[IslandFamilyTime]

Thank you for all of the help! We chose Breakaway since we have never been to some of it's ports.

[Rob-Bob]

21 hours ago, Cruising Lynne said:

Getaway also no longer has mini-golf.

That is strange.  It shows mini golf in the pictures of the sports area on the website.  Are you sure it is gone?

[shof515]

3 minutes ago, Rob-Bob said:

That is strange.  It shows mini golf in the pictures of the sports area on the website.  Are you sure it is gone?

They removed it last year during drydock when installing a exhaust scrubber system and never put it back in

 

on both ships, it is a big empty space 

[Jennsails]

We had the same options and live in Ft Lauderdale so both were fairly easily accessible. We went with the Getaway. The rates seemed a little bit lower so we are hopeful that this will result in a less booked cruise, come end of July/early August when we sail. 

[Rob-Bob]

On 4/20/2022 at 9:22 AM, shof515 said:

They removed it last year during drydock when installing a exhaust scrubber system and never put it back in

 

on both ships, it is a big empty space 

This is on current Getaway sports deck photos.  Clearly shows mini golf.  I wonder why they don't get rid of this photo if the mini golf course has been removed?  This is misleading. 

[HBCcruiser]

On 4/19/2022 at 11:50 PM, IslandFamilyTime said:

Thank you for all of the help! We chose Breakaway since we have never been to some of it's ports.

We will also be on the BA July 17th.