Just returned from the Breakaway maiden Voyage

[Writeratsea]

Just returned this Sunday from the first sailing (May 12) of the breakaway. Will be happy to answer any questions. I have all the dailies and some menus, will try to post them in a separate thread

[sailingnut]

Did you happen to see the studio cabins? Did you take a spa pass also? Thanks!:)

[deladypilot]

What were your general thoughts? Is it worth the cost as opposed to going out of Boston on a smaller ship?

[Cruisegirl6]

Would love to see the daillies and if you have the mdr menus thank you!

[Seanote]

Maiden voyage?

 

That took place in Europe, I believe.

[Cruisegirl6]

Ok looking for Bermuda from NY ones

[Writeratsea]

Did you happen to see the studio cabins? Did you take a spa pass also? Thanks!:)

Yes, after the meet and greet we took a cabin crawl. One of the rooms was a studio. A bit small as expected but with its own bathroom and shower. Basically a bed and writing desk and closet. I was very impressed. There is a long corridor with rooms on each side. It has its own lounge, big TV etc., and coffee and breakfast served there every morning. Very nice and stylish. The woman said she loved her room and very affordable compared to having to pay for a whole cabin as a single traveler

we did not get a spa day pass

[Educators2]

was there progressive trivia? What time was it held. Sometimes, it interferes with dinner or a show.

Thanks

[Writeratsea]

What were your general thoughts? Is it worth the cost as opposed to going out of Boston on a smaller ship?

Going out of Boston is more convenient as we live South of Boston. However the Dawn leaves on a Friday and returns Friday so I miss one more day of work. Sunday to Sunday schedule of the Breakaway is better for me. Time in Bermuda is the same. The Dawn is fine but the Breakaway is very cutting edge. The 3 Broadway shows were great, entertainment overall is really top notch on the Breakaway. For families the Breakaway offers so much. The great water slides, miniature golf, rock wall, the ropes course, splash academy and special activities for kids. The arcade is large and there are games, bowling alley, air hockey, etc. located at O'Sheenhans Irish pub which had great food no extra charge.

The ship is also rock steady as it is so large, didn't really notice much movement as you would in the Dawn. We played basketball while the ship was sailing and it was like being down the park, you forget you are on the ocean.

I guess it really a difference of style

[Writeratsea]

was there progressive trivia? What time was it held. Sometimes, it interferes with dinner or a show.

Thanks

They had trivia all the time 2-3 times a day. Mostly 10, 11 in the morning and 2,4 in the afternoon. so it doesn't interfere with the shows or mealtimes

[www3traveler]

Were there any staff members who impressed you??

[Writeratsea]

Maiden voyage?

 

That took place in Europe, I believe.

They had people onboard from England and then had a short cruise to nowhere for travel professionals a day or two before the "official" maiden voyage. I guess it is semantics

[Writeratsea]

Were there any staff members who impressed you??

I would say overall this was a picked crew. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. They all were outstanding. The cruise director was very hands on and seemed to be everywhere, she did a great job. The CEO of NCL, Kevin Sheenhan was outstanding, very personable and approachable. He gave a fantastic presentation where he discussed his 5 years on the job and the major changes in NCL. Trading in the smaller ships such as the Majesty and Dream for the mega ships custom designed for freestyle cruising. Having cruised NCL every year since 2004 pretty much, I can personally see the differences. He also spoke at length about the future plans of NCL. The command staff aboard also had a large role in helping design the ship which started in 2010.

[Writeratsea]

Maiden voyage?

 

That took place in Europe, I believe.

My wife wanted me to tell you that this was the maiden voyage of the inaugural voyage to BERMUDA. LOL

The reception in Bermuda was tremendous. On the dock all the political leaders were there. Gombey dancers, free drinks from Goslings, tons of visitors guides showing you where to go for the ferries and buses.

It was a major event in Bermuda, Front page news in the papers, everywhere we went people in Bermuda asked us about the Breakaway. Quite a fuss, but nice

[Keith1010]

What was your overall opinion of the ship?

 

Keith

[SuiteCruiser]

Maiden voyage?

 

That took place in Europe, I believe.

 

I think it's considered to be the Maiden/Inaugural because it was the first cruise after she was Christened. The TA and 2 day in Europe were solely for repositioning.

[uncleboo]

please let me know where to find the menus and dailies

 

thanks:)

[fivegirl]

Do you know how late the Vibe Beach Club was open?

[Writeratsea]

please let me know where to find the menus and dailies

 

thanks:)

I have the dailies and I am going to ask my wife's help in somehow posting them. She is the computer expert, not me LOL

[Writeratsea]

I think it's considered to be the Maiden/Inaugural because it was the first cruise after she was Christened. The TA and 2 day in Europe were solely for repositioning.

Thanks for the help. That is a very nice, logical explanation

[Writeratsea]

What was your overall opinion of the ship?

 

Keith

I liked the ship. I liked the stability due to its size. The ropes course, the water slides, the miniature golf were fun. Many comments that I read from our meet and greet attendees were that there was a lack of WOW. They expected more.

My wife felt there wasn't an overall New York theme. Like the feeling of Asia when we sailed the Spirit. A serious drawback for her was the smoke from cigarettes in the casino. Because of the openness of the casino design, the cigarette smoke permeated the 678 area. Since you have to go through the casino to get from one area on that floor to get to the other side, you can't avoid the cigarette smell. She is allergic to cigarette smoke and still suffering now, so we had to avoid the casino floor.

Which was too bad. I wish NCL would simply ban cigarette smoking from the casino and the adjacent areas, if only for second hand smoke concerns.

[Writeratsea]

Do you know how late the Vibe Beach Club was open?

I didn't go to Vibes. Looking at the daily, I am guessing it is in the "late night fun zone, deck 12/13 fwd open 10:30 PM until 1:30 AM"

[RareBird]

Please post dailies!!!

[mdwcruises]

3 Broadway shows! That alone will wow me. Lol

 

Is there a specialty restaurant you recommend? Due to cost, we only plan to eat at one.

[grossguy]

With so many people on board, did you ever feel crowded? Or was there plenty of space? How about restaurants/bars/the pool...were there long waits for anything? Is it difficult getting lounge chairs by the pool during the day?