Another Breakaway Review (Sept 1-8, 2013)

[qvenedandan]

TV in Cabin

As other fellow CC'ers have mentioned, the choices of shows are pretty limited (and not that current). My tweens started watching SpongeBob cartoon, then realized it's the same episode over and over for the week... Eventually they settled with the "Favorite Movies" channel, like God Almighty 1 and 2, Air Force One, even Mary Poppins (1964)!

 

 

Touch-Screen TV's in Public Areas

These touch-screen TV's are easy to use, and I found them very helpful! I didn't carry the Freestyle Daily around, and whenever I wanna check out what's happening, I just used one of those TV's, which provided list of current activities. I also liked the map/direction feature - showing you how to go to other places from your current location. I didn't use the touch-screen TV for reservations though.

 

 

Casino

Didn't contribute to the casino during this trip. My only observations are the layout of slot machines alongside of the hallways and close distance between casino tables and the staircases connecting 6/7/8 decks. There were times that youngsters walked past the slot machines/casino tables, which may concern some parents.

 

Regards,

Mandy

[qvenedandan]

Thank you or the times of tastings I'm not going to miss it this time . And yes we are sooo excited !!!! Glad you had a nice trip take care mandy:)

 

You are more than welcomed, Bridget! :)

[nimiq]

Great review thanks. Have not been on a NCL ship in a long time like about 6 years and you have just given me good points why I should try the newer ships.

Thx

Sea ya

Eric

[qvenedandan]

Fitness Classes in Pulse Fitness

The following fitness classes denote a charge:

Chiball Fire Yoga

Flywheel Indoor Cycling

TRX Suspension Training

Body Sculpt Bootcamp

Norwegian Fight Klub

Pure Form Pilates

Sunset Yoga

 

These fitness classes are free:

Rockettes Style Stretch Class

Fab Abs

 

Also, there is daily Zumba class - either in Manhattan Room or Bliss Ultra Lounge.

[qvenedandan]

Great review thanks. Have not been on a NCL ship in a long time like about 6 years and you have just given me good points why I should try the newer ships.

Thx

Sea ya

Eric

 

Hi Eric - Guess I would need to branch out a bit, so that I can get different perspectives on cruising.... :o

[lovetootravel]

Thank you for your review very well done sailing in a few short days!:)

[qvenedandan]

Thank you for your review very well done sailing in a few short days!:)

 

My pleasure! Have fun in your upcoming back-to-back sailing! :)

[halos]

I love the way you've done your review...SO easy to read. I appreciate that!!

You have me wanting to book this ship and I have steered clear of the newer/bigger ships so far. :)

[qvenedandan]

I love the way you've done your review...SO easy to read. I appreciate that!!

You have me wanting to book this ship and I have steered clear of the newer/bigger ships so far. :)

 

Thank you so much for the compliment! :) English is not my native language, so I tempt to write short sentences. Hopefully my write-up is clear enough to understand.

 

About the newer/bigger ships, it's great to enjoy their new amenities. More people on board, yes, but no way being in a "zoo ship". I got stuck with kids' school schedules, so I have to encountered the crowd (and higher fares). Other cruisers may get on the newer ships during non-peak time and enjoy more.

[KerCar]

NCL has a new system to order photos. They are not printed til you order. You slide your card through a slot and all pictures taken will appear on the screen. You then have a chance to order.

 

This would make a lot more sense, IMO, but they still do print out all the pictures. The only difference is that you don't have to search for them anymore. They are all put into the binder that has been assigned to your cabin.

 

 

Great review, Qvenedandan!

[nimiq]

Hi Eric - Guess I would need to branch out a bit, so that I can get different perspectives on cruising.... :o

 

Well your perspective made me think of trying a newer NCL ship I quess that's pretty good :-)

[RichardE954]

Mandy - Thanks so much for your concise and easy to follow review. I have a question for you. I've read many different perspectives, what was your opinion of the smokers on the ship? Was it easy to avoid for non-smokers?

[qvenedandan]

This would make a lot more sense, IMO, but they still do print out all the pictures. The only difference is that you don't have to search for them anymore. They are all put into the binder that has been assigned to your cabin.

 

 

Great review, Qvenedandan!

 

Thank you Kerry! I hope you had enjoyed Breakaway last week also! :D

 

About the printed photos, our binder included photos of some other passengers, so we returned those copies back to crew members, and they put them up to the wall (i.e., the old-fashion way, where you need to browse and find your photos).

 

So I still spent some times browsing the walls for our photos, like the auto ones taken while walking the plank.

 

Regards,

Mandy

[qvenedandan]

Well your perspective made me think of trying a newer NCL ship I quess that's pretty good :-)

 

Well, since I haven't been cruising with other lines, so my perspectives might be biased... :rolleyes:

[qvenedandan]

Mandy - Thanks so much for your concise and easy to follow review. I have a question for you. I've read many different perspectives, what was your opinion of the smokers on the ship? Was it easy to avoid for non-smokers?

 

Hi Richard,

 

Honestly, I didn't encounter many smokers last week.

 

During sea days (and when the casino's opened), I slightly smelled the smoke from cigarettes when walked through Deck 7 Mid, but it was not overwhelming. For instance, while we were waiting outside Le Bistro (Deck 6, right below the casino), I didn't sense the smoke came down.

 

If I really need to be picky, the smoke would be more evident if you sit close to the Wave Bar (the one facing the Main Pool on Deck 15). I woke up early and got my hot tub time before 8am, and smokers woke up early too and got their cigarette break right at the Wave Bar.

 

For non-smokers like myself, I just need to acknowledge of the designated smoking areas, no problem at all.

 

Since I was not in a balcony cabin, I can't comment on the smoke condition there.

 

Let me know whether my "perspective" is clear for your understanding.

 

Regards,

Mandy

[RichardE954]

Very clear Mandy, thanks. I feel better about the smoking situation now.

[KerCar]

Thank you Kerry! I hope you had enjoyed Breakaway last week also! :D

 

I did! We had such an amazing time on the Breakaway and in Bermuda! :D

[KerCar]

Very clear Mandy, thanks. I feel better about the smoking situation now.

 

I was on the same sailing and am very sensitive to the smell of smoke. I can honestly say, it wasn't an issue for me at all. The only time I ever noticed anything was when I cut through the casino and even that wasn't too bad. No issues on my balcony either.

[qvenedandan]

I did! We had such an amazing time on the Breakaway and in Bermuda! :D

 

Can't stop smiling while typing the recap...

 

I showed my colleagues of my sun tan (i.e., the mark of tank top on my shoulders), quite convincing of how much I enjoyed visiting Bermuda! :D

[Loucat]

Thank you so much for the compliment! :) English is not my native language, so I tempt to write short sentences. Hopefully my write-up is clear enough to understand.

 

About the newer/bigger ships, it's great to enjoy their new amenities. More people on board, yes, but no way being in a "zoo ship". I got stuck with kids' school schedules, so I have to encountered the crowd (and higher fares). Other cruisers may get on the newer ships during non-peak time and enjoy more.

Your review is interesting and you have done a great job describing your activities. I read your question on "Melvin" and have no clue what was meant by that comment. It might have been an attempt to be funny:confused:

[qvenedandan]

Your review is interesting and you have done a great job describing your activities. I read your question on "Melvin" and have no clue what was meant by that comment. It might have been an attempt to be funny:confused:

 

Hi Loucat! I asked the question on "Melvin" to several colleagues, but so far nobody could answer it... Anyway the audience had a good laugh of it. :rolleyes:

[qvenedandan]

Just want to provide a pic showing how an inside cabin looks like with pullmans down.

[susea4000]

A 'Melvin' is another word for 'Wedgie' - when someone's underwear Is grasped at the back and yanked up sharply, causing discomfort and unfortunate underwear hanging out of the pants. It's called a Melvin, I believe, to signify something nerds would have.

[qvenedandan]

A 'Melvin' is another word for 'Wedgie' - when someone's underwear Is grasped at the back and yanked up sharply, causing discomfort and unfortunate underwear hanging out of the pants. It's called a Melvin, I believe, to signify something nerds would have.

 

Thank you Susea4000 for solving the mystery! Always learn something new each day. :)

[qvenedandan]

Beach Towels

When we first settled down in our cabin, we saw 4 towels (one per passenger). We then politely asked our cabin steward for 4 extra towels, stating that we would need the extra ones to lay on the beach once we arrive Bermuda. Our amazing steward didn't give us any difficulties at all for this request, simply asking us to promise him that we will bring all towels back into the cabin by the end of the week. ;)

 

About the towels, there is a towel exchange station on the Pool Deck (deck 15), right behind the Wave Bar (starboard side). The station does not give you any new towel, only exchanges for dried towels.

 

It's interesting to identify fellow Breakaway cruisers on Bermuda - simply by spotting the beach towels. :) I wish they had a towel exchange station next to the gangway during the port days, so that we can get the clean ones before walking back up to the ship (less messy with the sand and salt water ruining the carpet).

 

 

Interactions with Crew Members

Being on vacation mood, I tried to give as many smiles to everyone on board (even I am not working for NCL). Things may move slower due to large amount of passengers on board, but hey, it's vacation! Relax! I used to be the type of traveler with jam-packed schedule. Now I am still learning to slow down a bit to enjoy every moment.

 

About crew members, I have to give them credits. They have full load of works to do, and they still try their best to please the passengers. Yet, they are human beings, if the passengers are grouchy, the crew members will get discouraged too, and they won't have their breaks till 4-6 months after. Tough occupations for sure!

 

There was a time we had dinner at Taste (hey, have I already mentioned that Taste has the strongest coffee out of other complimentary dining rooms?). We simply gave smiles to our waitress, and said "thank you" to her after ordering and receiving our food. I was so surprised that she came to us by the end of the dinner, saying how much she appreciated of our friendly gestures. She also said that throughout the week, over 80% of cruisers she dealt with had been grouchy. I felt so sorry for her.

 

(Even we didn't order wine or leaving additional tip, my son volunteered to write the comment card showing our gratitude).