Just Back from Breakaway 2/2-2/9

[CruisePrincess575]

They only time I saw waterfront closed this past week is when it was windy. We spent a lot of time out there. Great times!

[peg013]

We had dinner on the Waterfront of the Breakaway at LaCucina while in Port Canaveral in December.

[kato92]

Also forgot to add had good weather in the ports. 79 in Cape Canaveral, 80 at GSC and 82 in Nassau. The two sea days home were to cold to lay out.

 

Saw conflicting info on lobster night. Was it 1st night in MDR? Orm 2nd night in buffet?

[geegee1]

....There is also no Spinnaker Lounge which I think is a huge mistake. All the events are held in the Atrium or H2O...

 

Which is the best place to watch the sail away from? We love Spinnaker's on the Gem to be able to see Lower Manhattan/Bklyn, then turn around and be eye level with the Statue of Liberty. Is that possible at either the Atrium or H2O?

 

...If you are expecting to hear the band play by the pool during the day... forget it. One day they had no music at all. Someone had to ask to put on the radio...

 

This is very disappointing to hear. It was one of my main complaints when we took RC EOS back in 2009. One of my favorite things to do is to sit by the pool, drink some beers and listen to live music.

 

Thanks for the review

[KevinsCruising]

Which is the best place to watch the sail away from? We love Spinnaker's on the Gem to be able to see Lower Manhattan/Bklyn, then turn around and be eye level with the Statue of Liberty. Is that possible at either the Atrium or H2O?

 

 

 

This is very disappointing to hear. It was one of my main complaints when we took RC EOS back in 2009. One of my favorite things to do is to sit by the pool, drink some beers and listen to live music.

 

Thanks for the review

 

There was no actual sail away. I asked some of the workers and they said no sail away due to the weather. There was some music playing over the loud speakers by the pools but no actual sail away party :(

 

I feel the same way of listening to music by the pool.

[KevinsCruising]

Saw conflicting info on lobster night. Was it 1st night in MDR? Orm 2nd night in buffet?

 

We had lobster the first night in MDR.

[KevinsCruising]

We had dinner on the Waterfront of the Breakaway at LaCucina while in Port Canaveral in December.

 

After 5:30 PM some was open but closed during the day. I tried to get a lobster roll on the waterfront at ocean blue when in port and they told me waterfront is closed during the day in port.

[antsnanny]

Just returned from the Breakaway. Will try to answer any questions. We are all saddened by the event that happened on board so I will try to give a honest review.

 

The ship itself is a beautiful ship. It definitely has a New York feeling on board. The food was outstanding even in the main dining room. We have cruised many NCL ships and it looks as if the food had a significant improvement. We did LeBistro and that restaurant has never failed us. The Staff is the best. Never had a complaint about the NCL staff. Always friendly and treat you like family. Rock of Ages really does ROCK ! It is a great show and highly recommended. Also saw Burn the Floor. Dancers do a great job. Howl at the Moon was excellent the first night but when we went the last night, it was constantly repeated by the musicians, who play requests that whoever tips the largest will get their songs played. The water front is only open at sea days which I do not understand. Many people stay on the ship and would enjoy the waterfront but it is closed. The pool area is a very weird set up. Totally different then the Jewel class ships. The so called children or family pool is between the slides and children's spray pool. Not a very enjoyable place for swimming. The liquor bars that are in the middle make it harder to watch your children ( not making excuses) The ship is a more adult friendly ship then children I feel. There is also no Spinnaker Lounge which I think is a huge mistake. All the events are held in the Atrium or H2O. The Atrium is not large enough to accommodate these events. The overflow of people go to O'Sheehans which overlooks the Atrium and then that bar is over crowded. If you enjoy the White Hot Night, it is not there on the Breakaway. They do a GLOW party instead at H20. It is a different feel then the White Hot. No more angels with wings greeting you and the dancers dancing there with you. The open H20 gives the party a totally different feeling. And if the weather is cold then it really is not that much fun. I prefer the White Hot in the Spinnaker any day. If you have ever seen the Bliss Lounge on the Gem then you will be disappointed. Much smaller, just a rectangle with lights, bar. Some seats in the back and small tables. No cool looking furniture and beds. No official size bowling lanes. They have a small version of bowling in OSheehans with balls the size of grapefruits and the pins on strings. Can be fun but they charge $5.00 per game per person. Should be less and more people would do it.

 

We had a good time but the Breakaway is not for me. We will go back to the Gem. We mis the Bali Hai The bar on the Gem by the pool always had burgers and fries and fingers food. On the Breakaway you have to go to the buffet to get food. The Breakaway also does not do deck BarB-ques. So that is also something we enjoy. When we were in port, we mostly stayed on the ship for a pool day, except for Great Stirrup Cay and only an quick walk in Nassau then back to the pool. If you are expecting to hear the band play by the pool during the day... forget it. One day they had no music at all. Someone had to ask to put on the radio. Also the only pool games we saw was a bean bag toss. Definitely miss the Spinnaker. If NCL is designing all their new ships similar to this, it is a mistake. The Breakaway has a private deck area but it costs money to go. Ice bar.. you have to pay 20.00 just to walk inside and no they will not let you just take a peek... I tried. The ship does have that Manhattan feeling but for me, I go on vacation to get away from the city. I really do not want to bring the city with me.

 

Dont get me wrong... its a beautiful ship but we did miss all the little things that makes NCL special to us on board.

 

Thanks

 

We also just got off the Breakaway today… This is the second time on this ship but I also sailed the Gem, Jewel, Dawn and Star. Its funny because the first time I sailed on the BA, I wasn't too sure I liked it but it grew on me and now I like it a lot, not the casino so much though! Those darn slots took all my money. : )

The crew fantastic, the food awesome in the specialties and the main dining room. I loved Cirque and Rock of Ages. I do wish there were 3 banks of elevators because it's a lot of walking but then again, hopefully I worked off some of the pounds I gained.. I loved deck 8 and I loved dining outdoors especially at sail aways. I still love the Gem class, I really miss the Great Outdoors, I wish Breakaway had that. I tell DH when I go on the Gem in January, I'll miss Deck 8 on the BA and while on the BA I miss the Great Outdoors on the Gem. I like O'Sheehan's and was pleasantly surprised that they have a dinner special each night. One night we fell asleep before dinner so we thought we would just go to O'Sheehan's and grab something quick and they were serving prime rib. I agree that there is a lot going on in the Atrium on the BA, it really is a lively place, especially the day of the Super Bowl..

I think all of us who sailed on the BA are counting out blessings considering that tragic accident. It was a very sad cruise in my opinion and something I won't soon forget. My prayers go out the family of those two little guys.

[xcell]

Thanks for the review...

 

What night was the fireworks and could you see them from a balcony? or is there a site you would recommend.

 

I heard there was a hotdog stand that moves around the ship (different location every day)...did you try that?

 

How empty was the ship at PC?

 

Thanks!

[KevinsCruising]

Thanks for the review...

 

What night was the fireworks and could you see them from a balcony? or is there a site you would recommend.

 

I heard there was a hotdog stand that moves around the ship (different location every day)...did you try that?

 

How empty was the ship at PC?

 

Thanks!

 

If I remember, the fireworks were the same night as leaving GSC. You could see them from any open deck or balcony that is port aft or left back.

 

There are a couple hot dog stands that move around. Usually from 11 to 3pm. They were by the pool, atrium and H20. It was cool to get a hot dog during those times. They are sabretts, had ketchup, mustard, red onions, kraut and relish.

 

The ship was fairly empty during port of calls. Most of the crowd got off the ship so it wasn't bad at all to stay on the ship.

[xcell]

Thanks...

 

A couple of more questions...

 

Was Teppanyaki ever open for lunch on sea days?

 

How did you find the tender to GSC??

[antsnanny]

There was no actual sail away. I asked some of the workers and they said no sail away due to the weather. There was some music playing over the loud speakers by the pools but no actual sail away party :(

 

I feel the same way of listening to music by the pool.

 

Your right there wasn't really a sail away last week but in Oct. when I sailed Breakaway and it was warmer they had a big sail away at the pool. It was great!!

[antsnanny]

Thanks...

 

A couple of more questions...

 

Was Teppanyaki ever open for lunch on sea days?

 

How did you find the tender to GSC??

 

I did not notice if Teppanyaki was ever open during the day but my best guess is that it wasn't. As far as the tender to GSC it was a large boat, I think it probably holds a couple of hundred people if not more. It was very rocky on our cruise but its not always that way..

[xcell]

Thanks for answering questions. ..

 

When you dropped the luggage at the port did you to the porters?

 

Also how easy do you think it would be to get a taxi from the cruise terminal to port authority to catch the air port express to ewr? (If you happen to know)?

 

 

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Forums mobile app

[KevinsCruising]

Thanks for answering questions. ..

 

When you dropped the luggage at the port did you to the porters?

 

Also how easy do you think it would be to get a taxi from the cruise terminal to port authority to catch the air port express to ewr? (If you happen to know)?

 

 

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Forums mobile app

 

Porters were everywhere. At long term parking and drop off.

I do not know about the air port express. sorry.

[xcell]

lol - "port the porters" - i meant tip the porters...

[brian99]

The ship does have that Manhattan feeling but for me, I go on vacation to get away from the city. I really do not want to bring the city with me.

 

Thanks for the review.

 

I never understood why NCL would have a NY themed ship home port in NY. It seems like the majority of passengers would be from the NY area (or at least within driving distance). Having only seen pictures of Breakaway and Getaway, I much prefer the decor of Getaway. It makes you feel like you're on vacation the moment you step on the ship. When I go to Vegas, I rarely go to the NY, NY casino for the same reason.

 

I'll see for myself in October. :)

[RoePost]

You had better tip the porters if you want to see your bags again.....$1 a bag is the going rate...we usually give them $5 for 4 bags...

[markf]

Just curious --did you say you parked on the adjacent pier and there were porters right there to help with luggage??

How was the snow handled --as it snowed quite a bit while you were away

[KevinsCruising]

Just curious --did you say you parked on the adjacent pier and there were porters right there to help with luggage??

 

How was the snow handled --as it snowed quite a bit while you were away

 

 

We parked at pier 88. They plowed the parking pier but many cars were plowed in and had to be shoveled out.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[peg013]

You had better tip the porters if you want to see your bags again.....$1 a bag is the going rate...we usually give them $5 for 4 bags...

 

NYC rates for tips has been $2 per bag at least from 2007 when we started departing from there. :eek: You're lucky if you have been receiving all your bags. ;)

[SissasMomE]

NYC rates for tips has been $2 per bag at least from 2007 when we started departing from there. :eek: You're lucky if you have been receiving all your bags. ;)

 

I tip $3 a bag in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. I can't imagine getting away with $1 a bag!

[ibcnusoon]

The Uptown bar and grill makes great rubens and pastrami sandwiches. It really isn't outside. Its towards the back of the ship on the side with a roof and glass sides. Its nice but its not near the pools like the Bali Hai or the small buffet at the bar by the Gem.

 

I stumbled upon this one day coming from Spice on a port day in Nassau. Pastrami sandwich was delicious!

 

The waterfront was closed to us practically the whole trip (meaning no one was sitting outside eating dinner, drinking, etc.).

 

The only times I saw ANYONE outside was one sea day where it appears alot of people like to lounge and read books. Another time I saw people outside was to smoke between sets of Fat Cats.

 

I'm sure the waterfront is really open for business in the Summer, but I found that the waterfront wasn't open at during out Fall cruise. Besides, I've come to the conclusion that the itinerary stinks, even while sitting on a brand new ship.

Edited February 10, 2014 by ibcnusoon

[spidybabe]

Thanks...

 

A couple of more questions...

 

Was Teppanyaki ever open for lunch on sea days??

 

 

Teppanyaki is usually opened for lunch only on the last sea day- its our favorite time to go

LOVE the Gem/Jewel Enjoyed Breakaway. Better shows/entertainment on Breakaway, but miss Spinneker, bar b ques, great outdoors... both ships have good points...wish we could take the good from both ships and develop our own..???

Safe sailing

Edited February 10, 2014 by spidybabe

[Paraveina]

Teppanyaki is usually opened for lunch only on the last sea day- its our favorite time to go

LOVE the Gem/Jewel Enjoyed Breakaway. Better shows/entertainment on Breakaway, but miss Spinneker, bar b ques, great outdoors... both ships have good points...wish we could take the good from both ships and develop our own..???

Safe sailing

 

Is that something you can reserve before you go? I don't see the option on My NCL for that time frame any of the days.