Initial thoughts from the Breakawy

[mommyto2girls]

The following is strictly my personal opinion and not to be confused in any way with anything other than that.

We are on our first BA cruise and docked right now in Port Canaveral. We are in an S6 so this is our first time being not located in the Haven . The balcony is huge, the room is nice but smaller than we expected from the photos. The ship is beautiful, but it is not for me. I am a Gem junkie and I love the Jewel class size ships. I do not like the Casino and resent the minimums being higher than on the Gem. We got everything from CAS as expected and all our Platinum perks.

Ruth is our concierge, Kadek (Special K) the assistant. There are tons and tons of kids on board and anyone who says the ship does not feel crowded is not really being quite honest. We are looking forward to a cabana tomorrow in GSC and of course we are loving the warm weather.

I can honestly say I am glad I booked it to see it but it will be back to the smaller ships for me. More later in the week.

[russianmom]

We just switched from the Dawn to BA for Bermuda. I'm a jewel class junkie too.

I'm worried but going to go into it w/ an open mind- it's a cruise after all!!! But I think there's a reason I've avoided Epic for so long!!! :eek:

[mommyto2girls]

We just switched from the Dawn to BA for Bermuda. I'm a jewel class junkie too.

I'm worried but going to go into it w/ an open mind- it's a cruise after all!!! But I think there's a reason I've avoided Epic for so long!!! :eek:

 

I have a very opened mind and now I got this out of my system and I am out of the cold :)

[CasinoCruzGirl]

What are the minimum that that you found for blackjack and three card poker. Hope you're having a wonderful time. My turn in 2 1/2 weeks.

[mommyto2girls]

What are the minimum that that you found for blackjack and three card poker. Hope you're having a wonderful time. My turn in 2 1/2 weeks.

 

Sorry did not look was at Roullette $10 minimum, I will check tonight and post later in the week.

[mizLORInj]

I like the Jewel class ships as well, but I thought Breakaway was pretty awesome too--and nice for a change since I like variety!

Edited March 4, 2014 by mizlorinj

[Stuffy8]

The following is strictly my personal opinion and not to be confused in any way with anything other than that.

We are on our first BA cruise and docked right now in Port Canaveral. We are in an S6 so this is our first time being not located in the Haven . The balcony is huge, the room is nice but smaller than we expected from the photos. The ship is beautiful, but it is not for me. I am a Gem junkie and I love the Jewel class size ships. I do not like the Casino and resent the minimums being higher than on the Gem. We got everything from CAS as expected and all our Platinum perks.

Ruth is our concierge, Kadek (Special K) the assistant. There are tons and tons of kids on board and anyone who says the ship does not feel crowded is not really being quite honest. We are looking forward to a cabana tomorrow in GSC and of course we are loving the warm weather.

I can honestly say I am glad I booked it to see it but it will be back to the smaller ships for me. More later in the week.

 

Its Paul from the Jan Gem cruise, how are you? I'm very curious to hear what you thought of the rest of the cruise too since Eddie and I and my mother again are going on the Breakaway in 2 weeks. Wish it was with you and Harold again but I'm sure another time it will be. Have a good time and report back when you can. Kissses

[*Luv2Cruz*]

I have a very opened mind and now I got this out of my system and I am out of the cold :)

Thanks Andrea and enjoy yourself and the weather!;):D

[mommyto2girls]

Its Paul from the Jan Gem cruise, how are you? I'm very curious to hear what you thought of the rest of the cruise too since Eddie and I and my mother again are going on the Breakaway in 2 weeks. Wish it was with you and Harold again but I'm sure another time it will be. Have a good time and report back when you can. Kissses

 

I will post a full report for you Paul..please send my best to your Mom and Eddie. This ship is beautiful but I like that warm cozy feeling of the Gem. If you have any specifics let me know.

 

Andrea

[mommyto2girls]

Thanks Andrea and enjoy yourself and the weather!;):D

 

Thanks Barry I will keep all intact for you!

[agargoyle]

We have been on the BA three times now. We have 2 more cruises booked.

 

We were on the maiden voyage out of New York May 2013.

 

We are now Platinum crusies. We have done several cruises on the Gem, The Jewel, the Spririt and the Dawn. The Jewel is our favorite.

 

We boarded the Breakaway for the first time and hated it. DH said if we could get our money back we would leave. Hated the size, hated we had to "sign up" for shows, missed the "washy-washy", the gift shop wa awful, the balcony was small......

 

On Tuesday morning, I woke up and said -- "look forget everything you know about cruising, pretend this is your first cruise...what would you do!" I started exploring the ship like I had never been on a cruise before. Look at the waterfront area, the nice comfortable seats are never full during the day -- what a great place to sit and relax. Look at all the nice sitting areas inside where you can sit and have a conversation without having to shout. Spice is awesome. Book all the shows that way you do not have to tie yourself to just one show (I believe you cannot do that any longer). There was always chairs someplace on deck to sit in the sun. DH still was not completely converted.

 

We sailed in October -- the first cruise doing the Florida route. The weather was perfect, our room was perfect, the BA grew on us.

 

Would we prefer the Jewel or the Gem? Yes. But the conveinece of NY Sunday to Sunday sailing pulls us back. When (if) airfare comes down we will go to NOLA to catch a crise from there.

 

So mommyto2girls and others the first time you step foot on a megaship -- explore it as if cruising is new...oh and ou can find those areas that are not crowded -- we have been on 3 fully packed sailings and always found someplace quiet. I do miss having the Spinnaker...that used to be one of my favorite places to hang out....quiet and comfortable and nearly empty if nothing was going on.

 

Oh we still do not like the main dining room (the Manhattan Room). Well, I love the NY look and the floor show but it is to noisy for us.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[lovetrauma]

Can't wait too hear more of your reviews. My Family and I are in a S6 on the 11th floor on the June 29th Sailing.

[Partyatsea]

Andrea if Curly is still working the bar in Spice be sure to ask him if he knows any card tricks. Tell Harold we say hi :)

Edited March 5, 2014 by P&Lcruising

[Partyatsea]

Can't wait too hear more of your reviews. My Family and I are in a S6 on the 11th floor on the June 29th Sailing.

 

Our friends had an S6 on 9 and the balcony was amazing!

[mommyto2girls]

Our friends had an S6 on 9 and the balcony was amazing!

 

Hi Patrick we are in the S6 on 11. Beautiful balcony, poorly laid out room. Regards to Liz and I will look for Curly, I am still trying to find Mango.

Edited March 5, 2014 by mommyto2girls

[mommyto2girls]

We have been on the BA three times now. We have 2 more cruises booked.

 

We were on the maiden voyage out of New York May 2013.

 

We are now Platinum crusies. We have done several cruises on the Gem, The Jewel, the Spririt and the Dawn. The Jewel is our favorite.

 

We boarded the Breakaway for the first time and hated it. DH said if we could get our money back we would leave. Hated the size, hated we had to "sign up" for shows, missed the "washy-washy", the gift shop wa awful, the balcony was small......

 

On Tuesday morning, I woke up and said -- "look forget everything you know about cruising, pretend this is your first cruise...what would you do!" I started exploring the ship like I had never been on a cruise before. Look at the waterfront area, the nice comfortable seats are never full during the day -- what a great place to sit and relax. Look at all the nice sitting areas inside where you can sit and have a conversation without having to shout. Spice is awesome. Book all the shows that way you do not have to tie yourself to just one show (I believe you cannot do that any longer). There was always chairs someplace on deck to sit in the sun. DH still was not completely converted.

 

We sailed in October -- the first cruise doing the Florida route. The weather was perfect, our room was perfect, the BA grew on us.

 

Would we prefer the Jewel or the Gem? Yes. But the conveinece of NY Sunday to Sunday sailing pulls us back. When (if) airfare comes down we will go to NOLA to catch a crise from there.

 

So mommyto2girls and others the first time you step foot on a megaship -- explore it as if cruising is new...oh and ou can find those areas that are not crowded -- we have been on 3 fully packed sailings and always found someplace quiet. I do miss having the Spinnaker...that used to be one of my favorite places to hang out....quiet and comfortable and nearly empty if nothing was going on.

 

Oh we still do not like the main dining room (the Manhattan Room). Well, I love the NY look and the floor show but it is to noisy for us.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thanks for the tips Ruth but we only sail the Haven so we can always find piece and quiet and amazing service. But it is now Wednesday and I still do not love the BA and will stick to the Jewel class ships especially the 9'day out of NYC. It is still a vacation so I am happy.

[mommyto2girls]

Okay so we are home and were unpacked by 9:30. My intitial thoughts of the BA remain unchanged again my PERSONAL opinion. The ship was packed our weather was beautiful except for Friday night 3/7/14 we had some 30 foot swells and wind that managed to break almost anything on our room that was glass.

We were in S6 11308. The room is nice but again my personal opinion poorly laid out. The master bathroom shower is tiny ( we are used to the Haven 2 bedroom and the DOS) the smaller bathroom should not have a shower it is too small.

 

The balcony is huge but I am sure I would not book it again I would rather be in the Haven then walk the entire length of the ship and up 5 decks to get to it.

The crew was wonderful we saw some old friends and made some new. Even they will tell you they are not crazy about the ship.

 

There were no fireworks the wind was not cooperative 2 nights in a row, and some cancelled shows due to movement.

 

Food is subjective but Le bistro and Teppanyaki never disappoint for me. We did. to eat in any dining rooms.

 

I will not sail the BA away again but I will be back on the Jewel class ships which I love.

 

Happy to answer any questions I can.

[ladytravlr2]

I totally agree with the OP! I sailed on Breakaway in June, and although I am glad I did for the experience, I have no desire to go again. I too, love the Jewel class, in fact going on the Jewel in 12 days.

 

We had a balcony cabin, and the balcony size was beyond small, knees practically up to the glass railing when sitting. Room was fine.

 

My main thoughts were:

1. no large glamorous atrium to WOW!

2. too large, too much time spent trying to figure out where to go, where we were

3. pool area too crowded and cut up in areas

4. buffet area not arranged well for crowds

5. casino placement not good

6. welcoming attitude common on most NCL was not as evident here

 

Good points:

1. Worth the sailing from NYC, sail away was awesome with the sights

2. Shows were very good

3. Food was acceptable in dining rooms

4. H2O was only place to be restful for adults ( I wasn't in Haven)

 

I might in the future try another large ship but only if some corrections are made in their layout of decks.

 

I feel like NCL has their act together on the smaller ships...and you end up feeling very welcome and taken care of. I never felt this on the Breakaway.

[ladytravlr2]

Me again:

 

I have to qualify by saying, my sailing in June was one of the first sailings of the Breakaway to Bermuda. I think some things have been worked out on board since then.

 

LOVED Bermuda...great choice of ports, staying there for three days was perfect!

[DGP1111]

. . . We boarded the Breakaway for the first time and hated it. DH said if we could get our money back we would leave . . .

 

I can also definitely relate to that initial impression of this particular ship.

 

.

[jdvmd]

Thanks for your comments!