Breakaway vs Dawn

[baflagg]

For those that have been on both which did you prefer. We sailed on the Breakaway last summer and now are looking to book a cruise for next year. Deciding between the Breakaway and Dawn to Bermuda.

 

Does the Dawn have an Adults only area like the Vibe on the Breakaway?

 

Thanks

[Godiva830]

I just got off the Dawn yest and sailed Breakaway last summer to Bermuda. I liked both ships but there is so much more to do on the Breakaway. The Dawn doesn't have a designated adults only area but the front of the ship is considered a quiet area and has a hot tub there. I stayed there a lot and there was plenty of lounge chairs available throughout the cruise. I'm sailing again on the Breakaway to Bermuda this summer.

 

 

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[meglet]

Baflagg -

 

Can you tell us a little about you and what your "cruisin' style" is? Are you travelling with kids? Is budget a concern? What's your tolerance for crowds and noise? Partyer or quieter person? I haven't been on Breakaway, but the Dawn has its pluses.

[LegallyBlonder]

I will be sailing on Dawn in June, and chose it over Breakaway (I did do a two-nighter on Breakaway in January) despite living on Long Island, so that we could avoid the "new ship premium" and upgrade with our savings. We are sailing in Dawn's Garden Villa (there are 7 of us) for approximately the same price as two of the lowest level suite on Breakaway for the same date range. Just a little financial food for thought :-)

 

 

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[CruisinChills]

Have done the Dawn to Bermuda twice, and just got off the Breakaway to FL/Bahamas. My own comparison (again, for ME, personally):

 

Things to do onboard: Winner - Breakaway. from the ropes course to the slides to the amusements at O'Sheehans.

 

Specialty Dining: Winner - Draw. Even though many of the specialty's are the same, I LOVED Teppanyaki on the Breakaway but not as much on Dawn. Meanwhile I really enjoyed La Cucina on the Dawn but didn't get the fuss about Cagney's on Breakaway. I won't "presume" (I just got blasted for that on another thread) that the food quality is the same ship-to-ship, but let's just say I've had really enjoyable experiences on both ships, and ho-hum experiences on both ships.

 

Entertainment: Winner - Breakaway. I didn't do Cirque Dreams but some friends did and really enjoyed it. I did go to Rock of Ages expecting not to like it at all but was pleasantly surprised. But most notably we loved Howl at the Moon dueling pianos on this ship, and went THREE TIMES! Dawn entertainment is also good, though, as comedian Tim Kaminski is still onboard. Both ships have Second City. And it should be noted that the Dawn theater is WAY more comfortable than the one on Breakaway. The seats in the Breakaway theater are brutal.

 

Pools: Winner - Draw. The Breakaway has a separate kids pool which does help siphon off some of the crowd from the main pool, but there are also twice as many people on the ship, so I found both pools to be extremely crowded. Where the Breakaway has the edge here is if you happen to be in the Haven, or get a Spa pass, both of those locations have their own pools and can keep you out of the masses if you prefer a quieter atmosphere.

 

Staterooms: Winner - Dawn. At least, if you're lucky enough to be staying in the Garden Villa, which I was, thanks to my parents who booked it for themselves, our family of 3, and my brother and his wife. The Garden Villa is a luxury that the newer ships for some reason have done away with, and it's a shame. NCL is the first major cruise line to really amp up the availability and amenities of suites, and the Garden Villa is the epitome of that, but the Epic/Breakaway/Getaway don't have them. If you're traveling with a large group you have to revert to finding connecting rooms of varying categories to keep your group together. That said, the Breakaway suite we had for our family of 3 was still lovely and fairly spacious in most areas, with an awesomely comfortable bed. But I have to give this one to Dawn just based on the Villa.

 

Summary: If you're more the adventurous type and/or you have young kids or teens, they're going to be more excited about the Breakaway, it just has more to do. If you're a lounger who plans to read books by the pool (or just partake in the typical cruise fare activities like bingo and trivia and the casino), then you will do just as well on the Dawn. And if you happen to have a group large enough to justify splitting costs in a Garden Villa, even better. :)

[baflagg]

Thanks for the great information. Sorry I should have given a little more background for us.

 

This will be a 10 year anniversary cruise for my husband and I. We have an 8 year old who has been on the Jewel, Breakaway and Disney Magic but this cruise will be just us.

 

We pretty much like to do everything on the ship. Love the craziness of hanging by the pool listening to the music but also would enjoy some quiet time (benefit of the vibe beach club). Had a great time on the Breakway and loved O'Sheehan's at the end of the night. Like the shows and casinos, although there was just something about the casino on the Breakway that I didn't really like, not sure if it was the layout or what, can't really put my finger on it. Met lots of great people on both ships which we are still in contact with today

 

For both ships we were planning on the Aft balacing. Breakaway would be a B1 and the Dawn would be the SF (I think) right now with the current perks we would get the UDP included on Dawn as well as butlter/concerige service which we've never had before. We like eating in the complimentry dining rooms but also like doing the specialty. The cost for the Dawn is about $600 less and we'll also be getting the UBP regardless of the ship.

 

Living in Western MA it's really pretty convenient for us to go out of either NYC or Boston. It's just a matter of deciding.

[meglet]

Hi Baflagg

 

I'm casting my vote for the Dawn for you two since you said you'd like the quiet time and spaces as well as the activity. With the difference in price, you can book the aft penthouse. This July will be my first NCL suite, aft 10228, and I am SO very excited. You really can't stretch out on the balconies or mini suite balconies. I'm excited too about the perks like breakfast and lunch in Cagney's or the hot breakfast room service for the suites. The balconies of those suites are so big you can eat a full meal outside. It's going to be so nice to have a place to get away from the crowds if we want. My job only permits me to travel in the summer and that's the busiest time with the most families and children. The Dawn is one crowded ship in the summer.

 

I'm not sure how well you know cruisecritic, but you can search for specific info on cabins and find dimensions of cabins and balconies and real photos or videos. From what I've read, just avoid Deck 8 aft suites on Dawn.

 

Have a wonderful anniversary trip!

[dexddd]

I will be sailing on Dawn in June, and chose it over Breakaway (I did do a two-nighter on Breakaway in January) despite living on Long Island, so that we could avoid the "new ship premium" and upgrade with our savings. We are sailing in Dawn's Garden Villa (there are 7 of us) for approximately the same price as two of the lowest level suite on Breakaway for the same date range. Just a little financial food for thought :-)

 

 

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Have fun. When you get back, can you report on the condition of the GV?

[LegallyBlonder]

Have fun. When you get back, can you report on the condition of the GV?

 

 

For sure! We are getting very excited. We were in Gem's GV last January, and heard that this one is even more outrageous!

 

 

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[cliffd64]

Thanks for the great information. Sorry I should have given a little more background for us.

 

This will be a 10 year anniversary cruise for my husband and I. We have an 8 year old who has been on the Jewel, Breakaway and Disney Magic but this cruise will be just us.

 

We pretty much like to do everything on the ship. Love the craziness of hanging by the pool listening to the music but also would enjoy some quiet time (benefit of the vibe beach club). Had a great time on the Breakway and loved O'Sheehan's at the end of the night. Like the shows and casinos, although there was just something about the casino on the Breakway that I didn't really like, not sure if it was the layout or what, can't really put my finger on it. Met lots of great people on both ships which we are still in contact with today

 

For both ships we were planning on the Aft balacing. Breakaway would be a B1 and the Dawn would be the SF (I think) right now with the current perks we would get the UDP included on Dawn as well as butlter/concerige service which we've never had before. We like eating in the complimentry dining rooms but also like doing the specialty. The cost for the Dawn is about $600 less and we'll also be getting the UBP regardless of the ship.

 

Living in Western MA it's really pretty convenient for us to go out of either NYC or Boston. It's just a matter of deciding.

 

With all the criteria you've laid out, if you have a choice of a SF cabin or a B1, definitely choose the SF on the Dawn and enjoy the amenities that gives you. I will always choose a full suite over a balcony especially if it's close to the same price. The list of suite perks is impressive on NCL ships and you will be pampered like never before. Do a little research here about the Suite Life, and you can arrive armed with the ability to make the most of the perks NCL provides to suite passengers!

 

Having moved from Southern New England, I miss being so close to a port like NYC. Now it's a 11 hour drive north or south for us (or a flight... ugh) :)

Edited April 29, 2014 by cliffd64

[JPV072900]

Can anyone please state whether or not the dueling piano show on the Breakaway is family friendly or not?

 

We're trying to decide on the Breakaway or the Dawn. We're currently booked on both ships for the same dates! Trying to convince members of my family that it's worth the extra $$$ and the trip to NYC.

 

We all live only 45 minutes from the Dawn, but I think it's worth taking a bus to NYC to have the better ship. Am I crazy??

[DISNEY1975]

Can anyone please state whether or not the dueling piano show on the Breakaway is family friendly or not?

 

We're trying to decide on the Breakaway or the Dawn. We're currently booked on both ships for the same dates! Trying to convince members of my family that it's worth the extra $$$ and the trip to NYC.

 

We all live only 45 minutes from the Dawn, but I think it's worth taking a bus to NYC to have the better ship. Am I crazy??

 

Dueling pianos is not un-family friendly, really depends on the crowd that is there. The kids will LOVE the larger pool area w/ slides etc.. on the Breakaway. The kids clubs are larger too, but obviously because there are way more kids. Breakaway holds twice as many guests. I personally love the Dawn. Its smaller, staff gets to know you, I like the MDRs much better..but entertainment on the Breakaway is much better in terms of big shows. They both have the game shows/activities.

 

Im no help! I like them both. I suggest flip a coin!