Dawn vs Breakaway for Bermuda is a 35%+ Breakaway Premium Worth it?

[FairportNY]

I have taken the Dawn to Bermuda from Boston twice so know the ship and the value (love it - but, getting a bit bored). I am looking at an August vacation to Bermuda and thought it might be fun to switch it up and take the NCL Breakaway (out of NYC) – seeing as it is a newer and bigger ship. The Breakaway is about a 35% increase in cost over the Dawn – is it worth it (I am not that bored - or am I)?

[jusstice]

I have been on both several times. The BA is gorgeous and new. The Dawn is comfortable. I am going on the BA again next week to Bermuda with my son. The reason I choose the BA is because it is a much more fun ship for him with the slides and the sports areas.

 

If it were just me going, with my hubby- I would go with the Dawn and have more spending $$$! 35% is pretty big uptick. I care about the food, spa and casino. I can get all that on the Dawn (although I do prefer the casino on the BA and the Carlo's bakery). We are not big show people, so the different offerings don't really matter to us.

 

However, if money isn't an issue, or the sports extras appeal to you, or you just really want to go on the different class ship, then go for it.

[Barb Nahoumi]

We live in the Boston area, and have cruised the Dawn to Bermuda. We also did the repositioning from Tampa to Boston in 2013.

 

As far as I am concerned, I am not interested in paying extra for transportation to New york, and a higher cruise fare just to sail the Breakaway to Bermuda. The Dawn is a fine ship, and is perfect for us, who don't care for mega-ships.

 

That is just my opinion, others may feel differently.

[Highboy90]

I'm doing the opposite. Went to Bermuda via the Breakaway last summer and will be aboard the Dawn in 10 days. Didn't want to spend a lot of money. Just wanted to get away and the Dawn makes this more affordable yet the destination is the same. But yes, I will have a 4 hour drive in the AM to Boston.

 

While I like new and flashy and liked the Breakaway, The Dawn will work though will miss the water slides. :D In your case, if money is not an issue, by all means, change things up a bit and enjoy.

[ggcruiser]

The Breakaway is Kevin Sheehan's baby. He's a New Yorker and he built a ship that has lots of New York touches. The thermal suite alone is reason enough to sail her. The Dawn is an older ship and if cruising for cruising's sake is enough, then she's a fine ship. But, if you want an upgraded experience, by all means, sail Breakaway.

Edited July 8, 2014 by ggcruiser

[welove2cruise232]

We've done Boston to Bermuda many times and are doing the Breakaway in September (we live less than an hour from Black Falcon) because we absolutely loved the ship when we sailed in March. We are in the haven again - absolute heaven!

[lisakoivu]

I wish I could get away TOMORROW, because the Dawn is advertising rooms for $399 right now - if my kid wasn't in dire need of my support during an online course he is taking, I'd be gone! Next summer.

 

We've been on both. I prefer the Dawn, hubby prefers the BA. The Dawn is a more relaxing holiday with less to do and lounge around - but Bermuda has tons to do so for that trip, it works. On BA, there's more to do, but you also have to plan more - make show reservations, more hustle and bustle. For me, I prefer the Dawn no matter what the price, but for a 35% price difference, I would definitely take the Dawn with just myself and hubby. With the kids.... I'd probably treat them to BA ONCE (actually, I am at Christmas) and that's the last time, because the things I enjoy on my cruise (mostly and aft balcony and peace and quiet and relaxation) are found on the Dawn.

 

Don't forget to add in parking if you are driving - $16 a day at Black Falcon in Boston vs $40 per day at Manhattan Cruise terminal!

Edited July 10, 2014 by lisakoivu

[biker@sea]

I wish I could get away TOMORROW, because the Dawn is advertising rooms for $399 right now - if my kid wasn't in dire need of my support during an online course he is taking, I'd be gone! Next summer.

 

We've been on both. I prefer the Dawn, hubby prefers the BA. The Dawn is a more relaxing holiday with less to do and lounge around - but Bermuda has tons to do so for that trip, it works. On BA, there's more to do, but you also have to plan more - make show reservations, more hustle and bustle. For me, I prefer the Dawn no matter what the price, but for a 35% price difference, I would definitely take the Dawn with just myself and hubby. With the kids.... I'd probably treat them to BA ONCE (actually, I am at Christmas) and that's the last time, because the things I enjoy on my cruise (mostly and aft balcony and peace and quiet and relaxation) are found on the Dawn.

 

Don't forget to add in parking if you are driving - $16 a day at Black Falcon in Boston vs $40 per day at Manhattan Cruise terminal!

Booked NCL Dawn Yesterday .:D

D.W. and I sail tomorrow !!

 

B.A was double the price .:eek:

Edited July 10, 2014 by biker@sea

[Highboy90]

Booked NCL Dawn Yesterday .:D

D.W. and I sail tomorrow !!

Enjoy! I'll be boarding when you are getting off. Hope we both have a great cruise.

[marco]

Neighbors just came home from the BA cruise to Bermuda.

Their only complaint: "The ship is just too damn big!"

[mugtech]

I would think many cruisers would want to take BA or a BA-class ship at least once just for a different experience, to see Rock of Ages, Burn The Floor, the comedy club etc. Having done that, if given the same itinerary, I now prefer the cheaper trip on an older ship. Cheaper = take more in the future.

[sebas030]

Beside size, entertainment, food option, the water slides and all those "accessories" on the ship, I think the itinerary is to consider.

 

Itinerary you say ? it's Bermuda round trip ! same cruise right ?

 

NO...

 

The Dawn is getting in Bermuda at 11am on a Sunday. Sunday all ( or almost all ) the shops are closed in Hamilton. The ferry system is reduced or non existent for St-George. The taxis cost 25% more.

 

The Breakaway is getting in at 8am on a Wednesday. Harbor nights is Wednesday, full ferry and bus schedule, regular fare for taxis.

 

Not an easy decision....

[RIvacationgirl]

How Biker@sea exciting. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Edited July 10, 2014 by RIvacationgirl
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[biker@sea]

Enjoy! I'll be boarding when you are getting off. Hope we both have a great cruise.

I will be in the Internet Cafe checking the price for a B2B all week .

I would love to see ya at the M&G . lol

How Biker@sea exciting. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks'

I'm so pumped up right now , I want to go to the dock and wait !!! :eek:

[Highboy90]

I will be in the Internet Cafe checking the price for a B2B all week .

I saw this morning that a Inside - Guaranteed for the 7/11 sailing went for $279 if memory serves me correctly. It was gone just as fast. :cool:

[lisakoivu]

I saw this morning that a Inside - Guaranteed for the 7/11 sailing went for $279 if memory serves me correctly. It was gone just as fast. :cool:

 

Wow. The lowest I saw was $399, but it was early in the morning and it wouldn't let me get in, so I bet they changed it after that. What a deal!

[jjjct]

I vote Dawn. I have cruised on the Dawn twice & on the BA once. Will probably never cruise on the larger ships again. Too many people, and I would imagine during the summer months 1/2 those would be kids. I liked the layout of the Dawn my favorite deck being the promenade. It goes around the entire ship, spent many mornings walking it while my husband got a few more hours sleep.

 

You have to book your shows on the Breakaway, the theater can not accommodate everyone. Never had a problem getting a seat in any show on the Dawn.

[Crusinwithfamily]

We are booked on the Dawn and look forward to getting back to a smaller ship. We did the Breakaway and did not enjoy it at all. It is too big and too cramped for my liking. But many people seem to love that ship.

[FairportNY]

Thanks everyone for input, I was looking at the great deals they have on the Dawn today, and was just about to book … when up popped a close-out deal for RCCL Grandeur of the Seas for the Aug 15 sailing to Bermuda, we have never taken an RCCL ship, so I figured we would drive the 6 hrs to Baltimore (instead of the 6 to Boston) and take that ship for a change. It was about the same price as the Dawn saling date, I just hope it is as good a ship and cruise line as NCL. Hope it is as casual and relaxed as the Dawn?

[Corgidog]

I just took the Dawn to Bermuda this past June and, despite all the age-based issues, thought it was fantastic. Excellent shows, food was quite good in most cases, decent amount of time in Bermuda, etc.). I was planning on booking a follow-on cruise for my family next year while on the ship (this past cruise was with girlfriends), but I've actually decided to go with the BA instead. My reason is there is just not enough to do for kids on the Dawn (I have three). In fact, in my opinion, there might not be enough to do for anyone who does not gamble or drink alcohol :D. So while the Dawn would be more than fine for me and my husband, if I'm going to shell out a lot of cash for the whole family, I want the kids to LOVE it, so I can justify the expense (even if at a 35% premium).

 

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