NCL Breakaway Review, wheelchair user/crutch walker

[ChloeBelle910]

Breakaway to Bermuda, May 10-17, 2015. A review by someone who rolls, but also walks.

 

I hope it's ok to put access-related reviews here, if not please advise.

 

I'm so not ready for this vacation to be over, I'm stretching it out by eating the last of my rum cake very slowly and writing this review.

 

I did quite a bit of researching for this trip, AFTER booking, that is. We booked it at the spur of the moment when we were both fed up by the Massachusetts winter. To put this review in context, it may be helpful to understand my ability level. I have the type of cerebral palsy that affects my legs only. I use a small, manual, ultralightweight rigid frame chair that breaks down but doesn't fold. I can walk around a stateroom without crutches, and am perfectly safe using a standard bathroom with a shower bench. I need crutches for longer distances. I can do a few flights of stairs on a good day. I am young-ish, but not as young as I once was. My husband is strong, able-bodied, and willing to do the heavy-lifting when required (me, chair, me+chair, you get the picture). I never expect access to be perfect, and we always travel with a "make it work" attitude. We made this, our second cruise with NCL, work. I hunted around to find reviews from folks who were close to my ability level and using a manual chair (not scooter), and came up short. So if you are a fellow CPer, MSer, Arthritis-er, or AnythingElse-er who is at a similiar functional level and thinking of taking this ship, I hope you find this helpful. And thanks for all the helpful info so many of you provide in this forum. It made our trip great!

 

We were unable to book a wheelchair accessible room without downgrading from a balcony. I was willing to, DH wasn't, but he knew that this may mean more work for him. He was willing. I am 4'10, and about 105 lbs. (Pre-cruise. Heh.) My chair is sized accordingly, and is about 25" at its widest point (bottom of wheelrims, due to 2 degree camber). My chair fit through the stateroom door, but just barely. I did not have an inch or even a half inch to spare on either side. We made a lot of jokes about threading the needle. We did have our agent book a stateroom that had the bed nearest the balcony, and that made all the difference. I was able to get the chair into the room easily. We had our room steward remove the stool under the vanity, and I just pushed my chair under the vanity like a standard chair. Worked fine. I do think if my chair was any wider we would have had to break it down before bringing it into the room. The Breakaway has incredibly narrow hallways. Our only comparison is the Jade, which had wheelchairs and scooters galore in the hallways (never mine!). You cannot leave a wheelchair or scooter in these hallways, so if you can't get it though the door, prepare to have it taken by the staff every night. Seriously.

 

Bathroom was fine for me, but I did have to walk to get to it. Step up was fine, but by the end of the week I had cut up my left foot a bit on the ledge, because I drag my feet when I walk or climb stairs (that scar will be a little souvenier). They put a small bench in the shower; it was clean and served its purpose. The showerhead is a removable handheld even in standard staterooms. Again, served its purpose. The grab bar handled my weight fine. Overall, as previous reviews have mentioned, balcony room was tinier than the industry average, but servicable, even with a tiny wheelchair. You won't be able to get a wheelchair out onto the standard balcony.

 

We were in room 10884. Very close to aft elevator which was so handy access-wise, because we tended to stay towards the aft end of the ship.

 

Our at-sea morning routine was thus: up at 7, into bathing suits, breakfast at 8 at the Uptown Grill (16 Aft), then out to Spice H2O for sun and hottubs. Uptown Grill is this ship's best-kept breakfast secret. Early in the week no one was there, but us and some crew. The buffet is a little too high for wheelchairs, but when on a ship I am very happy to let crew help me out. It makes it easier for me and them. But if you are the sort of person who likes to get all your own food in a buffet setting, this isn't the spot for you. The selection is small, and there are no pancakes/waffles, but it had everything these omlet-lovers wanted.

 

Spice H20: Wheelies, get there early. The deck chairs filled up fast and quickly filled in the aisle which made it hard to get around the deck. Other cruisers quickly realized that this was our home base, and were helpful and self-policing in keeping the aisleway clear. Facing the screen, the wheelchair accessible bathroom to the right up the ramp past the hot tub was fantastic and never occupied (as were all the accessible restrooms on this ship--NCL did these very well, with push-button access and tons of room). Unfortunately, the hot tubs on this deck all have 2 rung ladders to get in, and no access-lifts. I can do stairs, I don't need a lift, but I cannot do ladders. Nope. This was a disappointment. My DH was able to lift me up on to the hot tub deck and we did just fine, but I was dependent on his help and wasn't able to use the hottub without him. So many fellow cruisers were so sweet and helpful on this ship, that honestly, with someone spotting me, I probably could have gotten into the hot tubs. I just felt safer with DH. I saw lots of older, able-bodied people having trouble with these hot tub ladders, too.

 

Vibe: We were planning to pay extra to use this area. But I knew from the blank look on a couple of crew member's faces, and an inquiry to the access coordinator, that getting someone who knew how to operate the wheelchair stair lift to that deck AND who would operate it in a timely manner would be a stretch. They wanted an hour's notice to get to Vibe or leave it. We weren't into planning our sunbathing time to the hour, nor did I want to walk up those stairs so we scrapped it. Mildly disappointing; but not a deal-breaker. Training all Vibe staff members in the use of this lift would be easy, and could result in them making (even more) money. The thinner crowds up there could be a draw for folks with disabilities.

Pool: We ventured down to the pool a few mornings. The hottubs near the pool have shallow steps to get in, and I was able to get into those just fine. These hottubs had no chair lifts, so you have to be able to do steps. As others have mentioned, this pool is tiny, for the size and capacity of the ship. There is a chair lift, but to use it requires an hour notice so they can set it up and safety check it. We didn't use it, because again, we aren't into that level of advance planning on sun days. I remember having no problems getting into the Jade's pool, so I know it doesn't have to be this way with NCL. Unlike the pool on the Jade, this pool only has a ladder to get in. I was able to get in myself, but needed DH's help to get out. We loved this ship, but the pool and hottub access will lead us to look at other ships to Bermuda in the future (we will definitely be returning!!). These barriers are not up to the usual access and helpfulness standards of NCL. I want to swim when I want to swim, just like everyone else. There are other ships that will allow me to do this. The Breakaway is not that ship, unfortunately.

 

Other areas of the ship:

Buffet: only did this for snacks. Access is fine but a bit high/set back in places. NCL's buffet staff were extremely helpful and inobtrusive.

 

Specialty Dining: We did UDP. All was perfect. I asked for assistance at Moderno's salad bar, and the floor manager dropped what he was doing, washed his hands, and filled a plate for me. That level of service was what I recieved throughout the ship. There was a patron with a power wheelchair and service dog at LeBistro one of the nights we were there. She was obviously a regular, and was being fawned over. Love it!

 

Shows: We had Cirque the first night as a perk. They asked if I wanted to stay in my chair or transfer. I told them whatever would give us the best seat. I transfered, they took away my chair, and brought it back immediately. Loved the show.

 

Breakaway Theater has a place for wheelchairs, but the ledge was high. I got out of my chair and sat in a regular seat (down one step). If you are tall or sit up high in your chair you may be able to see over the ledge. They may have better accessible seating on the other side, but we couldn't get over there.

 

We spent our other evenings in Fat Cats, which became our favorite spot on the ship thanks to the Creole Cookin' Band. Just wished there was more room in there for dancing...

Waterfront 8 Aft was my favorite spot on the ship. There are no chairs back there, but if you're a wheelchair user and bringing your own you don't need one. It's quiet, no one hangs out there, and you get a great view of the wake. Perfection.

 

Elevators: They are plentiful, tiny, and always crowded. Don't be afraid to claim your space if you're a chair user because people will cut in front of you otherwise. I had to put a few very drunk 20-somethings in their place.

 

Disembarkation: DH insisted on doing the self-disembarkation. Wheelies, maybe don't do this. Even as a seasoned traveler, having help with my luggage is a plus. We were off the ship quickly but it was stressful for me. There really is no help from staff whatsoever. I did this mostly to prove to DH that it was a bad idea. He agreed, in the end. We will check bags next time.

 

Pier 88: if you are a chair user they will separate you from the crowd after you get off the gangway, to take you to the elevator to customs. Doing this you may miss the declaration form that they are handing out at the escalator. Be sure to ask for it.

 

Ok, I think that's it. I hope this is helpful. We loved this ship. We just didn't love the barriers to swimming/hottubbing. I'll do another review of our port activities (we got the wheelchair on a public bus!!). Bermuda may very well be my new favorite place on Earth.

[xxoocruiser]

Definitely the best place to post access-related reviews !

 

Thanks for the information!

[searoses]

I loved our trips to bermuda on the gem and the dawn....gem has 2 pools....the kid's pool had stairs....tho over the heads of most kids.....the dawn had one pool with stairs.....also sailed celebrity summit which also goes to bermuda....outdoor pool has stairs and the inside therapy pool was warm and adults only....gorgeous space!!....thank you for sharing your review....pools are the first thing I check when booking anything,anywhere....

[MedicKen]

Hi Chloe. We were on this cruise with you. My wife was in the blue scooter and I was dutifully trailing behind her. We found some of the same issues as you (ie. elevators). We had an accessible ocean view cabin on deck 5. Even though we had our son with us, it was very spacious, even with the scooter. The bathroom was roll-in with a roll-in shower. Quite adequate for our needs. The ship was a bit disappointing from the fact the there was no "solarium" space to sit at with tables as we like to play cards. Or, for that matter chairs on any of the open decks. We did find the card room (Friday) and my wife is now very interested in Mah Jong (sp). The dining situation was as you described. We did most of our dining in The Garden and found it very nice and it met our needs nicely. Thanks so much for your insights.

[Frosty-LI]

Thanks for posting this thread. I'm about to go on first cruise with wife and 2 daughters- one of whom is a special needs adult who can walk short distances but uses a folding wheelchair to avoid being "tired". We were just looking to figure out which excursions she might be able to do.

[jpcello]

Thanks for the review. I just booked a HC Balcony on deck 14. This is our first time on NCL.

[hayjax]

I guess we can't go on this ship. I had heard all Norwegian ships had lifts into the pool. But we need to leave from NY and Gem has no lifts and looks like Breakaway is hard to use? We would have three boys in power chairs. I need two in a room with me. :[ Still searching. :[

[xxoocruiser]

I guess we can't go on this ship. I had heard all Norwegian ships had lifts into the pool. But we need to leave from NY and Gem has no lifts and looks like Breakaway is hard to use? We would have three boys in power chairs. I need two in a room with me. :[ Still searching. :[

 

No where did the Original Poster (OP) state that the Breakaway had no pools ith chair lifts. OP stated :

"I remember having no problems getting into the Jade's pool, so I know it doesn't have to be this way with NCL. Unlike the pool on the Jade, this pool only has a ladder to get in."

What the OP apparently may not have known was that only one pool has a chair lift and may not have been at the appropriate pool nor does it appear they inquired about the pool lift. It's important to speak to a pool attendant because the chair lift is not always recognizable as sometimes the seat is removed until needed because kids as well as some adults tend to play with it. Additionally there was nothing mentioned about the Gem not having a pool lift anywhere else in this thread. In fact NCL's website specifically states the following regarding all its ships:

 

Amenities and Services include:

• Embarkation day meeting with staff member who will see to your accessibility needs during the cruise
  
• A limited number of wheelchair accessible staterooms with grab bars in the bathrooms, raised beds, adjustable hanging rods in the closets, shower seats, extra wide doors for easy access
  
• Wheelchair rental available for use on the vessels
  
• All Norwegian Cruise Line ships have pool lifts
  
• All Norwegian Cruise Line ships have accessible restrooms in a variety of public spaces
  
• Accessible transportation to and from the vessel can be arranged in advance for all US destinations with 15 day advance notice provided to the Access Desk
  
• The Access Desk can provide specific and up to date information on the accessibility of shore excursions prior to your cruise
  

Here's the link to the website.https://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising

To verify what's clearly stated on it's website you can contact NCL's Access Desk additional (866) 584-9756 (voice), fax (305) 468-2171, or send an e-mail to accessdesk@ncl.com, or have your travel agent contact NCL.

 

Also not certain if you understood the issue about the room space and the doorway being a tight fit was due to the fact the OP booked a Standard Balcony and NOT an Accessible Cabin .

 

There will be issues to deal with regarding any cruise line and or ship as everyone's accessible needs vary. Cruise lines address the basic accessible needs. With that said the newer the build the more accessible the ship regardless of the cruise line. Therefore the NCL Gen really needn't be ruled out.

 

FYI information fleet wide RCCL ships have one pool and one hot tub that has a chair lift.