Just off the May 31st Breakaway...

[SailAwayInAugust]

We just came off a fantastic week on the Breakaway. After reading tons of mixed reviews, I thought I'd pay it forward & give my honest review.

 

I went on this cruise with very low expectations. I've read awful ugly reviews, and I will admit, I was second guessing even booking this cruise. However, we got a great deal during the KSF promo + the free UBP, we couldn't pass it up. I'll try to keep this short, sweet & to the point. Questions? Ask away.:D

 

Scale of 1-10 10 being WONDERFUL.

 

Embarkation... 10!

We are from NY, so crowds are nothing new to us, but we wanted to get to the pier early to score VIBE passes. No lines, friendly check-in & happy to see the Splash Academy registration desk right at the terminal. I signed up my 2 kids as we waited, and before we knew it... embarkation time! (11:30am)

 

Stateroom... 4

We had a regular midship balcony - Deck 13. Our room steward was really nice and did a great job keeping the room tidy but the rooms itself were small & narrow, very thin, "cookie cutter" & generic looking. Nothing special at all. The bathroom, surprisingly actually had a ton of storage space for toiletries, and was a decent size. Balcony was small, but I was warned about that, so it didn't come as a surprise. It served its purpose, I guess. Last year we were on the GEM and stayed in a mid-ship mini suite, so I guess we were spoiled - now THAT was a great room!

 

Staff... 6

Overall, the staff was ok, but there was no one with the exception of only TWO staff members that really stood out as being super nice, super friendly and fantastic - The two bartenders at Shakers Bar on Deck 8. I didn't catch their names, but they were wonderful. Everyone else was just okay - like regular folks just doing their job. No one was super happy or even appeared to really enjoy their job. But I'll cut them some slack. Who likes to work when everyone else is on vacation right?

 

Food... 7 (Yes, this is totally subjective)

With the exception of the buffet (a.k.a circus show, zoo), I thought the food was great - Especially at the specialty restaurants - Moderno & Cagneys. (You simply cannot take this cruise without eating at these places). La Cucina was just not good - Don't waste your money.

 

Main dining rooms were great - the service was NOT as slow as quite a few reviewers mentioned. Food was really really GOOD!

 

O'Sheehans was not as great as most reviewers stated. For instance, right after check in, we headed here for a quick bite to eat. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger and asked for it to be cooked "medium". I was specifically told by one of the waiters that they were not able to accommodate my request, because the burgers come out frozen and they are only made one way. I wont even mention the size of the bacon strip they put on it. Literally the size of a quarter.. but whatever. We ate there once and once was enough.

 

The buffet was run by rude staff who looked legitimately annoyed all the time. Never a smile and if you have a question about something, your better off just rolling the dice and guessing. I personally did not have a good experience here, but unfortunately, for a quick meal, this was the option.

 

Definitely visit the Noodle Bar. That place was excellent. The food was fantastic and food was prepared in front of you & very fast!

 

Pool area... 7

Yes, small, but the Mr. Sexy Legs competition & all the games they host by the pool are not to be missed - fun times!

 

Kiddie pool - Awesome! My kids couldn't get enough of it! Crowded, but, everyone was having a good time, and the kids on the ship for the most part was well behaved and having a good time!

 

Entertainment... 10!

We saw Rock of Ages & Burn the Floor. Both EXCELLENT, although whomever designed the seats in the theater needs to get their head evaluated. They are just awful!

 

Glow party looked like fun, although we didn't stay too long.

 

Games in the Atrium (Not-so-Newlywed etc) were a ton of fun... lots of laughs!

 

We braved the ropes course, and YES! I walked the plank, but the cameras were down (of course), so I have nothing to prove my achievement :mad:

 

Bermuda.......... 20

Seriously paradise. I could spend a month here, but that's a whole other thread....

 

VIBE.......25

Worth every single penny. Its like a whole other world in that little secluded area of the ship. The best part is that not a lot of people know about it and thats what makes it GREAT! If you want true relaxation and aren't in the mood to wake up at 6am to grab poolside chairs, wait 20 min for a drink at the poolside bar and have to sit in a Jacuzzi with 10 other sweaty hairy people than, the VIBE is the place for you! :D.

 

Overall, we had a fantastic time.

 

Cons..

The ship is just TOOOOOO big, and there are just TOOOOOO many people. (You only really notice this on sea days, but although it was a con, I expected a lot worse.

 

The staff... Miss the washy washy smiley smiley girl from the GEM buffet. While most were nice, I thought the staff on the GEM was more friendly and welcoming.

 

The design of the ship. The lack of open-air space and the dark-boxy restaurants were nothing special. I actually expected to be floored with this ship, but I was not impressed! Most of the time, I felt like I was in a hotel and not a cruise ship. Very strange.

 

Pros

There is just so much to do & see on this ship, you will never get bored!

Bermuda!

Fantastic Entertainment

Splash Academy... Excellent, by the way!

Food was really REALLY good!

 

Between the GEM & Breakaway

If you have small kids or teens and entertainment is VERY important.... Choose the Breakaway

If you are looking for total relaxation and a really friendly beautiful cruise ship experience.. Choose the Gem.

 

Put those two ships together, minus about 1,500 passengers from the Breakaway, and you will have the perfect ship!

 

I think I covered most of it, but if I didn't.. ask me!

Edited June 8, 2015 by SailAwayInAugust

[hansolosmom]

Wow thanks for the info. We're sailing in March & I'm the same way with the reviews, it seems you either have a great time or an awful one.

 

Sounds like you had a good time. I absolutely love Bermuda and wish we were going there, but we have to go in March so it's the Bahamas route.

 

What time did you get to the pier? I know you said early, but I'm wondering how early. We're coming up from Philly & I'm trying to figure out if we should come in the night before.

 

Is there a coffee place you can just pick up a cup other than the buffet (either free or pay)? My mom drinks lots and she loved the little coffee place when we were on Princess.

 

Thanks

[SailAwayInAugust]

Wow thanks for the info. We're sailing in March & I'm the same way with the reviews, it seems you either have a great time or an awful one.

 

Sounds like you had a good time. I absolutely love Bermuda and wish we were going there, but we have to go in March so it's the Bahamas route.

 

What time did you get to the pier? I know you said early, but I'm wondering how early. We're coming up from Philly & I'm trying to figure out if we should come in the night before. We live about 25 minutes from the pier and got there at 10am. Most people started arriving by 11-11:30

 

Is there a coffee place you can just pick up a cup other than the buffet (either free or pay)? My mom drinks lots and she loved the little coffee place when we were on Princess. There is a Lavazza bar @ the Atrium Cafe. (of course at an additional cost - but so worth it!) Excellent coffee and open 24 hours. A much much better alternative then the coffee in the buffet.

 

Thanks

 

You will have a great time. I did the Bahamas itinerary on the Gem.

[hansolosmom]

Thanks so much for the quick reply.

She'll probably love the atrium for the coffee. I don't mind paying for it for her either. She likes to people watch so I can see her getting coffee and a pastry and enjoying herself.

[alibubba]

Thanks so much for this review and the comparison. I have been on the Gem and loved it so I can see what I am going to be up against. We chose this because we have never been to Bermuda. Based on all the reviews I think we will have a great time once there. I knew this ship was just like the Getaway and our whole family (12 of us) will be on that next year, so we wanted an advance look to know what to expect. Even booked a room on the same deck, though on port instead of starboard. I was leary about the size of the ship and number of passengers. Pearl and Gem seemed just right to me. Hopefully we will have as a great a time as you had.

[figment9999]

Your Mom can pick up a cup of coffee to-go in O'Sheehans; no charge.

Edited June 8, 2015 by figment9999

[spidybabe]

Totally agree that the BA feels more like a hotel than a cruise ship. We miss the Spinnaker with the tremendous windows, The Great Outdoors with the beautiful aft dining, and all the window seats (my favorite place) in the casino and along the side on the Gem.

O'Sheehans also has free coffee with to go cups(both ships)

Safe Sailing

Edited June 8, 2015 by spidybabe

[JPV072900]

Hi Sailaway, thank you for your review. I had been debating about whether or not to get Vibe passes, by I figured since I get up early, I'd have no trouble getting a seat at Spice. Did you visit Spice? Is Vibe much, MUCH better than Spice???

[cruisin0504]

I'm also wondering about the Vibe, would it be worthwhile in Nov?

[hansolosmom]

Your Mom can pick up a cup of coffee to-go in O'Sheehans; no charge.

 

Totally agree that the BA feels more like a hotel than a cruise ship. We miss the Spinnaker with the tremendous windows, The Great Outdoors with the beautiful aft dining, and all the window seats (my favorite place) in the casino and along the side on the Gem.

O'Sheehans also has free coffee with to go cups(both ships)

Safe Sailing

 

Thanks for the O'Sheehans tip

[SailAwayInAugust]

H20 is definitely more lively than Vibe, and if your an early bird you should have no trouble finding a chair anywhere really. I personally do not like the chair hogs but unfortunately if you don't secure a chair early, you will have trouble finding one anytime after 10:30am. It's a Catch 21, and it's not just a Breakaway thing - it's a problem on every ship. Vibe was fantastic because you are literally sharing the space with at most-70 people opposed to 4000. Everytime I was in the Vibe, there were plenty of spots. You have your own bar, your own jacuzzis, shower, double cushioned beds and cushioned lounge chairs. It was fantastic. For us, it was well worth the splurge. H2o is great for people watching and relaxing but keep in mind there is very limited shaded areas.

[Squirty27]

Is there a fee for Vibe?

[carol54]

Yes there is a fee. $79 pp per week or $299 for a cabana that includes $100 food/beverage credit.

[Ilovesailing]

Thanks for the review. I agree 100% on O'Sheehans the food is now lousy how many people know that mushy peas are served with fish and chips, only the Brits and how many of them are on board. GET THEM OFF MY PLATE NOW LOL can't stand peas but mushy is just downright disgusting. They also have some weird soup with cabbage hmm um NOT! Bring back the tomato basil soup.

 

Bring back Cadillac Diner.

[Luke Saint Joe]

Hi, Sailaway. Thanks for your review. I've been nervous about having booked Breakaway for November 2015 and all the negative reviews. So glad to read some positive notes! My vibe question is - I heard there is little shade there yet I've seen orange umbrellas in photos. I am a sun worshiper; husband likes his shade. One said to have shade, you must opt for a cabana, which I want absolutely nothing to do with. Will I find sun and he find shade? IF we're lucky enough to score vibe passes.

[SailAwayInAugust]

Hi, Sailaway. Thanks for your review. I've been nervous about having booked Breakaway for November 2015 and all the negative reviews. So glad to read some positive notes! My vibe question is - I heard there is little shade there yet I've seen orange umbrellas in photos. I am a sun worshiper; husband likes his shade. One said to have shade, you must opt for a cabana, which I want absolutely nothing to do with. Will I find sun and he find shade? IF we're lucky enough to score vibe passes.

 

Hi there! I can assure you that there are indeed shaded areas @ the Vibe. H20 has very little (if any) shade

[rogue 35]

PLEASE don't buy into the negative reviews on Breakaway. I had an amazing vacation on her last November (that just sounds wrong). Everything is subjective and I could list a dozen more reasons to take all reviews with several grains of salt.

 

Or maybe, you should believe them and that will leave more space for me to enjoy another cruise :)

 

 

OP, I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise and I'm also glad you mentioned the table for splash academy sign-up in the terminal. I didn't see that last November.

[MoyCoy]

What time did you arrive at the port?

[Kenlorz]

Hi, Sailaway. Thanks for your review. I've been nervous about having booked Breakaway for November 2015 and all the negative reviews. So glad to read some positive notes! My vibe question is - I heard there is little shade there yet I've seen orange umbrellas in photos. I am a sun worshiper; husband likes his shade. One said to have shade, you must opt for a cabana, which I want absolutely nothing to do with. Will I find sun and he find shade? IF we're lucky enough to score vibe passes.

 

We were also on this cruise and had a cabana. I am very fair and have to be careful of the sun. I found that the cabana top only slightly covers the lounger and is also sheer, so it was a very sunny situation and I slathered myself in sunscreen. The big umbrellas offered much more shade than the cabanas. So, one of you can lay under the shade, the other fully in the sun on the regular Vibe loungers, no need for the cabana in your particular situation :)

[Fredette]

We just came off a fantastic week on the Breakaway. After reading tons of mixed reviews, I thought I'd pay it forward & give my honest review.

 

I went on this cruise with very low expectations. I've read awful ugly reviews, and I will admit, I was second guessing even booking this cruise. However, we got a great deal during the KSF promo + the free UBP, we couldn't pass it up. I'll try to keep this short, sweet & to the point. Questions? Ask away.:D

 

Scale of 1-10 10 being WONDERFUL.

 

Embarkation... 10!

We are from NY, so crowds are nothing new to us, but we wanted to get to the pier early to score VIBE passes. No lines, friendly check-in & happy to see the Splash Academy registration desk right at the terminal. I signed up my 2 kids as we waited, and before we knew it... embarkation time! (11:30am)

 

Stateroom... 4

We had a regular midship balcony - Deck 13. Our room steward was really nice and did a great job keeping the room tidy but the rooms itself were small & narrow, very thin, "cookie cutter" & generic looking. Nothing special at all. The bathroom, surprisingly actually had a ton of storage space for toiletries, and was a decent size. Balcony was small, but I was warned about that, so it didn't come as a surprise. It served its purpose, I guess. Last year we were on the GEM and stayed in a mid-ship mini suite, so I guess we were spoiled - now THAT was a great room!

 

Staff... 6

Overall, the staff was ok, but there was no one with the exception of only TWO staff members that really stood out as being super nice, super friendly and fantastic - The two bartenders at Shakers Bar on Deck 8. I didn't catch their names, but they were wonderful. Everyone else was just okay - like regular folks just doing their job. No one was super happy or even appeared to really enjoy their job. But I'll cut them some slack. Who likes to work when everyone else is on vacation right?

 

Food... 7 (Yes, this is totally subjective)

With the exception of the buffet (a.k.a circus show, zoo), I thought the food was great - Especially at the specialty restaurants - Moderno & Cagneys. (You simply cannot take this cruise without eating at these places). La Cucina was just not good - Don't waste your money.

 

Main dining rooms were great - the service was NOT as slow as quite a few reviewers mentioned. Food was really really GOOD!

 

O'Sheehans was not as great as most reviewers stated. For instance, right after check in, we headed here for a quick bite to eat. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger and asked for it to be cooked "medium". I was specifically told by one of the waiters that they were not able to accommodate my request, because the burgers come out frozen and they are only made one way. I wont even mention the size of the bacon strip they put on it. Literally the size of a quarter.. but whatever. We ate there once and once was enough.

 

The buffet was run by rude staff who looked legitimately annoyed all the time. Never a smile and if you have a question about something, your better off just rolling the dice and guessing. I personally did not have a good experience here, but unfortunately, for a quick meal, this was the option.

 

Definitely visit the Noodle Bar. That place was excellent. The food was fantastic and food was prepared in front of you & very fast!

 

Pool area... 7

Yes, small, but the Mr. Sexy Legs competition & all the games they host by the pool are not to be missed - fun times!

 

Kiddie pool - Awesome! My kids couldn't get enough of it! Crowded, but, everyone was having a good time, and the kids on the ship for the most part was well behaved and having a good time!

 

Entertainment... 10!

We saw Rock of Ages & Burn the Floor. Both EXCELLENT, although whomever designed the seats in the theater needs to get their head evaluated. They are just awful!

 

Glow party looked like fun, although we didn't stay too long.

 

Games in the Atrium (Not-so-Newlywed etc) were a ton of fun... lots of laughs!

 

We braved the ropes course, and YES! I walked the plank, but the cameras were down (of course), so I have nothing to prove my achievement :mad:

 

Bermuda.......... 20

Seriously paradise. I could spend a month here, but that's a whole other thread....

 

VIBE.......25

Worth every single penny. Its like a whole other world in that little secluded area of the ship. The best part is that not a lot of people know about it and thats what makes it GREAT! If you want true relaxation and aren't in the mood to wake up at 6am to grab poolside chairs, wait 20 min for a drink at the poolside bar and have to sit in a Jacuzzi with 10 other sweaty hairy people than, the VIBE is the place for you! :D.

 

Overall, we had a fantastic time.

 

Cons..

The ship is just TOOOOOO big, and there are just TOOOOOO many people. (You only really notice this on sea days, but although it was a con, I expected a lot worse.

 

The staff... Miss the washy washy smiley smiley girl from the GEM buffet. While most were nice, I thought the staff on the GEM was more friendly and welcoming.

 

The design of the ship. The lack of open-air space and the dark-boxy restaurants were nothing special. I actually expected to be floored with this ship, but I was not impressed! Most of the time, I felt like I was in a hotel and not a cruise ship. Very strange.

 

Pros

There is just so much to do & see on this ship, you will never get bored!

Bermuda!

Fantastic Entertainment

Splash Academy... Excellent, by the way!

Food was really REALLY good!

 

Between the GEM & Breakaway

If you have small kids or teens and entertainment is VERY important.... Choose the Breakaway

If you are looking for total relaxation and a really friendly beautiful cruise ship experience.. Choose the Gem.

 

Put those two ships together, minus about 1,500 passengers from the Breakaway, and you will have the perfect ship!

 

I think I covered most of it, but if I didn't.. ask me!

 

Hello, we were also on this cruise.

 

I have to agree with some of your comments - the staterooms are tiny. I have been with five different cruise lines now, and Norwegian have the tiniest cabins. This isn't a problem most of the time, but when you are trying to squeeze past your bed to get to the balcony, you do wonder what you have paid for. And the seats in the theatre!! I'm glad it wasn't just me who didn't like them. I couldn't get comfortable. If you sit up straight, the bar at the back digs into your backside, so you end up slouching. Did no-one test them out before they ordered a theatre full of them?

I have no complaints about the service in Savor, but it was awful in the Manhattan room, and don't even get me started on "the Irish Pub". My husband has a food allergy and was treated awfully in both the Manhattan and O'Sheehans. In the Manhattan room he ordered one dessert on our first night, they said it wasn't suitable so just dumped a substitute in front of him, take it or leave it. He ordered "fish and chips" from O'Sheehans, fish without batter (he is coeliac and this IS an Irish disease after all, so you would think anything trying to market itself as Irish would have SOME idea how to cope), they slapped down a plate with grilled fish in front of him, a long time after the rest of the party had been served. No chips (fries), not even a wedge of lemon for the fish. Pretty awful treatment. It IS a medical condition, I imagine if they had the cheek to treat (for example) someone in a wheelchair as an inconvenience and tell them they couldn't attend the theatrical performances because their chair was a nuisance, there would be an outcry, but it is deemed ok to treat someone with a food allergy like they are an inconvenience who shouldn't even bother expecting to be fed? Um, discrimination is discrimination folks, EVERY other cruise line we have sailed with is able to cope without a problem, so why did it take a complaint to the restaurant manager to get some fair treatment?

We also have an ongoing problem with Norwegian helping themselves to my son's bank account. He paid his bill IN FULL in cash the day before the cruise finished, but they still took the full amount out of his account. And now it is his problem to try to get it back, no-one at Norwegian is taking responsibility to fix the problem. Not good at all.:mad:

 

Having got my whinges off my chest - I loved Bermuda. I would love to get back sometime, but maybe not on a cruise, we might look at a holiday there. The cruise ship was ok, not the best I have been on. Every request seemed to be too hard. Try ordering a coffee liqueur cocktail off the menu if you doubt me. The drink is listed as having X ingredients and X price. Then the bar staff tell you that you have to pay separately for the coffee? So why is it on the menu if you can't order it? I was on holiday folks - it should have been a hassle free week, but it certainly was not.:confused:

 

As for entertainment - what was on offer was ok, but there wasn't enough variety. I am used to attending a theatrical production every night, not just one or two during the cruise. And what is with this having to book anyway, and then they move your times around? What is wrong with just turning up like you do with every other cruise line? :(

 

We are planning our next holiday - a cruise before the end of the year, and another one later next year, and have decided that our sample of what Norwegian had to offer was not favourable (despite hearing that they were a good line) so they have lost our business I am afraid. Interestingly, on ferries to various places in Bermuda we got talking to other passengers and several were from the Celebrity Summit that was docked alongside the Breakaway, and no-one had a bad word to say about Celebrity. So we might give them a try, or maybe go back to RCI or Princess, both of which seem to understand what a good cruise and good customer service is all about.

[Wvshimmy]

Two questions...Have they added any other entertainment other than Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor? Any casino rats recently? Wondering if RiMarie is still a casino host? She was transferred from the Gem in late September.

We have sailed on the Gem 5x since 2012. Very friendly, amiable staff. Love them! Consider some our extended family.;-) we sailed on the Breakaway shortly after her inaugural voyage. Bigger...yes, but not unmanageable and I'm pushing a wheelchair. The only truly crowded place was the elevators when we embarked. I believe the crew on the Breakaway and possibly the newer ships haven't quite gotten their vibe together, due to constantly being shifted to the newer ships. The crew only have 10 month contracts and when they renew it's a toss-up where they'll land.

We always have a great time on the NCL ships...it's all in what you make it. We don't expect perfection, and are always treated quite well. The reason we return exclusively to NCL is because of the crew. We are very appreciative of their hard work and the sacrifices they make for their families to make better lives for them.

N that said...counting down my next 3 days when we again ...breakaway! ;-)

[Stress]

How was the weather and waves for your week?

[HMANSION LOVER]

Wow thanks for the info. We're sailing in March & I'm the same way with the reviews, it seems you either have a great time or an awful one.

 

Sounds like you had a good time. I absolutely love Bermuda and wish we were going there, but we have to go in March so it's the Bahamas route.

 

What time did you get to the pier? I know you said early, but I'm wondering how early. We're coming up from Philly & I'm trying to figure out if we should come in the night before.

 

Is there a coffee place you can just pick up a cup other than the buffet (either free or pay)? My mom drinks lots and she loved the little coffee place when we were on Princess.

 

Thanks

 

I think, and believe me I could be wrong (just talk to my wife :eek:) there are two types of vacationers. Having read threads about various vacation destinations, there are those who are will have a good time even when there the inevitable hiccups (have never been on a vacation without a few rearing their ugly heads) and those who consider every hiccup as ruination of the perfectly planned vacation. It should also be remembered that more people will complain about every little mishap on their vacation and how it ruined it, than the number of people who had a wonderful time but did not take the time to let us all know. (they paid their money, got what was expected and went on their merry way whistling a happy tune).:)

[Wvshimmy]

Returned today from Bermuda cruise. As always..we had a great time with NCL! ;-). We had perfect weather all week; what a plus!

Coffee to go all day at OSheehans and atrium cafe/bar has all coffee/latte drinks. Look for Ariel if he is still waiting there...great service, very attentive and friendly. Enjoy and have a great time...it's all what YOU make it! ;-)

[Squirty27]

Did they follow the new check-in times that we now have to choose when doing on-line check-in?

 

Is the coffee free at O'Sheehans? I don't drink it but my mom does - thought I would give her a heads up if it is.

 

Thank you.