Review of Breakaway 12/27

[shelnj18]

Just back from a fabulous trip on the Breakaway. I know there have been many reviews but I thought I would share my experience. We left home early (central nj) and arrived at the port by 9 am. We waited less than 10 minutes to be checked in, but ended up waiting a few hours before boarding. We were told that the ship arrived late. Once we embarked, we headed to O'Sheehans for lunch rather than going to the buffet. This was a suggestion that we had read on CC before we left. It was a great idea. You arrive on deck 7 and O'Sheehans was right in front of you. The box office is also on deck 7 which also helped since we wanted to book a show that I had overlooked. Our room, an inside cabin on Deck 13, was small. As someone had previously mentioned, there were shelves but no drawers to put clothes in. The closet was adequate for our needs. There was space under the bed to store our suitcases which was nice. We left some of our clothes in the suitcases that weren't needed. Our room steward Sheila was wonderful! The ship is beautiful and although there were 4,000 or so people on, it didn't feel like it. The Atrium is beautiful but when there are activities going on there, it isn't always easy to find a seat. The library is small but a nice quiet place to relax. We had 4 specialty dining options and each one was fabulous! We ate in Le Bistro, Cagneys, Moderno (a cool experience!) and Tepanyaki. For breakfast, on most days we ate in Moderno's. Their buffet was not as extensive as the Garden Cafe on Deck 15, but the breakfast was fine and it was less crowded. Other people have complained about the smoke in the casino. When you walk through, you can definitely smell the smoke, but at least on this cruise, I felt it wasn't too bad. I also agree with the poster who said that the photographers were often around the steps which sometimes made it difficult to get around. It may have been a little annoying, but would not be a reason to not cruise on this ship. Probably my biggest complaint about the ship was the seating in the theater. Other people have commented about it but unless you actually sit in the seats, it is hard to describe. There is some metal bar that runs across the bottom of the chair where your tailbone meets the cushion. It is awful. I began bringing a towel so I would have some type of cushion. When I brought it up to a senior staff member, I was told that they are aware, but the line didn't feel it would be cost effective to change the seats. Why they would ever even make the seats that way is beyond me. The shows (except for the seats) in the theater were wonderful. Lots of high energy in Burn the Floor. Rock of Ages was good. Carly Strickler was fabulous on the last night. We really enjoyed Howl at the Moon (dueling pianos). Neil, Lori and James were very entertaining. Emily and Arvin in the Atrium were great. Second City was also great. As far as tours, we had already been to Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. We waited until all the ticketed tenders had been called and got to Great Stirrup Cay around 1:30. We hopped the tram and went to the lagoon. It was very nice and relaxing. We spent about 2 hours there which was fine. We tried to get on a Segway tour in Nassau and got closed out so we opted for the Blue Lagoon. Rented a cabana, found some low beach chairs and spent almost the whole day sitting in the water just relaxing. The days at sea were fine. We always managed to find a chair. The weather wasn't great on Friday so many people stayed inside. Before we left we debated whether to book Vibe or a spa pass. We opted for the spa pass and were really happy we did that because we used it a lot. Perhaps going on the Breakaway in warmer weather the Vibe would have been a better choice, but for us, this was perfect. I can't speak for the bar staff, because we didn't really partake in that, but all the bars always seemed packed. Disembarkation was fine for us....a little confusing though. We chose to carry our own luggage off. We ate breakfast at O'Sheehans and then got on the line to disembark. We were off the ship by 8!5 and were able to catch the 9 AM bus back to NJ. We loved the ship. The staff was fabulous and always attentive. We would absolutely cruise Breakaway again. The one thing I would suggest is that you book your shows, spa experiences and dining prior to boarding so you don't get closed out of anything. If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to answer what I can.

[Sauer-kraut]

Just back from a fabulous trip on the Breakaway. I know there have been many reviews but I thought I would share my experience.

 

We left home early (central nj) and arrived at the port by 9 am. We waited less than 10 minutes to be checked in, but ended up waiting a few hours before boarding.

 

We were told that the ship arrived late. Once we embarked, we headed to O'Sheehans for lunch rather than going to the buffet. This was a suggestion that we had read on CC before we left. It was a great idea. You arrive on deck 7 and O'Sheehans was right in front of you. The box office is also on deck 7 which also helped since we wanted to book a show that I had overlooked.

 

Our room, an inside cabin on Deck 13, was small. As someone had previously mentioned, there were shelves but no drawers to put clothes in. The closet was adequate for our needs. There was space under the bed to store our suitcases which was nice. We left some of our clothes in the suitcases that weren't needed.

Our room steward Sheila was wonderful! The ship is beautiful and although there were 4,000 or so people on, it didn't feel like it. The Atrium is beautiful but when there are activities going on there, it isn't always easy to find a seat. The library is small but a nice quiet place to relax.

 

We had 4 specialty dining options and each one was fabulous! We ate in Le Bistro, Cagneys, Moderno (a cool experience!) and Tepanyaki. For breakfast, on most days we ate in Moderno's. Their buffet was not as extensive as the Garden Cafe on Deck 15, but the breakfast was fine and it was less crowded.

Other people have complained about the smoke in the casino. When you walk through, you can definitely smell the smoke, but at least on this cruise, I felt it wasn't too bad. I also agree with the poster who said that the photographers were often around the steps which sometimes made it difficult to get around. It may have been a little annoying, but would not be a reason to not cruise on this ship.

 

Probably my biggest complaint about the ship was the seating in the theater. Other people have commented about it but unless you actually sit in the seats, it is hard to describe. There is some metal bar that runs across the bottom of the chair where your tailbone meets the cushion. It is awful. I began bringing a towel so I would have some type of cushion. When I brought it up to a senior staff member, I was told that they are aware, but the line didn't feel it would be cost effective to change the seats. Why they would ever even make the seats that way is beyond me.

 

The shows (except for the seats) in the theater were wonderful. Lots of high energy in Burn the Floor. Rock of Ages was good. Carly Strickler was fabulous on the last night. We really enjoyed Howl at the Moon (dueling pianos). Neil, Lori and James were very entertaining. Emily and Arvin in the Atrium were great. Second City was also great.

 

As far as tours, we had already been to Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. We waited until all the ticketed tenders had been called and got to Great Stirrup Cay around 1:30. We hopped the tram and went to the lagoon. It was very nice and relaxing. We spent about 2 hours there which was fine. We tried to get on a Segway tour in Nassau and got closed out so we opted for the Blue Lagoon. Rented a cabana, found some low beach chairs and spent almost the whole day sitting in the water just relaxing.

 

The days at sea were fine. We always managed to find a chair. The weather wasn't great on Friday so many people stayed inside. Before we left we debated whether to book Vibe or a spa pass. We opted for the spa pass and were really happy we did that because we used it a lot. Perhaps going on the Breakaway in warmer weather the Vibe would have been a better choice, but for us, this was perfect.

 

I can't speak for the bar staff, because we didn't really partake in that, but all the bars always seemed packed. Disembarkation was fine for us....a little confusing though. We chose to carry our own luggage off. We ate breakfast at O'Sheehans and then got on the line to disembark. We were off the ship by 8!5 and were able to catch the 9 AM bus back to NJ.

 

We loved the ship. The staff was fabulous and always attentive. We would absolutely cruise Breakaway again. The one thing I would suggest is that you book your shows, spa experiences and dining prior to boarding so you don't get closed out of anything.

 

If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to answer what I can.

 

Just making it easier to read. :D

Edited January 3, 2016 by Sauer-kraut

[LouBNYC]

We are thinking of jumping back on Breakaway in Feb... Will be our 3rd on her, so convenient having her in NY. Looked at the Anthem in Bayonne but I guess we are just NCL people

[jakess]

We were on same cruise great time also We had the vibe pass worth every penny

[Lady Arwen]

Just making it easier to read. :D

 

Thank you! I almost passed on reading this review...too hard on these old eyes!

[shelnj18]

Thanks for reposting. I was so excited to get my thoughts down while they were still fresh in my mind....just kind of rambled on and on! Two other things I forgot to mention was how enjoyable it was to walk on deck 8-the waterfront. Lots of seating and great views! Another thing was New Years Eve.....some people wore shorts while others wore evening gowns and tuxes. I would say that most people were more casual though.

Edited January 3, 2016 by shelnj18

[Boatingmom]

Thanks for the review.

[Jemmi1218]

I agree with everything said. It was a fantastic cruise! We lucked out with beautiful weather, made it to GSC and Howl at the Moon last night was INCREDIBLE with Lori playing her last night before retirement. With 4,800 people on board everything went very smoothly and the ship never felt crowded!

[cubalady]

Hey, very nice written. THX ! We are starting in 13 Days and we cant wait !

 

U wrote "catch the bus to NJ " was it a regular bus ? Did u booked it in advance ?

We have to go from port to Airport Newark ! Is there any possibility to not use an expensive cab ???

 

Sorry for my english, i am German ;)

[kelly11]

Thank you for the review! We also plan to go to the lagoon on GSC and didnt want to wait in huge lines for the tender, was it packed when you arrived at 130?

[AndyCapn]

We also plan to go to the lagoon on GSC and didnt want to wait in huge lines for the tender, was it packed when you arrived at 130?

 

My wife and I did this on our November cruise. There were plenty of lounge chairs available and the lunch buffet only had about a dozen people in line.

[kelly11]

My wife and I did this on our November cruise. There were plenty of lounge chairs available and the lunch buffet only had about a dozen people in line.

 

Oh excellent! This will be our first time there, hope the weather allows us to visit :D

[dazey]

Want to thank you for your review. We are sailing on Breakaway in April(first time cruisers on NCL) and see so many reviews of their other ships. Your comments make me very excited to take our family vacation.

[shelnj18]

Kellly, no, it was not crowded. We took the tram and were able to find 2 lounge chairs easily. I can't tell you about the buffet, because we didn't do it.

Cubalady, we took the bus from our town to Port Authority. No need to book in advance.

We loved Lori (Howl at the Moon). Sorry to hear she is leaving.

Have a great time dazey....you will enjoy it!