Breakaway 8/7

[queenschick9b]

Just got back from the ship and just wanted to leave a hopefully helpful review!

Overall I had an amazing time and I love the Breakaway.

 

Sailaway -

 

I was very lucky both times when I went out of NY - Christmas and last week that I had beautiful clear days. This time I watched the sailaway from the aft of the 8th floor instead of the pool deck. It was perfect because you can get the whole city and then just walk around and get the Statue of Liberty. It was also so nice and quiet.

 

 

 

Dining- I did the dining package and I regret doing 4 meals because I ended up eat at specialities 5 times and should have gotten the 5 meal plan- Ocean Blue (x2), Tepenyaki, Moderno and Cagneys. Did one night at O'Sheenans and one night at Taste.

 

Both my meals at Ocean Blue were great- I did the stone crabs and the Dover sole, which was amazing and the next time the lobster bisque and the snapper. The second time I went they sat me at the waterfront and it was beautiful...[ATTACH]392130[/ATTACH]

 

Moderno I would pass. It was okay but as many other have said (and I should have listened to) all the places at home are better.

 

Cagneys had the oyster appetizer and the 20 oz porterhouse. It was cooked exactly as I requested and was great.

 

Tepenyaki (which I am sure I am spelling wrong) was a lot of fun. Had the lobster and filet and again my steak was rare as requested and I loved the drink there. I think it was the wasabi? It was the one with the lychee in it. Highly recommend.

 

O'Sheenans I had the fish and chips and the nachos. I don't like cheese sauce, so I would personally skip the nachos next time, plus I wasn't into the bacon on them - yet I still ate them all.

 

Taste was okay, nothing super exciting the specialities were definitely the way to go.

 

For lunches I did uptown grill, wasabi, and O'Sheenans. I felt the burgers at uptown and O'Sheenans were both the same, just with different options. I paid attention because I know people are upset about uptown, but there was a good alternative.

 

Bermuda- the first day I did scenic St. George and it was just the right amount of sightseeing. It was early when I got back so I went to snorkel park at the dock. It was $5 and I stayed for a couple of hours and I really enjoyed it. It was not crowded (probably because of the time) and I liked the calm water. (my new phone lock screen)

 

That night I had booked the excursion through the ship for Harbor Nights and swizzle cruise. It was extremely windy so the excursion got canceled. Since I was traveling solo I didn't feel like going into Hamilton at night by myself so I just hung out on the ship.

 

The next day I had the Horseshoe Bay beach transfer - it was not as crowded at I thought it would be (I took the early trip). My original plan was to stay longer and take a different minibus back for the $7. Because of the wind they weren't renting umbrellas and since I am a ghostly shade that meant that 3 hours was more than long enough. I was glad I brought a rash guard so that I could have a little more protection.

 

The last day I did the rising sun cat. Good snorkeling, great friendly crew lots of stuff - kayaks, paddle boards, noodles. I would highly recommend. Plus it is perfect since we are only in port until 2:30 and it gets you back around 12:30.

 

Around the ship-

I had been on the ship in December and loved the thermal spa. I was wavering this time, but a week before I splurged and did the pass. While I love the energy of the pool usually it really is too many people for a small, small area. There is lots is shade, but the only quiet shady place is the waterfront. I ended up using the spa to get away from the crowds and it was excellent.

 

Entertainment -

Love rock of ages, fat cats and howl at the moon. Did really well on the video poker machine and actually left ahead.

 

Cabin-

Stayed in the studios and loved it. If you go back in my history I sailed on the epic in the studio in 2011, which was when it was still pretty new. That time I had found it pretty claustrophobic, but I decided to try it again. I loved it it was so cozy and I would definitely do it again. I want to thank this board for the tip that I think made it better. At night I left it on the view from the bridge channel and that kept the room from being pitch black, and also kind of helped wake me up as it got lighter in the am. It was a great tip and it did make it feel like a little window.

 

I love the studios you get to meet people and then you can decide how much you want to do with the group- there is no pressure but it is fun to have people to meet up with at the deck parties, etc.

 

I had an amazing time and cannot think of anything I didn't enjoy! I wish there was a better pool area or that H2O had some shade. If there were umbrellas there it would have been perfect. I loved the water feature.

 

Just for fun, here is a nice shot of the breakaway from the ferry.

Please feel free to ask me any questions!

Edited August 14, 2016 by queenschick9b

[NYcruzzer]

Welcome home. Glad you had a nice time. Thanks for taking time to write a detailed review. I'm sure it will be helpful to future cruises.

[redsox_nation]

Great review and pictures. How was the smoke in the casino? For the minibus on Bermuda, do you have to prearrange that?

 

Also, what time did you arrive at the pier in NYC, what boarding group did you get, and what time did you board? Thanks!

 

 

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[queenschick9b]

I found the casino a little smokey, but found it was just in that area and it didn't bother me as much on other floors where last time it bothered me on 8 and 6 as well when I walked through.

 

You don't need to pre-arrange at all and in future I would not use the cruise line. It is set $7 each way and they are at the dock in a line and are waiting there when you are ready to go back. The only thing I noticed is they kind of wait until they fill up (similar to when you do the open air taxi in st. Thomas.)

 

I got there really early - 9:30 and I am gold so there was literally nobody in front of me on that line once I got through security (which opened around 10) and got group 1. I didn't even try for vibe because there is the same type chair all the way at the front of deck 16 and I was doing the spa.

[BirdTravels]

Thanks for sharing your trip and advice!

[HowardK]

Hello, excellent review! I had a Studio on the Epic in 2011, but upgraded last minute to a balcony my last 2 Breakaway trips in 2013/2014. I found that I didn't use the balcony much so as usual booked a Studio for the Escape in December for starters.

Although I am from NJ and can reach the city by bus in 90 minutes, I enjoy going to Florida sometimes to depart and get 2 of the different ports.

 

When you sailed in December how was the weather the beginning and end? I am half tempted to switch to the 12/18 breakaway instead.

 

Also, was Les Getrex still playing at Fat Cats? I liked them and played on stage with them my last 2 cruises. Between that and Howl at The Moon, Escape only has 1 of the 2 which also might influence my decision.

 

I thought Cagneys was excellent as well. I have the 4 Meal SDP (also was able to get UDP for my sailing) and plan on having Cagney's 2x-3x.

[queenschick9b]

It was really nice the day I left for NY in winter - was 50 degrees, but then it got cloudy and rainy and very windy. We got in late or had a customs issues at port canerval so we didn't get until late and couldn't make the private island because it was rainy/windy so I ended up only getting out in Nassau. I had a great time but in winter I would definitely go from Florida - honestly if NCL left from San Juan I would do that because I had 2 coldish trips in winter from Miami ;)

 

It isn't Les Getrex anymore it was Charlie love. They let someone play guitar with them last night.

 

If I could go back I would have replaced Moderno with a second time at cagneys no questions.

[easyboy]

Thanks for sharing.