Breakaway VS Anthem of the Sea's

[hockey1963]

We usually cruise Norwegian and have cruised the Breakaway before.Our last cruise with Norwegian we found it was just okay, the food and service was lacking. We have cruised with RCCL many years ago and thinking why not try them again. Has anyone cruised both ships to give me a good comparison? Thanks.

[tiptopz]

I can tell you after February ;)

 

We cruised on the Breakaway last February and found the same as you. The service was okay, the food was blah unless we ate in a Speciality Restaurant. Nice ship but just lacking all around.

 

So we have decided to go back to RCCL (cruised on the Oasis in 2012) as our experience was WAY better.

Hoping for the same in February as we are doing 12 nights on the Anthem.

 

 

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[Cardex]

I have cruised on both the Breakaway and Quantum (sister ship of Anthem). For sailings out of New York I think Anthem is a better ship for cold weather cruising. Lots of great inside space. I also think it is a beautiful ship - Breakaway not so much. Breakaway does has the Waterfront which I love but depending on when you are cruising it is only enjoyable to use in warm weather. I am cruising again soon on the Breakaway but that is only because Anthem was much more $$$.

[gizfish]

We have cruised Breakaway 4 times, most recently 3/2016. We cruised Anthem 10/2016. We love Breakaway because it just feels like home to us (especially since we can usually get the Haven.) But, Anthem was such an amazing experience that we actually booked for 9/2017 while we were on board. If you can get a price for Anthem that is either not too far off from Breakaway or is something you have no issue paying RCCL's premium for, I say at least try it once. The ship is so technologically advanced and so full of things to see and do. The main dining room food (based on the former dynamic dining, but also based on my having experienced RCCL's regular mdr menu's) is much better on Anthem than on NCL.

[dogo88]

We have been on the Getaway, sister ship to the Breakaway, and Anthem. As other here have said, Anthem is just awesome. It is better suited for cooler weather cruising than Breakaway. We enjoyed both, but NCL has this noise thing where they try and blast you in certain locations on the ship and while docked. I don't understand the idea behind music so loud you can't talk to someone next to you.

We also found the restaurants on Anthem, free ones, way better than Getaway.

 

Loved the Waterfront on the Getaway but as other have pointed out Anthem has many adult areas where you can sit and relax. The shows on both were good but Anthem gets an extra plus with their 270 theater. Awesome shows.

 

Another plus for RCCL is their Vintages wine cellar on their ships. Nice quiet place to relax and enjoy many different wines. NCL didn't have anything similar.

 

Dan

[cage keeper]

RCCL is the better all around except the night life. Love the clubs on Breakaway, although we haven't sailed Anthem yet. Price wasn't much difference but the UBP is what brought me back to NCL.

[tlreze]

I have been on both and I would pick Anthem in a heartbeat. I am platinum on NCL but there really is no comparison, Anthem is a much nicer ship all around. The Solarium is great if it is a rainy day or if it is cold when leaving NJ. They also have an indoor pool. The entertainment is better on Anthem with many more shows.

[RareBird]

We sailed breakaway a few times and anthem last year. I personally hate the anthem for a number of reasons. I didn't like the food, it was lukewarm half the time.the confusion on board, everything was booked up well ahead of time, that includes shows and restaurants and the ride at the top of the ship which we actually had to go standby for on a rainy day to use, you will see all of it when you get on board. Anthem just doesn't look like the cruise ship inside it looks more like a hotel and I didn't like it.

 

I personally love the breakaway we just came back in December and I would book it again in a heartbeat.

[figment9999]

We've been on Anthem once , Breakaway twice and have a Breakaway to Bermuda booked in May.

I recommend you focus on the itinerary first. So for example if you want to go to Bermuda: Breakaway is in port 3 days w casino open, Anthem one day, no casino. I'd consider Anthem has an edge for winter cruises since they have more indoor pools available.

Both ships have quite a bit going on, do your homework and reserve activities ahead of time. Roll with / do not focus on the inevitable minor problems.

Both ships are great, either one will give you a great experience.

[pcakes122]

I recommend you focus on the itinerary first. So for example if you want to go to Bermuda: Breakaway is in port 3 days w casino open, Anthem one day, no casino.

My October Anthem cruise was in Bermuda for 2 days and the casino was open in the evening (same as NCL.)

[William W]

I was on Breakaway Nov 2015 and was on Anthem a couple of weeks ago. both cruise, we brought along the kids. I would say if you are sailing during the winter months, definitely go with the Anthem as there are a lot more to do. But during the summer months, the water slides and rope course definitely beat the outdoors activities on the Anthem. After all, you can pretty much go on i-fly and the North Star once, and the bumper cars and roller skates, trapeze operates on limited hours and often has long lines.

 

Generally speaking, I found the entertainment and production show on the Anthem to be better. But I will give an edge to Breakaway on varieties of food and overall food quality. Embarkation and debarkation process is better on the Anthem. Kids program is about the same. Anthem has better in room entertainment/TV channels. Service is about the same. But Anthem is the prettier ship for sure with its various lounges, artwork and decor. It also has a better flow. I think which ship you prefer definitely depends on what you value during a cruise.

[JAMESCC]

I was on Breakaway Nov 2015 and was on Anthem a couple of weeks ago. both cruise, we brought along the kids. I would say if you are sailing during the winter months, definitely go with the Anthem as there are a lot more to do. But during the summer months, the water slides and rope course definitely beat the outdoors activities on the Anthem. After all, you can pretty much go on i-fly and the North Star once, and the bumper cars and roller skates, trapeze operates on limited hours and often has long lines.

 

Generally speaking, I found the entertainment and production show on the Anthem to be better. But I will give an edge to Breakaway on varieties of food and overall food quality. Embarkation and debarkation process is better on the Anthem. Kids program is about the same. Anthem has better in room entertainment/TV channels. Service is about the same. But Anthem is the prettier ship for sure with its various lounges, artwork and decor. It also has a better flow. I think which ship you prefer definitely depends on what you value during a cruise.

 

Sailed Breakaway in Sept. and most likely won't be sailing her again. We hated the passenger flow as you mentioned, too many dead ends, closed off areas, turning around looking for another way around. We are booked Anthem next Sept. but we have dome Explorer of the seas 3 times and loved her. We are RCCL people so take that for what its worth. Oh I almost forgot that design or layout with the casino and smoke everywhere is horrendous, very, very poor planning.

[Turtles06]

Sailed Breakaway in Sept. and most likely won't be sailing her again. We hated the passenger flow as you mentioned, too many dead ends, closed off areas, turning around looking for another way around. We are booked Anthem next Sept. but we have dome Explorer of the seas 3 times and loved her. We are RCCL people so take that for what its worth. Oh I almost forgot that design or layout with the casino and smoke everywhere is horrendous, very, very poor planning.

 

Although we are NCL fans, there is very little we've read about the Away class that would entice us, and the smoke problem that you mention is a real turnoff.

 

We have sailed on Anthem (her inaugural TA), and she is a stunningly beautiful ship, with some of the most incredible public spaces we've ever seen on a ship, especially Two70. And RCI conveniently put the casino (where smoking is allowed) down in the bowels of the ship, so you don't have to walk through it unless you want to.

 

I have detailed comments about Anthem (by topic) and photos here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2277588

Edited December 25, 2016 by Turtles06

[JAMESCC]

Although we are NCL fans, there is very little we've read about the Away class that would entice us, and the smoke problem that you mention is a real turnoff.

 

We have sailed on Anthem (her inaugural TA), and she is a stunningly beautiful ship, with some of the most incredible public spaces we've ever seen on a ship, especially Two70. And RCI conveniently put the casino (where smoking is allowed) down in the bowels of the ship, so you don't have to walk through it unless you want to.

 

I have detailed comments about Anthem (by topic) and photos here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2277588

 

The casino smoke problem really can't be avoided either at times. We thought the food at every venue was good to incredible but again we hated the layout of the ship. I thought it really made for extremely bad passenger flow. The other thing we hated was the Manhattan cruise terminal. We really don't want to use that terminal again. The Port Liberty/Bayonne terminal and location is excellent.