A Few Breakaway Questions

[ashleyriley]

We are sailing on the Breakaway for the first time on the Eastern Caribbean intinerary. We have sailed one other time on NCL on the Jade and loved it but wanted to try one of the large ships. Here's a few questions if you wouldn't mind answering or offering an opinion. Thanks!

 

1 I have read many complaints about cigarette smoke drifting onto decks 7 and 8 from the casino.  How bad is it? 

 

2  We are sailing in an aft facing Haven suite. I have read that the service is sometimes not as good as being in the Haven proper. Has this been your experience for those that have had that room category? We were blown away by the service on the Jade as we were in one of the Owner's suites but loved the large balcony and  the 2 bathrooms of the H6 on the Breakaway.

 

3 This is a mid December sailing, what expectations should I have for kids and the crowds? Would I be correct to think most kids wouldn't be on Holiday break yet? I have never been on any cruise ship at that time of the year. 

 

4 How is the overall feel of the ship? Crowded? 

 

These are the main points I was thinking of, if anyone has any other thoughts about the Breakaway good or bad I would appreciate it. I am looking forward to the Waterfront, Rock of Ages, Syd's Pour House, the Haven restaurant,  and that large aft balcony. 

 

 

[BirdTravels]

The casino takes up 1/4 of Deck 7, so if you are in/around the casino, there is smoke. Not bad outside the casino, but for people who like to complain, it is something to complain about. No different that any other ship on any other line. Casino Smoke=yes. Around the casino=a little. More on Deck 6 than Deck 8. 

 

We have had Forward and Aft facing suites. No noticeable difference in service. Out butler showed up with food, on time. But,,,, it is a hike for you to get to the Haven complex. 

 

Fewer kids. 

 

The BA is a mega ship. You need to book the two main theater shows and comedy shows. We have sailed on NCL mega ships 16 times (and additional megaships on other lines). There are more people. There is a lot more space to disperse those people. Never a problem for us. 

 

The following link is to our live post from the Breakaway (pre dry dock) in the Haven. We were in a Spa Suite, so we’re not in the Haven proper. 

 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

1. Will vary from cruise to cruise. Some cruises are not bad and some are worse. Some people feel that reviews exaggerate the problem.

 

2. That will depend on the butler, not the location. Butlers rotate every few weeks so you might get a great one or a not so great one. You shouldn't be treated any worse based on location. However, the one butler serves all of the H6s so it's better to make requests in advance.

 

3. There will be kids on every sailing. Most won't be a problem but all it takes is one problem child and...

 

4. Outside of the Haven, some parts are crowded and some are not. There are ways to avoid crowds, if needed. The BA/BA Plus ships have bottlenecks but there are alternate routes to get from place to place that avoid the traffic.

Edited April 8, 2019 by Two Wheels Only

[ashleyriley]

BirdTravels, I was hoping you would reply. I am actually one step ahead of you with your Breakaway review. I read it last night. 😀 I got caught up with your recent Escape review because it is great having the Haven restaurant and current specialty menus all in one place. Thanks for making me feel better about the smoke. I knew when we booked the H6 it would be a hike to the Haven but we just really liked the layout of the room and it would force us to walk off some calories.

[ashleyriley]

Thank you Two Wheels!

[BullyLvr]

I was in the Breakaway late February and was really surprised that the smoke wasn’t as bothersome as I had been led to believe. It is a weird layout though with the casino but maybe there’s a good ventilation system.  It didn’t bother me.

[jk131313]

I just got off the Breakaway as well. The smoke is noticeable in the casino proper. I didn't really notice it much once you went out of the table/slots areas. Can you smell it? Yes. But in my opinion, not enough to matter.

 

Jeff

[tomk3212]

1 I have read many complaints about cigarette smoke drifting onto decks 7 and 8 from the casino.  How bad is it? 

 

Haven't really noticed when we walk around these decks.  Casino is pretty well shielded from outside deck IMHO so far as smoke from smokers is concerned.

 

2  We are sailing in an aft facing Haven suite. I have read that the service is sometimes not as good as being in the Haven proper. Has this been your experience for those that have had that room category? We were blown away by the service on the Jade as we were in one of the Owner's suites but loved the large balcony and  the 2 bathrooms of the H6 on the Breakaway.

 

 

Can't speak to the Haven as we've never experienced this.

 

3 This is a mid December sailing, what expectations should I have for kids and the crowds? Would I be correct to think most kids wouldn't be on Holiday break yet? I have never been on any cruise ship at that time of the year. 

 

ALL our kids attended private schools ( Grammar & HS) which usually let out a bit earlier (mid-December vs. after 12/22) than their public school equivalents.  We were on the Gem for a cruise that ended on Xmas Day itself & there were a fair number of kids.  Not what you get in a mid-summer or actual Xmas cruise but more than usual.  Also keep in mind that some parents will just pull their kids out of school regardless of when school actually gets out for the Xmas holiday.

 

4 How is the overall feel of the ship? Crowded? 

 

The overall "feel" to the Breakaway is NOT crowded IMHO when we've sailed aboard her.  On sea days they'll open up LeBistro for people to read & play quiet games.  Also they'll have a themed buffet set up in Moderno on sea days also. 

 

These are the main points I was thinking of, if anyone has any other thoughts about the Breakaway good or bad I would appreciate it. I am looking forward to the Waterfront, Rock of Ages, Syd's Pour House, the Haven restaurant,  and that large aft balcony. 

 

I liked Rock of Ages while DW didn't.  Syd's is LOUD but the music is good.  HIGHLY recommend Howl At the Moon!  Waterfront is also quite nice!   Also Burn the Floor is worth attending also!  Overall we liked the Breakaway very much!

 

Our biggest "gripe" with the Breakaway-class ships is the lack of a Spinnaker-type lounge that NCL has on the the Jewel-class ships.  Shows/events that normally are held in the Spinnaker (Liars Club, Newlywed Game, Comedy shows, etc.) are held in the Atrium where the seating absolutely SUCKS.  Comedy shows have a separate venue entirely BUT the seats are uncomfortable, hard, wood chairs & you are crowded in like sardines.  You'll need a reservation to attend the comedy shows but there's a scrum to get in & seating is first-come & uncomfortable as I mentioned before.

 

All that said we DO like the Breakaway (we'll be on her sister ship in 2 weeks!!) & always look forward to being on board her.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

[newmexicoNita]

17 hours ago, jk131313 said:

I just got off the Breakaway as well. The smoke is noticeable in the casino proper. I didn't really notice it much once you went out of the table/slots areas. Can you smell it? Yes. But in my opinion, not enough to matter.

 

Jeff

so agree: we were expecting it to be almost unbearable but it wasn't bad at all. Yes, right in the casino it is noticeble but we got used to it very quickly. It never bother us much just walking by. 

[ashleyriley]

tomk3212, thanks for your thoughts. Good tip about Moderno. Yes, Howl at the Moon and Burn the Floor seem like things we will love as well. You know what else I am looking forward to? Those pretzel rolls on the buffet! Now that's a good reason to visit the fitness center, to be able to eat more of those. 😀 I have read many comments about the activities being way too crowded in the atrium. I wonder why NCL doesn't doesn't take the feedback from this site and plan things in a more appropriate venue?

 

I hope you have a great cruise in two weeks! Eat a pretzel roll (or 10!)  for me!

[bamafamof5]

We are on a BA eastern sailing 12/14-12/21 with 3 kids.  We booked prior to our 2019-2020 school schedule being released based on prior calendars.  You would know school decided only to be closed that Friday.  So he will miss.  We booked due to the lower pricing for this sailing.  We are 16 across from the Haven pool.  This is our first sailing with kiddos and we hope that they will be in splash academy for the hours it is opened.

[yearsofcruising]

took family 2 yrs ago BA . 4 cabins..deck 9 all next to eachother. One cabin had the angled balcony.

It was Spring vacation so ship had 100% more yngins than normal . Definately have NCL book the specialty restaurants , shows , etc.to make sure all cabins are connected to the times . If you don't ask , you don't get..Our guy reserved every dinner..Specialty and Mdr's / Taste/Savour and the Dinner shows as well..

Pool deck is another story. Very hard to get more than 4 lounges together !  8 is impossible..

Many big ship activities are held in the atrium, as stated BA has no Spinnaker Lounge.

Depending on ages , Splash Academy is adequate.

 

[imacruiser99]

I am a very considerate cigar smoker and believe it or not, I do still smell excessive cigarette odors.

 

Just got off BA 3/31 and can say, except for very peak times in the casino, cigarette smell was not noticeable at all.  My biggest complaint would be at Maltings where the Cigar Humidor is located.  There were times the cigarette smokers would take over the enclosed area and create a cloud in the room, and then to alleviate the cloud, they would open both doors (to the Waterfront and to the interior).  This would cause excessive smoke "aroma" to drift into the Maltings area and I really felt sorry for the folks sitting out there just trying to enjoy a drink and have a conversation.

[drvmywifecrzy]

Typically fewer smokers during the hot season