Breakaway v Bliss this October?

[renji]

Would you choose Breakaway to Bermuda 10/10-10/17, or Bliss to Mexican Riviera 10/24-10/31?  We are in the Haven and on NCL for the first time, as I would like to try it while there aren’t kids likely to be sailing, although I wonder with the ship at lower capacity if it’s really as beneficial as usual…
 

We were supposed to do the Jade from Athens but although we are careful, I’m getting so concerned about the quarantine risk!

[JamieLogical]

Right now, if my only option was to fly to either port, I would pick the Bliss. I am booked on the Breakaway for a B2B 9/626 and 10/3. If it weren't for the fact that I can drive to the port, I would consider switching at this point because of the onerous health protocols for cruising to Bermuda. Bermuda requires a PCR test 4 days out, NCL requires tests 72 hours out and at the pier, and then Bermuda requires another PCR test upon arrival in Bermuda. Also, the Bermuda Travel Authorization application costs $75/person.

 

If I was flying and the total costs of the trip were similar, I would do the Bliss and only have to do the 72 hour test and the rapid test at the pier.

[Two Wheels Only]

Bliss

 

Better Haven

Better ship

[renji]

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

Right now, if my only option was to fly to either port, I would pick the Bliss. I am booked on the Breakaway for a B2B 9/626 and 10/3. If it weren't for the fact that I can drive to the port, I would consider switching at this point because of the onerous health protocols for cruising to Bermuda. Bermuda requires a PCR test 4 days out, NCL requires tests 72 hours out and at the pier, and then Bermuda requires another PCR test upon arrival in Bermuda. Also, the Bermuda Travel Authorization application costs $75/person.

 

If I was flying and the total costs of the trip were similar, I would do the Bliss and only have to do the 72 hour test and the rapid test at the pier.

So I’m in NJ and wouldn’t have to fly to the Breakaway, but my partner has to fly both, but I have family to see in LA and so don’t mind the flight at all. The Breakaway is cheaper but only because the spa suite is both smaller and cheaper.  Comparable Haven courtyards are similar (ie 2 Bedrooms). I’m not really dying to go to Bermuda and there are so many from NY, it was just convenient…. But that duplicative testing will be annoying. 

 This was being helpful! 

[renji]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Bliss

 

Better Haven

Better ship

Thank you! Any recommendations on the

1) Haven spa suite (15260 or 15860)

 2) the Aft PH with balcony (10314 or 10914) 

v

3) Haven courtyard many options on 17 snd 18126

4) Haven 2 br with large balcony

 

2 and 4 are probably around $1500 more than 1 and 3. I’m attracted to 1, 2 and 4 but trying to figure out if I need to be in the Haven to enjoy it fully!

 

 

[SliderNc]

2 minutes ago, renji said:

Thank you! Any recommendations on the

1) Haven spa suite (15260 or 15860)

 2) the Aft PH with balcony (10314 or 10914) 

v

3) Haven courtyard many options on 17 snd 18126

4) Haven 2 br with large balcony

 

2 and 4 are probably around $1500 more than 1 and 3. I’m attracted to 1, 2 and 4 but trying to figure out if I need to be in the Haven to enjoy it fully!

 

 

With the Aft PH, you'll basically be walking the entire ship to get to the Haven everyday.  For me and my wife on our last cruise, it was great because it was good exercise to combat all of the stuff we were eating.  Prior to the Haven, I always went for Aft balconies on other cruise because it's nice to watch the wake of the ship and even in ports see some interesting things. 

 

Option 3 and 4 are in the Haven itself so you'd be right there to enjoy all of the things that go along with the Haven without the walk.

[Two Wheels Only]

On 9/2/2021 at 3:56 PM, renji said:

Thank you! Any recommendations on the

1) Haven spa suite (15260 or 15860)

 

Port vs Starboard. No major difference. Rather long walk to the Haven.

 

On 9/2/2021 at 3:56 PM, renji said:

2) the Aft PH with balcony (10314 or 10914) 

 

Deck 10 is not a very deep balcony (2nd least deep, actually). Also a long walk to the Haven.

Are any other aft-facing suite options available? 

 

On 9/2/2021 at 3:56 PM, renji said:

3) Haven courtyard many options on 17 snd 18126

 

Take deck 17. The lone 18126 has a wider balcony than the standard deck 18 balcony but is not deeper than standard. Deck 17 balconies are much deeper than 18. 

 

 

On 9/2/2021 at 3:56 PM, renji said:

4) Haven 2 br with large balcony

 

Again, deck 17 2BR is the place to be vs. deck 18 2BR. NCL is probably charging more for deck 17 but it varies by cruise so you would have to decide if the difference (see balconies above) is worth the cost. There is extra space on the balcony outside of the bathroom on deck 17 for the 2BR. 

 

On 9/2/2021 at 3:56 PM, renji said:

I’m attracted to 1, 2 and 4 but trying to figure out if I need to be in the Haven to enjoy it fully!

 

IMO, being outside of the Haven is not a problem. The aft-facing suites are the best option for my family of 4 (not counting the DOS, of course). Since balcony size differs by deck and stateroom configuration differs, it's important to select the right aft-facing suite. 

 

All of the above is for Bliss. 

[Shellbelle28]

6 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Deck 10 is not a very deep balcony (2nd least deep, actually). Also a long walk to the Haven.

Are any other aft-facing suite options available? 

We snagged one of the deeper balcony PH suites on the Bliss for the 10/24 sailing. I definitely think the walk to the Haven is a plus, LOL. 

[luckyinpa]

strictly based on ship id do bliss. even if you arent in haven you get an forward lounge. haven has 2 decks, even better.  actually i found the peon lounge to have a better variety of food than the haven lounge at times. probably because there's more volume there. 

 

bliss only has one indoor hot tub though. BA has 2 and kids arent supposed to be in one and they will kick you out if you are in it. 

 

good luck keeping under 16 off the haven deck. getting kicked in the hot tub just adds to the fun though. 

[Langham1865]

On 9/2/2021 at 2:40 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

Bliss

 

Better Haven

Better ship

Aside from the Haven, what makes it a better ship to you?  not debating, just curious...

[eynsteinp]

This is a bit of a personal choice but I much prefer Bermuda to Mexico.  Bermuda is a much nicer place to visit but the testing definitely causes much more stress.  I am on the 10/10 cruise and my hope is that once we get there and pass the pier test it will be stress free from that point on.  I don't really find the ships to be vastly different so I would choose the Breakaway based on destination.

[Two Wheels Only]

56 minutes ago, Langham1865 said:

Aside from the Haven, what makes it a better ship to you?  not debating, just curious...

 

Bliss has the forward-facing lounges (1 for all, 1 for Haven).

Bliss has larger standard side balconies.

Bliss has the go-kart track.

Bliss has an enclosed smoking area in the casino.

Bliss has a better drop-slide.

Overall, Bliss has better specialty dining (both ships have restaurants that the other doesn't, though).

 

Breakaway has more "open to all" sundeck area. 

Breakaway has outdoor forward-facing views at no charge/open to all while Bliss does not. 

Breakaway generally has deeper aft-facing balconies. 

 

Shows don't mean much to me so maybe someone else can compare the entertainment between the two. 

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2021 by Two Wheels Only

[JamieLogical]

46 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Shows don't mean much to me so maybe someone else can compare the entertainment between the two. 

 

I haven't sailed the Breakaway yet, but I have sailed the Bliss and the Escape. I will say that one thing I missed on the Bliss was Howl at the Moon. Happy that is being offered on the Breakaway! Though the Bliss has the Beatles tribute band, which is ALWAYS fun and they have the best house band at sea: Siglo. I have confirmed by following Siglo's social media that the are back on the Bliss for the restart!