Breakaway 11 day Europe 8/10/25

[Seattle_Guy]

Just booked this bad boy. Snagged the last aft facing haven penthouse with master bedroom and large balcony. Surprisingly these are sold out now, casino at sea helped a bit.

 

I searched every cruise this next summer looking for an action packed adventure that would work for my families dates, and we end up where it all started for us, on the Breakawy (our last trip on her was 2/16/2020 if that date has any meaning for ya 🙂

 

this has to be the most badass itinerary I’ve ever done. A new port every night for 11 nights, jaw legged from Barcelona to Venice. 12 cities in 11 nights. Most of the port calls are for the entire day. It’s the Amazing Race: Europe, we’re going to win or lose.

 

 

anyone else doing (or has done) anything like this? We’re very exited!

 

this will probably be either our NCL grand finale, or the one that keeps us coming back for the long haul.

Edited August 29 by Seattle_Guy

[KeithJenner]

For the past couple of years the standard for NCL in Europe has been cruises of around 10 days with no (or only occasional) sea days. We have had just one sea day in total on our last three Med cruises. We usually make our own sea day by staying on board in places we have been to before.

 

You will be able to find many reviews of similar itineraries. It’s worth looking at Viva reviews, as it is currently going back and forth between Lisbon and Athens, including many of the ports you are visiting. If you did the full Lisbon to Athens trip on the Viva I believe that it is about 30 days without ports every day.

[N6595L]

I’ve booked this cruise also!

I believe we are going to need a vacation to recover from this itinerary once we get home. But I’ve already started reviewing the shore excursions that are posted. 
 

[1025cruise]

If you are looking for your fellow cruisers, you need to join your roll call.

[Chief93]

I looked at this, unfortunately I am persona non grata in Spain.  

[detroitlions]

I am looking at this trip on the VIVA have not decided yet it will be next year. 

I am a little worried my wife will want to be hitting a crazy excursion on every stop. I am not that person that is way to hectic. I like some of the stops to be leisurely going to see something on my own time and finding a cool lunch spot.

[yakcruiser]

Did a cruise similar to this last April on the Star. 15 days Trieste to Lisbon. No sea days, mostly the same ports. One of my favorite cruises ever.

[Panhandle Couple]

11 hours ago, Seattle_Guy said:

Just booked this bad boy. Snagged the last aft facing haven penthouse with master bedroom and large balcony. Surprisingly these are sold out now, casino at sea helped a bit.

 

I searched every cruise this next summer looking for an action packed adventure that would work for my families dates, and we end up where it all started for us, on the Breakawy (our last trip on her was 2/16/2020 if that date has any meaning for ya 🙂

 

this has to be the most badass itinerary I’ve ever done. A new port every night for 11 nights, jaw legged from Barcelona to Venice. 12 cities in 11 nights. Most of the port calls are for the entire day. It’s the Amazing Race: Europe, we’re going to win or lose.

 

 

anyone else doing (or has done) anything like this? We’re very exited!

 

this will probably be either our NCL grand finale, or the one that keeps us coming back for the long haul.

We did a 9 day in May-June on Escape that had the first 5 ports on your cruise.  No Sea days.

It was the first Europe cruise for us as well.

 

We were informed that 2025 is a BAD year to visit Rome, due to the 25 yr Catholic celebration.  Millions will be there to visit the Vatican.  Check that out before going into Rome.  It might be best to plan on something away from Rome.

 

In Livorno, you will have to choose between Pisa or Florence.  There is a tour that does both, but it is over 10 hrs long (4+ hrs on a bus), and your port time is only 13 hrs.  We ported overnight, so were able to do both on different days. We did Florence on Your Own, and enjoyed it, which gave us 5 hours on our own there.

 

Naples you should choose between Pompeii or Sorrento.  We did a tour that included both, and we spent way too much time barely moving in traffic to-from Sorrento, for roughly 1 hour of walking around.  This cut our time in Pompeii, which has a lot of interest for us.

 

Cannes we just walked around and up to the church on the hill.  Nice town, but not too much to do.  Find a cafe and have some french food and people watch. There is a stretch of beach not too far from the tender dock. It wasn't prime beach time yet when we were there, but in August it should be hot.

 

Palma we did the Let's Take a Selfie tour, which takes you out of the city to the port of Soller and a town in the hills.  Very nice scenery, and you get some time back in town at the end.   

 

The ship will have normal activities, shows, music, etc despite being in port every day. 

[Seattle_Guy]

1 hour ago, Panhandle Couple said:

In Livorno, you will have to choose between Pisa or Florence.  There is a tour that does both, but it is over 10 hrs long (4+ hrs on a bus), and your port time is only 13 hrs.  We ported overnight, so were able to do both on different days. We did Florence on Your Own, and enjoyed it, which gave us 5 hours on our own there.

 

Naples you should choose between Pompeii or Sorrento.  We did a tour that included both, and we spent way too much time barely moving in traffic to-from Sorrento, for roughly 1 hour of walking around.  This cut our time in Pompeii, which has a lot of interest for us.

 

Cannes we just walked around and up to the church on the hill.  Nice town, but not too much to do.  Find a cafe and have some french food and people watch. There is a stretch of beach not too far from the tender dock. It wasn't prime beach time yet when we were there, but in August it should be hot.

 

Palma we did the Let's Take a Selfie tour, which takes you out of the city to the port of Soller and a town in the hills.  Very nice scenery, and you get some time back in town at the end.   

 

 

Very good advice, thank you for taking the time to write all these up! Appreciate it!

[Seattle_Guy]

9 hours ago, N6595L said:

I’ve booked this cruise also!

I believe we are going to need a vacation to recover from this itinerary once we get home. But I’ve already started reviewing the shore excursions that are posted. 
 

Awesome! Very excited about it.

 

 

[luv2kroooz]

If I've ever seen an itinerary ripe for changes, this is it. Don't get too married to these ports. NCL will need to solicit guest feedback and see how they can optimize these ports for fuel economy. Standby for the revisions. Sorry to have to report this, but let the buyer beware!!

[Roscoe13]

17 hours ago, Seattle_Guy said:

Just booked this bad boy. Snagged the last aft facing haven penthouse with master bedroom and large balcony. Surprisingly these are sold out now, casino at sea helped a bit.

 

I searched every cruise this next summer looking for an action packed adventure that would work for my families dates, and we end up where it all started for us, on the Breakawy (our last trip on her was 2/16/2020 if that date has any meaning for ya 🙂

 

this has to be the most badass itinerary I’ve ever done. A new port every night for 11 nights, jaw legged from Barcelona to Venice. 12 cities in 11 nights. Most of the port calls are for the entire day. It’s the Amazing Race: Europe, we’re going to win or lose.

 

 

anyone else doing (or has done) anything like this? We’re very exited!

 

this will probably be either our NCL grand finale, or the one that keeps us coming back for the long haul.

We, and by we I mean a group of about 30, booked this as well.  There is a social media group on that thing that we don't mention.

[Panhandle Couple]

3 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

If I've ever seen an itinerary ripe for changes, this is it. Don't get too married to these ports. NCL will need to solicit guest feedback and see how they can optimize these ports for fuel economy. Standby for the revisions. Sorry to have to report this, but let the buyer beware!!

 

Thank you negative Nancy and Debbie Downer.

Then again, our similar 9 day, 8 port Escape cruise this year had NO CHANGES, and without any other comments here, it seems to have had no changes for the rest of this summer as well.

 

The real question is; you have stated many times that you are done sailing with NCL, yet why do you persist in making negative comments on this board?  Do you think you are hurting NCLH business base?  Have you shorted their stock?

[luv2kroooz]

7 minutes ago, Panhandle Couple said:

The real question is; you have stated many times that you are done sailing with NCL, yet why do you persist in making negative comments on this board? 

We are not done sailing NCL and would do so for the right itinerary and price with appropriate expectation.....an eyes wide open experience. What we have said over and again is that we have no blind loyalty to any cruise lines.

 

Second, you are confusing facts with negative comments. No worries, we won't hold that against you.

 

Lastly, we appreciate the cute nicknames, but when you go low, we go high. Cheers!

 

Edit....no, we have not shorted the stock. We own hundreds of shares and are disappointed with overall stock performance compared to Royal Caribbean Group.

 

We have no interest in hurting customer base. Every customer has the freedom to make informed decisions. We support freedom.

Edited August 30 by luv2kroooz

[cruiseny4life]

On behalf of all, I apologize to all the Nancy's, Debbie's, and for kicks, Karen's! 

 

On 8/29/2024 at 2:01 PM, Chief93 said:

I looked at this, unfortunately I am persona non grata in Spain.  

You so cannot leave us hanging without the deets, man!!!!

 

On 8/29/2024 at 3:32 AM, Seattle_Guy said:

Just booked this bad boy. Snagged the last aft facing haven penthouse with master bedroom and large balcony. Surprisingly these are sold out now, casino at sea helped a bit.

 

I searched every cruise this next summer looking for an action packed adventure that would work for my families dates, and we end up where it all started for us, on the Breakawy (our last trip on her was 2/16/2020 if that date has any meaning for ya 🙂

 

this has to be the most badass itinerary I’ve ever done. A new port every night for 11 nights, jaw legged from Barcelona to Venice. 12 cities in 11 nights. Most of the port calls are for the entire day. It’s the Amazing Race: Europe, we’re going to win or lose.

 

 

anyone else doing (or has done) anything like this? We’re very exited!

 

this will probably be either our NCL grand finale, or the one that keeps us coming back for the long haul.

Welp! I know who's live (you're posting a live, right?!?!?!) I'll be following. We're considering (the #schmoopiefest gang) a trip with many of the ports at the back half of your trip. Plus, I was in Barcelona for the first time in November. What a mesmerizing place! 

I understand why you're stoked for this bada$$ itinerary! 

[Seattle_Guy]

5 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Welp! I know who's live (you're posting a live, right?!?!?!) I'll be following. We're considering (the #schmoopiefest gang) a trip with many of the ports at the back half of your trip. Plus, I was in Barcelona for the first time in November. What a mesmerizing place! 

I understand why you're stoked for this bada$$ itinerary! 

 

That might be fun! I've followed several other "lives" here. It's very helpful to others for sure.

[cruiseny4life]

No pressure!!!! *do a live, do a live, do a live*

 

Hehe - but really, just enjoy the heck out of that trip!!!

[mjschwammy]

We will be doing this same itinerary 9/28/2025. I appreciate everyone sharing their tips and pointers for each port. Thanks!