First NCL cruise

We just got back from our first cruise on NCL on the Breakaway and would like to share our thoughts about the Cruise Line and Ship.

The Ship

The Breakaway is a GORGEOUS ship. One of the nicest cruise ships we have ever sailed. The bars and lounges were tastefully done and we really enjoyed the outdoor waterfront promenade. It’s nice to be connected to the sea and enjoy dining outside. The pool deck area is nice and we even enjoyed the slides! The stand up slide will definitely give you an adrenaline rush! The sports deck and ropes course was fun.

One area I have to comment on that we did not like is the location of the casino in the 6,7,8 atrium. The smell of the smoke travels throughout this area and it is very unpleasant especially if you choose to eat outside of LeBistro. We asked to be moved inside and we were accommodated. The casino should either be non smoking or it should of been places in a area with better ventilation and not so central.

Cruise Line comparison

Being our first NCL cruise, we compared our experiences to the other mainstream lines we have been on; Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival and Celebrity. Celebrity being our favorite. I feel NCL is in between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of NCL and the vibe. I feel they are a big step above Carnival and a small step below to Royal Caribbean. The service is why I feel like it is not on the same level. There were times where the service in the Manhattan Room was unacceptable. It took 15- 20 minutes before we were greeted by the waiter. Then another 15 minutes for him to take our order. I feel like the dining room is under staffed and can not handle the amount of tables here. Three times we went here and the service was the same. We missed one of the shows because the dining room was so slow.

Food was good in the buffet, always found something to eat. Enjoyed the Teppanyaki restaurant and Le Bistro, although went to the buffet after Le Bistro since the serving sizes were on the smaller side and seafood never fills me up. Lol! Food in the dining room was not memorable and the menu didn’t really change that much day to day.

The Night Entertainment was very enjoyable. We really enjoyed Burn the Floor. Rock of Ages was fun- 80s music! What’s not to like! The singers were great, however their acting could be better. We loved the different entertainment playing at the venues around the ship.

One part I thought was cheesy but some people Loved was the farewell song “we are a family... you are Norwegian now”. Lol! I know this is a sentimental “koombayaa” feel good moment, but I thought it was kind of tacky, jmho. Lol!

Criticisms

Service in the dining rooms

Smoking smell

Up selling pressure felt since day 1, nickel and diming EVERYWHERE

Farewell song 😂

Drink prices

Overall we enjoyed NCL but it wouldn’t be our first choice. If the price was right and the itinerary matches our needs, for sure we will sail again!

The smell of smoke from the casino has always been a problem even in other cruise lines. I hope they could find a fix on it. Glad you enjoyed your cruise overall.

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One part I thought was cheesy but some people Loved was the farewell song “we are a family... you are Norwegian now”. Lol! I know this is a sentimental “koombayaa” feel good moment, but I thought it was kind of tacky, jmho. Lol!

!

Haha! I thought the same thing. And also when you exit the theater and the staff and crew are clapping like you are a movie star. Kind of an awkward moment. lol!

Haha! I thought the same thing. And also when you exit the theater and the staff and crew are clapping like you are a movie star. Kind of an awkward moment. lol!

:')

We just got back from our first cruise on NCL on the Breakaway and would like to share our thoughts about the Cruise Line and Ship.

 

The Ship

The Breakaway is a GORGEOUS ship. One of the nicest cruise ships we have ever sailed. The bars and lounges were tastefully done and we really enjoyed the outdoor waterfront promenade. It’s nice to be connected to the sea and enjoy dining outside. The pool deck area is nice and we even enjoyed the slides! The stand up slide will definitely give you an adrenaline rush! The sports deck and ropes course was fun.

One area I have to comment on that we did not like is the location of the casino in the 6,7,8 atrium. The smell of the smoke travels throughout this area and it is very unpleasant especially if you choose to eat outside of LeBistro. We asked to be moved inside and we were accommodated. The casino should either be non smoking or it should of been places in a area with better ventilation and not so central.

 

 

Cruise Line comparison

Being our first NCL cruise, we compared our experiences to the other mainstream lines we have been on; Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival and Celebrity. Celebrity being our favorite. I feel NCL is in between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of NCL and the vibe. I feel they are a big step above Carnival and a small step below to Royal Caribbean. The service is why I feel like it is not on the same level. There were times where the service in the Manhattan Room was unacceptable. It took 15- 20 minutes before we were greeted by the waiter. Then another 15 minutes for him to take our order. I feel like the dining room is under staffed and can not handle the amount of tables here. Three times we went here and the service was the same. We missed one of the shows because the dining room was so slow.

 

 

Food was good in the buffet, always found something to eat. Enjoyed the Teppanyaki restaurant and Le Bistro, although went to the buffet after Le Bistro since the serving sizes were on the smaller side and seafood never fills me up. Lol! Food in the dining room was not memorable and the menu didn’t really change that much day to day.

 

 

The Night Entertainment was very enjoyable. We really enjoyed Burn the Floor. Rock of Ages was fun- 80s music! What’s not to like! The singers were great, however their acting could be better. We loved the different entertainment playing at the venues around the ship.

One part I thought was cheesy but some people Loved was the farewell song “we are a family... you are Norwegian now”. Lol! I know this is a sentimental “koombayaa” feel good moment, but I thought it was kind of tacky, jmho. Lol!

 

 

Criticisms

Service in the dining rooms

Smoking smell

Up selling pressure felt since day 1, nickel and diming EVERYWHERE

Farewell song 😂

Drink prices

 

 

Overall we enjoyed NCL but it wouldn’t be our first choice. If the price was right and the itinerary matches our needs, for sure we will sail again!

thanks for sharing; you did a great job of staying objective. That is what a review should be like, too much sugar or vinegar makes the review seem phoney.

I will say, I have one disagreement and that is the nickel and diming. I just have no idea where some get this. I have never had a problem with feeling nickel and dimed. Yes, the frist day they try to sell you on the spa, on this package and that package and try to talk everyone into attending the art action, but no one ever has to spend a dime more than they feel comfortable spendin.

The casino, boy do most of us agree about the smoke.

I will say, I have one disagreement and that is the nickel and diming. I just have no idea where some get this. I have never had a problem with feeling nickel and dimed. Yes, the frist day they try to sell you on the spa, on this package and that package and try to talk everyone into attending the art action, but no one ever has to spend a dime more than they feel comfortable spendin.

 

The casino, boy do most of us agree about the smoke.

We actually felt "nickel & dimed" more on our recent (and first) Celebrity cruise than we have ever felt on NCL. I think it's just because of what we are used to; we have never been pressured to buy the drink package on the first day on NCL that we can remember, but I honestly thought we were going to have to call security to get the waiter to give our friends their bill for their colas. "No" was said three or more times (four? five? It was absurd, and only stopped when all four of us did a stare down with the waiter). I think we are immune to the spa people and art auction folks on NCL, but on X we had to walk past a table of hawkers for specialty dining to get into the buffet for the first half of the cruise. Maybe that's happening on NCL too, and people who aren't used to the way NCL does it notice it much more than we do.

We did like the fact that the casino on Celebrity is smoke-free.

We took our first NCL cruise this year on the Getaway and can't recall one instance of upsel pressure so it's hard for me to picture where this is happening. We were on the spa level meaning we passed by spa tables and personnel dozens of times. Never approached us once, which did surprise me, they waited for passengers to approach them. Same for speciality restaurants.

We actually felt "nickel & dimed" more on our recent (and first) Celebrity cruise than we have ever felt on NCL. I think it's just because of what we are used to; we have never been pressured to buy the drink package on the first day on NCL that we can remember, but I honestly thought we were going to have to call security to get the waiter to give our friends their bill for their colas. "No" was said three or more times (four? five? It was absurd, and only stopped when all four of us did a stare down with the waiter). I think we are immune to the spa people and art auction folks on NCL, but on X we had to walk past a table of hawkers for specialty dining to get into the buffet for the first half of the cruise. Maybe that's happening on NCL too, and people who aren't used to the way NCL does it notice it much more than we do.

 

We did like the fact that the casino on Celebrity is smoke-free.

Unfortunately I think all mainstream cruise lines are upselling and nickle and diming. In the past, the crew were there to provide customer service and make sure you are satisfied. Now they are like vultures and have become salesman trying to get you to spend more onboard through selling drink packages, specialty dining packages, spa treatments, etc. I have felt this upselling on all the cruise lines, some even approach you once you scan your card to enter the ship! I find it off putting and I am less inclined to purchase.

I think it depends on the ship and how much pressure the senior management is putting on the staff for sales. When we cruised the Norwegian Jewel this year, like someone mentioned on Celebrity, they had a crew member in the buffet after the washy washy girls trying to sell the specialty dining package for the majority of the cruise. The spa girls were in full force and handing out flyers on Deck 12 once you entered inside from the pool deck. The cruise staff before every show were out there selling those pull tabs. One day the seas were rough and we got a gingerale and the bar server kept pressuring us that it is better if we got the soda package. Again we had to decline like 3 times before he brought us the drink.

The worst upselling was on a Royal Caribbean ship in the Royal Promenade where we were trying to get from the front of the ship to the back. We were stopped 4 times with someone trying to sell us something. It felt like we were in Cozumel when they say, please come in my store. lol!

Like one poster wrote, it's happening on all the mainstream cruise lines. Some more than others.

Unfortunately I think all mainstream cruise lines are upselling and nickle and diming. In the past, the crew were there to provide customer service and make sure you are satisfied. Now they are like vultures and have become salesman trying to get you to spend more onboard through selling drink packages, specialty dining packages, spa treatments, etc. I have felt this upselling on all the cruise lines, some even approach you once you scan your card to enter the ship! I find it off putting and I am less inclined to purchase.