What say you on the New NCL Breakaway

[regmcole]

We are deciding whether to stick with July 2013 Bahamas on the Gem (booked) or switch to the Breakaway to Bermuda. We haven't sailed a ship during it's inaugural year and are seriously contemplating the switch.

[luv2cruise53]

We are deciding whether to stick with July 2013 Bahamas on the Gem (booked) or switch to the Breakaway to Bermuda. We haven't sailed a ship during it's inaugural year and are seriously contemplating the switch.

 

The amenities and size alone make it a must switch, but the price may be higher and that is where your decision is yours. I was gonna do the Dawn to Bermuda as I live in Boston, but the Breakaway was to big a draw to not hop on a train to NYC.

 

Tell us what you decide.

 

+9 months out should be NoProblem and no cancel Fee so why not?:D

 

Kev:cool:

[Evangaline]

You must have missed the huge entertainment announcement. They are having 2 broadway shows - Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor. Also, Slam Allen will be there, Second City, Howl at the Moon and Cirque Dreams.

 

http://breakaway.ncl.com/experience/entertainment/

 

Yep. Silly me was just back from vacation. I was looking at the ship review on cruise critic which did not include this update, at least when I read it. Anyway, the entertainment looks fine.

[david_sobe]

The new ship looks great. I love the gelato store. I wont be booking Breakaway but will be booking Getaway as soon as it is announced. The water park on Breakaway looks fantastic. I am not crazy bout the put put mini golf. That is so 1990s and Carnival ;)

The entertainment seems to be ok but very similiar to Epic with Cirque Dreams in a tent, Second City, and a Blues Club.

I know Getaway is a sister ship but I am hoping for some changes from Breakaway.

[bobg529]

I'm already booked to sail May 12th. Mid Ships Mini Suite, Deck 10. I can't wait to see this ship and all that she offers! :)

[Donna_In_India]

I booked 5 cabins as Christmas presents for my family (family reunion) for the June 9th cruise and I am SO excited!! Looks like a fantastic ship for everyone in my group! The fact that is sails from NYC is a huge plus - I love sailing down the Hudson....and we never seem to get the new/big ships sailing from NYC!

 

I think I got a pretty good deal but now that I think about it....is there a discount for a "group" booking??

[Evangaline]

I think the show, Burn The Floor in the Manhattan Room will be very special, considering the setting. Unfortunately, we will not be booking Breakaway as there will be too many sea days in cold weather at the time of year when we go to the Caribbean-and we are ones who spend our seas days by the pool. But, with any luck they might do this, or a similar show on the sister ship, Getaway. Apparently there is more than one troupe that does Burn The Floor.

[musnbny]

One of the concerns I see running through review after review of the Epic is the pervasive stench of cigarette smoke due to the central location of the casino and mostly due to its connection with many of the dining areas, etc. This isn't a lone complaint either and when reviews start to have the same themes, I tend to think there is a thread of truth in them.

 

I have not sailed on the Epic, but I have looked at the openness of the NCL Breakaway area in the center of the ship and this includes the casino, bar areas as well as many open gathering places.

 

I think the water park and other features of the NCL Breakaway are very interesting and honestly I don't care if someone wants to have a smoke whether it be a cigarette or an aromatic cuban. It just depends WHERE they enjoy them (nowhere near me or my kids). I will be looking closely at the reviews to see if this is as noticed as much on the Breakaway as it is on the Epic before I book. I hope NCL has considered these complaints and work out ventilation and proper smoking/non-smoking areas. I know this can ruin a vacation for many. I'd be especially concerned about smoking if I invested in The Haven, only to find I didn't enjoy the privacy because of this concentrated air pollution.

 

Another issue that perplexes me is the choice to make runs to Bermuda. Although it looks like a nice enough place, the weather there (perhaps part of the reason for the 300 shipwrecks nearby?) is iffy. Lots of rain and the average temp isn't fabulous.

 

I'm waiting for some cruise line to do something innovative not only with their new amazing ships but with their destinations. So many of the ships go to the exact same places in the Caribbean, why not some really fresh and interesting itineraries?!?

[luv2cruise53]

One of the concerns I see running through review after review of the Epic is the pervasive stench of cigarette smoke due to the central location of the casino and mostly due to its connection with many of the dining areas, etc. This isn't a lone complaint either and when reviews start to have the same themes, I tend to think there is a thread of truth in them.

 

I have not sailed on the Epic, but I have looked at the openness of the NCL Breakaway area in the center of the ship and this includes the casino, bar areas as well as many open gathering places.

 

I think the water park and other features of the NCL Breakaway are very interesting and honestly I don't care if someone wants to have a smoke whether it be a cigarette or an aromatic cuban. It just depends WHERE they enjoy them (nowhere near me or my kids). I will be looking closely at the reviews to see if this is as noticed as much on the Breakaway as it is on the Epic before I book. I hope NCL has considered these complaints and work out ventilation and proper smoking/non-smoking areas. I know this can ruin a vacation for many. I'd be especially concerned about smoking if I invested in The Haven, only to find I didn't enjoy the privacy because of this concentrated air pollution.

 

Another issue that perplexes me is the choice to make runs to Bermuda. Although it looks like a nice enough place, the weather there (perhaps part of the reason for the 300 shipwrecks nearby?) is iffy. Lots of rain and the average temp isn't fabulous.

 

I'm waiting for some cruise line to do something innovative not only with their new amazing ships but with their destinations. So many of the ships go to the exact same places in the Caribbean, why not some really fresh and interesting itineraries?!?

 

Well the Breakaway is supposed to be designed with the best of Epic and then fixing or eliminating Epic issues. The Casino smoke was a massive issue, so I would imagine, don't know for sure, but I would imagine they must have studied this extensively and perhaps their engineers designed ventilation to alleviate this.

 

Bermuda is one of the worlds most beautiful and prosperous islands. The Bermuda itineraries on NCL ships sell out faster than any others. People from all over the US, Canada and the World pour into Boston and New York to cruise to Bermuda. Passengers also love the 3 full days in port to relax and explore this beauty. The Season that NCL sails here, April-October is their high season and Avg daily temps is 85 day and 76 night ~~Rain is not a big issue in high season, however TS can pop up anytime and often do, but last about 10 mins.

Give Bermuda a try....you will enjoy...

[Evangaline]

I'm waiting for some cruise line to do something innovative not only with their new amazing ships but with their destinations. So many of the ships go to the exact same places in the Caribbean, why not some really fresh and interesting itineraries?!?

 

You raise some good issues musnbny. I have not managed to come across anything from NCL stating that the design of The Breakaway would address the smoke issue.(If it is there, someone let me know.) It really was a theme of many reviews. Frankly, the stale smoke is more of a issue for me that the curvy staterooms that everyone got so weird about, but one will have to wait and see the reviews to see if the ventilation is better.

 

I also definitely agree about the repetitive Caribbean itineraries. I am about to write off any ship that goes to Cozumel or Nassau! I guess they can not get the big ships into a lot of the more exotic ports, but it would be nice if the Getaway were to avoid some of the really overused ports which a lot of people are getting pretty bored with.

 

I also agree about Bermuda. I would not book to Bermuda for many reasons. One is that the average rainfall is too high, but it is also not warm enough in winter when a beach cruise makes the most sense for someone from the north like me.

[luv2cruise53]

I also agree about Bermuda. I would not book to Bermuda for many reasons. One is that the average rainfall is too high, but it is also not warm enough in winter when a beach cruise makes the most sense for someone from the north like me.

 

Neither NCL or most other cruise lines travel to Bermuda in winter. The weather then is iffy, some good days some bad days.

 

April to october is ideal weather with 2 to 3 short rainstorms a day on average (10 mins) and 85 degree~ days and 70 degree nights~ Same as Caribbean. And if your sick of Nassau and cozumel, then consider Bermuda in the summer:D

[tiffygirl]

 

I'm waiting for some cruise line to do something innovative not only with their new amazing ships but with their destinations. So many of the ships go to the exact same places in the Caribbean, why not some really fresh and interesting itineraries?!?

 

I understand what you are saying...but where else in the Caribbean can they sail? That has a dock to accommodate? Plus a lot of the Caribbean islands are poor and developed..so safety would be an issue....not to mention political and money issues that would be involved... IMHO

 

If other choices were out there then EVERY single cruise line would have discovered it and/or found away to make it happen by now.

 

so right now with time constraints (7 days). i think the intineraies...it is what it is...Eastern, western and southern.... JMO

 

but i do get you ...one can get bored going to the same island repeatedly

[cruiser12]

You made great points ---where can they dock ? --- yes it is all do to size ---- too big --- and the same runs --- getting stale ----

I do miss the smaller ships --- they got to take us all over and were able to stay in port for more then a few hours ---

bigger is not always better ---

[shaun07]

Just booked the aft penthouse....has anyone found a floor plan ?

[mdwcruises]

I am already booked! It's so far out though. Almost a year and 5 months away. :)

[conandrob240]

Just off the Epic and the whole smoke issue is non- existent. The one and only time I noticed smoke was when in was sitting in a very remote slot machine, in the far back of then casino, way away from the main area and someone lit up next to me. Otherwise, it was a non- issue.

[luddite]

It's huge.

It's hull art is ghastly.

Did I mention that it's huge?

Ooops, almost forgot to mention....it's huge and has a horrible name.

[Kaboochi]

Would love to sail on this ship but is goes only to Bermuda. We have been there by plane. Take this glorious ship on a southern route and I will book tomorrow

[OnTheGoMom921]

Would love to sail on this ship but is goes only to Bermuda. We have been there by plane. Take this glorious ship on a southern route and I will book tomorrow

Hi Kaboochi!

 

FYI, Breakaway does have a southern carrib. cruise...12 days...1/5/14 and 1/19/14. I would love to book this one, but we still have the constraints of the school year for our DD. We did book the Burmuda trip on Breakaway. Cannot wait to get on that beautiful new ship

 

Enjoy your next cruise...whichever one you choose!

Happy Sailing ~ Michele :)

[Kaboochi]

Hi Kaboochi!

 

FYI, Breakaway does have a southern carrib. cruise...12 days...1/5/14 and 1/19/14. I would love to book this one, but we still have the constraints of the school year for our DD. We did book the Burmuda trip on Breakaway. Cannot wait to get on that beautiful new ship

 

Enjoy your next cruise...whichever one you choose!

Happy Sailing ~ Michele :)

 

Thank you for the info on the 12 day. I would love to sail on that ship with a better itinerary.