Breakaway – August 4 - 11 – Pros & Cons:

[njhorseman]

We've been frequent visitors to Bermuda for more than 25 years, and I can't imagine being bored.

 

We're going back again in October on the Breakaway. We've been on ships we liked very much and ships we didn't like nearly so well, but in the end we would be happy taking a garbage scow as long as it was going to Bermuda...and the longer the stay in Bermuda, the better.

 

To each his own, I guess.

[beachcomberbill]

"This is the first time in all of my years going to one of my favorite islands, hearing that Bermuda is boring."

 

"Compared to ports like Venice, Rome, Barcelona, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, etc., yes we considered it boring spending 3 days there. Other than going to the beach there doesn't seem like there's much else to do."

 

I find this reply comparing Bermuda to some historical European venues as well as some of the more interesting cities in the US to be ludicrous.

Did the original poster not do any investigating of what there is in Bermuda prior to booking the trip? There are certain cruises that we take to see the sights and others that we take because of the need to simply chill out and relax.

In fact, the time that we took an eastern Mediterranean cruise, we felt we had "overtoured", and decided to actually stay on the ship on one of the port of call days.

Our main reasons for booking the Breakaway for our next cruise, which will be at the end of September, were twofold (a) we didn't feel like dealing with the airports and discomfort and annoyance (TSA) of current air travel. (b) Bermuda is someplace we have never been but heard good things about, and it's close by.

What I glean from taking the time to purchase a tour guide of Bermuda, (Moon) is that it has great golf courses, beaches, snorkling and other water sports, and the people are very friendly (contrast that to Florentines). If you can't fill three days with those activities plus some historic touring (St. George is a World Heritage Site) then perhaps you shouldn't have booked this cruise.

[beachcomberbill]

"I believe the ambiance of the cruise is affected by passengers walking through the hallways, elevators, buffet and lounges with buckets of beer in their arms, just as I think the ambiance is affected by people wearing shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops to the "dressy" Manhattan dining room for dinner.

 

As for comparing Bermuda to other Caribbean islands, I'm not aware of any Caribbean island where a cruise ship docks for 3 days. As a matter of fact I'm not aware of any destination worldwide where a ship docks for 3 days. I guess Bermuda must be the most interesting destination in the world."

__

You know what? You're right on the first comment above. Ambiance is definitely affected by the nature of the passengers. Some folks simply have poor manners and are slovenly in their dress, and don't understand what is appropriate for different times and places. But you will find this on any "mainstream" cruise that is aimed at attracting mass consumers. We've seen the same poor taste in clothing exhibited in the dining rooms on other lines, ESPECIALLY CARNIVAL. But frankly the whole Carnival line is in poor taste anyway, and we don't enjoy their ships very much - not our thing..gaudy, loud, silly games and singing waiters - SO WE DON'T GO ON THEM.

And then one of the big complaints you hear about Americans in general when you go abroad is that we dress like a bunch of slobs. Ever go to Europe? You can always pick out the Americans from the Europeans.

So if you want a more sophisticated cruise experience, you need to take one of the Crystal ships, Regent Seven Seas or even Celebrity or Holland America. On Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL and a couple of others, you're going to get a lot of poorly dressed, overly loud, and often drunk and crude passengers. You need to accept that with the price of admission. You always get what you pay for.

 

Oh and one last thing: Bermuda is NOT in the Caribbean, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the Carolinas. And for someone who found Bermuda "boring", I don't understand how you could find ANYWHERE in the Caribbean exactly exciting.

[nycruise]

"This is the first time in all of my years going to one of my favorite islands, hearing that Bermuda is boring."

 

"Compared to ports like Venice, Rome, Barcelona, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, etc., yes we considered it boring spending 3 days there. Other than going to the beach there doesn't seem like there's much else to do."

 

I find this reply comparing Bermuda to some historical European venues as well as some of the more interesting cities in the US to be ludicrous.

Did the original poster not do any investigating of what there is in Bermuda prior to booking the trip? There are certain cruises that we take to see the sights and others that we take because of the need to simply chill out and relax.

In fact, the time that we took an eastern Mediterranean cruise, we felt we had "overtoured", and decided to actually stay on the ship on one of the port of call days.

Our main reasons for booking the Breakaway for our next cruise, which will be at the end of September, were twofold (a) we didn't feel like dealing with the airports and discomfort and annoyance (TSA) of current air travel. (b) Bermuda is someplace we have never been but heard good things about, and it's close by.

What I glean from taking the time to purchase a tour guide of Bermuda, (Moon) is that it has great golf courses, beaches, snorkling and other water sports, and the people are very friendly (contrast that to Florentines). If you can't fill three days with those activities plus some historic touring (St. George is a World Heritage Site) then perhaps you shouldn't have booked this cruise.

 

I listed many CONS on this cruise, if you choose to focus on the Bermuda CON, that's your choice. The reason the ship stays in Bermuda for 3 days is because there isn't another island anywhere in the vicinity, lucky for Bermuda. As to why we chose this cruise, like the other 80% of the passengers; we are from the tri-state area and the Breakaway is a new ship. Having been to Bermuda 3 times back in the 80's, we didn't have high expectations for the destination and would never have booked a Bermuda cruise on an older ship.

 

Back in the day when ships could dock on Front Street in Hamilton the city was vibrant, now it's dead with the exception of "Harbor Festival" night. We were there on a Thursday afternoon and you could count the number of people on the streets on two hands. Bermuda is now a tax haven for the rich as opposed to a tourist destination. Many of the hotels have either been torn down or converted to office buildings and condos. Think about the last time you heard of anyone flying to Bermuda for a vacation. I can't think of anyone mentioning Bermuda other than on a cruise. Bermuda has a very short season since the average high temperature is about 70 degrees from November through May too cold for swimming. That's why most people fly down to the Caribbean for Winter vacations and why the cruise ships follow suit.

 

We just think that a Caribbean cruise is much more interesting where you can visit 3 or 4 different ports in a week. As they say to each his own.;)

[Tideone]

I am sorry the OP did not find enough "famous" people live in Bermuda.

We took this tour on our last cruise to Bermuda and it was one of the best tours we have ever taken.

I had no idea that Michael Douglas (I would consider him to be pretty famous) has a house in Bermuda and the reason is because his mother is a Bermudian.

While it is very easy for people from England, Canada, Australia, etc... to immigrate to Bermuda, it is much harder for someone from other countries.

Bermudians are apparently rather choosy about who they let live or buy homes on their very beautiful piece of paradise.

Although being one of the richest people in the world, Oprah has never been able to purchase a residence in Bermuda and according to our tour guide, she will probably never be able to unless she marries a Bermudian.

With the primary qualifications of owning property in Bermuda as being a Bermudian, being married to a Bermudian or coming from another member of the British empire, this may be one of the reasons you didn't see a lot of "famous" people's houses on your tour.

Personally, I hope the Bermudians keep it this way as I love the island just the way it is.

[graphicguy]

OP....thanks for your take on the Breakaway. Always good to hear how others perceive her.

 

While I did find the Epic a better ship to handle that amount of passengers, Breakaway isn't any more or less crowded feeling than my Allure of the Seas cruise. Is that good? Bad? I dunno. Some people like megaships (like me). And, some don't.

 

NCL doesn't do everything right. But, as far as entertainment is concerned, along with the Epic, there isn't any better entertainment options at sea. Spending my younger years in the '80s, I LOVED Rock of Ages....BIG, BRASH, LOUD and LEWD. The way I remembered the '80s.

 

I am by no stretch of the imagination a fan of ballroom dancing. But, Burn the Floor took that to a whole other level. If all ballroom dancing was like what I saw at that show, I'd be a fan. Just amazing.

 

Loved 2nd City enough to attend 3 shows (which were all different).

 

There isn't a bad seat in any of the entertainment venues. So, there's really no need to wait in line for a long time just to "get a good seat". They're all good.

 

I walked up 10-15 mins before showtime and found a seat.

 

Freestyle cruising (with more casual dress) is the way all cruise lines are moving (with "anytime dining" among the other changes). NCL was the first. But, casual dress, albeit a hot topic, is where the cruise industry is going.

 

I played in the casino quite a bit. There was one side where the smokers were. I was on the opposite side (not smoking, maybe?) and didn't notice any smoke at all. Maybe you were on the wrong side?

 

I do agree that NCL really shot themselves in the foot by lopping off room in public space and hallways. I made a comment in my review that it caused bottlenecks and certainly was not friendly to those who are mobility limited. Matter of fact, I would warn off anyone who absolutely, positively has to use a scooter, a walking, crutches or a stroller to taking this cruise. That's how bad I thought it was.

 

I also had issues with some of the dining venues raising prices even before the ship is a few months old (Cirque, Ocean Blue).

 

But, overall it's another great ship from NCL.

 

Loved Bermuda. I bought a 3 day pass ($35) to user the water taxis and busses (in addition to getting a scooter one day). I explored on my own. Hit the beautiful beaches. Went past the "rich and famous" homes (at least past their gated driveways). Hit the parks and downtown Hamilton. I partied with some of the Celebrity passengers (who were also there at the same time) during (and well after) the street fair. I think I didn't stumble back to the ship until the wee hours that night, so had a blast.

 

Loved Bermuda.

 

Just discussing here shows what her pitfalls are so others can plan accordingly.

[Laszlo]

Thanks for the review, you have some good points. I've been to Bermuda three times, and can't even imagine being bored. Maybe if I was stuck on the ship all three days in port.

 

If your not into history, the water, boating, fishing or going to the beach I guess I could see myself getting bored:D

[dawnsbg]

we were in 8126 M6 mini suite with large balcony, the balcony was almost as big as my room! I gave my cabin stewart a 20 on the 1st day and asked if he could get me a lounge chair he said he did not think he could but would try, and bingo when we came back from dinner there was my lounge chair! I did not spend to much time out there, my son and I were very sea sick so we only used when in Bermuda. We did buy the spa pass at 199 per person since vibe passes sold out in like 10 minutes! It was nice (not worth the 199) you always got a longe chair but its in doors and use of hot tube, sauna, and salt room. Be forwarned they will try to sell you the Detox program!!! even at the $79 bingo (yes not a typo its $79 for 3 cards) many of the staff went on the $700+ program and try to sell it every chance they get. We did dine in Ocean Blue, La Cuchina, cagneys and the brazilian steakhouse. LOVED Ocean Blue! La ****ina as I called it was gross the best part was the bread they give u b4 dinner. Cagneys was good and the brazilian steakhouse was just ok. but if you are a big meat eater you will like it. I found the crew to be very nice. Loved Bermuda! so beautiful , very clean, no one begging for money like alot of the others Islands, very important the stores close at 5pm!!!! we took a ferry over to Hamilton at 6pm everything closed, went right back on the ferry, sure wished someone from the ship would have said that there was a lot of people pretty disappointed. I think you will really appreciate the Breakaway when you dock and its parked next to the Celebrity ship its really old and small. everyone from that ship that was on our snorkle trip was saying wow your on the fancy ship! whats it like?? they only had one free restuarant, when I told them how many we had they could not believe it! I had a great time and so did my 18 yr old and his friend.

[cruisendave]

To the OP, I'm beginning to wonder if we visited the same Bermuda???? Torn down Hotels? No one on the streets?

 

Last year we were on a 9 night cruise with Royal, and we were in Bermuda for only one day before heading to our next port. It isn't always a 3 day stay.

[cruisezr1]

Curious? how did you have 4,800 passengers when the max is 4,028?

[nycruise]

Curious? how did you have 4,800 passengers when the max is 4,028?

 

That's double occupancy, many rooms had 3 and 4 occupants.

[nycruise]

To the OP, I'm beginning to wonder if we visited the same Bermuda???? Torn down Hotels? No one on the streets?

 

Last year we were on a 9 night cruise with Royal, and we were in Bermuda for only one day before heading to our next port. It isn't always a 3 day stay.

 

 

Correct, Hamilton is a ghost town and yes several hotels have been torn down, as per our tour guides. Maybe if you took a tour you might learn that gasoline is $8 a gallon, the average home is nearly $1 million and the cost of everything is high due to just about everything having to be imported. Most Bermudians have to work, 2, 3 and sometimes 4 jobs to get by. When we go to a destination we like to learn something about the culture, economics and the lives of the average person.

 

As to your Royal cruise, you were lucky to have had other ports. Nothing to complain about.

[Laszlo]

gasoline is $8 a gallon, the average home is nearly $1 million and the cost of everything is high due to just about everything having to be imported. Most Bermudians have to work, 2, 3 and sometimes 4 jobs to get by.

 

The prices have always been very high, Bermuda has been an island with almost everything imported for a while now

[njhorseman]

Correct, Hamilton is a ghost town and yes several hotels have been torn down, as per our tour guides. Maybe if you took a tour you might learn that gasoline is $8 a gallon, the average home is nearly $1 million and the cost of everything is high due to just about everything having to be imported. Most Bermudians have to work, 2, 3 and sometimes 4 jobs to get by. When we go to a destination we like to learn something about the culture, economics and the lives of the average person.

 

As to your Royal cruise, you were lucky to have had other ports. Nothing to complain about.

 

Pure bull about hotels being torn down and Hamilton being a "ghost town". I'd like to know who your "tour guides" were and what axes they have to grind. A local family recently purchased the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and is in the process of investing millions in renovations and upgrades of this queen of Bermuda hotels. The same family also just purchased the property upon which the former Sonesta Beach hotel (destroyed by a hurricane) once stood. I would expect them to start redeveloping the property.

 

Is Bermuda the same place it was 25 or 30 years ago? No...but what place is?

 

Bermuda has always been an expensive place to live or visit. It's hardly anything new.

[graphicguy]

If you ask any resident of Bermuda if it's expensive to live there, they'd say yes. They'd also tell you they wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

 

Gasoline is high, which is why you see so many people riding scooters. Fact is, the weather there is so wonderful, that they can ride a scooter year round.

 

I saw ZERO torn down hotels. None. And, I traveled the island extensively.

 

It is true that the stores close at 5, if you want to shop (there are no "deals", per se). Many of the stores advertise they don't charge MORE THAN U.S. retail on any goods.

 

The restaurants and bars stay open quite a bit later, however. Plus, we heard some great music from bands playing in those places at night.

 

That said, part of Bermuda's charm is the life style they lead.

 

As mentioned, it's uber clean. And, I loved the fact that I could take a scooter, a boat, a bus to wherever I wanted, stay as long as I wanted, and didn't have to worry about getting back to the ship before it sailed.

 

Didn't you go to the fort right outside the cruise terminals? You could spend an afternoon there and learn a lot about Bermuda. Did you go to any of the beaches?

 

In short, there's a ton of things to do there.

 

If you didn't avail yourself to the charm, and all the sights Bermuda has to offer, then you really didn't do Bermuda.

 

I'm going back to spend a week there on a land trip.

[beachcomberbill]

Curious? how did you have 4,800 passengers when the max is 4,028?

 

 

Stoweaways. :-):D

[shof515]

On the last day we took a 2 hour boat tour of “Famous People’s Homes.” I guess there aren’t many famous people with homes in Bermuda.

 

how is this excursion? i am thinking of it doing next year

[nycruise]

On a sunny day it's a nice ride. You can sit inside below or outside above. There's a pleasant narrative. Just don't expect to see a lot of "famous" homes. Basically Michael Douglas's house atop a hill, you only see the chimney. :rolleyes:

[punkincc]

how is this excursion? i am thinking of it doing next year

 

I think is the same one we did last year through the ship. It was very pleasant. I could care less who owns those homes we saw :rolleyes:. The Bermudians apparently don't want their island bought up by a bunch of rich foreigners. Good for them! The trip was around the inner harbor. Each home was unique and with it's own color. Saw lots of beautiful water, jumping fish. Lots of rum punch. Very informative on bermudian history and what it's like to live there now. Ask lots of questions. Our young tour guy was very frank on the pros and cons. I thought it was most interesting. This tour does book up. We wanted it on the last day in Bermuda in the am, but had to take the pm one. Leaves right from the dock.

[Tiggertastic]

we were pretty disappointed to not get the fireworks, they were cancelled but reading your review it seems we missed nothing really.

[nycruise]

I think is the same one we did last year through the ship. It was very pleasant. I could care less who owns those homes we saw :rolleyes:. The Bermudians apparently don't want their island bought up by a bunch of rich foreigners. Good for them! The trip was around the inner harbor. Each home was unique and with it's own color. Saw lots of beautiful water, jumping fish. Lots of rum punch. Very informative on bermudian history and what it's like to live there now. Ask lots of questions. Our young tour guy was very frank on the pros and cons. I thought it was most interesting. This tour does book up. We wanted it on the last day in Bermuda in the am, but had to take the pm one. Leaves right from the dock.

 

If the tour is called "Famous Homes", there should be famous homes. Mike Bloomberg was the only other home mentioned but we never got to see it. Only one glass of rum punch on our tour and no fish of any kind, jumping or otherwise.

 

By the way , how did Mike Bloomberg buy a home, is he Bermudian? :rolleyes:

[nycruise]

we were pretty disappointed to not get the fireworks, they were cancelled but reading your review it seems we missed nothing really.

 

It wasn't much of anything as far as fireworks displays go and dangerous in our opinion.

[njhorseman]

If the tour is called "Famous Homes", there should be famous homes. Mike Bloomberg was the only other home mentioned but we never got to see it. Only one glass of rum punch on our tour and no fish of any kind, jumping or otherwise.

 

By the way , how did Mike Bloomberg buy a home, is he Bermudian? :rolleyes:

 

Non-Bermudians are permitted to buy homes that are at the high end of the real estate market. I forget the details of the formula (it involves something called an Annual Rental Value)...but it's definitely permitted. There is also a restriction that non-Bermudians can only buy from another non-Bermudian.

 

As I understand it he actually owns two homes in Bermuda, which permits him to own two automobiles.

[shof515]

By the way , how did Mike Bloomberg buy a home, is he Bermudian? :rolleyes:

i am a NYC city employee, i wonder if i can claim a part of his home..lol :cool:

[scopewest]

OP, thanks for your review. It just goes to show we all view our cruises differently.

 

I've never been to Bermuda, one of these days we'll be able to take a cruise and check it out. However, my sister cruised there twice and she agrees with you, it's boring and why bother! So I told her if we ever got to cruise there, we wouldn't dream of asking her to share our cabin :)