A Review of Breakaway with Pictures + Myths and Facts

[younglegend]

Just off of the Breakaway September 8th sailing and while there have been several reviews posted (most with some level of truth, but from varying perspectives), I wanted to provide something a little different. Since a lot of the early reviews were negative and contained a lot of misinformation, I thought I'd take the most common themes and recount my experience as to whether they are FACTS or MYTHS.

 

Overall the Breakaway is an excellent ship and I will likely cruise her again in the future. The Haven was Heaven and I think the Haven on Breakaway is more refined than any other ship (including Epic). We sail NCL and The Haven because we like the blend of relaxation that The Haven provides and the city-like atmosphere that the rest of the ship offers.

 

Disclaimers: These are my experiences only. Others may have had different experiences and perhaps NCL has tweaked things based on passenger feedback.

Our sailing was well below maximum capacity, which likely (positively) impacted the level of service and our experience. There were also only a few hundred kids on board, which contrasts greatly with the summer sailings with upwards of 1,200. We also stayed in The Haven and were able to escape the masses, when needed.

 

I will try to be as objective as possible taking into account the above.

 

About us: My husband and I sailed together for my birthday and are in our 30s and have previously cruised 8 times - 6 of which were with NCL.. We'd previously been on Epic (1X), Sky (3X) and Pearl (2X).

 

Here we go..

 

#1 Breakaway is poorly designed for crowd control/There are too many people - MYTH

Breakaway is very well designed and there are several separate spaces to accommodate the crowds, even on sea days. That said, there are certain spaces and times were crowds are evident, but that is no different from any other mass market line. For example, the atrium also houses movies during sea days, so naturally, there are lots of people sitting watching the movie. Move slightly over to the Guest Services desk and it is empty by comparison. The elevator banks (forward-center and aft-center) were perfected placed making getting from one end of the ship to the other very easy.

 

TIP: The atrium wasn't designed for serenity, use the Waterfront instead. There were many quiet places to sit and read a book.

 

Pics of the empty Waterfront on Sea Days.

 

#2 The Pool deck is overflowing with people on sea days - FACT

The pool deck is either poorly designed or it's intended use is not properly communicated. It appears to me that NCL sees the main pool experience as an activity/party space and not a serene/tranquil environment. There were several activities taking place everyday at the pool. I think they perceive Spice H2O as the adult relaxation area, but it is little more than an uninspired open deck.

 

 

TIP: The pool deck is crowded on sea days in the middle of the afternoon, but in my experience real crowding only occurred on the first two sea days. After that, people found other things to do which eased the crowding. If you choose to go to the pool during the middle of the afternoon on a sunny sea day, you should be prepared that others have the same thing in mind. If you don't like the crowds, zig when everyone else zags and you'll have no problem. There is PLENTY to do onboard.

 

Pic from Sea Day #2 right next to the main pool.

 

#3 Breakaway nickel and dimes you to death - Part MYTH, Part FACT

It is very clear that NCL is pushing the limits of what people are willing to pay a premium for and Breakaway is proof of concept for their strategy. That said, things that are free on other mass market lines are also free on Breakaway. There are more for-fee premium experiences on Breakaway than any other NCL ship, which could lead to the PERCEPTION that you are being nickeled and dimed. If you truly think about it, you are getting a lot more for free on Breakaway than most other ships including, rock climbing, ropes course, dinner in 6 free restaurants (excluding room service, hot dog stand, and the Haven restaurant), Broadway shows, game shows, etc.

 

#4 The Casino is smokey - FACT

I am not very sensitive to smoke and I spend a lot of time in the casino, but this casino was noticeably more smokey than any other ship I've sailed. I think they could do a better job of ventilating the casino. Smoking is allowed in almost every land-based casino in the US, but modern casinos are able to better control the smell. There was a non-smoking section next to Shanghai, but it too was very smokey. Smoke did travel through the atrium, but if you stepped back from the staircase it was barely noticeable. It is not true that the entire ship smells of stale smoke.

 

TIP: Walk through decks 6 or 8 to get from front to back without going through the casino.

 

To be continued...

[johnql]

Very informative. Thanks for the excellent review. Looking forward to more.

[sailingnut]

looking forward to more of the review!

[younglegend]

#4 The Casino is smokey - FACT

I am not very sensitive to smoke and I spend a lot of time in the casino, but this casino was noticeably more smokey than any other ship I've sailed. I think they could do a better job of ventilating the casino. Smoking is allowed in almost every land-based casino in the US, but modern casinos are able to better control the smell. There was a non-smoking section next to Shanghai, but it too was very smokey. Smoke did travel through the atrium, but if you stepped back from the staircase it was barely noticeable. It is not true that the entire ship smells of stale smoke.

 

TIP: Walk through decks 6 or 8 to get from front to back without going through the casino.

 

#3 Credit card tips for drinks always go directly to the bar staff - MYTH

This was such a surprise, but I had a long conversation with a server and she said that they do not receive the beverage auto gratuities or additional tips not given in cash UNLESS they meet sales targets for their position. It is a shared goal, so all of the Jr. Waiters for example have one sales goal that must be met, the Sr. Waiters have a (presumably higher) target. I asked a couple of other servers to be sure, because it sounded so illegal, and they all said the same.

 

Tip: Give cash if you want to guarantee that your server receives the tip.

 

#4 Breakaway is not really freestyle because you have to reserve every restaurant and show - MYTH

We never reserved a single restaurant or show and were able to get in (usually with a party of 8!). We just showed up and there were always plenty of available seats. This was true for Teppanyaki, the Cirque Show, Rock of Ages, the Comedy/Magic Show, Manhattan Room, literally every venue. This could be due to the fact that our sailing was not full, but there are so many things to do at any time that it's hard to imagine that any venue would be completely full all of the time.

 

Empty seats during two shows...

 

Tip: Do reserve if you need a very specific time or day. Also limited quantity passes like Vibe and Spa do sell out.

[DvsDave]

#4 Breakaway is not really freestyle because you have to reserve every restaurant and show - MYTH

We never reserved a single restaurant or show and were able to get in (usually with a party of 8!). We just showed up and there were always plenty of available seats. This was true for Teppanyaki, the Cirque Show, Rock of Ages, the Comedy/Magic Show, Manhattan Room, literally every venue. This could be due to the fact that our sailing was not full, but there are so many things to do at any time that it's hard to imagine that any venue would be completely full all of the time.

I'm sure with the lesser crowds the seating is better, when I went in July there was 45 min waits at the comp restaurants and EVERY comp show was sold out...

 

You are absolutely right about the Waterfront. There was never anyone there.

[francina]

Thank you for this review. I thinking about doing this ship in 10/2014.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[sjbdtz]

Pics of the empty Waterfront on Sea Days.

[ATTACH]286749[/ATTACH]

 

..

 

 

I was just curious, entirely tongue-in-cheek, about the building attached to the ship, on your sea-day?

 

:p

[Paphillyguy]

My sailing the ship was crowded 4,500 plus and the shows were all full no empty seas. Well Rock of Ages had empty seats after all the dumb parents that did not listen and took their kids left after the first 15 minutes.

[younglegend]

I was just curious, entirely tongue-in-cheek, about the building attached to the ship, on your sea-day?

 

:p

 

just noticed that was the wrong picture. the first IS a sea day though!

[younglegend]

I'm sure with the lesser crowds the seating is better, when I went in July there was 45 min waits at the comp restaurants and EVERY comp show was sold out...

 

You are absolutely right about the Waterfront. There was never anyone there.

 

Fewer passengers likely helped, but don't rely solely on the reservation system. Just show up as there are always no-shows.

[younglegend]

#8 Bliss is not as good as on the Jewel Class or Epic ships. - FACT/MYTH

The music and dancing is just as good during late night. Other than that, it's a snoozer. It's not as much of a lounge as it is on the other ships. Designed mostly for dancing. The LED walls are very cool.

 

Tip: Go after 11 PM.

 

#9 The staff is rude and disingenuous - MYTH

This couldn't be further from the truth and those who've spread this rumor should be ashamed. Nearly the entire staff was very friendly and helpful. EVERY SINGLE STAFF MEMBER that we came in contact with greeted us and even attempted to personalize their greeting. The consistency and seemingly genuineness blew me away. That said, there are always bad apples. Specifically the bar staff at 21 Bar were not very friendly or helpful. We did encounter a few at O'Sheehans who wouldn't go out of their way to get you something if they had to.

[mizLORInj]

HA! I recognize the Rock of Ages stage in one of those photos!

I agree that NCL gets picked on for nickle and diming just because they have other options that are "for fee". They do, as pointed out by someone already, have plenty of options for food and entertainment that are included in your cruise fare. I don't think I pay for things on NCL that I don't on other lines, e.g. cocktails, photos, souvenirs, etc.

 

Very interesting about tips for bartenders. Will keep that in mind for future cruises on NCL.

Let's keep in mind that reviewers post about their specific experience. On our June Breakaway cruise we found some staff to be very friendly, and some were just plain uninterested and even rude. Maybe the crew is now happier (or different). :)

The ship is lovely and I enjoyed our cruise too.

[younglegend]

Other thoughts..

• Rock of Ages was great, one of the best shows I've seen on a cruise ship. It keeps you engaged for the full 1:45.
   
  
• Magician was more comedy than magic, but good none the less.
   
  
• Cirque Dreams was better than the Cirque show on Epic (they eliminated the verbal storyline), but not my favorite type of entertainment. My opinion only, others in my group liked it.
   
  
• The music was good in all venues (pool, Fire & Ice, DJ)
   
  
• The Casino! The Casino was the worst and not just because I lost. The first day, it was very clear that they were out to push the house edge further. The payout on Blackjack was terrible. The only Blackjack tables without continuous shuffle machines were $50 minimums for 8 decks and $100 for 6 decks. One day they opened a $15, but it was 8 decks and the dealer hit on all 17s. They never opened it again. I did see a woman hit a $4,500 jackpot on a $1 slot machine. Most of the dealers were friendly faces I'd seen on other ships. A couple were jerks as usual. If you're going to take my money, the least you can do is be friendly and not deal 10 cards a second.
   
  
• The ropes course, including The Plank were outstanding and one of the highlights of my trip.
   
  
• The slides, especially the Free Fall were a lot of fun.
   
  
• It was typically very cold on the entire ship. I asked someone about it and they said people had previously complained that it was too hot, so the thinking was if they make it colder you could at least put on a jacket. I guess you can't please everyone.
   
  
• Haven: great as usual. Ryan the concierges is great. Our butler, Jose, was not so great. I only saw him once and that was during the 3rd day. We asked for him to bring a bottle of champagne from our room to the Manhattan Room and it never showed up.
   
  
• The Waterfront is an amazing concept and you should make it a point to use it as much as possible. It was great for reading or relaxing during the day, very quiet, and to have a drink at night. It was underused for most of our trip.
   
  
• The buffet is good for what it is - a buffet. Generally, the lines were not long, but there were a lot of people. They've managed to accommodate the flow and amount of people very well by having two long hallways of repeating action stations. There are PLENTY of seats throughout and if you walk towards the back most of the tables are open.
   
  
• Horseshoe bay was amazing. Everyone crowds at the entrance so stroll down towards the rocks and experience true paradise.
   
  
• Our call on Bermuda was delayed due to Tropical Storm Gabrielle so we stayed at sea an additional day and approached the island from the south. The next day the Captain informed us that we had went through the Bermuda triangle and lived to tell about it! :) The ship was remarkably stable given the circumstances.
   
  
• The Aft Penthouse was amazing! Very large and the balcony was to die for. We were in 10312. Others could not see into your balcony from above unless you were standing at the very edge. Ample storage space. 1 large closet and 3 smaller (2 with shelving) in the bedroom. An additional closet in the living room. 2 full bathrooms. We considered staying in The Haven (or closer), but glad we chose the Aft. The walk to The Haven was a breeze.
  

 

Happy to answer any questions!

[younglegend]

HA! I recognize the Rock of Ages stage in one of those photos!

I agree that NCL gets picked on for nickle and diming just because they have other options that are "for fee". They do, as pointed out by someone already, have plenty of options for food and entertainment that are included in your cruise fare. I don't think I pay for things on NCL that I don't on other lines, e.g. cocktails, photos, souvenirs, etc.

 

Very interesting about tips for bartenders. Will keep that in mind for future cruises on NCL.

Let's keep in mind that reviewers post about their specific experience. On our June Breakaway cruise we found some staff to be very friendly, and some were just plain uninterested and even rude. Maybe the crew is now happier (or different). :)

The ship is lovely and I enjoyed our cruise too.

 

Maybe the crew was happier because there were fewer passengers!

[nycruise]

[*]Magician was more comedy than magic, but good none the less.

We thought he was one of the worst acts we've seen on a ship.

 

[*]The Waterfront is an amazing concept and you should make it a point to use it as much as possible. It was great for reading or relaxing during the day, very quiet, and to have a drink at night. It was underused for most of our trip.

 

Unfortunately ruined by all of the smoking areas.

 

 

The ship can hold 5200 passengers, on our sailing in August it went out with 4800. Unfortunately it can only hold 4000 passengers comfortably. So during the Summer or Holidays when kids are out of school, it's a whole different experience.

[younglegend]

[*]Magician was more comedy than magic, but good none the less.

We thought he was one of the worst acts we've seen on a ship.

 

[*]The Waterfront is an amazing concept and you should make it a point to use it as much as possible. It was great for reading or relaxing during the day, very quiet, and to have a drink at night. It was underused for most of our trip.

 

Unfortunately ruined by all of the smoking areas.

 

 

The ship can hold 5200 passengers, on our sailing in August it went out with 4800. Unfortunately it can only hold 4000 passengers comfortably. So during the Summer or Holidays when kids are out of school, it's a whole different experience.

 

Comedy and entertainment is subjective, so to each their own. It was deadpan humor and not everyone likes that.

 

I can't imagine that the entire Waterfront was consumed by smoke. There were some smokers, but not enough to say that the entire space is ruined.

[ldlewis45]

It is not true that the entire ship smells of stale smoke.

 

I think that probably was more because your sailing was under capacity. When I sailed on her at the end of July, you could smell the smoke from the casino for a considerable distance from the casino. I smelled it while I was still down at the far end of the art gallery on deck 6 and as far as Maltings on deck 8. Then again, my sailing had 5,000 passengers, too. When you've got more passengers using the casino and smoking, there's obviously going to be more smoke. I mean, the WHOLE ship didn't smell like smoke, but the third of the ship centered around the stairwell in the atrium definitely did.

[Nyc2tropics]

Nice review! I'm in 10312 next month. It's our first aft. Did you find it a long walk to the elevators?

[Laszlo]

The ship sailed with 3940........our room steward even made the comment about having a light week, he was very happy. Their is no way in hell I would want to be on that ship with 5000. If you did not have a wait for the elevators your very, very lucky. The could speed them up by simply adjusting the speed the doors close the last 18 inches, they crawl. The theater and pool area are small them the Gem, whats up with that? We were in 14120 a Spa Balcony, the water pressure is the shower was terrible. We asked our room steward about it, he said yes it is at least on this part of the ship. A worker did take off the panel to take a look and everything was "Normal" The pressure was much better on the Gem. It was great in the Spa and the Vibe

 

Back to the Jewel class ships for us

[roe2ship]

#9 The staff is rude and disingenuous - MYTH

This couldn't be further from the truth and those who've spread this rumor should be ashamed. Nearly the entire staff was very friendly and helpful. EVERY SINGLE STAFF MEMBER that we came in contact with greeted us and even attempted to personalize their greeting. The consistency and seemingly genuineness blew me away. That said, there are always bad apples. Specifically the bar staff at 21 Bar were not very friendly or helpful. We did encounter a few at O'Sheehans who wouldn't go out of their way to get you something if they had to.

I'm glad you had a positive experience with the staff. On MY Breakaway cruise, of course some staff were friendly but others really were not pleasant at all. It was almost as if their face would hurt if they even tried to give a smile.

[younglegend]

The ship sailed with 3940........our room steward even made the comment about having a light week, he was very happy. Their is no way in hell I would want to be on that ship with 5000. If you did not have a wait for the elevators your very, very lucky. The could speed them up by simply adjusting the speed the doors close the last 18 inches, they crawl. The theater and pool area are small them the Gem, whats up with that?

 

Back to the Jewel class ships for us

 

I did have to wait for the elevators, but aside from embarkation and disembarkation, never more than 1 minute. That seems reasonable to me. Agree about the door closing slowly. I said the same thing every time we got in one.

[tiffygirl]

Excellent review, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences...

 

I agree with you on just about everything...although I dont gamble so I was in and out but the smoke didnt bother me like others.

 

Of course I didnt stay in the Haven, but I had the chance to spend some time in that area...and from just my brief experience with it...it was AMAZING.

 

Of course i spent a lot of time in Bliss, after several conversations with the DJ the music got a lot better as the week went on. Sometimes it is what it is and make the best of it...

 

Thanks again...

 

Tiff

[younglegend]

Nice review! I'm in 10312 next month. It's our first aft. Did you find it a long walk to the elevators?

 

Not at all. Elevators are well placed for easy access from anywhere. You'll love the aft views and balcony size.

[younglegend]

Excellent review, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences...

 

I agree with you on just about everything...although I dont gamble so I was in and out but the smoke didnt bother me like others.

 

Of course I didnt stay in the Haven, but I had the chance to spend some time in that area...and from just my brief experience with it...it was AMAZING.

 

Of course i spent a lot of time in Bliss, after several conversations with the DJ the music got a lot better as the week went on. Sometimes it is what it is and make the best of it...

 

Thanks again...

 

Tiff

 

Hi Tiffany! Was nice meeting you! So sad to be going back to work tomorrow!

 

The cruise ship DJs always disappoint, so maybe I've lowered my expectations. lol

[jdvmd]

Wonderful, detailed comments. Thank you!