hows the breakaway??

[lavelle222]

Trying to decide between the Gem or the Breakaway. 4000 people on Breakaway and hearing about slow service. Is it too many people. Hows getting on and off at ports?? Hearing not enough staff?? But I'd like to try it the boat looks fantastic.

[Mikeyz30]

It all depends on what time of year you are going. I have heard that the summer months were brutal as there was not enough lounge chairs by the pool. We just got off last week and even though the weather was hot, we found enough lounge chairs together for 6 adults, always.

 

I did not find it crowded at all when getting off/on at ports. The only night I noticed it crowded was the lobster night in the buffet. We walked out, not worth waiting in line for half a lobster tail when I can get a whole lobster back home for $4.99/pound.

 

We didn't experience slow service but we did have to wait for a table in the main dining room.

 

The pools are small as well as the entertainment venues so I guess only you can make that decision.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Mikeyz30

[njhorseman]

We recently took b2b cruises, with the first week on the Gem and the second on the Breakaway. We've been on the Gem numerous times and it was our first cruise on the Breakaway.

 

If you're in a suite, I would cruise on the Breakaway because the Haven on the Breakaway trumps anything the Gem has to offer. The Breakaway also has a terrific range of entertainment options. On the other hand, we didn't care for the crowds on the Breakaway. If I was not cruising in a Haven suite, I would choose the Gem.

Edited November 7, 2013 by njhorseman

[lavelle222]

Well the Gem is a 10 day multi island cruise, but we would do an inside cabin ($419.00), 12/4/13 the prices are SO LOW right now!! or Breakaway balcony ($500.00), 7 day just to FL and bahama. We have been on Sprite, jewel, a few others? thought Breakaway would be very different then those. early dec. I would think would be slowish?? We eat late arond 9 so really never have to wait or even reserve tables on the ships we've been on. Not sure what to do

[lgfromdg]

My personal opinion - For the itinerary, I'd go with Gem. If the ship is what you want to experience, go with Breakaway. It's different than the other ships and has great entertainment. Bottom line is you can't go wrong with either ship; I've been on both and they're my 2 favorites.

[mizLORInj]

I'd go on the one I'd not yet cruised. Gotta try it once!

Yes, Breakaway is a fabulous ship. Have cruised on both and would (oh, right, I AM!) again!

[roe2ship]

Trying to decide between the Gem or the Breakaway. 4000 people on Breakaway and hearing about slow service. Is it too many people. Hows getting on and off at ports?? Hearing not enough staff?? But I'd like to try it the boat looks fantastic.

The ship is fantastic however I experienced issues like slow service some nights and quite a few unfriendly staff especially in the main dining rooms. The biggest problem for us on the Breakaway was trying to find loungers on the pool decks. One afternoon we had to change plans as there were absolutely no empty chairs around after our lunch. This was the first time ever that we ran into this situation on a cruise. I guess with the Haven, Vibe, slides and ropes course it certainly takes up loads of space. And to place a shopping area there is just plain stupid. The pools decks appeared to be in "box" sections. I'm sure they could have designed it better...its too bad because the Breakaway does have a lot to offer for all ages. We still had a great cruise and may return in the future if she remains in New York.

[kcwingwalker]

Well the Gem is a 10 day multi island cruise, but we would do an inside cabin ($419.00), 12/4/13 the prices are SO LOW right now!! or Breakaway balcony ($500.00), 7 day just to FL and bahama. We have been on Sprite, jewel, a few others? thought Breakaway would be very different then those. early dec. I would think would be slowish?? We eat late arond 9 so really never have to wait or even reserve tables on the ships we've been on. Not sure what to do

 

Personally I would go with the Gem because it's a longer cruise and more ports. The Bahamas seemed so worn out when I last went in 2010.

 

But you'll be cruising and new experiences are good too. How can you go wrong when you are on a cruise?

 

:)

[DaniDanielle]

The ship is fantastic however I experienced issues like slow service some nights and quite a few unfriendly staff especially in the main dining rooms. The biggest problem for us on the Breakaway was trying to find loungers on the pool decks. One afternoon we had to change plans as there were absolutely no empty chairs around after our lunch. This was the first time ever that we ran into this situation on a cruise. I guess with the Haven, Vibe, slides and ropes course it certainly takes up loads of space. And to place a shopping area there is just plain stupid. The pools decks appeared to be in "box" sections. I'm sure they could have designed it better...its too bad because the Breakaway does have a lot to offer for all ages. We still had a great cruise and may return in the future if she remains in New York.

I said the same thing about the shopping area and was abused by the non pool people! I think the Breakaway would be great when it is less crowded.

[spidybabe]

Very hard decision. We have sailed both and although some things basically the same, many things different. For our annual January cruise , we were torn between the Gem and the Breakaway too. We chose the Gem.

Gem has better itinerary--longer trip. You sailed on the Jewel-- the Gem is almost identical (shops in different location, buffet set up little different , Gem has cigar bar, shows, casino same)

Food basically the same on all three ships(except lobster night) Breakaway may be slightly better in the buffet, but that matter of opinion

Breakaway beautiful new ship. Many modern items. But every venue smaller, no spinnaker lounge, great entertainment But we had great dinners in Manhattan Room and danced danced danced! Another but-----the club/disco better on Gem/Jewel. Poor on Breakaway other nighttime events. But not good in Bliss on theBreakaway

Very hard decision as we always have wonderful trips.

Safe sailing

[Nyc2tropics]

Gem

[Bostonjetset]

Trying to decide between the Gem or the Breakaway. 4000 people on Breakaway and hearing about slow service. Is it too many people. Hows getting on and off at ports?? Hearing not enough staff?? But I'd like to try it the boat looks fantastic.

 

Our Breakaway cruise was probably my favourite all around of the 4 I've been on. She really is a BEAUTIFUL ship and we met some wonderful new friends on the trip. That said, the Bahamas/FL itinerary is not so great, IMO, unless you want to do a Disney or Universal excursion. Also, I did find the MDR service to be very slow especially in Taste. Manhattan Room was the best of the 3 MDRs in terms of service and food [their everyday menu is slightly different from the others...daily specials are the same in all 3 though]. There really is so much to do on this ship and I did not feel crowded at all except on the last sea day when the shops were swarming with people. I have a pool at home so do not really get into using the pools on ships; thus I didn't really pay much attention to the loungers but I don't remember it being excessively crowded.. However, we did enjoy the hot tubs in Spice H2O and if you go before 9am you may have the entire area to yourselves as we did!!

[champagne123]

Trying to decide between the Gem or the Breakaway. 4000 people on Breakaway and hearing about slow service. Is it too many people. Hows getting on and off at ports?? Hearing not enough staff?? But I'd like to try it the boat looks fantastic.

 

I have not been on the Gem, but my friend has. She loved it. I have been on the Breakaway. LOVED it. Beautiful ship. Not one problem....BUT....CONSIDERING:

Price

Destination

Length of cruise

 

I would go with the Gem. How can you beat that price? OMG....I wish I could go...Have a great time no matter what you decide.

[dexddd]

Well the Gem is a 10 day multi island cruise, but we would do an inside cabin ($419.00), 12/4/13 the prices are SO LOW right now!! or Breakaway balcony ($500.00), 7 day just to FL and bahama. We have been on Sprite, jewel, a few others? thought Breakaway would be very different then those. early dec. I would think would be slowish?? We eat late arond 9 so really never have to wait or even reserve tables on the ships we've been on. Not sure what to do

 

Remember that NCL serves Pepsi products so it would be Sierra Mist. (insert smiley face.)

[BSR]

Just done the B2B on the Breakaway and Gem. BA is a beautiful ship, but prefer the smaller ships, as it was crowded in the main areas. The entertainment was very good. We had an aft large balcony cabin and loved the balcony, but the cabin was a bit small for us. On the Gem we had a 2 bedroom suite and loved all the extra space. So I say go for the Gem.:)

[Ronni G]

Yes, the ship is large with 4000 passengers and was full last week. However, we had no issue boarding in NYC. In fact, we got to the port around 11AM and were on the ship within the hour. Everything was fast and organized. Once on the ship we had no issue with reservations for the specialty restaurants or shows and never waited more than a few minutes to be seated in any of the free dining rooms. Only the buffet was really crowded. As usual, we only had excellent service. We only got off the ship in Nassau and this was not a problem. Once back in NYC we got off at the time we had requested, quickly found our luggage and passed through customs. NCL really has the process down pat.

[Regulus13]

I was on the breakaway from Oct 27 - Nov 3. The ship itself was very nice, and there was a lot of to do on board.

 

That being said, for 4000 people, there was not enough staff on board. I found most of the staff to be indifferent and uncaring about their guests. I've been on 3 other cruises (Carnival and Royal Caribbean), and the employees were much friendlier.

 

I found getting on and off ports to be very easy, at least in Nassau. We did not stop at our 2nd port because they couldn't tender us in.

[ibcnusoon]

We are on the Breakaway now and the pool area was a zoo on sea days, not enough lounge chairs, even if there were any there was no room to put any more!!