Just off NCL Getaway--Will we like Breeze?

[bwhitfieldtate]

My husband and I just got back from our first cruise, which was a mini suite on the NCL Getaway. We absolutely loved it! We are both in our 20's and have a toddler, so we loved being able to relax and have a few drinks, enjoy some sun and see some good shows. What we loved most about the Getaway was all of the options that were available.

 

We have started planning our next cruise and we were thinking about a Premium Vista Balcony on the Breeze. Has anyone sailed both (or the NCL Breakaway)? Are they comparable? Is there anything like Spice H20 on the Carnival Breeze? Is there anything like the Glow Party?

 

Thanks for any help!

[Sfdtiller]

Very different ships in my opinion. I have sailed both with the Getaway being most recent, September. Carnival and NCL are very different in so many ways so I will try to just give my feelings on what we found as somewhat comparable.

 

Getaway we felt the MDR food was bland and unexciting so that people would pay for the specialty places. On Breeze there are also pay spots but we felt the MDR food was much better overall. Getaway has more specialty places but how many nights do you really want to pay extra? We felt the Steakhouse and Italian are very similar in quality.

 

The stage shows were MUCH better on Getaway, but we really like the comedians on Breeze and Carnival in General.

 

Spice H20 was not someplace we enjoyed, too many smokers at the only bar so we couldn't sit there and have drinks without smoke in our faces and even though it was supposed to be adults only there were kids there a few times during the day. We did utilize the Vibe Beach club on Getaway and loved it. We like the Serenity area on Breeze even thought there is no pool, but it is comfortable and a little more quite than the main lido area. I think both kid areas are nice on both ships.

 

For my GF and I, If the price was the same we would do the Breeze because of the serenity and food.

 

Hopefully this helps a little, but if I were you I would just try the Breeze and compare between the "freestyle" of NCL and Carnivals approach to things.

[KPfromCT]

Never cruised on NCL, however, we have been on the Breeze twice, and we LOVE that ship.

SO much to do.

Beautiful ship.

I'd be shocked if you DIDN'T have a good time!!!

Go, and enjoy!!!!:D:D

[hirent]

we were thinking about a Premium Vista Balcony on the Breeze.

 

Not sailed on either one but in general, Carnival treats all guests the same whether you are in the cheapest inside room or the most expensive suite.

 

Carnival has a lot of included dining options (most of them for lunch only/afternoon).

Breeze is the newest ship in the Carnival fleet and has by far the most options for dining.

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

I sail with Carnival the most, saying that I have sailed on the Breeze twice and just sailed on NCL Breakaway (my first Norwegian cruise). I loved both ships. Here are my comparisons.

 

Food

I think the food in the main dining room on the Breeze was better. But We paid the extra $119.00 on the Breakaway and thought the Japanese restaurant was the best. I like Carnival's Steakhouse better than NCL. The burgers at Guy's and at NCL were both very good. I loved O'Sheehan's on NCL.

 

Shows

NCL wins hands down!!!

 

Ship

They are both beautiful.

 

Casino

I like Carnival.

 

Cabins

Carnival balcony cabins are bigger.

 

I think you will really enjoy the Breeze.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

In May I did Breeze (for the 2nd time) followed by Getaway & would go back on either of them.

 

I really enjoyed the food on Getaway & wasn't that wowed by Breeze's MDR but did love the Cucina lunch & pay dinner, Guy's burgers & Mongolian Wok on Breeze. I loved their comedy shows & all the trivia. The Thrill Theatre was fun too.

 

The shows on NCL are always great. I've done Epic 3 times, Breakaway & Getaway & would go on them again too.

 

I just had a studio cabin on Getaway (travel solo) but LOVED my cove balcony on Breeze.

 

I'm not one for drinking or pools so don't know about those places.

The Getaway is so beautiful & I love its Miami /Cuban vibe.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[Cruising4]

What was it you loved about the Getaway?

 

We were on the Epic and loved BMG and Howl at the Moon. Nothing comparable is on the Breeze but we are looking forward to the comedy club and dive in movies.

 

Loved loved loved not dressing up on NCL. Dress up or not.

 

I think those who are open to options, going with the flow and changing plans on the fly will be happy on any ship when knowing the features of the ship.

[bwhitfieldtate]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions! It's really helpful.

 

I think what we liked about the Getaway was just how relaxed it was. I definitely appreciate not having to go to dinner at a set time or dress a certain way -- I do that enough at home. We also liked all of the options available on the Getaway. I get bored VERY easily and I never once found myself bored. I think what we loved most about the Getaway though was Spice H20. We loved sitting out there every night, having a few drinks, making new friends, watching whatever movie was playing, and then sticking around for the party of the night. It was awesome.

 

As long as the price remains right, we will probably give the Breeze a try!

[RuthlessBoss]

So glad this thread came up. I've wondered about the differences in the ships. I've not been on Breeze, but hope to. I completed my Getway in November with a tremendous sale and no solo supplement.

[willowvacay]

We sailed Getaway in Aug and we absolutely loved it! It was a great ship with tons of options and we had a blast. We stayed in the Haven suite area and love the dining and "freestyle" options on NCL.

 

We are going on Breeze in 40 days because we have seen so many great reviews and it looks like an exciting ship. Also the price was amazing. I can't wait to see how it compares. I am a little nervous about the dressing up issue...we started going on ncl because my husband doesn't like packing suits or jackets. I kinda always dress up so its not an issue for me but we'll see how it goes. Can't wait to find out.

 

 

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[Sauer-kraut]

OP I was on the Breeze in October and am a NCL groupie. I think you'll find that you will get a similar cruise as you experienced. IF you do Anytime Dining on Carnival, this is where the most complaints come about, waiting times seem to be long. If you do opt for dining with your toddler, book early dining. You don't really have to dress up a lot for Carnival, just have hubby wear dockers and a shirt with a collar, for "Elegant Night" he just needs to wear a jacket don't worry about putting on tie at all. Not too difficult to pack at all. For you, sundresses and capris/slacks will be fine.

 

Enjoy your next cruise!

[lbow2006]

We sailed Getaway in Aug and we absolutely loved it! It was a great ship with tons of options and we had a blast. We stayed in the Haven suite area and love the dining and "freestyle" options on NCL.

 

We are going on Breeze in 40 days because we have seen so many great reviews and it looks like an exciting ship. Also the price was amazing. I can't wait to see how it compares. I am a little nervous about the dressing up issue...we started going on ncl because my husband doesn't like packing suits or jackets. I kinda always dress up so its not an issue for me but we'll see how it goes. Can't wait to find out.

 

 

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The only night you really need to worry about attempting to dress up is on Elegant night and even then just a nice shirt and pants will be fine. He shouldn't need a suit or even a suit jacket. :)

[Sweetpeax2]

Just got back from a a b2b on both getaway and breeze.

 

Getaway was our first leg of the ship. It was incredible!!! So much to do, great staff, great shows, loved the comedians and overall look of the ship. We had the family ocean view room and it was great for the 4 of us.

When we hopped off getaway we walked across to the carnival terminal and got on the breeze. Our initial impression was a huge letdown...but I know it was because we were comparing it to the getaway. To me initially, it was a big difference. Also there was little things throughout the breeze leg that would definitely put it below getaway. On the plus side we loved the thrill theatre and our wait or was fabulous. We got our first ever balcony..a cove balcony..and the 4 of us felt much more cramped in that room vs the getaway family ocean view room

[Name Of The Game]

If you do opt for dining with your toddler, book early dining.

 

I was under the impression they were taking a vacation away from the toddler! :D

[willowvacay]

The only night you really need to worry about attempting to dress up is on Elegant night and even then just a nice shirt and pants will be fine. He shouldn't need a suit or even a suit jacket. :)

 

 

Thanks! Hopefully this will make it more bearable for him :)

 

 

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[American Bear]

Very different ships in my opinion. I have sailed both with the Getaway being most recent, September. Carnival and NCL are very different in so many ways so I will try to just give my feelings on what we found as somewhat comparable.

 

Getaway we felt the MDR food was bland and unexciting so that people would pay for the specialty places. On Breeze there are also pay spots but we felt the MDR food was much better overall. Getaway has more specialty places but how many nights do you really want to pay extra? We felt the Steakhouse and Italian are very similar in quality.

 

The stage shows were MUCH better on Getaway, but we really like the comedians on Breeze and Carnival in General.

 

Spice H20 was not someplace we enjoyed, too many smokers at the only bar so we couldn't sit there and have drinks without smoke in our faces and even though it was supposed to be adults only there were kids there a few times during the day. We did utilize the Vibe Beach club on Getaway and loved it. We like the Serenity area on Breeze even thought there is no pool, but it is comfortable and a little more quite than the main lido area. I think both kid areas are nice on both ships.

 

For my GF and I, If the price was the same we would do the Breeze because of the serenity and food.

 

Hopefully this helps a little, but if I were you I would just try the Breeze and compare between the "freestyle" of NCL and Carnivals approach to things.

 

Agreed Food on Breeze's free food is better then on any free food on any NCL ship!

[bwhitfieldtate]

People would be in for quite a shock if I wore a sundress ;) But thanks, it's good to know that we would both be ok with a nice pair of dress pants and a polo! Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

 

I'd love to take our little one on a cruise at some point but we will probably wait and let her first one be a Disney cruise! I think she'd rather stay at home for the week and play with her cousins than come with us anyways! :)

 

One question, even if you do the anytime dining, do you still sit with random people or do you get a table by yourself?

[Name Of The Game]

 

One question, even if you do the anytime dining, do you still sit with random people or do you get a table by yourself?

 

You can ask for a table by yourselves but you'll probably wait longer.