Gem vs Breakaway, which is better?

[cruisin4familyfun]

I may be too late in answering, but it's a slow work day - so why not. My family has sailed the Gem (4x) and BA (2x).

 

After experiencing both ships, our family tips the scales in favor of the Gem. We didn’t dislike our BA cruises; we just feel that the jewel class ships fit OUR personality better than the mega-ships.

 

Some things we like about the jewel class ships (Gem, Jewel, etc.)

1 - Full walk-around deck

2 - Sea day bbq's on the pool deck

3 - Larger entertainment spaces (spinnaker)

4 - Casino location does not encroach on activity & eating spaces

 

Some things we like about the away ships (BA, etc)

1 - Unique entertainment experiences - Howl at the Moon & Fat Cats

2 - Outdoor activity area (water slides, rope courses & putt-putt)

3 - Adult only (daytime) venues

 

** Not comprehensive in any way, shape or form.

 

Your experiences and opinions may differ than mine.

 

Annmarie

It's a vacation - have fun!

:)

[MotherofTrips]

I was on the Jewel @ 5 years ago (1st time on NCL). Booked for Breakaway June 2016. Loved our room on the Jewel (2 bedroom family suite with an adjoining mini suite). Let's just say it wasn't my favorite cruise. I look back and believe it was because I wasn't use to the freestyle way. I didn't prepare ahead of time what where we would be eating or what time. I think that contributed to not enjoying it as much. Also I wasn't thrilled with the itinerary. 1st stop being Port Canaveral. I was use to cruising out of that port not cruising to it. I have had my doubts about the Breakaway after reading some of the reviews.... but I am going to plan ahead ( book 4 nights of specialty dining, one night at cirque dreams and eat in the main dining room the other two nights when we are in Bermuda) and not have such a freestyle mentality. I think I took that too literally the last time and felt kind of lost. I am planning on a great vacation with 2 Aft balconies booked!

[jleslie48]

I may be too late in answering, but it's a slow work day - so why not. My family has sailed the Gem (4x) and BA (2x).

 

After experiencing both ships, our family tips the scales in favor of the Gem. We didn’t dislike our BA cruises; we just feel that the jewel class ships fit OUR personality better than the mega-ships.

 

Some things we like about the jewel class ships (Gem, Jewel, etc.)

1 - Full walk-around deck

2 - Sea day bbq's on the pool deck

3 - Larger entertainment spaces (spinnaker)

4 - Casino location does not encroach on activity & eating spaces

 

Some things we like about the away ships (BA, etc)

1 - Unique entertainment experiences - Howl at the Moon & Fat Cats

2 - Outdoor activity area (water slides, rope courses & putt-putt)

3 - Adult only (daytime) venues

 

** Not comprehensive in any way, shape or form.

 

Your experiences and opinions may differ than mine.

 

Annmarie

It's a vacation - have fun!

:)

 

 

 

Excellent post, not too late at all, and appreciated. - JL

[sloperate]

With two trips on each, and a third for the Gem, not fast enough, approaching, allow me to add my 2 cents. I really love having breakfast outdoors on the back of the Gem.

 

To be candid, I also like the extended Winter trip the Gem offers and the lighter upfront baggage; spelled c o s t.

 

By the way, the Gem offers larger handicapped rooms, which I don't have a need for but have been able to take advantage of in the past since they weren't needed for the truly handicapped.

[jleslie48]

With two trips on each, and a third for the Gem, not fast enough, approaching, allow me to add my 2 cents. I really love having breakfast outdoors on the back of the Gem.

 

To be candid, I also like the extended Winter trip the Gem offers and the lighter upfront baggage; spelled c o s t.

 

By the way, the Gem offers larger handicapped rooms, which I don't have a need for but have been able to take advantage of in the past since they weren't needed for the truly handicapped.

 

yes, the back cafe is the only part of the buffet I use as well. it's really nice back there.

 

I have never really worried about the room so much other than I want at least a window. I really spend so little time in the room I couldn't care so long as the bed is comfortable and clean.

[luvtheships]

that grandeur of the seas out of baltimore is looking real nice. I like the layout of the ship. lots of places with views of the ocean. Looks like they have a 9 day cruise to the carribean too. Now I just have to resolve in my head the 8 hours of driving on the bookends of a vacation.

 

 

Do you know how old that ship is? Just sayin as I prefer newer ships

[jleslie48]

Do you know how old that ship is? Just sayin as I prefer newer ships

 

I prefer older. new ships are plastic and glitz. the old ones are mahogany and brass.

 

don't get me started on the cattle car mega-ships.

[luvtheships]

I prefer older. new ships are plastic and glitz. the old ones are mahogany and brass.

 

 

 

don't get me started on the cattle car mega-ships.

 

 

I'm not fond of certain mega ships either but the grandeur is just a little too old for me. Of course ymmv

 

However the gem is actually a perfect mix

Edited December 8, 2015 by luvtheships

[barnacle_boy]

I'm not fond of certain mega ships either but the grandeur is just a little too old for me. Of course ymmv

 

However the gem is actually a perfect mix

 

 

Have you even seen Grandeur recently? She's in excellent condition. Other than her smaller size, she doesn't feel dated in the slightest.

[geegee1]

Having done 4 of the same itineraries, two times each on the Gem and Breakaway, I agree with others that there are a lot pros and cons to both. While we are booked on the Gem for the 10 day in February, we are a little nervous about going back to the smaller ship.

 

We feel like we are going to miss the extra bars at night that the Breakaway has, as well as Fat Cats. While we are looking forward to having the Great Outdoors, Spinakers (mostly for NYC sail away), and pool side bbq's. But then we are going to miss Uptown Grill, the ropes course, slides and most of all the mini-golf on the Breakaway. Also a little nervous about a smaller kids club for our children.

 

So as you can see, both ships have good and bad. But if it was the same itinerary we would most likely go with the Breakaway. We just couldn't do the NYC/FLORIDA/BAHAMAS trip for a 5th time.

[msg12188]

We have cruised on the GEM, Jewel and Breakaway. The GEM is the best all around. The only real plus on the Breakaway was that at several of the bars you could be seated inside or out on the deck.

[49erfan007]

And if I'm not mistaken, you listed out what you didn't like about the Breakaway in your opening post which is the same reason(s) some people love about it or hate it. So tell me and rest of thread why we should convince you on floating mall / mini city with numerous resuarants, bars, attractions & activities that seems overly crowded to you (Breakaway) to a yacht that has less than 1/4 of the of stuff the bigger ship has (Gem). That's exactly what being compare - The Gem has less stuff like specialty restaurants, complimentary places to eat, no rock climbing wall

 

Actually the Gem does have a rock climbing wall :D

[luvtheships]

We have cruised on the GEM, Jewel and Breakaway. The GEM is the best all around. The only real plus on the Breakaway was that at several of the bars you could be seated inside or out on the deck.

 

 

I must agree with this statement

[jleslie48]

I must agree with this statement

 

well it looks like I'm headed back to the gem this spring. I just can't see myself bookending a cruise out of baltimore with 4+hours of driving each way.

 

It seems out of of NY I have 3 choices: Anthem of the Seas, Breakaway, and the Gem. From what ive read, the Anthem of the Seas suffers from the same problems as the breakaway.

[Turtles06]

well it looks like I'm headed back to the gem this spring. I just can't see myself bookending a cruise out of baltimore with 4+hours of driving each way.

 

It seems out of of NY I have 3 choices: Anthem of the Seas, Breakaway, and the Gem. From what ive read, the Anthem of the Seas suffers from the same problems as the breakaway.

 

I've never sailed on BA but I have sailed on Anthem, which was fantastic. I've read a great deal on here about the BA and am wondering what you mean, as they don't seem like similar ships at all. The sorts of problems I've read about the BA include tiny balconies, a pool too small for the ship, a feeling of overcrowding, casino smoke permeating public spaces. None of these were problems on Anthem. Can you be more specific?

[luvtheships]

well it looks like I'm headed back to the gem this spring. I just can't see myself bookending a cruise out of baltimore with 4+hours of driving each way.

 

 

 

It seems out of of NY I have 3 choices: Anthem of the Seas, Breakaway, and the Gem. From what ive read, the Anthem of the Seas suffers from the same problems as the breakaway.

 

 

And the anthem is very very expensive

 

I've started pricing out my Jan 17 mom and college kids cruise and due to the calendar the gem is off schedule for us...the anthem is still too expensive and the ba is too long of a cruise as one of them will have graduated and be working

 

So we just might fly to Disney!!!

[jleslie48]

"they don't seem like similar ships at all." Lets not rehash this again. It suffices to say they are both vacations, they both occur in a floating hotel with amenities, they both have guests and staff, they both stop at places, they both serve food, drinks. that's a lot more than you need for them to be labeled similar.

I can compare a ski vacation in lake placid to a beach vacation at wildwood nj if I want to and discuss the pros and cons so, I repeat, just compare them the best you can or drop out of the conversation.

[Turtles06]

"they don't seem like similar ships at all." Lets not rehash this again. It suffices to say they are both vacations, they both occur in a floating hotel with amenities, they both have guests and staff, they both stop at places, they both serve food, drinks. that's a lot more than you need for them to be labeled similar.

I can compare a ski vacation in lake placid to a beach vacation at wildwood nj if I want to and discuss the pros and cons so, I repeat, just compare them the best you can or drop out of the conversation.

 

Wow, no need for the nastiness, I was trying to be helpful to you. :rolleyes:

[jleslie48]

a feeling of overcrowding, casino smoke permeating public spaces. None of these were problems on Anthem. Can you be more specific?

 

the BA I was very aware of waiting for elevators, and elevators openning up only to see they were already full. The Anthem looks from the deck plans to have the same situation: two banks of elevators to service some 12 guest decks. As a result people congregate at these 2 areas vs the 3 areas and thus less crowded areas. Also the small ship has only 9 guest decks which means less people take the elevators as they can get to where they want to by taking the stairs without being overwhelmed. In my observation, walking 3 flights is no problem for most people, 4 or more is an issue. When you put 3 extra decks between the entertainment to will have a lot more people using the elevator on that alone let alone the double of passengers.

 

On reading the reviews of the anthem, I keep hearing complaints about crowds, need for reservations,

[jleslie48]

Wow, no need for the nastiness, I was trying to be helpful to you. :rolleyes:

 

I didn't mean to be nasty, I apologize if it came out that way.

 

Its just that nearly half this thread is wasted on that validity even comparing this ship vs that. I just can't go through that again.

Edited December 24, 2015 by jleslie48

[barnacle_boy]

the BA I was very aware of waiting for elevators, and elevators openning up only to see they were already full. The Anthem looks from the deck plans to have the same situation: two banks of elevators to service some 12 guest decks. As a result people congregate at these 2 areas vs the 3 areas and thus less crowded areas. Also the small ship has only 9 guest decks which means less people take the elevators as they can get to where they want to by taking the stairs without being overwhelmed. In my observation, walking 3 flights is no problem for most people, 4 or more is an issue. When you put 3 extra decks between the entertainment to will have a lot more people using the elevator on that alone let alone the double of passengers.

 

 

 

On reading the reviews of the anthem, I keep hearing complaints about crowds, need for reservations,

 

 

Anthem has many more elevators than Breakaway. The aft staircase branches off in to two sets of 6 elevators. There are 12 elevators aft on Anthem, compared to 8 aft on Breakaway. 4 more elevators might not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference. A lot less waiting for elevators on Anthem.

[jleslie48]

Anthem has many more elevators than Breakaway. The aft staircase

branches off in to two sets of 6 elevators. There are 12 elevators aft on Anthem, compared to 8 aft on

Breakaway. 4 more elevators might not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference. A lot less

waiting for elevators on Anthem.

 

 

I'm sure 12 instead of 8 helps, and the mid section elevators (aft would be at the back of the ship) do

have more space however that

doesn't change that these are two points of congregation for people instead of having 3 like in the Gem

at completely different locations of the ship. You can see it in the deck plans:

 

Anthem:

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/images/fleet/decks/main/an/2015-feb/an_deck13_v2015_feb.gif

 

the entire back half of the ship has to come to mid section to use the elevator.

 

Gem:

http://www.readeroffers.travel/uploads/images/cruiseimages/deckplans_posters/NCL-gem_deckplans.jpg

 

note three banks of elevators, the main dining room and buffet have their own bank of elevators in the

back of the ship. I have no doubt that this takes a huge burden off of traffic control.

 

I spend 15 years of my career laying out moving sidewalks for factories to move product around a

factory floor. Trust me when I say I know the pitfalls of a bottleneck. Intersecting traffic flow will kill

efficiency. 5000 people moving around in the area of around 3 football fields (and remember 80% of

that area is the rooms not movement of people) needs a lot of coordination.

Edited December 24, 2015 by jleslie48

[barnacle_boy]

Yes, a smaller ship with fewer passengers and more stairways will typically have better flow, but you were specifically comparing Anthem and Breakaway.

 

I'd also like to point out that, instead of theoretical guesswork, I've actually sailed on all these ships multiple times. I think I might have a better idea of how these things work in practice than you.

[NOSaints1]

So what's better between the BA and the Dawn for Bermuda

[jleslie48]

So what's better between the BA and the Dawn for Bermuda

 

whats the dawn?