Just back from Breakaway

[reno3]

Returned from the Breakaway yesterday. Cruise Critics was very helpful with my questions since I had not been on a NCL cruise since the 80's.

I will list a few tips and comments as to hopefully help others.

Sorry if I jump around a bit…..

 

We drove three hours from home to the port. Paid the $280.00 to park at the port, very easy. We arrived at 9:00 and through security at 9:45 and then we waited until about 11:45 to board. We had boarding #5. We went right to guest services to get Vibe passes. We got #50,51 and 52. I believe there were 74 passes available. We then went to O’Sheehan’s for lunch, food was good and service was good, one hour. Then to our mini suite with large balcony, cabin #8124. Good size room, big bathroom with double sink and big shower. The balcony had two loungers, 2 chairs and a big table. I do have pictures if anyone wants to see.

 

We had made all of our dinner and show reservations before hand online. I had read that some of the shows and reservations were being canceled (passengers were receiving letters in their cabin). I went to LeBristo and the Box Office to see if any of mine had been changed or canceled, non were. LeBristo even printed out all of my reservations for me.

 

We also brought a cooler filled with water and soda and put a luggage tag on it and it went with to the porter with our luggage. It made it to our cabin just fine.

 

We did not have bathrobes in the cabin, we did not ask for them either.

I called for an ironing board and iron and it came within 15 minutes.

 

Muster drill was fast, make sure you see your crew member at your muster station so they scan your card to proof you were there. If not they have a makeup the next day. I guess they will come look for you.

 

We sailed on time 4:00 and passed the Freedom tower (starboard) first at 4:20, the SOL (port)at 4:30 and under the bridge at 5:00.

 

We had the UDP so we ate at…

LaCucina – once – good – if you order chichen parm ask for extra sauce, very little on it.

Cagney’s Steakhouse – twice – very good – raspberry crème brulee – yummy! The first night brought me the wrong dessert and forgot to bring me a decaf coffee. The second night we had a great friendly waiter, perfect service. We left an extra tip this time.

Teppanyaki – very good – fun

Moderno – good – we ate outside on the waterfront and it was really nice. Fried banana and grilled pineapple – yummy

 

We had breakfast either in the Café buffet or Up Town each morning. We tried to get a burger in Up Town twice after waiting in line (about 10 people ahead of us) and it was a 30 minute wait for the burger….down to the buffet both times.

 

Fireworks canceled on Friday night but they did have them on Saturday night at 8:45.

 

Did the Ice bar – it was fun and cold.

We did not do the slides, rope course, rock climbing wall or mini golf.

 

We also did the Cirque Dreams and dinner show – Burn the floor and Rock of ages – we enjoyed all three. My big complaint is the seats in the theater….so uncomfortable, you can’t sit up straight in them.

 

Went to one Second City 11:00 show and stayed for two skits and then walked out…others walked out before us and with us. We did not find it funny at all.

 

Bermuda weather – Our Daily paper each day said the weather in Bermuda was going to be partly cloudy and high 60’s. It was sunny and HOT each day. We had a week of beautiful weather. The water in Bermuda was nice, a little chilly getting in but once in really nice. I’m from New England and the water in Bermuda now was warmer than any beach in NE all summer.

 

Purchased 2 days bus/ferry passed at excursion desk the first night .

Our first day in port, after tendering in to the dock (Dawn was there in our spot after her mishap) we went to Horseshoe Bay, paid the 2.00 for the shuttle up the hill. We headed back to the ship hoping she was at the dock, we had to wait about one hour because the Dawn was now gone the Breakaway was coming in to dock. It was really cool standing at the dock and seeing her come in, at one point straight at us! That evening spent a few hours with family that live in Hamilton and then took the last ferry 8:30 back to the ship. My MIL was born and raised in Bermuda.

Day 2 – St. George and Tobacco bay, Glass beach (for sea glass) and unfinished church. We also paid the 6.00 pp for the beach bus, other than the 2.00 we paid to get up the hill at Horseshoe bay this was the best money spent. We also went to St Peter’s Church.

Day 3 – ferry to Hamilton to shop and go to the Holy Trinty Church. We had planned to climb the tower but the office person was out sick and no one was there to unlock the door to the tower. I also saw a sign that said the tower would be closed as of May 26, 2015 until further notice for work being done. Back to Dockyard and shopping at Clock Tower.

 

Our room steward, Owen, told us it was his first week on the ship. We had a couple of issues, nothing major and we left him an extra tip for keeping ice in our cooler. Dirty coffee cups. Towel animals only 3 nights. We had to call housekeeping the first night at 10;00, our sons bed was never made up. He also never left us the disembarkation information that told us about the tags etc. I was in the atrium and noticed a group of people gathered around a monitor and figured I would see what it was. Well it was the colored tags I would need to mark my luggage when I left it out the next night. There were a lot of “self assist” getting off the ship. They called self assist at 7:20 and Aqua at 8:20, which was us (which was suppose to 9:15). We had our luggage and through customs and at our car driving out at 9:00. Big complaint about porters and luggage at disembarking. The luggage is lined up to close together so to get your luggage you have to pick it up and carry it over the other luggage. The porter that said he would be our porter told us where our bags were and I said “do we get them or you” he looked at me and said “you”. My son and husband lifted the heavy bags up and over the other luggage and I found another porter. He took up through customs to the elevator and then right to our car with the luggage, even put it in the car for us. Gave him a nice tip!

 

As you can see by my signature we usually cruise Carnival. We cruised NCL for the Bermuda itinerary. I think we got a good deal, upgraded to the mini suite w/large balcony for $299.00, got the UDP for the three of us and son cruised free (paid port fees). If I can find a deal again I will cruise NCL in a heartbeat.

 

I took over 800 pictures so if you are looking for a picture of something on the ship or in Bermuda, Vibe, mini suite w/large balcony, I may have it let me know and I will post them.

 

It was funny seeing the Fast Ferry that says Rhode Island on it….they lease it from us here in RI.

 

I think I covered everything I could. I hope this was of help to some people. If any questions I will try and answer.

[ncklhaus]

Thank you for sharing!

[ncklhaus]

How big was the cooler you brought with you? I think that's a great idea.

[cruisin0504]

Thanks! I too like the cooler idea. Did you like Vibe? We are thinking of doing it too.

[reno3]

How big was the cooler you brought with you? I think that's a great idea.

 

It is 15x11x10.

[reno3]

Thanks! I too like the cooler idea. Did you like Vibe? We are thinking of doing it too.

 

I posted some photos earlier today to this thread. We loved it.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2211345

[npater]

Just got off the Breakaway and we went to the 11:00 Second City show and yes it was awful. It wasn't funny. We went a couple of years ago for the first time and it wasn't funny then either. We thought we would try it again, and we also walked out after about 10 minutes went by.

[Nisky18]

I wasn't crazy about the NCL Breakaway to Bermuda. I'd return to Bermuda but with Royal Caribbean and not NCL. I guess "free style" isn't my thing and as a vegetarian the food disappointed me. I had cruised on Carnival's Splendor eight months before the NCL cruise and Carnival's food was superior.

[Carnac767]

Thanks for the review.

[cruzkitty]

Thank you for your very informative Review. I am planning on this cruise next year and appreciate the info. Freestyle seems to work well for us.

[newmommy2]

Thanks for your review reno3, we leave on Saturday and we're very excited! What is the $6 Beach bus you referred to in your review? Is that a bus in St. George to Tobacco Bay? Where do you catch it? Was that beach good for children? How did you get to St. George?

 

Thanks again!:)

[garnet115]

Glad you had a good experience and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

Not to nitpick, but I'm pretty sure that when you are leaving NY, Freedom Tower is on the port side and Statue of Liberty is on the starboard side. I mention it only because people may choose a side based upon which they prefer to see during sail away.

[aquarianne11]

Thanks for the review. :)

I love Bermuda and the Breakaway, I hope to visit again in the future.

[janetz]

I wasn't crazy about the NCL Breakaway to Bermuda. I'd return to Bermuda but with Royal Caribbean and not NCL. I guess "free style" isn't my thing and as a vegetarian the food disappointed me. I had cruised on Carnival's Splendor eight months before the NCL cruise and Carnival's food was superior.

 

Food is subjective. We found Carnival's food not very good at all. ;)

Edited May 26, 2015 by janetz

[Abear2]

Well, I guess this is why it's called an opinion! I was on the Breakaway's 3rd sailing a couple of years ago and I loved it! In fact, I am booked again for July 19th, except this time, in a Haven Suite, so I am really excited! I loved the food, entertainment and everything else about this ship! :D I can't wait to go back to Bermuda! Horseshoe Bay is gorgeous!!! Loved the pink sand and I am so not a sand person! LOL :p

[reno3]

Glad you had a good experience and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

Not to nitpick, but I'm pretty sure that when you are leaving NY, Freedom Tower is on the port side and Statue of Liberty is on the starboard side. I mention it only because people may choose a side based upon which they prefer to see during sail away.

 

Sorry for the miss information....you are correct.

We were up on deck so I could go from one side to the other.

Not sure if I mentioned it in my review....we passed the SOL coming back into port (on port side) at around 5:00am. I was up and she looked wonderful all lit up.

[meatball_nyc]

Thanks for your review :)

We are booked in a deck 8 stateroom for a November cruise. Did you happen to hear any music from the theater at night?

Thanks for posting, reno3.

Last July we were on Breakaway(deck 10) and were awake early to view Lady Liberty upon our return to NYC. Awesome to view anytime of day :)

Happy Sailing!

 

~Robin

Edited May 27, 2015 by meatball_nyc

[reno3]

Thanks for your review reno3, we leave on Saturday and we're very excited! What is the $6 Beach bus you referred to in your review? Is that a bus in St. George to Tobacco Bay? Where do you catch it? Was that beach good for children? How did you get to St. George?

 

Thanks again!:)

 

Yes, it is the "hop on hop off" bus that you get in the town that takes to you a few different places. Once off the ferry (that we took from Dock Yard to St. George) walk to your right into the square to the inforamtion building (a little bit of a walk). Once you pay they will stamp your hand and the bus is just outside around the corner. I also posted a picture of Tabacco Bay, yes it is fine for children. Get there early, it is a small beach and gets crowded.

 

Edited May 27, 2015 by reno3

[reno3]

Thanks for your review :)

We are booked in a deck 8 stateroom for a November cruise. Did you happen to hear any music from the theater at night?

Thanks for posting, reno3.

Last July we were on Breakaway(deck 10) and were awake early to view Lady Liberty upon our return to NYC. Awesome to view anytime of day :)

Happy Sailing!

 

~Robin

 

No, we did not hear any noise from the theater at night.

[Squirty27]

We are cruising in April and would like to go to the sea glass beach. Is it hard to find and is there a lot of glass?

 

Thank you.

[spidybabe]

We are cruising in April and would like to go to the sea glass beach. Is it hard to find and is there a lot of glass?

 

Thank you.

 

Check the Bermuda port of call thread.

There are directions there how to walk to the glass beach, and directions by bus. We highly recommend taking the bus. It was only 1-2 stops on (if I remember correctly) the 7 bus. Just ask the bus driver....they will show you where to get off...how to find the glass beach...and where to catch the bus back.

It was small, but one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Not allowed to take the glass, but it is sold inexpensively dockside.

Safe sailing

[reno3]

We are cruising in April and would like to go to the sea glass beach. Is it hard to find and is there a lot of glass?

 

Thank you.

 

Not sure if this is the beach you are talking about.....If you take the St George Beach Bus, it is stop #6, yes a lot of sea glass in the water. You have to go in to about your knees to reach it and you can take this glass (there were not signs not to take). There was a worker there clearing some brush with a front loader and I asked if it was okay to take a few pieces and he said yes. He was very nice and talked to us for about 20 minutes until the bus came. i did not go to the sea glass beach near Dockyard.

 

Edited May 27, 2015 by reno3

[ChrisCJSU]

Thanks for the review! I will be back on the Breakaway June 7th for my second cruise to Bermuda.

 

For the poster asking about Sea Glass Beach. Last year we stopped at Sea Glass Beach and there are TONS of sea glass! Very easy to find.

[SCmom99]

It is 15x11x10.

 

How do take a cooler as luggage? Coolers do not really "latch" tight. How do you keep the contents from falling out?

 

thanks

[reno3]

We had a folding luggage carrier that had bungies on it, then we got a "tiedown" and tied it to the bottom of the carrier on each side and up over the top of the cooler so it would not move side to side. If NCL wanted to get into it they could untie the tiedown. It did not look like they "messed" with it at all. It did not come up with our luggage, it come up a little while later. When we got off the ship we packed the carrier in our luggage and just carried the empty cooler off the ship