Breakaway at capacity- anyone sailed when the ship is full?

[subwife81]

Hi everyone!

 

My family has booked a spring break cruise from NYC down to the Bahamas the week of April 17. This is Spring Break week for CT and NY and so of course, the ship is at 100% -in fact, when we booked, we had to book 2 rooms for my husband and two kids because there were no rooms available for 4 people (lifeboat capacity.)

 

I've been reading the threads and I'm curious if anyone has sailed when the ship has been at lifeboat capacity. Are there crowds everywhere or is it pretty dispersed?

 

Any hints or comments about what we might expect?

 

Thanks! :)

[Mom2B&Z]

We sailed over Canadian March break when the ship was over capacity. Yes there were crowds everywhere, and at times it was difficult to get off the ship in port. The pool decks were crowded and there were lines for shows. We were in a suite so managed to avoid many crowds with the Haven and its restaurant.

I'm not sure I could handle Breakaway at full capacity without the haven or our massive balcony, but I don't handle big crowds well. If you're ok with crowds and prepared to be patient, you should be fine. The ship is a lot of fun :)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[mjkacmom]

Invest in spa passes - 5 minutes into sail away, I headed over to the spa. Lots of kids! We still had a great time (as did our children).

[geegee1]

We've done the last 2 February Breaks on Breakaway. While it was crowded on the ship, the only time we felt that it was too much was day 6 in 2014. And that was only for a few hours around the pool. Otherwise we never felt that it was too crowded or that we couldn't do what we wanted to do.

[TheDougOut]

We sailed the BA in August 2015. It was sold out, but not sure at what capacity or over capacity. Other sailings around our date received an email from NCL warning of a high number of children on board and the possibility that the clubs may reach capacity. We did not receive the notice for our specific sailing.

 

My first impression during the muster drill and immediately afterward was "oh no, what have we done??". Our meeting station was in O'Shewhos, and it was wall to wall people. There was absolute gridlock for 15 minutes afterwards. You couldn't go up/down, anywhere. But then... the masses dissipated and we never experienced uncomfortable crowding for the rest of our cruise.

 

I had read all the reviews and concerns about crowds. As such, we planned ahead and had all of our shows and dinners reserved well in advance (no small task when traveling with 15 people).

 

We often went to the smaller breakfast buffet in moderno which was always quiet and relaxing.

 

The only time the ship felt "crowded" was pool side at high noon, or in the 6-7-8 corridor around cocktail hour. Having said that, there was always a quiet spot / bar nearby.

 

As far as lines - we hit the ropes course at opening with no more than a 5 min wait. The watersides never had more than 10 people in line at once, possibly because we hit them later in the day. Elevators were never a problem. It actually became a bit of a joke for our party - as we kept asking "where the hell is everybody??".

 

The BA is a great ship with lots to offer. Plan ahead and have a great time!

[Sizzlechest]

I was on a 100% capacity Breakaway sailing. Here's the bottom line with the Breakaway...

 

It's a big ship. Bigger than the Gem. However, the size of the various areas on the ship are not scaled up proportionally. Therefore, whenever a majority of people want to do the SAME thing at the SAME time, it will be overcrowded. The pool area and theater are the worst in this regard.

 

This is why a lot of people prefer the Gem. There's more elbow room. Most of the issues with the Gem were fixed (I assume) after its recent refurbishment. The main advantages of the Breakaway over the Gem are:

 

• Better slides. (Actually, the slide isn't working on the Gem right now.)
  
• Better sports area.
  
• Better entertainment.
  
• Ocean Blue.
  

The Splash Academy on the Gem didn't have the latest video games (Wii U) when I sailed last year, but maybe they have that now. I also don't know if the TV system has improved on the Gem, but I'll assume it has, too.

 

I'm going for 9-days on the Breakaway this July. It's the only one available in the summer from NY and will most likely be filled to capacity. If 7 day cruises were the only criteria, I would have done the Gem again in a heartbeat.

[luvtheships]

Hi everyone!

 

 

 

My family has booked a spring break cruise from NYC down to the Bahamas the week of April 17. This is Spring Break week for CT and NY and so of course, the ship is at 100% -in fact, when we booked, we had to book 2 rooms for my husband and two kids because there were no rooms available for 4 people (lifeboat capacity.)

 

 

 

I've been reading the threads and I'm curious if anyone has sailed when the ship has been at lifeboat capacity. Are there crowds everywhere or is it pretty dispersed?

 

 

 

Any hints or comments about what we might expect?

 

 

 

Thanks! :)

 

 

The ship will in all likelihood sail at 104% of capacity

Edited January 19, 2016 by luvtheships

[cheryl525]

We sailed during our Spring Break last year on the Breakaway. We are teachers, so we that's when we can travel. It did fall right after Easter last year, and the ship was at full capacity. We received a note stating that the ship was sailing with a high number of kids and that the Kids Clubs may be limited. Our son, 9 at the time, never went to the Kids Club activities past the first day/signup, so that was not a problem for us. We never really encountered any issues with lines except for debarkation! We did see a lot of kids, but mostly teenagers - and we had no problems with crowds. We are sailing again on our upcoming Spring Break - I can tell you that NY schools are holding the NYS Assessments the two weeks before you are sailing - so no Spring Breaks those weeks, and the majority of districts in Central/Upstate NY are on Spring Break the week after your sailing(April 24th). NYC schools are also on Spring Break that week according to their calendar.

 

We really enjoyed the Aft Balcony that we had - that may have helped with the space issues - but honestly, we loved it so much we booked again - we will be on the first run to Bermuda the week after you....can't wait! You will love it! Enjoy!

[KweezyCruiser]

My family has booked a spring break cruise from NYC down to the Bahamas the week of April 17. This is Spring Break week for CT and NY and so of course, the ship is at 100%

 

 

NYC public schools have spring break the following week. If it's any consolation, that week will be worse.

[luddite]

Almost everyone who has sailed it has done so when it was full. They don't like empty cabins.

[sayla27]

Cheryl525 - Since you were there last year in April, how was the water temp? A fellow teacher here traveling on the April 24th cruise and I'm thinking of booking a catamaran / snorkeling trip for our group, but I'm concerned the water will be too chilly for swimming / snorkeling. Thoughts? TIA.

[bjtravelnews]

We sailed in June and were at capacity. The only place where the crowds seemed to be a problem was in Spice H2O. That area seems to hold only a small percentage of those who want to be there. If you want to do the glow party or the sail away party, get there early. Be prepared to be unable to move once the crowds settle in. The elevators were also an issue at times because they seem to skip floors during peak times.

On the other hand - the spa was almost always empty. Even on the last two days of our trip, when there were more people, there was always a place to sit and relax.

If you want a pool chair, be prepared to get there by about 7:00 AM. Chair hogs puts their towels down and go to breakfast. By 8, there are rarely any places to sit.

[Pookie092403]

I was on a 100% capacity Breakaway sailing. Here's the bottom line with the Breakaway...

 

It's a big ship. Bigger than the Gem. However, the size of the various areas on the ship are not scaled up proportionally. Therefore, whenever a majority of people want to do the SAME thing at the SAME time, it will be overcrowded. The pool area and theater are the worst in this regard.

 

This is why a lot of people prefer the Gem. There's more elbow room. Most of the issues with the Gem were fixed (I assume) after its recent refurbishment. The main advantages of the Breakaway over the Gem are:

 

• Better slides. (Actually, the slide isn't working on the Gem right now.)
  
• Better sports area.
  
• Better entertainment.
  
• Ocean Blue.
  

The Splash Academy on the Gem didn't have the latest video games (Wii U) when I sailed last year, but maybe they have that now. I also don't know if the TV system has improved on the Gem, but I'll assume it has, too.

 

I'm going for 9-days on the Breakaway this July. It's the only one available in the summer from NY and will most likely be filled to capacity. If 7 day cruises were the only criteria, I would have done the Gem again in a heartbeat.

 

I am curious how you find out what the sailing capacity is? I am going on breakaway may 29 and its Memorial Day week and I am thinking it's going to be packed.

[Sizzlechest]

I am curious how you find out what the sailing capacity is? I am going on breakaway may 29 and its Memorial Day week and I am thinking it's going to be packed.

 

When you're on board it's announced on the first day.

[dcipjr]

We've sailed the Breakaway twice during August, and it was full—but really, we only "felt" the crowds on sea days around the pool deck.

 

On a big ship such as this, it really is helpful to have a balcony, so you have a private, quiet area to retreat to should things get crowded.

[jpcello]

My sister and I sailed the week before Labor Day weekend this past summer. Incredibly crowded. This was our first NCL cruise so of course no special perks (like being able to afford a suite or the Haven). The pool area was impossible - we ended up spending any "pool" time at the Waterfall. I had made dinner reservations ahead of time (we had the UDP) so we didn't really have any issues with that. Same with entertainment.

 

Surprisingly the elevators were not impossible. My sister is disabled so we always have to use the elevators. Of course we had to wait a few times after shows, etc., but that will happen on any ship.

 

Avoid the Atrium. The space for the size of the ship is just plain stupid - the design of the Atrium is tiny - we went one time to play a trivia game and there were maybe seats for 40-50 people, tops.

[mking8288]

Been on the BA twice and other extended family members had also sailed her, typically "at" or above (double per cabin) capacity, ours was around 4,700 (due to triples & quads, etc.) and lifeboat capacity being higher - around 5,000 if I recall from our M&G (on morning of day 2, which is good for asking these questions on the actual stats)

 

The crowds are usually spread out all over - the worst might've been during the mandatory lifeboat/safety demo held on embarkation afternoon, just before saiing - depending on your "assembly station" - ours being in the O'Sheehan bar area, it was packed like sardines, wall to wall people (thankfully, no longer required or necessary or asked to bring those bulky life jackets) :D - at least 6 out of 8 pax are standing around, waiting & having been "scanned" in or checked by the assigned crews for the drill, until dismissal - then, trying to onto the stairs as the elevators are just impossible to ride. (For those with mobility issues, just stay put & give the herds 15 to 20 min. to disperse) Here's a quick snapshot taken right afterward on deck 7 FWD - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150322_1448%20%281024x768%29.jpg

 

On embarkation, head for the MDR that's open for a nice sit-down lunch as the buffet upstairs begin to fill up quickly and folks hanging around until their cabins are ready, so it's not easy for a larger group to find seating with their (kitchen sinks, oops - I mean) carry-ons AND the food, etc. O'Sheehans service has always been slow & food being "edible" at best, IMO. The same goes for full sea days, especially when outdoors are closed for weather/safety reasons.

 

The atrium areas are packed too immediately following the "big" shows in between, as folks are heading out & going to the dining venue and/or others arriving for the 2nd. (if scheduled) show - avoid the path thru the casino floors (with all the 2nd. hand smoke/fumes, etc.) - walk down 1 level to deck 6 if heading to the AFT dining.

 

Otherwise, the crowds would be noticed on the final morning, disembarkation bring out all the early birds rushing to do the so-called "Express Self Walk-Off" ... NOT, not really - IMO of course. Sit back, relax, enjoy a sit-down breakfast in the MDR and watch those lines snaking around & around, wait in the public area & vacate the cabin(s) so that RS can clean & prep for the next group arriving soon to board - unless you are doing B2B and will continue the journey.

 

As for the outdoors, it's packed around the pool (adult & children) on sea days - go 1 deck up to find more loungers (despite the "hogs") away from the nearest elevators - there are some "semi-hidden" public sections, near/next to the Haven area with loungers as well (FWD area) - check the posted signage & discover your secret hideaways (they are mostly / if not all unshaded, however .... so bring SPF with high #'s with you and/or portable sunshades, etc.

 

Another area with few crowds is deck 7 outdoors, "below" the Waterfront - where the lifeboats are ... there are no loungers in that area (maybe a few, but I really don't recall seeing them at all) - it's quiet. If you pack a rolled-up beach or yoga mat or oversized camping mat, you can sit "off" the floor, read & listen to music, and just watch the ocean, etc.

 

With the KSF promotions on & off again and being repeated, it's not difficult for each sailing to be "full" - 104% or 105% of capacity isn't all that unusual. Even if NYC schools are in session, suburban might NOT and then there are Canadians - and, you will somehow see the pre-schoolers sailing as their "schedules" are pretty flexible. It's similar to flying, a decent (not necessary pricey) pair of noise-isolating or cancelling in-ears headset will take care of filtering some of those sounds.

 

Happy cruising !

[Pookie092403]

When you're on board it's announced on the first day.

 

Thanks!

[cheryl525]

Cheryl525 - Since you were there last year in April, how was the water temp? A fellow teacher here traveling on the April 24th cruise and I'm thinking of booking a catamaran / snorkeling trip for our group, but I'm concerned the water will be too chilly for swimming / snorkeling. Thoughts? TIA.

 

Our Spring Break was over Easter last year, so we sailed out of NYC on April 5th, and the water temps were fine. My son and husband were in the water body surfing at Cocoa Beach all day and in the Bahamas we all enjoyed the water, it was cool right when you first got in, but we quickly acclimated.

 

We sailed the week of April 18th to the Bahamas in 2014, and we all went in the water then, too. I really only go in the water if it's comfortably warm, (like a heated pool!) and I had no problems either time. Enjoy!

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I sailed with my mom last March during Canadian Spring Break. 1800+ kids on board. No major issues, but sea days (and really only one was a pool day - we left in a snow storm) the pool area was pretty full. Other than that, most were very well behaved and we didn't feel too packed in.

[cb at sea]

The ships sail pretty much full ALL the time! Even if all the cabins aren't booked, it's because the number of passengers (3-4 in many cabins) has maxed out. No worries...the ship is designed for a full load.