Breakaway - Hits and Misses

[Porterhouse248]

Just returned from the Breakaway. Had a fantastic cruise and was very glad to have been in the Haven. Here are a few hits and misses we experienced.

 

Hits:

 

The Haven restaurant – menus (especially dinner) and service were exceptional. Surf and turf and lobster are offered every night … wow!

 

Second City – really enjoyed several of the shows – great performers

 

Waterslides – awesome on port days when everyone was ashore and there were no waits

 

Sushi – unique selections and very delicious

 

Porter service upon disembarkation – probably the best $20 I spent on the cruise!

 

 

Misses:

 

Internet – the latency/ping speeds were terrible. Upload and download speeds were OK, but for the most part it was barely tolerable due to the latency. It was a definite setback from my experience on the Jewel last year. Perhaps this is due to so many people having packages and using the system, as I noticed it was much improved in the middle of the night

 

Traveling from NY – very cold sailaway and through most of the next day. On return, the last day at sea was cold too. This takes away from some of the desire for a warm vacation

 

Haven Concierge (David) – he really did not engage proactively like other concierges we’ve had. When asked for help, he acted dismissively

 

Haven roof – never opened. Heard rumors that it is broken and will remain closed until it can be returned to the shipyard. Anyone else hear this?

 

-----

Overall, we had a great time and would certainly not hesitate to sail on the Breakaway again.

[BostonSoccerDad]

Thanks Porterhouse248, this is good info to have!

 

I would be interested to hear about the Haven Roof and whether it really is broken.

 

Just curious... which restaurant did you get sushi? Do you know if there is a raw bar onboard?

 

I have heard all great things about the Haven Restaurant - looking forward to eating there!

[sonntags]

Thank you!! I'm excited to try the Haven restaurant too.

 

Any more details on David? I thought Anoop was still on.

[Porterhouse248]

 

Just curious... which restaurant did you get sushi? Do you know if there is a raw bar onboard?

 

It was Wasabi Sushi, which is across from Ocean Blue on deck 8. It is a la carte, but the rolls were very reasonable (about $5-6 each if I remember correctly). There is also a raw bar, which is adjacent to Ocean Blue.

[Porterhouse248]

 

Any more details on David? I thought Anoop was still on.

 

I was expecting Anoop, too.

 

In past cruises, our Concierge would mingle during breakfast, engaging tables in conversations about their plans and generally developing rapport.

 

David essentially sat behind his desk and waited for people to come to him. When we did, he was somewhat helpful but not very personable. For example, when asking to book a spa appointment, he simply called them and handed us the phone to talk.

 

Our welcome aboard letter also explained how we could be escorted to shows. When I asked about it, he said instead we had a Haven section we could sit in. No escort down the back elevator or anything like I've experienced on other NCL cruises.

[TheDougOut]

Our welcome aboard letter also explained how we could be escorted to shows.

 

In case someone from an inside stateroom is loitering outside the theater? :)

[Marine Mom]

Just returned also and agree with everything you said. I found the concierge to be dismissive also. His assistant (I can't remember his name) was great. I would go to him if I needed anything. The Haven is great and I loved the restaurant. I heard the same thing about the roof above the pool. It was unfortunate because there were a couple days that were so warm I would have enjoyed that. I was just grateful we had the Haven to retreat too. That ship is too big and too crowded for my liking.

[NoDayButToday00]

Also just returned and had the same experience with David. For the first time ever we didn't tip the concierge and we tip everyone including our favorite servers that were covered by the DSC. But I will say our Butler was the best we have had. So still a great vacation just didn't find my Adrian replacement yet.

[Two Wheels Only]

Traveling from NY – very cold sailaway and through most of the next day. On return, the last day at sea was cold too. This takes away from some of the desire for a warm vacation

 

To be fair, there isn't much that NCL can do to improve this. :p

[BostonSoccerDad]

I have now read several instances of "less than par" performance by the concierge David. Hopefully he will step up his game next week... Or better yet, maybe he will be on his own holiday. :-)

[mking8288]

Thank you for the BA report, it's always nice to get an executive summary :D

 

Imagine life below for the souls without Haven ... tough choices for the kettles, as we called those flying in the "main cabin" behind us, LOL. :D

 

Porter services on land, inside the terminal - not related to experience onboard the ship, it's a well known "secret" advantage on the departure forum ... money is direct motivation - it worked, proven time after time again. Good. ;)

 

Sounds like, Haven crew members might need better direct "motivations" - under the impressions that they are well taken care of by those staying in Haven :p

 

Rumors of Haven roof broken, need to be fixed (never opened - that's factual, correct ?) - anybody asked directly, upstairs ?

 

Just a different spin, looking at cruise life onboard - still beats staying home / going to the office for the work week ?? Welcome back - you still had a great time.

 

We will be sailing the BA soon, on a lower deck, making notes of these reports - with an open mind still, hopefully ... it does sound, more & more, that the crew aren't as happy & energetic as they could be - which is sad.

[js]

Thank you for your review. This is the second theead I opened and read about David. Having him dial and hand you the phone sounds like he is annoyed to help. You could have dialed yourself and its like David is annoyed he is doing it. I loved Adrian and his assistant although I do not remember her name...both absolutely fantastic and Adrian acted like he loved his job.

 

Sailing in August and hope David is gone if he isnt happy being concierge.

 

Did you do any specialty restaurants? How was the Haven bartender. We had Jelly Rose and she was wonderful.

 

Thanks.

[Suze10860]

For example, when asking to book a spa appointment, he simply called them and handed us the phone to talk.

 

Wow - I've said quite a few times on this board that my husband and I are not really Haven people because I probably wouldn't use either the butler or the concierge.

 

However, if I did ask the concierge to help me with a reservation (which I'm pretty sure is his job) and he dialed and handed me the phone, my head might explode. By definition, isn't that what a concierge does - make reservations?!?!?

[NoDayButToday00]

How was the Haven bartender. We had Jelly Rose and she was wonderful.

 

Thanks.

 

We have had Jelly too and she was so great and personable. She isn't on the Breakaway anymore. We had LorieLei (sp?) this week. She was very good. Not the personality of Jelly but a good conversation!

[LALAFRANCE]

Just returned from the Breakaway. Had a fantastic cruise and was very glad to have been in the Haven. Here are a few hits and misses we experienced.

 

Hits:

 

The Haven restaurant – menus (especially dinner) and service were exceptional. Surf and turf and lobster are offered every night … wow!

 

Second City – really enjoyed several of the shows – great performers

 

Waterslides – awesome on port days when everyone was ashore and there were no waits

 

Sushi – unique selections and very delicious

 

Porter service upon disembarkation – probably the best $20 I spent on the cruise!

 

 

Misses:

 

Internet – the latency/ping speeds were terrible. Upload and download speeds were OK, but for the most part it was barely tolerable due to the latency. It was a definite setback from my experience on the Jewel last year. Perhaps this is due to so many people having packages and using the system, as I noticed it was much improved in the middle of the night

 

Traveling from NY – very cold sailaway and through most of the next day. On return, the last day at sea was cold too. This takes away from some of the desire for a warm vacation

 

Haven Concierge (David) – he really did not engage proactively like other concierges we’ve had. When asked for help, he acted dismissively

 

Haven roof – never opened. Heard rumors that it is broken and will remain closed until it can be returned to the shipyard. Anyone else hear this?

 

-----

Overall, we had a great time and would certainly not hesitate to sail on the Breakaway again.

 

hello, just off the cruise, also a Haven guest. There were 2 panes of glass shattered, I was told also that the reason it would not open was due to this. Glass was on order

Loved the restaurant also, agree with comment about concierge!

[Sprasa03]

hello, just off the cruise, also a Haven guest. There were 2 panes of glass shattered, I was told also that the reason it would not open was due to this. Glass was on order

Loved the restaurant also, agree with comment about concierge!

 

I'm glad to hear that the glass is on order and will be repaired soon - I'm not cruising till Summer but I'd be disappointed if the Haven roof was broken when I arrived.

[Sprasa03]

This is the second theead I opened and read about David. Having him dial and hand you the phone sounds like he is annoyed to help. You could have dialed yourself and its like David is annoyed he is doing it.

 

Sailing in August and hope David is gone if he isnt happy being concierge.

 

Me and my fam are also sailing for the first time in the Haven in August and even though we're not picky people that would use the concierge for much, I was looking forward to people actually happy to help and making the vacation extra special.

David seems to be making the Haven experience less than what it should be and that sucks!!!

[teacher_md]

Gurek is David's assistant and he is very helpful and personable.

 

One of the assistant waiters in the Haven told me "they never open the roof" when I asked her about it. Don't know why or when, but there were a couple broken panes of glass.

 

About the porter - is the advantage that you don't have to wait in the customs line?

 

- AJ

[Dr. Cocktail]

Gurek is David's assistant and he is very helpful and personable.

 

One of the assistant waiters in the Haven told me "they never open the roof" when I asked her about it. Don't know why or when, but there were a couple broken panes of glass.

 

About the porter - is the advantage that you don't have to wait in the customs line?

 

- AJ

 

I was on Escape where David was the Concierge. I assumed that his deficiencies were based on the fact that he was simply overwhelmed by the large increase in cabins in The Haven. Then again based on what people have written ....

 

As for the porter, not an issue when you disembark in NYC. It's a completely nonadvertised perq for Haven passengers. Simply show the line "herders" managing the customs line your Haven key card and they will walk you to the front of the line.

[Diane123boys]

We are also sailing in August in Haven (my husband and myself) I am sad that the roof may not open .. was looking forward to that BUT there is the open air area. I am sailing on the 21st who else? would love to meet people prior to sailing .. I have also joined the roll call

[darrengs]

I was also on this cruise, I did not have any negative experiences with David, or the other concierge staff. I must admit I was surprised when we met during embarkation that he remembered us from 4 1/2 years ago on the Gem.

 

I also would have liked to have seen the roof opened.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited April 19, 2016 by darrengs

[BostonSoccerDad]

I was also on this cruise, I did not have any negative experiences with David, or the other concierge staff. I must admit I was surprised when we met during embarkation that he remembered us from 4 1/2 years ago on the Gem.

 

I also would have liked to have seen the roof opened.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

 

Just got off the cruise today, finally unpacked... But wanted to take a moment to say that David was absolutely AWESOME to our family all week long. Very attentive, helpful, and friendly. Same goes for the entire concierge crew.

[Trobrah]

Is David's last name Contreras?

[baflagg]

We were on the cruise last week as well. Saw our butler a couple of times but really had no need for anything from him. Had reservations at 7:00 on Friday night which we wanted to change to 6:00. Using the Iconceirge app to see other times available, there was nothing. We asked David and he was able to get us in for 6:00. Been to Cagney's on all our cruises and this was the first time we thought the service was extremely slow.

 

The Haven roof was open I think it was Thursday when we were in Nassau. This was our first time in the Haven, we enjoyed it but I'm not sure if I would book it again. It was a definite plus being able to get off the ship early yesterday using the employee elevator, we were at Penn Station by 8:15

 

Overall had a really great time and can't wait to go again.

[babygirl722]

Just off the Breakaway today and here are my takeaways. 1) David & his assistant, Armando, were incredibly warm, friendly & helpful to us during our stay. 2) The retractable roof is working and was open every now & then, although not nearly enough for my taste. 3) Service at the Haven Restaurant was painfully slow. 4) Our 2BR/2BA suite (Ste 16108) was gorgeous & comfortable but there was a horrible odor that permeated the master bathroom. Nothing they did took the smell away. Had a great cruise!