Breakaway 4/3: Good, Bad, Mostly Ugly

[momtonoah]

Hmmmm....as for smoking only allowed on one side of waterfront, I didn't notice that. I felt like smoking was allowed everywhere, it didn't really matter where you were. In fact I was just watching the video I took of my son dancing during sail away party up in Spice H20 on the dancefloor. There was a guy dancing with a cigar hanging out of his mouth on the dance floor!!! Having sailed a lot, I am used to smoking in certain areas on every ship of course. I just avoid casinos, and have no problem at all. This specific sailing it was everywhere. That being said, this did not ruin the trip. It was more the crowding and non service.

[bumorgan]

The design with NCL's latest ships, Epic, Getaway, Breakaway, Escape, is all about packing as many rooms as possible on the ships and squeezing every nickel possible from their 'valued' customers. Other companies have mega ships but they don't squeeze the customer nearly as much, literally and figuratively.

 

New cruisers might not see this, but anyone with cruising experience can easily see it. As far as I can tell, NCL does not care as long as they are turning a profit. Might come back to bite them in the future though.

 

This is happening everywhere not just Norwegian: Plane seat space, car space, new hotel room space, packaging of foods. I love when I buy a pound cake and it weighs 12 oz.:mad:

[tribbs1]

Very interesting and thanks for posting. I am leaving on the Escape on Saturday and so far my experience has been underwhelming. I am going for work, so I am not paying so that should elevate my experience somewhat.

I have sailed on several cruise lines and on some large ships, but this one will be the biggest even though I swore I was done with the large ships after having experienced small ship cruising on the Azamara Journey.

I think the OP should try Celebrity. I loved the Reflection and would sail her or another Celebrity ship in a heartbeat. They have great service, food and entertainment.

[zackarykeef]

This is happening everywhere not just Norwegian: Plane seat space, car space, new hotel room space, packaging of foods. I love when I buy a pound cake and it weighs 12 oz.:mad:

 

Totally agree with this...any business wants to be profitable (excluding non-profits, obviously ;)), and that makes sense. You can't blame them for that. Although, I don't know what the pound cake comment has to do with it...I think that was a joke lol

 

It is in NCL's policies listed on their website that smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the waterfront and not in outdoor dining areas. The Mojito Bar/La Cucina/Moderno side (should be) smoke-free.

 

And the cigar should definitely not happen...he clearly didn't want to leave the bar without it lol

[Cruiser1978]

We have never encountered poor staff or service on the BA, but we have to agree that the ship design is poor. Atrium and pool. Its very poor planning on NCL's part to have events held in the atrium. I love the dance classes that they have, but I will not participate when it is held in the atrium, with people looking on, and a balcony looking also. I'm not entertainment for the ship!! We do like the entertainment on the BA better, but the Gem is still our favorite.

Safe sailing

 

Completely agree! Shared that in my own review. Have sailed the BA twice and have felt strongly about it both times.

 

I have to agree with the OP about the design of the BA. I love big ships but this ship design is awful. There just isn't anything that has that grand open feel. It really felt like a budget cruise ship to me. I know people on this board love to put their noses up at Carnival but I've been on many Carnival ships that felt much more upscale than this ship and all these mainstream cruise lines are filled with the same demographics.

 

As far as smoking, I agree with the OP. I felt like there was smoking allowed all over this ship. It doesn't bother me too much but I definetly noticed it more on the BA than any other ship I've been on.

 

Also totally agree - the ship design is TERRIBLE - especially the lack of space by the rock wall and jogging path (which runs around wet areas of the ship - how someone hasn't gotten hurt is beyond me), as well as other areas that you feel crammed in (Headliners - You feel shoved in there rather than comfortable like in the Spinnaker Lounge on the smaller ships). Also - the location of the casino (and therefore smoking areas) is insane.

 

I love NCL - I strongly dislike the BA.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks for your review...haven't sailed Breakaway yet, but really want to go to Bermuda!

 

The thing that everyone just has to remember when reading these reviews is that everything is subjective. I love reading reviews, but I would never not choose something based off one. I've seen way too many people saying that they are considering rebooking elsewhere simply because of reviews...I don't get it. You need to experience it for yourself.

 

On here and even on the Royal boards, there are plenty of people who complain about the poor design and crowds of Oasis/Allure, stating that NCL is better. OP preferred Royal...doesn't mean you will.

 

I can only speak to the Getaway, but it's the same ship (except theme). I've never felt any more crowded on the Getaway than on any other ship I've been on.

 

One poster mentioned that even people who normally aren't sensitive to smoke thought it was bad. I HATE smoke and am extremely sensitive, but I did not think the smell was bad at all. It all depends on how many smokers are on board. Also saying that you can't use the Waterfront because of it...smoking is only allowed at one bar on one side of the Waterfront. The other side is smoke-free, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. If there were people smoking on the other side, they should be reported.

 

Service is also something that varies. They are changing crew all the time, so just because you had a bad server once does not mean you will have a bad server on another cruise.

 

Basically, I think we should read reviews and be cautiously optimistic. We are cruising, after all...I couldn't go into vacation with a negative attitude! :cool:

 

Thanks for your report on the Waterfront. As momtonoah and you both posted it truly does depend on how amny smokers are on board. We found ways around the smoke on other ships but it is nice t know only one area on the Waterfront is smoking. That gives us a whole side of the Waterfront to enjoy.

 

I am with you as I have read good/bad reviews on all of the ships and lines. We pick and choose by where we happen to want to go and in some cases just because we liked the ship the last time. We also admit to just going to be on a cruise!;)

[myra711]

I am glad that we booked our next cruise during a period that is NOT 3 and 4 px sail for free. I am sure that this adds to the body count.

 

I loved the Breakaway and found a lot to do, but the casino layout and the atrium didn't work for me, either.

[Gershep]

Have to agree that they should not hold a lot of the activity's in the Atrium. It is really hard to get involved. My biggest problem is when you disembark in NY. I wish NCL would work with Customs and try to fix this.

 

We enjoyed the BA and are going back on her but I still prefer the Gem.

[luvtheships]

I am glad that we booked our next cruise during a period that is NOT 3 and 4 px sail for free. I am sure that this adds to the body count.

 

 

 

I loved the Breakaway and found a lot to do, but the casino layout and the atrium didn't work for me, either.

 

 

So much of the interior of the ba doesn't work. No space to sit and read indoors comfortably

 

Bar venues are next to the casino and too smokey and the same for waterfront

 

The one saving grace on the ba is the buffet with the nice seating

 

But it says something when at 9 or 10 pm you see groups/families etc just sitting at the tables there and talking because they have no where else to sit

 

This is not a bad thing but all I'm saying is that indoor space on this huge ship is almost nonexistent to have to rely on the buffet seating when not eating

 

On the gem you have spinnaker and bliss to sit in to relax during off hours and you have those 2 venues to enjoy great music etc later on

 

Bliss on the ba is ugly. Not so on the gem

 

Spinnaker does not exist on the ba

[Love my butler]

This is happening everywhere not just Norwegian: Plane seat space, car space, new hotel room space, packaging of foods. I love when I buy a pound cake and it weighs 12 oz.:mad:

 

Well, if everyone else is doing it I guess that makes it right.....

[momofmab]

A ship being "crowded" shouldn't be an excuse for bad service. If you build a ship to hold 4,000 and have a full sailing, it should be staffed to handle that many people, period.

 

Dust in the rooms, while not a deal-killer, means that they are cutting corners when cleaning the rooms - likely because there are less room stewards cleaning more rooms. We were in a penthouse suite on the Spirit in March - everything was clean from the floor up to about six feet, but every vent, the sprinklers, the ceiling molding was caked with dust. I just didn't look "up" when I was in my room :rolleyes:

 

I've never done a "mega" ship and don't think I would unless I could do it in the Haven and not have to deal with the crowds. I don't have anything against NCL, but sea days are boring unless you like to sit by the pool. There was much more to do on the RCI cruises we've been on. NCL really needs to work on their onboard activities.

[luvtheships]

Actually the ba may have been built to hold 4000 pax but they didn't think the open space through properly nor did/do they staff it properly

 

Otoh with all the ba issues including debark etc maybe the ba wasn't built properly to hold 4000 pax

[2xsin12mths]

Hmmmm....I am a Carnival cruiser and this will be my first (and the way this review sounds) possibly the last NCL cruise. Me and my girlfriends leave out of NY on the 22nd of this month. We are expecting great things on this mega ship! The only reason we did not book Carnival is they do not have any cruises out of NY going to Bermuda. We will see but some of the things mentioned here are not acceptable......dirty rooms, lots of smoking, no inside space to hang out and play cards (yes, we are one of those people who like to play cards).

I LOVE to cruise. I have 4 currently lined up...the other 3 are Carnival. My girlfriends are great and I'm sure we will have fun but going on vaca and being packed in areas and WAITING for everything is not relaxing!

[Bullies3]

2xsin12mths, don't vacation with pre-conceived ideas based on a message board. I can't tell you how many times I've cruised or stayed at a resort (after reading tons of reviews , many negative prior) and wondered what ship/resort these people were as I had a totally different experience.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[bbryan5]

I wanted to fly home 1/2 way through the trip due to the claustrophobia

 

If you suffer from claustrophobia, perhaps cruising isn't for you.

[luvtheships]

Hmmmm....I am a Carnival cruiser and this will be my first (and the way this review sounds) possibly the last NCL cruise. Me and my girlfriends leave out of NY on the 22nd of this month. We are expecting great things on this mega ship! The only reason we did not book Carnival is they do not have any cruises out of NY going to Bermuda. We will see but some of the things mentioned here are not acceptable......dirty rooms, lots of smoking, no inside space to hang out and play cards (yes, we are one of those people who like to play cards).

 

I LOVE to cruise. I have 4 currently lined up...the other 3 are Carnival. My girlfriends are great and I'm sure we will have fun but going on vaca and being packed in areas and WAITING for everything is not relaxing!

 

 

Plenty of pax playing cards in the buffet as the tables are nice there

 

Of course playing at off hours like 9 pm

 

They have the wine bar there too and you can make a nice plate of cheeses too

[luvtheships]

Yeah, and I would add that the cabin was not "reasonably clean" unfortunately. And I realize that putting the bed up every day is work, but I have never seen another cruise not do it (We have used the bunk on about 5 different ships now).

 

 

You could have pushed the bed up yourself as it is easy to do

 

Fwiw he most likely left it down so he could nap

[Luckynana]

I have to agree with the OP. The smoke from the Casino was horrific on the BA. Forget about walking through. I intentionally had to walk on the next deck just to get from the front of the ship to the back in order to avoid the smoke.

 

We also found the service in the dining rooms lacking, and the food below par. We have sailed several times on different NCL ships, and found the BA to be lacking in so many ways.:(

[prg2101]

So much of the interior of the ba doesn't work. No space to sit and read indoors comfortably

 

Bar venues are next to the casino and too smokey and the same for waterfront

 

The one saving grace on the ba is the buffet with the nice seating

 

But it says something when at 9 or 10 pm you see groups/families etc just sitting at the tables there and talking because they have no where else to sit

 

This is not a bad thing but all I'm saying is that indoor space on this huge ship is almost nonexistent to have to rely on the buffet seating when not eating

 

On the gem you have spinnaker and bliss to sit in to relax during off hours and you have those 2 venues to enjoy great music etc later on

 

Bliss on the ba is ugly. Not so on the gem

 

Spinnaker does not exist on the ba

 

 

Another subjective comment...I have sailed the Gem twice and have seen older people sitting in the Garden Café late at night sipping on coffee and chatting...Nothing to do with them not wanting to "be in the bliss or spinnaker, they just want to be in a quiet area"...so the same happens on the breakaway? I think youll see this on every ship :rolleyes:

[Shawnino]

If you suffer from claustrophobia, perhaps cruising isn't for you.

 

There are lots of ships that don't pack'em in like sardines.

[Shawnino]

Another subjective comment...I have sailed the Gem twice and have seen older people sitting in the Garden Café late at night sipping on coffee and chatting...Nothing to do with them not wanting to "be in the bliss or spinnaker, they just want to be in a quiet area"...so the same happens on the breakaway? I think youll see this on every ship :rolleyes:

 

A subjective comment?

On Cruise Critic?

Oh, the Humanity!