TRIP REPORT Fresh Off Breakaway to Bermuda {First Time NCL, Upsell, Spa, Vibe}

[Viva_la_Vida]

4:30 came too soon! This was a quick pic snapped from the mini-bus.

 

 

The mini-bus driver confirmed that all of us were heading straight for the ferry and was kind enough to drop us there directly. We were waiting in chairs by 4:40, although we gave them up to people who seemed they needed them more as the terminal became more crowded. A very orderly line formed and everyone made it on with plenty of room to spare.

 

We opted for the front uncovered part of the ferry again, but this time, we were faced with not so great weather. There were a couple of times we thought we were going to get drenched, but luckily it held off!

 

 

We had our usual snack at the buffet. We were pretty hungry after our light breakfast and a shared lunch at CV Cafe. We then headed up to Vibe to watch the sunset. We were the only ones up there and had fun using the Whats App phone feature to call my parents, who were watching the Port Bermuda Webcam back home in Georgia. It took a while, but they were able to spot us with the aid of our camera flash.

 

The internet plan was great. We had the 1G as part of the promo. We used it every day for something including at least two phone calls via the app I mentioned above, plus google maps, plus a fair amount of social media, and email. We still had at least 100 mb left over at the end.

 

It was such a beautiful sunset!

 

 

 

[Viva_la_Vida]

We got smart and took drinks to dinner this time. We had no reservations and had no trouble getting a table for two right away in the Manhattan Room at 9pm. The Maitre d’ was fantastic and accommodated our request to be near a window.

 

The Manhattan Band was playing again and we enjoyed them so much! We both ate steak au poivre and fried brie.

 

 

They were both fine, not fantastic. The side veggies on the steak though were what DH called “cutting board scraps”. It was just raw bell peppers, zucchini, and snow peas. There was no wine menu again and nobody asked for our drink order once again. We did see the waiter at distant tables taking drink orders, so he did exist! The photographers made it around to all the tables every single night . . . just saying. I wonder if this lack of service is a symptom of the drink package being so ubiquitous? Or did we just get unlucky in all the MDRs? Dessert was very good - lava cake for me and poached pears with blueberry ice cream for dessert for DH.

 

 

 

I can’t remember exactly what all we did but we called it a pretty early night.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2016 by Viva_la_Vida

[tinkr2]

really nice photos

[Viva_la_Vida]

really nice photos

 

Thank you!

[Viva_la_Vida]

Thanks for the encouragement and compliments, everyone! I'm so glad the review can be of some help and/or entertain you between vacations :)

[Smitty74]

Thanks for the encouragement and compliments, everyone! I'm so glad the review can be of some help and/or entertain you between vacations :)

 

Vida,

 

Keep it coming. for those of us leaving soon on the same cruise as you. any observation and every photo are highly appreciated.

[DeeT]

Your sunset pictures are amazing!!!

[NYRsHOCKEY]

Thank you so much for your amazing review. I leave on this cruise in just over 2 weeks and am now even more excited! It'll be my first time cruising NCL and first time in Bermuda. :)

[Viva_la_Vida]

Thank you so much for your amazing review. I leave on this cruise in just over 2 weeks and am now even more excited! It'll be my first time cruising NCL and first time in Bermuda. :)

 

Ahh, so exciting! Soak up every minute of that wonderful vacation! :D

[Viva_la_Vida]

Your sunset pictures are amazing!!!

 

Thank you! I have to give my DH, Marc some credit on those too ;)

[Viva_la_Vida]

Vida,

 

Keep it coming. for those of us leaving soon on the same cruise as you. any observation and every photo are highly appreciated.

 

Thank you, Smitty74!

[Viva_la_Vida]

Day 6, Last day in Bermuda

 

Well, our last day on this paradise. I woke up and stepped out on the balcony and OF COURSE, it’s a day like this!

 

 

 

Absolutely perfect with a light breeze and sun shining on that gorgeous water! I wish we could have had this on Wednesday!

 

Here are the dailies:

 

 

 

[Viva_la_Vida]

We opted to try O’Sheehans for breakfast. I had the “express” and Marc had the "big breakfast". I should say that I don’t know if “big breakfast” was just what I was calling it, or if it was actually called that on the menu, ha! My notes were quite vague.

 

Express:

 

 

I cannot speak more highly of NCL's little hashbrowns. They were awesome. That's the one food item (other than Ocean Blue) I miss from the ship!

 

“Big Breakfast"

 

 

I loved the bread basket and the coffee was delicious!

 

 

We were lame and decided (like about 4,000 others it felt like) to just stay around the dockyard. I was too chicken to try and make it to the beach and back when all aboard was 2:30, especially with what I had heard about buses taking so long. I know a cab could get us back in a pinch, but with that tiny road, one accident could make us miss the ship and I just don’t want to gamble like that.

 

I had pondered doing an excursion. I loved the idea of doing an NCL excursion since if something did go wrong, they are responsible for your safe and timely arrival back at the ship. However, NOBODY I talked to at NCL was helpful in discussing the specifics of the excursion I was interested in - glass bottom boat and snorkeling. Snorkeling was fine with DH, but I had an unpleasant run-in with a piece of coral the last time I was in Bermuda on a snorkeling excursion, and didn’t want a repeat experience (or another 2 trips to the doctor and another nasty scar!). I am just skittish in the water and prefer to lounge at the beach instead. The description on the NCL read: “. . .Then, you'll head for one of the many small inlet beaches that line the western side of the, where your shallow draft boat will anchor in just 3 feet of water. Here you may take some of the boats snorkel gear and explore the shoreline, wade ashore and relax in the shallows, or play on the boat's new slide.”

 

OK, if I’m going to pay $80 pp on something, I want to make sure it’s what I want. Yes, beach was mentioned, but I wanted more specifics. I called the NCL excursion line before we left and asked for clarification: Is there a little beach that I just swim over to it instead of snorkeling? All the woman could do was read me the same description I’d just read. Not helpful! I also tried asking here on the NCL CC board specifically about the NCL excursion, however my post got moved over to the Bermuda forum by an admin. I thought that was annoying since it was an NCL specific question, but whatever. I got no help on the Bermuda forum either. On the boat, I tried again at the shore excursion desk and the NCL rep said that if I didn’t want to snorkel, I would just have to stay on the boat :confused: Conflicting info from the description.

 

I asked if there were any other excursions that involved the beach OTHER THAN snorkel park on the last day docked, and the only thing they offered was a transfer to NOT FROM Horseshoe Bay. Clearly, I want protection that if something goes wrong, the ship will be held. Providing access to and not from the beach does not help with this at all. And it was like $50 per person. That’s crazy, who would do that?

 

NCL needs to offer more on the last day in Bermuda in my opinion, especially since BA leaves earlier than the Summit.

 

We’d done all the dockyard touristy stuff on our last visit there, so DH didn’t even leave the boat. I went out to replenish our water supply and to visit the craft market for some souvenirs. There was a jewelry vendor there two years ago selling really pretty things made from the pink sand. I had regretted not purchasing a necklace and was hoping she was still there. She was! I was excited to splurge a little on myself for this souvenir. I’ve found jewelry is a wonderful and long-lasting reminder of a great vacation. I picked up an ornament made out of the Bermuda cedar as well since we like to collect those for our Christmas tree. I got some little things for my family and then headed back to the boat.

 

I saw this amazing guy performing water stunts on the way back - really neat! He did backflips, dives, and went a lot higher than this.

 

 

Here’s Vibe seen from off the ship. Notice how the roof of the 5th cabana on the far right is all the way down, so it can be done!

 

 

[Viva_la_Vida]

Here are a few more of the lovely BA!

 

 

 

 

We spent sail away at Vibe. It was pretty crowded and a good upbeat atmosphere. It was finally nice and hot so we had lots of yummy tropical drinks.

 

 

Do we really have to leave this beautiful place!?

 

The little black boat pictured below is Calico Jack’s. It is a really lively place and you can go in for free and jump off the side and swim. They have floats and noodles you can use, it looked like. We saw lots of people swimming. Maybe I’ll do that next time if NCL doesn’t improve their excursions ;-)

 

 

 

We talked to the bartenders about pier runners. He said somebody gets left every week. See? Maybe I’m not crazy in my paranoia about leaving the dockyard on Friday! We saw at least two groups of people disembark the little free trolley and leisurely stroll up at 2:45 and up to almost 3:00. Crazy! People were shouting at them to run, but they were just laughing.

 

I may have used this before, but here is what the free trolley looks like for anyone interested in taking it.

 

[Viva_la_Vida]

We saw them pull luggage off below and were worried. We’re not sure what happened with that. Four names were called around 3:00pm and the ship blew its loud-enough-to-break-the-sound-barrier horn not long after. No telling how far it can be heard, but I know what I would be thinking if I was hearing it and I wasn’t on the ship! The St. George’s ferry pulled up:

 

 

We spotted at least two people running towards the dock. Two accounted for! Those people got shouting and clapping all the way down. The other two people made it as well. Barely. Someone from the ship was there to greet them and we saw him point to his watch. Just about as soon as their feet hit the ship, we were off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Viva_la_Vida]

Look at that amazing navigation through the coral reefs. Can you imagine having to do that in such a large vessel? Or, back before advanced technology and in the dark? It makes you really understand how there were so many shipwrecks just off of Bermuda.

 

 

Here’s a Bushwhacker, just for some variety ;)

 

 

Here’s Tobacco Bay

 

 

Fort Saint Catherine and her beach:

 

 

 

[Viva_la_Vida]

More pictures of this perfect-weather day! Here’s St. George’s and the second pic is of the cut.

 

 

 

And here is a white Sangria. I tried both red and white and neither were great. I advise stay away from NCL wine.

 

 

We went back to the room for some balcony time and then I went to the thermal spa, the before dinner tradition.

 

 

[MJSailors]

I have enjoyed reading your well written review !

Since our honeymoon to Bermuda in 1983, my DH and I have visited that lovely place ten times, both on cruises and resort vacations.

Your photos remind us of some of our favorite places in Bermuda.

Our last trip to Bermuda was on the NCL Breakaway, this past September.

While we were pleased to return to Bermuda, we did not think the Breakaway was the best ship for us.

We are Platinum (loyalty level) with Princess and prefer the atmosphere and service we have experienced on the Princess ships over our experience on the Breakaway.

We are at a certain age where water slides and rope courses do not appeal to us.

However,your review has given me a different perspective of the Breakaway experience.

I think that you and your hubby were wise to reserve a cabana at Vibe.

We might have enjoyed that space on the past cruise and if we sail on the Breakaway again ( as a way to reach Bermuda ), I would definitely try to reserve a place on Vibe.

Thank you for your trip narration and photos!

I wish you and your DH many pleasant days of sailing on cruise ships ,visiting beautiful and interesting places. Hopefully,someday you will cruise to Alaska.

It is a place of unique beauty. Until then,enjoy your travels!

[BoatParts]

Thanks for the review! We are on the Breakaway for the first time in January and loved hearing about the ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Viva_la_Vida]

I have enjoyed reading your well written review !

Since our honeymoon to Bermuda in 1983, my DH and I have visited that lovely place ten times, both on cruises and resort vacations.

Your photos remind us of some of our favorite places in Bermuda.

Our last trip to Bermuda was on the NCL Breakaway, this past September.

While we were pleased to return to Bermuda, we did not think the Breakaway was the best ship for us.

We are Platinum (loyalty level) with Princess and prefer the atmosphere and service we have experienced on the Princess ships over our experience on the Breakaway.

We are at a certain age where water slides and rope courses do not appeal to us.

However,your review has given me a different perspective of the Breakaway experience.

I think that you and your hubby were wise to reserve a cabana at Vibe.

We might have enjoyed that space on the past cruise and if we sail on the Breakaway again ( as a way to reach Bermuda ), I would definitely try to reserve a place on Vibe.

Thank you for your trip narration and photos!

I wish you and your DH many pleasant days of sailing on cruise ships ,visiting beautiful and interesting places. Hopefully,someday you will cruise to Alaska.

It is a place of unique beauty. Until then,enjoy your travels!

 

Thank you! We have definitely fallen in love with Bermuda as well! How wonderful you got to spend your honeymoon there!

 

We have heard a lot of really positive things about Princess. I hope we get to try them out soon. My DH LOVES the idea of going to Alaska. I am OK with that as long as the ship has a Solarium, preferably with a pool! We've loved them on Celebrity. I know the Haven on NCL has one, but aside from the other perks, why pay that when you have it free on X?

 

Let me ask you, how does the food and wine compare Princess vs NCL? That would probably sway us to try it since they have a beverage promo now.

[DeeT]

This review was AWESOME! My husband is not on the boards but I'm going to have him read your review if only for the pictures! You have made me so excited for our Bermuda cruise in August and I think he will really appreciate your photos! Thank you so much!!!!!

[Viva_la_Vida]

We walked into the Manhattan Dining room at 7:30 with no reservations. We had a wine menu on the table tonight, yay! First time since the first day on the ship we didn’t have to ask for one and that our drink order was taken right away. I found that the white zinfandel wasn’t too bad. Marc and I both had the crab and cheese souffle.

 

 

It was OK. Marc had a lamb tikka dish that was excellent.

 

 

I had a good red snapper entree

 

 

Here is the dessert menu:

 

For dessert, we both had the pistachio creme brulee and it was excellent. I was so happy to finally see that on the menu, even if it was pistachio. It was DH’s favorite and he would order it every night on Celebrity. Like NCL, X has some desserts available nightly (cheesecake, creme brulee, ice cream, and sorbet).

 

The sunset was wonderful again. Tonight, I enjoyed it from deck 17 all the way forward.

 

 

 

We had reservations to see “Burn the Floor” at 9:30. DH decided he’d rather not go, so I went solo and had a great time. There were seats available, but not many. The bartender there made VERY strong drinks, FYI! The show was fantastic. The dancers were extremely talented, and the singers as well, especially the female singer! After the show (which got a standing ovation) they asked us to stay put because they wanted to recognize staff members. It was nice how they did it. They had a video playing of each department, from guest services to the engine room operators, then reps from each department came down the aisles to another standing ovation from the audience. It was really great for the cabin stewards/stewardesses to get the well-deserved recognition. What hard workers they are!

[Viva_la_Vida]

This review was AWESOME! My husband is not on the boards but I'm going to have him read your review if only for the pictures! You have made me so excited for our Bermuda cruise in August and I think he will really appreciate your photos! Thank you so much!!!!!

 

Thank you so much! I am so happy I can help to get you even more excited for your vacation!

[Viva_la_Vida]

After the show we did some playing in the casino and then went to check out the late night buffet for the first time. I’ve got to say, NCL wins for best late night buffet. Carnival’s is nothing but burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and fries. Celebrity just had pizza (very good pizza though). Breakaway’s Garden Cafe featured a huge variety - almost better than the dinner we had there once. There were the typical burger/hot dogs and fries, but also spring rolls, mac n cheese, pizza, egg salad sandwiches, cookies, other desserts, and more. There were a LOT of crew members eating in there. Maybe it’s such a variety because many crew members have to use that as their dinner? Anyway, we were impressed.

 

We got back to our fabulous cabin and had our smallest but favorite towel animal of the trip, this little guy!

 

 

I don’t know why we took such a fancy to him. Maybe because he reminded us of a very small version of our dog Maizy, who loves to stick her head out of blankets like that.

 

Here she is in all of her spoiled glory :D

 

 

I hope there is one day a cruise line where you can pay to bring your very well behaved dogs! The worst part of a cruise is missing our furbaby.

 

We enjoyed some quality time on our balcony. I did love having it, but I think if we do a BA class ship again, I’ll just either get an Oceanview, figure out how to get one of the angled balconies, or spring for a large balcony. The size just makes it almost worth not having one. I’m glad we got a good deal on ours.

[MJSailors]

Thank you! We have definitely fallen in love with Bermuda as well! How wonderful you got to spend your honeymoon there!

 

We have heard a lot of really positive things about Princess. I hope we get to try them out soon. My DH LOVES the idea of going to Alaska. I am OK with that as long as the ship has a Solarium, preferably with a pool! We've loved them on Celebrity. I know the Haven on NCL has one, but aside from the other perks, why pay that when you have it free on X?

 

Let me ask you, how does the food and wine compare Princess vs NCL? That would probably sway us to try it since they have a beverage promo now.

 

I would say that we preferred the food and the service at the Crown Grill (a specialty steak house on Princess ) over the meals we had at Cagney's and Moderno on the Breakaway.

I think the buffet offerings on the Regal Princess (our last two Princess cruises were on this ship ) were comparable to the buffet selections on the Breakaway.

We enjoy the specialty coffees,baked treats and gelato at the International Café on the Princess ships.

For some reason,we did not get any specialty coffee on the Breakaway.

The reason for this may have been that the café on the Breakaway is located nearby the atrium entertainment area that we found to be small and noisy at times.

As to the wine selections, I can not give you much insight as my DH and I do not drink alcohol.

However,I do know that Princess allows passengers to bring a bottle or two of their favorite wine aboard the ship.

You would have to check with Princess about the details of this policy.

I have always found the Princess reps to be helpful whenever I call with a question or to make a cruise reservation.

As to cruising to Alaska, Princess does a very

good job with cruises and cruise tours there.

However, I am not certain that the ships going to Alaska have covered pool areas. We sailed on the Sapphire Princess in 2004 and I do not recall a covered pool area on the ship.

Again,a call to Princess would be a way to get information about the pool areas.

We sailed on the Summit to Bermuda several years ago and found the Solarium pool area to be a very relaxing place.

Celebrity.may be a good choice for you and your hubby if you decide on a trip to Alaska.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Again, thank you for your pleasant review.

Your youthful perspective of the Breakaway has caused me to consider another cruise on the ship.

After all, it does leave from our home port of NYC and it sails to one of our favorite places!