Breakaway July 17-24, 2016 - Great Time

[njmtnmom]

Just a quick overview - we booked the Breakaway in November, family of 6 - from November until the time we set sail - I read every review - mostly bad - about the unfriendly staff, poor food quality - too big...I can go on and on, so I really wasn't sure of what we were going to find...WELL- I have to say - our week on the beautiful Breakaway was truly great - the staff was so welcoming, friendly and happy to be of service. Food quality and selections were delicious - but I was disappointed in Ocean Blue. The main dining rooms were great for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cagney's and LeBistro were enjoyable as well.

 

We did our best to avoid the Garden Cafe, but late afternoon the selections were good, and not too crowded.

 

H2O Waterfall area was fun - no kids and the bar was very manageable.

 

THE BEST BAR on the ship was the Atrium Bar - the staff was on point each and every time, and always had our drinks ready when we sat down and were very engaging.

 

The only night we felt that the ship had too many people, was Saturday night when everyone was trying to eat at the same time, but we had an enjoyable dinner in Savor.

 

The Breakaway offered a wonderful vacation - don't always believe what you read!

 

Bon Voyage!

[BlueLadyBlue]

Yeah!! Thank you. I have been reading some negative reviews as well and it is delightful to read something positive.

Glad you had a great time.

[ajtraveler66]

Thanks for your post. Will be on the Breakaway to Bermuda departing on August 7.

 

We have the special restaurant package (pick 4) and had to pay extra beyond the package to do "Ocean Blue", but opted to do it anyway because of the owner from Food Network. Any recommendations on what or what not to order?

 

I have done La Bistro on another NCL ship, and it was a VERY WONDERFUL experience. We'll be doing it on this trip. The other two we've chosen are the Japanese and the Italian.

[Tammyd549]

Thanks for your review! I know our trip will be great too!

 

May I ask what you were disspointed in with Ocean Blue? Was it food quality, service or something else? I know food is very subjective but I enjoy hearing opinions.

[njmtnmom]

Ocean Blue - NCL ended the connection with G. Zakarian in 2015 for Ocean Blue, as they did with Carlo's Bake Shop, which is now the Bake Shop.

 

We had an 8 pm seating at Ocean Blue, we asked the waitress her recommendations, she was unable to offer any suggestions...we ordered our meal - and drinks, about 8:45 we received our appetizers, no refill of water or our wine. We did not receive our meal until 9:45, the restaurant was not crowded, no one came to our table. My daughter went to the hostess to inquire to what the problem may be. At that time, there was another waiter taking care of the table.

 

If I am paying a premium over the dinner package, be attentive to our table, other tables were being served their meals. The food was ok, not anything out of the ordinary. I have to say the restaurant manager did take the premium charge off of our account.

 

I would consider making a reservation at another restaurant. I am sure other passengers enjoyed this restaurant, we did not.

[js]

Thanks for your post. Will be on the Breakaway to Bermuda departing on August 7.

 

 

 

We have the special restaurant package (pick 4) and had to pay extra beyond the package to do "Ocean Blue", but opted to do it anyway because of the owner from Food Network. Any recommendations on what or what not to order?

 

 

 

I have done La Bistro on another NCL ship, and it was a VERY WONDERFUL experience. We'll be doing it on this trip. The other two we've chosen are the Japanese and the Italian.

 

 

Hi! Just wanted to say we are on the same sailing! Im ironed, packed and clothes on packing cubes and in luggage. We booked when all in cabin got UBP and UDP and there are six of us. Our dinner ressies are made for each night and hoping and praying for a sunny sailaway! Was super hot today but Ill take it over rain!

 

See you onboard!

[barbpol]

We were on the July 17-24th sailing also and I agree with op. Everyone I encountered was pleasant and helpful. The food was fantastic. I expected the ship to feel more crowded than it did. My only issue was that it took us 3 hours to get off the boat this morning. We were in line at 8 and didn't leave the pier until after 11:00am. We missed our 11:20am train to Albany and had to pay to get our tickets changed to the next train. The ship blamed customs, but it took us less than 5 min to get through customs.

[darlene62]

I have found disembarking on my past 2 cruises on the breakaway to be much longer and more uncomfortable than disembarking from my my NYC disembarking on carnival cruises from NYC. I'm not sure if because they are Sunday arrivals or if just bad timing. In any event, if you are from the Albany area consider taking the Yankee trails buslines. They offer an excellent cruise shuttle that will drop you off and pick you up at the pier and most important will NOT leave without you!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[cruiservictor]

Glad to hear the good reviews. We will be back on the Breakaway in 3 weeks. Can either of you tell me who your Captain, Hotel Director and Cruise Director were? Thanks.

[Sizzlechest]

Was this the cruise with the accident where the crew members got hurt and one was killed, two kids got airlifted for medical reasons, one person died, and disembarkation took hours? The feeds from passengers on Facebook are reporting a lot of stuff from a cruise that just got back. Was it yours?

[timberlysmom]

I was on this one, too! It is indeed the one that had a crew member (2, actually...1 later in the week from the same accident) pass away, and a medical evacuation. And disembarkation was insane. INSANE. I asked a worker at the port about it and she said she guesses the customs agents had too much of a good time last night since only 4 of them showed up for work this morning. So there were only 4 on duty today.

I'd cruise NCL again in a heartbeat. Out of NYC? Not unless I got one heck of a deal.

[Mississippi1]

We were on the July 17-24th sailing also and I agree with op. Everyone I encountered was pleasant and helpful. The food was fantastic. I expected the ship to feel more crowded than it did. My only issue was that it took us 3 hours to get off the boat this morning. We were in line at 8 and didn't leave the pier until after 11:00am. We missed our 11:20am train to Albany and had to pay to get our tickets changed to the next train. The ship blamed customs, but it took us less than 5 min to get through customs.

 

Were you self-assist disembarkation, or did you have the luggage tags with a certain time?

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[njmtnmom]

We were in the casino about 7:45 the lines were long, but we were out by 8:30, and at the parking garage, and out of NYC before 9 am. It was fine for us, we took our bags, and customs was a breeze. But there was a lot of tension in the back of the lines, from what I could hear.

 

The crew member incident was tragic and did not hear about it from any of the staff members, only at the ferry and from passengers from the other ship in port. The medical emergency was communicated to all passengers from the captain.

 

I have to say the cruise director was not front and center, I had to see his picture on the one of the decks to see what he looked like.

 

It was a lovely vacation, I am typing this while at work, which is where I do not want to be. Until my next cruise....bon voyage!

[BobbyD]

Never cruised NCL, although my wife has done two cruises on older ships. Thinking about it!

 

We were actually at the Intrepid Museum on Sunday, embarkation day. Very jealous!!!! Glad you had a great cruise!

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing

[barbpol]

Were you self-assist disembarkation, or did you have the luggage tags with a certain time?

 

We were self-assist and were in line at 8:00am. Something was very wrong.

 

I was also on the Breakaway last September and it was the easiest disembarkation we've ever had.