Breakaway 10/16/16

[Hoosier1439]

Hello all, I don't really have the time to put together an entire review but wanted to get a few thoughts down and offer to answer any questions.

 

Bottom line for this trip on the Breakaway (that thankfully went to Bermuda!) is that my DW and I had an absolutely fantastic time. There were imperfections but overall it was a A+ vacation! I cannot imagine any circumstance that would/could have spoiled our vacation. We're on a beautiful ship, with beautiful views, with each other, and going to Bermuda - it would take a serious problem to bring down our moods!

 

Getting there and parking: Thanks to other posters here on CC we decided to drive to Port Imperial on the NJ side and ferry across the Hudson to Manhattan. The parking was $140.00 (Sat afternoon to the following Sun morning) and the ferry $9.00 each one-way. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West. I think it's about $300-$400 but we stayed on points, yea! The HI Express is two blocks from the Cruise Terminal and about 5 blocks to Times Square. Perfect!

 

Embarkation: No problems. Probably around 90 minutes or so overall. We walked from the HI Express, turned over our bags to the porter, with a $10 tip. Walked into the terminal around 1100 and got in line. Waited maybe 20-30 min in line to check in then another 10-15 minutes after checking in before they started boarding. Went straight to the room to drop off carry-on bags. Room wasn't ready yet, as expected so we went straight to Savor for lunch. Room was ready earlier than expected.

 

Dining: We only had one dinner at Cagney's, all other meals were buffet, O'Sheehan's or MDR. Cagney's was wonderful except my side of onion rings was THREE onion rings (but they were great!). I found the dining to be as great as it always is. Enjoyed every meal. I did find the staff to be a little dis-organized on Embarkation day, there was conflicting guidance on which dining rooms were open for lunch. Then they brought me an appetizer and my DW a main course, but I had to ask a server for my main course a second time. Again, not perfect, but we rolled with it. Usual crowds and people bumping into one another at the Garden Cafe but again, good food, never a problem getting a table, and no way a stranger at the buffet is going to effect my mood. Really enjoyed O'Sheehan's. Casual atmosphere and complimentary. Fast service once you got a table which never took us longer than 5 minutes. Even when the hostess told me twenty to thirty minutes, it took five.

 

Cabin: We had an Aft Balcony B6 and loved it! The noise from the ship's wake was fantastic and the views at all times were amazing. A little disappointed in housekeeping. Only our third cruise, all three with NCL, and not up to our expectations on the Breakaway. For only three years old, carpets appear dirty. Don't get me wrong, housekeeping was an all around A- or B+ but we expected A++ based on previous NCL experience. A couple of very minor things that surprised us: placing the little white paper cup cover over a glass of water without emptying, cleaning, or moving the glass; or when we left a note asking for an additional bath towel, we got one that day and thought that would have been a clue that we needed a third bath towel for the rest of the week, not just that one day - nope; animal towels were not that great compared to our two other cruises (funny that matters, but it's overall impressions and those towel animals when done well make you happy); and lastly, we were deliberate to remember our room steward's name, but the room steward changed on day two and neither of them ever called us by our names, always said hello.

 

Cruise Entertainment and Staff: What can I say? Dan Dan is the Man! Funny, talented, energetic, saw him several times every day. What really impressed me was that he performed himself a couple of times - that's leadership. As cruise director, he could sit in the office and run schedules, make rounds a couple of times a day, but he was leading by doing the entire week. And OBTW, he is an incredible singer. We saw Rock of Ages, absolutely fantastic, truly Broadway quality. If you're not sure, think of the movie Grease: love story but set in 80s Hair Metal Rock and Roll. We also saw Second City twice. They get a lot of negative reviews on CC but we had a good time. We laughed. Game night was better than Scriptless. Liar's Club was also a very good time - funny, you get to see Dan Dan and others making adult jokes and innuendo. The Atrium gets a lot of bad press on here as well. We enjoyed Atrium events sitting on the 7th Deck by O'Sheehan's looking down. Getting a seat can require patience but we managed each time. Typical cruise entertainment in the Atrium, Deal or No Deal, Newly/Not so Newlywed, Trivia, music, etc... We enjoyed it all. For outdoor activities, my DW and I did the ropes course and walked the plank. It was fun, a little scary, just enough to get adrenaline flowing and up your heart rate and respiration. I pulled the rope at the end of the plank thinking it was a bell. Turns out the rope activates the camera. We never saw the pictures. I'm sure if I had gone to the photography studio, we could've seen them.

 

Spa: Great little escape. It was crowded at times, especially on sea days as one would expect, but it was never loud. We loved it. Not sure I believe in the Salt Room though - it's cool and quiet but I could not detect any salt in the air - I'm positive it had zero effect on my health or sense of well-being.

 

Bermuda: Loved it! Cannot wait to go back. We didn't do any excursions. Rented a scooter from O'leander's and explored on our own for two full days. Contrary to what I've read on CC, driving in Bermuda was very safe. Courteous drivers, no traffic to speak of, etc. Driving on the left took about 30 seconds to get used to plus your first intersection. We had a great time exploring on our own. We hit all the spots, Horseshoe Bay, St. George's, Hamilton, Glass Beach, Light House, Crystal Caves. It's kindof neat when you're driving or at a place and you see others on the rental scooters. Always a wave from people enjoying themselves. Rained on Thursday but we still had a great time on the scooter. On Fri, we did like most and shopped at the Dockyard. Again, gets a bad rap on CC but we did not find the Dockyard to be overcrowded on Fri. And the time was perfect for us - disembarked around 10:00 and got back on around 1:45. Funny story: When we got back on at around 1:45 with "all-aboard" at 2:30, I joked about getting up to the deck to watch pier-runners for fun. Well, we got up to our room, now it's 2:00 and my DW says "this shirt is too small, it's not going to fit our son, we have 30 minutes, what do you think"? So, long story short, we were the pier-runners! Success, we made it from our room, off the ship, to the Clock-Tower Mall, exchanged the t-shirt (expensive America's Cup t-shirt) ran down the pier (to the entertainment of others I'm sure) and back to our room in 25 minutes.

 

Return Trip: Rough. High winds and high seas closed all of the outdoor activities. But we had a great time anyway. Spent a lot of time in the Atrium with different entertainment. It was rough in our room at the Rear of the ship. When the ship rocked, our cabin creaked and moaned a lot. It was annoying but did not keep us awake. The two sea days going to were around 11 knots and smooth seas so no problems, but the return being only one sea day we were traveling 18-20 knots. So, the speed and the weather conspired to make the return fairly rough but not unbearable.

 

Again, not perfect - but close to it. I cannot imagine what a better vacation would look like. We had the absolute best time and would go again tomorrow if we could! Currently suffering PCD - Post Cruise Depression!

 

I'm happy to answer any questions!

Thanks

[luckyinpa]

how do you cure PCD? this was my 1st cruise last week and monday i spent pricing cruises and seeing even alternative cheaper lines. i want more!

 

agreed about the salt baths. we had 10 min. in there and felt nor tasted anything. sauna was HOT for sure though. wish i lost some weight. sorry about the change in stewards, does anyone know if this is the norm?

 

i cannot imagine how you dealt in aft on saturday. we visited deck 16 front of the ship room on saturday and i could barely stand while talking to our friend.

 

did you get a tile lounger, always full when we wanted one.

 

oh sheehans was too fast for us. seating right away both times, got the app and literally 3 seconds later someone was with main meal. just crazy. wish we had just a few more minutes. ill save the food details for my own long review which is in process.

 

we had a great time as you did and i cannot wait to get back there. besides onion rings what did you have in cagneys?

[Hoosier1439]

how do you cure PCD? this was my 1st cruise last week and monday i spent pricing cruises and seeing even alternative cheaper lines. i want more!

 

agreed about the salt baths. we had 10 min. in there and felt nor tasted anything. sauna was HOT for sure though. wish i lost some weight. sorry about the change in stewards, does anyone know if this is the norm?

 

i cannot imagine how you dealt in aft on saturday. we visited deck 16 front of the ship room on saturday and i could barely stand while talking to our friend.

 

did you get a tile lounger, always full when we wanted one.

 

oh sheehans was too fast for us. seating right away both times, got the app and literally 3 seconds later someone was with main meal. just crazy. wish we had just a few more minutes. ill save the food details for my own long review which is in process.

 

we had a great time as you did and i cannot wait to get back there. besides onion rings what did you have in cagneys?

 

 

I do not know if there is a cure for PCD? I wish!

First time I've seen room stewards change and not calling me by name.

we did get a heated lounger in the spa twice. Once was evening of a port day.

We enjoyed O'Sheehan's, but yes - it was fast.

I had the 32oz. Porterhouse at Cagney's.

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing your review with us.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Gershep]

Glad you had a great time.

[Debbie1189]

Thank you for sharing! I really like it when people here have a great vacation.

[txclctr]

What are the good deals at the straw market? Any good buys on jewelry?

If I purchase additional on board cruise credit can I use it for casino? Any unused, will it be refunded?

If I have reservations for the shows, is showing up 30 minutes ahead of time a necessity? Even the Cirque show?

Really, how cool is it in the restaurants? Do I need sweater? OR does it get hot in there? I'm thinking tropical!?

[easyboy]

Thanks for the review.

[kateissiobhan]

Than you for taking the time to post your review. Sounds like you had a great time.

It was pleasant reading a positive outlook compared to many unhappy reviews.

[my3sonsnj]

It is interesting that the Breakaway hasn't had a dry dock yet for some spiffing up. The Royal Princess which came online about the same time has. I think that is why carpets etc are looking dingy at this point.

[Hoosier1439]

What are the good deals at the straw market? Any good buys on jewelry?

If I purchase additional on board cruise credit can I use it for casino? Any unused, will it be refunded?

If I have reservations for the shows, is showing up 30 minutes ahead of time a necessity? Even the Cirque show?

Really, how cool is it in the restaurants? Do I need sweater? OR does it get hot in there? I'm thinking tropical!?

 

If I remember right, the Straw Market is in the Bahamas and wasn't anything to write home about. Bermuda on the other hand has the Clock Tower Mall at the Dockyards and they have everything from cheap souvenirs to high priced jewelry. St. George's has good shopping as well. We got my DW a davidrose "Bermuda Triangle" It's beautiful and matches the color of the sea perfectly.

 

No sure about OBC and the casino. I don't know why not though, can just put your key card in the machines. We used cash only at the casino.

 

Definitely recommend showing up for shows 30-45 min early, even if you have reservations.

 

My DW wore a sweater a lot. Not me. Depends on the person.

[lovedestiny]

What was the overall temperature onboard? It's fall now, I'm just curious is it warm like you can wear a t-shirt or should you wear a sweater? Im curious how I should dress on "at sea" days. I assume once you leave NY the weather will get warmer

[luckyinpa]

What was the overall temperature onboard? It's fall now, I'm just curious is it warm like you can wear a t-shirt or should you wear a sweater? Im curious how I should dress on "at sea" days. I assume once you leave NY the weather will get warmer

 

yes gets warmer but i found the temps varying.

 

for instance, in the haven restaurant somedays i was cold. somedays hot. i wore shorts consistently. i froze in taste. heck in my own room i kept the thermostat set at one setting and froze and was hot. unsure what was going on there. maybe me? monday at sea outside was definitely no coat weather though. breakaway theater was good and atrium was always good. ate outside at ocean blue one nite at 7, monday. was very nice! dont know why more dont eat outside.

[Sizzlechest]

What are the good deals at the straw market? Any good buys on jewelry?

 

Straw market does not have jewelry. They sell trinkets. Very negotiable if you are a good negotiator.

 

If I have reservations for the shows, is showing up 30 minutes ahead of time a necessity? Even the Cirque show?

 

Reservations are not guarantees for good seats. Come early if you want a good seat.

[txclctr]

Thank you all!

[lovedestiny]

yes gets warmer but i found the temps varying.

 

for instance, in the haven restaurant somedays i was cold. somedays hot. i wore shorts consistently. i froze in taste. heck in my own room i kept the thermostat set at one setting and froze and was hot. unsure what was going on there. maybe me? monday at sea outside was definitely no coat weather though. breakaway theater was good and atrium was always good. ate outside at ocean blue one nite at 7, monday. was very nice! dont know why more dont eat outside.

 

Lol thanks.

[Hothams]

I'm wondering at what point once leaving NY does it get warm? The next day?

 

 

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[Shocked91]

I'm wondering at what point once leaving NY does it get warm? The next day?

 

 

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I think the 2'nd day it starts tomget warm.