reefgirl Posted February 14, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I'd like to do a translatlantic cruise with my spouse next year. We've only sailed on the Pearl and have really enjoyed our cruises. But I don't think I'm strictly a small-ship girl. So I've made two reservations. One on the Jade in a 9th deck aft suite. The other on the Breakaway, room 11908. It's an H7 suite that I booked on impulse because it looks huge. I like both itineraries (New York- London). I'd appreciate any thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgirl Posted February 14, 2017 Author #2 Share Posted February 14, 2017 (The Breakaway suite is also aft) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted February 14, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Boils down to do you want a megaship with all the extras it offers or do you want a ship exactly like the Pearl? (Jade is her sistership so the layout of the two ships is the same.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philandjulie Posted February 15, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Husband and I did a transatlantic from Miami to Copenhagen on the Star in 2014 and then the Epic for a Mediterranean straight after. We found that will all the sea days on the transatlantic, we did become a little tired of the Star. There was nothing wrong with it, but in hindsight, the Epic had so much more to do. Next time we would book a larger ship that had alot of sea days, and a smaller ship for a port intensive cruise. Either way though, the Pearl is a great ship (have sailed twice on her), and look forward to trying the Breakaway one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie008 Posted February 15, 2017 #5 Share Posted February 15, 2017 We've done lots of transatlantics - most of which have been hot weather crossings. Our last one on Jade in October 16, the weather wasn't great - For sure we missed the aspects of having a big ship. You realise how limited small ships are - Also, for us SPA cabins or passes are essential on a transatlantic. There again, was a huge difference in the Unisex facilities in the thermal suites of the Jade, compared to Epic. (or other big ships on other cruiselines.) We absolutely loved Jade - great wee ship and we still enjoyed the cruise. But if making a choice, if I were you I would choose Breakaway. New York to London will be a chilly one - Take the Breakaway :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted February 15, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Going on the big ship provides you more space to move around in. We did a TA on a small ship and had a couple of days of bad weather. Got tossed around a lot. Not sure that it would be substantially better on a big ship, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyKitty Posted February 15, 2017 #7 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Jade is much smaller ship when Breakawayon cruise with more sea days I would prefer bigger ship with more activities Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fridaythe13th Posted October 12, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 12, 2017 We've done lots of transatlantics - most of which have been hot weather crossings. Our last one on Jade in October 16, the weather wasn't great - For sure we missed the aspects of having a big ship. You realise how limited small ships are - Also, for us SPA cabins or passes are essential on a transatlantic. There again, was a huge difference in the Unisex facilities in the thermal suites of the Jade, compared to Epic. (or other big ships on other cruiselines.) We absolutely loved Jade - great wee ship and we still enjoyed the cruise. But if making a choice, if I were you I would choose Breakaway. New York to London will be a chilly one - Take the Breakaway :) I'm looking into our first TA on the Breakaway Oct 2018. I'm really nervous as I don't know what to do with 5 days at sea. Is that why you say the SPA cabins are essential? Is it a chilly crossing or nice enough to be outside in October? I'm looking at an M6 for a bit of extra space. Is that a good choice as opposed to a regular balcony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie008 Posted October 12, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I'm looking into our first TA on the Breakaway Oct 2018. I'm really nervous as I don't know what to do with 5 days at sea. Is that why you say the SPA cabins are essential? Is it a chilly crossing or nice enough to be outside in October? I'm looking at an M6 for a bit of extra space. Is that a good choice as opposed to a regular balcony? The Breakaway TA for 2018 leaves fairly early in October so the weather might be absolutely fine - but its the slightly colder route Azores to NY? Difficult to tell as this cruise is leaving a lot earlier than any of the TA cruises we have done. Usually we go via Funchal or the Canaries and head more south - so its a warmer route (although its a sore subject for us as our forthcoming Epic TA cruise this November is now going via the Azores brrrrrrr - glad of our spa for sure!) You dont need to take a spa cabin - but a thermal pass yes, its a big bonus on a TA cruise. We were on the 16 night Getaway in April this year and would have been lost without our thermal suites passes. The passes go on sale 100 days in for regular balcony cabins - but you need to be quick - set your alarm :) I will say however that the big ships lay plenty on during long TA cruises. Can honestly say we were never bored in 16 days :) Have a fab cruise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseelady Posted October 12, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I would do the Jade over Breakaway. I prefer the shows on smaller ships. Yes, I know I am probably the only one who thinks shows on Breakaway were bad. I have been on Breakaway a few times and Gem and Pearl a few times. Like I said, much prefer the smaller ship, better entertainment, better layout of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUEST080219 Posted October 12, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Breakaway because of howl at the moon. That simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted October 13, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 13, 2017 We have been on 4 TAs - all Westbounds - twice on Epic, once on Escape and once on Jade, and we prefer larger ships for the long TAs with many sea days. If it’s a port intensive cruise we prefer smaller ships, but for many sea days bigger ships are preferable with many dining options and more activities. We’re on the Getaway TA in two days’ time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie008 Posted October 14, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 14, 2017 We have been on 4 TAs - all Westbounds - twice on Epic, once on Escape and once on Jade, and we prefer larger ships for the long TAs with many sea days. If it’s a port intensive cruise we prefer smaller ships, but for many sea days bigger ships are preferable with many dining options and more activities. We’re on the Getaway TA in two days’ time! I agree. We were on the Jade in winter 16, and the Getaway April 17 - Can never go back now to smaller ships. In fact, we wish so much Getaway was going later in the season, we would have been back on her in a Heartbeat. Will be fine with Epic but Getaway was our favourite ship ever. Despite the April TA being a total disaster cruise, we for sure fell in love with the ship. Have a great cruise - *sobs - jealous* :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarletsmummy Posted October 24, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 24, 2017 without a doubt JADE ,we spent 14 days on Breakaway in November 2016 and the sea days were horrendous , the staff cannot cope and you could not find seats in bars restaurants etc etc I would never go on Breakaway again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markanddonna Posted November 22, 2017 #15 Share Posted November 22, 2017 There are so many variables. I think it also depends on what kind of activities you are looking for. If you are looking for ones that the ship offers, like crafts, trivia, etc., it would depend on the quality of the cruise director's activities staff. I was just on a ship (RCL) where the two male activity staff members just stood there watching the ladies run everything. Some ship staff do a better job at offering activities on sea days. Personally, I prefer the mid-size ships like the Jade and its sisters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Other Tom Posted November 22, 2017 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Breakaway because it's a larger ship and more stable if you run into rough seas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreestyleNovice Posted November 22, 2017 #17 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Going for the bigger ship advice too but... isn't the Breakaway scheduled for a drydock May 2018? So a lenghty transatlantic might be the perfect time to do some preparations which might or could affect your experience on board if the drydock is due after your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreestyleNovice Posted November 22, 2017 #18 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Oh and by the way; isn't the H7 just forward? H6 are the aft facing suites on Breakaway as far as I know. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurabegorrah Posted November 22, 2017 #19 Share Posted November 22, 2017 For a TA, especially since you are looking at Haven, BA is the way to go for sure. The haven courtyard is so much bigger, plus you have the restaurant. If you are willing to not be aft, an H9 might be a good idea too. It's a smaller room than the H7, but you get both the Spa and Haven (or at least look into getting a spa pass). When I did the TA on the Escape, it was so nice to have either the Spa or the haven to lounge in and be protected from the weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missdenise Posted November 22, 2017 #20 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I would definitely go with the BA since you are booked in The Haven. Your own hot tubs, own pool, own bar and own restaurant. You can spend the sea days in The Haven or wander downstairs for the excitement of the Atrium. Your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusticfurnituremaker Posted November 25, 2017 #21 Share Posted November 25, 2017 I'm looking into our first TA on the Breakaway Oct 2018. I'm really nervous as I don't know what to do with 5 days at sea. Is that why you say the SPA cabins are essential? Is it a chilly crossing or nice enough to be outside in October? I'm looking at an M6 for a bit of extra space. Is that a good choice as opposed to a regular balcony? We were in an M6 on the Escape (very similar to Breakaway) and absolutely loved it. We have had over 30 cruises with balconies, and it is the nicest one we have taken. You have plenty of coverage if you want it, but tons of open space as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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