Review Breakaway March 5th-12th

[clarkiescruisers]

Ok I will start by saying we have cruised a few times twice with alone and this our 3rd cruise with the kids ages 10,13 and 16. We have done Royal, Carnival and now the Breakaway all previous cruises were out of Florida this one being NY.

The port of NY super easy pulled right up and parked for the week $280 definitely worth it to be so close and have the car right there upon returning. Embarking no issues at all about a half hour total time we arrived at the port just after 1p.m. good time because the rush is already on and you really don't miss much on the ship. Day one was very cold but leaving NY was fun seeing the skyline and the Statue Of Liberty. No real big deck parties and people hanging outside once you leave NY is was too cold even though we did swim in the heated pool. We had two adjoining balcony cabins on deck 13 nice location towards the front of the ship but not to far away from elevators.

 

The Positives:

Super clean the staff was constantly wiping stuff down from the buffet line to the restrooms in public areas, floors walls you name it. They are all over the hand sanitizing as well which I liked. The food was really good ate mostly at the buffet for breakfast did Osheehan's one day it was ok but buffet was just as good with many more options. Dinners we ate at buffet twice both nights good, dining rooms twice both good and did three specialty restaurants. We ate at Teppanaki really good food and entertaining, Cagney's great steak I recommend the porterhouse and then the Italian place. All three were very good and the service in all the dining areas was great. Lots to do on the ship always something going on both inside and out. The waterslides, rope course and rock climbing wall all fun with minimal wait time very organized by the staff. Rock of Ages great show lots of sexual innuendoes so not good for young kids a few people did not heed the staffs warnings and ended up leaving. Good mix of music in public areas as well there is plenty for everyone's taste.

 

The Negatives:

The cabins seemed very narrow did not leave much room to get ready and the balcony is small as well but we only went out there a few times when we were leaving or pulling into a port. The layout of the ship is broken up on the top decks by the pool it really does not flow that great. My biggest complaint no kids allowed in the main pool. I get that you do not want a pool of 3-4 year olds but maybe 10-12 and above would be ok. There is a kids pool but separated by a bar and a storage area so if you have kids and want to watch them swim you are separated from main pool activities. The top deck around the pool is also cut up and the chairs are packed in and you need to walk either inside or to the kids pool area to descend down to main pool.

Weather like I stated you really lose about three days outside that's not NCL issue or ship issue just a NY cruise issue in the winter. The main atrium area not a lot of seats for a ship that size and looking down there is only about 50 seat on the rail from above. They have a lot of fun things in that area but space is tight and people packed in. Smoke yes you can smell it sometimes really strong near cigar bar but overall not bad as others have stated.

Watch your room statement daily I found multiple errors on mine if I didn't check we would have been overcharged by well over $150 dollars. Charges for phone usage even though we had the free package, random charge from a bar even though we had the drink package and a few others. Once I brought to their attention they fixed right away.

 

All in all it was a great trip for the money and would sail NCL again. I think they do many things right the food, the drinks and cleanliness were all great. The staff was great always helpful and never rude like I read in some previous reviews. I would not go in winter months out of NY again but like I said that was our choice and we knew the weather could be an issue. If you have particular questions ask and I will do my best to answer them.

[DeeDee1234]

Thanks for posting your review. I enjoyed reading it and am glad that you and your family enjoyed.

 

What time did you disembark. Did you carry off your own luggage? How long did it take you to get thru customs?

 

Thanks in advance!!

[DeltaOne]

Cagney's great steak I recommend the porterhouse

 

The layout of the ship is broken up on the top decks by the pool it really does not flow that great.

 

We got the ribeye steak at Cagney's. Everyone seems to say get the ribeye, and our waitress said it was her favorite. It was a great steak, it really was. But, at 16 ounces, it's enough for three people!

 

The thing I noticed about the Breakaway layout was that the forward elevators aren't forward at all -- they're right in the center of the ship! That made for long walks from the "forward" elevator to our room -- which was at the front of the ship.

 

The aft elevators are kind of centered between the mid-ship "forward" elevators and the stern.

[clarkiescruisers]

Thanks for posting your review. I enjoyed reading it and am glad that you and your family enjoyed.

 

What time did you disembark. Did you carry off your own luggage? How long did it take you to get thru customs?

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

We had them take our luggage if you want off fast carry your own. Once we got our bags which took a while I grabbed a porter and they get you right through customs very fast worth the tip for sure. Everyone on the pier said they were running way behind today but the ship was at capacity. We went for breakfast just before 9 am and left the ship about 10:45 we were in our car by 11:45 so about an hour long process.

[easyboy]

Thank you for your objective assessment.

[DeeDee1234]

Thanks for the timeline. When you say grab a porter what exactly do you mean? We always carry off our own luggage. Would we still be able to get a porter?

 

 

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[rfendt]

Thanks for the timeline. When you say grab a porter what exactly do you mean? We always carry off our own luggage. Would we still be able to get a porter?

 

We did a carry off as well. We went to breakfast at 7:45am when they just called for walk offs. At 8:30 we grabbed our bags, took the elevator to deck 7 (aft) and got into the exit line that snaked through the casino at 8:35. We exited the ship at ~8:50 and made it to the customs area at 8:55. Went down the escalator to main floor and stood in a short line for about 5 minutes and a porter with a luggage cart walked by asking if anyone wanted assistance - we grabbed him quickly and he walked us past the LONG snake line waiting for the customs agents to check their paperwork and right up to the front and to an agent that checked our documents and we were out on the street less than 5 minutes later.

 

Best tip you will ever spend, had to save us at least 45-60 minutes of waiting.

[DeeDee1234]

Good to know......thanks everyone!!

 

 

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[CalvinAndHobbes]

How was the embarkation process? What time did you park and how long did it take to get on board? Was room available when you boarded? I'm planning to arrive around 11 am in the hopes of eating lunch before putting kids down for nap.

 

 

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[Xewrsw]

Hi ClarkieCruisers, Thanks so much for your posting. I am looking to sail at pretty close to that exact time on the Breakaway next year with two 18 year olds and friends.

I have sailed out of NY before and know that the first day sailing out and last sailing in, can be pretty chilly. We have wet suits and use them for the evenings up on the pool deck. Our friends sailing with us don't have wet suits though. On other ships, RCCL, you can rent the wet suits. Did you see any wet suit rentals on the Breakaway?

Do you remember if they had the slides going at night? . Do they allow the ropes course at night?

Thanks!

[Xewrsw]

Also.....you said that you had a balcony. Any chance that you noticed the height in the showers? We plan to be sailing with a 6'7" teen that needs the height in the shower. Sounds like the room might be tight for him too.

We are thinking of booking a Spa balcony for him to have access to the Spa showers for him. Any chance that you saw the Spa showers?

[rfendt]

Do they allow the ropes course at night?

Thanks!

Yes, they have the ropes course open on some nights. We went on them on the Nassau Day (Thursday) at night. It was a little windy so the starboard half was closed. They also did not have them open at all on Fri/Sat, so don't hold off if you want to go on them.

[traveler1980]

How big is the kids pool area? Is there an actual pool for kids to swim in or more just splash area? That has me concerned as well. Are kids able to use the slides? Was it by height?

[Clarea]

Thanks for the report.

[jimdicap]

We got the ribeye steak at Cagney's. Everyone seems to say get the ribeye, and our waitress said it was her favorite. It was a great steak, it really was. But, at 16 ounces, it's enough for three people!

 

The thing I noticed about the Breakaway layout was that the forward elevators aren't forward at all -- they're right in the center of the ship! That made for long walks from the "forward" elevator to our room -- which was at the front of the ship.

 

The aft elevators are kind of centered between the mid-ship "forward" elevators and the stern.

 

 

I say get the Tomahawk Chop...one of the best steaks I have ever had.

[BabysBday]

I say get the Tomahawk Chop...one of the best steaks I have ever had.

 

The Tomahawk Chop is no longer on the Cagney's menu on the Breakaway as of the March 5, 2017 sailing. :( I had to "settle" for the ribeye. ;)

 

Cagney's was definitely the best specialty dining meal we had last week. The mussels appetizer at the Le Bistro was probably the best dish, and the creme brûlées at both restaurants were excellent.

 

Oh and for anyone interested, the upcharge inclusive of service charge for a JW Blue neat with the UBP is $5 & change. :halo:

[Xewrsw]

Yes, they have the ropes course open on some nights. We went on them on the Nassau Day (Thursday) at night. It was a little windy so the starboard half was closed. They also did not have them open at all on Fri/Sat, so don't hold off if you want to go on them.

 

Great Tip! Thank You!

[cruisestan2]

The Tomahawk Chop is no longer on the Cagney's menu on the Breakaway as of the March 5, 2017 sailing. :( I had to "settle" for the ribeye. ;)

 

Cagney's was definitely the best specialty dining meal we had last week. The mussels appetizer at the Le Bistro was probably the best dish, and the creme brûlées at both restaurants were excellent.

 

Oh and for anyone interested, the upcharge inclusive of service charge for a JW Blue neat with the UBP is $5 & change. :halo:

Thanks for the info on the JE Blue, not bad deal:cool:

[cruisestan2]

Thanks for the info on the JE Blue, not bad deal:cool:

 

Or JW Blue:rolleyes:

[BabysBday]

Yes, they have the ropes course open on some nights. We went on them on the Nassau Day (Thursday) at night. It was a little windy so the starboard half was closed. They also did not have them open at all on Fri/Sat, so don't hold off if you want to go on them.

 

I second this advice. We didn't get to the ropes course in time on Thursday afternoon after our excursion and had plans that night. We were already queued up for it on Friday at noon when the rains and wind came and they shut it down. :(

[mj1010]

Did you make dinner reservations ahead of time for the specialty restaurants or did you wait until you were on board? I looked on-line today and I can make reservations for 1, 3 or 4 people (there's 2 of us) so hoping that we won't have any issues making reservations once we get on board.

[C-line]

When do you sail? You can normally make them ahead of time, but if there's no tables for 2 left online you can do it as soon as you get on the ship. They only open up some of the dining reservations for online booking and hold the rest back to book onboard. You can either do it at the reservations desk beside guest services, on one of the touch screens, or by using the NCL iConcierge app. You may be able to do it on the app from the terminal before you even board.

[mj1010]

Thanks -- we're leaving on 4/2. My last NCL cruise was 8 years ago on the Gem and we never made dinner reservations in any of the restaurants and never had an issue getting a table for 4 and sometimes 6. I'll download the app and try when we get to the terminal or immediately after boarding.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.