anthem again? or ncl breakaway for a change.

[robbykapnj]

Hi,

 

We haven't sailed NCL in several years. We typically sail with RCL and have loved our cruises on the Anthem.

 

We've been on several cruises on the Anthem and were looking to change it up this year on the NCL Breakaway. We would be sailing during Christmas with our family ranging in age from 23-60's. We've done two holiday cruises on the Anthem.

 

Both the Anthem and Breakaway are similarly priced (Anthem a few hundred more for an extra day).

 

I'm very torn what to do. We'd get an extra day of warm weather on an Anthem, whereas in December, we may only have 2-3 days of warm weather. I also know Anthem has more indoor spaced meant for cold weather cruises. We are concerned about the lack of indoor space and potential crowding on the Breakaway (no indoor pool). But the Breakaway could be a nice change entertainment wise from the Anthem where we've seen the production shows and are looking for some new live music, comedy (second city) and production shows. It could also be a nice change with different dining menus from the Anthem. And also, we saw someone posted tonight that Katrina and the Synergy band will not be onboard this winter - we loved sailing with them in the past and had hoped to see them back onboard. Now it seems to be some rock type band, not a dance band they we typically enjoy, called The Royal Swedes.

 

Has anyone sailed during the holidays on the breakaway and the Anthem for comparison purposes?

-How are the activities on cold weather days?

-How is the entertainment?

-What is the crowd like? Similar to Anthem during the holidays (mainly families from the tri-state area)? Is one ship better than the other for our grown kids (low to mid 20's)?

-If you have been on both ships, which do you prefer and why?

 

Might book one of the two ships soon, appreciate your opinions.

[Aquahound]

Since you're not getting answers yet specific to Breakaway, I'll provide my opinion from her sister ship, Escape.

 

The worst aspects of these ships class are the crowding and pools. Escape was by far the most crowded ship I've ever sailed. I remember thinking the central areas of the ship were very chaotic due to all the people. As for the pools, don't plan on swimming unless you enjoy being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. The pools are pathetic.

 

That said, there's a lot of good too. The Waterfront is really nice. We really enjoyed eating out there. The entertainment was excellent....I'd say one small step below RCI, but still much better than the other lines I've sailed. The waterslides were a lot of fun.

 

If prices were equal and if you hadn't sailed either, I'd probably lean toward Anthem but since you've sailed that ship more than once, I think trying something new would be the best choice. Just my opinion. :)

[Marine Mom]

I have not done the Anthem yet (I am scheduled to go on her in January) but I have been on the Breakaway twice (both in Haven) and not a fan. Although the Haven is wonderful, the ship itself, not so. The pool area is way too small for this size ship, many shows happen in the atrium which is also way too small. Always seemed too crowded and I would never sail her again. Hope this helps.

[mugtech]

Done both ships, prefer the Anthem, but it makes sense to do the Breakaway once rather than a third time on the Anthem. The pool is very crowded, but we sail for the other entertainment, so Breakaway is a great change. Also an improv fan, so Second City did 3 different shows in 7 days, great blues music in the smaller venues. Looks like Breakaway will be sailing out of NYC for some time except for summers in Europe, so there is no hurry.

[Cruisegirl6]

I can vouch that the Breakaway is overly crowded everywhere, she is poorly laid out, the pools are tiny, there are too many negatives to mention, I rather not stir the pot, stick with RC!

[grouchomarx]

I have sailed both ships though not during holidays so that would be significantly different. Breakaway was in the spring, Anthem was in the fall. Love both ships but would give Anthem the slight edge for the indoor pool area and Solarium. One workaround for the lack on indoor pool is to use the spa thermal suite, lots of room for swimming in hot tub type pools. It's very nice and great in cold weather. You either have to get the pass or book a spa cabin which is what we did. The entertainment is very good and the dining options are many and varied, we never ate in the MDR during our 7 day cruise. The main pool deck is pretty crowded on Breakaway, that's the main drawback to me. We were able to get Vibe passes, so for us it was not an issue. The waterfront on Breakaway is very quiet and relaxing during the day and lively and fun at night. Lots of indoor/outdoor entertainment. Also the water slides and ropes course are additional features that Anthem doesn't have. The only time I felt crowded on Breakaway was during muster in the Atrium, after that it was not over crowded anywhere but during the holidays it'll be more crowded. There is a lot of space to move around and eat, drink and see/do things. Much like Anthem, it lacks a traditional main Atrium space where everything is located and things are more sprawled out throughout the ship. Tough choice they're both great! You'll certainly get more free perks with NCL, they're always giving away packages. Wish RCL would do that!

[Aquahound]

You'll certainly get more free perks with NCL, they're always giving away packages. Wish RCL would do that!

 

Well, that part isn't entirely true. The free perks come with a higher room rate and a mandatory 18% gratuity. It usually stills comes out less expensive than buying the packages on other lines, but they certainly aren't free.

[grouchomarx]

Well, that part isn't entirely true. The free perks come with a higher room rate and a mandatory 18% gratuity. It usually stills comes out less expensive than buying the packages on other lines, but they certainly aren't free.

 

If you book oceanview or above you get the perks. Even inside and studios get one perk. You pay the gratuity on the going price for the package. That is very cheap compared to buying a drink package for example. I have done it both ways, and it's saves a ton of money trust me. A TON.

[LuCruise]

Subscribing. I keep looking at NCL with a ship such as Breakaway but we keep coming back to Royal... for now.

 

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[robbykapnj]

Hi,

 

Thanks for everyone's opinions so far.

 

Might book either the Breakaway (or Anthem again) this week. Would appreciate any addition insight on both ships for the holiday season (or preferences in general).

 

In particular:

-What do you think of doing Anthem a second year in a row for the holidays? Will it be repetitive? How did you find a second cruise on the Anthem if it was within 1 year of the original?

-Daytime comparison (lack of indoor space on the Breakaway)?

-Nighttime entertainment comparison?

-Is there a guest entertainer on the winter 7 night cruises?

-Guest comparison during holiday season? Had a lot of tri-state area on Anthem, how about Breakaway?

-Grown low to mid-20's children - any preference? People around their age on both for the holiday sailings?

-Included food option comparison?

-If per day pricing was equal, what would you choose? We are hesitant to break from our favorite ship/cruise line with Royal but are open minded.

-What are the chances we can dock at the private island during the winter / holiday sailing?

 

Thanks!

[hansolosmom]

I've been on both ships. We were on Breakaway in the beginning of summer, it was pretty packed which is what I would think the holiday sailing would be.

We had a nice aft balcony so we spent a lot of time there as opposed to worrying about public spaces. However, I will say the indoor spaces seemed a lot more packed than on Anthem. My sons were 19 & 20 when we sailed. The older one was a couple days shy of 21. We signed a drink waiver for him and he could drink beer and wine. My 19yo didn't want that, but we could have signed on for him too. We sailed using the 3/4 passengers free and the drink package. Usually when DS ordered a drink if he was with dh or myself they didn't charge us for his beer.

One son enjoyed all the water slides and the ropes course. The other one loved the basketball court and spent most of his time there or did trivia with my dh. There's a decent mix of activities. 3 of us really enjoyed the Rock of Ages show along with a couple of the dance parties in spice h2o at night. We also all went to the ice bar, it's a little cheesy but was fun.

Most of the people on both ships that we met were from the tri-state area or Canada.

In general the food was good on both ships. I'm not a foodie or picky so take that for what it's worth.

My dh liked Anthem better than Breakaway. He thought Breakaway was too crowded and didn't feel the level of service was that great.

I'm ok with either ship. I don't think you'd be bored going on Anthem again since there's so much to do on her. I do feel NCL is a bit of a step below RC, but I will sail again (with my mom) because it's a good deal with the perks.

[robbykapnj]

Thanks! What's there to do on the Breakaway on the cold winter days (Anthem has 270, indoor pool, indoor solarium, Esplanade)?

[Princess@Sea]

I would choose a different ship for sure.

[Jerseygirl1416]

We’ve been on Breakaway and I agree with all negative comments so far.

 

If you are a smoker you’ll love this ship. The casino is right in the middle of the ship which sends smoke smell through all three levels of the atrium. The Waterfront area would be a great area but the side where the bars are were always packed because it’s also a smoking area. You could smell smoke in the French restaurant because that’s in the atrium area as well as the Italian restaurant because every time the Waterfront door opens the smoke get sucked in and right into the Italian restaurant. We rented a cabana in Vibe for the week which was wonderful but had to walk through another smoking bar area to get into the Vibe door.

 

 

The layout of the ship is really bad and there is nothing grand or pretty about the ship. The theater isn’t even pretty just a movie theater style room with crazy uncomfortable chairs. I’m sure if you’ve researched you’ve seen comments on that.

 

 

I wouldn’t sail Breakaway ever again even if it was free. I haven’t been on Anthem yet but hoping it’s better. My favorite ship to date is Oasis for a reference point.

[Marine Mom]

We’ve been on Breakaway and I agree with all negative comments so far.

 

If you are a smoker you’ll love this ship. The casino is right in the middle of the ship which sends smoke smell through all three levels of the atrium. The Waterfront area would be a great area but the side where the bars are were always packed because it’s also a smoking area. You could smell smoke in the French restaurant because that’s in the atrium area as well as the Italian restaurant because every time the Waterfront door opens the smoke get sucked in and right into the Italian restaurant. We rented a cabana in Vibe for the week which was wonderful but had to walk through another smoking bar area to get into the Vibe door.

 

 

The layout of the ship is really bad and there is nothing grand or pretty about the ship. The theater isn’t even pretty just a movie theater style room with crazy uncomfortable chairs. I’m sure if you’ve researched you’ve seen comments on that.

 

 

I wouldn’t sail Breakaway ever again even if it was free. I haven’t been on Anthem yet but hoping it’s better. My favorite ship to date is Oasis for a reference point.

 

 

 

I agree with you 100%!

 

 

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[Mel8730]

I sailed on Anthem last year and just got off of the Breakaway on Sunday. My preference is for Anthem. The public spaces - especially the pool area are not adequate for the number of passengers that are on Breakaway. The balconies on the Breakaway were also quite small. If the prices are pretty much the same, I would sail Anthem again for sure. Enjoy your vacation :)

[steveknj]

FWIW, The Breakaway is changing Homeports in 2018 to New Orleans. So if that's a ship you want to do, do it now. Not sure what NCL is bringing to NY in it's place.

 

I haven't been on that ship but have been on other NCLs. I liked it but haven't been on the Anthem yet. To me, a cruise is what you make of it. I've never had a "bad" cruise experience yet.

[fred30]

I think the Escape is taking the Breakaway's place

[Marine Mom]

The Gem was supposed to go to NO and the escape was coming to NY but now breakaway is going to NO and the escape and the gem will be in NY.

 

 

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[fred30]

Soon you will be able to "Escape for NY"! :D:D

[Monkey30]

I've been on both... HATED the Breakaway!! The Breakaway is a poorly laid out ship. You feel crowded wherever you go. The public spaces are small and cramped. Anthem wins hands down!!

[ThirstyCruiser]

I have been on Breakaway and Quantum.

 

Breakaway has water slides.

 

I much prefer NCL's port in Manhatten to RCL's in NJ - its much easier for us to get to and sail away is way better since you get to see nearly half of the skyline up close and a good view of Miss Liberty.

 

Otherwise, most everything else is a tie or a clear win for the Quantum class ship, in my opinion.

 

I'm gonna go out on a major limb here and say if you posted this same exact question on the NCL board you would get most posts praising the virtues of Breakaway and knockin' Anthem.

 

Flip a coin, go on either, be happy - you are cruising and doing something 99.99% of the people on this spinning rock will never get to do.

[windjamming]

We've been on both. My preference is Anthem, but I'm glad we tried Breakaway.

 

Anthem feels airier, more spacious, and more glamorous. Breakaway feels more cramped. Anthem also has 270.

 

Food wise, Breakaway has lobster in the buffet (Garden Cafe) and O'Sheehan's - the 24 hour pub/restaurant, which far outshines RCL's offerings late night (basically room service, Cafe Promenade sandwiches/cookies, or Sorrento's)

[heathermiller86nj]

Which do you think would have more families with kids / grown kids in the 18-20's crowd? Last year on the Anthem, there were only about 30-35 people in this age group which was surprising. Maybe because it was a 10 nighter and not a 7 or 8 nighter. Although it was during Christmas and New Years. Wondering it an 8 night Christmas cruise might have more or if we/they are better off on NCL Breakaway.

[wilmingtech]

I have not done the Anthem yet (I am scheduled to go on her in January) but I have been on the Breakaway twice (both in Haven) and not a fan. Although the Haven is wonderful, the ship itself, not so. The pool area is way too small for this size ship, many shows happen in the atrium which is also way too small. Always seemed too crowded and I would never sail her again. Hope this helps.

 

 

Doing the Haven twice on the same ship and stating you will never sail it again... that's gotta be a ship with some issues.

 

-Sean