Gem, breakaway,or Anthem!

[sullyd]

Pros and cons please

[Crazy planning mom]

Pros and cons please

Anthem or Bliss

https://www.ncl.com/travel-blog/norwegian-bliss-new-york-sailings

[jon46]

I have booked Anthem this year, New Years cruise. Then Next years, New Years cruise on Bliss

[BNBR]

I would prefer my couch and a six pack of bud light over NCL. Go with Anthem.

[dolver]

I cruised Breakaway last March. Really didn't care for it - too big. The smoke from the casino penetrated EVERY common space. Do not plan to return.

 

Leaving on Anthem this Friday -- so can answer later!

 

I personally LOVED the Gem. Sure it's an older ship without all the bells and whistles, but I'm not there for that. (altho I did not care for the Jewel, her sister ship - different CD vibe maybe? or the ride home on Hurricane Sandy?)

[sixbirches]

We have done several cruises on both the Gem and Anthem. Both are great, but we love Anthem best. The public spaces are so much nicer and accommodating on Anthem. Sometimes it was tough to find a good spot outdoors on the Gem. And the activities and inside options are better on Anthem when the weather isn't great, which is an issue to consider. Food was fine on both ships, but we preferred Anthem. We never sailed on Breakaway due to the mixed reviews. I was especially bothered by comments about cigarette smoke. This isn't an issue at all on Anthem. I also prefer the terminal and boarding procedures in Cape Liberty, v. the NYC cruise port. Parking is also more expensive in NYC and just annoying. The new parking garage in Cape Liberty is very convenient and extremely quick to get in and out of. Hope this helps.

[Junebug08]

I sailed on Breakaway and will never cruise on that ship again . The Common areas are very small and crowded and we did not like the layout at all . I’ve cruised on many ships and Breakaway was my least favorite . I sail Anthem in 2 weeks so no review there yet but I like what I’ve heard.

[LadiDicruiser]

Hello, never sailed on Gem, but did Breakaway in 2015....I loved the ship, as it was a change up from the RCCL line I normally travel on.....as for size.....the Breakaway and Anthem are both BIG....probably the same size....

[Giantfan13]

We sailed the Breakaway a month ago, on the cruise AFTER the cruise from hell on that ship. It was our first time on what is considered a mega ship, and hopefully the last. My DW said it all, Whomever designed that ship never cruised before. It is so poorly designed, it is almost laughable. Very little outdoor seating below the pool and upper decks. Very little seating in the shade, if that's what you like. No complete deck to walk around, just portions of decks. Inside it is a mess with basically no where to sit for all those people. Many bars, and entertainment, but little chance of finding a seat there. Casino stunk from smoke and it smelled 30 feet out of the casino. Always had to wait for dinner and they very, very rarely share tables even though its all freestyle dining. No formal nights so no really nice dinners. Production shows were poor, and service, if you can call it that, was worse than poor. It took 3 hours (yes, 3 hours) for dinner one night, and breakfast in a dining room is well over an hour..Elevators are small, dimly lit and always crowded. Will never sail her again.

We haven't sailed the Gem, but friends did and found it much better--smaller, many places to sit, in and out, better service. A much better choice if you want a smaller ship.

Cheers

Len

[BNBR]

We sailed the Breakaway a month ago, on the cruise AFTER the cruise from hell on that ship. It was our first time on what is considered a mega ship, and hopefully the last. My DW said it all, Whomever designed that ship never cruised before. It is so poorly designed, it is almost laughable. Very little outdoor seating below the pool and upper decks. Very little seating in the shade, if that's what you like. No complete deck to walk around, just portions of decks. Inside it is a mess with basically no where to sit for all those people. Many bars, and entertainment, but little chance of finding a seat there. Casino stunk from smoke and it smelled 30 feet out of the casino. Always had to wait for dinner and they very, very rarely share tables even though its all freestyle dining. No formal nights so no really nice dinners. Production shows were poor, and service, if you can call it that, was worse than poor. It took 3 hours (yes, 3 hours) for dinner one night, and breakfast in a dining room is well over an hour..Elevators are small, dimly lit and always crowded. Will never sail her again.

We haven't sailed the Gem, but friends did and found it much better--smaller, many places to sit, in and out, better service. A much better choice if you want a smaller ship.

Cheers

Len

 

Very well said. But don't let that terrible NCL experience turn your off from Oasis class. That's a true megaship designed brilliantly.

[Giantfan13]

Very well said. But don't let that terrible NCL experience turn your off from Oasis class. That's a true megaship designed brilliantly.

 

We have heard really good things about the Oasis, so, as we say, never say never. :):):):)

Cheers

Len

[BNBR]

We have heard really good things about the Oasis, so, as we say, never say never. :):):):)

Cheers

Len

 

They are exactly opposite of the horribly designed NCL big ships. They are big, airy, grand, no crowding, spacious, and just stunning! You would love it!

[nena09]

I have sailed on the Gem in 2016 and the Breakaway in 2017. The Gem was great being my first cruise, I loved everything. The ship is on the smaller side, but there was always something to do. The balcony room a decent size and the food was ok. The Breakaway was much bigger, much more things to do and see. Food was a little better, but nothing fantastic. I don't expect the best food on any cruise. The circus show I 100% recommend. The food was great and the show was fantastic.

 

Currently planning on the Anthem for next cruise. Doing my research. Only thing I see different is the Anthem is a bigger ship than the other two. Also seems like Royal Caribbean doesn't offer food or wifi packages like Norwegian does.

 

If youwould like more info and the Gem or Breakaway, check out my reviews on my profile. :D;):hearteyes:

[Aquahound]

Very well said. But don't let that terrible NCL experience turn your off from Oasis class. That's a true megaship designed brilliantly.

 

They are exactly opposite of the horribly designed NCL big ships. They are big, airy, grand, no crowding, spacious, and just stunning! You would love it!

 

I totally agree. Escape was, by far, the most crowded and chaotic ship I have ever sailed. Oasis Class is nowhere near as bad as NCL's mega ships.

[KellyABelly]

We sailed the Breakaway to Bermuda in May 2016 and were able to get into the Haven. We also had speciality dining which was great. We got to try a different restaurant almost every night and loved the Haven restaurant. We did walk through the main pool area to use the kiddie splash area and it was insane all the time. The ropes course was also fun, and LOVED the Cirque show! We are sailing on Anthem this May and I've done a lot of research. Can't wait :).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[taraemm]

I was on Gem in 2016 and Anthem in 2016 and Jan of this year. Gem is a great ship if you like the smaller ships. My first cruise was I gem and I thought it was great. However, after I went on anthem my perspective completely changed. Anthem and RCCL all the way!

[molsonschooner]

I cruised Breakaway last March. Really didn't care for it - too big. The smoke from the casino penetrated EVERY common space. Do not plan to return.

 

Leaving on Anthem this Friday -- so can answer later!

 

I personally LOVED the Gem. Sure it's an older ship without all the bells and whistles, but I'm not there for that. (altho I did not care for the Jewel, her sister ship - different CD vibe maybe? or the ride home on Hurricane Sandy?)

I hope you realize that Anthem is bigger than Breakaway.

[Cruzinforpeace***]

Just got off Anthem on 2/25. A nightmare! You can check out my review and on board ship videos on You Tube : “Anthem of the Seas, a REAL Review”. Cat A (my screen name).

 

Cruise Critic wouldn’t post my review so I resorted to posting it on YouTube so it could be “heard”.

 

Haven’t sailed the Breakaway but really liked the Gem. We sailed in suites on the Gem and would suggest that on any ship nowadays. Regular “class” cruising has really gone downhill on all lines. Celebrity is the exception. We don’t like Mega ships; way too many crowds and lines!

[mjkacmom]

Just got off Anthem on 2/25. A nightmare! You can check out my review and on board ship videos on You Tube : “Anthem of the Seas, a REAL Review”. Cat A (my screen name).

 

Cruise Critic wouldn’t post my review so I resorted to posting it on YouTube so it could be “heard”.

 

Haven’t sailed the Breakaway but really liked the Gem. We sailed in suites on the Gem and would suggest that on any ship nowadays. Regular “class” cruising has really gone downhill on all lines. Celebrity is the exception. We don’t like Mega ships; way too many crowds and lines!

Did CC say it won’t be published? I think it usually takes a few weeks.

[Cruzinforpeace***]

Did CC say it won’t be published? I think it usually takes a few weeks.

 

They didn’t officially say it but didn’t respond to my email asking if I need to resubmit. I submitted it March 1st and see other reviews from my sailing. I hope they DO publish it. My experience may not be the next person’s experience but it was still MY experience. I’m sure there are other people out there who expect certain things on a cruise and would appreciate being informed of what may await them on Anthem. What we went through may not bother other people; hard to believe but every one has a different level of tolerance.

[mjkacmom]

They didn’t officially say it but didn’t respond to my email asking if I need to resubmit. I submitted it March 1st and see other reviews from my sailing. I hope they DO publish it. My experience may not be the next person’s experience but it was still MY experience. I’m sure there are other people out there who expect certain things on a cruise and would appreciate being informed of what may await them on Anthem. What we went through may not bother other people; hard to believe but every one has a different level of tolerance.

I think your biggest problem was choosing a megaship out of NJ over a holiday week, I sail NCL and the Breakaway would’ve been worse.

[Cruzinforpeace***]

I think your biggest problem was choosing a megaship out of NJ over a holiday week, I sail NCL and the Breakaway would’ve been worse.

 

I agree! No more Mega ships for us. I hope they keep building (or keep) the smaller ships. If not, we may have to retire to land vacations.☹️

[Tura Lura]

Been on both Breakaway and Anthem, Anthem wins by a mile ( or a marathon). Breakaway is laid out SOOOO badly. Smoke travels floor to floor up the middle atrium like a smoke stack, it stinks. And then the big seating area where they also have contests/dance lessons etc, gets so crowded you can't pass thru the floor from one end to the other. I had to go outside and walk around it most days. The good thing on Breakaway was the waterfront, that was a good idea to have that outdoor bar seating.

Food was meh. But MDR is always meh to me. Buffet on breakaway was also just meh, and the desserts were not worth the calories. Oh and the shows were so cheesey.

 

Anthem on the other hand is a gorgeous ship, great public areas, great entertainment, good music everywhere. Nice tech touches and fast internet! 270 is amazing day or night, the music hall is fun, We will rock you was a killer (queen) show. And windjammer (buffet) was excellent, desserts to die for. Giant spreads of a different type each nite - cakes, then cupcakes, then pies... yum.

 

Going back on Anthem in Nov. Going back on Breakaway... never.

[BNBR]

They didn’t officially say it but didn’t respond to my email asking if I need to resubmit. I submitted it March 1st and see other reviews from my sailing. I hope they DO publish it. My experience may not be the next person’s experience but it was still MY experience. I’m sure there are other people out there who expect certain things on a cruise and would appreciate being informed of what may await them on Anthem. What we went through may not bother other people; hard to believe but every one has a different level of tolerance.

 

I show your review online. You would probably hate the large NCL ships even more based on your issues with the Anthem. They are much worse with lack of loungers and space, cramped hallways, even less complimentary food options, etc. It also sounds like bad timing with all the kids really screwed things up for your trip.

 

You really should consider Oasis-class though, it's everything ships like Anthem and Breakaway are not. It's spacious, no lines or crowds, tons of complimentary venues, amazing shows, etc. etc. I wouldn't get turned off from a true megaship due to the "large" ships like Anthem. I've always been a little weary about the larger ships like these and Escape proved my concerns correct, just as Anthem did yours. They are not truly revolutionary, Breakaway less so than Anthem, and just too many passengers for a ship not quite big enough. Consider Anthem is quite a bit bigger than Breakaway and has a similar passenger capacity!

[FOXTROT]

You are posting this on a RCCL board. Hands down most would say Anthem. We have only sailed Princess & mainly RCCL. Very few people I have talked with like NCL better than RCCL.