Some thoughts on the Breakaway

[gooch47]

Just got off the Breakaway last Thursday after their 11-day Western Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans.

 

To us, the ship just didn't have the pizzaz of most other ships we've been on.  Seemed kind of bland.  Perfectly acceptable, just no "wow" factor.

 

The casino smelled horrible.  It was bad enough to gag me a couple times.

 

We really enjoyed Teppenyaki and Le Bistro.  Moderno and Margaritaville, not so much.  We ate breakfast every morning at either Taste or  Savor.  Couldn't believe how boring the decor was.  But we always enjoyed breakfast except for some pancakes that were so dried up I had to use a knife to cut them.  And the last morning they badly screwed up both our orders.  Except for a couple bad choices at The Manhattan, we were quite pleased with their food.  Never ate the the buffet.

 

Embarkation was easy and quick.  So was debarkation except for the lack of info we experienced.

 

We were very happy with our balcony cabin, especially the bathroom.  I don't think I've ever seen better storage except, of course, in a suite cabin.  The shower was quite adequate size.

 

We enjoyed the pool at Harvest Caye.  Were a little disappointed with the butterflies and the parrots. 

[ve3ell]

We want to know if you pay cash for drinks & food at Harvest Caye and how are the prices at the Landshark ?

[Visigoth]

Prices at the Land Shark are a bit high and as is a 12.5% GST as well as a 15% service fee added to all food and drink items.  A 12 oz beer was $6.31 or you could buy a bucket of 5 for about $30.

[chefchick]

I have really enjoyed my cruises on NCL...5 different ships, all solo.  Although I have never considered food to be their strong point, my cruise on the BA this last October was by far the worse in terms of food.  There was more than one meal (and in different locations...MDR, buffet, Pub, noodle bar) that frankly I considered inedible and was shocked that the chefs would let that bad of food leave their kitchen.  No, I didn’t starve so I didn’t say anything, but I was surprised (in a bad way) on more than one occasion.  I am hoping it was an anomaly and it won’t stop me from sailing NCL in the future.

[Lionkingrichard]

10 hours ago, chefchick said:

I have really enjoyed my cruises on NCL...5 different ships, all solo.  Although I have never considered food to be their strong point, my cruise on the BA this last October was by far the worse in terms of food.  There was more than one meal (and in different locations...MDR, buffet, Pub, noodle bar) that frankly I considered inedible and was shocked that the chefs would let that bad of food leave their kitchen.  No, I didn’t starve so I didn’t say anything, but I was surprised (in a bad way) on more than one occasion.  I am hoping it was an anomaly and it won’t stop me from sailing NCL in the future.

With your name I would think you are the perfect person to say something and get them to pay attention to the quality of food.

 

Once mentioned to server that the clams were gritty, not complaining and next thing I know the head Chef is at my table saying sorry and what could he do to fix it.

 

Clams have sand in them and there is nothing anyone can do except ruin them after cooking!

 

They brought me a free drink and I was saying sorry to them. lol

[ve3ell]

12 hours ago, Visigoth said:

Prices at the Land Shark are a bit high and as is a 12.5% GST as well as a 15% service fee added to all food and drink items.  A 12 oz beer was $6.31 or you could buy a bucket of 5 for about $30.

The beer and food was over priced. We had our  food and beer on the ship as we had the full drink package. We are from Canada so when you convert to $CDN you add .25 cents per $1. 

[Av8torcrj]

I did a 10 day out of New Orleans a month ago or so, solo, balcony. Never again a balcony right over the shuffle board court. Those pucks clanging against each other was a persistent annoyance. I had a good time otherwise despite the noro outbreak. I got it on day 6 or 7. The staff was really coy about it...just multiple PA’s to wash your hands (with emphasis as if they were telling you something in code). I wish they’d just come clean and said folks are dropping like flies. 

I complimented the executive chef on the work he was doing and a cheese plate subsequently appeared in my room.

I actually think I like the jewel class ships better. I missed my complete ship walk around deck I used on the Pearl. Maybe I just didn’t find it on the Breakaway.

BTW... city bus to hotel in French Quarter $2. Uber to dock $8.

[Lineaway]

Thats too bad to hear about the food on Breakaway.  Its been a bit over a year since we were last on NCL.  As much as I am disliking them (stuck with Cruise Next certificates to use up) with all the hidden costs, I always had really good food on NCL.  I would almost compare them to Celebrity.  We have a Cruise on the Star coming up in March, then was thinking of one out of NOLA which is the Breakaway or maybe now the Getaway,  I will see how the Star is and may just forfeit the Cruise Certificates.  

BTW, been on the Breakaway and only complaint was the tiny balcony.   

[Two_UW_Badgers]

18 hours ago, Av8torcrj said:

I did a 10 day out of New Orleans a month ago or so, solo, balcony. Never again a balcony right over the shuffle board court. Those pucks clanging against each other was a persistent annoyance. I had a good time otherwise despite the noro outbreak. I got it on day 6 or 7. The staff was really coy about it...just multiple PA’s to wash your hands (with emphasis as if they were telling you something in code). I wish they’d just come clean and said folks are dropping like flies. 

I complimented the executive chef on the work he was doing and a cheese plate subsequently appeared in my room.

I actually think I like the jewel class ships better. I missed my complete ship walk around deck I used on the Pearl. Maybe I just didn’t find it on the Breakaway.

BTW... city bus to hotel in French Quarter $2. Uber to dock $8.

I just realized the shuffleboard is on deck 7 and we are on 8! What was your cabin number?

thanks for the report!

[KeithJenner]

18 hours ago, Av8torcrj said:

I actually think I like the jewel class ships better. I missed my complete ship walk around deck I used on the Pearl. Maybe I just didn’t find it on the Breakaway.

I'm assuming that you found the Waterfront. That is the equivalent on the Breakaway.

 

Personally, I much prefer the Waterfront to the Jewel Promenade Decks (I walk a lot round them when on board). Yes, it doesn't go all the way round, but the total distance is similar and I actually prefer walking past the forward stairway to the enclosed forward part on standard promenade decks. The rest of the area seems more open than on the older ships.

 

It's certainly something that there are differences in opinion on, so I'm not saying that I am right and others are wrong, but in my opinion the Waterfront compared to standard promenade decks is one of the main attractions of the Breakaway (and plus) class ships.

[PATRLR]

19 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

It's certainly something that there are differences in opinion on, so I'm not saying that I am right and others are wrong, but in my opinion the Waterfront compared to standard promenade decks is one of the main attractions of the Breakaway (and plus) class ships.

We've always loved being able to walk all the way around a ship (without going indoors) going back to our first cruises in the 80s.  I really miss not having a full wrap around promenade on the new ships.  

 

That being said, the Waterfront is one of the best features in the NCL fleet.  We love hanging out down there.   I just wish I could have both :).

Edited January 13, 2019 by PATRLR

[Av8torcrj]

31 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

I'm assuming that you found the Waterfront. That is the equivalent on the Breakaway.

 

Personally, I much prefer the Waterfront to the Jewel Promenade Decks (I walk a lot round them when on board). Yes, it doesn't go all the way round, but the total distance is similar and I actually prefer walking past the forward stairway to the enclosed forward part on standard promenade decks. The rest of the area seems more open than on the older ships.

 

It's certainly something that there are differences in opinion on, so I'm not saying that I am right and others are wrong, but in my opinion the Waterfront compared to standard promenade decks is one of the main attractions of the Breakaway (and plus) class ships.

I found the waterfront, yes, but if I remember correctly I found the occasional glass wind breaks along the deck to be somewhat “rat mazeish” and since I was looking for a unimpeded walking/exercise route it just didn’t appeal. The designated walking/ running area on the ship was relatively short. I always enjoyed the cooling and kinda brisk wind tunnel adventure effect of the enclosed forward portion of the pearl on promenade.  Further, interestingly, for all the hype and glamour shots seen in the promos for the waterfront, nobody really seemed to use it much on my trip. It was always very sparse during the times I visited. But still, who wants sweaty exercise guys walking by while they are trying to eat.

Another noticeable difference comes to mind Pearl versus Breakaway. The staff on the Pearl was amazing, ultra friendly  and incredibly energetic. The Breakaway crew certainly did their job but really seemed a bit haggard and just kinda “over it”, particularly the general wait staff. I certainly get it. It’s a job that would drive me nuts for sure.

I enjoyed both trips but I’m leaning towards bigger isn’t always better when It comes to cruising in my personal perspective.

[Av8torcrj]

1 hour ago, Two_UW_Badgers said:

I just realized the shuffleboard is on deck 7 and we are on 8! What was your cabin number?

thanks for the report!

Cabin 9756, almost directly over the shuffle board court several  decks below  but with the balcony door open the clanking was unmistakable and at times relentless. Throw in the cheering and occasional friendly argument...it was at times distracting enough to want to close the door.

[KeithJenner]

16 minutes ago, Av8torcrj said:

I found the waterfront, yes, but if I remember correctly I found the occasional glass wind breaks along the deck to be somewhat “rat mazeish” and since I was looking for a unimpeded walking/exercise route it just didn’t appeal.

 

In my experience, those windbreaks on the Waterfront are a lot less of an impediment that where the promenade deck narrows on the older ships. I often have to stop on those ships, but it is extremely rarely a problem on the Waterfront.

 

I suppose that these things depend a bit on the time of day. I do most of my walking during the morning, so people eating isn't an issue. If you are walking during that evening then the atmosphere is quite different.

 

All personal preference I suppose, but certainly for me the Waterfront is a much nicer walking environment than the older ships. I walk a lot onboard (10 miles plus isn't unusual on a sea day), and this is a factor when deciding which ships to book. For example, I wouldn't do a transatlantic on the Epic for this reason. It is also a major factor why I would take the Breakaway/Getaway for a transatlantic over the Jade.

[Av8torcrj]

8 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

 

In my experience, those windbreaks on the Waterfront are a lot less of an impediment that where the promenade deck narrows on the older ships. I often have to stop on those ships, but it is extremely rarely a problem on the Waterfront.

 

I suppose that these things depend a bit on the time of day. I do most of my walking during the morning, so people eating isn't an issue. If you are walking during that evening then the atmosphere is quite different.

 

All personal preference I suppose, but certainly for me the Waterfront is a much nicer walking environment than the older ships. I walk a lot onboard (10 miles plus isn't unusual on a sea day), and this is a factor when deciding which ships to book. For example, I wouldn't do a transatlantic on the Epic for this reason. It is also a major factor why I would take the Breakaway/Getaway for a transatlantic over the Jade.

I guess I’ll have a chance to modify or revisit my perspective next month when I’m on a 7 day jade. I don’t recall ever being  slowed down on promenade on pearl by traffic but then again on that 14 day Panama Canal the average guest age seemed around 110 so perhaps that opened things up a bit. We will see.

[KeithJenner]

I suppose my point is not so much which is better, as that is personal choice, but I'm always surprised when it is raised as a big issue.

 

I can certainly see why someone who uses the promenade deck has an issue on the Epic for example, as that ship really doesn't have such a deck at all. However, when comparing Jewel Class to Breakaway class, I don't see it as a major difference. My preference is the Waterfront (and it is a reason why I would book the Breakaway on a similar itinerary over the Jade), but I really like the promenade deck on the older ships as well, and enjoy walking on them every cruise.