What is the Best Breakaway Class NCL Ship?

[bjtravelnews]

On 6/30/2019 at 4:55 AM, perditax said:

 

During disembark, you will frequently end up standing in a queue that winds around the entire ship (on deck 7, I believe). Sometimes it can take an hour or two to disembark. All elevators will be jam packed at this time, so if you’re doing self walkoff you’d better be able to carry your suitcases up and down stairs. I usually see this blamed on the number of customs/immigration officials available, but I’ve never seen it happen so badly as on Escape in Miami, and apparently it’s the same now that Escape is in NY. 

 

I’ve more or less walked off every other ship I’ve been on (including GA, on my first cruise ever, and RC’s monster Oasis). 

We got off the Escape two Sundays ago.  It was the fastest and easiest walk off we ever experienced.  Yes, there was a line on deck 7, but it moved very quickly.  We stayed on deck 6 until our color group was called, so only had to go up one flight of stairs.  Was very surprised that the atrium bar and Starbucks cafe were open that morning (and yes - lots of people were having their last drinks that morning!)

[coach jim]

My wife and I have been on both.  A few differences, Escape has the ropes course and sports complex, bigger thermal spa at the front of the ship and Howl at the Moon.  Bliss has the observation lounge, enclosed smoking area of the casino, Cavern Club, go karts and laser tag.  Our favorite is the Escape, we spend a lot of time in the thermal spa, Escape has more tile loungers and a bigger area.  Our favorite night time activity was Howl at the Moon.  For us, go karts and laser tag are a waste of space but the observation lounge was a great area and we enjoyed the Beatles show at the Cavern Club.  Escape has Bayamo while Bliss has Ocean blue though they now have similar menus.  For us we enjoyed both but the thermal spa and Howl at the moon gave the edge to the Escape.

 

[blueslily]

57 minutes ago, tomservo said:

I’m surprised so many people like the Escape over the Bliss (haven’t been on either yet). I’m interested in others opinions as well. 

 

Why? Is the Bliss supposed to be better? 

[blueslily]

26 minutes ago, coach jim said:

My wife and I have been on both.  A few differences, Escape has the ropes course and sports complex, bigger thermal spa at the front of the ship and Howl at the Moon.  Bliss has the observation lounge, enclosed smoking area of the casino, Cavern Club, go karts and laser tag.  Our favorite is the Escape, we spend a lot of time in the thermal spa, Escape has more tile loungers and a bigger area.  Our favorite night time activity was Howl at the Moon.  For us, go karts and laser tag are a waste of space but the observation lounge was a great area and we enjoyed the Beatles show at the Cavern Club.  Escape has Bayamo while Bliss has Ocean blue though they now have similar menus.  For us we enjoyed both but the thermal spa and Howl at the moon gave the edge to the Escape.

 

 

Thank you! Very helpful!

[tomservo]

2 hours ago, blueslily said:

 

Why? Is the Bliss supposed to be better? 

I think NCL considers the Bliss to be the evolution of the Breakaway+ class ships, as they’ve left certain things behind with the Escape (sports court, ropes course, etc) to replace them with go karts and laser tag. The Bliss and Joy also have the Observation Lounge, which I think is a great idea. Cruise lines always take the most popular aspects of the previous ships to work into their newer ships, and I think the Encore has a lot more in common with the Bliss and Joy than it does the Escape.

 

That being said, what NCL wants and what people want aren’t always the same. Notice the replacement of the (free) ropes course with the (fee) go karts/laser tag, and personally I’ll take the ropes course. 

 

So to answer your question, I think NCL thinks the Bliss is better, but obviously a lot of people on here like the Escape better, so I was just wondering what people liked about the Escape over the Bliss. 

[GA Dave]

On 6/30/2019 at 4:55 AM, perditax said:

 

During disembark, you will frequently end up standing in a queue that winds around the entire ship (on deck 7, I believe). Sometimes it can take an hour or two to disembark. All elevators will be jam packed at this time, so if you’re doing self walkoff you’d better be able to carry your suitcases up and down stairs. I usually see this blamed on the number of customs/immigration officials available, but I’ve never seen it happen so badly as on Escape in Miami, and apparently it’s the same now that Escape is in NY. 

 

I’ve more or less walked off every other ship I’ve been on (including GA, on my first cruise ever, and RC’s monster Oasis). 

We never have this issue.  We always stay overnight in whatever port we disembark so we do not have to rush to the airport, etc.  Our only problem is that they have to drag us off the ship!  😛

[AmyJA]

I shouldn't even give an opinion here as I have only been on the Bliss. I will be going on the Breakaway in September.

 

Loved the Bliss.  Why?  The observation lounge.  We spend most of our time in there. Playing cards, watching the ocean, eating, reading, drinking.  We had a balcony cabin...but the OL was our go to place. 

[bkrickles1]

Without question it's the Encore as it's the next ship we're sailing!!

And since we're going January 2020, I expect it still to have that new car smell.

[blueslily]

6 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

Without question it's the Encore as it's the next ship we're sailing!!

And since we're going January 2020, I expect it still to have that new car smell.

 

I want to experience "the new cruise ship" smell one day.

[Kfamilycruise]

We've been on Breakaway, Getaway (2x), Escape and will be going on Encore in December. Our biggest complaint with the earlier ships was the smoke from the casino, so I'm hoping that's our biggest win on the Encore in addition to the Observation Lounge, Go Karts & Galaxy Pavilion. Escape has been my favorite to date probably because of District Brewhouse & Food Republic, but I will be sad to lose Howl at the Moon on the Encore. There is so much to love on the Breakaway, Getaway, Escape ... I love the waterfront. So relaxing to sit there with a drink and a book and just watch the water go by.

[bluesea777]

On ‎6‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 2:11 AM, www3traveler said:

Dry Dock after Her Transatlantic Spring 2020.

 

No, it's before her Transatlantic Fall 2020.

 

There is a gap dated Oct 11 to 26 2020.

 

Last Baltics Oct 2-11 2020 and the Transatlantic is Oct 26 to Nov 9 2020.

 

 

Edited July 4, 2019 by bluesea777

[tomservo]

11 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

 

Unfortunately not always.

Princess, Celebrity, HAL new ships lost the "iconic" features they were famous and loved for. The new Cunard ship will follow the case.

 

 

You’re right, I shouldn’t say as always, let’s go with “often”.

[schmoopie17]

We were on the Bliss in April and will be on the Escape next May. On paper they seem to be about the same, except the Bliss has the Observation Lounge, which is a big plus. Spent a lot of time in there...just wish they could have regulated the temps in there. I left my parka at home but it would have come in handy...

[bluesea777]

To us, the buck has stopped at Escape.

 

We loved the BA, GA and Escape, and just went on the Bliss (for 6 days only). 

 

The Observation Lounge is nice on the Bliss but that's all, as compared to the first 3. 

 

No interest in the Go-Karts or Laser Tag at all, and we missed watching people doing the slides and the rope courses. Also the new ships lack the Wasabi (on BA and GA) or Pinchos (on Escape). I understand the Food Republic (which is great) replaced Wasabi BUT the Pinchos is different - more Spanish and they serve great wines.

 

When we were on the Bliss we wistfully looked at the empty space and wished Pinchos was there.

 

 

[UFMOM]

Escape - Pinchos, Food Republic, Better Ocean Blue Menu, Thermal Suites in Spa

 

Bliss- Observation Lounge, Food Republic, Extra BBQ and Mexican restaurants

 

 

 

Mary Ann

[Bonobochick]

On 7/1/2019 at 9:20 PM, bjtravelnews said:

We got off the Escape two Sundays ago.  It was the fastest and easiest walk off we ever experienced.  Yes, there was a line on deck 7, but it moved very quickly.  We stayed on deck 6 until our color group was called, so only had to go up one flight of stairs.  Was very surprised that the atrium bar and Starbucks cafe were open that morning (and yes - lots of people were having their last drinks that morning!)

 

I was on the cruise ending June 23rd and the disembarkation was not a nightmare for once (out of 16 cruises) because they finally color coded people doing walk offs with their own luggage so everyone wasn't trying to get off at the same time. I was thrilled as my Escape cruise in early May took a long time to get off the ship with a wrap around line plus the cabs were terrible that morning. 

 

Anywho, it helped immensely as there were 3 different color groups for people walking off with their luggage done with 30 minute blocks for each color. The other colors followed for people picking up their luggage in the terminal, starting with Platinum / Platinum Plus, so everyone was staggered. 

 

It is still a crapshoot regarding getting on an elevator with luggage in a timely fashion in the morning but actually getting off the ship without a wrap around line was great. 

 

I like Escape best. Other than the pool area, it doesn't feel as crowded. I did like the Getaway when I was on it a few years ago cause of The Flamingo Grill. Breakaway is fine but my worst cruise was on the Breakaway, so that diminishes it somewhat for me but it isn't bad. 

Edited July 6, 2019 by Bonobochick
fixed something.