Breakaway Oct 13 2019

[jjt]

Quick review from a first time NCL passenger who has been on 25 cruises with Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and HAL. Overall we had a great cruise, but probably wouldn't go again unless the price was really great, all things being equal.

 

Random thoughts:

 

Entertainment was excellent. Shows in the theatre were very good. Bands in Syd Norman's were excellent. Atrium had good game shows, especially Dance Battle, but it was always hard to get a seat. It would be better if the ship could provide a larger location. Comedians weren't very good, but that is subjective. What isn't subjective is that they repeated some material for shows that were supposed to be new. Escape the Big Top was very challenging. We failed.

 

Food was fair. We didn't do any specialty restaurants. Manhattan Room was very nicely appointed like a supper club, with music and a dance floor. Never needed to wait as it seems everyone was in the specialty restaurants and there were open tables all the time. Savor/Taste were a great alternative if you didn't want to get dressed up, and served the same food. O'Sheehans had great desserts and fine bar food. Shanghai Noodles was right next to the casino and very smoky. Some of our party couldn't even eat there, and those that did thought the food was lacking. Garden Café Buffet was average. Nothing really stands out. The last night for dinner they did have shrimp cocktail that was tasty, but slightly mushy. Also, for breakfast they do have lox, but you have to ask for it where they have the sliced meats and cheeses. Then they get it for you from under the counter. What is that??? I'm glad we decided to ask. At night they also have crepes which my kids liked. And the quesadillas on Mexican night were the best my kids ever had. Also the ice cream at lunch was good, being hard ice cream scooped and served to you. Much better than soft serve. Plus some good flavors like rum raisin and macadamia nut brittle.

 

Ship

 

The ship was very nice and in good shape. My kids liked the ropes course and water slides. There was only 1 adult pool and one pool for smaller kids, so my teenagers really didn't have a place to swim. They were kicked out of the adult pool before we realized it was adults only (there is only a small sign on one side of the pool that is easily missed). Theater is on the smaller side but had good sight lines, sound quality and lighting. Atrium reminded us of the Princess atrium, which we like. We hated that the casino was right in the middle of the ship. We had to avoid walking anywhere near it because of the smoking smell. Even when we were in port and there wasn't anyone gambling it still smelled bad. Poor design choice, although I guess it's there with the shops to make money. We liked the mini golf and the basketball court. And walking around the Waterfront was preferable to the running track that was right in the middle of everyone else walking anyway.

 

Service

 

We thought this was severely lacking. On the buffet, if something wasn't there we were told they were out of it. Every single time no matter what it was. Then we would ask the officer there and would be told he would check for us. Then we never heard back. We asked again and were told that they made the request to the staff. Yet it still wasn't there and the officer never checked to see if it actually showed up. This happened all cruise long. For certain types of cold cereal, chocolate milk cartons, and other standard items. We had 2 cabins with different cabin stewards. One was great and we tipped extra. The other was horrible. Never seen, room sometimes not made up, sometimes didn't get dailies or other communication.

 

Misc

 

Weather was great. We got lucky. Ports were the standard ports we had been to before, except for Harvest Caye. We are used to food and drinks being provided as included, not for an extra charge. But the pool was very nice and the beach was nice also, without the need to tender. We were late getting on the ship as they told us the Coast Guard just happened to pick this cruise for their twice annual inspection. Also it seemed like they were always selling things and looking for more money. In your face about it though. My kids didn't like the Entourage teen club and only went there once after signing them up. The gym was crowded but we all were able to use the equipment.

 

Summary

 

Had a great time. All the negatives mentioned did not take away from the positives and the whole experience. It was a good vacation and all had fun.

 

 

[coscab]

Thanks for the review, everyone seems to be commenting on how smoky the casino is, I guess I'll save a lot of money in December, I love the casino but hate the smoke. I wonder if they put the shrimp that didn't get used during the week on the buffet the last night, maybe that is why it was mushy, been around for awhile??

[C cruise]

enjoyed your report. were you in the thermal spa? do you know if it was crowded?

[Oakman58]

When I was on the Breakaway in September I was amazed at how strong the smell of stale smoke was not only in the casino but also in the areas around it.  We tried to play the slots one time on our cruise and gave up because of the smoke.  I was also amazed that a ship of 4000 passengers would only have one small pool.  I was unimpressed with our room steward and also the lack of servers in the bars and lounges.  I have one more cruise booked with NCL and then I will be trying other cruise lines.  The last few cruises with NCL have been lackluster at best.

 

I'm glad you had a good time on your cruise and I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

[newmexicoNita]

19 hours ago, jjt said:

Quick review from a first time NCL passenger who has been on 25 cruises with Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and HAL. Overall we had a great cruise, but probably wouldn't go again unless the price was really great, all things being equal.

 

Random thoughts:

 

Entertainment was excellent. Shows in the theatre were very good. Bands in Syd Norman's were excellent. Atrium had good game shows, especially Dance Battle, but it was always hard to get a seat. It would be better if the ship could provide a larger location. Comedians weren't very good, but that is subjective. What isn't subjective is that they repeated some material for shows that were supposed to be new. Escape the Big Top was very challenging. We failed.

 

Food was fair. We didn't do any specialty restaurants. Manhattan Room was very nicely appointed like a supper club, with music and a dance floor. Never needed to wait as it seems everyone was in the specialty restaurants and there were open tables all the time. Savor/Taste were a great alternative if you didn't want to get dressed up, and served the same food. O'Sheehans had great desserts and fine bar food. Shanghai Noodles was right next to the casino and very smoky. Some of our party couldn't even eat there, and those that did thought the food was lacking. Garden Café Buffet was average. Nothing really stands out. The last night for dinner they did have shrimp cocktail that was tasty, but slightly mushy. Also, for breakfast they do have lox, but you have to ask for it where they have the sliced meats and cheeses. Then they get it for you from under the counter. What is that??? I'm glad we decided to ask. At night they also have crepes which my kids liked. And the quesadillas on Mexican night were the best my kids ever had. Also the ice cream at lunch was good, being hard ice cream scooped and served to you. Much better than soft serve. Plus some good flavors like rum raisin and macadamia nut brittle.

 

Ship

 

The ship was very nice and in good shape. My kids liked the ropes course and water slides. There was only 1 adult pool and one pool for smaller kids, so my teenagers really didn't have a place to swim. They were kicked out of the adult pool before we realized it was adults only (there is only a small sign on one side of the pool that is easily missed). Theater is on the smaller side but had good sight lines, sound quality and lighting. Atrium reminded us of the Princess atrium, which we like. We hated that the casino was right in the middle of the ship. We had to avoid walking anywhere near it because of the smoking smell. Even when we were in port and there wasn't anyone gambling it still smelled bad. Poor design choice, although I guess it's there with the shops to make money. We liked the mini golf and the basketball court. And walking around the Waterfront was preferable to the running track that was right in the middle of everyone else walking anyway.

 

Service

 

We thought this was severely lacking. On the buffet, if something wasn't there we were told they were out of it. Every single time no matter what it was. Then we would ask the officer there and would be told he would check for us. Then we never heard back. We asked again and were told that they made the request to the staff. Yet it still wasn't there and the officer never checked to see if it actually showed up. This happened all cruise long. For certain types of cold cereal, chocolate milk cartons, and other standard items. We had 2 cabins with different cabin stewards. One was great and we tipped extra. The other was horrible. Never seen, room sometimes not made up, sometimes didn't get dailies or other communication.

 

Misc

 

Weather was great. We got lucky. Ports were the standard ports we had been to before, except for Harvest Caye. We are used to food and drinks being provided as included, not for an extra charge. But the pool was very nice and the beach was nice also, without the need to tender. We were late getting on the ship as they told us the Coast Guard just happened to pick this cruise for their twice annual inspection. Also it seemed like they were always selling things and looking for more money. In your face about it though. My kids didn't like the Entourage teen club and only went there once after signing them up. The gym was crowded but we all were able to use the equipment.

 

Summary

 

Had a great time. All the negatives mentioned did not take away from the positives and the whole experience. It was a good vacation and all had fun.

 

 

I am just getting ready to do my review and opinion of the same cruise, so interested in reading what you had to say: I only have a couple of comments in response to your opinion: 1-we found the service to be above and beyond in every dept. I have never seen so many smiley faces among the staff. I will add we only did the buffet a couple of times for lunch. As for our cabin, it didn't seem to make much difference what time we left it, 8am or 10am it was always cleaned quickly and our cabins stewardess was always smiling. Yes, you complaint with Harvest is legit compared to other private islands, but Harvest Caye, though private is not owned by NCL. It is owned by Belize and NCL leases it. It is too bad you were not made aware of this prior to going on shore. I think most people we know are aware there is a difference. NCls private island in the Bahama's is owned by NCL and is free for all food and honors the drink package. 

[jjt]

20 hours ago, coscab said:

Thanks for the review, everyone seems to be commenting on how smoky the casino is, I guess I'll save a lot of money in December, I love the casino but hate the smoke. I wonder if they put the shrimp that didn't get used during the week on the buffet the last night, maybe that is why it was mushy, been around for awhile??

That could be. When we have been on Princess they had the seafood in the buffet on the first night so that isn't an issue.

[jjt]

20 hours ago, C cruise said:

enjoyed your report. were you in the thermal spa? do you know if it was crowded?

We never used the spa, just the fitness center and didn't notice.

[FLAHAM]

1.  On the Escape a few weeks ago, I thought the buffet's unlimited cold shrimp and mussels on ice on seafood night were very nice.  I also liked the whole Hunan duck carving stations on Asian night and the whole, snout to tail pig on a spit carving station at lunch were great. 

 

2.  I enjoyed generously-sliced smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with cream cheese available and capers, tomato and onion each morning for breakfast in the MDRs.

[jjt]

1 hour ago, newmexicoNita said:

I am just getting ready to do my review and opinion of the same cruise, so interested in reading what you had to say: I only have a couple of comments in response to your opinion: 1-we found the service to be above and beyond in every dept. I have never seen so many smiley faces among the staff. I will add we only did the buffet a couple of times for lunch. As for our cabin, it didn't seem to make much difference what time we left it, 8am or 10am it was always cleaned quickly and our cabins stewardess was always smiling. Yes, you complaint with Harvest is legit compared to other private islands, but Harvest Caye, though private is not owned by NCL. It is owned by Belize and NCL leases it. It is too bad you were not made aware of this prior to going on shore. I think most people we know are aware there is a difference. NCls private island in the Bahama's is owned by NCL and is free for all food and honors the drink package. 

We were aware of the difference with Harvest Caye. Just don't prefer it. We made sure to eat a good breakfast to hold us to a late lunch in the Garden Buffet. We also filled up water bottles on board since they don't even provide free water. But we enjoyed our time there. No tender needed and plenty of lounge chairs.

[jjt]

1 minute ago, FLAHAM said:

1.  On the Escape a few weeks ago, I thought the buffet's unlimited cold shrimp and mussels on ice on seafood night were very nice.  I also liked the whole Hunan duck carving stations on Asian night and the whole, snout to tail pig on a spit carving station at lunch were great. 

 

2.  I enjoyed generously-sliced smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with cream cheese available and capers, tomato and onion each morning for breakfast in the MDRs.

We didn't have a seafood night. The shrimp was on the buffet on the last night which was Italian night.

 

We knew it was in the MDR but prefer the buffet. We were prepared to do without the lox but were pleasantly surprised when they provided it upon request. Just don't understand why it's not available unless you ask for it.

 

[Megalyn]

21 hours ago, Oakman58 said:

When I was on the Breakaway in September I was amazed at how strong the smell of stale smoke was not only in the casino but also in the areas around it.

 

I was on this same cruise on October 13th and was actually amazed at how LITTLE I could smell the smoke.  As an asthmatic, I tend to be hyper sensitive.  I've been on six cruises and this was the only time the smoke did not bother me.  I loved the fact that smoking areas have been limited.  On the Getaway last December one side of the Waterfront was for smoking.  This cruise, it was a small section of the pool deck and a chunk of Spice H2O.  

 

There are also non-smoking sections designated within the casino.  I know for certain there is a slot machine area.  I believe there was also a section of table games, but I'm not 100% certain of that.

[Deeliteful]

Poker table is always smoke free in a casino but on the Breakaway it was right in between two lots of slot machines which allowed smoking, so not great!

[newmexicoNita]

14 hours ago, Megalyn said:

 

I was on this same cruise on October 13th and was actually amazed at how LITTLE I could smell the smoke.  As an asthmatic, I tend to be hyper sensitive.  I've been on six cruises and this was the only time the smoke did not bother me.  I loved the fact that smoking areas have been limited.  On the Getaway last December one side of the Waterfront was for smoking.  This cruise, it was a small section of the pool deck and a chunk of Spice H2O.  

 

There are also non-smoking sections designated within the casino.  I know for certain there is a slot machine area.  I believe there was also a section of table games, but I'm not 100% certain of that.

I have to totally agree with you. Even our daughter, an x smoker but a hater of the smell wasn't even bothered while she was playing or sitting at the casino bar. Our last Breakaway cruise was worse. 

[Oakman58]

1 hour ago, newmexicoNita said:

I have to totally agree with you. Even our daughter, an x smoker but a hater of the smell wasn't even bothered while she was playing or sitting at the casino bar. Our last Breakaway cruise was worse. 

 

They must have done a serious cleaning of the casino after my September 8th - 15th cruise.  Normally stale smoke smell doesn't bother me but it was incredibly strong during our entire cruise.  On embarkation day when we walked through a closed casino to get to O'Sheehan's the smell was strong.  Keep in mind that the cruise the week before ours had been cancelled so I would have thought that during the week without passengers the casino would air out.  The smell of stale smoke on our Breakaway cruise was the worst I've ever experienced.

[graphicguy]

Having returned from the Breakaway two weeks before you sailed....

 

-I agree about the Shanghai Noodle.  What used to be a highlight for me as a “go to” for lunch has turned into a mediocre (at best) option for dining.  Food/Service used to be excellent.  Now?  I’m not sure why they put it were it is (abutting the casino) or what’s happened to their service/food, but the last 3 cruises I’ve been on, even on different ships, it isn’t very good.

 

-Smoking....interestingly, I thought on embarkation day the smoke smell was pretty strong as I  I walked through the casino.  But, once the ship was underway, I’m assuming the air cleaners kicked in and it was actually “OK” as far as cigarette smoke smell.

 

-Didn’t eat in the MDR or Garden Cafe on seafood night, but everyone I spoke to who had, raved about it.

 

-Can’t speak to the room stewards, as my last cruise was in the Haven.  But, I have sailed in solos and balcony cabins on both “Away” ships, and found them wonderful, whether I saw them often or not.

 

-Too late now, but I found whenever I contacted the ship’s GM via email (the GM seem to be very visible and have their contact info in the Dailies), any issues on the ship, regardless of where they occurred, were handled quickly and surpassed my expectations.

 

Hope you can find a “deal” on NCL and give them another shot.

[GA Dave]

I find all the comments about the smoke smell in the casino interesting.  My wife and I have been to a bunch of casinos in the great plains area (i.e., KS, OK), and there is not a single casino I can remember that is smoke free.  Do they even exist?  We have not been to Las Vegas, so maybe there, but, I would think that everyone would know that casinos = smoke.

[Oakman58]

29 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

I find all the comments about the smoke smell in the casino interesting.  My wife and I have been to a bunch of casinos in the great plains area (i.e., KS, OK), and there is not a single casino I can remember that is smoke free.  Do they even exist?  We have not been to Las Vegas, so maybe there, but, I would think that everyone would know that casinos = smoke.

 

Although it's been quite a few years since I've been to Vegas, I was always amazed that the casinos were not only not smoky, they didn't smell of smoke either.  I'm talking about the major casinos of course.  Perhaps the lack of smoke is because of the high ceilings and the rapid exchange of fresh air.

[MJSailors]

2 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I find all the comments about the smoke smell in the casino interesting.  My wife and I have been to a bunch of casinos in the great plains area (i.e., KS, OK), and there is not a single casino I can remember that is smoke free.  Do they even exist?  We have not been to Las Vegas, so maybe there, but, I would think that everyone would know that casinos = smoke.

            The casinos on Celebrity ships are totally smoke-free because there is no interior smoking allowed on the ships. No smoking on balconies either. 

Smoking is limited to a few areas on the outside decks.

        Princess has evenings where the casinos are smoke-free. 

After reading a few comments about the Breakaway casino, NCL must have taken some action to reduce the effects of smoking in the casino.

In 2017, we took a cruise on the Breakaway and the smoke smell could be noticed throughout the atrium and the decks in that area,namely decks 6;7;8.  

 

 

[GA Dave]

21 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

            The casinos on Celebrity ships are totally smoke-free because there is no interior smoking allowed on the ships. No smoking on balconies either. 

Smoking is limited to a few areas on the outside decks.

        Princess has evenings where the casinos are smoke-free. 

After reading a few comments about the Breakaway casino, NCL must have taken some action to reduce the effects of smoking in the casino.

In 2017, we took a cruise on the Breakaway and the smoke smell could be noticed throughout the atrium and the decks in that area,namely decks 6;7;8.  

 

 

I am not disagreeing that they need to do something about the smoke in the casinos.  I quit the habit over 30 years ago and the smell now gets me a little sick.  I am just commenting how so many people seem surprised by the smoking in the casino.  In my experience, all of the casinos I have ever been to allowed smoking.  I would love to find some that do not allow it.

[MJSailors]

GA Dave 

Congratulations on 30+ smoke free years !

My DH quit 17 years ago- one of the best things he ever did to help himself .

Try sailing on Celebrity. Smoke free casinos and no hairy leg contests ! 😉

 

[Sand and Seas]

3 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I am not disagreeing that they need to do something about the smoke in the casinos.  I quit the habit over 30 years ago and the smell now gets me a little sick.  I am just commenting how so many people seem surprised by the smoking in the casino.  In my experience, all of the casinos I have ever been to allowed smoking.  I would love to find some that do not allow it.

You would love Harrah's New Orleans!  No smoking allowed (per city law) inside the huge and beautiful casino.  We love to cruise out of New Orleans and stay before and after at Harrah's.  

[newmexicoNita]

19 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I find all the comments about the smoke smell in the casino interesting.  My wife and I have been to a bunch of casinos in the great plains area (i.e., KS, OK), and there is not a single casino I can remember that is smoke free.  Do they even exist?  We have not been to Las Vegas, so maybe there, but, I would think that everyone would know that casinos = smoke.

I have yet to be in a casino throughout the country like you. None are smoke free. When we first walk in, yes the smell isn't pleasant but after a few minutes we no longer really notice it. We were long time smokers and are now totally smoke free: over 30 years for hubby and about 11 for me. There will come a time, not in my life time though when no one will be smokers, or not tobacco smokers at least but that is a totally different topic, for another time. 

[Zippeedee]

Massachusetts casinos are smoke-free by state law. We don't have many, but they are smoke-free.

The Breakaway casino was the first ship casino I could spend time in and really enjoy. The non-smoking area made it easy to avoid the smoking area and I didn't have a sinus headache the next morning. You will never find a completely odor-neutral area when inside smoking is allowed, but there is a difference between an odor and walking or sitting in a cloud of smoke.  I found the Getaway did a good job as well, except when I had to point out the "no smoking" sign to a one-woman smoke bomb on the other side of my slot machine.

Looking forward to the Bliss casino for better breathing.

[brookie848]

Casinos are smoke-free in Delaware, New York and Maryland. Some of the Maryland casinos have enclosed smoking areas. 

 

Even Turning Stone, one of the larger NY "Indian" casinos, completely enclosed their smoking area and they are not regulated under NY law since they are on a reservation. 

[Jan_In_Maine]

Casino is non-smoking in Bangor Maine also.