Encore, Breakaway or Carnival Celebration?

[helene109]

Our friends get a free NCL from a land based casino and we get a discount have to book by 7-14. They also have $500 OBC with Carnival have to cruise by 5-31-23. We have $200 obc. Any opinions please. We are going on the Breakaway in August. 2 couples no kids.

[SimplyAlbert]

I'd go on the Breakaway.  We sailed on her in February and loved the ship and itinerary.

[hallux]

I'd prefer the Breakaway, but on the Encore itinerary.  I'd do that BA itinerary again, actually I haven't sailed from NOLA before so only the ports to be visited are the same as a cruise I've done before (I'm trying not to duplicate too much) so I'd go with that one.

[deliver42]

Breakaway has the better itinerary.

[deweytrader]

Out of the 3 I would pick the Encore.

[FlGoodShips]

We love the Encore.

[cruisekitty22]

Encore! Dont miss Choir of Man show. Best at Sea!

[cruiseny4life]

7 days over 6 days any day of the week! But, you should ask this on the Carnival forum too. I bet everyone will choose Carnival just as everyone here is choosing NCL.

[HxFx]

I have sailed Carnival Mardi Gras (sister to Celebration) and NCL Breakaway post-COVID. I would chose the Celebration. There were things about the Breakaway I preferred, though they were mostly NCL standards such as the way they handle the drink package and their level of talent for shows.

 

I did really enjoy the Breakaway specialty restaurants but I didn't try as many on Mardi Gras so can't really compare but I think they may be equal there. Carnival, in general, has better free lunch options. I just prefer the layout of the Carnival Excel class ship to NCL Breakaway class for daytime activities (numerous pool areas). I enjoyed both equally for evening activities.   

[rmurray847]

If itinerary makes no difference to you (it's a BIG differentiator for us when we are deciding on a cruise), then first of all, I'd say:

 

#1       7 days beats 6 days

#2       The NCL ships are more similar than different in terms of layout.  ENCORE is newer, and in my opinion, slightly superior.  But I think either is a very solid choice.