Breakaway vs Getaway vs Epic

[angela miller]

I have traveled on the Getaway and the Breakaway  in the Haven. I am planning a trip with three generations to southern Europe in August 2025 and see that the Epic has  the best itinerary for us. I have not traveled on the Epic , but have seen quite a few reviews that the design is not as good as some of the others. We enjoyed the Getaway and the Breakaway, any views on the Epic Haven in comparison? 

[stellarose33]

I do not know about the epic but what were your favorites on the getaway for a newbie to NCL?

[RocketMan275]

37 minutes ago, angela miller said:

I have traveled on the Getaway and the Breakaway  in the Haven. I am planning a trip with three generations to southern Europe in August 2025 and see that the Epic has  the best itinerary for us. I have not traveled on the Epic , but have seen quite a few reviews that the design is not as good as some of the others. We enjoyed the Getaway and the Breakaway, any views on the Epic Haven in comparison? 

There have also been some reviews that the Epic has the best Haven.

Suggest you spend some time reviewing videos on Epic Haven youtube.

[angela miller]

4 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

There have also been some reviews that the Epic has the best Haven.

Suggest you spend some time reviewing videos on Epic Haven youtube.

Thank you. 

[RocketMan275]

1 minute ago, angela miller said:

Thank you. 

Hope it helps.  FWIW, we did enjoy the haven on Breakaway.  Haven't done Epic or Getaway.

[HBCcruiser]

We will be in the Epic Haven this October for an 11 day Greek Isle cruise. I can let you know how it is compared to the Breakaway Haven. At least my opinion anyway. 

Edited June 30 by HBCcruiser

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, angela miller said:

I have traveled on the Getaway and the Breakaway  in the Haven. I am planning a trip with three generations to southern Europe in August 2025 and see that the Epic has  the best itinerary for us. I have not traveled on the Epic , but have seen quite a few reviews that the design is not as good as some of the others. We enjoyed the Getaway and the Breakaway, any views on the Epic Haven in comparison? 

To us, the Epic has one of the best Havens in the fleet. Much better than the Breakaway and Getaway. The Prima and Viva have nice Havens which compete with the Epic, but they also have 20% more Haven rooms competing for the resources. We have sailed in the Haven on the BA, GA, Epic, and Viva. 

Edited June 30 by BirdTravels

[angela miller]

2 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

We will be in the Epic Haven this October for an 11 day Greek Isle cruise. I can let you know how it is compared to the Breakaway Haven. At least my opinion anyway. 

Thank you. I am anxious to hear your thoughts.

[NordicExpat]

9 hours ago, angela miller said:

I have traveled on the Getaway and the Breakaway  in the Haven. I am planning a trip with three generations to southern Europe in August 2025 and see that the Epic has  the best itinerary for us. I have not traveled on the Epic , but have seen quite a few reviews that the design is not as good as some of the others. We enjoyed the Getaway and the Breakaway, any views on the Epic Haven in comparison? 

The Epic was my first NCL cruise in the Caribbean and my first transatlantic 11 years ago. The ship does have a few quirks, but we always keep returning to sail on her. Our transatlantic in a few months will be my 8th crossing just on the Epic. I have only been on the Breakaway once and not in the Haven. I have been on the Getaway and Epic numerous times, many in the Haven. The ship-within-a-ship experience is great, and we consider the Epic's Haven the best in the fleet. Here are a few things I noticed for comparison:

 

The Breakaway has a roof over the pool area.

The Epic pool area is a bit noisy, with mechanical humming.

The Epic includes Posh and has a bar.

The restaurant and lounge are bigger on the Epic. The overall feel of the Epic's Haven is more spacious.

There are indoor and outdoor bars on the Epic, plus the one in Posh.

 

There is plenty more, but these are just off the top of my head on things that stood out to us

Edited June 30 by NordicExpat

[angela miller]

5 hours ago, NordicExpat said:

The Epic was my first NCL cruise in the Caribbean and my first transatlantic 11 years ago. The ship does have a few quirks, but we always keep returning to sail on her. Our transatlantic in a few months will be my 8th crossing just on the Epic. I have only been on the Breakaway once and not in the Haven. I have been on the Getaway and Epic numerous times, many in the Haven. The ship-within-a-ship experience is great, and we consider the Epic's Haven the best in the fleet. Here are a few things I noticed for comparison:

 

The Breakaway has a roof over the pool area.

The Epic pool area is a bit noisy, with mechanical humming.

The Epic includes Posh and has a bar.

The restaurant and lounge are bigger on the Epic. The overall feel of the Epic's Haven is more spacious.

There are indoor and outdoor bars on the Epic, plus the one in Posh.

 

There is plenty more, but these are just off the top of my head on things that stood out to us

Great comparison! Thank you. I’m feeling much better about booking. I was concerned that it is the oldest Breakaway ship and showing age. I have seen many complaints about the design of the ship being more difficult to navigate but I think that we can handle that.

[graphicguy]

Sailed in the HAVEN of all 3.  Breakaway and Getaway Haven are identical (as are the ships, in general).

 

Sailed Haven on the Epic last October. It's larger with nicer furnishings. It's been refurbished and is nicer than the -Away twins.

[david_sobe]

The Haven on Breakaway/Getaway almost seems like an afterthought on those ships.  IMHO NCL's Haven took a giant step backwards from Epic's Haven to the away class Haven.  It was not until Bliss and Encore that NCL surpassed the Epic's Haven.

I am probably in the minority but I would sail Epic over Getaway or Breakaway even if Haven was not an option.  While Getaway is a very nice ship, its very sterile and an overcorrection from the bold and daring Epic.  The spaces are so much larger and more inviting on Epic.  Although the Breakaway/Getaway do have the Waterfront area.  I dont need to eat outside so this is not a huge appeal to me but it is a great place to walk around. 

If you can discard all the silliness of the bashing of Epic's curved walls, sinks, curtains and bathrooms there is a ship that still has many of the best features of any ship at sea.

Edited June 30 by david_sobe

[stellarose33]

thanks for the getaway info.  doing NCL for the first time next year.  last cruise was the CCL Mardi Gras. This time around- just quiet and chill is my vibe . no young adults - just hubby and I. 

[angela miller]

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

The Haven on Breakaway/Getaway almost seems like an afterthought on those ships.  IMHO NCL's Haven took a giant step backwards from Epic's Haven to the away class Haven.  It was not until Bliss and Encore that NCL surpassed the Epic's Haven.

I am probably in the minority but I would sail Epic over Getaway or Breakaway even if Haven was not an option.  While Getaway is a very nice ship, its very sterile and an overcorrection from the bold and daring Epic.  The spaces are so much larger and more inviting on Epic.  Although the Breakaway/Getaway do have the Waterfront area.  I dont need to eat outside so this is not a huge appeal to me but it is a great place to walk around. 

If you can discard all the silliness of the bashing of Epic's curved walls, sinks, curtains and bathrooms there is a ship that still has many of the best features of any ship at sea.

Thank you! After all these positive reviews, I’m getting excited. Thanks for all the information.

[angela miller]

7 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Sailed in the HAVEN of all 3.  Breakaway and Getaway Haven are identical (as are the ships, in general).

 

Sailed Haven on the Epic last October. It's larger with nicer furnishings. It's been refurbished and is nicer than the -Away twins.

Thank you. I enjoyed your recent posts on your Bermuda sailing.

[graphicguy]

50 minutes ago, angela miller said:

Thank you. I enjoyed your recent posts on your Bermuda sailing.

If interested in seeing the Epic Haven, starting on page 16….

 

 

[angela miller]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

If interested in seeing the Epic Haven, starting on page 16….

 

 

Wow!!! Thank you! I’m ready to enjoy this Epic ship!

[dexddd]

Not a fan of BA.  And note the BA and GA are not the same.  GA Haven does not have roof over pool.

 

Swore off Epic years ago but actually would sail ...if the price was right...

[RunBikeCruiseDC]

On 6/30/2024 at 6:27 PM, graphicguy said:

If interested in seeing the Epic Haven, starting on page 16….

 

 

Just made final payment for Haven on the Epic - getting so excite about our cruise this fall!   First time in Haven and first time on the Epic. 

[Grammymongi]

While I have not been on the Breakaway, I highly recommend the Getaway (aft balcony on the 12th floor if you can). The ship was easy to get around an it had a nice layout to it. I did not like the Epic ship layout. The fact that they didn't have a "cabin bathroom" was fine but the room felt smaller than normal rooms I think because of the curve in it. I did not care for the casino layout or that you had to take an escalator down to Taste. I also felt that ship should have a Taste and Savor the lines were extremely long compared to when were were on the Getaway, IMO. The public restrooms were far and few between too. That being said I am staying in the Haven on the Epic in October and don't plan on leaving the Haven except for shows or gambling. I am excitied about the Haven on the Epic as I heard it was one of the nicest ones.