After years of avoiding NCL, I took this inaugural cruise to nowhere because the Norwegian Epic had managed to achieve a five-star rating, so I thought that the Breakaway would be at least as good. This cruise was sadly disappointing in so many ways.

Embarkation was fairly efficient. My first impression of the ship itself was that a five-year-old had decorated the outside, which I learned was actually the masterwork of an artist named Peter Max, who was also selling his artwork on board. I can't imagine who finds these simple doodles worth so much. My niece, at age five, had more artistic skill than this artist.

Most of the public areas are nicely decorated. Norwegian's rooms are small...very small...about 20% smaller than the industry average (even the suites). Read more