We just got off the second Breakaway cruise to Bermuda. We live in DC so we take Amtrak to NYC which is relaxing and usually hassle free, which it was this time. The boarding was a little confusing because it wasn't clear that there were two registration areas, one for odd number cabins and one for even number cabins. The first area after you get throughout security is "odd" but if you walk further down there is the "even" area which was much less crowded since everyone (including me) got in the first line.

We went straight to the room, a mini-suite on the 8th deck with a large balcony. The room is very nicely decorated and big enough for two and the balcony is huge, loved it! Two negatives, the bathroom is wonderful except why did they install the shampoo and body gel dispensers on the side of the shower? The stall is a tad narrow but fine except that I hit my arm at least a dozen times on those dispensers! NCL, move them to the front or back walls of the shower! Second, there is very little surface space in the room so you have to be very well organized and neat to avoid chaos.

We are Freestyle Fans because we hate somebody else's schedule and believe NCL doesn't try and be pretentious as some other mass market cruise lines. We liked the layout of the buffet but thought there was less variety in the food. We ate at Moderno's, Le Bistro, and Ocean Blue, the new seafood restaurant . Moderno's and Le Bistro were, as usual, very good and the dining rooms were beautiful and spacious. Ocean Blue was a disappointment because it is oriented to "foodies" when we like simple cooking. I had the sole, which was wonderful, but there were no vegetables or starch that came with the meal and you weren't allowed to add anything to the entree. We won't be returning there. Read more