My girlfriend and I (both late 20s) traveled the NCL Breakaway out of Manhattan to Florida and the Bahamas on the October 20th sailing in a balcony stateroom. I am a first-time cruiser and she has cruised on several cruises but this was her first time on NCL.
Embarkation: Quick and painless. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. as we wanted to obtain passes to the VIBE beach club. We were on the boat before noon and quickly went to guest services to obtain our passes.
VIBE beach club: We were one of the first people in the VIBE line and were able to book a cabana for the week. By far, the best decision we made. This adults only section is quite serene and exactly what you are looking for if you want to avoid the masses and relax. There are 5 cabanas, plenty of lounge chairs, 2 hot tubs and a private bar/bathroom. If you are traveling as a couple, or a group without children under 18 this section is a MUST and worth the extra money. Everyday we looked forward to seeing the friends we made in this section including the bartenders/wait staff.
No issues with the cabin, everything was as outlined on the NCL website prior to booking. Balconies are a bit small but big enough for both of us to sit and enjoy.