Norwegian Breakaway Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This is our family's 4th cruise over a 7 year period. We've been on Princess once and Royal Caribbean twice. All 4 times we've sailed with our 2 sons (now 13 and 11 - one very outgoing and one more reserved). As a family we are by no means picky eaters or snobby when it comes to accommodations. We know that overall you get what you pay for and you always need to read, read, read reviews and fine print before going away. We also keep Kosher, which is tricky when booking a cruise with endless buffets and 24 hour food options. So, after all of this background, here's my review on how a Kosher family made it an excellent week:
We booked the cruise after looking for something to do the last week of summer vacation before the kids went back to school - something that everyone could enjoy that wouldn't break the bank. I got a flyer in the mail from Norwegian that was advertising half price for the 3rd and 4th person plus a choice of UBP (unlimited beverage package for adults) SP (soda package for kids), wi-fi package or UDP (unlimited dining package). I went online to check the prices of the rooms for that week and was blown away at the prices for that particular week. Since we are Jewish, we needed to find a cruise that leaves on Sunday. This cruise not only left on Sunday, but left from NY (we live in NJ)!! A 15 minute drive from our house. For whatever reason, the last week of August was extremely inexpensive and to upgrade to a balcony from an inside room (what we usually book) was negligible. I felt that since we were leaving from NY and would be spending 3 days sailing a balcony would be worth it. So we booked it with the UBP for us and the SP for the kids. I felt like this trip was a match made in heaven!!
Check in was a little scattered and I felt could use some reorganization. As you walk down a loooooong terminal, you pass by lots of tables for things you can register for before boarding (dining, kids club, shows, beverage packages, etc). But, you can only register once you are checked it - which is past all the tables. So, what happened with us is we got on line to register for the kids club and waited for 20 minutes. When we finally got to the front they told us "sorry you can't register until you have your room key (after you check in)". After we checked in we had to go back to the kids club line and wait another again (this time longer b/c more people had checked in by that time). Before you check in you are given a number, which is your "group number" of when you will be called to board. Once you check in you then have to sit and wait for your number to be called to board. We got there around 10 and were on the ship by 12-12:30.
Cabin Review
Port Reviews
King's Wharf
We took the ferry back and forth from King's Wharf and purchased a 2 day bus pass that included the ferry. We walked around Hamilton and quickly realized that there is not much to do in Hamilton if you are not into duty free shopping. We ended up at the aquarium (felt bad for the animals there) and at the local art museum (mostly to cool off).
After a little disarray for the ferry back to king's wharf we decided that the following day we would check out the beach.
We went to Horseshoe beach after waiting almost an hour for the local bus. We were told to get to the bus stop early but the buses (2-3 of them) run every 15 minutes. We only saw 1 bus/hour. Then it's another 45 minute bus ride in an un-air conditioned bus. Plus a 1/4 mile walk down a hill. The beach would have been beautiful if it wouldn't have been so crowded. We bought beach chairs and umbrellas off of somebody returning theirs and stayed for about 2 hours.
Note to future travelers: Unlimited bus pass is not worth it. Next time, we would rent scooters and get around that way. Roads didn't seem that dangerous unless you went "downtown"