Norwegian Breakaway Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Where to begin?
Like other reviews who reviewed our cruise, we called numerous times leading up to, and on the day of departure. NCL reps kept reassuring us Bermuda was our destination and would not change. All of this despite the fact all weather model guidance during the 3-5 days preceding our departure date were predicting Nicole was headed for Bermuda.
About an hour after we embarked an announcement was made by the captain that our itinerary was changing and we would not be leaving port until the following day. I could barely hear this announcement as nobody quieted down to listen. We had to ask a few people to cobble together what was said. The looks on people's faces as they realized they were not going to Bermuda and NCL basically waited until the ship was fully boarded to make the announcement was one of anger. As a token of their appreciation NCL gave each passenger a $200 per stateroom onboard credit. Do you know what this $200 amounted to? It covered their mandatory gratuity charge. Gee, thanks NCL! Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival had to delayed and/or change itineraries for ships sailing around that time. Each of them offered passengers the chance to cancel for a full refund and both offered a heavy discount on a future cruise (100% RCL, 50% Carnival). Some passengers started getting wind of this and the anger got to a boiling point.
Cabin Review
Balcony Stateroom
Rectangular shaped balcony stateroom. Bed was comfortable. Other passengers noted the balconies on the Breakaway were much smaller than those on similar ships with other lines. I can't verify.
Our steward was very nice and tried his best to make up for NCL's blunders.
To hear the PA announcements in your cabin you have to turn to the bridge view channel. 22 I think. Otherwise you won't hear them.
No snacks in mini bar just overpriced airplane bottles of liquor and a couple of sodas. The Red Bull at the bars is cheaper than the mini bar so if you want one get it at any bar on the ship instead.
You can request an iron and board for your stateroom but housekeeping will swing by an hour later to collect.
Port Reviews
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Terrible port of call.
New York (Manhattan)
Embarkation was okay, disembarkation was a cluster.Parking outrageously expensive - take the train to Penn then a cab like we did.