We are an experienced cruising family with 3 children aged 14, 12 and 9. This is our 14th cruise and 6th visit to Bermuda. I read all the reviews on the Breakaway prior to leaving on 6/16 and nobody mentioned to bring my own conditioner. Only shampoo and shower gel is located in the shower stall. The reviews were not kidding when they mentioned how small the rooms are! We had two balcony rooms next to each other (not connecting) and it was like sleeping in a closet for a week. They are the smallest ship rooms I have ever stayed in. The balconies were also the smallest I ever had. Not only was the width smaller than most, but the depth was small too. Last Norwegian cruise, I was in the Haven on the Epic, so I am not sure what the regular balcony rooms were like on that ship. The Dawn had bigger staterooms. Unfortunately we didn't use our balcony much because our room was surrounded by smokers and when the door was open, the entire room smelled like cigarette smoke. I wish one side of the ship was designated for smoking balconies. I have to say the bed was very comfortable. I had an issue with the pillows the first night, but they were changed by day 2. (Both the pillows and cases had a funky smell.) Cabin attendants were excellent and friendly! We are the type of family that do spend time in the room during the day, either changing clothes for the different activities, regrouping to decide what time to meet up again or retiring for a snooze after lunch. Due to the size of the rooms, we will choose a different ship next time we cruise to Bermuda, like the Celebrity Summit.

The food was excellent on the Breakaway! At times it could be very salty, but I always found a delicious entree. We ate in the Manhattan room most nights. Men must wear long pants to be seated, otherwise the family would have to eat at Savor, Taste or buffet. We didn't do specialty dining this time but found if you stick to ordering from the left side of the menu each night, you always had variety. (The right side of the menu was the same every night of the cruise in all of the main dining rooms, while each night the left side changed featuring 3 different appetizers and entree specials.) I was shocked that every time a family member ordered the NY strip steak, or other meat, it came perfectly cooked to our liking. The first night was lobster tail, and it was cooked perfectly, tender and sweet, but it was quite salty.

Although my 14 year old son loved Enterage, the teen hang out, my younger two disliked the kids club and said, "It was like a prison." Therefore my 12 and 9 year old hung out with us most of the time. We felt the kids club didn't have enough organized activities for their interest. The ship certainly had plenty of activities for them to do and kept them very busy. They loved the ropes course, and water slides. However you must be 100 lbs to do the free fall water slide which was the best one. Read more