NCL doesn’t have a clue. At least 60%, perhaps 80%, of the passengers on this cruise were over 50. Talk to any one of them and they will most likely tell you that they don’t like the loud music with its thundering bass. At least 80% of the passengers are non-smokers. Ask them, and they will tell you that smoke-free zones on the Breakaway are way too hard to come by.

Ask anyone who booked early through NCL and they will tell you that they’ll never do that again. Those who booked later or booked through a travel agent got the free ultimate dining package or ultimate beverage package or both. While we had water with our dinner they were sipping wine. While we were eating in the deliberately downgraded “complementary” restaurants, they were eating in the specialty restaurants. There was a time when the complementary restaurants served wonderful meals in great style, but no more. Ask the chef, and he will tell you that they have been explicitly instructed not to serve lobster or filet mignon in the complementary dining rooms… presumably in an effort to get more people to pay to eat in the specialty restaurants. Judging from the meals, that’s not all they were told. The same meals that were previously included in the cost of the cruise are now extra cost in the so-called specialty restaurants.

If you like to swim, you’ll be disappointed by the pool. It’s about two strokes from end-to-end. If you like to walk or jog, you’ll be disappointed by the track. You will find passengers loitering all around the narrow 1/8 mile loop that includes the entrance to the Uptown Bar & Grill as well as the only access to the waterslides and numerous deck chairs. Like a nice hot tub? These are lukewarm. Think freestyle dining sounds great? All it really means is that you wait 30 to 45 minutes in line to get into the restaurant. Perhaps you envision your children or grandchildren spending the day happily engaged climbing on the climbing wall or navigating the ropes course? Think again. They’re only open a couple hours a day, and only in good weather. Looking forward to a quiet night in your room watching a movie on the TV? You probably saw it last night. During the entire 12 day cruise single movie channel only showed a half-dozen movies, again, and again, and again. Thinking about a romantic breakfast on your balcony? Oops, standing room only. Read more