Norwegian Breakaway Review
NCL Breakaway: The Good, The Bad... and the VERY UGLY!
Rating by category
Additional details
Well, we've traveled NCL before but the Breakaway was a rather unpleasant experience for us overall. I had read a lot of mixed reviews about this particular ship, but it was going to a destination that I had never been before (Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay, and Nassau) so we decided to book it with some family and friends.
Check-In/Embarkation was a bit of a disaster compared to other cruises I've been on. This was my first time sailing out of NYC so am wondering if it's an issue with that particular Seaport, or the Breakaway. We got to the Seaport for our set check-in time of 9:30am and check-in went relatively smooth, though the main security line was not open when we got there so we stood in roped off lines for quite a long time with 6 adults and 3 children (ages 9, 11 & 12). *While this is likely a Seaport issue I wish they wouldn't book you for a time when the Seaport security isn't open for customers. Around 11am it was announced that check-in would be delayed due to the previous cruise disembarkation process being slow (*see my disembarkation section which will shed light on why they are most likely perpetually late!). Thankfully we were already checked-in prior to that announcement and were seated in the waiting area - but the poor people who had later check-in times were literally stuck standing in line as they shut down the check-ins due to the disembarkation delay of the previous cruise! We are talking families with kids in strollers, etc. being stuck standing in a line waiting for the check-in desks to re-open for business!
We embarked later than expected but quickly found a bar and got a drink and a decent spot on an upper deck rail to view our trip out of NYC. The trip out was nice and the kids were able to view the Statue of Liberty, etc.
Cabin Review
Family Balcony Stateroom
The cabin was decent - a little dated - but clean and served its purpose. We traveled with 2 adults and 2 children (ages 9 and 11) and we used the drop down bunk and sofa as the 2nd and 3rd beds. Our Room Steward Han Mei was AWESOME (as all NCL Room Stewards are) and she left a minimum of 2 towel animals per day for the kids and even came in to the room and made them for them one evening while we were there. She kept the room extremely clean and we took care of all of our room needs. She was pleasant and attentive and our room was always clean and made up.
Port Reviews
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
We had a great time in Cocoa Beach - would have been nicer if a hurricane hadn't recently blown through as there was a LOT of sea weed, but the kids still enjoyed themselves.
Nassau
Atlantis was great... but Nassau in general is pretty slummy, especially over by the docks.