Norwegian Breakaway Review
NCL Breakaway. First cruise as a family of four, Boy are things different!
Rating by category
Additional details
We are normally easy going, easy to please travelers. This was our first cruise in 16 years, the previous ones being with close friends, so we didn't really know what to expect. We took the NCL Breakaway from New Orleans for 7 nights with stops in Cozumel, Harvest Caye, and Costa Maya.
The port: We drove from Indiana to new Orleans. Access to the port is a bit convoluted, and it seems like every surface road is closed for construction. We dropped off the luggage at the designated point. After we paid $140 for the week to park in the Julia Street surface lot, we headed into the terminal. The check in procedure is pretty good. The lines seem long, but they keep you moving.
Embarking: Nothing really to speak of about this. We entered on the 7th deck, and our bags showed up outside the room at about 7:00pm.
Cabin Review
Mid-Ship Balcony Stateroom
The cabin was nice. We had 4 of us in it and we were worried about being cramped. Our 15 year old slept on the couch/bed and our 10 year old slept on the pull down bunk. They both were comfortable, although if they had been heavier, I don't know if it would have worked.
The bathroom was pretty large, and the shower was large enough as well.
Our balcony was small, as you can imagine, with just enough room for 2 chairs and very small table. It was as expected.
The location of the room was great, right at the end of the row of staterooms, so it was a quick walk to anyplace we wanted to go. Being a "forward cabin" the ride was pretty smooth, with almost no vibration/engine feedback at all.
Our stateroom attendant, Bobb, was great. He was prompt and very quick.
Port Reviews
Harvest Caye
I'm probably being generous here. This place was an extension of the boat. Overpriced food and drinks, no local flavor. My kids loved the pool however. It is a nice pool.
Costa Maya
We managed to escape the maze of shops at the port to get to a cab. We took it to Muhahual beach. Loved it. Local restaurants and cheap drinks and souvenirs. Lots of pretty beaches.
Hopefully a miscommunication, but in the "information building" at the port, we told the young lady (who spoke very clear and beautiful english) that we were going to the beach She then tried to sell us on an excursion for $79 each for my wife and I and $59 for my kids to the beach. No thanks I said, we are just going to take a cab. She then said that the cabs were $8 each way PER PERSON. She said it very clearly, and there was no miscommunication. I told her that was fine by me, knowing I could negotiate a lower rate. The rate is not negotiable, but it is $8 per cab! Beware the scammers my friends.