Norwegian Breakaway Review
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This was our 15th cruise and 3rd on NCL. I had a great time but that said, would probably pick a different class of ship next time. This was the largest ship we have been on and think we prefer the 3,000 passenger size better. Breakaway had a ton of options to try but if you are looking for a traditional ship feel then this wasn’t it.
Embarkation at Port Canaveral was the smoothest and quickest we have ever had anywhere. We stayed at Disney Pop Century before the cruise and took the complimentary Magical Express bus to the MCO airport. (Set this up when you check in to the resort and make sure you load your luggage on the bus you are taking) Then we took the Go Port Canaveral bus to the port. Was on the ship in about 15 minutes. No waiting more than a couple minutes for anything.
Food was great! Buffet was clean and food warm most of the time. Options changed daily but of course the favorites were there all the time. Pizza not that great but burgers were huge and the fries better than McDonald’s. Crepe bar in the evenings was awesome. If the buffet looks closed just check out the other side of the ship and you will likely find something. The main dining room food was good in taste and presentation but lackluster in options. They obviously were saving on cost by not offering much in the way of glamorous fare; a lot of chicken and pork dishes. However since most cabins are offered three specialty dining meals as a free option then that elevated the food to better than average.
Cabin Review
Mid-Ship Mini-Suite with Balcony
Our mid-ship mini-suite was actually a balcony sized cabin with a larger bathroom. The bathroom was amazing for a ship. The balcony was ridiculously small. You could barely sit two people but the chairs did not lay back which made the balcony unusable for lounging and forced every sun bather to the pool decks making them even more crowded. The room had storage enough for four adults and wasn’t too crowded for a ship cabin.
Port Reviews
Falmouth
Tried to avoid the crowds by staying on the ship in the morning and then going out to shop at the port after lunch. It worked! Port shops were nice. Best venders I have dealt with in a foreign port. They must not be allowed to talk to shoppers unless you ask about something. Very calm shopping experience. Prices a little high and they would not haggle very much but great experience overall.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Walked a block to the Public Bus (van) depot. Bus ride is US $2.50 per person per trip. Rode it to Cemetery Beach. Snorkeling was OK close to beach and great about 75 yards out. Excellent coral. Rode bus, (just flag one down on the main road) to Turtle Farm. Had purchased discount tickets from the site online before cruise. It was great for the kids. Did the snorkeling with turtles. If you have never swam with them in the wild then it would be fine but not anything like doing it in the wild. Took the bus back to the dock. I suggest only doing one thing in port. Was too rushed to enjoy either activity enough.
Cozumel
Purchased discount tickets to Chackanab park before cruise. Took a taxi ($15 for 4 people). Get there early because the good chairs are taken. The buffet lunch was decent. Snorkeling not great but OK. The nature walk and Mayan recreations was cool. Wear bug spray for the nature walk. Got some mosquito bites and assume it was from there. Took taxi back. Don't wait too long to leave as taxis started to be scarce. Did shopping by the port. The prices for t-shirts and typical souvenirs were actually cheaper in the "mall like" port shops than the straw marked outside the port mall.