This is only our 2nd cruise. We were on the DAWN before this on the same cruise and it was excellent.
The over all experience of THIS cruise was good. But the lack of staff was very noticeable. The bars were always packed, and it seemed there were only 2 bar tenders at ALL TIMES.
The wait staff, like others have noted, were taking care of way to many tables, and weren't very friendly. Trying ...
We chose this cruise get together with family and friends the week before Mardi Gras, which would allow anyone to stay for the Mardi Gras madness before the returned to their home state of Wisconsin.
My husband and I booked cabin 9706, which is considered part of the Haven. It’s on a completely different deck and getting to the actual Haven ares from out cabin was a very long walk.
Before ...
Restaurants were good but the buffet food was bland and not good. We found ourselves purchasing dinner for a good meal. The gym was nice but you had to purchase spa access for $200 to enjoy a steam or sauna. There was no complimentary water and every water fountain has a do not fill your water bottle sign even in the gym. Very little entertainment poolside, slow or absent service. The only show we ...
My wife and I chose this cruise because we had cruised with NCL before and really liked it. Additionally we thought choosing New Orleans as the port would be fun and it certainly was. As I mentioned we cruised with NCL before and stayed in The Haven as we did with this cruise. We both noticed things were just "off" with respect to service compared to our last cruise with NCL. There were siginicant ...
This was our third time on the Breakaway, and the 12th for NCL total.
We chose this one because of the port. We wanted to visit New Orleans, in hindsight maybe not the best idea with Mardi gras going on!
Pros:
Embarkation was pretty close to flawless.
The ship is beautiful and well maintained.
Harvest Caye is VERY nice, much nicer than RC Labidee port.
Restaurants were all very ...
I have sailed with Norwegian two previous times and loved the cruise line. No more mega ships for me though. Way too many people, every venue is very crowded. Pool bars too busy to get drinks. Norwegian will nickel and dime you to death for everything and at exorbitant prices. Small bottle of 20 Advil, $12. Food in Garden Cafe (buffet) is boring and bland, the soft serve ice cream was the ...
Embarkation went smoothly and we were on by about 1130. We went straight to book Rock of Ages (which was canceled due to illness) and then to O'Sheehans. Great lunch. We actually ate here for dinner two other times. Great place. A little loud because the atrium is right below.
We were in our cabin by about 1.30 and our luggage had arrived at the end of muster.
We had a mid ship balcony with ...
The ship is beautifully maintained. Staff is friendly and efficient. Shore excursions are fun.
A few things to be aware of:
1. If you book any spa services be prepared for the staff to try and get you to buy a variery of products yo take home.
2. They really push their Cruise Next program where you pre-pay deposits for future cruises. We were having a fantastic time so we decided ...
Hubby and I and another couple we’ve been friends with for a couple decades, just returned. We’re late 50’s to mid-60’s. We all live on the coast in nearby Mississippi, so it’s normally only a 11/2 hr. drive to the port. With all the parades for Mardi Gras and construction near the port, it took 2 – 21/2 hrs this time.
This was my 10th cruise, 2nd with NCL. I’ve also sailed Carnival (4), ...
I did not explore NO before leaving. I’m from Louisiana, so I have been throughout NO plenty of times.
Boarding the ship was great. Check-in took all about 10 min max and everything went smoothly.
Everything on the ship was amazing. I had been on one other cruise in the past and it was Carnival and it was a good first experience, but for me Norwegian superseded my expectations (in a good ...