Return to Cruising Ship Guide: Norwegian Breakaway

When is Norwegian Breakaway slated to resume operations?

Norwegian Breakaway will be the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to resume homeporting from New York City. Beginning this September 26, the ship will sail a series of 7-night cruises offering three days docked in Bermuda and three sea days. These voyages will run through the end of October 2021, before the ship repositions to the Caribbean. 

Norwegian Cruise Line is requiring that ALL guests and crew be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to sailing and provide proof of vaccination for sailings departing on or before December 31, 2021.   

Bermuda requires that all guests take a COVID-19 PCR test within 96-hours prior to their sail date. All guests must register on the Bermuda Tourism website and upload their negative test result within 72-hours of embarkation. 

Cruising on Norwegian Breakaway? Here’s our guide to everything you need to know before you board. 

About the Ship: Appropriate for an NYC restart, the Norwegian Breakaway is an homage to the city, featuring New York-inspired decor throughout the ship. Completely refurbished in 2018, the vessel is home to a number of entertainment options and activities. At full capacity (prior to COVID restrictions) Breakaway has the capacity to hold 3,963 passengers and offers 2,011 cabins. 

5 Norwegian Breakaway Tips You Need to Know

Activities + Entertainment: Norwegian Breakaway is packed with a variety of amenities for kids and adults alike. Ship highlights include an Aqua Park and Sports Complex, five multi-story waterslides, the ‘walk-the-plank’ experience, miniature golf, rock climbing wall, three-story ropes course, kids and teens centers, the Mandarin Spa and Salon, a casino, three swimming pools, and nine whirlpools. 

Breakaway is home to three Broadway-style shows. Travelers rave about the Tony-nominated musical ‘Rock of Ages', the Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy, and the Broadway dance show ‘Burn the Floor’. If you’re looking to do some dancing of your own, adult travelers can dance the night away at Spice H2O Club or indulge in libations at any of the 15 bars onboard. 

Explore All Onboard Activities on Norwegian Breakaway

Dining: Norwegian Breakaway offers a total of 27 specialty and included dining venues. With so much variety, there’s certain to be something to please every traveler’s palate. Freestyle dining on Norwegian Breakaway gives you the option to eat when, where and with whom you like, with no assigned dining times or tables. 

Included dining venues include three main dining rooms, the Garden Cafe, O’Sheehan’s Sports Bar, Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, Savor, Taste, and the Haven Lounge (available to guests staying in the Haven area). Specialty eateries include Ocean Blue, Moderno Churrascaria, Wasabi, American Diner, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Gelateria, La Cucina, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, Bake Shop, and the Raw Bar.  

Read Norwegian Breakaway Dining Reviews

Pricing: Sailings on the Norwegian Breakaway are filling up fast with pricing changing daily. If you find a price you like for the sailing you want, book it NOW as chances are it won't last long!

Right now you can expect to pay about $55 per person per night for entry-level accommodations. Consider booking a balcony cabin, so you have your own private space to enjoy watching the ocean roll by. Balcony cabins on Norwegian Breakaway currently start at about $110 per person per night and go up based on location and category. 

Find a Deal on a Norwegian Breakaway Sailing

What to Expect at Embarkation & Onboard Protocol

Norwegian Cruise Line has a 100 percent vaccination requirement. This means that many protocols you may see with other cruise lines at this time may differ from what you will find on any Norwegian ship. You can expect a number of health checks and requirements for embarkation.

Norwegian has designed an enhanced, staggered embarkation process and a new check-in system to streamline check-in for guests by allowing documents to be signed electronically. Prior to boarding, guests must acknowledge vaccination status prior to their sailing and bring proof of vaccination to the terminal for their cruise. All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test, administered and paid for by Norwegian, prior to boarding and receive a negative result. In addition, every guest will have a PCR swab taken that will be sent to a lab separately and results processed the following day as part of the Bermuda pre-arrival requirements.

Onboard, Norwegian will offer a mask-free cruising experience, no social distancing, all restaurants and venues will be open, and no capacity restrictions. Note, as government regulations evolve, health and safety protocols may evolve to comply with local requirements.

For more details on Norwegian’s Sail Safe plan and answers to frequently asked questions, click here.

Tips from Our Community Members:

Norwegian does not disappoint. They are constantly trying to maintain their service even with a large number of guests. - rnisphd

Excellent cruise all in all. We really enjoyed the show Tenors of Rock, it was fantastic! - info34984329

I had a wonderful time from beginning to end. Norwegian will definitely see me just about every year! Love that ship! - Malikka85

Shore Excursions: 

With three days at port in Bermuda, we recommend doing your research before getting on board  so you can enjoy everything this spectacular destination has to offer! This 21-square mile paradise is an idyllic location for both relaxation and adventure. Some of our favorite excursions here include a Glass Bottom Boat Tour, Rum Tasting Tour, the Twilight Bermuda Triangle Cruise, or a Snorkel Adventure. 

For more information about Bermuda and top activities to check out, explore our guide to the Best Things to Do in Bermuda. 

Want to Cruise on the Norwegian Breakaway in 2021? Explore All Sailings

Booked on Norwegian Breakaway? Join a Roll Call

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Latest Update September 9, 2021