Stay with the smaller ships

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 44

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Breakaway

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 28, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 14822

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

The Norwegian Breakaway does not have the staff to accommodate so many people. We were offered the FREE drink package which wasn't free after paying taxes and then more taxes on the ship. It would have been a good deal however if they had a wait staff taken your order. There was one waiter on the first day on the Spice H2O. Which finally ended up being the space we spent our free time because every other place was packed and with NO chairs.  We never saw another waiter walking around after the first day. The lines at the 3 bars we got drinks from where at least 20 min. I believe this was done by design, because of the Free drink offers to discourage customers. And encourage them to get drinks from their room mini fridge. Which we eventually ended up having to do and it cost us a LOT of money. The larger ships also have you making reservations to any of the shows because they make the theatres half the size. We were able to finally get into one of the shows but had to show up 30 minutes before. Which would have been ok but the seats were made so cheaply that you could barely walk after a two hour show. We saw Rock Of Ages and it was FANTASTIC. The food on this ship is AMAZING we had NO complaints. They really work hard on this part of the cruise experience. We did try to get into the Noodle Bar 3 days but was never able to because of the lines. So the only two places we eat where the main dining room and the food court. We did order room service one night and had no complaints about the new room charge of $7.95. At dinner one night 2 of the crew staff stopped at our table to get feedback about our experience. We told them about our day at their island Stirrup Cay. We were able to make reservations to leave the boat at 11:00 and by the time all was said and done we made it over by 12:00. Once there we found ourselves walking around for almost 2 hours trying to find a chair. We finally settled on going over to the lagoon to try and find seating and had the same problem. On our way over we noticed that they had hundreds of chairs stacked up around a storage building. These chairs should have been put out knowing that the ship has up to 4 thousand people. Also they only offer 2 places to get food. One on the main side of the island that the line was over an hour wait, the second by the lagoon that also was an hour or more. So we never got lunch and a lot of people we spoke to never got lunch. We finally ended up putting towels down on a section of the island that had some sand and was able to get into the water for about an hour before having to walk all the way back to the boat. The day was a total bust. the staff then told us YES you have to plan accordingly going to the island and could have rented one of our cabana. After looking up the price for a small one in 2013 starts at $300. We just wanted a chair or two. This cruise only has 3 port stops because of the distance they have to cover from NY. Orlando, Stirrup Cay & Nassau. We went to Sandals Resort on Nassau and that was our only good excursion. We choose to stay on the ship when docked in Orlando to try and enjoy the ship with no so many people. The line at the bar at H2O was a bit more manageable, but we never got to use any of the hot tubs because of crowds. Maybe Norwegian has a staffing problem?   We will cruise again but it will not be with Norwegian, they could give us a free cruise and we would not take it. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
main dining and food court was wonderful. Any other free dining is too crowded

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
The layout of this ship is awful. We tried to view the sexy men leg contest and people were piled up so high you couldn't see anything. We gave up trying to do any crew events.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
We only got to see one show Rock Of Ages and it was amazing. Even though the chairs are horrible. Plan on having a bad back for a while after. We played bingo for about an hour or more and again it was in a bar with wooden chairs. This cruise ship has nothing in the way of relaxing.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Our cabin crew was great. No wait staff for drinks and not enough bartenders.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5
Layout is one of the worst we have experienced. Only one pool and 4 hot tubs for everyone to share. They only opened a few bars at a time.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
The room was good for our needs we had no complaints although they might want to add a sign over the toilet to push the button and release fast. We had to have staff come in to show us how to flush.

Ports of call

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

1 out of 5
Plan on not having a chair and not eating or drinking if going on this island with this big ship. Lines where more than an hour and they don't put out all of the chairs. They want you to rent cabanas starting at $300.

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5
We spent an amazing day at Sandals Resort with a day pass paid at the resort of $110. It's a 30 min cab ride. The resort is adults only and includes all food, drinks, transport to their private island that also has food, drinks, pool, hot tub and many chairs and sitting areas. Great beaches and fun snorkeling.

Traveler Photos

Sandals Nassau Sandals Nassau NCL Breakaway Nassau Sandals private Island Balcony Room for 3 people
Was this review helpful? 44

21 Comments

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

esm54687    8 years ago

You can book tender reservations the day you embark..... no need to wait until the morning of GSC. Use any touch screen, your TV, or go to the Excursion Desk. Also, if you have a booked excursion then you get priority tender assignment before anyone else (hint: clamshell lounge chairs are considered an "excursion")

info510    8 years ago

The reason we did not get to the private Island until noon was because you have to make a reservation. So you have to get up very early to make the reservation and then they put you in a time slot. Unfortunately ours was on the wait list and we could not go until 11:00 and it took an hour between waiting in line and boat ride over. We have been to the Island when we where on a smaller ship and had NO problems getting chairs or food. But if you are on one of the Large ones good luck... 

billyd3    8 years ago

 I Heard almost the same review from a friend that sailed RC'S Allure of the Seas last week. I think all cruiselines are having problems with the large ships. Too many guests on the ships and not enough venues. I have nothing but great experiences on my NCL Dawn cruise last week. Best Crew of all my 10 cruises with Carnival, Royal, NCL. The shows were outstanding.

 

Ejan    8 years ago

rdg19    8 years ago

So I am just trying to understand about the tax. So when we board in nyc before we leave the port, we would be charged tax on the drinks if we ordered as soon as we got on but once it leaves the port, we are good.. same thing would be for florida, once docked you get taxed and then once we leave your clear? Thanks for all the info about the beach there..definitely will be doing that. .hopefully it gets to that port... do u have any other helpful info about Nassau or port canerval too.

esm54687    8 years ago

I didn't look at the food at the lagoon.... The BBQ was pretty good for a the volume served. Basic hamburger, hot dog, corn, etc

esm54687    8 years ago

Yes, there are three sections (Bayard, Cabana, and Lagoon) that have the clamshells. If you get one... make sure to ask for one that has a mesh backing.... allows for air to pass through... the solid clamshell can get very warm. Yes, the sales tax is city \ state mandated..... most US ports will charge you approx 5 - 7% of the beverage even if you have the UBP. Also, remember that the UBP is not valid on disembarking day. The package is for 7 days and disembarking is day 8

rlongo5899    8 years ago

What kind of food is at the lagoon? Is the BBQ better? We are going to do the snorkeling there and I believe that's over at the lagoon?

rdg19    8 years ago

Would the main have the clamshell too? You are always so knowledgeable. . Is it true that u pay the tax in a us port even though u paid tax and gratitudes with the beverage package?

esm54687    8 years ago

The BBQ is located at the main beach and has rest rooms, music, etc right there.... I would go with Main if you like a festive mood. Lagoon is very quiet and best if the weather is windy because it's protected but the water depth is shallow. It has food but not the BBQ. The "beach" is a generous term because the island is very rocky so wear sandals, etc The tram is about 5-10 minutes and free...... I used it to explore all sections of the island.

rdg19    8 years ago

Esm54687... I will have 4 adults and 1 child. . What is the best spot to get the clamshell and be close to beach, sand and food. .is the lagoon the only spot for the food? How long is tram ride..thanks

esm54687    8 years ago

another secret about GSC: they have clamshells (2 shaded lounge chairs) that are $30.... they are classified as an excursion and can only be booked on the ship which gets you a priority tender. There are three sections to choose from (Bacardi (main), Cabana (middle), and Lagoon (far end... food )) .....there is a tram that runs from the main beach to the cabana beach to the lagoon and reverse.. BBQ begins at 1130 so try and eat at that time to avoid the mad rush..

rdg19    8 years ago

Ok good to know thank u

cruisincouple06    8 years ago

Yes correct....even if u have drink package u still pay a small tax on drinks while in US port

rdg19    8 years ago

Cruisingluvcouple.. you say u have to pay tax at a US port. Even if u have beverage package and paid for taxes and gratitudes already, u still have to pay tax when at US port?

aidankay    8 years ago

Well, of course you were not going to find chairs if you left the ship so late! I usually leave around 9-9:30.

cruisincouple06    8 years ago

On the escape we would go get breakfast around 9 or so then just headed out to get chairs we always went up on the sun deck....we did not lay around the pool areas so that might be a little tricky to getting chairs there so I can't say for sure in the pool area...on the escape deck 20 was the sun deck and after breakfast you could pick where u wanted to lay

rlongo5899    8 years ago

Cruisingluvcouple, can you tell us the secret to getting chairs? If I have to wait for food then I have to wait but I would like to make sure we get chairs.

Jolissa    8 years ago

We never waited for drinks anywhere. The ship was full and we always were able to get chairs - sometimes 4 together. Who wants to use a community hot tub? If they give you a free cruise, let me know. Well take it. On a different note, everyone has an opinion and their own experience. Thanks for sharing.

cruisincouple06    8 years ago

U only pay taxes on drinks while at a US port...once u set sail you don't pay taxes....been there done that, some of your review also seems as you didn't do your homework prior to sailing....been to there private island multiple times and never had one problem getting a chair or food....u had to drink from your mini fridge....well don't think anyone twisted your arm to do that....that's on you

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