3rd NCL Cruise and service was lacking

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 24

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Breakaway

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 16, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 5809

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This was our 3rd NCL cruise with family and I was saddened to see many of the things I was looking forward to were no longer available.  The salmon and loxs I had on previous trips was no longer available neither were the lobster tails offered in the dining room. Chocolate night had also removed from the itinerary as well as the firework show from 2 years ago.  The late night outdoor buffett was also no longer being done.  This cruise also never had the grilling out by the pool of hamburgers and hot dogs with salads. The 2nd stop was cancelled due to wind and choppy waves. Lots of little things were no longer available and the company was just nickel and diming us ever time we turned our back.  I was supposed to have a $100 room credit per each of the 2 rooms I booked but I had to call and send an email with a snapshot of my credit card charges to hopefully get this reimbursed.  A few hours after we boarded our 4 daughters went out to check out the levels. During this time they announced safety procedures and our girls were forced to separate. My daughter called me in a panic because she was alone and my friends daughter was left crying alone in another section of the boat. I was very upset to hear that staff had touched them and separated them and split them up. Especially since we always tel them no always buddy up! Luckily we still had cell service and my daughter was able to call me. I also noticed that None of the servers seemed happy.  I'm glad to say that we found two wonderful accommodating servers, Edna, at Shakers, and the man who took care of our room! They made our day. We traveled with 3 other families and they kept commenting how Royal would do this or that, and they are right. We picked NCL due to the activities for the kids. They enjoyed it but I wish the adults could have been more pleased. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ports of call

New York, New York

2 out of 5

Port Canaveral, Florida

2 out of 5

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

1 out of 5
Not allowed to dock

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5
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9 Comments

wheezer234    7 years ago

Ncl was bought out about 2 years ago that's why things are not the same,found out when they changed the way they handle food allergys(only reason I kept sailing on ncl)now we will look into other alternatives

Ejan    7 years ago

wl1962.  I agree with you.  I see too many comments saying that one should "make the best of it" because you're on vacation.  I'd like to add the famous quote, "There are 'the haves' and the 'have-nots' and if you don't know there's a difference, then you are definitely a 'have-not."

wl1962    7 years ago

Oh and for the people who just make the best of it. I am sorry you dont think your worth better on your vacation. I feel i deserve what they show in brochure and commercial

wl1962    7 years ago

I noticed these things missing as well. All an effort to upsell to the extra dining. Rccl tried to upsell the fillet mignon. Then dropped the price and tried again. Then maitrr d came over And tried to sell i showed the waiter and the maitre d pics of our cows that we raise for beef and told no way i pay for beef in a restaurant and they still pressured the sale. We ate done with rccl. We still like ncl except the breakaway but miss what use to be. Charge me an extra 30 and give back the lobster and late buffet.

esm54687    7 years ago

Could you elaborate on the separation of your daughter and friend?? If they were in the same stateroom then they theoretically had the same muster station but if they were in different staterooms then it makes perfect sense that they were told to separate to their respective muster station. Muster stations are specific to stateroom and passengers because of lifeboat logistics, etc. . (yes, in the event of a catastrophic event I'm sure they wouldn't accept you at the wrong muster station).... this safety drill is clearly communicated and if the girls were off checking things out then it is the crews responsiblity to usher them to the respective location. . not sure I have ever seen a crew member man handle a passenger without cause.

bcfl0bb    7 years ago

wah wah make the best of it you are on vacation love the ship love ncl complainers like to complain

6871cormaca    7 years ago

For tendering

6871cormaca    7 years ago

I have noticed a lot of people saying that Stirrup Cay is cancelled a lot . We were able to make our tender last year at this time . It's such a beautiful island . I wonder why they would change the itinerary for the a few months until the weather is better fit tendering .

Cindykins1    7 years ago

It's funny, but I was on this ship last month. I did not realize how much we missed. Those things like the fireworks etc would have been so cool. We still had a good time. We also missed Great Stirrup Cay due to unsafe conditions, but so did the RCCL ship that was the same itinerary as ours, they cancelled their private island also. I hope your next one will be better.

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