As the title of the review indicates, we loved (most of) the ports, but the Breakaway.... Let's just say this was our second voyage on this ship and our last.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
The check-in person was very friendly and efficient, but one of the staff members, who was directing people where to go, was extremely rude.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Most of the food was good, just not up to the Breakaway's previous standards - some dried-up pizza slices, for example.
La Cucina
5 out of 5
La Cucina is always excellent - food, staff, atmosphere.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We played miniature golf and ping-pong, and had a fun time. The quiz activities offered were also more interesting and creative than on our prior cruises.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We saw "Rock of Ages". Excellent.
Children's Programs
No children.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Nearly all of the staff were friendly, courteous, and helpful. However, on the day we boarded, when one of our bags hadn't been brought to our cabin several hours after the others, I found it in the baggage staging area. The officer in charge refused to let me have it. stating that "we will bring it to your cabin". No one ever did. I eventually found it at the "Lost Baggage" office. Then, on the last day of the cruise, one of the "washy-washy" ladies at the Garden Cafe became irate when I didn't want my clean hands washed. She grabbed my arm and yelled at me. There were also a few clueless, though harmless, staff members. Special shout-out to our room steward. Tedi. He is the best.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship is attractive and mostly well-thought out. However, having a shopping venue that largely blocks a heavily-traveled corridor (part of "Tradewinds" on Deck 8) was not a good idea. Some public areas were not always as clean as they might have been, but nothing major.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Very small and not well-designed (very little storage space - just a few really small shelves in the closet). It didn't help that our toilet was quite difficult to flush, even after it was "fixed".
Ship tip
If you've never sailed on the Breakaway before, you'll probably enjoy yourself. If you have, as we had, you'll probably be disappointed. The ship, though only five years old, is not aging well. Uncooperative toilets, flickering lights...
Some beautiful scenery, especially at the Natural Bridge, but the "Best of Aruba" excursion left me feeling like Peggy Lee - Is that all there is? Also, the restrooms at Casibari Rock smelled horrific. My wife refused to enter.
(St. Pierre a Historical Capital excursion). The tropical rain forest scenery was amazing but, while there are some lovely resorts and upscale mountainside homes, the houses of the average folks are mostly ramshackle hovels made of concrete blocks and metal roofs that are in a terrible state of repair. Because of the humid climate, the walls of homes and public buildings are covered with mold. The old capital - St. Pierre - is a mess. The French government should be embarrassed and ashamed.
St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and the people are the friendliest I've ever encountered. The conductor on the "St. Lucia Trolley Train" excursion ("Small") is a wonderful guide and a gifted comedian. I can't wait to go back.
We went to the beach for the afternoon (can't remember the name). Beautiful scenery, placid Caribbean waves. The people of St. Christopher are friendly.
As usual, the disembarkation process was much longer and drawn-out than it should have been. We were more than an hour late leaving the ship. It's always like Norwegian has never been through this before and has no idea what to expect when disembarking 4000 people!
Marnewm2: I'm confused.... your profile indicates 29 cruises and a ton on NCL.... you are asking for show times here and other threads yet you provide the showtimes on other threads as if you know......
No "challenge" except she posted in an NCL thread so it's not that far of a leap to associate the comment with NCL. If it's a general statement, I'm still interested.
cbcruisin: each post you earn points and the more you post the higher the rank you earn... if you click on a person's avatar you can see..... for example you have 288 points and a Second Mate..... but, it just counts how many posts not necessarily that the content of a post contained anything helpful... but it does mean you have some experience because you've been around for a while
I will not travel in the Breakaway again. I would travel in the Gem, which is a very nice ship. This fall, we will be traveling in the Escape for the first time. We’ll see.
historymann49: I agree that the "washy-washy" staff can be a little overly aggressive especially when they worry about the front door but no one is ever stationed in the middle or back entrances.... no consistency
IkeDeb: I know a ShipMate profile is not always a true reflection of what a cruiser has actually cruised. Your profile is currently all CCL so was wondering if you could elaborate on the NCL ship's you have chosen not to cruise on again to assist others of concerns. As a Captain poster your experience would be invaluable to newbies etc.
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