My first time on Norwegian Cruise Line. The Breakaway is designed poorly - smoke permeates the common areas even when the ship is in port. I suspect that the crew gets used to it, but the occasional traveler does not - and can not.
One and done for me.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
Main dining rooms and buffet average, entertainment in Manhattan restaurant excellent. Oceans specialty restaurant terrific.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Fitness center the best.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Dancers excellent, others average to below average.
Children's Programs
3 out of 5
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Dining rooms and buffet people good.
Ship Quality
1 out of 5
6th, 7th, and 8th decks contain the shopping areas, restaurants, reception, etc. the casino is on 7. There is an open area in the center of the ship that goes from the 6th to 8th decks and the casino is right in the middle on 7. Smoke from the casino permeates. Our muster station, where we sat through the initial briefing, was in the casino. No there was no smoking at the time but the black jack tables felt covering, carpets, etc., reeked.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
Smallest mini suite ever.
Ship tip
Large ship, stable in the rough seas and gale force winds we had most of the cruise
Careful here fellow travelers. We were told on the Breakaway to go to a beach on West End. We did. $66 (others paid over $100) for transportation, port exit fee (!) and access to beach. We ended up at Fosters “Resort” which had a small beach and nasty toilets. There were so many people selling trinkets, massages, water and have braiding you couldn’t see the water. These sales people would stand in right in front of you in clusters. Once security tried yo run them off - that resulted in a shouting match and no change. There must be something better to do here.
WE LIKE EL CID. We have been to Cozumel several times so this time we decided to go to the beach. We inquired at the info desk at the port about transportation to and access to a beach. Cost was over $100 for 2. On line we read about the El Cid Hotel day pass so we walked - it was about 100 meters to the left once you left the port gates. PERFECT for us. Very clean hotel, easy access to restrooms, 2 very different but very nice and clean beaches. The cost per person was $22 which included access to the facilities, the beaches, beach chairs, and covered beach areas if you want to get out of the sun. The $22 includes a $13 credit at the restaurant. It had some good beers @ $3.50 each. Oh the $22 also includes scuba gear. I don’t think you will be disappointed here.
It was a zoo. Pax are forced into a serpentine line that snakes around the ship, through that stinky casino, outside (it was very cold) back inside and finally off the ship. The crew had set up chairs to form the serpentine but the chairs inhibited passage by people with luggage. Not good. Must be a better way.
Funny that I just read your post about how bad the smoke smell was! We just got back from our cruise on the Breakaway and last night my mother said they must really have a good ventilation system on that ship I could not smell the smoke! She said her clothes didn’t even smell like smoke when she was in the casino! My mother hates the smell of smoke! Funny how everyone’s opinion is different!!!
I'm sorry you had such a bad time. My wife and adult children and I went on the breakaway and loved it. We loved it so much that we went on the getaway the next year.
All of the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships have the same basic design with the open floors between deck 6-8. So yes the smoke from casino on deck 7 will be smelt there. So it's just not on Breakaway.
Miserable person. The review of the same sailing 5 minutes after by someone else found everything wonderful. I bet the crew cheered when you finally disembarked.
I can’t comment on ports but you don’t seem cut out for crews vacations. Yo hated everything. That said we found the breakaway poorly designed as well. One of our least favorite ships
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