6 out of 10

Item: Norwegian Breakaway
Rating: 3.7
Author: CampingGirl

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review

CampingGirl

Contributor Level: Third Mate

105 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 92

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 04, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

The service was very inconsistent. We missed the usual extra personal touches and expertise. They must be very understaffed as slow service was experienced daily. Examples: coffee with dinner, over 15 minute wait. Juice with breakfast, had to ask 3 times, food delivered to the wrong person at the table several times. These are not make or break issues but when you’ve cruised a few times, noticeable decreased level of service.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

New Orleans port was congested with traffic, not as smooth as others we’ve been to.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Main dining room- service was slower than we’ve experienced before. The food did not come out all at once for our party a few different times. One meal or another lagged behind. Taste was good but not blow us away delicious. La Cucina (Italian) - not good, lasagna was missing sauce and flavor. So many other great choices, skip this one. Cagney (steak house)- DELICIOUS!! Buffet- good for a lunch time salad and a few nibbles. O’Sheehans- chicken wings were great! Banana Split a great treat as well.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Pool area not good. One pool for the whole ship is not ideal (unless of course you’ve paid extra for Haven, but really, shouldn’t have to do that). No table seating options by the pool, only lounge chairs. Smoking section poolside as well and very noticeable to a non-smoker. Two bars but side by side so that whole area gets overcrowded. Very few cocktail servers which only added to the crowded bar fiasco.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Theater show was entertaining, we liked it. Dance party on the aft was really fun with hits from our era. Having to make reservations for shows was new. TIP: Book them early and show up or don’t. At least you have an option versus missing out.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Very inconsistent. We experienced standing by a bar, waiting to order for 20 minutes without even being acknowledged. We also found “our favorite bartender” which we tipped well out of the gate and had beautiful service the entire cruise when went to his bar. Some staff did not love their jobs, obvious. We never met our cabin steward, no introduction, no acknowledgement we were there. Room was kept but not the personal service we’ve received on every other cruise we’ve taken.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

One pool, adults only yet kids were swimming in it with no redirection by cruise staff. (The kids have their own pool just down the way) Common areas too small for volume of passengers. The ship was clean

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Small, balcony tiny. Wasn’t as clean upon arrival as I expected. We wiped down the closet shelves and desk area. Previous passenger’s drinks still in the fridge.

Ship tip

1. Book your dinners and shows early, you can always cancel. 2. Encore is a way nicer boat, go that route if you can. 3. Find your bartender early, tip them and you’ll have a way better experience using that free drink package.

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