Unexpectedly Enjoyable Itinerary

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

PamRenee

Contributor Level: Second Mate

1 Day Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 6

Helpful Votes: 61

Overall rating:

4.1 out of 5

7 Night Canada & New England (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 08, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12820

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 19 days ago

Review summary

I recently sailed on the Norwegian Breakaway, which has a layout almost identical to the Norwegian Getaway, a ship I’ve cruised on twice before. However, the lack of USB outlets by the bed was a major letdown, and I’ve decided I won’t be sailing on either ship again. That aside, the Canada & New England itinerary, which I initially thought would be dull, ended up surprising me in the best way. The weather was perfect—sunny and mild the entire time! One of the highlights was the Hop-on Hop-off bus in Canada, which was incredibly flexible and allowed me to enjoy the day without the pressure of an early start. Halifax stood out with its vibrant atmosphere, full of shops, dining, and activity. I also loved learning about the Titanic recovery efforts in both Saint John and Halifax—there’s so much fascinating history there, and I’m already looking forward to visiting Canada again. Bar Harbor, ME was another highlight, with scenic views, great shops, and dining just a short walk from the port. Embarkation and disembarkation were the smoothest I’ve ever experienced, and with very few children onboard, the cruise remained peaceful and relaxing throughout. The ship’s lifeboats, which were used for tendering, were impressively stable. Dinner each night was a treat with freshly made crepes, and the chocolate lava cake in the main dining room was absolutely irresistible. On the downside, the cabin washcloths were rough and not as bright as I would’ve expected, and the toilet had occasional flushing issues. The absence of bedside outlets was inconvenient and a bit frustrating. The port-intensive itinerary also left little time to fully explore the ship, gamble, or take advantage of the drink packages. Portland, ME didn’t offer much to see or do near the port, and the hilly terrain is something to be mindful of for those with mobility issues. Newport, ME was quiet and walkable, though it didn’t particularly resonate with me.