Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review - 2023/2024 - Food & More
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- čas přidán 4. 03. 2023
- Is Cruise sailing back after COVID? Here is a review of the cruise ship Norwegian "Breakaway" sailing out of New Orleans to the Caribbean (Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel and Harvest Caye Belize. This first part focused on getting on the ship, the room (and its idiosynchrasies) as well as the buffet and formal dining options. What was good? What was bad? You'll hear the whole deal. If you want to see part 2 with more details on shore excusions and shipboard entertainment, be sure to subscribe!
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I’ve been on Norwegian 3 times and always found their food to be top notch.
I was on the Breakaway the week after you , My embarkation time was 1:30 and I had maybe a 10 minute wait, I also had no problem with finding a table on floor 15 even at peak times but I 1000% agree with you about the food, it was not the NCL of the 1990's when it was fancy and cooked correctly and actually brought to your table warm. The only time I ate a warm meal on this trip was at Teppanyaki. Looking forward to the rest of your videos.
I really appreciate your video. We sailed on the Mardi Gras Cruise, and we experienced a lot of the same issues. Great content!
This is like the apple vs android conversation. He admits he’s usually cruise’s Carnival, so naturally the way Norwegian does business is different for him. Personally, I’ve cruised Norwegian about four times (Breakaway, Prima, Viva) and I’ve never had a problem because I know the ins and outs of the cruise line. I’m sure if I cruise another line, it’ll take some getting used to. Also, Prima and Viva… the cat’s Meow!
Watching this video just shows what happens when you go on a cruise without knowing where you're going. Complaining about the 3 main dining rooms having the same menu, for example, when that's very well publicized - the only difference is the environment.
This was an excellent video. I appreciated your critical, but honest, review.
I’m 15 and was on this cruise with my 14 year old cousin and one cool thing was the teen lounge there was PlayStations and Nintendo switches you could play on and I met a lot of nice kids and it was one of the best weeks ever and the fries were weirdly one of the best things in the buffet
We still argue about those fries. I'm convinced they were cooked in beef tallow like McDonald's used to be. I asked and they said vegetable oil but I still don't think so.
So last week, my wife and I were just about to book the April cruise on this ship out of New Orleans. We have cruised a number of times before and actually sailed on Norwegian several years ago. The April cruise is the last time (until Fall) that any line other than Carnival sails out of the three western Gulf ports - and we really don't want to sail on Carnival ever again. I can not over emphasize the impact your video had on our plans. We are not "foodies" but all of your comments seemed spot on. I think what really did us in was seeing the size of the vessel. I'm a retired aircraft carrier sailor by trade, and I just don't think I need to share anymore boats with 6,000 shipmates. I believe we will turn inland and try to find something a bit calmer. Anyway, thank you for a great video. You saved us both money and time.
I hear the cruises out of Port Canaveral are much better and you have many more choices out of Florida! Check out Holland America, Celebrity, Princess and my favorite Oceania!
What happened in carnival that you don’t want to cruise with then again? I been on 5 carnival cruises and to me they are great all around and they have one the best food available at sea i got iff their newest ship celebration and it was really nice.
Thanks for the review. Very convincing. I’m passing.
Great information thanks for sharing..
This video is verrrry critical.
But also Very honest…appreciated this
Most of the negative things mentioned are just inherent with cruises. Most noticeable is the add-on dining. The difference is that NCL does usually have the free at sea offer that will include one or two.
It's critical because he's being honest. Looking at the food and areas of this ship does not guve me a desire to board. I'm an avid cruiser and mostly on Royal Caribbean. This is definitely not Royal standards whixh is top notch. This is lacking on everything from space, food to entertainment. No bueno
@letitiagreene4109 It has been proven that negativity gets more clicks. If he later releases a similarly "honest" review about an RCL ship, would you then not sail with them?
Oh yeah… balcony rooms won’t allow you to run the AC when the door is open, because the cold AC air and warm outside air will create moisture in the stateroom. Moisture leads to mold, and/or that nasty “wet mildew towel” smell we all hate and complain about when we experience it.
You did an amazing job on this video...for a food critic. I wish you had done more of everything "non" food. Granted....I understand why, as I'm from Lafayette, LA. With that said, I am not going for the food...I'm going for the vacation. I'm not bashing.....thanks again for the video, and we hope to cruise from NOLA (our first cruise) sometime in May or June of 2024. Thanks!
4:45 yeah, my bag went "missing" on a Virgin Cruise for the same reason. Left the wine (which on Virgin you can bring on) in the bag and it got flagged and sent to a holding area. No one told me and it took several times asking my Steward before he finally figured it out. I was in a panic. Seems like they should tell your room Steward that your bag is in jail and where to go so they can tell me sooner. Would save a lot of people a lot of headache
We sailed Breakaway in 2019. Perhaps the best food of any cruise we have ever had, that being said we didn't care for the layout of the ship. I asked a crew member which deck was the Lido deck......she looked at me like I had 4 eyeballs.
I felt the nickel and diming when we took the breakaway outb of new york years ago. they removed the complimentary burger bar in favor of another upcharge since then. Felt the main dining rooms food was just okay. Hated the amount of smoke in the mid ship area and on the waterfront.
Your video is one of the most informative I've found, so far - thank you!
How large was your group?
My family of 3 is part of 15 next January.
We have three kids in the group - 7, 10, 12 - did any of the families you were with blog as well? If so, can you point me to them?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks - I will be adding more video reviews soon. I don't think anybody else in our group is blogging anything but my reviews will also reflect what others in our group thought. Next video will go into more details on ship entertainment and shore excursions, so be sure to subscribe!
Did you ever do the video about the shore excursions? I can’t find it.
Live about an hour and a half from New Orleans. I've been looking for a cruise out of there.
How do you rank Norwegian to Carnival?
New sub, and sincerely appreciate the content. 🇺🇲
Awesome review. I've got a 12-day transatlantic from Port Canaveral to Lisbon in 33 days. This helps greatly. Thank you. 👍🏽
Very fair and honest critics.
Great review of the Norwegian breakaway. I have sailed the breakaway, twice pre-pandemic, and will be sailing on a repositioning cruise shortly.
I’m not a gourmet food eater, but I want good quality food, served at the proper temperature.
I have no problem with sending food back to the kitchen if it’s not up to my standards.
This will be my third transatlantic cruise since the pandemic, and I have cruised more than 35 times on all the major lines.
None of the cruise lines are perfect, they all have their plus and minuses!
In your future Cruise videos, please use Ship, it is not a boat! thanks…
Experienced Cruiser know to say "Ship" never a boat. The problem is with staffing shortages Shame on the Norwegian and their staffing cuts. Can't blame staff they are trying their best😢.
Yea, "ship" but I still remember "the Love BOAT"
What cruise line do you usually sail on?
What was your cabin category and cabin number? Thanks in advance
We were considering a 16 day reposition cruise on the Breakaway, but after your review, I'm seriously rethinking it. It seems like a great price, but not with the high gratuities and blah tasting food.
Remember a few things. This is one person's opinion who has not gone on NCL before and made some mistakes, and also went with a very large group.
Two, a 16 day repositioning cruise is a completely different experience from a Western Caribbean cruise when it comes to crowds and families
@@brettparnell8254agree this is a one man opinion but how is this being his 1st NCL cruise a problem? Most people like myself look for reviews on ships/companies we never been in to see what other people think.
Been on Norwegian breakaway three times going on it for a fourth time leaving out of Rome in November for a 16 day transatlantic and then back in New York never had a problem the ship is always been a fun time and have no problems with the food or the specialty restaurants just hope they have enough activities which have to make fun for yourself sometimes
Thank you for the tour! I'm sensitive to cigarette smoke - can you let me know if you could smell smoke in the public areas near the open air casino on the Breakaway?
I could definitely smell smoke near the casino - it was pretty bad, but it seemed like only on certain days/times did they let people smoke there. It was confusing.
I was taking your opinion seriously until you said bullion cubes. Wow ok you just love you some MSG😂
culinary gatekeeping at its finest... I bet some of the foods you love the most probably have MSG.. you wouldn't know... plus it's also a naturally occurring molecule in many foods
It is VERY clear you don't cruise much! You can't leave your balcony door open and still get AC?? Carbon footprint ring any bells?? And ALL cruise lines that all you to bring wine tell you it has to be in your carry on.
You shouldn't have to cruise a lot in order to have an efficient, good time. Many things are unnecessarily ass backwards on this ship--and veteran cruisers just accepting that over time doesn't make it make sense.
Awesome video. But you can't complain that if you open the window an the air-condition is shut off. They aren't trying to cool off the outside. It's actually very common in Europe if you open the window it shuts down the HVAC system to your room.
Yes, but you'd think there would be some note saying that. I can't think of any other place I've ever been where that happens.
We were on the Norwegian Epic and agree with you with regard to the Taste and Savor. The Manhattan was better than Taste and Savor. The Italian restaurant was extremely disappointing. Olive Garden was better than the Italian restaurant on the ship. We won’t be trying that again! We feel like the staff are all still learning after COVID and the more seasoned workers either didn’t come back or found other jobs elsewhere. It is certainly not what I remember cruising to be like pre-COVID.
Does the Haven include any free dining but still exclusive to haven members?
I think so. I would have loved to try it.
We paid NCL $500 for insurance in case anything happen to our trip. We were at the NZ airport when the weather went bad. 14 inches of rain fell that day. The airport was closed. We had to spend the night in the airport because they wouldn't let anybody leave. The next day we were threatened with jail time by the airport if we didn't leave so we left. NZ air offered no help. We arranged a hotel for two day hoping we would get help by any of the parties involved with no luck. We ended up staying for 5 day thinking we would be covered by the insurance that we purchased through NCL. The extra 5 days cost us $3k + $1400 to purchase new tickets through NZ air. We ended up with a $500 per person compensation for $1000 total and nothing from NZ air. Do NOT sail NCL. They hold no responsibility for anything that may go wrong and LIE about any kind of service they may have to provide. In the end it cost us $3400 for something that was not our fault. DON'T buy insurance it's a SCAM. Corporate Slobs.
was the whole casino allowed smoking?i remember we could smell it even in the atrium
I wonder if the high price of beef over the last few years is part of the issue with the beef.
Also US beef is different, more fatty from feedlot feedings, than South American beef.
Bottom line is that cruise lines are still trying to recover from Covid which hit them hard and long. As much as I would like to cruise again, I am concerned that it will be a huge disappointment.
authoritarian lockdowns don't begin with the letter c
I thought capacity was 3900# not over 4k
how was parking
Sounds like you want Disney Cruise Line service on a Norwegian budget. You have to remember, you pay for what you get in life. You complained about the wait even with reservations. The cruise line can not control how long someone will sit around and wait after their meal. I could see if my reservation was for 5:00 and I am still waiting at 7:00 to sit down As far as paying extra for other restaurants, I hope everyone stays out of the additional pay restaurants. It will make it easier for me to get in when we go in a few weeks.
Don't worry. If there are people like you in the pay restaurants, we'll stay out of them.
Wow.
Thank you for the feedback we leave in two weeks
Best of luck!
FYI, It’s a ship, not a boat..
You sound very smart.
It's a floating apartment building with restaurants, shopping, bars and shopping!
Hi! Did your receive book a sail away balcony?
The best part of this cruise is Cagney’s and the French restaurant. You made bad choices with restaurants.
I’ve been on this ship twice and honestly it’s not really my favorite nor will I ever go on it. There are many better other choices for the price they charge.
My girlfriend and I were on the same trip and we found the main dining, at best, tolerable.
We did have a few nice lunches in Taste but otherwise, uninspir8bg is the kindest adjective I could use for the main dining.
I did get to Shanghai and I stuck strictly to the dumplings and dim sum which I rather enjoyed.
I was very disappointed that the buffet closed so early, leaving the only late night option as O'Sheehan's and I found it impossible to get a table since I couldn't bring food to the bar area.
I was very disappointed with the dining on Breakaway.
Also, we never saw our cabin steward.... never!
My favourite area was the deck 8 starboard bar on The Waterfront.
This was always hopping and fun. The bartenders were a blast and the crowds were always out there to laugh and have fun.
Had it not been for that bar, the cruise would 25:02 have been a bust for me.
In spite of that, I did find the crew I encountered to all be very pleasant and accommodating.
The biggest and, by far most annoying and exasperating experience was the muster drill.
They was a 2sst3d hour they almost ruined the entire first day.
Terrific v8deo. You've gained a new subscriber.
WAS JUST ON THIS SHIP FEEL THE SAME AQBOUT THE FOOD
You mention you are from New Orleans and this was your first NCL cruise. So I assume you must have experience on the Carnival competition in town - the Valor. If you were this critical of the Breakaway, I can only imagine how depressing a Valor review would be. If you think this Breakaway cruise is not 10 times better than Valor, you really should not do any more reviews.
I haven't been on the Valor. I think I did do the Celebration once. But it's been so long I can't compare the two.
You are obviously a rookie cruiser who was ill-prepared for this cruise, and full of unrealistic expectations. With some basic pre-planning and common sense, you could have avoided most of the issues you complained about. Also, I suspect that the size of your group had a lot to do with your problems
Neither a rookie cruiser nor somebody who went with a group. Just reporting on things.
I'm guessing they are aiming to the average American taste. Which prefers bland food.
Says he knows good food from NOLA, proceeds to spend half the video talking about the buffet. Since when do you make the buffet food the highlight of any trip?
Most people dine at the buffet. And the buffet actually cointains most of the same foods that are in the other restaurants on ship. Plus you can have good quality food at a buffet.
At least in the King's English, it's a ship and not a boat.
The term is Ship, not boat
So you don’t talk about the Ports huh just food.
Actually I was working on a separate video about the ports but got distracted and never finished it.. lol
It's a ship. Not a boat.
So many rookie mistakes.
It's a SHIP NOT A FRIGGING BOAT 🤦♀️
You should get a Kleenex sponsorship for all of your crying. What a terrible review.
Who's the one whining in the comments? You could just go somewhere else but you apparently felt the need to spread your negativity.. for no good reason too. At least my criticism was constructive.
@@wisdomstudio Just got home from Breakaway and agree with most of what you say. Taste, Savour and the Manhattan were nothing special. My Wife likes to be waited on and didn't enjoy the Buffet. That was my favourite dining spot. The entire ship smelled like a giant ashtray, which really turned both of us off. She won a $30. photo and the restriction were ridiculous.
Maybe you should find another fleet of ships. You're extremely negative.
Maybe you should watch the whole video? I say plenty of positive things too.
Plus the main point of the video was to point out the more bad things.. there are so many people out there who do it "professionally" and aren't honest about the ship's misgivings because they often get special privileges and deals in return for doing reviews. I won't apologize for "keeping it REAL."
You are theeee best communicator on utube. I've watched 3500 videos in the last 3 years about travel and cruising, and u are the most likeable, objective, organized, intelligent,
Truthful, honest, reasonable,
Fair, open-minded, knowledgeable, content creater
On the web. You should really
Have nationally syndicated spots
Across TV and radio. Your expert
And Artistic Use of grammar and
Syntax is mind-blowing and rare.
I would love to know more about
Your educational background and your parents. 90% of the
Paid communicators and journalists on TV today don't even Know how to put a sentence together.
I've taken 8 ncl cruises before
The plague (2016 to 2020) and was extremely satisfied, but
I have no doubt that your review
Is accurate and fair and reasonable and objective. My
Ships were: the Bliss (3X); the
Joy (3X); the Sun and the Spirit.
Cruise locations were Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Central and
South America and the Caribbean. I think I'm going to
Still help ncl pay off its $14 Billion in debt with some more
Free at Sea Cruises in Europe
And Asia, but I'm definitely going
To start enjoying some Royal
Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Virgin,
Carnival and Viking cruises for
The first time. As a Single traveler, ncl has been an incredible half-price bargain on
All my ncl cruises---I have never
Paid double-occupancy prices, ever.
I was on the Ruby Princess 6
Years ago (when it was newer and just refurbished) for a Pacific Coastal 7 day cruise, and on a
Scale of 1 to 10, it was a 20!
Absolutely magnificent! Definitely
More Princess Cruises! I paid only 125% of single-occupancy
Pricing.
Love your channel. I'm Mark,
A retired real estate broker from
Laguna Beach, Calif., Las Vegas,
Waikiki/Maui and Fort Lauderdale/Miami.
,
We paid NCL $500 for insurance in case anything happen to our trip. We were at the NZ airport when the weather went bad. 14 inches of rain fell that day. The airport was closed. We had to spend the night in the airport because they wouldn't let anybody leave. The next day we were threatened with jail time by the airport if we didn't leave so we left. NZ air offered no help. We arranged a hotel for two day hoping we would get help by any of the parties involved with no luck. We ended up staying for 5 day thinking we would be covered by the insurance that we purchased through NCL. The extra 5 days cost us $3k + $1400 to purchase new tickets through NZ air. We ended up with a $500 per person compensation for $1000 total and nothing from NZ air. Do NOT sail NCL. They hold no responsibility for anything that may go wrong and LIE about any kind of service they may have to provide. In the end it cost us $3400 for something that was not our fault. DON'T buy insurance it's a SCAM. Corporate Slobs.