Breaking away!
We’re in Southampton today to join around 2,500 travel agents and media for a tour and overnight stay on Norwegian Breakaway. Norwegian Cruise Lines’ beautiful brand new ship has come straight from the shipyard, via Rotterdam and is in Southampton for a couple of days before she sets sail for her home port of New York. Moored alongside the cruise terminal, she’s an awesome sight – 18 gleaming white decks towering up into the blue sky and her vast hull resplendent with Peter Max’s colourful New York City-inspired artwork.
Breakaway’s vast and elegant interior is packed with eateries, bars, lounges, and entertainment venues. There’s a huge casino and more activities than anyone could possibly try on a single cruise. The Atrium, also known as 678 Ocean Place, spans three decks linked by glass staircases, connecting bars, restaurants and day and night entertainment and is illuminated by a magnificent chandelier – a spectacular sight when its thousands of LED lights change colour in the evenings.
Breakaway is a New York City-inspired ship, destined to sail all year round from the Big Apple down to the sunshine of Bermuda, Florida and the Bahamas. New Yorkers will certainly feel at home – painted city murals, NYC-named bars, cocktails, menus and Broadway musical shows. And Breakaway’s godmothers are the famous high-kicking Rockettes from Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall who perform on certain sailings during the year.
Norwegian’s informal style of cruising and ‘freestyle dining’ attract a younger demographic – think fun loving couples, groups of friends of all ages and families rather than senior citizens. Breakaway continues this trend with a packed schedule of lively day and night activities; an Aqua Park with five full size water slides, a three-storey sports complex with the largest ropes course at sea, extensive facilities for youngsters from tots to teens, lively night clubs, 20-odd bars, entertainment and Broadway shows.
One attractive feature is The Waterfront on Deck 8, a 400-metre oceanfront promenade with bars, shops and a range of alfresco dining options – ideal for warm weather cruising. Breakaway offers a total of 28 different dining options and nine are included in the cruise fare. The other ‘speciality’ restaurants incur additional charges ranging from $10 to $89 per person.
Over 4,000 passengers can be accommodated in a variety of inside and outside cabins and suites. For our one night ‘cruise to nowhere,’ we had a compact but comfortable balcony cabin with a sumptuous bed and a bathroom with an excellent shower. But the balcony was tiny with barely enough room for two chairs and a table. Passengers seeking more space can splash out on a Large Balcony Cabin or opt for one of The Haven’s 42 suites, located at the top of the ship with butler service and private facilities. For spa enthusiasts The Haven’s Spa Suites are located close to the Mandara Spa. All Haven passengers have complimentary access to the Thermal Suite.
As a spa writer, I particularly wanted to experience the Mandara Spa, as I did on Norwegian Epic (see my June 2010 blog), when I had a gold leaf facial. Unfortunately, on this occasion, no treatments were available, and I had to make do with only a short look around.
After visiting the spa, we explored the impressive Aqua Park and sports complex on the top deck, and tried tossing a few balls through one of the nets on the full size basketball court. All these amazing activities must be so much more fun when the ship is at sea.
After our exertions, we needed a drink, so headed down the Atrium 678 Ocean Place. This was always the busiest part of the ship and at 6pm it was noisy and absolutely teeming. Somehow we were served and sipped our drinks in watching footage of the Rockettes on a giant screen. I could have stayed viewing their intricate routines all evening, but we had a press reception to attend in The Haven Courtyard,and didn’t want to miss the chance to experience the most exclusive part of the ship. And exclusive it certainly is, with a private pool, sun deck, hot tub, sauna and fitness area. Haven guests also have their own lounge, a private dining room and other privileges.
After drinks and delicious canapes, we exchanged The Haven’s exclusivity for dinner in the bustling Manhattan Room. The restaurant, one of nine included in the cruise fare, is huge! We joined the dinner queue and were eventually seated at a table for six, which made for good company and interesting conversation. Food and wine were of a good standard and the waiters attentive but rushed off their feet. Dinner finished, it was time for some entertainment provided by the 55-minute show Burn the Floor. This high-energy show covered dance genres over the ages, with slick non-stop dance routines performed by a talented group of dancers accompanied by a singer and live band. Talk about exhilarating!
We thoroughly enjoyed our brief taster of beautiful Breakaway and thought her facilities second to none. However, with a full complement of 4,000 passengers she might be a tad too crowded for comfort.