Norwegian Breakaway Review
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My husband and I decided to return to Bermuda for our anniversary; we honeymooned in Bermuda 33 years ago. We have cruised all of the other lines, but the Breakaway was our first experience with Norwegian. The ship is new and absolutely beautiful. The bad news is that the ship can be extremely crowded. There is no way to really accommodate more than 4,000 people.
A previous reviewer stated that there was no way to even "dip your toes" in the pool. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The pool chairs are lined up with less than an inch between them and are filled by 9:00am. Although the official policy of NCL is that reserving chairs is prohibited, it is not enforced. Although we were at sea for 4 full days I never once sat by the pool or had a swim. NCL really should have done a better job in designing the pool decks to comfortably accommodate the guests they are serving.
The food, unfortunately, was mediocre at best and downright bizarre at worst. Room service never once got it right. It was actually humorous because it was always a surprise. I don't know how room service could botch an order for two pots of coffee with extra cream but they did! The Garden Cafe ( the huge buffet dining venue) was always crowded and cafeteria quality. The best bet for breakfast ( and lunch) was O' Sheenans, a sit down Irish pub-style restaurant that had a decent breakfast and lunch menu ( and was never crowded). We opted for several of the "premium" restaurants, paying cover charges ranging from $20- $49. per person. None of them were note-worthy with the exception of Ocean Blue, which was bizarre and, at times, inedible. ( This was the $49. per person charge). Apparently the restaurant is attempting to be creative with a fusion, contemporary flair, but it fails miserably. It is also ridiculous that a designated seafood restaurant does not have lobster or crab on the menu! My husband ordered the scallops which came with a sour grapefruit sauce, accompanied by anchovy tempura ( yes, you heard that right). The anchovies made him quite ill with a heartburn that didn't quit and kept him up for the entire night! My meal was equally distressing with an over abundance of chili peppers and spice. I was hopeful for dessert ( a lemon meringue tart and cassis sorbet) but it was so sour I could not eat it. Stay away from Ocean Blue!!