Getting to Norwegian Breakaway from the InterContinental Times Square was super easy. We actually had two options because we were connected to the metro. We opted to take a cab because my ankle is still killing me from a fracture back in early April. We left our hotel at 12:15p and arrived at pier 88 at 12:30p. Realistically, you could walk to the pier from our hotel but with a lot of luggage it may be a pain.
This was my first time at the Manhattan Passenger Terminal at Pier 88 and check-in was flawless. It went really fast and you could tell that Norwegian really has the embarkation process streamlined. From pier to ship was under 10-minutes. We embarked on deck 7.
You can’t miss the ship docked at the pier. Contemporary artist Peter Max was commissioned to paint the hull of the ship and it’s quite colorful.
My first impression of Norwegian Breakaway surprisingly wowed me. I saw a bunch of photos and videos of the ship but you have to actually be there to do it any justice. First thoughts were that if Norwegian Cruise Line keeps this design and color concept up they will very quickly become a premium cruise line. To me, Norwegian Breakaway felt a lot like Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships. It had that five star contemporary resort feeling.
Our room was located on deck 11, Midship (11196). The room was a mini-suite (236 sq ft) and had a full size bed, sleeper sofa and balcony. The bathrooms were probably one of the largest bathrooms I’ve even been in at sea, with an oversized spa-like shower and a sink with a unique two-faucet design. Perfect for him and her.
Sailing out of NYC was amazing and very humbling. We lucked out because they just put the spire on top of the Freedom Tower that morning, so sailing past it was really emotional.
View our Norwegian Breakaway photo gallery here.Â
This ship has 27 venues to grab food. You can get everything from a lobster roll to an amazing Japanese steakhouse. We were only on the ship two days so it was hard experience a lot of the venues but I was able to sample half of them and what I had impressed me. We started with Savor for lunch. Cagney’s that evening, the buffet, Sushi, the Manhattan Room (main dining room), NYC hot dog stand and Ocean Blue.
I’ve seen some pretty cool waterparks at sea but Norwegian Breakaway was pretty awesome. It’s a full-blown waterpark at sea. Norwegian Breakaway has five waterslide, a ropes course, you can walk-the-plank, a pirate like plank that suspends you eight feet over the side of the ship.
To say that this ship has nightlife is an understatement! They have Second City Comedy, Broadway’s Rock of Ages, Firework displays, Cirque Dreams and Dinner, Howl at the Moon, Slam Allan Blues Bland, Bowling and a slew of other things.
Tomorrow we will touch more on the entertainment and Waterfront on deck 8.
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