Ten reasons why I love the new Norwegian Breakaway
What’s not to love? First of all, the Norwegian Breakaway is brand new. Then, there are so many cruise ship innovations to mention that compiling a list of ten faves was a piece of cake. Speaking of cake, Cake Boss TV star, Buddy Velastro has his family’s Italian sweetshop, Carlo’s Bakery on Deck 8. Cake, cupcakes, cookies, cannolis…badda-bing, it’s all there.
OK…here are my Top Ten Reasons Why I Love the Norwegian Bakery Breakaway:
1. The 59 Studio Staterooms for solo travelers. No more having to pay a single supplement just to go on a cruise. At 100 sq. ft. and configured by yacht designers, it’s compact yet perfect for one person.
2. A whopping 28 dining options. From the exclusive Chef’s Table nine-course culinary extravaganza to a made-to-order pizza delivery right to your stateroom, you’ll have to book a second cruise to try and sample all of them. New York Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s first restaurant at sea, Ocean Blue features, what else? Seafood and fish.
3. All balcony and higher category stateroom all have coffee and tea set up in your room. And the suites each have an espresso/cappuccino machine!
4. The Haven Villas and Suites. Like a small boutique hotel, this ship-within-a-ship concept means that you could stay in here for your entire cruise! Of course then you’d miss out on the rest of the ship. There’s a private pool and sundeck, dining room for all three meals, a concierge-hosted lounge and even your own butler. The list goes on and on.
5. Daredevils will love the largest and most breathtaking aqua park at sea that boasts the fastest water slides, too. Plus a multi-story ropes course, rock climbing wall, five twisty water slides in addition to the two floor-drops-out-from-under-you fastest slides. There’s also Walk the Plank, a narrow board that extends 8-feet out over the side of the ship. But unlike one of Blackbeard’s victims, you’re fastened into a safety harness.
6. That’s Entertainment! At least it is aboard the Norwegian Breakaway. There are three Broadway-style productions: Rock of Ages, Cirque Dreams and Burn the Floor. Plus Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, The Second City troup AND the world-famous New York City Rockettes!
7. Family friendly fun includes Nickelodeon-themed activities, (yes, Spongebob is there) and they’ve devoted two decks just to the kids play areas. Four ages groups for kids programs plus separate teen areas, all supervised of course.
8. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? Waterfront dining on…the waterfront! One quarter mile of dining and bars wrap around deck 7 bringing the wonderful indoor restaurants and bars, outdoors overlooking the ocean!
9. Norwegian Cruise Line is one of only a few cruise lines that doesn’t want to “kick” you off the ship by 8am. In fact, the Garden Cafรฉ serves breakfast until 9:30am. Just please vacate your stateroom by a reasonable 8:30am and enjoy breakfast before you debark.
10. NEW YORK CITY! The Norwegian Breakaway cruises year-round to Bermuda and the Caribbean from NYC! Leave from Pier 88 and cruise past the new Freedom Tower. Remember your ancestors as you cruise by Ellis Island and marvel at the sight of the Statue of Liberty. Then hold your breathe as the ship scoots beneath the Verrazano Bridge. You’re out to sea!
I’ve barely touched the surface on all of the amazing things that I love about the new Breakaway. There’s also the Ice Bar (reservations required) where you’re dressed up in a faux fur-trimmed parka to keep warm in the 17 degree ice bar! Also don’t miss Vibes, the outdoor bar and lounge way up on Deck 15.
Bottom line: this ship really has so many exciting new things to do on a cruise that’s it’s impossible to list all of them here. You’ll just have to see for yourself!
