Updated July 2019
Some of our lucky team were invited onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s mega ship, Norwegian Breakaway, when she arrived in Southampton before setting off on her inaugral sailing to New York. Full of beams and experiences to share, the team arrived back into the office with lots to say . . .
First Impressions
With so much speculation leading up to this ship launch we were all super excited to see her and were not disappointed, she certainly stands out from the crowd. As you see Norwegian Breakaway from the outside you are automatically drawn to the colourful artwork spread across her hull. Designed by the renowned Pop Artist, Peter Max, the quirky images of New York’s famous landmarks on the outside definitely make you want to see the inside.
As we entered the interior of the ship it was bright but stylish and instantly gave you a happy feeling that you were going to have a good holiday (it was just a shame we were not actually going on holiday!!)
We knew there was lots to do and see and did not want to waste any time, so set of to explore everything she had to offer.
So many amazing features
There really is something for everyone onboard, and from morning to night you will always find something to do - from adventurous activities to tranquil areas of relaxation.
Some of the features that really stood out for us were:
The Waterfront - Norwegian Cruise Line wanted the sea to be a focal point of the experience onboard, so on both sides of Deck 8 is a quarter mile beach front packed with restaurants, bars, and shops that all look over the ocean. Although it was slightly chilly to enjoy this in Southampton, when the ship is in warmer climes this area will be a perfect spot to enjoy the sun and feel the holiday spirit.
The Deck-top Complex – This area is so exciting and really offers fun for the whole family. The Aqua Park boasts a whole range of rides, including the fastest water slide at sea. Watching people go down it was as awesome as going on it yourself! There is also a three-story sports complex, a zip line, ropes course, miniature golf course, climbing cage and for the most brave, ‘The Plank’. This is where you are put in a harness and walk out on a narrow beam off the side of the ship.
The Entourage – This is the area exclusive to teens, a place where 13 – 17 year olds can hang out and be themselves! The atmosphere here is young and chic and provides the perfect environment for teens to enjoy their cruise as much as their parents. Arcade games, jukeboxes, large movie screens and disco booths make this every teen's dream hide out!
Entertainment for everyone
We were surprised by the extensive range of entertainment options onboard and the evening really came alive in the various theatres and lounges. We all collectively spoke about ‘Fat Cats’, it was definitely one of our favourite venues! An authentic New York-style lounge that had live performances of jazz, blues, and classic pop, even those of us who are not into jazz enjoyed it. It was big enough for people to dance around, but small enough that the atmosphere was electric.
We have to mention the dining
One of the main things we all took advantage of was the food! Norwegian Cruise Line are famous for their freestyle dining concept and as we know, this works very well for some cruisers. However there are so many other speciality restaurants on Norwegian Breakaway.
Some of us opted to eat at the Manhattan, which is one of the three main dining rooms onboard. Laura, our Online Marketing Manager quoted "this venue actually does feel like New York, it offered live music as we enjoyed our meal. The menu was varied and simple enough to suit everyone".
Others went to Moderno Churasscaria, the Brazilian steakhouse. The concept of this restaurant is very unique and we were offered different meats that were carved at our table side. Set in the perfect location on The Waterfront, we had the option to dine inside or out. Our Product and Commercial Director, Dave was particularly impressed with the concept of having your own table card and turning it over to green for more meat, or red for ‘take it easy’!!
In a nutshell
We loved our one night visit onboard, and it was certainly worth the anticipation. The ship itself is very bright and fun with lots to do. There is a wide range of venues, although many of them are quite small so we would recommend getting to your favourite venue early to avoid disappointment. The entertainment and dining was impressive, however we think doing some pre cruise planning would be helpful so you don't miss out on anything. If you like cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line, you will not be disappointed as the ship is very ‘Norwegian style’ throughout.
Take a look at our range of cruises onboard Norwegian Breakaway, and start planning your next family adventure.
