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Login Norwegian Breakaway is ready to whisk you away to your best holiday yet. Take a Caribbean cruise and swim with dolphins, step back into history on a Mediterranean Cruise, or just enjoy relaxing days on a Transatlantic voyage. Named Best Cruise Ship for Families by USA Today, there’s something on board for everyone. Breathe in the fresh ocean air and connect with the sea like never before along The Waterfront, a quarter-mile oceanfront promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and spectacular views. Indulge in more than 25 dining experiences, including three new, dedicated seafood venues. And enjoy dazzling performances - Six and Burn the Floor. Norwegian Breakaway offers magnificent amenities at sea.
THE SHIP This was a 7-Day voyage up the East Coast from Boston to New England and Canada on the beautiful Norwegian Breakaway. The Breakaway was the first of a Breakaway/Breakaway-Plus class of ships including the Breakaway (2013), Getaway (2014), Escape (2015), Joy (2017), Bliss (2018), and Encore (2019). The Breakaway is 1068 ft long, 170 ft wide, and weighs in at 145,655 gross tons with a double occupancy capacity of 3903 and crew of 1657. All of the BA/BA+ ships were built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany and NCL took delivery of the Breakaway, in April 2013. NCL planned to home port the Breakaway year-round in New York and commissioned pop artist Peter Max to design her New York-themed hull art. The ship was christened by New York godmothers, The Rockettes. The Breakaway was the first ship to feature the innovative Waterfront concept, a wide quarter-mile promenade around Deck 8 featuring comfy seats and sofas to watch the water, bars, and al fresco dining. The Breakaway completed a 3-week dry dock in March 2025 in the Damen Shipyard in Brest, France where the ship was updated with the latest NCL brand features. A large amount of the public sundeck was converted to a revenue generating Vibe Beach Club space. While we had a couple of “nice” days, it was a bit cool to be spending a lot of time out on deck. And there were two nights of high winds and rougher seas where all of the deck furniture had to be tied down early. During the dry dock, the less-popular Moderno Restaurant was closed and converted to addition space for high revenue Cagney’s Steakhouse. The virtually unused Spiegel Tent was converted into the Silver Screen Bistro movie theater charging $50 for a dinner and a movie. The Ocean Blue seafood restaurant was changed to become Palomar Mediterranean Restaurant (not my favorite menu). Walls were put up to create a smoking casino (a very good thing). THE ITINERARY NCL operates several different NE/Canada itineraries (different ports and order of ports) based on dock availability. For this cruise, that resulted in late arrivals in Halifax and Saint John. Sun Boston, MA Depart 4:00 pm Mon At Sea Tue Portland, ME 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Wed Bar Harbor, ME 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Thu Halifax, Nova Scotia 10:30 am - 6:00 pm Fri Saint John, NB 11:00 am - 10:30 pm Sat At Sea Sun Boston, MA Arrive 8:00 am We really enjoyed the itinerary and the ports we visited. This was a fun cruise. The weather was pleasant (not hot, but not cold yet). The leaves were just starting to turn to fall colors. Maybe 3 or 4 weeks later would have been better. THE TERMINAL AND PASSENGERS The Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is undergoing a $100 million modernization project that started in November 2025 and will continue through 2030 (they don’t move very fast in Boston). The availability of terminal services will continue to evolve throughout the construction period. There may/may not be inside waiting areas for passengers (which could mean standing in the blazing hot sun or freezing snow). At the moment, check-in is in a tent next to the terminal. The staff there says that the temperatures in the tent can be unbearable (hot and cold) at times. Currently, there are some folding chairs in the baggage hall of the terminal to wait for boarding. This is a New England/Canada cruise right after school started in the US. The mean age of the passengers was probably around 75 (older cruise). And only 56 kids (mostly infants and toddlers – no packs of kids and teens running around the ship). Ship Capacity: 3903 Total passengers: 4064 Total Young Cruisers: 56 (yeah) Ambassadors: 1 Diamond: 23 Sapphire: 109 Platinum: 267 Gold: 247 (Lots of newer cruisers) SPECIALTY DINING We only did two specialty dining, Cagney’s and Silver Screen Bistro. Cagney’s Steakhouse. Cagney’s is big and spacious since they closed the Moderno restaurant and combined the space. To us, Cagney’s service and food has consistently declined over the years. There are insufficient waiters for the size of the restaurant slowing service. We ordered a Prime Rib medium rare. Rather than a nice slice of roast served fresh cut and plated, the meat had been cooked or re-heated on a plancha. No respectable restaurant would fry a slide of Prime Rib and serve it. But Cagney’s did. It was a very disappointing meal. Silver Screen Bistro. This was the former Speigel Tent which has been rebuilt to be a movie theater. So, you get a fixed meal, popcorn, candy, and a movie. It was a fun experience that we really enjoyed (and would do again). The cost of the meal was $25 with the 50% off offer or a dining credit. (If we go to our local theater, a movie, soda, and popcorn is a lot more than $25.) The meal was an Arugula & Prosciutto Salad, Smoked Salmon Tartare, Beef Short Rib Bourguignon, Lobster Stuffed Shrimp, Flourless Chocolate Cake, and a Pineapple-Lemon Pavlova. THE ROOM AND THE HAVEN We were in a Class HI – Haven “Spa” Room with a whirlpool tub in the room. We have stayed in this class of room before (cheapest Haven room). The tub next to the bed is always interesting along with the “stripper pole” in the middle of the room to support the weight of the tub. The room was comfortable. The balcony very small. The bathroom had a lot of space, but the shower was the same as in the Club Balcony rooms (not really enhanced). This was a fall cruise in New England. The temperatures outside were cool and the sundeck got limited use. The Breakaway was NCL’s first “new” Haven. The restaurant is way too small, so they set up tables in the Haven courtyard for overflow seating. Some of the tables are literally next to the pool. I, personally, would feel uncomfortable in the pool or courtyard hot tubs with people eating lunch or dinner 5 feet away at tables. The service in the Haven was “just o.k.”. We provided written requests to our room steward and butler. Our room steward was a hero and worked above and beyond our expectations. Our butler went through the motions, not really doing exactly what we requested. The Haven Bar always has the best mixologists on the ship along with the specialized ingredients to make any drink you can think of. The Haven Restaurant host and waiters were excellent. The Restaurant Manager/Maitre D was a total dud. The Concierge, Omar, went through the motions and did his job, but never went above and beyond. ENTERTAINMENT Rumours (Fleetwood Mac). The Syd Norman’s group is always excellent. And we always enjoy their shows in the Theater and in their showroom. You need to line up over an hour early if you want to get into their showroom. Burn The Floor. As long-time viewers of Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Dancing, we always enjoy Burn the Floor. We have attended BTF shows on NCL ships since 2013 and always love the high-energy dancing. The show was preformed on one night. Production Shows. Broadway Cabaret, Red White & British, were just o.k. The vocalists were not that great. Dancers did a good job. Each was done one night. Comedy. Comedians sign contracts of 1-3 weeks, so it is hit-and-miss on the quality of the comedy sets. This week was more of a miss with both comedians. Twice mid-week, NCL had comedy in the main theater plus an evening game show (Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune). So, the priority is to generate revenue with game shows rather than additional shows. When you do a main theater show on one night, only, there are 1600 seats total for the 4500 passengers onboard. NCL used to do main shows on two nights (3200 seats). So, the shows were very crowded, and you need to show up 45 minutes before show time to get a good seat.
We have been on 10 other NCL cruises to the Mexican Riviera, Eastern/Western Caribbean, and Alaska. We chose this itinerary because we wanted to try something different, and we'd never visited Boston or New England before, so we weren't sure what to expect. This was our 2nd time aboard the Breakaway and it did not disapoint. Norwegian hit it out of the park when they introduced the Breakaway class ships. The Breakaway's layout is a huge improvement over the Epic and Jewel class ships. Breakaway class ships introduced the ocean promenade deck, which offers ocean views, places to sit, dine, or grab a drink without the chaos and noise of the pool deck. It's one of my favorite places to hang out when I want some peace and quiet. Embarkation day was a little chaotic due to construction at the Falcon 1 cruise terminal. Yet, NCL staff got us checked in and gave us a key card relatively quickly. From dropping off our luggage to walking on board was probably 30 minutes. I think once construction is complete, it will be much faster and smoother. We chose an inside cabin because we like a dark, quiet room to sleep in. Unfortunately cabin was located along the hallway, which meant we got some noise, but not late at night. If you're used to RVing like we are, inside cabins are pretty roomy. The other positive about having an inside cabin on deck 5 is a short walk to disembark for port days, and at Halifax and St. John, we boarded on Deck 5 and had a short walk to our cabin while everyone else was waiting for elevators. Activities/Entertainment. We miss the days of Blue Man Group, Legally Blonde, Six, and Jersey Boys. But the entertainment on NCL is still quite good. Burn the Floor, Syd Norman's Fleetwood Mac, Hollywood Cabaret were all entertaining and worth seeing. Comedy. The Howl at the Moon dueling piano crew were especially talented and entertaining. There's always something going on - trivia, bingo, Deal or No Deal, Thriller dance class etc. The problem is choosing which fun thing to do! Casino - NON-SMOKING! Huge plus. There is a smoking section that is partioned off from the rest of the casino. Table limits were $10 including craps. Service- Excellent. Our cabin steward introduced himself our first day, and he was incredibly friendly, cheerful, and helpful. (Reza from Indonesia) You don't have to do this, but these guys work hard and cash tips are appreciated. Food-Excellent. We do a mix of specialty dining and complimentary dining. I can honestly say I never had a bad meal on any NCL ship. I love the old school/supper club vibe of the Manhattan Room, especially when they offer live music. The best! The dining highlight on any NCL cruise is Cagneys. Perfectly cooked filet mignon and a lobster tail puts an exclamation point on every cruise. Itinerary- Amazing. This was our first time visiting these ports so we had no idea what to expect. It is very nice not getting hounded by aggressive tour operators like we experienced in Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, etc. Portland was beautiful, and very walkable if you chose not to do any excursions. Bar Harbor - we visited Acadia National Park. Absolutely beautiful. St. John- very walkable, with a cool container village set up right at the dock if you choose not to venture into town. We took a tour to the Bay of Fundy with the worlds most extreme tides. Halifax - we took a tour to Peggy's Cove but Halifax is another port you could walk around and see quite a bit on your own. Disembarkation- This was by far the smoothest, least chaotic disembarkation I ever experienced on NCL. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Savor, then we were led to a room where we completed customs via facial recognition, then walked off the ship, gathered our luggage and were in a taxi headed to our hotel within 10 minutes from start to finish. Crazy fast. We had a great experience on this ship with NCL. We would do it again!
We cruised on the Breakaway August 30-September 06, 2026 and had a great time. The service was great as usual, and the food was good. We mostly enjoyed the ports/excursions. We didn’t attend any shows or use specialty dining so I can’t comment on those. Embarkation: EASY. We spent the night before at the Boston Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites Seaport district and walked with our luggage to the port. We dropped our luggage with the hard-working porter crew (remember to tip them!) and got in line. Somehow, my husband and I signed up for 2 different check-in times, but a chat with customer service prior to leaving home assured us that we could check-in together at the earliest time listed. We were briefly outside, then wound our way through the ropes inside for maybe 40 minutes before checking in. That was an easy process that took just a few minutes, and we were on the ship in less than an hour after leaving our hotel. We were able to enter our room around 2:00 and our luggage made it’s way there by 10:00 that night. A few things to keep in mind: I highly suggest purchasing the luggage tag sleeves to reduce stress about losing your bags. We have previously just stapled the printed tags and that doesn't work very well. Spending the night before leaving near the port also reduced stress. A Lyft ride from the airport was roughly $30. If you have mobility issues, this could be a more difficult process without assistance, as there is a good amount of standing/walking/going up ramps, so request help early to avoid any issues. Portland, ME: We booked the NCL excursion with the Conway Scenic Railroad. We considered this excursion our splurge and were slightly disappointed. It would be a great trip if the leaves had changed color or if you are really into trains, but neither of those applied to us or our excursion. We took a 1.5 hour bus ride to North Conway, NH to the train station. Jason and Levvy our driver were great and we learned a lot about the area. The town is very cute with some coffee cafes and shopping. If you take this train ride heed this advice: sit on the side of the train that is closest to the depot! That is the side with the views and you won’t see much from the other side, trust me. Lunch of sandwiches, chips, and a whoopie pie was served and it was good. There’s a gift shop and a nice view of a small lake at the top, then you get back on the bus just in time to get back on the ship. Bar Harbor, ME: the only port we didn’t book an excursion through NCL. This is a tender stop, and we signed up for the second tender group that was supposed to leave the ship at 8:30. They must have gotten the all clear early, because they began announcing groups before 8:00, which was great. We rode a large and comfortable ferry into Bar Harbor and immediately booked a2.5 hour Oli’s Trolly tour for 9:30. We had time to walk around the town prior to boarding. The tour itself (guided by Robin, another outstanding guide) took us to quite a few brief stops including Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain. It might have been better to book the longer tour, but we got a great overview and still had time to walk the Shore Path in Bar Harbor as well as eat lunch (lobster rolls at The Stadium) and souvenir shop. We went back to the ship on a lifeboat and we were packed in like sardines, but it was a short trip. Saint. John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick: We booked the NCL excursion Best of Saint John – top 10. We would have enjoyed this tour very much on it’s own, but our guide Harold made it even better. He was super knowledgeable and HILARIOUS. It’s luck of the draw who you get for tour guides, but we got so lucky with all of ours. Remember to get some Canadian cash so you can tip your guides and bus drivers! We got to stop the reversing rapids site (twice), the Saint John indoor market, the village of St. Martins (get a scoop or 2 at Octopus Ice Cream) and the sea caves there. We ended with a glass of beer (or not, if you don’t drink) at O’Leary’s Irish Pub where we listened to Irish tunes. I highly recommend this excursion, and I hope you get Harold if you book it. Halifax, Nova Scotia: we booked the Iconic Towns of Nova Scotia NCL excursion. Our guide was Herman, who was another great guide. What a great storyteller! Unfortunately, we were unable to go to Lunenburg, as they were under water use restrictions due to a dam breach. That was a bummer, but not something that could have been helped. Peggy’s Cove was breathtaking and I’m glad we had extra time there. The Lobster Rolls at Tom’s Lobster Shack were really good. Be aware that this tour does not go to the Titanic graveyard at Peggy’s Cove, however. Mahone Bay was also beautiful, but a bit underwhelming in terms of thins to do or see. Maybe the wild beauty of Peggy’s Cove spoiled us a little. We had tea and scones at The Tea Brewery, and it was delicious. Check out their cute bathroom if you’re a customer there. I stocked up on Canadian treats (Ketchup chips!) at Chris’s Kwik Way Convenience Store. Other than that, we just walked around and enjoyed the nice bay view. Dining on board the Breakaway: Fine. We ate dinner in the main dining rooms (Taste and Savor) most nights. The food was good and I didn’t have to cook or clean up so I had no complaints, but I wasn’t wowed by any meal. The Mixx bar between the dining rooms was good and had great bartenders, as was the Martini bar on deck 8. The entertainers there were very good as well. The buffet was very large but again, just ok. We ate breakfast there most mornings except when we went to O’Sheehan’s. It was good but the menu was quite limited. Disembarkation: We opted to carry our own bags off the ship and stayed again at the Boston Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites Seaport district. We were off the ship by 7:30 and to the hotel by 7:40. They held our bags while we took the hop on/hop off Trolly tour around Boston. There’s a pick-up spot for the tour near the port, but since it was a Sunday morning and the trolly didn’t start it’s rounds until 9:30, we walked around the Seaport and picked up the trolly at a different stop. Overall: a very enjoyable cruise! We’re even thinking about doing it again next year. We had a regular balcony room. It was a good size for 2 people I and enjoyed the views - lots of lighthouses! Service was good everywhere we went. Our room steward, Raymond, was great. This was my first non “tropical” destination cruise, and I really liked the vibe of it compared to other cruises I’ve been on. The demographics skewed a bit older as well. Honestly, we’re new empty nesters and it was nice not to be surrounded by kids. Definitely bring a raincoat and waterproof shoes/hiking boots if you plan to do any excursions that are outside or involve walking anywhere but sidewalks. The rocks at Peggy’s Cove especially, is not a place for Crocs or flip-flops.
The Haven
Hidden at the top of the ship, The Haven features our most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations as well as 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundeck.
Club Balcony Suite
Whether it's the two of you or your family, our Club Balcony Suites are accented with the finest touches. And enough room to make memories forever.
Spa
Pampering begins here. The Haven Spa Suite, Spa Mini-Suite and Spa Balcony provide a more pampering spa experience at sea with easy access to the Spa and Fitness Centre. Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite can be enjoyed during regular business hours.
Balcony
Soak in breathtaking views together or with the family. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your own private balcony. Stylish and sophisticated appointments accent these modern rooms.
Oceanview
Experience comfort all around you. These stylish staterooms feature fine appointments, which are highlighted by nice touches and clear views of the ocean.
Inside
Relax in lively style and smart sophistication. Our modern inside staterooms are highlighted with appointments like a TV, sitting area, and more.
Studio
Specifically designed and priced for solo travellers, our Studios feature a full-size bed, separate bath area and access to the private Studio Lounge - no single supplement required.
COMPLIMENTARY DINING
Every cruise fare includes beautifully crafted menus in our three main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. From fresh-baked breads, desserts and pastries to our chefs' original dishes made with the freshest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or fun as you want.
Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include three main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.
SPECIALITY DINING
Dining aboard Norwegian is about having choices. Enjoy delicious comfort foods as well as more exotic choices from our many complimentary dining options. Or widen your palette further and choose from our speciality restaurants for a cover charge or á la carte. Whether it's a cheeseburger you have a desire for, or Coq au Vin, your dinner is ready when you are. And if you book a Speciality Dining Package, you can savour an array of our speciality restaurants for one special price.
Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Find your inner foodie at Ocean Blue featuring delicious seafood eats. Bring a hearty appetite to our Brazilian steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria. And see shrimp fly at Teppanyaki. Whether you're dining inside or oceanside on The Waterfront, our speciality restaurants feature the tastes you'll crave.
Listen and learn in a lecture held by a guest speaker, Norwegian Cruise Line ships have much to offer to enhance your learning and senses.
You won’t believe your eyes or even your ears. Norgwegian Cruise Lines have brought Broadway to sea with blockbuster shows, music, dancing, cabaret, comedy and more. You can party all night, grab some great casino action and find your favourites among up to 22 bars and lounges, from electrifying nightspots to cosmopolitan bars and easy-going pubs. Every night is a night on the town.
Feel free to follow your spirit, whether that takes you to a superb fitness centre, a sun lounger by the pool or to the serenity of a luxurious spa. Get the adrenaline soaring by conquering the climbing wall or ropes course high above the ocean. Flex your muscles on the sports court or treat yourself to something special in the boutiques. Catch a fun, informal lecture. Take the plunge in the Aqua Park.
Families play better together on Norwegian. From dodgeball to cupcake decorating, there are lots of activities all over the ships. Plus, with complimentary youth programmes, kids can learn to juggle at Circus School in Splash Academy and teens have the coolest themed parties in Entourage. Add exclusive NickelodeonTM entertainment at sea for kids of all ages – even the grown up ones – and your family holiday gets awesome. While the kids are having fun, so can you, indulging in a spa treatment, enjoying a leisurely meal or just switching off. And when it comes to bedtime, family-friendly accommodation gives everyone the elbow room they need. Night, night.
