Is it really possible to find a bit of adventure while on a cruise? The short answer is yes, but you are going to have to put in some research prior to cruising. So, we decided that we would start our travel season with a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami to find out. Our first choice was Norwegian and the Breakaway.
We’ve been back a few weeks and I have to say that we were somewhat underwhelmed. However, I don’t want to give you the impression that it was terrible. NCL is one of our favorites but there were a few aspects of the cruise that just did not measure up to their usual standards.
Let’s jump in and look at our experience onboard and off.
Our Booking
Normally, we will search out the best deal and book ourselves but this time I also ran it by a Travel Agent buddy of mine just to double check. Sure enough he was able to pull all advertised “Free at Sea” perks plus a couple of extras that were only available to agents. It’s always good to double check with an agent to see if you have really found the best deal. Be sure to check out our Finding Travel Deals post for more info on searching out deals.
We ended up booking a mid-ship balcony stateroom on deck 14 which is the highest general stateroom level. I have say that there were a few down sides to this level. But first, the cabin.
Cabin
Our mid-ship balcony cabin was not exactly mid-ship, it was more like a “forward” aft cabin. However, not a big problem. The cabin was pretty much standard in expectations, about 210 sq ft. However, the balcony was one of the smallest that we’ve seen on a cruise ship, 32 sq ft. Furnishings were standard to most cruise ships and in fair condition. Bottom line, we were not disappointed but not blown away either. Come on Norwegian, two 110 vac outlets? (None in the bathroom) See our post for Cruise Preparation tips.
Deck 14
Okay, now to the downsides. You may have guessed it. Deck 14 is below the pool deck and there was a fairly constant roar and thumping that went on above us. But, more irritating than noise was the overhang of deck 15. If you are looking for a bit of sun or that perfect photo, not going to happen. We’ll definitely steer clear of this level on a future Breakaway class cruise.
Ship
The Breakaway, built in 2013, is a beautiful ship with a variety of amenities to suit almost anyone. The ship is advertised to have been refurbished in 2018. But not a lot made its way to the cabins and common areas. I don’t believe it was a complete overhaul because much of the furnishings are beginning to look a bit tired.
At over 1000 feet in length and a capacity of about 4000 passengers the Breakaway is one of Norwegian’s largest ships. The good thing is that it doesn’t feel overly crowded most of the time. However, boarding was somewhat of a nightmare. Everyone boarded in groups and were dumped out at deck four forward elevators. Definitely could have been handled differently! Come on Norwegian, 4000 people trying to use the same bank of elevators?
Onboard
The Waterfront, a oceanfront “boardwalk” with great views and restaurants covers a good portion of deck 8. On the top, there’s a number of activities including waterslides, climbing wall, ropes course, basketball courts, pools and hot tubs. The ship also includes adults and kids/teens only hangouts, really something for just about everyone. And yes, there is a casino.
Walking the plank was definitely the best part of the ropes course!
Haven
If you want to avoid “steerage” class and the crowds, the Haven category is a bit more expensive but does provide private areas, priority checkin, private escort to your cabin and upgraded amenities. (Find out more on NCL’s website.)
Itinerary (Ports)
The ports of call on this western Caribbean cruise are definitely not as vibrant as the ones found in the eastern or southern Caribbean. But there some offerings available at each port of call worthy of consideration.
Roatán
The first port of call is at Coxen Hole on the island of Roatán, Honduras. What can I say about Coxen Hole? It does give you the flavor of the true Caribbean but it’s a bit rough around the edges. If you are looking for glitz, this is not your stop.
But if you want to experience a slice of “realistic” Caribbean life, this is a great opportunity to do so. Rental car locations are about 1.5 miles from the port or about a 25 minute walk. Exploring on your own? But one word of advice, be on time. See our post, Caribbean Adventures for more info.
Harvest Caye
The second stop is Norwegian’s private island of Harvest Caye, Belize. The island is a joint venture between Norwegian and the government of Belize. But all shops are operated by local businesses which gives a big boost to the local economy.
Harvest Caye is a very well planned and executed port facility for shopping and a beach adventure. But beyond that, there’s not a great deal to offer the adventure seeker. It is possible to launch out on your own by hopping the ferry to Placentia but time is a huge factor.
The excursions offered at Harvest Caye were somewhat lackluster. But there were some offerings that offered the sights of the area. Belize is beautiful so get out and explore.
Costa Maya
Port of call number three is Costa Maya, Mexico. Tee shirts, jewelry and cheap trinkets, that’s the best way to describe this port area. When we were there, there were two ships in port and you could barely move because of the crowds. However, you do get a bit of local flavor of Mexico. I did find a cool tee shirt and on to the next.
Cozumel & Playa Del Carmen
The last stop before returning to Miami is Cozumel. A typical Caribbean cruise port and like Costa Maya, has what you would expect, tee shirts, jewelry and cheap trinkets. To really experience this port you need to rent a car and drive around the island or hop on a ferry to Playa Del Carmen. Use caution, this is Mexico after all and is not entirely safe for tourists. An excursion is probably your best option to experience the Yucatan.
Tulum
We chose to take an excursion to the Mayan Ruins at Tulum and it was well worth the trip. The excursion is about six and a half hours and one of the longest offered. The ruins are situated on the southeast Yucatan coast in a beautiful setting. Stay tuned for the upcoming post.
Free at Sea
Norwegian often offers a number of “Free at Sea” perks with your reservation. These usually depend upon the cabin class reserved. Generally, the more you spend, the more perks you receive.
Our cruise package came with the following perks:
- Adult Ultimate Beverage Package
- Internet Package (250 Minutes)
- $50 Choice Shore Excursion Credit per port
- 3 Meal Speciality Dining Package
- Free $50 On-Board Credit Certificate Non -Refundable
- Prepaid Service Charge
- Free or Reduced Airfare
Sounds pretty good, huh? Well, maybe not so much of a great deal when you consider the additional $300 in service charges. Since we are not drinkers, we deleted the adult beverage package and saved $277. So, be aware of hidden charges when booking. Just because it’s free may not mean it’s a good deal.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the free internet package is very slow and is basically for email and texting. But if you intend to stream, video chat, or upload pics, you are probably going to need to upgrade.
Dining
In keeping with their “Freestyle” theme, dining is quite a bit more relaxed than many other cruise lines. Norwegian’s philosophy is that dining should be when you want and on your own terms. But there are a few catches to keep in mind.
- While reservations are not necessary, it’s a good idea to make reservations before the cruise
- Specialty restaurants are not included with your cruise fare ($30 per person)
- “Smart Casual” is the dress code at most restaurants (check the website before you pack)
Norwegian has done a fair job in attempting to have something for everyone as far as dining goes. There is a good variety of complimentary and speciality dining options. Be sure to try the roasted pineapple at Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse. Diana says it is the best bite of the trip! We have found the food on Norwegian to be considerably better than other cruise lines.
Excursions
As you would expect, Norwegian has the standard excursions as any other cruise line would offer. They range from beach and snorkeling trips to zip line excursions. My usual advice is the skip the excursions and head to the rental car counter. But for this particular itinerary is to try to find an excursion that fits your style, your safety comes first. There are some areas that you should avoid on your own.
The Bottom Line
Would we go again? Possibly. But that’s not a gig against Norwegian, the ship was great, service was great and the crew was amazing. While Norwegian needs to rethink boarding and debarkation, we enjoyed the week. Our only real negatives on this cruise were with the ports of call, which were a bit lackluster.
So, I’ll finish where I began. Is it really possible to find a bit of adventure while on a cruise? It is! However, you need to do your research prior to booking any itinerary. While these particular ports did not offer too many exciting opportunities to explore, we were able to find a couple of great side trips. After all, it’s the Caribbean, it was an awesome trip.
Make every trip you take an adventure and never forget to “Unleash our Inner Trekker” for a trip to remember!