Breakaway Will Offer Fireworks On Every Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Breakaway, scheduled to enter service in May in New York City, will have a fireworks show on every cruise. 

The environmentally-friendly display will take place on the second-to-last night at sea each week, after the ship departs Bermuda during its summer inaugural season.

The produced show will be set to a playlist of classic 1980s hits including “Come on Feel the Noise” by Quiet Riot, “Whip It” by Devo, “Cherish” by Madonna, “Final Countdown” by Europe and “Purple Rain” by Prince.

The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will arrive in its year-round home-port of New York City on May 7, 2013. 

The ship will begin seven-day cruises to Bermuda on May 12. From October through April 2014, the ship will offer cruises to the Bahamas & Florida and the Southern Caribbean.

Theresa Norton Masek for TravelPulse

The Rocketts Are NCL Breakaway Godmothers

The Rockettes, one of New York’s most illustrious and beloved icons, will christen Norwegian Breakaway as the official Godmothers.

The christening ceremony will take place in New York City on May 8, 2013 on board Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in New York.

The partnership with the Rockettes will include Norwegian Cruise Line as the designated “Official Cruise Line” of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall, and as the “Official Partner”of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

As part of their role as Godmothers, two Rockettes will sail aboard the first six sailings of Norwegian Breakaway, beginning May 12, 2013, and the first sailing of each month thereafter, taking part in special events for guests to enjoy.

More about Breakaway at NCL's site

Norwegian Breakaway Three-Story Sports Complex

Norwegian Breakaway is featuring the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

The line also announced that the ship will feature Nickelodeon experiences for the whole family and will include a Nickelodeon themed Kids’ Aqua Park.

The Aqua Park features five multi-story water slides. In the Kids’ Aqua Park, children can meet Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward and more. The tropical area will include a kid-sized pool and slide.

The three-story sports complex will be Norwegian’s largest and feature the line’s first ever ropes course. The ropes course with its multi-level structure that offers 40 different challenging elements, including a zip track.

Guests will confront The Plank, a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Those who choose to test their courage on The Plank will be rewarded by having their photo taken. Kids have a special rope course just for them. A nine-hole ocean-themed miniature golf course is located beneath the ropes course.

A rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage complete with a spiral slide, round out the activities.

Norwegian Breakaway will be the fourth Norwegian ship to offer Nickelodeon experiences, including the all-new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Dora’s Dance Party, Nickelodeon Character Meet and Greets, Story Time with Dora and Nickelodeon Arts and Crafts.

In addition, Nickelodeon’s Splash Mobs add an element of surprise with spontaneous, impromptu games that are exciting for the whole family with pies, slime and other surprises. Nickelodeon characters and themed activities will also be featured in Splash Academy, the ship’s two-story youth area offering merriment for kids ages three to 12.

Norwegian Breakaway will also feature adult-only outdoor enclaves. Spice H2O, located at the back of the ship on deck 16, is an adult-only escape with contemporary Asian influences offering day-time relaxation and night-time exhilaration.

Several sun loungers surround a huge video screen, complete with two hot tubs and a dual waterfall feature. At night, guests can dance under the stars or chill at the bar with accompanying lounge area, featuring comfortable seating while admiring the ocean views.

On deck 17, guests ages 18 and over will have the opportunity to enjoy another private retreat – Vibe Beach Club – by purchasing an access pass. A full-service bar, water spritzers and chilled towels are also available.

For more information, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com

Source: TravelAgentCentral

NCI Picks New York Port for Latest Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line's next ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, has picked New York as its home port.

The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest cruise ship ever to home port in the city - and modifications will have to be made to the terminal.

This is a big boost to New York as it will bring approximately 70,000 additional visitors and also create restaurant, retail and hotel jobs. Nearly half of cruisers sailing out of New York spend an average of two nights in the city as part of their vacation.

Norwegian Breakaway initially will sail from New York to Bermuda, with 22 week-long voyages to the destination scheduled between May 2013 and October 2013. The ship's itineraries beyond Oct 2013 have not been released.

Breakaway joins the 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem, which also sails year-round out of New York.

Norwegian Stateroom Designs - New Project Breakaway Ships

Project Breakaway is Norwegian’s plan for two new next generation Freestyle Cruising ships scheduled for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014.

Norwegian Cruise Line stateroom designs for the Project Breakaway class of ships includes the Studio, Spa Balcony, Spa Mini-Suite, Oceanview, Family Mini-Suite, Inside staterooms, and also feature The Haven, a higher-end suite complex on each ship.


STUDIOS:

Norwegian will continue to offer Studio staterooms for solo travelers on the Project Breakaway ships. The 59 Studios on each ship are designed and priced for the solo traveler with a unique bathroom design that includes a separate sink and shower to provide more personal space.

The Studios, the majority of which connect, feature a full-size bed with convenient lighted recess above the bed to hold books, magazines, tablet computers or electronic reading devices and have a unique window to the corridor. These rooms also have private keycard access to the Studio complex and exclusive two-story Studio Lounge with a bar.

SPA BALCONY:

The 28 Spa Balcony and 20 Spa Mini-Suite staterooms feature tranquil spa décor and have easy access to the adjacent spa and fitness center, as well as complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suite during operating hours.

OCEANVIEW STATEROOMS:
Project Breakaway ships will also feature Oceanview staterooms with large picturesque windows. Of the 158 Oceanview staterooms on each ship, there are approximately 42 Family Oceanviews that sleep up to five guests and have a bathroom similar to the Mini-Suite with a modern double sink, bath tub and a second wardrobe for added storage.

FAMILY MINI SUITES:

The Family Mini-Suites located on Deck 12 and 13 feature all the attributes of the Mini-Suite and are located in close proximity to the children’s facilities, making it convenient and easy for families. There are a number of staterooms with bath tubs for families with small children.

INSIDE STATEROOMS:
Project Breakaway ships include 449 Inside staterooms that feature two lower beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed. Many are connecting and sleep up to four guests. They are located on various decks throughout the ship and some are adjacent to the children’s facilities.


Source: Travel Pulse

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Norwegian Epic - Wonder or Blunder

It's difficult for a new cruise ship to get noticed when it has 10 other new competitors in the same year - that is unless the particular ship offers something other cruise ships don't . . . 

I personally was excited to hear that Epic was going against all the major cruise lines in finally eliminating the dreaded "single cruise supplement" - and offering cabins specifically designed for the solo traveler.

My friend Toni loves to cruise, and often complains about not having a cruise companion available when she wants to travel. Paying the extra single supplement, or having a stranger as a cabin mate are not acceptable to her.
So when I sent her info on the Epic, she was game!

Upon her return, Toni had LOTS to say -

CABINS:

• Prior to the booking, Toni was aware that the cabin space would be small - and in her opinion the cabin only has ample space for one average sized person.

• The large bed was far too big for one person, and takes up valuable space, making it difficult to move around the cabin. 

• No balconies are available in the Solo cabin cateogry - all cabins are inside with a small frosted window that face a neon hallway.  Many of the solo cruisers felt the frosted window was a joke, and the cabins would be better without the neon glare.  

• Solo cabins have lots of lighting and cubbies for storage - however there is no room diagram provided on where to turn on/off the lights. Most of the solo cruisers complained of not finding the hidden cubbies, or being able to turn on/off lights until well into the cruise.

• The shower in the Solo cabins was a plus, and offers more space than your average cabin bath room.

•  Toni was able to view several cabins of fellow cruisers. The Deluxe Balcony Stateroom would be great for a couple, but way too small for 3-4 people.  And the regular Inside Cabins were enough to make her appreciate her solo cabin. She says the cabins are very small - the shower is located on one side of the cabin, while the toilet is on the other side - with the sink in the middle. Very strange configuration!

ENTERTAINMENT:

• The Studio Lounge and Bar - reserved for the Solo cabins - was a good place to meet and mingle with other solo travelers.

• The entertainment areas like the Epic Theatre (800 seats) and Spiegel Tent (120 seats) are much too small for 4,100 passengers. You definitely have to book everything as soon as you get onboard - as the performances sell out for the entire cruise. 

• AND be prepared to pay a cover for the onboard entertainment such as the Ice Bar, Cirque Show, Murder Mystery Lunch!

DINING:

• While Epic offers many dining venues (20 restaurants), only 3 are included in your cruise price. The other "specialty restaurants" have cover charges. Toni recommends the specialty dining at  Le Bistro ($20 cover), however declined the other specialty restaurant cover charges to stay on budget.

• The main dining venues that are included in your cruise price offer good food, but not much of a variety from day to day.

FACILITIES:

• The Gym has great facilities, and also one of the few places to view the sea! It's difficult to imagine a cruise ship that offers few sea view. 

• Jogging path has no sea views! Path is located on Deck 7 between the lifeboats and exhaust vents - providing little fresh air.

• The 2 pools are narrow, small and crowded. Water on the pool deck does not have proper drainage - an accident waiting to happen. 

• Epic offers no Library, Study or Secluded Lounges.

All in all, Toni says she had a great time, and met up with a lot of great people. Being a long time cruiser, she has seen the best, along with the worst. 

How does she rate the Epic overall?
Great price for solo cruisers, however she would not recommend for families - unless they are well aware of the small cabin spaces/odd bathroom configuration, and the many nickel and dime charges for entertainment/activities that quickly add up on your room cabin bill.

Would she sail Epic again?
Maybe - with one travel companion, and a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom.

Cruise Bargains - Repositioning Cruises

During the Fall and Spring, cruise lines move fleets to warmer climate ports so ships will be ready to sail for the next cruise season.

In the Fall, cruise lines move their fleets from Europe to the U.S., Caribbean and South America and from Alaska and Vancouver to California. In the Spring, they move them in reverse.

You will pay far less per day when booking repositioning cruises, and have more days at sea – along with fewer ports of call – but you’ll still have the same access to cruise-ship amenities, including ample food, swimming pools and on-board entertainment.

Here’s an example of a few repositioning cruise prices:

Norwegian Cruise Line has a 14-night cruise from Venice, Italy, to New York, departing Oct. 30, with rates starting at $45 per day. The ship stops in Granada and Cadiz, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Rates start at $629 for an inside cabin, $949 for an ocean view, $1,289 for a balcony and $1,499 for a suite.

Carnival is offering a 16-night cruise from Barcelona to Galveston, departing Oct. 28, with rates starting at $50 per day. The ship stops in Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas and Grand Turk. Rates start at $799 for an inside cabin, $1,099 for an ocean view, $1,289 for a balcony and $2,439 for a suite.

Celebrity’s 17-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Baltimore start at $65 per day. The ship departs Oct. 1 and makes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Rates start at $1,099 for an inside cabin, $1,399 for an ocean view, $2,499 for a balcony and $2,699 for a suite.

Norwegian Cruise Suite and Villa Deal

Book a cruise on Norwegian at least nine months in advance and receive an onboard credit of up to $300 per cabin. Deal applies to suites and villas.

Cruises of five days or longer receive a $300 credit; shorter cruises get $150. Credit is good for shore excursions, spa services, specialty restaurants, etc. Pricing varies by cruise.

Seven-night Florida and Bahamas cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem starts at $2,958 per couple per suite, including taxes.

Depart from New York on Feb. 26. Book by April 1.

Mediterranean New Cruising Hot Spot

Currently the Mediterranean is the hot spot for growth in the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean announced the Grandeur of the Seas to Palm de Mallorca in May 2011.

Norwegian Cruise Lines new ship Epic (shown above) will be sailing out of Barcelona from May to October 2011.

And the Carnival Magic will also be based in Barcelona when it debuts.

Costa's newest ship - the Favolosa will deput in the Eastern Mediterranean. The maiden voyage will sail from Venice on July 7, 2011 on a 10 day cruise to Israel, Greece, Turkey and Crotia.  Costa Favolosa regular schedule will be operating 7 day cruises from Venice and Bari to Turkey, Greece and Croatia.

Norwegian Epic Set to Sail June 2010

The 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, will be the largest and newest Freestyle Cruising ship - and Norwegian Cruise Lines plans multiple inaugurals.

Onboard, guests will enjoy Blue Man Group performances, a three-waterslide AquaPark and 20 dining options. Interestingly, Epic boasts new 100-square-foot Studio accommodations; those cabins offer a corridor-facing window and shared access to The Living Room with seating, a bar, TVs and a concierge.

Norwegian Epic will operate alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries—with calls at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras, or at Nassau, the Bahamas, St. Maarten and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.