Norwegian Breakaway

The 2013-built Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship is the first of the two Breakaway-class NCL liners, together with NCL Getaway, which debuted one year later. Norwegian Breakaway is the largest passenger ship ever homeported in New York City. The next (larger) class of NCL vessels includes the Breakaway-Plus ships Norwegian Escape (2015), Norwegian Joy (2017), and Norwegian Bliss (2018).

The vessel (IMO number 9606912) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311050800) and registered in Nassau.

History – construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, NCL is a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE (New York). NCLH’s major shareholders include Apollo Global Management (USA), Genting Group (Malaysia), and TPG Capital (USA). In 2017, the NCL brand held a global cruise market share of 8.7% (passengers) and 8.4% (revenue). NCLH (the shipowner) operates the brands NCL, Oceania, and RSSC-Regent.

The 4000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway incorporates the best features of NCL’s fleet, including the exclusive Haven complex (reserved for Suite and Villa guests), a tranquil spa, and an extensive array of dining venues. Guests enjoy Freestyle Cruising while sailing to destinations such as Bermuda and the Bahamas. Breakaway offers diverse cuisine, family-friendly activities, daily entertainment, and highly rated service.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Breakaway staterooms (2014 total, in 42 grades) include 1343 outside cabins, 530 Inside cabins, and 59 Studios (solo accommodations). Most staterooms measure 160–170 ft² (15–16 m²). The breakdown includes 998 Balcony cabins, 156 Oceanviews, 449 Inside cabins, and 42 wheelchair-accessible units. The largest accommodations are The Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suites (740 ft² / 70 m², with a 190 ft² / 18 m² wraparound terrace).

The ship has 18 decks, of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 10 contain cabins.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

Freestyle dining is standard on Norwegian Breakaway, allowing guests to dine when and where they choose. This applies to both complimentary and specialty venues. Traditionalists can enjoy the three main dining rooms: Manhattan, Taste, and Savor. In 2014, Norwegian enhanced all dining operations following guest feedback, improving food quality and expanding menus. Healthy and vegetarian options are always available. One of NCL’s greatest strengths is its wide range of dining choices—French, Italian, Asian Teppanyaki, Brazilian churrascaria, steakhouse, seafood, raw bar, and noodle bar venues. All specialty restaurants carry an 18% automatic gratuity.

Below is the complete list of Norwegian Breakaway restaurants and food bars:

• Savor Restaurant (282-seat forward dining room; complimentary)
• Taste Restaurant (282-seat forward dining room; complimentary; Your Time dining)
• Le Bistro (114-seat French specialty, dinner-only; reservations required; US$20 cover charge)
• Teppanyaki (96-seat Japanese Hibachi specialty; reservations required; US$25; open for lunch and dinner with live cooking demonstrations)
• Manhattan Restaurant (632-seat aft dining room; NYC private club–style design; complimentary; dinner only)
• O’Sheehan’s Neighbourhood Bar & Grill (285-seat sports bar; 24-hour American cuisine; complimentary)
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar (53-seat Asian venue located within O’Sheehan’s area; complimentary)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty steak and seafood venue; reservations required; US$30 cover charge; free kids' menu)
• Moderno Churrascaria (124-seat Brazilian steakhouse; reservations required; US$20 cover charge; outdoor seating available)
• La Cucina (168-seat Italian specialty restaurant; reservations required; US$15 cover charge; outdoor seating available)
• Ocean Blue (seafood specialty restaurant; reservations required; US$39 cover charge; “Ocean Blue on the Waterfront” is the outdoor dining area)
• Raw Bar (10-seat seafood bar)
• Wasabi Sushi Bar (à la carte)
• Garden Cafe (complimentary buffet restaurant with multiple cuisine stations)
• Open-Air Garden Cafe (outdoor buffet extension; complimentary)
• Uptown Bar & Grill (casual venue by the Aqua Park; complimentary)

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

The Breakaway Theater hosts the ship’s most elaborate productions, including the Broadway-style musicals “Rock of Ages” and “SIX,” as well as the dance revue “Burn the Floor.”

The 3-deck Atrium serves as the ship’s daytime activity hub, offering trivia, Nintendo competitions, cooking demonstrations, towel animal folding, dance classes, and games. Other activities include detox seminars, art auctions, wine tastings, bingo, crew talent shows, and social events for solo travelers. Breakaway features 9 Jacuzzis and 3 pools. Additional entertainment includes NCL’s fireworks show, “Cirque Dreams,” and the “Illusionarium” magician show.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, supervised kids’ programs (“NCL Kids”), Internet/WiFi access, and laundry service. NCL Breakaway’s gratuities are US$12 per person per day.

Below is the complete list of Norwegian Breakaway lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Breakaway Theatre (800 seats; Broadway-style shows including "Rock of Ages," "SIX: The Musical," and “Burn the Floor”)
• Spiegel Tent (217-seat theatrical dining venue featuring “Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy”; surcharge US$30–40)
• Atrium (“678 Ocean Place”) with LED video wall, dance area, and live entertainment
• Atrium Cafe & Bar (112-seat tea and coffee bar)
• Headliners Comedy Club (featuring “The Second City” and “Howl at the Moon” piano show)
• Library, Card Room, Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Mixx Bar; Bar 21; Maltings Beer & Whisky Bar; Prime Meridian Bar; Shaker’s Cocktail Bar; Humidor Cigar Lounge
• Carlo’s Bake Shop (cakes, pastries, cupcake classes)
• The Collection Art Gallery
• Breakaway Casino
• Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub
• Dolce Gelato; Cakestand (pastries, cakes)
• SVEDKA Ice Bar (25 seats; made of ice; kept at -8°C / 17°F)
• Boutiques and duty-free shops (Tradewinds, Tides, Click Photo Gallery)
• Waterfront Promenade (402 m / 1320 ft outdoor dining and entertainment area)
• Studio Lounge (solo travelers’ venue)
• Splash Academy (kids’ program for ages 6 months to 12 years)
• Mandara Spa & Pulse Fitness Center (22 treatment rooms, pool, aerobics studio, relaxation lounge)
• The Market Place (shopping area)
• Aqua Park (3 decks, 2 pools, 5 waterslides); Kids' Aqua Park
• Spa & Fitness (Thermal Suite, Salt Room, Medi Spa, salon, barber shop, fitness classes)
• Spice H2O (adults-only area served by Breezeway Bar & Grill)
• Entourage Teen Center (jukeboxes, table football, arcade, disco)
• “The Haven” (exclusive complex for Suite and Villa guests)
• Sports Complex (Spider Web climbing wall, Bungee Trampoline, 9-hole Mini Golf, ropes course, Zip Line, The Plank)
• Vibe Beach Club (adults-only)
• Syd Norman’s Pour House (American rock ’n’ roll bar; added during 2018 refit)

Itineraries

Norwegian Breakaway operates year-round roundtrip cruises from New York City to Bermuda and the Bahamas. In November 2018, she was repositioned to the Caribbean and homeported in New Orleans (NOLA), becoming the largest cruise ship ever based there. Departures are from the Julia Street Cruise Terminal, with the inaugural NOLA departure on November 11.

The new Western Caribbean program features 5-, 7-, 10-, and 11-day roundtrips to Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya), Belize (Belize City, Harvest Caye), Grand Cayman, and Jamaica (Ocho Rios).

In 2019–2020, Norwegian Breakaway’s cruise program is based on Florida departures from Miami and Port Canaveral.

A fun fact is that the ship's name was selected through a public contest (submitted by Kimberly Powell). Her Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) was on April 30, 2013. The ship’s Godmothers are the “ROCKETTES” from NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. They were special guests on the vessel’s first six cruises and, since then, on the first sailing of every month.

Breakaway is the first of the two Breakaway-class NCL ships. Her sister ship is NCL Getaway. The vessel’s interior design contractors are Priestmangoode (UK) and Tillberg (Sweden). The hull art was created by Peter Max.

Breakaway’s construction started on September 21, 2011, and her name was announced on September 14, 2011. The ship’s first Bermuda cruise departed on May 12, 2013. Her first Transatlantic crossing (from Southampton to NYC New York) was on April 30, 2013.

Breakaway remains the largest ship homeported year-round in New York City.

NCL Breakaway refurbishments review

Drydock 2025

The ship’s most recent drydocking (scheduled for February 20 to March 14, 2025) includes the following upgrades:

A new outdoor space, Horizon Park, will be added. Designed by SMC Design, the venue features lawn-style games (such as Cornhole and Giant Jenga), a relaxation zone with sun loungers, and a stage for live music and entertainment.

The Stadium is a family-friendly outdoor activity area inspired by NCL’s PRIMA-class ships.

Silver Screen Bistro is a new movie-and-dining venue (replacing the Spiegel Tent), offering oversized recliners and retractable tables. Its handheld menu includes items inspired by Food Republic.

Dining venue changes include the introduction of Cagney’s Steakhouse (replacing Moderno Churrascaria) and Palomar (the former Ocean Blue seafood restaurant, first introduced on Norwegian Prima).

The Vibe Beach Club and The Haven Sundeck will be expanded with additional seating and cabanas.

Drydock 2018

The list of deck plan changes and works completed during the 2018 drydock (April 28–May 8) at Damen Shiprepair Brest (France) included:

• fully refreshed public spaces (new flooring/carpeting, updated furniture)
• new carpeting in all staterooms
• added Syd Norman's Pour House (formerly “Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club”), featuring new decor, carpets, and furniture, classic rock live entertainment, and an updated drink menu
• repair of shaft bearings and replacement of slewing seals on the vessel’s two ABB azipod thrusters; both propellers were removed for the operation; both bow thrusters were dismantled and serviced; both Fincantieri stabilizers were refitted; the hull was repainted

Drydock 2018 was part of NCL’s “Norwegian Edge” fleetwide upgrade program, a two-year project budgeted at USD 400 million. Each drydock cost approximately USD 35–40 million.