Breakaway

The Breakaway was built for New York, with a New York theme, and New York was its home port until recently. Pop artist Peter Max designed the artwork for the haul of the ship, and his artwork is prominently displayed elsewhere throughout the ship. The Breakaway is a fairly large ship and has LOTS to keep you busy. 

The Breakaway was built in 2013, and refurbished in 2018.

On-Board Activities (a sampling)

Ropes course – Nice at-sea ropes course. You can even walk the plank – stand over the ocean on a narrow board (while attached in a harness), if you’ve got the nerve.

Water Slides – The BREAKAWAY has 5 waterslides, including a “free-fall” slide

Ice Bar – You can don a parka (they provide) and go into the ice bar for specially prepared ice bar drinks (they charge for entrance, which includes drinks). Probably worth doing once.

Casino – The Breakaway has a fairly large casino, most of which is non-smoking. 

The Waterfront – A 1/4 mile walkway almost all the way around the ship, where you can sit and have drinks or food. There’s even a window to see the ocean below your feet.

Rock Wall – 

Miniature Golf – 

Recommendations for this ship

Try to book any shows and dinners well before the cruise. Shows on popular days fill up. That being said, if there is a show that sold out, you should be able to get seats by waiting in the standby line prior to the show. 

The casino has a smoking side and a non-smoking side. Smokers are only supposed to use the smoking area while actively playing, so it’s not just a place for smokers to hang out. Some people complain that the whole casino area smells smokey, but I don’t really agree.  

FOOD & Entertainment

The Breakaway has LOTS of places to eat & drink. Here are some of the highlights:

• Manhattan Room (complementary) – The largest main dining room (keeping with the New York theme), with a large dance floor and nice views of the ocean. ‘Burn the Floor’ dancers perform here on occaision – check the schedule.
• Tast & Savor (complementary) – smaller ‘main’ dining rooms, offering the same food selections as the Manhattan Room
• The Garden Cafe (complementary) – Massive buffet-style restaurant. Lots of types of food to choose from.
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar (complementary) – Located next to the casino, the noodle bar offers more than noodles, and is a nice complementary alternative to the main dining rooms.
• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill (complementary) – O’Sheehan’s (sounds like ‘Oceans’, get it?) is open 24/7. Some good irish pub food with nightly specials, posted.
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty, a la carte) – In my opinion, the best of the specialty restaurants. Tasty steaks. Yum
• Teppanyaki (specialty, $29.95) – Japanese steakhouse; watch the chefs prepare your steak, seafood, or chicken on a large grill in front of you, with all the showmanship you would normally see at a Japanese steakhouse.
•  Ocean Blue (specialty, a la carte) – Seafood restaurant. 

The Breakaway has some great entertainment that you should catch:

• Rock of Ages – A musical set to ClassiC Rock Tunes. Great performance, but some 4-letter words (maybe don’t bring the kids)
• Burn the Floor – Exfellent dance show. Not to be missed.
• Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy – Fabulous acts, so-so food. Should definitely catch this show. There is a charge, but vast majority of people feel it’s well worth it. 
• Howl at the Moon – ‘dueling pianos’, Arrive early if you want a seat. Starts suitable for all ages, then gets risque later. They take requests, and it’s all good fun. Some of the performers are better than others, so the quality of the performance depends on who they have onboard the week you cruise.

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