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  • Norwegian Breakaway Review

    Norwegian Breakaway Review

    My Norwegian Breakaway Review

    The Disintegration of Mass Market Cruising

    My Summary

    This is my review of the Norwegian Breakaway; is this New York City based cruise experience right for your vacation? Norwegian Cruise Line’s vision is to recreate the feel of a land resort at sea with the Norwegian Breakaway.  They were on their way with the Jewel class.  The introduction of the Breakaway class (Breakaway, Getaway, and Breakaway+) now complete the disintegration of the model of what a mass-market cruise experience offers (main dining room followed by main theater for a show).  The layout of the Breakaway makes main/late dining and one big show impossible and this is not by chance but by design.

    The Vision

    I was honored with an invitation to attend a two-day inaugural of the Norwegian Breakaway on May 10th.  The next day featured multiple presentation and cabin tours.  I especially enjoyed hearing the vision of Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ CEO who has appeared on Undercover Boss.  Breakaway is vision for Norwegian Cruise Line by working with management team and ship based team members to develop this new experience.  Norwegian is recreating the true feel and flow of a land resort at sea.

    While the Epic was the start of the “new” Norwegian; the Epic experienced numerous shipyard delays but is now an award-winning vessel with great dining and entertainment options. The Breakaway had a much smoother delivery from the shipyard.  Norwegian wants to be more like Oceania Cruises (same private Equity stakeholder.)  To maintain a high level of service to keep YOU HAPPY the Norwegian Breakaway has 2 captains and 2 hotel directors.

    Boarding

    Our room cards were swiped at the terminal on DRY land for expedited boarding.  I hope they do this at port stop, taking a cue from Royal, to speed up all boarding.

    Staterooms and Haven Suites

    Our cabin was a balcony: 8140

    • 26” TV
    • Tea/Coffee maker
    • Decent balcony
    • Directly over theater
    • Modest but functional bathroom

    Room steward

    My room steward Leo was very friendly.  I remember his name because of his high level of service.  As this was an inaugural cruise, there were product-training seminars.  After one, I went rushing back to my room with a muffin in one hand and cup of coffee in the other; Leo saw me approaching the door and came right over unlock and open the door for me. That is service.

    Mini Suites

    • Most do NOT have a tub, you must get Family mini suite to have bathtub
    • One enlarged sink with TWO faucets
    • Larger shower than in regular balcony
    • Mini suite is an elongated balcony cabin by pulling cabin further out in the hall
    • NO room divider curtain – Jewel class mini’s have these and are great for letting kids sleep while adults catch some TV.

    Studio Cabins

    • Following the lead of the Epic, the Breakaway offers solo cabins
    •  Minimal space at 100 square feet but maximum design with a full bed and efficient layouts
    • Studio cabins have private access to the Studio lounge to offer a place to spread out and relax and perhaps mingle with other solo guest
    • Oh, and there is NO single supplement for these cabins…great job Norwegian!

    Spa Suite

    • NEW category with laminate floor
    • Spa access privileges
    • Soaking tub in room
    • Haven access

    Haven Suites

    The Haven Suites are some of most luxurious at sea.  Haven Courtyard now has its own private restaurant (Jewel class ships used Cagney’s steakhouse for lunch and dinner) along with its own bar and concierge desk.

    If you’ve got a good sized family or group and have a five-figure budget for a luxury cruise but want to keep the kids happy and look for entertainment after 9pm, then the Haven suite complex is for you.  Norwegian is the innovator of this concept.  Royal and MSC are coming up with their own ship within a ship concept.

    Dining/Bars/Casino

    Bars featured numerous draft beers including Newcastle Nut Brown Ale. What other big ship cruise lines have such a great selection?

    The pours in the mixed drinks were generous…hoping it will stay that way!

    Norwegian has one of the best Casinos at Sea programs.

    1 of 4 deejay systems in the world with a virtual double sided mixing board on a huge flat panel display

    • 27 dining options
    • 11 included complimentary
    • the Waterfront is new al fresco/waterfront dining with WIND BREAKS
    • While you will be presented with a barrage of paid dining options, it is important to understand that you do not have to pay to enjoy your meals and snacks with the included options
    Wine Dispenser in Garden Buffet Norwegian Breakaway Review
    Does your buffet have a wine dispenser?

    Garden Buffet is for lunch and breakfast or casual dinner.  This   buffet has an Elegant-dining area more like Princess/Celebrity

    NO Great outdoors, but uptown bar instead with a bar and another serving line

    Complimentary Main dining – “Taste”…good food and service except for overcooked chicken

    Julio Cadix from Honduras, Best bartender ever

     

    Main Theater – Rock of Ages

    Norwegian Breakaway Review Rock of Ages cast members
    Norwegian Breakaway Rock of Ages cast members

    Theater is only two decks high and incredibly small.  Further, there are no balconies or tiered

    sections.  Jewel class ships feature a separate tiered off section for Haven Suite guest access with an attendant.  The Breakaway just has the mid section on the left side attended for the use of the Haven guests.

     

    Rock of Ages is nearly 2 hours long with great music and singers and a set that really takes you back to the 80s!

    Music is live but the drummer is behind a dark scrim the whole time.  As a drummer I’m really bummed out that it was decided it was not worth seeing the drums and drummer…how sad!

    The show is adult oriented and a little risque and not at all appropriate for pre-teens, but if you like 80s music, you will love the show!

     

    SECRET TIP

    Norwegian Breakaway review fish navigation
    Norwegian Breakaway fish navigation

    The hallways in the passenger cabin areas are long long long! How do you navigate them?  Another steward told us that the fish on the carpet point forward.  You may figure that out faster than I, but now you know.

     

     

     

     

    MY COMMENTS

    Norwegian cruise Line competes against Carnival and Royal Caribbean in mass market cruising.  Carnival has the entry-level price and Royal stands firm with the highest price in this market.  Norwegian does not have the capital resources available to Carnival and Royal, so they compete by not competing,.  I truly see Norwegian as the innovator and here’s why:

    Norwegian was the first to offer flexible dining with “Freestyle” dining and the other lines were forced to offer flexible dining but their version is just not the same.  Each of  Norwegian’s Restaurants have either own kitchen. It is not a matter of a main dining room or multiple main dining rooms with a section available for flexible dining.

    Norwegian wanted to recreate a land resort feel at see.  They were on their way with the Jewel class.  The introduction of the Breakaway class (Breakaway, Getaway, and Breakaway+) now complete the disintegration of the model of what a mass make cruise experiences offers.  The layout of the Breakaway eliminates the center elevators and stairs. Decks 6, 7, and 8 are the hub of the ship and foster lots of movement between the dining and entertainment venues.  YES, there is a lot of back and forth and mid-ship cabins may be the right call.

    Sneak Peek of the Norwegian Getaway

    • Illusionarium (Magic) vs. Cirque Dreams as the main show
    • Grammy Experience vs. Fat Cats
    • Legally Blonde vs. Rock of Ages

    Did you like reading this review?  Please share and provide your comments!

     

     

  • Norwegian Breakaway Inaugural Sailing

    I’m selected to attend a Norwegian Breakaway Sailing our of New York City.

    Why do I want to share the details about a new mass market ship with you?  I personally LOVE NCL.

    Starting this May, NYC will get a brand new ship to sail on the BEST 7 Day itinerary.  Introducing Norwegian Breakaway:

    1) The newest ship to sail out of New York City

    2) An Authentic Itinerary where you can truly Experience 3 days/2 nights in Bermuda

    3) Most flexible accommodations

    4) Most Flexible dining

    5) Superior Entertainment

    Want to know more?

    Call or email today for more details.
    732.530.6682/dave@daydreamex.com

     

  • Cruise vs Resort: Total Cost to Come Home

    What is your total cost to come home

    from your vacation?  OK, I hate hearing this, “I found this vacation for $1399 for two.”  Really?  Please tell me all about it?  (Hope I’m not offending anyone here! You may know who you are.)  Turns out this property in question is NOT  All-Inclusive so the amount spent for meals and drinks is not there.

    Our focus is on YOUR TOTAL COST TO COME HOME.  I cranked out a simple but realistic analysis of a realistic vacation choice for a family of four.  The bottom line of the chart below is a good estimate of the total cost to come home NOT the cost to book the trip.

    So what’s better: a cruise or an All-Inclusive resort?

    Do you agree with my assumptions?  Let me know.  Want to spend your vacation in one place (a resort) or take your resort (a ship) to different places?  The answer is up to you, but I’ll help you understand the options along with your total cost to come home.

    Cruise vs Resort Analysis
    What’s the total cost to come home?

     

     

  • 11 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft While Traveling | IndependentTraveler.com

    This is a great resource to read and bookmark.  I like that it covers paper documents and electronic security.

    11 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft While Traveling | IndependentTraveler.com.

  • Caribbean islands see highest arrivals during U.S. spring break

    Caribbean islands see highest arrivals during U.S. spring break.

  • Consumer Travel Trends Survey

    Today, I’m sharing a survey from Vacation.com, my travel marketing Consortium.

    What is on your travel “bucket list” – your #1 dream destination?

    Would you spend tax refund money on travel?

    What do you think about pocket knives on planes?

    And what bugs you most about flying in Coach Class?

    We’d love to know your thoughts in our short survey.  For more, go here.

  • How to be a Smarter Travel Consumer

    Do you want to be a smarter travel consumer? Are you up on the latest tours, suppliers, and travel options available?

    Travel University is in session! We’ll start with two quick stories:

    1) Let’s take cruise line shore excursions. Are they really the best? Will taking another supplier’s shore excursion have you back at the pier late while you watch your ship sailing off to the next port? (This is one of my favorite tales of nonsense, or scare tactics if you will.)

    2) What about escorted tours? Can you mix up another supplier’s tour products with your primary tour provider? Sure! I’ve used a major tour company for a nice 12 day tour to Italy; ironically, the tour did not include a visit to the Vatican. While the tour operator offered an optional tour to the Vatican if enough people signed up, I supplied a private tour of the Vatican at a great value but even more importantly, it allowed my 9 travelers to have a more personalized and less crowded tour of the Vatican museums.

    So, welcome to Travel University! I want to help you become a smarter travel consumer by asking  even more questions.

    Are you afraid you may miss a key site/experience on your next dream trip?

    Or, are you in a big rush to spend your time and money to see the wrong things? Hmm?

    (Here’s a hint)

    Stonehenge

    Stonehenge

     

     

    Worried you might pay too much for your trip?

    Do you have short term and long term travel plans? Bucket list plans? For that matter, do you have a retirement plan?

    Wow, I sure do ask a lot of questions! Have you noticed I don’t flood you with travel deals?  But deals for what? And, are they a good value for you?

    By coming to me with your ideas, I will help you evaluate them by first establishing your vacation objectives via my travel personality questionnaire. Then we’ll work together to plan the right trip for you.  I’ll steer you away from obstacles and discuss your options, whether they’re ideas you bring to me or options I suggest.

    Bottom line, you don’t need me to help you get a “deal,” but I’m committed to helping you plan the best vacation by evaluating the right supplier(s) for your trip and helping you purchase travel components wisely. I am your strategic partner for your vacation plans. When you leave for your vacation, I want you to feel empowered that you are going to experience what you set out to accomplish in your vacation goals. Fair enough?

    We’ll talk when you get back from your next dream trip.


     

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  • Secrets from the New York Times Travel Show

    I attended the  the New York Times Travel Show and here are the travel secrets I heard from the presThe New York Times Travel Showidents of several travel suppliers.  WARNING, this is a little self-promoting as their remarks were on the value of reputable travel agents/advisers and reputable tour operators.  Please read this brief post and share!

     

     

    1) Travel Agents/Advisers advocate for their clients to get the vacation their clients expect.  One way agents help their clients achieve their  vacation objectives is by using reputable travel vendors/suppliers.  (From Avanti Destinations and Insight Vacations.)  While I know this sounds a little obvious, a good travel adviser carefully selects travel vendors for his clients.

    2) Travel is precious time with your loved ones.  Obvious enough, but make sure you do your trip carefully.

    3) During the initial days of the uprising in Egypt, a number of tour operators chartered planes to get their US citizens home promptly according to the US Tour Operators Association. In many cases, these flights got US citizens out of the country sooner then US State Department chartered flights.  So, please ask yourself: do you want a reputable tour operator AND a travel adviser working on your behalf who’s always in your corner?

    4) With the high airfares to Europe, family travel to Cost Rica, Central, and South America is increasing.  In my resent experience, I’m finding flights from the US to Italy could be as high as $1,600 for the upcoming travel season.

    5) Travel is all about the personal interactions.  When travelers come back home, they feel differently about the destination and their life at home.

    Riviera restaurant menu, Friday, Sept. 11, 1942
    Riviera restaurant menu, Friday, Sept. 11, 1942 (Photo credit: bunky’s pickle)

    6) You don’t go into a restaurant and say, “I don’t need a menu, just bring me the cheapest thing on it.”  So for travel, understand what makes up a complete vacation experience.  Do remember to include such items as: transfers from point A to B, travel insurance, parking, sightseeing tours, excursions, cell-phone/data charges, etc.

    Were these secrets from the New York Times Travel show valuable?

    If so, please share below.

  • News About Your Vacation Budget

     

    budget
    budget (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

    I have news for you about your vacation budget, I may not follow it! What? Please read on and don’t get offended just yet.

    Two Vacation Budget Stories

    1)  A couple of great clients from Florida wanted to a arrange a special Birthday Celebration on Star Clippers, a  mega-yacht cruise line.  Star Clippers offers an experience not possible on large, medium, or most other small ships.  The couple came to me thinking the price to come in around $5,000 for the cruise.  After reserving this great trip and applying the standard plus a bonus discount, their final price was just under $3100 for this cruise which is far below their vacation budget.

    2) Another story, a client wanted to go to Punta Cana last year for three nights on a very tight vacation budget and was willing to leave from any of 4 “pseudo-local” airports.  For a three night trip to an all-inclusive resort, air will be a large percentage of the trip and largely fixed due to our friends at the airlines.  The resort I could fit in the budget was OK but fell short in some key areas.  While the grounds were lovely, there were some issues with the service and their room.  I booked a property that I was not familiar with and not trained on.  Although, the client’s trip was still good, I failed my client by following his budget and not refusing their trip or attempting to sell the value of a slightly better resort.

    If presented with another opportunity where I feel I cannot deliver the proper experience within a client’s budget, I  will state that upfront and politely direct the client to consider shortening the duration, changing the budget or to book elsewhere if they must stay within their budget and not shorten up the trip.

    So what’s in your vacation budget?  Did you remember to include:

    • transfers from point A to B
    • travel insurance
    • meals
    • parking
    • souvenirs
    • beverages
    • sightseeing tours (you didn’t travel all of the way to your dream location to sit in your room?  Or, perhaps you’re at a great all-inclusive resort and you just really wanted to relax.)
    • excursions
    • gratuities/tips
    • Internet/Corporate VPN access
    • Cellular voice/data roaming charges

    Planning your vacation with Daydream Excursions includes looking over your whole travel experience to provide you with a realistic estimate of the cost to come home from your trip.  So, I look at all of the above items when helping you plan your trip to get the most value for your vacation budget.

    Call or email today to start planning you next trip!Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Let Us Handle the Details of Your Dream Vacation Travel

    Dear Traveler,

    • Are you a professional, retiree, or busy family who values personalized and high-touch service?
    • Is your life so busy, you don’t have time to plan your next vacation?
    • Do you know where you want to go AND want someone else to handle all of the details that make it a complete vacation?

    You’re in the right place.

    Imagine feeling totally confident and care-free about your upcoming trip. And, you did not have to lift a finger to  plan your trip. You will enjoy a vacation with all of your details expertly planned out – just for you.  Virtually, just pack and Go!

    Just imagine YOU on YOUR next vacation. Whether you dream of:

    • a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower on a romantic getaway
    • taking your kids on a once-in-a-lifetime family tour in the Mediterranean
    • sinking your toes into the legendary sands of Bora Bora,

    I can help you with all of your details, expertly planned out for you.  When we work together, you will…

    •  have a personally involved travel concierge before, during, and after your trip as your single point of contact to handle unexpected issues.
    • feel relaxed about  the choices and details of your next trip because you know a professional is taking care of you.
    • have help to travel to the world’s most exclusive destinations and have the most amazing experiences.

    Warm regards,

    Dave Rosenthal

     

     

    Dave Rosenthal, VTC, MCC

    email: dave@daydreamex.com

    P.S. Ready to get started? Just fill out your “What’s Your Travel Personality?” questionnaire now.  We’ll address what you want to experience on your next trip, and see if we’re a fit to work together.



     

     

    Say goodbye to travel planning worries, so you can say hello to customized trip planning that fits YOUR travel needs by working interactively for each component of your vacation.

    Here’s what one of our guest had to say…

    “You are the most professional we have ever dealt with. You listened to our requests and put them into effect. Our trip was totally stress free, everything was exactly as you said ; no surprises.” Gabe, FL

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