Norwegian Breakaway has just become the newest ship to be home-ported in Miami. She will be sailing 7-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean year-round and is the sister ship to the well-received Norwegian Breakaway that sails from New York. I was excited to be invited to the February 7, 2014 christening ceremony and a 1-night celebratory sailing so I could get a first-person impression to share with you.

First, it’s a BIG ship! She has 27 dining options including ones with unique entertainment, 22 bars and lounges, 2 Broadway shows, an Aqua Park with 5 multi-story waterslides, a three-level sports complex, Nickelodeon™ entertainment, casino, Spa & Fitness Center and The Haven™. Norwegian Getaway carries over 4,000 passengers and there’s something for nearly every interest, so it’s a great ship for multigenerational families, couples and singles. There’s so much to do, in fact, it was impossible to actually participate in everything in my 24-hour visit, although I gave it my best! Travel Maestro tip: The fish in the carpet swim toward the bow, so you can always get your bearings! Clever, huh?

Norwegian Getaway Entertainment

The ship’s vibe is all about Miami, from the mermaid and pelican hull art to the purple, turquoise and silver colors of the public spaces. You can grab a signature cocktail at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar or Latin-inspired cuisine at the Flamingo Grill. Travel Maestro tip: Alfresco dining at The Waterfront is perfect for warm weather itineraries departing from Miami.

 

Evening entertainment abounds on the Getaway. The ballroom and Latin dance company, Burn the Floor, performed in the dining room where I had dinner, but unfortunately I couldn’t see the show from our corner table. Another dinner show, Illusionarium, mesmerizes guests with magicians and illusionists. After dinner I attended a well-done performance of Legally Blonde the Musical. Another evening option is the first-ever Grammy Experience at sea featuring live jazz and R&B performances by past Grammy winners. Travel Maestro tip: With 4,000 guests, Norwegian’s popular Freestyle dining is very busy at prime times, so plan your evening in advance and make dining reservations to accommodate.

678 Ocean Place draws most of the ship’s guests, particularly in the evening. Multiple restaurants and bars, the casino, and Headliners comedy venue ring a three-deck open area that becomes a social hub. While the passenger flow was decent, the area was prone to bottlenecking and was the only area that I felt the presence of so many passengers.

Norwegian Getaway Deck Activities

Daytime deck activities are even more numerous. I didn’t get to try the Aqua Park sides, but they looked amazing. There was also a nice splash zone for tots. For adventure seekers, there is an extensive Ropes Course with over 40 elements to conquer, a zip line, a rock climbing wall, and you can walk The Plank 8 feet over the side of the ship and over the water far below! A multi-use sports deck is the place for all kinds of ball games and you can practice your putt on a 9-hole mini-golf course.

The children’s programs, Entourage for teens 13-17 and Splash Academy for youth 3-12, have complimentary, age-appropriate programming day and evening from poolside games and teen dance clubs to Nickelodeon™ character breakfasts and family pizza-making parties.

Norwegian Getaway Staterooms

To get away from the hubbub of activity, The Haven is a quiet ship-within-a-ship enclave at the top of the ship. The two-level Haven Courtyard and pool, a private restaurant and lounge are exclusively for those staying in Haven cabins. Haven guests also have the services of a 24-hour butler and concierge.

Another Norwegian innovation is the award-winning Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers. They are very cozy staterooms, but include exclusive access to a shared Lounge to watch TV and meet other solos.

As on other ships, Norwegian Breakaway has a selection of inside, ocean view (window), balcony and mini-suite staterooms that vary in size and location. The ship also offers Spa staterooms with easy access to the tranquility of the spa, and Family staterooms with 2-bedroom cabins and full-size bathtubs. Travel Maestro tip: Generally, I thought the cabins were a bit snug and the balconies on the small side, but they were comfortable and well-appointed.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Norwegian Getaway. It’s a terrific ship for families because of the huge array of activities and dining options. It’s great for solo travelers because of the single staterooms and couples can find plenty of romantic spice in the vibrant entertainment options. Having Miami as a home port allows warm Caribbean voyages without an expensive airline ticket to the Caribbean. I give Norwegian Getaway a thumbs up!