Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway from 48 Ink It has something for everyone, including a lot of amenities you have no idea you need but very quickly learn to enjoy. The Norwegian Breakaway, which recently began regular sailings between its home port of New York City and Bermuda, carries some 4,000 passengers–meaning that it’s also very, very big.  Its inaugural year kicked off earlier this month with a party at New York’s luxurious Ink48 hotel, and  two, two-day sailings followed by the first week-long trip to Bermuda. With a hull painted by Peter Max, to say nothing of its impressive size,  the ship is  impossible to miss as it bobs serenely at Pier 88 in NYC or at King’s Wharf in Bermuda. 

On board you’ll find endless activities for kids and teens, making it a great family vacation venue, as well as every amenity for traveling couples and foodies.  The restaurant Ocean Blue by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian shouldn’t be missed if you’re celebrating a special occasion on board.  I search out bistros wherever I travel and thoroughly enjoyed the Breakaway’s Le Bistro with its country French cusine. I also liked Savor, one of the three main dining rooms.

Traveling alone? Norwegian Breakaway is among a handful of cruise ships offering small rooms for solo travelers, eliminating the need to pay for a double room for just one passenger. By contrast, if you’d like to sail in luxury, the ship offers The Haven, a private key-club enclave of 42 suites at the top of the ship. In between there are plenty of options–staterooms, mini-suites, balcony suites, and even suites located close to the spa for the ultimate in pampering.

Highly recommended all around, as is Ink48, a Kimpton hotel, which is an easy walk to and from the ship. Bermuda, of course, is a lovely destination with its pink beaches and excellent restaurants of its own. In the fall, the Breakaway will sail to the Bahamas.