Is Norwegian Breakaway kid-friendly?

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When Norwegian Breakaway visited Southampton recently one of our regular guest bloggers was onboard to enjoy a ship visit. Lorraine from My Secret Mum Blog is no stranger to cruising with kids so had her eye out for all the family-friendly features onboard – in between the odd cocktail in the new Syd Norman’s Pour House bar (we like her style!). So, what did she find out? Is Norwegian Breakaway kid-friendly?

You can read about Lorraine’s day onboard NCL Breakaway on Tin Box Traveller.

 
 
 
 
 
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A family-friendly cruise ship?

Here we’re answering that all important question about the ship being kid-friendly, plus some others you might be asking yourself if you are planning a NCL Cruise:

Kids clubs on Norwegian Breakaway

Splash Academy and Entourage are complementary youth programmes at sea on NCL ships including Norwegian Breakaway. Splash Academy covers children from the age of six months to 12-years-old but babies and toddlers aged between six months and three-years-old must be supervised by their parents.

From three you can leave you kids in the care of the NCL staff during the day and evening up until 10.30pm when fees apply.

Entourage is a place for teens to hang out with video games, music, art and sports – all the stuff they love plus their own night club.

You can leave children and teens onboard in the kids clubs if they don’t fancy coming ashore with you (a fee applies for covering the kids’ meal times while you are away) and kids can stay late in the club between 10.30pm and 1.30am (fee applies).

What to do on Norwegian Breakaway with kids

If your kids love cruise ship swimming pools then they’ll not be disappointed with the Aqua Park onboard. It boasts the fastest waterslides at sea. They do look pretty fearsome!

Norwegian Breakaway slides

There’s also a multi-level sports complex and climbing wall for the athletic types in your family. Or if you or the kids like an adrenaline rush then you can walk the plank – literally! Harness up and edge your way eight feet out over the side of the ship, 18 decks up.

More up my street is the high ropes course and mini golf! You need to be 1m 22 to have a go on the high ropes course and Walk the Plank. The mini golf course is open to the whole family. Activities onboard are definitely one of the things that makes Norwegian Breakaway kid-friendly.

Find out how these family activities compare to what’s onboard the Norwegian Bliss which launched in 2018. Our Sarah was onboard its inaugural crossing to the UK.

Norwegian Breakaway rooms for families

Inside staterooms have 142 sq. ft. of living space and can accommodate up to four people in bunk beds over a double or twin beds. Ocean view staterooms have up to 161 sq. ft of living space along with that window with a sea view. They sleep up to five people.

If you have the cash to splash on your family cruise then mini suites and balcony staterooms can sleep up to four people. If you have a larger family then interconnecting rooms are your only option on Breakaway. Some other NCL ships have family suites and two bedroom family suites accommodating up to seven people.

Dining onboard NCL cruise ships

The good news for families with kids who need to be fed ‘NOW’ is that NCL offer Freestyle Dining. There are no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. You can either go to one of the main dining rooms or visit the buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you fancy eating in your cabin there’s 24 hour room service (extra fee). Or, if you are planning a special night, then kids under 12 eat free in the speciality restaurants onboard.

Dining Norwegian Breakaway - is it kid-friendly?

What’s included on Norwegian Breakaway?

Activities like the Aqua Park, high ropes course, sports complex, Walk the Plank and mini golf are included in your cruise. You can also visit the shows and main dining rooms as many times as you’d like for free. Teas, coffees, tap water and fruit juices are also free of charge.

You can pay extra for speciality dining and coffees. Oh and your bar bill! Plus, don’t forget those extra charges for the kids club on port days if you step off the ship over a meal time and in the evenings after 10.30pm. If you’re going to sneak off to the spa for some treatments then you’ll have to pay extra for those too. Some exercise classes are chargeable.

NCL have a Premium All Inclusive offer for cruisers who want to pay extra to cover alcoholic and premium drinks, 60 minutes of internet, gratuities and speciality coffees. There’s extra benefits if you are staying in the Haven or a suite.

What shows are on Norwegian Breakaway?

See the epic musical Rock of Ages onboard Norwegian Breakaway, plus Burn the Floor which has been described as ‘ballroom supercharged’, and the circus spectacular Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy.

 
 
 
 
 
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Does Norwegian Breakaway have a laundry room?

Being able to fresh your kids clothes, particularly if you have young dribble monsters, is always handy but there are no self-service laundry services on NCL Breakaway. Bring some hand wash in case things get desperate and use your bathroom sink!

Does Norwegian Breakaway have formal nights?

NCL are free and easy with their dress code. There will be opportunities to dress up if you like but its not compulsory. Cruise casual is the buzz phrase onboard.

Does Norwegian Breakaway have wifi?

Yes. You can get 60 minutes to use during your cruise as part of the Premium All Inclusive Norwegian Cruise packages or 250 minutes if you are a Haven or suite guest.

So, is Norwegian Breakaway kid-friendly?

We reckon so! The combination of family-friendly activities, kids clubs for children as young as six-months-old, and a dining and dress code as relaxed as you want to be makes for a kid-friendly cruising experience.

Thanks to Lorraine for accepting the hard task of visiting NCL Breakaway for us. Next time we’re coming along for cocktails too!

Disclosure: Lorraine was invited onboard Norwegian Breakaway to write about the ship for Tin Box Traveller. We were under no obligation to share anything about the ship here on Cruising With Kids but love NCL so did anyway! 

Considering a cruise with NCL? Why not pin this post about Norwegian Breakaway‘s kid-friendly features?

We answer that all important question for family cruisers: is Norwegian Breakaway kid-friendly? Plus other things you might ask yourself before a NCL Cruise #cruise #familycruise #NCL #Norwegian #NorwegianBreakaway #familytravel #travel #cruiseship #cruisetips
Claire Hall Tin Box Traveller

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    Donna and Sarah ( Cruising For All ) Sarah Christie and Donna Vallance are experienced travel writers and cruise enthusiasts specializing in cruising. They are passionate about exploring new destinations and have dedicated themselves to sharing their knowledge and insights with fellow travellers. They provide valuable information, tips, and recommendations for all cruisers. They strive to make cruising accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their interests, budgets, or accessibility needs. Their articles and reviews are well-researched, comprehensive, and written to help readers make informed decisions and have unforgettable cruise adventures.

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