Agents Laud Breakaway’s New York State of Mind

Travel agents attending the inaugural voyages of the Norwegian Breakaway were surprised at the variety of experiences available on board the 4,000-passenger, $840 million vessel departing year-round from New York City.

“From a perspective of brand positioning, this vessel represents not just their brand but also the city they’re sailing from,” said Drew Daly, vice president of sales performance for CruiseOne.

Travel Market Report spoke with agents who sailed on the vessel to find out how they’re selling the ship and any shortcomings it may have.

What are your first impressions of the Norwegian Breakaway?
“I hadn’t been on a Norwegian ship for years, and I had heard a lot of negatives about the Epic. We went on this ship and I was more than impressed. The Haven product was outstanding; the private pool area is pretty cool to have, along with your own concierge and dining room. They’re promoting the hell out of it, but until you see it you can’t really appreciate it.” – Gary Silverstein, owner, Mann Travels, Charlotte, N.C.

“I was very pleased with their services for the handicapped; they were able to pick me up at the embarkation point and we went right onto the ship. At one time I specialized in handicap travel and they really did a good job, I was totally accommodated with my room.” – Warren Buckner, CTC, owner, Gayety Travel, Brooklyn, N.Y.

What surprised you most about the vessel?
“What surprised me the most was how well they integrated New York into it. Having not ever been to New York before, I could really notice how the style and sleekness mirrored New York’s. It wasn’t anything over the top or obvious; it was the little things and some of the dining venues that really wove it through the vessel.” – Beth Edwards, owner, Cruise Planners Total Travel Services, Tampa, Fla.

“Norwegian always surprises me, they always have new ideas and concepts- that’s what they’re known for. I was totally blown away by the ship, it was magnificent; besides being the first to do things, they now have the largest ships. This wasn’t your father’s Norwegian vessel – it was completely different.” – Mara Hargarther, owner, Hargarther, Thaler & Associates (CruiseOne), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Was there anything you disliked?
“I was certainly disappointed there wasn’t enough availability for the specialty dining. I have to go back again to try the options. I was also disappointed in the quality of one of the cover change-free meals I ate. For those people who have saved for a year or more, to not have top-notch food is a problem.” – Christopher Lingren, owner, Cruise Planners-Neverland Adventures Travel, Indianapolis, Ind.

“The ship is really big, but I could see where it may get crowded. Being a big ship, it didn’t seem that big; it’s well laid out and you never felt you had to walk far to get anywhere.” – Joel Wilder, MCC, owner, Total Travel Services, Debary, Fla.

Was there anything you would change?
“The only thing I would change is the signage inside the elevators, because if you don’t know where you’re going you have to look at the map.”—Mara Hargarther

“I wish the balconies were a little deeper, you can’t really get much sideways movement to look outside.” – Gary Silverstein

How are you going to sell the ship?
“This is a ship for families. I brought my mother with me who is 80 and she loved it. I don’t think you can necessarily say it is only for adults or kids. It’s even for the traditional cruisers who may have hesitated in the past when it comes to Norwegian. It did not have that big ship feel, except for the scope of its offerings. If I had little kids along, I know they would be absolutely enthralled.” – Mara Hargarther

“I’ve already held group space on the 2014 Norwegian Getaway. The opportunity for family travel is great, especially with all the entertainment options. It offers a lot of options overall from the luxury Haven down to the studios, which are really neat.” – Joel Wilder