Written by Chillie Falls, Chillie’s Cruises February 8, 2023
As a solo, disabled traveler, I sailed on the Norwegian Breakaway, actually the Vloggers Extravaganza, January 29, 2023 from New Orleans. I now write a similar report on every cruise ship I take and at the end, give an overall rating. This is in no way an effort to demonize any ship or cruise line, but to offer my advice and feelings to my accessibility community. The information has already been given to Norwegian. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.
Embarkation/Debarkation
Since I use a Scootaround scooter on all of my cruises, I have become a major proponent of curb side/terminal delivery of scooters to guest. Unfortunately, this was not the case and my scooter was scheduled to be delivered to my cabin. That requires that I request wheelchair service from my Uber. I actually was forced to walk a short distance to get the wheelchair.
After that, the embarkation was pretty seamless for me. While the lines were long for ambulatory guests, I was given priority treatment as were all of the disabled guests. My wheelchair guy took me to my cabin to retrieve my scooter, however it was not there. Even though the rooms were not open for guests, he told me to wait a few minutes and he would find my scooter. Within 5 minutes, he returned with my rented scooter.
When I met with the Special Needs Coordinator near the end of the week, I earned one concession, and was promised that by the start of the February 19th cruise, Scootaround scooters would be delivered in the terminal. This was a major win for us, I think.
Since I was staying an extra night in New Orleans, I was in no hurry to debark. By the time I made my way to the assigned area to meet another wheelchair pusher, there was a pretty good wait. But the “line” moved fairly quickly, so I was off the ship in about 30 minutes. Luggage and customs went very well. The Uber area was a jammed packed disaster. My driver texted me that he was held up in traffic so I just sat back and relaxed, trying to keep people from mowing into me on my walker for another 30 minutes of so.
Muster Drill
Norwegian announced several weeks ago that they were returning to the “old” fashioned Muster Drill. This was the first cruise eliminating the E-Muster Drill so we had to go get in a big wad of people and sit through the totally boring presentation and demonstration. And you have to check in or you could get thrown off the boat. Why not do the Muster Drill for new or seldom cruisers and someone like me, who is going on his 80th cruise next week, doesn’t have to. Or bring back the E-Muster. I did not mind that at all.
Accessible Cabin 10437
My accommodations on Norwegian Breakaway were outstanding. The room had all of the usual features, big bed, a wonderful work area that you ladies would probably call a dresser, all of the normal closet space, a safe, drawers, a refrigerator and a big screen TV. The bathroom was appropriately furnished with a roll-in shower, raised toilet, sink height to accommodate a wheelchair and plenty of grab rails.
To me the main feature was the door. To enter, there was a Key Card Tap pad that automatically opened the door. To exit, there was a touch pad on the wall with enough distance to allow the door to open without moving the scooter or chair.
Probably my biggest complaint on Breakaway is related to my cabin. I am in and out of my cabin numerous times daily. From my room to the nearest elevator was about half the length of the ship. My scooter would not fit past the housekeeping carts, and I do not use the widest scooter. Usually to make it to the elevator I encountered 3 carts.
Remember, I can not get up to move them myself, so I had to wait for the housekeeping staff to appear or another guest to try to move them for me. Like many things that affect our disabled community, the design of the ship had no thought of non-ambulatory guests. If only the hallways were 6 inches wider, or the carts narrower. Or maybe give me a bullhorn, “would housekeeping please come to room 10300 to move your damn cart again.”
Restaurants and Bars
During the week, I dined in main dining room 3 times, specialty dining twice, O’Sheehan’s once and the buffet once. Breakfast and Lunches were either the buffet, O’Sheehan’s or Sushi once. In all cases, I was allowed to stay on my scooter avoiding the transfer to a chair, roll up to the table, and swivel my scooter seat so my legs were under the table. The wait staff was wonderful, service good and the food excellent.
So too were the bars with Maltings Whiskey Bar and Waves Pool Bar my favorites. But all were well run, quick friendly service and well made drinks.
I did opt out of trying the Ice bar even though many of my friends suited up like eskimos and spent up to an hour sitting on ice. No thanks!.
Pools and Hot Tubs
The Waves Pool is not accessible and does not even have a lift chair. There is, however, a lift chair for one of the hot tubs, rare on most cruise ships.
While the Aqua Park Pool is not accessible, there is a lift chair for it so technically, one could get in the water. The chairs have a weight limit of 300 pounds.
Public Restrooms
There are 16 public restrooms on Breakaway and I am pleased to report all are accessible. I literally went inside all of them to make sure touch plates were operational. Kudos to Norwegian, at least on this ship.
Theater
I was in the Breakaway Theater three times. Twice, I sat in the handicap section behind the top row, but one night, I was given a front row seat. That was awesome.
Deck 17 is Inaccessible
None of the elevators on Breakaway go to Deck 17. Why, you ask? So did I and no one had an explanation. I was told you can use the lift chair.
T0 use the lift chair, you must call Guest Services and arrange for an operator to meet you at the lift. It is very similar to the household lift that attach to a railing to go from one floor to the next. So, if I did that, what could I do upstairs without my scooter. I have no idea if there are chairs I could get into. I am sure there are no wheelchairs, nor other scooters. So, my option after my 3 or 4 minute limit to standing would be to flop on the floor like a beached whale.
No thanks. Norwegian has just eliminated 14% of my accessible public spaces.
Conclusion
Norwegian Breakaway is on the right tract although not there yet. It is much better than most but still needs improvements. Don’t get me wrong. I have cruised on much worse ships as far as accessibility goes, and had a delightful time. You can too.
I like Breakaway a lot, and would recommend her to any of our community. And I will sail her again. I hope their other vessels of this class are equipped as well.
