Norwegian Breakaway

The 18 deck, 1,063 foot long cruise liner, the Norwegian Breakaway pulled out of Bermuda yesterday with 5,800 people on it and headed back to New York after it’s inaugural trip.

The Norwegian Breakaway, the 8th largest cruise liner in the world, cut an impressive figure at Heritage Wharf at Bermuda’s Dockyard this week. The ship will make weekly cruises to Bermuda from Manhattan until the end of September and brings many thousands of much welcome visitors.

The most noticeable thing about the Breakaway is it’s pop-art on the hull. The floating awning by artist Peter Max covers 40,000 square feet of it’s hull and is an eye-catching exposition of New York’s skyline and planetary sky.

Unfortunately non-passengers can’t get on the ship, and I had to be satisfied to stare at it’s impressive hulk from varying viewpoints around the island. I have never been utterly convinced by cruises but this thing actually sounds like it replicates spending the weekend in the actual Big Apple.

On board, guests can choose between 27 places to eat including three by one of my favourite American chef’s, Geoffrey Zakarian. There’s an Ice Bar, the American city late night staple Howl at the Moon complete with duelling pianos and a Second City comedy show as well as Broadway show Rock of the Ages.

There’s a huge water park, open-air boardwalk, a three-storey sports complex, nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court and rock climbing wall.

Finally, well not finally because the list goes on, but the Breakaway has a 1980’s themed deck party with a firework display. Love that. I might have to change my mind to cruises and start saving. The cost is around $2,500 each for the trip and in October the Breakaway switches it’s attention to the Bahamas.