Norwegian · Breakaway Class

Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway was the ship that changed NCL's direction when she launched in 2013 at 145,655 GT. As the first Breakaway-class vessel, she introduced The Waterfront boardwalk concept and Freestyle Cruising to a larger platform, carrying 3,963 guests.

Ship specs

  • Cruise line: Norwegian
  • Ship class: Breakaway
  • Year launched: 2013
  • Gross tonnage: 145,655 GT
  • Length: 1,068 ft
  • Passengers (double occupancy): 3,969

About Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway was the ship that changed NCL's direction when she launched in 2013 at 145,655 GT. As the first Breakaway-class vessel, she introduced The Waterfront boardwalk concept and Freestyle Cruising to a larger platform, carrying 3,963 guests. She is smaller and older than the Plus-class ships, but she has been well maintained and offers solid value.

Best for: Budget-conscious cruisers and first-timers who want a classic NCL experience out of the New York area without paying new-ship premiums.

Key features and highlights

  • The Waterfront boardwalk debuted on this ship, offering open-air dining and ocean views that became an NCL signature.
  • Burn the Floor is the current headline show, a high-energy ballroom and Latin dance spectacular that has played Broadway and London's West End.
  • The Aqua Park features Free Fall waterslides, and the Sports Complex includes The Plank, a beam extending 8 feet over the side of the ship.
  • Peter Max designed the hull artwork, giving the ship one of the most recognizable exteriors in the fleet.
  • Ocean Blue by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian offers upscale seafood dining.

What to know before you book

Cabin tips

Balcony staterooms are 226 square feet with compact balconies. Avoid cabins on the front of Deck 5, as they sit directly below the theater and its storage area, which can be noisy.

Dining

Breakaway has three main dining rooms (Taste, Savor, The Manhattan Room) plus specialty venues including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (French), La Cucina (Italian), Teppanyaki, and Ocean Blue. O'Sheehan's Bar and Grill and Shanghai's Noodle Bar are solid complimentary options.

Entertainment

Burn the Floor is the current headliner. The Spiegel Tent hosts Cirque Dreams and Dinner Jungle Fantasy with acrobatics during a multi-course meal, and Howl at the Moon offers dueling piano fun.

Cabin sizes by category

Interior

Subcategory Cabin size Balcony Max guests
Inside 129 sq ft Not published Not published

Oceanview

Subcategory Cabin size Balcony Max guests
Oceanview 161 sq ft Not published Not published

Balcony

Subcategory Cabin size Balcony Max guests
Balcony, Large Balcony, Mini Suite 172-204 sq ft 30 sq ft Not published

Suite

Subcategory Cabin size Balcony Max guests
Spa Suite, The Haven Courtyard Penthouse, The Haven Owner's Suite, The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa 280-742 sq ft 30-190 sq ft Not published

Cabin sizes are sourced from deck plan databases and may vary by specific stateroom number. Always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Norwegian Breakaway?

Norwegian Breakaway is approximately 145,655 gross tons, 1,068 feet long, and carries approximately 3,969 passengers at double occupancy.

What are the cabin sizes on Norwegian Breakaway?

Norwegian Breakaway offers 4 cabin subcategories across 4 main types. Interior: 129-129 sq ft. Oceanview: 161-161 sq ft. Balcony: 172-204 sq ft. Suite: 280-742 sq ft.

What class is the Norwegian Breakaway?

Norwegian Breakaway is a Breakaway class ship operated by Norwegian. It launched in 2013.

More on Norwegian

Other Norwegian ships

C
Caden Sorenson

Senior Staff Engineer and Indie Developer

Caden Sorenson is a senior staff engineer with 15+ years of experience building iOS apps, web platforms, and developer tools. He holds a Computer Science degree from Utah State University and runs Vientapps, an indie studio based in Logan, Utah, where he ships small, focused tools and writes about every build in public.

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-18. Ship specs and cabin sizes can change with refurbishments and reconfiguration. Confirm with the cruise line before booking.