Norwegian Breakaway

The top deck has five complimentary water slides: two side-by-side racers, two drop slides where the floor falls away beneath you, and a tamer blue slide. Below, the main pool has a shallow entry with bench seating, hot tubs on each side, a bandstand for live music and the two-sided Waves Pool Bar. A splash area serves the youngest cruisers, a jogging track circles the deck, and the pool deck turns into a party zone on theme nights.

The sports complex has a full basketball court that also hosts soccer and pickup games, and it is wrapped by one of the most extensive ropes courses at sea. Norwegian lists more than 40 elements, five Sky Rail zip tracks out over the ocean and The Plank, a walk out past the edge of the ship in a harness. A mini golf course sits nearby, and Norwegian now also lists The Stadium games area and Horizon Park on board.

Vibe Beach Club is the adults-only sun deck near the front of the ship, with thick padded loungers, ever-changing ocean views, its own bar, TVs for the game and large hot tubs. Access is an extra-cost pass for the full cruise, and Norwegian limits how many it sells. Private cabanas cost extra, and Vibe is not included with The Haven. Spice H2O, at the back of the ship, is the complimentary adults-only option, with a bar and evening theme parties.

The Haven is Norwegian's keycard-access suite complex, a ship within a ship with its own concierge desk, butler service, lounge and bar. The Haven Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from a plated menu. The courtyard pool sits under a retractable roof with two hot tubs and is family friendly, while the sun deck outside is for guests 16 and older. A Haven spa area adds a sauna and two treatment rooms, so suite guests never have to leave.

The Thermal Suite stretches across the very front of the ship inside the Mandara Spa. Padded loungers face the bow and the sides, next to a hydrotherapy pool with jets and a waterfall that is good for your back. The circuit adds heated stone loungers, a sanarium, a dry sauna, a Himalayan salt room, rain showers and a steam room. Passes cost extra, though Danny notes access comes with Spa Balcony staterooms, Spa Club Balcony Suites and the Haven Spa Suite.

Breakaway debuted The Waterfront, a quarter-mile oceanfront promenade on Deck 8 where restaurants and bars spill outside. La Cucina serves Italian with outdoor tables, Cagney's Steakhouse sits at the back of the ship, and Palomar, Norwegian's Mediterranean restaurant, now joins The Raw Bar and Wasabi. Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar and Shaker's Martini Bar have outdoor bars too, and the walkway wraps around the stern, with glass panels that look straight down to the sea.

Syd Norman's Pour House is a rock club and bar with a live band, brick walls and an outdoor bar on The Waterfront. Headliners Comedy Club hosts stand-up and dueling pianos, and the Breakaway Theater stages Broadway-style shows and game shows. Burn the Floor brings championship ballroom dancing on board, and Bliss Ultra Lounge is the nightclub, known for its silent disco. Next to Shaker's, the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar is kept at 17 degrees.

Teppanyaki is Norwegian's Japanese hibachi grill, where chefs cook fried rice, steak, seafood and chicken at shared tables with music and a bit of a show, which makes it a favorite for families. Nearby, Le Bistro serves classic French dishes like escargot and French onion soup, with Paris-themed decor and a few tables set outside along the walkway. Both are extra-cost specialty restaurants, and a Free at Sea dining meal can cover either one.