Lisa Plotnick

Norwegian Breakaway, Day 1: Boston embarkation

October 18, 2026

12:36 pm EDT

I’m sitting in a deck chair on Deck 15 of Norwegian Breakaway after a quick lunch in the adjacent Garden Café, while cabins are being prepared.

It’s nice to be on a ship again—and it’s been less than 4 months since last time. We are even in the same place, Cruiseport Boston. The sun is shining in this spot, making it warm even though it’s sweater weather.

A row of a dozen blue mesh fabric reclining deck chairs face outward along floor to ceiling windows on a cruise ship that is docked in an urban port.
Deck chairs await on Deck 15 of Norwegian Breakaway soon after embarkation, October 18, 2026. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

Today’s timeline, courtesy of phone screenshots:

  • 10:45. Arrived at Black Falcon Cruise Terminal for our 10:30–11:00 slot, dropped off bags, and walked to check-in area.
  • 11:06. Check-in completed, expedited as we were invited to the line for passengers with disabilities.
  • 11:25. Made it through security (Ed. we opted for standard line) and headed up to gangway.
  • 11:30. Stepped onboard ship on outdoor promenade.
  • 11:55. Seated at lunch, after checking in at our muster station and reserving specialty dining.

So, it was pretty easy considering the terminal setup is temporary while the entire facility undergoes a renovation.

From Boston, we’re scheduled for a sea day, followed by Halifax, another sea day, 2 days (1 night) in Bermuda at the Royal Naval Dockyard, and another sea day returning to Boston.

We hear there’s a big nor’easter brewing between the mid-Atlantic U.S. states and Bermuda, so who knows where we’ll end up? That’s okay, as we’re on a ship!

10:18 pm

Our stateroom was ready at 2:25 pm. It was a couple more hours until our bags arrived and we were able to unpack quickly. I love using packing cubes!

In between, we pretty much just hung out, napped, and saw much of the ship. Most of the indoor public rooms are on Decks 6, 7, and 8. There are additional bars and food service on Decks 15 and 16. As our cabin is on Deck 12, I anticipate a greater use of elevators than is typical for us.

Dinner in Le Bistro was nice, as always. I had escargot for my appetizer, sole sautéed in lemon-caper butter for the main course, and a meringue with vanilla crème and raspberries for dessert.

A pan-seared fish fillet with a lightly crisped golden surface, topped with melted butter, whole capers, finely chopped green chives, and golden toasted croutons. Two small herb-seasoned potatoes and a round, cloth-covered lemon half sit alongside it.
Sole Grenobloise—sautéed sole, lemon-caper butter, croutons, and château potatoes—served in Le Bistro, Norwegian Breakaway, October 18, 2026. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

After dinner we checked out the shops, mostly to get acquainted with the offerings. Then we set out to find live music and had success right away in Shakers Martini Bar. Pianist/vocalist Raul presented a program of popular music—my favorite was his interpretation of The Archies’s Sugar Sugar.

I almost forgot to write about sailaway, which was an hour before dinner. It was lovely under clear skies and calm waters. I waved to the small but engaged crowd at Castle Island, although I doubted they could see me, a mere speck on this huge ship. And smooth seas continue into the evening. I can’t even tell that we’re moving.

A stone fort with thick walls occupies part of a grassy point with paved paths, the island surrounded by calm blue water. Several people line the long waterfront pier and a tall white monument stands on the grounds, with wooded shores visible across the water in the distance.
Passing by Fort Independence, Castle Island, as we depart Boston on Norwegian Breakaway, October 18, 2026. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

Next up: A busy day at sea

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