Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Breakaway launched this week with its weekly cruises out of New York City, and while the ship is gorgeous (our full review will be up soon!), there were just a couple of areas we thought could be improved.

MISS: A Better Infants Program. Yes, the Breakaway allows infants from 6 months up, and provides a Guppies program for infants under 3, but the ship doesn’t provide any child care for those infants. The Guppies program is a program for infants and parents, in a rather small room that is smaller than some staterooms. There isn’t a supervised program or nursery for infants, or babysitting, so if parents travel with a baby, they don’t get a chance to enjoy a romantic dinner alone.

HIT: At Port Kids’ Programs. Even while at port, the kids’ programs for kids 3 to 12 are available. While free during at-sea sails, the programs are $6 per child during port days to cover the cost of lunch for the kids.

MISS: Thin Walls. Our stateroom, mid-ship, level 9, was located just above the 8th floor Shakers Martini Bar. All evening long we were serenaded with piano music, loud singing, and the applause of the audience between songs. Understandable, being above the bar, but our friends had a cabin beneath the fitness center and heard the thumping of those working out above all day. In the spa, while receiving a relaxing massage, the same thuds from the gym were heard throughout the massage, making me jump the first time I heard it. When selecting a room, be very careful to choose a room far from anything that may disturb sleeping children.

HIT: Good-Sized Family Suites. With the exception of the interior family rooms (two connecting rooms with two twin beds and showers), the suites are quite comfy for families. Parents enjoy a king bed while two kids can sleep on the daybed and drop-down ceiling bed, and during the day, the sitting area is a welcome treat. Some rooms feature bathtubs, so request a tub room if you have young ones who don’t handle showers well.

MISS: Kids’ Meals. There are more than two dozen places to eat on the ship, but the kids’ meals, as typical of restaurants are not exciting. Kids eat free in the main dining rooms, and half prize in the specialty restaurants, but that’s only if they order from the kids’ menus. For kids with taste buds, they’ll have to pay full price.

HIT: A Nickelodeon PJ Party. One of the most popular family events/meals is the Pajama Jam. For $20, kids and parents can arrive in PJs to meet and party with characters like Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob, followed by an exclusive buffet.

Have you tried the Breakaway yet? Tell us what your hits and misses are!

–Lissa Poirot

After visiting Norwegian’s new Breakaway, sailing out of New York City every week, I’ve decided there is one thing I do not ever want to do… but the kids will! The SkyTrail rope course atop the ship is not for the faint — especially the Plank, which extends over the ocean. So, who’s in?

–Lissa Poirot

There is much to be impressed about aboard the new Norwegian Breakaway, which will sail weekly from Manhattan. (Consider the more than two dozen restaurants alone!) But for families with picky teens, Breakaway has something extra special: Entourage.

The teens lounge/club for kids 13 to 17 is so popular for teens, they line up outside the door waiting for the it to open every day at 11. While the lounge is outfitted with comfy couches and offers games and a place for just teens to get away, it’s truly the programs and parties arranged by the hip staff of the club. The staff prides itself on engaging the teens from the very first night of sail to initiate friendships that last the entire cruise, beginning with fun activities that are team building. Then the program turns fully into fun with events like Suit and Tie night, where teens dress to the nines for dinner and a comedy show together, as well as a photo shoot. The most popular party is Glow Night, where the entire club is lit in black lights and kids can dance the night away.

Especially cool for music-loving teens is the DJ experience. Kids can — and do — spend hours learning how to DJ with the professional equipment and DJs to spin tunes. I tried my hand at it and can confirm, as a parent, that I had no idea what I was doing and looked foolish trying — exactly what a teen wants, because what teens wants to do something his mom can actually do, too?

–Lissa Poirot