xenagurl

I've been on the Epic twice, the last time was in April a couple of weeks before we head on the Breakaway. I find that the Breakaway is more open and airy which is nice. However the Epic has a chicness to it that I feel the B-away lacks, thought the latter has a cosmopolitan feel.

All in all I'd take the B-away over the Epic but that is mostly because it leaves out of my home port, but the Epic runs a close second. They're honestly too similar for me to have a strong preference for one over the other. The water slides are great on both and that's my main focus...joking...sort of.

MrsNancyG, is not the only one who would love to sail with you.

 

I have a piece of BA news to share: I do not know how many of you got the opportunity to meet the Head Bartender O'neil Pandit from India. This past Thursday evening he competed against 399 other Bartenders from throughout the cruise industry and took 2nd PLACE. It was a qualifier for the World Bartender's Competition.

 

Mandy

That's nice of you to say Mandy :)

Oh that is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Congratulations O'Neil Pandit! NCL must be proud! They really do hire the best!

I'll take any stateroom that gets me cruising!

While I don't usually opt for inside stateroom I've been in them twice (on the Norwegian Star and Studio on the Epic) and have a wonderful time. The sleep was amazing. I'll be in an inside on my upcoming RCCL trip and it's fine by me, I thought of buying an upgrade but it's port intensive itinerary so when I'm in my room it'll be to change clothes and sleep and an inside works for that.

Interview here:

http://travelxena.com/captain-evans-hoyt-of-the-norwegian-breakaway/

Can you guess where he's from? It might surprise you!

There's also video to the Q&A session held where he along with Denis Prguda who was serving as Hotel Director for the last time on that sailing. He's now been promoted to Regional Vice President of Hotel Operations. (Congratulations Denis!)

 

Oh there was something about that limber exterior that just gave me a clue. Go Ben! I'm going to have to up the ante with some more 80's moves the next time I see him...perhaps learning the worm is in order?

You know Ben travels vicariously through you! He wants to be just like you and travel all over the world when he grows up (except scratch that ... he refuses to grow up!), except he'll never dance as good or win the dance contest like you did! :p

I want Ben as a dance partner next cruise. Hopefully I can get on the Breakaway and we can hang at the glow party together (since he's all covered on that end) and bust a move. Something tells me that he'll be better at break dancing. ;):D

And no, no growing up for any of us...that's no fun!!!

Ben doesn't pay his butler enough and needs to work a side job :p

I think that Ben should give him a raise so that he can travel more!

$150,000 a week should do it! :D

xenagurl, thanks for the great pictures and videos. sailing 7/7 and my twin 13 year old boys and I viewed both pictures and videos and can't wait they are so excited.:D:D:D

So glad that it contributed to the excitement! :D They're going to love all of the activities there. we felt like big kids ourselves!

Lol, I completely understand about work getting in the way! Mine has been doing that for two months straight since I've been back.... I do love thinking about travel memories while I'm having a coffee break - but espressos are so small so I don't get too far;) At this point I'm thinking I'll just wait till my next cruise to write.

 

Thanks for remembering about Barcelona :) when you have the time ...

 

A presto!

LOL So small yet so good. I only really drink "un cafe" when I'm in Italy. It's just not the same here.

Have a super weekend!

:D Awww MrsNancyG You just made my day! Thanks! I really hope that we can cruise together one day too! I will try to make the April date :D

Xena, while I've had the pleasure of speaking/typing with a bunch of really nice people here, there is really only ONE person I truly hope to cruise with and meet someday....YOU!

Terrific video, makes me wish I didn't have back issues and could try it myself!

Thanks. Aww bummer. Perhaps one of the others if not the free fall? They're less intense but still fun! :)

Think April 20, 2014! :D

I'll do that! Dh and I have "Breakaway Blues" we keep trying to figure out a time when we can go again.

Cool video, thanks for sharing.

Xenagurl you've inspired me to find my photo taken in front of the sphinx in Giza.

 

Thanks for your details.

 

The light blue waterslide--is it slow and a waste of time? I like the ones on Carnival ships like Liberty, Glory, etc. Those are fast and steep. this one doesn't look steep to really move.

Cool! That Sphinx is one cool cat! lol

Glad it could be helpful. The light blue water slide is actually a lot of fun, it is a bit slower because it's a bit lower than the others but I think that you bounce around more from side to side, I liked it.

The best really is the Free Fall, it's fast and fun, almost like a quick roller coaster ride!

Thank you AquamarineBreeze, very nice of you to say. :)

I'm a bit behind with some videos and photos but I hope to have the rest up by the weekend. Darn this work interfering with my cruise reminiscing! ;) LOL

BTW I'll also get back to the Epic thread and post the Barcelona info soon.

I have the Ocean Blue Menu and Wasabi menus on my blog, but I'll check my photos at home to see if I have it for the Raw Bar as well.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I might give this a go since I doubt hubby would ever cruise RCCL.

Does anyone know if you can do My Time dining as a solo and be able to be seated by yourself? Or is that only possible at the buffet?

Glad to hear it. Your website is awesome :cool:

 

Thank you. Your review is awesome, you have a good sense of humor. :)

Thanks for the informative review. I'll be on this run soon and you've given me some ideas on things to see. :)

The Ben and Kevin photo is so awesome!

Only the Haven has an indoor pool. The other pools and slides all have heated water! That is a really nice feature.

Agreed, I hesitated to get on the water slides until I realized how comfortably warm the water was.

OK, I realize that I'm responding a post that is over a year old but I have to thank Mike for posting the videos. I can relive my favourite NCL performer over and over now.

 

Love Slam! I will miss him onboard the Epic. I wish him all the best on Breakaway.

It's a good reason to visit New York! ;)

Thank you Suzanne. :)

After sitting down for a lovely and informative dinner with them we asked a few questions that they answered. Learn more about this talented duo in the video below.

When you have a chance to see them in person, don’t forget to request that Drew play one of his original songs. Keep a Light is my favorite and you can find that along with his new song The Man You Loved and others on their websites and on YouTube.

After sitting down for a lovely and informative dinner with them we asked a few questions that they answered. Learn more about this talented duo in the video below.

When you have a chance to see them in person, don’t forget to request that Drew play one of his original songs. Keep a Light is my favorite and you can find that along with his new song The Man You Loved and others on their websites and on YouTube.

I still haven't run into Patti and Jose yet, but hopefully one of these days. :)