*LIVE PHOTO BLOG* - Ben the Bendy Man's Breakaway Adventure April 28 to May 4, 2013

[johnjovi]

Hi Kyle and Ben! Great to read about your adventures - thanks for all of your posts!

[HowardK]

about how many people are showing up to the solo gatherings?

[The P]

about how many people are showing up to the solo gatherings?

In post #114, Kyle guesses 20-30 from studios, plus solos staying in other cabins.

[kylenyc]

Temp placeholder post... trying to get one last post in before out of minutes...

[kylenyc]

Live on the Norwegian Breakaway, Northwest Atlantic, Eastern Time

 

Only a few minutes of internet time left so undecided whether to keep posting. Hoping for a last days special pricing otherwise contemplating buying the smaller 100 minutes for $50 package.* Ben and his wannabe travel journalist gots no intersurfs lovin.* Interweb at sea is of course slower but they are tweaking the service on board and made it a bit worse initially and now connection problems.* Only half of the 250 minutes was usable.

 

Sitting in Carlo's by the window.* Found out tea is free but no free coffee or pastries but happily sipping a cup of latte from the Studio Lounge.* Ran out of personal stash of whole bean hand ground pour over brewed antiguan medium roast but the coffee in the studio lounge is very good in a latte or cappuccino, aromatic but a little bitter as american coffee or espresso.* Met a lovely couple having an enjoyable time like most everyone else Ben's met. Had lunch on O'Sheehans yesterday... Bacon cheeseburger, buffalo wings, and a Blue Moon. Very good with a kick of Tabasco. Miss the tomato soup from Blue Lagoon. Others wishing for wonton soup. Chocolate Brownie Sundae on the menu but was stuffed. Service very nice.

 

Mark brought a few us up to the Vibe beach club which is currently free while they work out pricing. Big clamshell loungers with their own coolers and nice loungers. Met a friendly face from the Star - Dhruv bartending.

 

Met up with the solos at the regular gathering at 5 pm and headed for an outing to the Svedka Ice Bar hosted by Meaghanne. Was a hoot at $20 for two vodka cocktails, donned our gloves and parkas and braved the chill. Cocktails were smoooooooooooth and yummy!

 

Dinner service in Manhattan dining room was again perfect. Had a mussels over spaghetti in wine cream sauce which was excellent while others devoured their NY Strips or Prime Rib. Had the warm chocolate decadence with berry compote yum but only triggered a craving for a Domino's chocolate lava cake (One of the ONLY things Ben likes from Domino's Pizza btw... maybe a cinneapple pie for sugar fix).

 

Headed up to Spice H2O for the 80s party and Michael Jackson Thriller Flash Mob. Was packed of people dancing even in the chilly 40s. They did this cheesy thing where a few audiences donned costumes and lip sync. One poor feel wore the Madonna gold cone brassiere... It was an unspeakable scandal and Ben's mental image gallery may be forever corrupted... (press rewind ... then delete button on those memories ... aaaah better now.

 

Had a Sabrette hotdog for lunch with their spicy brown mustard and Heinz ketchup... Mmmmmmm

Edited May 5, 2013 by kylenyc

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Trying again, internet at sea testy

 

"You can do it..." :)

 

Tom

[macfin]

Need more pictures:mad:

[roe2ship]

Regarding the self-serve wine bar, there is one in the studio lounge and the Atrium. You swipe the cabin card and wine is dispensed in "taste", half, and full glasses. Half glasses range from $3.50 to $5 and wines are from California, Australia, Chile... A 15% autogratuity surcharge is added on.

 

!

That is just unbelievable!:rolleyes:

[daliflor]

Live on the Norwegian Breakaway, Northwest Atlantic, Eastern Time

 

...

 

Met up with the solos at the regular gathering at 5 pm and headed for an outing to the Svedka Ice Bar hosted by Meaghanne.

 

Was a hoot at $20 for two vodka cocktails, donned our gloves and parkas and braved the chill. Cocktails were smoooooooooooth and yummy!

 

...

 

Enjoying your adventures very much - thanks for posting promptly! And continue to HAVE FUN !!!

 

Also, have friends aboard that met you : - ))

 

 

Trying to help on the visual arena by adding few images taken by a VIP (Richard) during the Pre-inaugural sailing of this lovely ship:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2013 by daliflor

[Gershep]

Thanks for all you have done to keep us informed. Great job. Is the lunch menu in the MDRs the same every day or do they change food choices?

[The P]

Thanks for all you have done to keep us informed. Great job. Is the lunch menu in the MDRs the same every day or do they change food choices?

In item #94, Klye posts a photo of the MDR lunch menu and states it stays the same every day in all 3 MDRs.

[mizLORInj]

Thanks, Kyle, for sharing your trip with us. And you too Ben!

Does this ship offer a special rate for using the cabin phone--$1.99 per minute or anything like that?

[kylenyc]

Day +1 - Sunday, April 28, 2013

Exploring the Norwegian Breakaway, Rotterdam Cruise Terminal

Ben's wanders about Atrium mixing in some newer pictures so his fans get a better feel for the Atrium... panning from the Atrium Lounge, Internet Cafe, Famous Carlo's Bake Shop and Atrium Cafe, and Atrium Bar.

 

Deck 6 Atrium Lounge

 

Deck 6 Atrium Lounge

 

Deck 6 Atrium, Famous Carlo's Bake Shop and Atrium Cafe

 

Deck 6 Atrium, Famous Carlo's Bake Shop and Atrium Cafe, Dessert Case

 

Deck 6 Atrium, Famous Carlo's Bake Shop and Atrium Cafe - Coffee price list

 

Deck 6 Atrium, Atrium Bar

 

Tea is free at the cafe but the premium coffees are not. The free pastry case found on Jewel-class ships is gone in favor of Carlo's pastries but complimentary desserts are available in O'Sheehan's Restaurant Pub, Garden Cafe buffet, and main dining rooms. Ben's a big fan of having his personal butler carrying a plate or zip loc baggy of dessert or fruit to stock his cabin on occasion.

 

(Ben still hasn't made enough room for a canoli or cupcake... after slurging on the dark chocolate fondue in Le Bistro last night and chocolate bon bons ... Mmmmmm!)

[kylenyc]

Day + 1 - Sunday, April 28, 2013

Norwegian Breakaway, Rotterdam Cruise Terminal

Exploring the Atrium

 

Deck 6 Atrium - Art Gallery

 

Deck 6 Atrium - Shore Excursion self-service kiosks

 

Deck 6 Atrium - Beautiful artwork adorn the atrium, cabin halls, and throughout the ship such as this butterfly montage by the atrium restrooms

 

Deck 6 Atrium - Butterfly montage close-up

 

Deck 6 Atrium - Peter Max artwork adorns the Atrium, Atrium Cafe, and of course the Art Gallery

[Sauer-kraut]

Well I must admit those pastries don't really look all that exciting and then to have a charge added to them, I'll just do a pass. I really liked the free pastries on the EPIC in their atrium cafe. There's too many other places to get sweets for free on board.

 

Do they offer popcorn here for the late night movie as they did on the EPIC? They had it all bagged up for the people watching the show it was a nice touch. ;)

Edited May 6, 2013 by Sauer-kraut

[johnnypiano]

In item #94, Klye posts a photo of the MDR lunch menu and states it stays the same every day in all 3 MDRs.

 

I believe that means that on a given day, all three MDRs are serving the same food. That doesn't mean that the food on Day 3 is the same as the food on Day 2. The food changes on a daily basis, but there is no difference in the menu between the three MDRs.

[The P]

I believe that means that on a given day, all three MDRs are serving the same food. That doesn't mean that the food on Day 3 is the same as the food on Day 2. The food changes on a daily basis, but there is no difference in the menu between the three MDRs.

Whatever. It all looks really yummy to me and I'd have no trouble repeating from the menu. Sure beats the yogurt I just had for lunch!;)

[Gershep]

In the NCL Breakaway book (travel brochure) has the Cafe at the Atrium listed as complimentary dining. A place to get sweets. It sounds like they made the Atrium a specialty cafe where now you have to pay. It would have been nice to have a place to grab a free late night snack. Anyone know what free desserts are offered at Sheehan's?

[cabincop]

Kyle you and Bendy have a safe disembarkation and thanks for everything, still want to cruise with you guys one day

[Highboy90]

Yes indeed. Safe travels and THANK YOU.

[kylenyc]

Day +1 - Sunday, April 28, 2013

Norwegian Breakaway, Rotterdam Cruise Terminal

Balcony cabin and hallway

 

Ben stumbled upon one of the show cabins while heading back to his cabin on Deck 11. It's a beautifully decorated balcony cabin furnished in the space-efficient Norwegian style. According to a Facebook friend, it's a mini-suite balcony due to the presence of a convertible sofa bed.

 

Our curious canary 'cruise'sader was amused by the presence of Norwegian fish swimming on the hall carpet towards the front bow of the ship. He scratched his head confuzzled when he couldn't find the cruiseline's signature rebellious fish swimming against the flow. He guesses even a freestyle fish knows which way is forward but he was happy to temporarily oblige. Ben thinks he'd make a great mascot for Norwegian although the intellectual property, trademark, and copyright legal team at Ben, Bendy, and Mann & Associates might take exception.

 

Deck 11 Cabin hall - Norwegian fish on the carpet swimming forward. Not pictured are sections of solid blue carpeting indicating the exit into the lobby, elevator banks, and stairwells.

 

Ben the Rebellious Bendy Man does a backstroke against the flow

 

Deck 11 Balcony Outside Cabin

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kylenyc]

Live aboard the Norwegian Breakaway

Manhattan Cruise Terminal !New York, New York!

Arrived some time before dawn in the fog. Was foggy all day yesterday. It was quite interesting and a bit unnerving to hear the ship blow its fog horn every few minutes all day. Fell asleep listening to it even in the inside cabins. Had a blast with friends dining in the Manhattan dining room sharing laughs and some hilarious memories. Dinner and service was excellent again.

 

Sitting now on the Waterfront at Shakers Martini Bar. Was moved out of Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar while they begin refueling or cleaning already. Had a beautiful view of the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum (with the rebuilding in progress of the new pavilion for the Space Shuttle Enterprise), Manhattan skyline, and Palisades. Will relax on board and try to be among the last (and less rushed) passengers to disembark. Not looking forward to the trek to the subway and ride home but looking forward to getting back into a regular routine and better internet service for blogging. Go Verizon Fios fiberoptic intersurfing!

 

Had an amazing thrilling fun-filled two weeks and now need a vacation from the vacation! The Norwegian Breakaway is a destination in and of itself. So many things Ben didn't get to experience (and so much that he did!), and looking forward to returning to her in the Fall to Bermuda with friends old and new! Woohoo! \o/

 

[kylenyc]

Whatever. It all looks really yummy to me and I'd have no trouble repeating from the menu. Sure beats the yogurt I just had for lunch!;)

Was totally yummy! Ben hopes to sail with you, Bill, Tom again some day!

 

For the included options for lunch, the MDRs have the same menu dish are the same each day. Taste and Savor are open while the Manhattan is closed. You also have O'Sheehan's restaurant pub open all hours for pub style food (burgers, wings, soup, dessert, etc), the Garden Cafe buffet, room service, and the Sabrette hot dog stand (no dirty water dog here... yummy!) :)

 

For the including dining options, half the MDR menu is fixed, the other half changes nightly including a chef/regional specialty, and of course there's O'Sheehans, Garden Cafe, and room service. The specialty restaurants are well worth the modest to premium cover charge (opinions vary:p) but thoroughly enjoyed and splurged at Le Bistro and Shanghai's Noodle Bar. Ocean Blue the beef tartar is scrumptious and the dishes to have seem to be the jacob crab mushroom risotto or the dover sole which Ben sneaked a little taste of ... Yum! The lobster roll at Ocean Blue for lunch got rave reviews.

 

Ben didn't go to the Chef Table which was nearly impossible to get into and some passengers got bumped off because they were solo travelers :mad: The head chef was too busy with inaugural activities to do a second seating but Ben suspects the VIPs of course get first pick and exclusive treatment. It's well worth the $90ish cover charge for the 12 course personally prepared meal and specially paired free flowing wines if you can get in. Book immediately upon embarkation with a friend or escalate to the hotel or food beverage director.

 

 

Time to pack and disembark o/

Edited May 7, 2013 by kylenyc

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...Ocean Blue the beef tartar is scrumptious

...

 

REALLY looking forward to that!!

 

Thanks for all your info and photos - sounds like the two of you had a most excellent time!

 

Tom

[The P]

Kyle, I can see the ship from my apartment building and it's HUGE! I plan on walking to the pier sometime before she leaves on Sunday to check out that hull art in person, LOL. Your reports have been stellar and thank you so much for helping us to get a feel for what it'll be like on board. If your Bermuda trip leaves you wanting more, we'll be waiting for you on 1/19/2014! ;) Sharon