*Photo Blog* Ben the Bendy Man's Bermuda-ful Breakaway Adventure, Sept 21, 2014

[kylenyc]

*Photo Blog* - Ben the Bendy Man's Bermuda-ful Breakaway Adventure

Hello Bright Bubbly Bendable Buddies!

 

It's Ben Bendyman again and he just returned a week ago from a Bermuda-ful cruise aboard the beautiful Norwegian Breakaway out of New York City. After kicking his typist many times in the shin and rolling his eyes as he listened to mumblings about catching up at a day job and having to earn a living (blah blah blah), he's finally gotten his assistant to start this belated blog about his latest adventure!

 

Our exuberant elastic explorer was apprehensive about going on yet another cruise. Having sailed over 100 days with NCL and having had some amazing adventures aboard their ships, having sailed twice before on the Breakaway, and having visited Bermuda five times before, he was worried whether he'd find something new and exciting. Thankfully, Ben had a wonderful adventure full of amazing, unique, and memorable experiences.

 

Many thanks to NCL and all of Ben's wonderful new roll call friends for helping to make this one of Ben's best vacations ever - Full of friends, fun, and firsts. To our roll call and NCL for generously donating many awesome door prizes for our Meet & Greet; To NCL for arranging a very special Behind the Scenes Tour for Ben, To the Breakaway's officers, staff, and crew for working with Ben's assistant on planning many group activities on board for our gianormous roll call - 10 group activities for the over 140+ attendees of the Meet & Greet (we lost count!).

 

Norwegian Breakaway, Manhattan Cruise Terminal

 

Ben clones escape from their brown box of goodies "Yaaay! It's the suite life!"?

 

Ben's new friends at the Meet & Greet

 

Norwegian Breakaway Bermuda-ful double rainbow

Edited October 7, 2014 by kylenyc

[Sauer-kraut]

Ben clones escape from their brown box of goodies "Yaaay! It's the suite life!"?

 

Wow!! Ben clones ..... another Breakaway review and look at all those beads!!

[goldmom]

Can't wait! Love hearing all about Ben's adventures!

[SASA13]

YIPPEE another Bendy Man's adventure. Can't Wait :D

[bangzoom6877]

I'm onboard for this, pun intended! ;)

 

We are sailing on the Breakaway to Bermuda in July and I'm trying to find out all I can about this ship now! I love learning all about the cruises I go on before we go, so that once onboard I can just relax and enjoy, knowing what the ship has to offer. Looking forward to reading your review!

[Theresa522]

Hi Kyle, can't wait to read more! That is some roll call, we were on the Carnival Splendor with you in Aug and had a great time :D

Edited October 7, 2014 by Theresa522

[kba1988]

Whoohooooo!!!!!

[monkeybone]

Yay :)

[cookmg40]

Can't wait to read more! I'm boarding Breakaway in 5 days!! The

[kylenyc]

goldmom, SASA13, monkeybone - Thanks for reliving Ben's latest adventure with him! :)

 

bangzoom6877 - Bermuda is ... well... Bermuda-ful! Feel free to post any questions here. Bermuda has a wonderful public transit system of ferries and buses to take you to their main towns of St. George (King's Square, St. Peters Church, Somers Garden and its Moon Gate, Fort St. Catherine, Tobacco Bay Beach, etc.) and Hamilton (mostly shopping), and their many other attractions including beautiful public beaches for sunbathing, swimming, and snorking such as Horseshoe Bay Beach with no peddlers to harass you unlike other islands, Crystal Caves (if you go, pick only the one cave - the one with less stairs!), Aquarium, etc. It's a great island to explore on your own.

 

Theresa522 - So great to hear from you. It was great sailing with you. Time permitting, I'll post pictures on the Carnival forum.

 

kba1988 - Miss you guys!

 

cookmg40 - Bon voyage!

Edited October 8, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Sunday morning, September 21, 2014

Haven Check-In and Embarkation

Our flexible friend was apprehensive about sailing the Breakaway once again but he had been looking forward to his first new experience for over a year - Ben's very first cruise in The Haven and living the "Suite Life". Ben arrived at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal around 10:30 AM where his family was waiting for him. Unfortunately for them, when they had pulled up to Port 88 of the terminal, they were greeted by a chaotic scene that left his family very unsettled.

 

Ben has blogged many times in the past about his displeasure with the Port Authority/Terminal personnel (no matter which cruise line) and this time was no different. Upon arriving at Port 88, his family and friends were greeted by rude employees who yelled at them to get back into their car and pull forward (the car in front of them had just pulled away as they had exited their car). After they followed the porter's instructions, the porters proceeded to rush them, grabbing for their bags and yelling for them to clear the area.

 

After Ben tried to calm his flustered family, they entered the terminal and asked a port employee where the line was for Haven guests and was told there wasn't one. However, having been here many times before, he knew to ignore this misinformation and instead guided his family to the far right where there was an unmarked dedicate line leading straight to the Haven/VIP/Platinum security screening.

 

Once past security, the employees were nicer. After presenting our tickets, Ben was directed to the Haven guest lounge where dedicated employees checked us in smoothly. While his manservant handled the paperwork, Ben was helping himself to some snacks and refreshments when he was distracted by a port employee. He curiously listened as the woman divided the Haven guests into two groups and watched with amusement as she proceeded to personally escort the Haven guests aboard the ship one herd at a time.

 

Manhattan Cruise Terminal - Haven guest lounge

 

Dedicated check-in for Haven guests!

 

Being escorted up the gangway.

 

When his butler finished check-in, another friendly woman escorted us up the gangway where were we were greeted by standing rows of friendly faces. Yay! Ben's vacation has officially begun! From there they were pleasantly corralled down the red carpet, inside the ship, to the elevator bank where an awaiting NCL crew member held a dedicated elevator for us up the Haven on Deck 16.

 

Ben's typist and his family have each written to NCL headquarters about their embark/disembark experience and have received assurances that NCL is working on improving the embark/disembark experience. The embark/disembark problems didn't ruin the overall excellent Haven experience throughout the cruise. However, if NCL can fix these shortcomings, it will be truly superb.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Tips:

Arriving at Manhattan Cruise Terminal - Keep smiling, keep your composure, and try not to let the port personnel get under your skin. They don't work for the cruise line. Ben has experienced the same rude treatment on just about every cruise out of this terminal by one port employee or another when sailing Norwegian and Carnival. There are nice port employees too but Ben wishes they would handle the awful ones better.

Security screening for Haven guests - Port employees have retold to Ben on many cruises that their is only "one line" for all guests. However, there is in fact a separate unmarked line prior to security screening for Haven/Platinum/VIP guests at the far right.

Edited October 9, 2014 by kylenyc

[bangzoom6877]

I always get stressed at the Manhattan cruise terminal. Last year when we were boarding the Carnival Splendor it was terrible. Very chaotic and seemed that they could be so much more organized. I really hope they improve some by the time we go on the Breakaway in July. Still, that wouldn't ruin our cruise by any means, but it would be nice if there was a little less stress checking in.

 

We always leave Brooklyn for the cruise terminal as soon as my sister can bring her dogs in to be boarded. We travel with a party of 11 altogether. Sometimes the vet opens at 9 to board the dogs, but sometimes not until 10:00. Hoping to get to the terminal as early as we can, and that the vet opens at 9. The goal is for DH and I to head straight to the spa as soon as we board, and purchase spa passes. We're not in a spa cabin and it's out of our price range for the 4 of us, even when adding in the cost of the spa pass for the entire length of the cruise. So 2 adjoining inside cabins it is for us, as usual.

 

Looking forward to reading more!

[bangzoom6877]

goldmom, SASA13, monkeybone - Thanks for reliving Ben's latest adventure with him! :)

 

bangzoom6877 - Bermuda is ... well... Bermuda-ful! Feel free to post any questions here. Bermuda has a wonderful public transit system of ferries and buses to take you to their main towns of St. George (King's Square, St. Peters Church, Somers Garden and its Moon Gate, Fort St. Catherine, Tobacco Bay Beach, etc.) and Hamilton (mostly shopping), and their many other attractions including beautiful public beaches for sunbathing, swimming, and snorking such as Horseshoe Bay Beach with no peddlers to harass you unlike other islands, Crystal Caves (if you go, pick only the one cave - the one with less stairs!), Aquarium, etc. It's a great island to explore on your own.

 

Theresa522 - So great to hear from you. It was great sailing with you. Time permitting, I'll post pictures on the Carnival forum.

 

kba1988 - Miss you guys!

 

cookmg40 - Bon voyage!

 

I can't wait for Bermuda! I do remember that no one harassed me to buy stuff there like they do on the Caribbean islands. We are planning to go to the Crystal Caves. We were thinking about seeing both...is it not worth it? We think our boys will love it. They will be 8 and 10 when we sail.

[kylenyc]

I always get stressed at the Manhattan cruise terminal. Last year when we were boarding the Carnival Splendor it was terrible. Very chaotic and seemed that they could be so much more organized. I really hope they improve some by the time we go on the Breakaway in July. Still, that wouldn't ruin our cruise by any means, but it would be nice if there was a little less stress checking in.

 

We always leave Brooklyn for the cruise terminal as soon as my sister can bring her dogs in to be boarded. We travel with a party of 11 altogether. Sometimes the vet opens at 9 to board the dogs, but sometimes not until 10:00. Hoping to get to the terminal as early as we can, and that the vet opens at 9. The goal is for DH and I to head straight to the spa as soon as we board, and purchase spa passes. We're not in a spa cabin and it's out of our price range for the 4 of us, even when adding in the cost of the spa pass for the entire length of the cruise. So 2 adjoining inside cabins it is for us, as usual.

 

Looking forward to reading more!

It's the same employees who handle Carnival embarks/disembarks. I sailed two weekend mini-cruises on Splendor this summer and it was same rude porters and a kurt grumpy woman who are the first people to "greet" you there and on NCL LOL. No it doesn't make or break a cruise, but it would be nice to arrive and leave in a stress-free fashion. The ?InterCruises? employees inside past security are nicer. The bars on board serve glasses of stress reliever. :p

 

I can't wait for Bermuda! I do remember that no one harassed me to buy stuff there like they do on the Caribbean islands. We are planning to go to the Crystal Caves. We were thinking about seeing both...is it not worth it? We think our boys will love it. They will be 8 and 10 when we sail.

From everything I've read and heard, you don't need to see or pay for both caves. And avoid the cave that has the very steep narrow stairs. So I'd ask which one that is (try the ports of call forum). I love that Bermuda beaches have no peddlers walking back and forth hawking their wares and disturbing enjoyment of the surf and pink coral sand :).

Edited October 9, 2014 by kylenyc

[Nalagh]

I can't wait to read more Ben!

[PatJim]

Hi, Kyle. So nice to see another fantastic Ben review. So nice to have your family with you. Did Jody come, too?

Jim and I sailed the day before you, Sept. 20th, on the Gem's Canada/New England cruise. It was the first time I organized a Meet & Greet and have to say, you were my role model! It was a nice group--about a third of yours--but we had fun, and I made my Nairobi Sunrise drinks for the Cabin Crawl.

Please tell Ben that one of his clones is lonely. Jim thinks it's weird to want to take him along on our cruises, but I'm sneaking him on board for our Nov. cruise to the Bahamas, and maybe again in Dec. for our E. Caribbean cruise. Only thing stopping me is disappointing fellow cruisers that he's not the REAL Ben-the-Bendy-Man. There can only be one Ben:D So I guess I'll let him sit on our balcony and watch the view.

Patricia

[kylenyc]

Nalagh, you're such a devoted fan :D Although me thinks you have an inside scoop of what Ben's going to blog about. :p

 

Hi PatJim! Ben misses sailing with you guys too :D. Yes, I ran into Judy & Jim, it was fun sailing with them a second time although I didn't get much time to spend with anyone since I was playing tour guide to my parents, and organizing (way too may) group activities! I'm definitely rethinking my approach and "volunteering" friends to help out for the Escape Maiden Transatlantic which will be even bigger!

 

Edited October 9, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Sunday morning, September 21, 2014

Haven Check-In and Embarkation

 

Ben was ushered into the express elevator and wooshed up to "The Haven" (an exclusive area of the ship reserved for guests staying in Haven suites that includes private restaurant, bar, lounge, pool, hot tubs, and sun deck). He was greeted by the awesome tireless Concierge, Anoop Bhanu, who explained to us some basics about the Haven and informed us that lunch was being served in the Haven Restaurant.

 

Ben took it upon himself to usher his family to their Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa (H4) to get settled in and then scampered to the Haven Restaurant for a relaxing lunch served by a friendly carefully attentive waitstaff (Ben's personal paparazzi didn't take any pictures of the restaurant during lunch, not wanting to ruffle the feathers of other guest but he'll dig some pictures up when he finds them).

 

Wooshed up to the Haven on the express elevator

 

Ben curiously inspects Anoop's work.

 

Ben clicks the "Add On Board Credit" button while Anoop isn't looking."

 

In the Haven Restaurant enjoying a perfectly seared tender juicy swordfish sammich, minus the bread. Ben's butler is watching his carbs!

 

Exploring the The Haven Sun Deck

 

Edited October 9, 2014 by kylenyc

[nanagirl]

I love Anoop! I wondered which ship he was on...we'll be on the Dawn so we will miss him. Thanks for posting all those lovely pics!

[countess5]

Jumping on this thread, Always love to read Ben's adventures. Give us the details of Haven. Will be cruising Getaway in January, Aft Penthouse Suite. :D

 

Just returned from X Reflection with the ship within the ship services and loved it. We will be first time NCL cruisers!! So excited! :p

[Nalagh]

Sunday morning, September 21, 2014

Haven Check-In and Embarkation

 

 

Ben clicks the "Add On Board Credit" button while Anoop isn't looking."

 

LOL :D

[JuneauMe]

Hi Kyle & Ben, I have been waiting for this review!!! It was such an awesome cruise. I have great memories & a fantastic group of new friends.

Hope to cruise with you both again

Donna :)

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Looks like a fun review but I'm so confused whose Ben? Lol whose Kyle? Whose on this cruise and whose writing it lol

[Nalagh]

Looks like a fun review but I'm so confused whose Ben? Lol whose Kyle? Whose on this cruise and whose writing it lol

 

 

Ben is the pliable elastic canary colored figure you see posted in the pictures. Ben is a highly experienced cruiser who has traveled the Caribbean, the East Coast USA and Europe. His adventurers are documented by Kyle as he is Ben's butler, photographer, manservant, and typist. Kyle is also responsible for keeping an eye on Ben because of Ben's propensity to find himself in precarious situations and quite possibly committing petty theft.

 

Of course, both Ben and Kyle were on the ship, and Ben wrote the review. Kyle typed it as he always facilitates Ben's written communication. It is hard for Ben to type without opposable thumbs.

 

Ben and Kyle have written outstanding reviews loaded with pictures,tips and information to aid other travelers. You can find these reviews in Kylenyc's signature. :)

[bangzoom6877]

Would we be able to just get to the Crystal Caves on our own from the ship without booking a tour? Could we just wing it and go or do we have to reserve it first?