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

[Nalagh]

Cagney's is one of my favorites!!! The service is always top notch. This was the first time I had the sliders & they were so good, I could have been satisfied with just them, but of course I had to have a steak too, LOL!

Love reading the review!!!

Donna

 

You had to eat steak on your Birthday, it was compulsory!! :D

[JuneauMe]

You had to eat steak on your Birthday, it was compulsory!! :D

I think it was part of my cruise contract, LOL. Want to hear something funny? After they brought the BD cake & sang Happy Birthday, we never saw it again. They were going to send it to our room because we were sooo full, we couldn't eat anymore, but the cake disappeared.

I think Karen stole it, LOL!!!

Donna

[Steeler Nation At Sea]

I think it was part of my cruise contract, LOL. Want to hear something funny? After they brought the BD cake & sang Happy Birthday, we never saw it again. They were going to send it to our room because we were sooo full, we couldn't eat anymore, but the cake disappeared.

I think Karen stole it, LOL!!!

Donna

 

We had two birthdays noted on our booking. I forgot to even mention it at dinner for the whole cruise. They must have had a surplus of special occasion cakes at the end of the cruise!

 

One of the birthdays occurred on boarding day and a beautiful Carlos Bakery cupcake was sent to the cabin the following day with a birthday card signed by prem and our cabin steward. That was unexpected. :)

 

Kim

[Nalagh]

I think it was part of my cruise contract, LOL. Want to hear something funny? After they brought the BD cake & sang Happy Birthday, we never saw it again. They were going to send it to our room because we were sooo full, we couldn't eat anymore, but the cake disappeared.

I think Karen stole it, LOL!!!

Donna

 

I can't believe they lost your cake...however, I have never eaten them when they were delivered :p

 

 

We had two birthdays noted on our booking. I forgot to even mention it at dinner for the whole cruise. They must have had a surplus of special occasion cakes at the end of the cruise!

 

One of the birthdays occurred on boarding day and a beautiful Carlos Bakery cupcake was sent to the cabin the following day with a birthday card signed by prem and our cabin steward. That was unexpected. :)

 

Kim

 

That is awesome Kim that you had a Carlos cupcake waiting, maybe one day it will happen to me. I kind of have a thing for the red velvet... :D

[peg013]

Thanks Kim! Our Amazing Escape maiden voyage can't come sooner enough! Only 380-ish days to go :P

 

 

OMG. Ben really wants to sail with the NUTZ some day!

 

We sailed with the NUTZ on the Breakaway, January 5th, 2014. It was awesome. You'd fit right in Kyle/Ben. :)

[bragstarr]

I am a brand spanking new member of the NUTZ but just from our roll call, I'm beginning to see how insane this is going to be. Thanks for the info. Carry on with the review!!!

[kylenyc]

Sunday evening, September 21,2014

Haven Spa Suite with Balcony

 

Ben retired to his lovely Haven Spa Suite. A dip in the hot tub in the luxurious hot tub was perfect way to sooth Ben's limbs after a frazzling embarkation. The hot tub is one of the defining features of the suite along with fresh bouquet of flowers, hardwood floors, luxury shower with six jets that made our curious canary cruise snicker, Lavazza cappuccino machine (with coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods) and complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suite in addition to all the regular Haven amenities. The blue mood lighting was a beautiful touch and Elemis toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, and lotion) made our veteran budget traveler feel pampered and refreshed. Chocolates, a fruit plate, and a towel animal were waiting for him from his wonderful butler Lanie and steward Chris. (Sorry didn't take a picture Chris. They were both excellent!)

 

Lanie, Haven Butler - Friendly, professional, attentive and truly exceptional.

 

Haven Spa Suite - Hot tub/jacuzzi

 

 

 

Prime Meridian Bar

 

In comparison this this artist rendering of the Spa Suite on ncl.com, there's a minor difference - A couch (in the first picture) instead of a chair in the rendering.

Edited October 11, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Sunday morning, September 21,2014

Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony H4

 

Ben's parents Jim & Cindy and close friends Bob & Terry shared a Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony (H4). His photog was negligent in taking pictures of this lovely suite but luckily Terry snapped a few during sailaway.

 

A question that's been asked about this Family Villa is "How many adults will it sleep comfortably?" Answer: It can sleep six adults if you don't mind fighting for a bathroom or balcony (I believe there is one H4 suite that only sleeps 5 which is why the H4 is listed as sleeping 5-6).

 

The Master Bedroom (Sleeps Two) has a King Size Bed that connects to a spacious bathroom with luxury shower with floor to ceiling window, bathtub, and Elemis toiletries. Oddly there's only a drape instead of a door that separates the bedroom and bathroom.

 

The Second Bedroom (Sleeps Three) is much smaller and has a twin size pullman bed that pulls out of the ceiling (bunkbed that sleeps one), and a full size sofabed the can sleep two.

 

Finally, the Living Room (I believe) has a sofabed.

 

Ben's family and friends of four had an enjoyable and comfortable time in the suite. One drawback of the Family Villa is that the luxury master bathroom with its floor to ceiling window takes up half of the available balcony space away from the balcony that as a result only has seating for two. However, the Haven amenities which include access to the private Haven Lounge, Pool, and Sun Deck more than make up for the small balcony. Ben was thrilled to have booked this cabin during a 3rd-6th passenger sail free promotion.

 

Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa - H4

 

Living Room

 

Master Bedroom

 

Master Bathroom

 

Master Bathroom - Shower

 

Master Bathroom - Bathtub

Edited October 12, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Sunday morning, September 21,2014

Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony H4 (Continued)

 

Here are different view this suite on the Getaway which has an identical layout and furnishings, and only slightly different decor/bedding.

 

Living Room

 

Balcony

 

Living Room

 

Master Bathroom - Shower

 

Master Bathroom - Sink

 

Master Bathroom - Bathtub

 

Ed: Sorry didn't pictures of the Second Bedroom.

Here's a picture of the Floor Plan on ncl.com

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/2-Bedroom-Family-Villa-FP-Modal.jpg

Edited October 12, 2014 by kylenyc

[Nalagh]

Sunday evening, September 21,2014

Haven Spa Suite with Balcony

 

 

Lanie, Haven Butler - Friendly, professional, attentive and truly exceptional.

 

 

Ben was very lucky to have Lanie as a Butler!

[kylenyc]

Ben was very lucky to have Lanie as a Butler!

Ben misses her! Ben's own personal butler is a bit lazy and could learn a thing or two. It takes a few slaps and kicks in the shin to get him to do anything. :p

 

We sailed with the NUTZ on the Breakaway, January 5th, 2014. It was awesome. You'd fit right in Kyle/Ben. :)

LOL. In the meantime, we're creating/reuniting our own special gang of NUTZ on the Escape Maiden Voyage! :p.

[kylenyc]

Monday morning, September 22,2014

The Haven

 

Over the next few days, Ben and his family were worried and stressed when they discovered that his friends' CPAP medical breathing device was missing and didn't make it to their suite. Our normally bubbly bright bendable was frantic and afraid it was delivered to the wrong cabin or never made it on the ship and would reappear some day on eBay. The amazing Anoop worked exhaustively over several days attempting to locate it - Contacting shoreside agents and working with the entire ship's housekeeping staff. He and the medical staff checked in on his friend to make sure they were okay. Fortunately, it wasn't critical that his friend have the machine and he was sleeping okay without it. Ben was incredibly relieved a few days later when Anoop called our car service and learned it had been left in the trunk during the embarkation chaos. Thank you again Anoop, the entire housekeeping staff, medical staff, and everyone involved for returning Ben's smile during his vacation.

 

Some pictures courtesy of Cherie (Nalagh). Thank you!

The Haven

 

The wonderful Anoop, Haven Concierge

 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Monday morning, September 22,2014

The Haven (Continued)

 

Pictures courtesy of Cherie (Nalagh). Thank you!

The Haven

 

 

 

 

 

[kylenyc]

Monday morning, September 22,2014

The Haven (Continued)

 

Pictures courtesy of Cherie (Nalagh). Thank you!

The Haven

 

 

 

 

 

[kylenyc]

Monday morning, September 22,2014

Meet & Greet

 

Our excitable elastic entertainer slapped his personal porter to get a move on and grab their clipboard and big brown box of supplies for the Meet & Greet. The turnout was huge with over 140 plus attendees at last count by his friend and assistant photog and host Cherie (Nalagh). (Thank you so much for helping Cherie!)

 

The Breakaway's senior officers and staff showed up in force with Prem (Hotel Director) greeting everyone and introducing Captain Hakan Svedung and the senior staff. It was really gracious of so many of them to attend our Meet & Greet. Unlike some other cruise lines, Norwegian officers and staff are friendly, accessible, and very visible and throughout the ship, greeting guests, and ensuring everyone has a good time.

 

Ben encouraged roll call attendees and NCL to donate some door prizes and everyone was incredibly generous. NCL in particular donated many lovely gifts and Ben was quite taken aback. Our beaming bubbly bendable raffled away the prizes free to attendees. He invited folks who donated to introduce themselves and pick the winners. It was a blast. Although Ben didn't win himself, our sticky-fingered sailor snatched a few lovely prizes donated by Mike ($hipshape). Thank you again NCL and our roll call for your generosity!

 

The Meet & Greet ran longer than Ben had expected. There were so many prizes to raffle away! He wanted to make sure there was enough time for the Cabin Crawl and time for folks to break for lunch before the Slot Pull. Although he planned to give the remaining gifts away at later activities, our limber lilliputian was rather overwhelmed with the large roll call and 10 group activities he'd planned and forgot. He'll be sure to give them away on a future next cruise. Sorry!

 

Ben grabs all the roll call gifts for himself. Mine mine mine all mine!

Picture courtesy of Mike ($hip$hape). Thank you!

 

La Cucina Restaurant - Meet & Greet

 

Norwegian Breakaway - Captain and Senior Officers

 

Gianormous Meet & Greet

 

 

Edited October 12, 2014 by kylenyc

[bragstarr]

Great pics, keep them coming.

 

I travel with a friend who would have been in big trouble without her CPAP. I'm glad you did OK without it, Kyle.

[kylenyc]

Monday afternoon, September 22,2014

Group Slot Pull-Zilla

 

After the Meet & Greet, our frazzled flexible friend tried his best to organize and lead a Cabin Crawl. By now his poor personal paparazzi peon's hair was falling out and he forgot to take any pictures of the crawl (*smack*). Anyhow, it was lots of fun as we got to crawl through a variety of cabins include a few Haven suites. Fortunately, Ben's backup photog Cherie (Nalagh) took lots and lots of fabulous pictures of the Slot Pull. You're hired (Warning: Ben doesn't pay much).

 

The Slot Pull was massive with over 60 players and we took over the entire non-smoking section of the Breakaway Casino and even spilled over into Shanghai's Noodle Bar. Ben's assistant collected "donations" from everyone as quickly as he could then rushed to scope out a machine. He then fed half of the funds into the slot machine while keeping the other half for a big guaranteed side jackpot.

 

With so many eyes on the big wads of cash, Ben thought it best to keep his sticky fingers to himself and instead let his assistant feed the whopping $600 into the machine. All 60 players took turns on the slot machine. After the first round of play, the lucky winners of the side jackpot were: Catherine (Friend of Kim/Steeler Nation at Sea) winning 50% of the side jackpot ($300), and Gabrielle (NJDragonLady) and Chuck (friend of JoAnne cperk97) winning 25% ($150 each). The casino host also donated three bottles of sparkling wine which went to 4th, 5th, and 6th place winners. Thank you NCL and Congratulations to all the Winners!

 

After a second round of play we were only down about $1 per person. The event was once again taking longer than Ben anticipated and he feared folks were getting restless. No statisfied with walking away with 9 out of their 10 dollars, everyone agreed to take the remaining whopping $550 plus and put into toward the evening's Paradise Lottery drawing. Sadly however, we didn't win the $668,000 jackpot although we did have a good run winning a bottle of wine and $100 which went back towards another night's drawing.

 

Group Slot Pull - Trying our luck at Quick Hit Platinum

 

Feeding $600 plus into the machine.

 

Ben leaves behind a blinky light for good luck

 

Lucky Catherine hits a 19 game free play!

 

Watching the machine play itself.

 

Raquel, Breakaway Casino Cashier suggests that Ben call 1-800-GAMBLER after helping him with $550 plus in lottery tickets.

Edited October 12, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Monday afternoon, September 22,2014

Group Slot Pull-Zilla (Continued)

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2014 by kylenyc

[rav4lady]

HI Ben and Kyle! Good to see you are in usual form with your review of your latest adventures. That Haven Suite looks fantastic and must have spoiled you for life! can't wait to Escape with you 2! and I am willing to be volunteered for any events! I have organized a cabin crawl and helped with Meet n Greet before, so have a few experiences under my belt too! Haha. But whatever, it is always a lot of fun with you on board!

[kylenyc]

HI Ben and Kyle! Good to see you are in usual form with your review of your latest adventures. That Haven Suite looks fantastic and must have spoiled you for life! can't wait to Escape with you 2! and I am willing to be volunteered for any events! I have organized a cabin crawl and helped with Meet n Greet before, so have a few experiences under my belt too! Haha. But whatever, it is always a lot of fun with you on board!

Thank you so much Diane! With you, Val, Cherie, Peggy and the rest of the Breakaway TA reunion gang, I comforted to have your help and that we'll have things covered on the Escape. I can't wait to sail with you guys again! I hope you're doing a July 4th barbeque or something again! One year wait is too long!

 

Great pics, keep them coming. I travel with a friend who would have been in big trouble without her CPAP. I'm glad you did OK without it, Kyle.

Thanks! Yeah it was worrying for a few days but thanks to Anoop's detective work, things turned out great.

Edited October 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Monday evening, September 22, 2014

Dinner in Le Bistro, Scavenger Hunt Shenanigans

 

After a fun-filled day of activities and meeting many new friends from his roll call, Ben nervously prepared for an evening of shenanigans. He and his cohert, Cherie (Nalagh), had planned a Scavenger Hunt that included some wacky and difficult challenges including eating a buffalo wing without your hands at O'Sheehan's and reenacting the Rose & Jack's "I'm flying!" scene from The Titanic. To encourage everyone to participate, Cherie vowed to do every challenge too. To his butler's dismay, Ben enthusiastically agreed.

 

Tonight was the one night that they could complete one of the more difficult challenges. So our brave bendable calmed his assistant's nerves, stifled some chuckles, and prepared to "Walk the entire length of Deck 6 in bathrobes on dress-up night (Norwegians Night Out)."

 

Off to dinner went Cherie and Ben dressed in white Haven bathrobes and with a towel animal in hand that they needed for the challenge "Bring your towel animal to dinner". They walked through the Atrium past guests in jackets and evening gowns, eliciting curious and confused looks, disapproving stares, and many smiles. They arrived at Le Bistro and non-nonchalantly informed the Maitre D that there'd be an extra guest in their party and then summarily seated their towel monkey atop the dinner table eliciting snickers from the waitstaff. Unperturbed by the lack of table manners and *cough* monkey business, the Maitre D promptly brought over a high-chair for our little guest and carefully re-seated him.

 

Dinner in Le Bistro was fabulous and the restaurant is one of Ben's favorites. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the impeccable (and quite amused) wait service including our towel monkey who was surprised by the Chef with a carefully prepared "Banane Pelelée Fraise Francais" (Fresh Peeled Banana). Thank you to the staff of Le Bistro for playing along!

 

Ed: Okay so Ben was the only one who went into Le Bistro in a bathrobe but everything else is 100% true!

 

Ben wanders into Le Bistro in his bathrobe.

 

Monkey business at the dinner table.

 

The Maitre D seats our towel monkey properly in a high chair.[/img]

 

Escargot. Yum!

 

Mussels au Pernod. Double yum!

 

Chef's Surprise - Banane Pelelée Fraise Francais

 

Edited October 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Monday evening, September 22, 2014

Dinner in Le Bistro, Scavenger Hunt Shenanigans (Continued)

 

Fruits de Mer (lobster, scallops, shrimp) in puff pastry. Deeeeelish!

 

Broiled Salmon[/img]

 

Broiled Lobster

 

Filet Minion

 

Chocolate fondue (Ben's favorite) and Crème brûlée. Yaaaay!

[kylenyc]

Monday evening, September 22, 2014

Dinner in Le Bistro, Scavenger Hunt Shenanigans (Continued)

 

After dinner, Terry joined Cherie and Ben in completing the Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge, wandering the entire length of Deck 6, through the Atrium, past Guest Services, Atrium Bar, Art Gallery, Teppanayaki and then doubling back complete the "Get Howl at the Moon and the audience to sing popular TV theme songs" such as Gilligan's Island and The Love Boat. You guys rock and thanks for taking Ben along!

 

Pictures courtesy of Ben's best friends Bob & Terry. Thank you!

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Guest Services

 

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Atrium Bar[/img]

 

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Teppanyaki

 

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Art Gallery

 

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Deck 6 Forward

 

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Howl at the Moon singing "Gilligan's Island", "All in the Family", "The Jeffersons" and more

 

Up next: Ben's Special Behind the Scenes Tour of Ocean Blue

Edited October 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[Nalagh]

Monday evening, September 22, 2014

Dinner in Le Bistro, Scavenger Hunt Shenanigans (Continued)

 

 

Dress-Up Night Bathrobe Challenge - Howl at the Moon singing "Gilligan's Island", "All in the Family", "The Jeffersons" and more

 

That was so much fun! I can not wait for the Escape scavenger hunt! :D

[bragstarr]

The towel monkey in a high chair with the peeled banana = priceless!