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

[cabincop]

come on our cruise hun pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Jan 5th pretty pleaseeeeeeeeeeee:D

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4 pm

Wasabi Sushi Bar, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian and the Raw Bar.

 

Ben's looking forward to this evening. He and his new friends have reservations at Ocean Blue. The restaurant is located in a lovely area of the ship. The Wasabi Sushi Bar, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian the Raw Bar, Shakers Martini Bar, and Svedka Ice Bar, all flow together beautifully. It's a few steps out on to The Waterfront to enjoy dinner, drinks, or a stroll along the ocean boardwalk.

Wasabi Sushi Bar

 

Wasabi Sushi Bar - Oceanfront seating

 

 

Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian

 

 

 

The Raw Bar

 

Shakers Martini Bar (back), chandelier open to decks 7 and 6 below.

[kylenyc]

come on our cruise hun pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Jan 5th pretty pleaseeeeeeeeeeee:D

Awwww... but but... I already have a cruise before and after ... Dec 14, 2013 on Gem, and Mardi Gras, Feb 23, 2014 on the Jewel :( Ben doesn't pay his butler enough and needs to work a side job :p

 

Ben just book Breakaway to Bermuda, Sept 21, 2014 too. May the rain gods be kind.

Edited June 7, 2013 by kylenyc

[cabincop]

hmmmmmm Bermuda sept 2014 will have to think about it, btw I get a suite cuz I am spoiled and only can cruise once a year with it but may have to do oceanview for you:eek:;):D

[kylenyc]

hmmmmmm Bermuda sept 2014 will have to think about it, btw I get a suite cuz I am spoiled and only can cruise once a year with it but may have to do oceanview for you:eek:;):D

Do a studio :p It's not so bad. Lots of solos to meet and had a blast on the transatlantic.

[xenagurl]

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

[kylenyc]

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

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

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

Edited June 8, 2013 by kylenyc

[xenagurl]

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!!!

Edited June 8, 2013 by xenagurl

[kylenyc]

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

 

LOL. On that note, this deserves a slight detour in this no longer not so live blog. What would give you the idea that Ben breakdances? :-P

 

 

Momentarily skipping ahead a few days...

We find our Ben heading over to the Bliss Ultra Lounge for the late night Glow Party where our canary colored crusader had a close encounter with this orange oddity! He didn't know what to make of it but it did give his typist some interesting fashion ideas.

 

Inside the dance club, rows of colorful LED light effects dot the wall, lights flashing overhead, and partiers in neon dancing the night away. Lots of fun!

 

The Bliss Ultra Lounge

 

Eeep! :blinks:

 

"Talk to the hand."

 

The double fist pump looks rather familiar

 

Ben thinks back to the day he met Oddiemar at the On Board Credit Desk, wondering if he's working double-shifts in Bliss.

 

Edited June 8, 2013 by kylenyc

[francina]

Really enjoyed your pictures.

[xenagurl]

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?

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4 pm

Shakers Martini Bar, Svedka Ice Bar, hallway hounge area

 

Continuing with our regular scheduled not so live blog...

 

Picture of Shakers Martini, Svedka Ice Bar, and the hallway lounge from across Wasabi and Ocean Blue.

Shakers Martini Bar

 

Svedka Ice Bar

 

Hallway lounge area

 

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6 pm

Dinner at Ocean Blue

After days of servitude, Ben let his minion enjoy a evening with his friends at Ocean Blue while hid in a pocket because he felt shy appearing at this upscale trendy restaurant. They were seated at a beautiful ocean view table.

 

The waitstaff was very friendly, and service was smooth throughout. A few of us remarked about the pretty place settings and different uniforms worn by the waitstaff. He enjoyed a delicious beef tartare for the first course and a tasty curry bisque, a gin mojito, followed by monkfish for the main course, and cheese plate for dessert.

 

A detailed review is posted here.

 

Ocean Blue Menu

 

Beef Tartare/ Mustard Dressing/ Celery Salad/ Chips

 

Gin mojito

 

Madras Curry Bisque/ Gingerbread/ Plumped Raisins/ Coriander

 

Monkfish Loin/ Forbidden Rice/ Cauliflower/ Pine Nuts/ Yogurt

 

Selection of Artisanal Cheeses

[xenagurl]

Waiting for more. I have the most fun reading Ben and his assistant's reviews!

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 11 am

Tradewinds Tax & Duty Free, Photo Gallery

 

More pictures of exploring the ship... Tradewinds Tax & Duty Free shops and Photo Gallery.

 

 

Beauty and fashion

 

Jewelry

 

Souvenirs

 

Photo gallery, camera and accessories

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 11 am

Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Prime Meridian Bar

 

More pictures of exploring the ship... Cagney's, Moderno, Prime Meridan. In addition to the tables by the oceanview windows and open kitchen, there are tables overlooking the performances below on the dance floor and stage of the Manhattan Dining Room.

 

Moderno and Cagney's - Entrance

 

Moderno and Cagney's - Lounge

 

Moderno and Cagney's - Prime Meridian Bar

 

Moderno (Left)

 

Cagney's (Right)

 

Manhattan dining room's dance floor and stage overlooked by Moderno and Cagney's above.

Edited June 14, 2013 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 11 am

Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Prime Meridian Bar

 

Continued...

 

 

 

 

 

[xenagurl]

Did they have the Burn the Floor performance in the MDR during the Transatlantic?

[kylenyc]

Waiting for more. I have the most fun reading Ben and his assistant's reviews!

Did they have the Burn the Floor performance in the MDR during the Transatlantic?

Thanks xena :)

 

Burn the Floor: Wanna Dance (latin theme) was in Manhattan Dining Room on Day 3 for the Transatlantic. I didn't see it or Burn the Floor (or any evening shows) in the Breakaway Theater because I wanted something to look forward to this September. :) On the evenings, I was in Manhattan, there was the "Manhattan Band" and a singer.

Edited June 14, 2013 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 1 pm

Shanghai's Noodle Bar, Breakaway Casino, Bar 21

 

For lunch, Ben went with his new cruise friends to Shanghai's Noodle Bar. This was his favorite restaurant for lunch or a snack when he was on the the Epic several years ago and he's been wishing it were on all Norwegian ships ever since. Shanghai's is currently only available on the Breakaway and Epic. Entrees are a la carte for a modest upcharge.

 

Shanghai's has a slightly different layout than on the Epic. He was slightly disappointed that the open kitchen was hidden away far in the back of the restaurant and that the restaurant was adjacent the casino. Although this section of the casino is non-smoking, sometimes he could still detect the subtle odor of smoke blowing in from smoking-allowed section of the casino a hundred feet forward down the hall.

 

When Ben's friends sat down for lunch, service was rather slow and his food arrived warm not hot. It was only later after lunch when he went to have a look at the open kitchen that he saw the CEO, Hotel Director, and other big wigs having lunch. He bets that their food was piping hot. :grins:

 

Ben distracted himself by giving some chop stick lessons while he waited for his food (Yes he really did :smiles:). He enjoyed his warm fried rice and noodles but not as much as he had hoped. Their check also was slow in coming. The staff was clearly were still learning their paces.

 

Shanghai's Noodle Bar

 

 

 

Breakaway Casino Non-Smoking adjacent Shanghai's Noodle Bar.

 

Bar 21

 

Ben gives his friend chop-stick lesson while enjoying his fried rice and noodles (Yes he really did). Om nom nom!

[patter44]

Waiting for more. I have the most fun reading Ben and his assistant's reviews!

 

Ditto - Agreed - We're all still here :D!

[Gershep]

By any chance did Ben go into the cigar lounge?

[Cruisercl]

By any chance did Ben go into the cigar lounge?

 

I did not see Ben in the cigar lounge (because I was not in there) but I did see him at a Margarita tasting and he was quite fun! ;)

 

Cruisercl

 

Side bar - (Hi to K & B!) :D

[kylenyc]

By any chance did Ben go into the cigar lounge?

Yes. Someone requested the pictures during the transatlantic blogging. The cigar lounge is called The Humidor and is next to Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar. Here they are...

 

I did not see Ben in the cigar lounge (because I was not in there) but I did see him at a Margarita tasting and he was quite fun! Cruisercl Side bar - (Hi to K & B!)

Ben had a fun time with you on both sailings too! :D

Edited June 17, 2013 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Maiden Transatlantic Day 2 - Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 3 pm

Malting Beer & Whiskey Bar, Margarita Tasting, The Humidor

 

After being distracted by a slow lunch service at Shanghai's and trying to get his bill, Ben all but forgot the Cruise Critic cabin crawl. Instead, he walked about the ship taking some special request pictures for his Facebook and Cruise Critic friends on his "live blogs". After he finished, he stumbled on the Margarita Tasting in Maltings Beer and Whiskey Bar and promptly joined in with his friends Carol, Diane, Mark, Sabrina, Val, Yemi, and others.

 

The tastings are nice. Ben (or rather his official personal taster) got to try 5 different margarita's for $15 plus autogratuity. They were about 1/4-1/3 full rocks glasses. Tequila isn't Ben's favorite but he inhaled his frozen strawberry margarita. Many folks shrugged it off saying they were using the cheapest tequilas for this tasting. He distinctly remembers enjoying the margaritas on his tasting on the Gem with Maurice much better (Maurice now in the "wine cellar" on the Breakaway) .

Malting Beer & Whiskey Bar

 

Margarita Tasting - Ben's new crew friend ?Carlos? handing out drinks.

 

The Humidor Cigar Lounge

 

 

 

The lounge has an ocean view overlooking The Waterfront

Edited June 17, 2013 by kylenyc