bambione

Thanks for posting this question. I always wondered what other TA's offered their customers. I've dealt with a TA twice, through a major cruise company. My MIL likes to deal with one, so we did this together. There is a 24.95/per cabin booking fee, a 100.00 cancellation fee. We get the same perks as NCL of course, in addition to a 50 OBC. I personally don't think there's any benefit to using her, I could do the same stuff by booking online. My cruise in Jan 2016 there are 15 of us, for my dad's 90th bday. I know he just wanted to call someone up so we did the TA thing again.

I do think there should be some incentive to using a TA. For some people, like my dad and MIL, it's the convenience of not using the internet and not being on hold for a long time with NCL, the OBC offered is secondary.

Karen

Thanks for the reply. I was reading this thread and all I could think about was you having to hang around at the port with young children. Having traveled with young kids before who are really excited to be going on vacation I know how stressful hanging around waiting for something to happen can be.

I hope you can get this resolved with NCL so at least you know what happened.

Karen

Has anyone done the teeth whitening on board? I'm thinking about doing that, I've heard it's cheaper to have it done on a cruise versus the dentist.

Karen

Thanks for posting all these pics. I'm enjoying all the ice cream pics which do remind me of Friendly's, which some other poster commented on.

Karen

following. I went on the Getaway last March and had a great time. Am going again in January, but different itinerary. I'm enjoying your review.

I was on the Getaway last March, and consider myself to be a "preplanner". I think half the fun of a vacation is the planning part. Like you, I wasn't sure if I should book my shows for a port day or a sea day. I opted for a sea day for my shows, figuring that on port days I would come back too tired for a show. You didn't mention how many people are in your party, but if there are quite a few the dinner times in the MDR do take quit a bit longer. I enjoyed "Legally Blonde" and "Burn the Floor". What was really nice was some members of the Burn the Floor troupe perform at the Tropicanna. For those nights you would definitely want to get there early for dinner and sit near the dance floor.

I enjoyed the Getaway so much that we are planning another sailing Jan 2016 although a different route. This time I want to try the Illusionarium show.

Before we went last March I thought all those shows in the Atrium like the Newlywed Game would be really cheezy and stupid. But I really liked them.

I would say if it's just the two of you, or even four, then a two hour time difference between dinner and the show would be fine.

Hope this helps,

Karen

The last two times I've cruised we've used an online travel agency. They have a booking fee of 24.95 a cabin. Is this a normal amount for a booking fee? I was thinking the next time I should just do an online booking directly with NCL. I booked an Oceanview and got the UBP with 50 OBC. I'm happy with what I got, just wondering about the booking fee.

I'm going on the Getaway March 29th. My sister sent me a 100.00 NCL gift card that I was thinking of using at the spa. I'm getting a pedicure before the cruise, but am thinking of getting a facial while I'm on board. I just can't make up my mind! I'm hoping some responses here will help me decide. Otherwise, I may just be having margaritas with my 100 bucks.

Karen

I am sailing on the Getaway March 29, and had similar questions. I had read on one of the posted dailies that you can make reservations for the main dining rooms. If you want to sit at the same time with the same waiter at 5:00 or 5:30 every night you have that option as well. I am traveling with a large party of 8 so to have the option of making reservations each night is great. I was a bit surprised when I read this, so maybe it's something new.

Karen

Hi there, I was confused about this at first too :D. Yes, you can most definitely just show up! However, the idea is that you can make a reservation *if you want to* to help reduce potential wait times. It is very possible that you never have to wait, even just showing up with a party of 8. Then again, freestyle could present a challenge for example, and this is totally hypothetical (and unrealistic :D), if a ship is sold out and everyone decides to just show up in one and the same MDR, chances are there will be a wait. I am sure that you realize that this will never happen. The reservation option is just to make your life possibly easier.

 

Oh, and for certain things, like when there is live music in the evening at the Tropicana Room or a demonstration of the Burn the Floor show, it might make sense to get a reservation. Otherwise, I have never seen anyone have trouble finding a table in the MDR's.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks for your reply.

Karen

I had read on one of the dailies from the first sailing that it's possible to make reservations for the main dining rooms, (Taste, Savor, and Tropicana). For some reason I was under the impression with Free Style dining that you just show up. Does anyone know if it's better to make a reservation or just show up? I will be traveling with a party of 8. Hopefully we will be able to agree where to eat in time to even make a reservation! I'm not much of a cruiser and have never sailed on NCL, so I'm a bit unsure here.

thanks,

Karen

I sail on the 29th. Last night I went on to NCL and booked my reservations for Burning Down The Floor, and Legally Blonde, both which are free. Legally Blonde I was able to get at 7:30. They had two shows, and this was the early one. You can also book onboard, but I'm the kind of person that likes to plan ahead. The Grammy Experience and Howl at the Moon I'll have to wait till I'm on board, but I don't care about those so much.

Karen

Thanks for posting all this. I sail on 3/29 so am reading everything I can about the Getaway. The spa certainly looked enticing.

I happen to love Olive Garden and Outback Steak house, so if anything compares to that I'll be happy. I've never been impressed with banquet food, but as long as it's hot I'll be happy. If it's not hot, I'll just send it back. I love salads, and it's hard to mess those up. So I think I'll be content on my first NCL cruise on the Getaway the end of March.

We are booked on the Getaway for the end of March. We received an email from our travel agent saying that NCL had upgraded us from an inside cabin to an oceanview. It was on the same floor, but a much better location. We have four cabins in our group, and all four were upgraded.

Karen

We had a day visit in Salzburg a few years ago on our cruise. They did touch on a few of the Sound of Music things, but it was brief. If this is truly your passion you might want to go on the separate Sound of Music tour. Salzburg is one of my favorite cities. I just want to burst out singing Edelweis and Climb Every Mountain right now!

Karen