grancayman

Hi Everyone,

I was on the Getaway on May 16th-23rd and had the promo UBP. Booked thru CAS.

I was NOT charged 18% on any beverage or the three free dinners we had.

(two CAS and one Platinum) The only grats on my bill were the extra...yes, I did tip extra every time, just a dollar or two and that of course was on my bill if I did additional tip line on the bill instead of cash. The servers in the casino came by so often it was crazy! They did want to put on my room card rather than my casino free drink card except for bottled water (not included on UBP)

On Cristina....She was the best casino host I've ever experience on NCL Whenever we were in the casino, she came by to say hi and ask if there was anything she could do for us. All around just perfectly pleasant. This was my experience and that is all I can report on.

Hi there

Just got back from the Getaway Saturday. For Vibe passes, go to guest services as soon as you get on the ship! Before you get on, download the Iconcierge

App on your phone. You an make all your reservations inboard thru that including comedy club ( if you don't make it, they just give your seats away)

If you like country and blues, do not miss Shannon in the Grammy Experience

No reservations, small venue, very uncruise like! Great acoustics and a really great backup band! Have fun and congrats!!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!!!

I'm really sorry you had such a bad time! I was on what I thought was the same cruise but totally different experience! I've had about a dozen cruises on different lines and the customer service we experienced (group of 19) was beyond fabulous! We ate at Cagney's and LeBistro and had wonderful meals even with a tiny snafu, which was corrected immediately. We had ubp and never waited long to get drinks. Second night at the Tropicana with 19 people at 8 we were in and out in an hour and a half.

In the casino, I had drink servers come and ask on the avg about every 10 mins

Using my name (full disclosure..I'm in the casino a lot)

The manager of Sheehan's went out of his way to make our first night especially festive. Fifteen of us had prime rib that was great and everyone got exactly what they asked for (medium, rare, etc)

Again, I'm not doubting what you experienced, just know mine was very different!

Dailies for May 16th-23rd (except day 5...Mia) under my review

"May 16th-23rd and have dailies" but can't post them"

Hi Everyone,

I posted a mini review earlier and couldn't figure out how to post the dailies.

I'm not the most tech person and a very kind Triptolemus told me that I could send to him and he would post!

This is what Cruise Critic does best...cruisers helping each other to get the best experience possible.

Thanks again Triptolemus and for everyone who helps make our vacations a little or a lot better!

Hi Triptolemus,

Thanks so much for doing...I know there are people that want them....

Hi,

Ok, I don't know how to reduce the size? I've scanned them and taken pics with my iphone, but according to max sizes they are both too big to send!

If someone knows how to do it and sends me their email, I will send to them or if you just want them or if you can explain to me how to do it.

Hi there

It was a fantastic time!

I don't have the Daily from day 5 which was Tortola... Have the rest and the synopsis of the week one. Tortola was back on board at 3:30 and I know

Legally Blonde was the show.

If you want to send me your email, I'll take pics but I'm hoping someone on

Here can tell me why they aren't downloading!

Hi Everyone!

Just back from the Getaway! Nineteen people, one year in planning, and now it's over....Just fabulous memories!

First the background

This was a family celebration for my Dad's 85th Birthday...his first cruise and we had to talk long and hard to get him to agree to this. Ages ranged from 19-85, no little ones on this trip.

This is not going to be a day by day thing as such and I've never written a review before, so bare with me!

Embarkation was a breeze...We arrived at the pier at 11:30 and we were in our room by 12:15. Disclaimer that we were CAS check in.

Ship is beautiful...been on the Breakaway also, but Getaway just seemed to have something a little extra!

First sea day participated in the the Meet and Greet which was expertly done by Gene and Kim. Kudos to both as they must have put a lot of work into this! I think there were about 50 people. Ships officeres showed up and they served coffee, cookies and banana smoothies. As a special favor, I showed the group a pic of my Dad and asked that if they saw him around to say Happy Birthday, Bob. Many thanks to everyone who did, as he keep telling us strangers kept coming up to him and saying Happy Birthday and how the heck did they know it was him (Bob) and his birthday. Priceless!!! Kim also did the cabin crawl the next day, and boy is she an organizer, it went on perfectly. We did show our cabin and everyone was very respectful as far as coming in to "our" space...Got to see a Haven Cabin and ok, yes I want to book!!! thanks Lilibird for that!:-)

I know there have been lots of questions on the food, room service, etc.

so I tried to pay attention to things that I might not have normally looked at.

The continental room service menu has been reduced to a list of pastries, breads, juice, milk and coffee. That is the free breakfast on room service.

There is no longer yogurt, fruit, cereals. We ordered the 7.95 room service breakfast. There was no limit and it was served quickly and warmer than what you find on the buffet. There was not an 18% gratituity and we did tip.

Food being taken out of the buffet was happening and I never saw anything being said to anyone.

We ate at Cagney's one night and my Dad was too full for dessert, so I asked the hostess if his could be sent to his room and was told that they no longer did that. Fast forward to Le Bistro two nights later and we asked if dessert could be sent to the cabin as we were running late for a show (there was an issue with the meal being sent back) and they said of course! And it was there when we got back to the room. Now I don't know if they made an exception because of the problem.

The only time I tried to personally take something out of a dining area was at Flamingos. I had had 3 teenagers that were running late for a catamaran cruise that we had chartered and I needed to grab and go.

They have breakfast sandwiches that look as though that is what they are intened for (paper wrap and a fast food paper container) so I thought perfect. I was there early enough that they were just putting them out and the attendent came and asked if I was taking them out and that that wasn't allowed. I politely told her I was going to take them and if she needed to report me, she could. I guess she said her "corporate" line and then she helped me to gather for the kids and we made it to the charter on time! Interestingly enough, my Sister had gotten some sandwiches for the boys a couple of days earlier and no one said anything! So the best I can say it's a policy that is not consistently enforced.

Just a quick observation on this...I saw more dishes in the hallway on the boat than I have ever seen on any of the 6 NCL cruises I've taken in the last two years. However, it could be because I noticed because of all the uproar about it.

We did have the UBP and our experience was we didn't have to wait that long. I would say tops 10 mins. One of the bartenders told me that on a regular cruise that they have 200 to 300 on the UBP and on this cruise they had 1500! They definitely had streamlined the process for this cruise.

We did tip each time even though the 18% was covered by NCL. The bartenders worked their butts off and deserved it in my opinion. All gave excellent service.

And about service....

Getaway had an outstanding crew from management, to our food servers, to our steward, to housekeeping. I would like to give special props to Rashida, Sean's assistant and to the manager of Sheehan's who helped to make our dinner on embarkation night especially festive and fun!!!

Two kind of random things...Grammy Experience with Shannon Mcnally was excellent. She's a blues/country singer and just fantastic. Her backup band was one of the best I've heard anywhere. The room itself was small, intimate, good acoustics and put's you in a whole different mindset than a typical cruise entertainment venue.

Second random thing...The guys went deep sea fishing in Nassau and we went down to see them off. Four of us went with Cobby on a private boat tour of the Bahamas, with snorkeling and then he took us to an area that is very local. You park your boat and order up conch salad and conch fritters and the guys cooks it right in front of you. Delicious!!!! The total of the tour was 55 each and then I think we paid 15 for the food (12 fritters and two huge conch salads) Cobby doesn't have a website and he's an independent and the boat isn't fancy, but it will be one of the most memorable excursions I've ever taken. I have his phone number if anyone is interested!

For Fellow CAS Members

Cristina on the Getaway is the best Host of any I have dealt with, bar none, on land and sea.

I was Golden last year (last cruise November) but am now Hot and according to new rules will be Hot all year, you can no longer tier up during the year) I had about 7500 points on this cruise which will go into the kitty to determine what I am next April 1. I think this is silly that you can't tier up but what are you going to do!

To give you a final reaction of this entire cruise....My Dad said as we were leaving yesterday....I think I want to do this again and he is about as critical as they come!

I will try to answer any questions, if you've gotten this far and if anyone can tell me what I'm doing wrong as far as posting the dailies!

Hi

My findings on Getaway (just returned)

Free continental room service is pastries, coffee and juice

No yogurt, fruit or cereal etc anymore

Room service was 7.95. Served fast and all items were hot and didn't seem to have a limit. There was not an 18% service charge

Interesting side note... The most dishes I've ever seen in the hallway in6 ncl cruises! It could be I just noticed it more though!

Hi,

14 definitely smaller....9 is Nirvana!

Hope this helps!

Following with interest.. NCL posted the above title on social media

Now my question is when you leave the buffet doors, how the heck do they

Know where you are going??? Is someone going to ask and then follow you ?

Hi Rochelle,

You are my idol on these blogs! Question for you...is there still a check in line at embarkation for CAS.

Hi, Just got an email from a friend (longtime CAS player) onboard the

Getaway. He got his dinner, but it no longer includes wine/drinks.

Anyone else have this happen? He challenged it and they said no more!

Hi Julie,

Just thought I would let you know we did Black Pearl and it was one of my favorite thru the Caribbean. More low key, everyone has a lounger, they serve drinks and grilled cheese! It's small so it might not be available!

They also post a video of your trip on your facebook for free.

Hi

Just on Pride week before last and used the laundry...3.00 for washer an 3 for dryer...quarters only! They were actually pretty big! Brought a pod from home

So no sure on detergent cost!

Hi there,

I have done this cruise twice, and gone to see David twice! Reservations are absolutely necessary! Make them online, then take your paper across the street from the entrance and they will give you tickets. Then there are two lines, one for no reservations and one with reservations. The first time we had a 5 min. wait, the second time a 10 min. wait. Hope this helps!

Also in Cannes, there is a delightful area called Le Cannet. Google it!

Very accessible by public bus in about 10 mins. and so charming! Their wasn't a tourist around when we went and there are restaurants, a couple of boulangeire and it overlooks Cannes.

Hi Ben and Kyle!

I'm so glad you posted this about the muster on this cruise...I thought it was just me! They actually tried to move my friend closer to people (physically)

To make more room for late arrivals! They should have the people that are on time on the front and the late ones to the back! Of course my solution is they should buy a drink for everyone on the station that is 100 percent there first!

Talk about some peer pressure!!! By the way, did you realize that there has to be complete quiet for them to count!!! :-)

Hi

Have to put in a different answer for Sharon...

I played on Princess then planned on a carnival cruise. Called Carnival players club and asked... Got a photo coupon, strawberries, a 25 dollar credit for drinks, and 150 in CASH. Got my cash at the casino cage when casino opened sat down at a vp machine and 75 dollars in hit a royal for 4k! It never hurts to ask!

By the way it was my first cruise on both lines and I sailed carnival March, 2013

Hi Scuba

Going on the Star and SPB for tour in St Petersburg

Very excited and going solo!

I just found out that I can hire a driver after the tour for three hours

I wanted to take a look at retail in Russia (I'm a buyer ) but would like to be out

and about in a non tour group. Do you have any suggestions about what to see?

Thanks much!

Just wanted to thank you for the information on flea markets and the shopping area!

Thanks so much for the information!

You are pretty incredible! You should work in the tourist/guide business...I'm thinking you could get 100's of reference letters from your fans here on cruise critic!

I have read thru all of the pages to see if my questions are answered and I actually have a couple that I haven't found!

I'm coming to Copenhagen May 15th and leaving on the Star on the 16th.

Staying at the Crowne Plaza. On the 15th, get in about 1 or so. After checking in, going to Fields (I know, I know..going to a shopping center, but I'm a retail buyer and it's my thing!) The next day going back to the airport (free shuttle) to go to the ship. I'm going early, with plans to leave my bags with the porter, and go exploring...I probably will have from 10-3 to do a walk around! However, when I come back from the cruise, I will be staying in Copenhagen a couple of days, again at Crowne Plaza.

So I have Sat. and Sunday in Copenhagen. Now after all of that, the question is are there any flea markets and/or arts and craft markets that are easy to get to on the weekend. I definitely want to see the "historic"

but I love just getting out and walking around and see what there is.

I even like going to supermarkets...it's just intriguing to see how different people go about their daily lives. Anyway, sorry for the long winded post!

And thanks again for all you do here!