Mitsugirlys graduation getaway cruise

I didn't think to ask her, so I just now ask her online and her reply "IDK" so either it didn't or she just didn't pay attention because there were too many people in her room making tons of noise. I'll ask my son and Courtney when they get home tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

It was my pleasure to read it. It kept me laughing. Now all you need to do is add some pictures next time around. :D

It is my goal to learn to add photos... Though I take terrible pictures. I cut of heads on a regular basis. Yikes!:eek:

Really enjoying your review. Looks like you had a great time in spite of all the mishaps that have happened along the way.

The Getaway looks great... That will be first ever cruise with NCL later this year followed by Breakaway next year :)

Haha maybe. But they really weren't "that" (crawfish) small. :p

Maybe they were Long John Silvers Lobster Bites. :D Actually the last cruise we were on in December was the only one that I didn't care that much for the lobster. My Wife could not beleave I only ate 2 tails but they were tough and not that tasty. :( It happens.

The Ump

John

Kim, it appears you've sailed on Getaway, Breakaway, and Epic? From the standpoint of my 10 yr old son, do you feel the Getaway is worth more money than Epic? I am currently booked on Epic as it was a better deal, but I've considered the Getaway as I was really blown away by the pictures and when I saw it next to us in port recently.

 

The cost to change would be about $400 total, or I could do downgrade from a balcony on Epic to ocean view on Getaway and my price would be about the same. Your thoughts specifically in regards to a boy?

 

If you have other thoughts about why I might spend $400 more to sail on Getaway, I appreciate it.

 

Thanks

For what it's worth, both of my kids liked the Epic better.

Thank you for the comments.

 

When you say the Sun will not have any improvements until 2016, what improvements are you speaking of? (Or are we just talking about the iConceirge service?). I will definitely have to do my research prior to going on this cruise to see what this ship has to offer. I'm not getting stuck again in the dark. Although I know this ship is a much older and smaller ship, so I'm assuming that it will be a very relaxing cruise and a cruise with shows that we are use to and won't miss anything.

 

 

 

I haven't made an appointment yet to get it fixed. I'm going to call some time next week hopefully. I put off the dentist as much as I can. Yuck.

I know it's 2 years old but I did a comparison of the Epic to the Sun, link in my signature below. I would imagine the TV's are flat screen now. Bathroom still very small but the Observation Deck nice, especially at night...

Great review so far Kim. I have been bouncing back and forth from your review to Gambee's review of the Breeze on the Carnival page. Congratulations on your graduation. The munchkin is really growing up.....more so from the last review!

You are the poster child for positive attitude when things can go wrong when cruising. Your review has only gotten to St Maarten and you have overcome missed flights, lost luggage, broken toe, lost tooth, and missed the Latitudes party.

I am hoping the "8" significance is you win $8,000 in the casino on lucky number 8 ;)

On another note, what did you think of La Cucina? Your husband go the rigatoni. I had the same dish last year. It was nothing special. It was bland, with hard boiled noodles, a tasteless sauce and bad meatball. I felt so cheated. Seriously, there was better pasta at the buffet. I am not picky about food and never had a bad meal on a cruise ship. Others in my party liked their meal but there was NOTHING worth $15 for that rigatoni. No fresh sauces, tomato, or pasta. Your picture really brought back my bad memory :) While it was not bad it seriously would be a bummer even in the MDR. Not worth the cover charge. Too bad you did not get your chicken. You should have gotten the entre you asked for. Very bad service and sort of weird to avoid you just because you asked her to take a photo. Most service is great but sometimes something weird like that happens. My last experience at La Cucina had a good waiter but he could not comprehend why the 5 of us only ordered 3 appetizers. We did not want to over eat or waste food. But he kept almost demanding that we get our own appetizer. It really threw him for a loop and after several attempts in explaining he still could not understand why we did that. In his head he really thought we did not finish ordering.

Cant wait for more!

Kim,

 

Can you explain why some of the ship reviews in your signature are in red or have a red number, and some do not?

 

Oh, before I forget (again), congrats on your graduation! :)

Everything is in red on my end, so maybe on your end if something isn't red then it's because you haven't ever clicked on it. Just like any hyper link will be a different color on a board, but once you click it, it turns to another color.

As for the numbers next to some of the links, that's the post number that it starts at. So if you go to something in my signature line that you want to read the review, click on the name (for instance lets say Playa Mia) and the number beside it will tell you what post number to look for once you get to the page. That's the starting post for that review. :) I hope that made sense.

It is my goal to learn to add photos... Though I take terrible pictures. I cut of heads on a regular basis. Yikes!:eek:

Practice, practice, practice. Sakari has been practicing since she was 3 and she's pretty good at taking pictures herself. She takes a lot of them while on vacation believe it or not. :)

Really enjoying your review. Looks like you had a great time in spite of all the mishaps that have happened along the way.

 

The Getaway looks great... That will be first ever cruise with NCL later this year followed by Breakaway next year :)

We did have a good time, even though it may not seem like it during parts of the review. I'm now working on my pictures from St Maarten and looking at them is making me all warm and fuzzy with delight. :p

Maybe they were Long John Silvers Lobster Bites. :D Actually the last cruise we were on in December was the only one that I didn't care that much for the lobster. My Wife could not beleave I only ate 2 tails but they were tough and not that tasty. :( It happens.

 

The Ump

John

So true. That can happen anywhere. I'm not really a hard person to please when it comes to food (well, other than not liking steak, chocolate or ketchup (tomatoes). I'll eat or at least try just about anything. :)

Your family looks like they all know how to have fun! Can't wait to see the St. Maarten pics.

LOVE this review - makes me so excited for my upcoming voyage on the Getaway!

Heres a few quick questions I have...

1) I haven't sailed with NCL before, so bare with me if this is a "dumb" question, but were there any live bands that were any good? On RCI, we've had some good actual bands (Mostly cover bands) that play live in public places around the 9pm-12am hours. Wasn't sure if there was anything like this on the Getaway. I am a night owl and would love to know where the happenin' place is around 9pm-12am (Preferably with snacks close by)

2) Any idea if Getaway has a "quest" game show of some sort? like a scavenger hunt sort of thing?

On another note, what did you think of La Cucina? Your husband go the rigatoni. I had the same dish last year. It was nothing special. It was bland, with hard boiled noodles, a tasteless sauce and bad meatball. I felt so cheated. Seriously, there was better pasta at the buffet. I am not picky about food and never had a bad meal on a cruise ship. Others in my party liked their meal but there was NOTHING worth $15 for that rigatoni. No fresh sauces, tomato, or pasta. Your picture really brought back my bad memory :) While it was not bad it seriously would be a bummer even in the MDR. Not worth the cover charge. Too bad you did not get your chicken. You should have gotten the entre you asked for. Very bad service and sort of weird to avoid you just because you asked her to take a photo. Most service is great but sometimes something weird like that happens. My last experience at La Cucina had a good waiter but he could not comprehend why the 5 of us only ordered 3 appetizers. We did not want to over eat or waste food. But he kept almost demanding that we get our own appetizer. It really threw him for a loop and after several attempts in explaining he still could not understand why we did that. In his head he really thought we did not finish ordering.

La Cucina on the breakaway was amazing... so good we ate there twice on that cruise. (We always like la cucina on each ship but this one by far was the best). The waitresses brought us all kinds of things to try on top of what we ordered. One of them even had a couple of baby pizzas made just to try...they would ask us questions of the kinds of things we like and depending on our answers would decide what to bring out... next....these ladies were absolutely amazing and we had a great time with them. The staff was so attentive. I would recommend La Cucina on the breakaway to everyone.

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I know it's 2 years old but I did a comparison of the Epic to the Sun, link in my signature below. I would imagine the TV's are flat screen now. Bathroom still very small but the Observation Deck nice, especially at night...

I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the info. :)

Great review so far Kim. I have been bouncing back and forth from your review to Gambee's review of the Breeze on the Carnival page. Congratulations on your graduation. The munchkin is really growing up.....more so from the last review!

You are the poster child for positive attitude when things can go wrong when cruising. Your review has only gotten to St Maarten and you have overcome missed flights, lost luggage, broken toe, lost tooth, and missed the Latitudes party.

I am hoping the "8" significance is you win $8,000 in the casino on lucky number 8

 

On another note, what did you think of La Cucina? Your husband go the rigatoni. I had the same dish last year. It was nothing special. It was bland, with hard boiled noodles, a tasteless sauce and bad meatball. I felt so cheated. Seriously, there was better pasta at the buffet. I am not picky about food and never had a bad meal on a cruise ship. Others in my party liked their meal but there was NOTHING worth $15 for that rigatoni. No fresh sauces, tomato, or pasta. Your picture really brought back my bad memory While it was not bad it seriously would be a bummer even in the MDR. Not worth the cover charge. Too bad you did not get your chicken. You should have gotten the entre you asked for. Very bad service and sort of weird to avoid you just because you asked her to take a photo. Most service is great but sometimes something weird like that happens. My last experience at La Cucina had a good waiter but he could not comprehend why the 5 of us only ordered 3 appetizers. We did not want to over eat or waste food. But he kept almost demanding that we get our own appetizer. It really threw him for a loop and after several attempts in explaining he still could not understand why we did that. In his head he really thought we did not finish ordering.

Cant wait for more!

Thanks so much. I'm confused on the "8" though. :confused: Did I say something about an eight?

To me (and I thought this before when we went on the Epic), La Cucina was for the atmosphere and just for an "experience". I definitely don't think it's worth the $15 IMO. We went on the Epic as a "been there, done that" and said we wouldn't go back. The ONLY reason we went this time is because we had the free dining package and to get away alone and do something "nice" together with no whining kids. :D

Yea, he ordered the "Meatballs" and I know they ask him what type of pasta and he said the Rigatoni. He didn't really comment on it, but ate it all. I'm sure it's probably about the same as I can make at home and didn't look like anything special. Since I don't really care for tomatoes=sauce=don't really eat it, I never order anything other that white sauce=Alfredo=yummy. :p Not $15 yummy, but it filled me up at least. I just wouldn't have paid for it though. :o

Your family looks like they all know how to have fun! Can't wait to see the St. Maarten pics.

Fun with a little bit of extreme I think (which isn't always a good thing :p)

I just picked my St Maarten pics out and I will be hosting them so that I can start my review from that day. I have to say they bring back a nice memory of the day. :)

LOVE this review - makes me so excited for my upcoming voyage on the Getaway!

 

Heres a few quick questions I have...

 

1) I haven't sailed with NCL before, so bare with me if this is a "dumb" question, but were there any live bands that were any good? On RCI, we've had some good actual bands (Mostly cover bands) that play live in public places around the 9pm-12am hours. Wasn't sure if there was anything like this on the Getaway. I am a night owl and would love to know where the happenin' place is around 9pm-12am (Preferably with snacks close by)

 

2) Any idea if Getaway has a "quest" game show of some sort? like a scavenger hunt sort of thing?

Thanks, no question is a dumb question, but someone else might have to answer it for you.

I do know that NCL always has live music, we just don't go to them though. There's always something going on somewhere. Every cruise we have been on has had live music pool side, usually piano in the atrium, live music performances in the clubs, kareoke and so on.

I have heard a lot of people talk about the quest show prior to now. I just haven't been to them (while it sounds kinda funny to watch, it's just not really my thing so never went to them).

Hopefully someone else can chime in and answer your questions for you. :)

I leave today. So excited!

I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the info. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much. I'm confused on the "8" though. :confused: Did I say something about an eight?

 

To me (and I thought this before when we went on the Epic), La Cucina was for the atmosphere and just for an "experience". I definitely don't think it's worth the $15 IMO. We went on the Epic as a "been there, done that" and said we wouldn't go back. The ONLY reason we went this time is because we had the free dining package and to get away alone and do something "nice" together with no whining kids. :D

 

Yea, he ordered the "Meatballs" and I know they ask him what type of pasta and he said the Rigatoni. He didn't really comment on it, but ate it all. I'm sure it's probably about the same as I can make at home and didn't look like anything special. Since I don't really care for tomatoes=sauce=don't really eat it, I never order anything other that white sauce=Alfredo=yummy. :p Not $15 yummy, but it filled me up at least. I just wouldn't have paid for it though. :o

"This time around we both booked the mini-suite guarantee and it was the first time I had never picked my own room. We were highly satisfied with their selection for us, which was on the 9th floor, room 9188, (yes there's a reason for the bolded 8 at the end)

See you did say something about an "8" :)

I leave today. So excited!

Woohoo jealous

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"This time around we both booked the mini-suite guarantee and it was the first time I had never picked my own room. We were highly satisfied with their selection for us, which was on the 9th floor, room 9188, (yes there's a reason for the bolded 8 at the end)

 

See you did say something about an "8" :)

Ooooohhhhh, "that" 8. Nope, I wish that was what it meant. :p

Day 4...our St Maarten Day.

I had sat the alarm for 6am and wanted to make sure that we were up in plenty of time to shower, get ready and then have some breakfast. I messaged Courtney to see if the other clan was alive yet. Her and Kolin was up and getting ready to get in the shower and get ready.

I decided that I had enjoyed eating at Flamingo for breakfast the day before so much that we would try it again...especially since the entire ship would be up and trying to eat prior to getting off in port.

We arrived up at Flamingo and there was not one person there and I didn't see any food. Sigh. I guess either we missed it or they weren't open on the days we were in port. That's too bad because THAT is the day that it would have been most helpful to be open since it's one of the busiest mornings at breakfast on the ship. (After returning for the day, I checked the dailies and it said they didn't open until 8am...crappy since the busiest times would be before that).

Down to the buffet we went. I didn't complain too much since this meant I would get my waffles with the yummy sugary whipped topping that I had missed the day before.

While we were eating, Courtney showed up and ate with us. Kolin was still getting ready and she said Kendra and the rest were just getting up.

We waited....and waited....and waited and never did see the rest of them at breakfast. We headed back to the room to grab our packed beach bags for the day and tried to call their room. No answer. So normally on every other cruise, we would always manage to eat and then meet at a certain spot on the pool deck outside of the buffet. Kendra usually eats in the same place every morning too so that we know where to look for them. However, I had not ate breakfast with them yet, so I had no idea if this cruise was the same or where that "spot" might be.

We never did see them anywhere on the pool deck and it was getting late. Way after the time that they said we could go to shore. We were due to arrive at 8am, but we arrived around 7am and was able to get off the ship by 7:30ish. Time is wasting. Of course Courtney is in a panic because she is not with Kolin.

I really struggled with what to do. It was now 8:30. I know that Kendra and the family always rely on me to research the perfect spot to go to and they follow my lead. Without me, they are pretty lost and don't know what to do. Of course I pretty much knew for sure that she probably didn't know what the name of the beach was that we were going to. But time was wasting and we decided it was best to just head out, get off the ship, walk S-L-O-W-L-Y down the pier in hopes they would come running up behind us, then find a central location to wait and watch everyone walk by until we hopefully seen them.

Sakari got her picture taken with the turtle (and various other characters, but this was the only one that turned out with her smiling) and we made it to the end of the long pier. Ok, time to find a spot to sit that was centralized enough to see everyone leaving the ship.

I seen a huge building with steps and headed that way. The closer we got, the more I realized...there was Kendra, Kolin and family. Sigh. They said they had been off the ship since 8am waiting for us. She had a bet going with Kolin about us getting off the ship. Kolin said I would leave her and get off the ship. Kendra said "no way is my mommy leaving me and is still probably wondering the ship looking for us." I guess Kolin won.

Away we headed toward the area to catch the cabs. I snapped a few pictures along the way but decided to hold off on a majority of them until we returned.

Here is the outside of the taxi stands. It's a pretty good system and it makes me wish all the ports had something like this. It's a covered area that runs along the turn around street area where the cabs circle to pick you up.

There are signs that say where to sit or stand for where you are going. Simply find your sign and wait for your cab going there.

They also make it very clear on the pricing.

The taxi's move in and out so quickly that we didn't have time to sit and wait. I barely had enough time to snap any pictures as the rest of the family immediately got into a taxi van and were waiting on ME this time around. :D

On the way, we discuss our plans with the cab driver. We were getting dropped off at Mullet to spend the morning there and then walking over to Maho to watch the planes come in the for the rest of the time. He said he would pick us up at Maho when we were ready and gave us his card. (I'm really not sure what we were supposed to do with the card unless he expected us to have one of the bars call for him to come pick us up.

We arrived at the parking lot at Mullet. The first thing I spotted was the porta potty. I really had to use it, so off I went. I only noticed 1 of them, so I'm not sure if there are others somewhere else or not. It was pretty clean and didn't smell. The only thing I noticed was there wasn't any toilet paper. Ok, drip dry time for me and to the ocean to "cleanse". hehe It was almost like camping.

We walked out onto the beach and it was beautiful.

I spotted the rocks that I had been told about prior to coming here and knew I would have to check them out later.

I have to say that the warm was pretty calm. I know the waves at Maho can get really big and this place was basically right next door, so I really didn't know what to expect (especially with the little ones). Also I had watched youtube videos before coming and read that this is actually a spot for surfers to come because the waves can get HUGE!!! We were lucky this day.

The kids loved it.

I always enjoy your reviews. One good think about the cap (tooth) as you have it & the dentist can fix as opposed to paying for a whole new crown. I've actually crazy clued them in :p in a pinch ....my dentist loves this but Gee it's always on something like a cruise, an hour before a wedding etc these things decide to fall out. Ouch to your poor toe ! I about a week prior to my Epic cruise this last March was in an accident & fractured my knee, all I wanted to know from ER doc was can I go on my cruise??? Me & my full leg immobilizer passed many people with 2 good legs. Now I'm waiting to get my ACL reconstructed, MCL & meniscus repaired. Congratulations on your graduation, I did my RN in 1978 & then in 2008 decided to do my BSN then thought what the heck & then did my MSN. It's tough working & going to school as you for sure know.

We found our "spot" and decided to get 4 chairs with 2 umbrellas. There was never a need to get enough chairs for all of us and umbrellas to go along with each set because you best believe that none of us were ever sitting all at the same time. (Everyone knows I rarely sit down, you can go ahead and mark me off of that list immediately) So, we decided to share. I believe I was told previously that the cost was $20 for the set of chairs and umbrella. However, they only charged us $15 per set. That meant I was headed off to get a drink with my newly found extra $5.

Here is Rosie's snack shack where you get drinks and food.

The pricing (you can tell that the prices have went up by the markings)

I decided it was too early in the morning to be drinking and I wanted to do some snorkeling, so I opted for a diet coke.

This is what I called my "tall boy" that day. Man those things were skinny and tall.

Of course Sakari is always the first in the water. Even though she can swim pretty good, I always make her wear her puddle jumper while in the water if I'm not immediately beside her. Kendra had packed a suitcase (I kid you not) but yet didn't have enough room to pack Braydens puddle jumper, so he was winging it today. (Which I explained to Kendra that there is NEVER a time where it won't fit since it has a belt around it with a snap and we always just snap Sakari's to the handle of our bag and let it hang outside the bag).

Kolin and Courtney headed out and got their first mouthfull of sea water. LOL

We swam for a while and then I decided I would gear up with my snorkeling equipment and head over to the rocks and check it out. After awhile, the kids joined me. I always bring tons of snorkel mask when they come, so everyone had something to wear (just not the full gear).

There were a few fish here and there, but the main thing you find there are HUNDREDS of sea urchins. They were everywhere. From small to extremely HUGE. Some of the biggest I have seen.

I was swimming along and "thinking" that I was taking pictures of them, but once I got home discovered that I must have hit the wrong button and was actually video recording. Sigh. This won't be the first time I have done this and I'm sure it won't be the last. So you have a full 7 minute video of me swimming in the water and the camera going back and forth and then a still moment while it's looking at something then back to what appears to be a struggle in the water. (No, I wasn't struggling, but when you watch someone swimming with a video rolling in their hand you wonder if they are drowning).

The few pictures that I did manage to get turned out completely crappy. Of course I had also forgot to put it on underwater mode as well. Total failure.

One other thing I noticed once I got home and was looking at the pictures, I must have had it on my "Magic-Miniature" setting (which gives you the tilt shift look and blurs the edges of the picture automatically) during this time too. So, not the great pictures you are use to from me while snorkeling.

I decided I wanted to climb up on the rocks and go exploring. I got out on the beach and started my journey while taking some pictures of the kids still snorkeling.

Kendra posing like always:

Kolin decided that he would join me with the rock climbing adventure. Then Kendra and Courtney followed suit. Although Kolin decided to take the hard way up.

The kids all had water shoes on and I let Courtney wear my water shoes since she didn't have any.

Kendra was trying to save a fish caught in the little pool of water during a big splash of waves. She never did get it.

We made it to the big hole area that Kayrsa had told me about. It was beautiful. Kolin kept talking about jumping in, but I told him it was too dangerous with the water splashing against the rocks and of course everyone knows that looks are deceiving in the ocean and it's very hard to tell just how far down the rocks really are from the surface.

I loved this picture with the water crashing over the rocks. It managed to knock a few birds off the rocks with that one.

Did this use to be a pier or something (Kayrsa???). I would be interested in knowing the history of what they used this for since there were tons of rectangle stones there. It had to be used for something once.

Kolin and Courtney climbed over to the other side for a picture opportunity.

Another one of my favorites. I now have this as my background on my computer. hehe

The birds came back.

A boat had came in while we were gone.

Then soon a "party??" boat came in. They pulled up, anchored in the water and about 10 people piled out of the boat. Along came a guy from the boat with a floating "beer" holder. They didn't stay long. I'm guessing maybe 30 minutes or so. It was just weird that they pulled up, jumped out with their floating beer holder, then left. Ok, maybe they needed to cool down and couldn't wait to get back on the boat to finish their drink? LOL

As you can see, there's a big plane coming in. It had a pretty good view of the planes coming in from there too.

I was kinda upset when I seen what plane it was. It was the BIG BOY OF ALL BIG BOYS. We had missed it coming in. It was only about 11am at that point. I had planned on being over to Maho by noon since that's usually when the big planes come in. Darnit. I had missed this one.

Kendra decided she was hungry and went and got some fries. She just had a baby 3 months ago, so she said she was using her post-pregnancy belly as a table. LOL