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What are some of the must know things about the getaway?


irockadidas
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Maybe do a search for "everything getaway" or "breakaway". The ships are very similar and get pretty much the same pros/cons.

 

Pros - lots of things to do - ropes, entertainment, bars, etc.

 

Cons - pool area too crowded, atrium too crowded, smoke in atrium from casino. GA also doesn't have a roof in Haven like BA.

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It's gigantic. Almost too big. The pool deck doesn't have a lot of space. I spent most of my time in the adults only area in the back.

 

Getting reservations for even the free things must be done early, preferably before you board. If you don't get on it on the 1st day you can which I think is 90 days before you board, you will most likely get closed out. Having to make all these reservations then keep track of them really defeats freestyle.

 

There is a lot to do & multiple options.

 

Even with the bar package, they pour generously in all the bars. I had to ask the bartenders to make my drinks weaker. On the first day so many people were bombed. On the second day, the bars were emptier as the people who overdid it on the 1st day dealt with their raging hangovers.

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I've been on it twice. Unlike the previous poster, we didn't sign up for anything before the cruise and had no trouble getting into restaurants or events.

 

Some days we just walked up to the restaurant and were seated immediately; others we went an hour or two early and reserved a time. We do eat late though--8 or 9--so that may make a difference.

 

For Burn the Floor we just went about 15 minutes before and had no trouble finding fairly close seats for four. For Million Dollar Quartet we did sign up at the Box Office Kiosk, went 30 minutes early and got good seats.

 

We signed up for several things on the tv in our stateroom or the kiosks around the ship, but never very early. We did sign up for the Cirque Dreams show several days ahead of time because we were celebrating a birthday and the birthday girl wanted to do that. Since it is a smaller venue, wanted to be sure we all got in.

 

We rarely drink but my sisters thought the drinks were very mild, could hardly tell they were alcoholic.

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The atrium fills up fast for things like the newly not so newly wed game. You need to get there early. You can also watch from the balcony outside O'Sheehan's.

There were people available the first day to make/change dinner reservations. I also saw them in the atrium during the week but can't say what the availability for each restaurant was. The box office was also open the first day. Reservations for the comedy acts have to be made on board. The shows we attended always seemed to have space available for those without reservations.

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The Getaway is our favorite ship.

 

We recommend seeing Howl at the Moon. Each show is different.

 

We loved Million Dollar Quartet.

 

Have breakfast in O’Sheehans once for a change from the buffet or MDR. Lunch also!

 

Relax with a book on the Waterfront.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

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This ship got me back liking NCL again.

The shows are great it’s a real treat and feel like a night out.

The food in the 3 MDR was very good. Fun to switch dinning rooms as well.

 

I also suggest you make dinner and show reservation before leaving.

 

O’Sheehans is a great alternative place for breakfast and lunch and of course late snack if you go out late.

 

Small cons :

Atrium is to small and loud for all the stuff happening there.

To much smoke in casino.

Inside cabins are very tiny.

 

The Getaway is among my top 3 favorite ships.

 

Have fun

Sea ya

Eric

 

 

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Just off 2 weeks ago and really loved the cruise. We have done Allure, Oasis and Harmony previously with Royal C and didnt think anything could live up to them but Getaway did not disappoint. Million dollar Quartet is by far the best show I have seen. Do Not Miss! I am not sure how full our cruise was but it never seemed terribly crowded. So things not to miss:

1. Million Dollar Quartet - obviously

2. 80s and glow deck parties - so much fun

3. Howl the Moon was so much fun

4. Escape the big top (must reserve time at box office once on board) - not quite as good as Royal but still a LOT of fun.

5. Sitting at OSheehans and watching the dance classes and trivia below (MJ thriller was a hoot and then they did it at the glow party that night)

6. Eat in the Tropicana Dining Room (near stage) just another nice touch amenity to be able to dance or listen to music while dining.

7. Harvest Cay - if its on itinerary. I have read terrible reviews but hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very clean, employees very helpful and personable. Facilities top notch. We did enjoy a big breakfast on board Getaway so we didnt need food. We did get a clam shell for shade. PS: very scooter friendly - we had a disabled person who was able to partake and very much enjoyed being able to ride around and have fun.

So above was my must dos but there is so many little things like the "welcome back aboard" congo line in cozumel that just make you feel special before returning to the ship. If you look you can find so many "little things" that just make your cruise and you feel special.

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Just off 2 weeks ago and really loved the cruise. We have done Allure, Oasis and Harmony previously with Royal C and didnt think anything could live up to them but Getaway did not disappoint. Million dollar Quartet is by far the best show I have seen. Do Not Miss! I am not sure how full our cruise was but it never seemed terribly crowded. So things not to miss:

1. Million Dollar Quartet - obviously

2. 80s and glow deck parties - so much fun

3. Howl the Moon was so much fun

4. Escape the big top (must reserve time at box office once on board) - not quite as good as Royal but still a LOT of fun.

5. Sitting at OSheehans and watching the dance classes and trivia below (MJ thriller was a hoot and then they did it at the glow party that night)

6. Eat in the Tropicana Dining Room (near stage) just another nice touch amenity to be able to dance or listen to music while dining.

7. Harvest Cay - if its on itinerary. I have read terrible reviews but hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very clean, employees very helpful and personable. Facilities top notch. We did enjoy a big breakfast on board Getaway so we didnt need food. We did get a clam shell for shade. PS: very scooter friendly - we had a disabled person who was able to partake and very much enjoyed being able to ride around and have fun.

So above was my must dos but there is so many little things like the "welcome back aboard" congo line in cozumel that just make you feel special before returning to the ship. If you look you can find so many "little things" that just make your cruise and you feel special.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the great information!

 

 

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Wife and I booked for Next year but have never cruised NCL before. What are some of the best and worst things about the getaway? What are some things we have to try and what do we need to avoid?

 

 

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Must...

- watch Million Dollar Quartet

- attend the White Hot Party at H2O hosted by Cruise Director Andre

- take advantage of the waterfront. Walk around at night after a heavy meal. Not too crowded.

- if you are booked on a dining plan, book for seats by the waterfront at sunset.

 

Must Try

- Thermal Spa Pass

- Margaritaville. Although it's a la carte, they have big portions for a small fee. Two people can share one meal.

- If you drink, join the Mojito tasting session.

 

Avoid

- if you have no kids and want peace and quiet, avoid the pool deck and instead use the pool at the thermal spa.

- if you hate smoke, avoid the casino. You can walk around the ship through the waterfront to avoid casino smoke.

 

Have fun.

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Mostly the same as above, but I would add the following....

Unless you are in the Haven, having a room past the midship/forward elevators will cause you to walk, walk, walk, to get to anything that is accessible to you on the ship. The Haven almost cuts this giant ship in half. The first time we were at the mid/forward elevators and the second time we booked I made sure we were between that and the aft.

Avoid: Wine Lovers, the Musical. Awful on all accounts-especially the food. Literally 75% of every plate in the entire went back to the kitchen uneaten...the meat was truly inedible. Most of the wines sampled are only available by the bottle on board so even if you find one you like you’ll be out $40+ if you want to drink it again...or wait to buy it on land for about $18 per bottle.

Do: waterfront for quiet during the day. Sugarcane mojito bar for drinks especially if you have UBP. Also the Tropicana Room is my favorite MDR of any ship I’ve been on. Don’t miss the burn the floor show there around 6 of one evening of the cruise. Other nights a live band and singer make you feel like you’re at a wedding.

 

 

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Wife and I booked for Next year but have never cruised NCL before. What are some of the best and worst things about the getaway? What are some things we have to try and what do we need to avoid?

 

The GA is like any mega ship on any cruise line. Advance planning and bookings relieve the hassle once you are on board. We have sailed on NCL megaships 15 times (GA 3 times including her inaugural voyage out of Miami).

 

EXACTLY 90 days prior to your cruise, log on to your MyNCL account and book shows and any specialty restaurants.

 

Have at least one drink in every bar. Check out the different entertainment in each at night.

 

Pool decks are over rated. Lots and lots of loungers on the ship to enjoy the sun and sea.

 

Don’t feel obligated to spend money. We have done MANY cruises with no expenses other than our daily service charges.

 

Enjoy!

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Must...

 

- watch Million Dollar Quartet

 

- attend the White Hot Party at H2O hosted by Cruise Director Andre

 

- take advantage of the waterfront. Walk around at night after a heavy meal. Not too crowded.

 

- if you are booked on a dining plan, book for seats by the waterfront at sunset.

 

 

 

Must Try

 

- Thermal Spa Pass

 

- Margaritaville. Although it's a la carte, they have big portions for a small fee. Two people can share one meal.

 

- If you drink, join the Mojito tasting session.

 

 

 

Avoid

 

- if you have no kids and want peace and quiet, avoid the pool deck and instead use the pool at the thermal spa.

 

- if you hate smoke, avoid the casino. You can walk around the ship through the waterfront to avoid casino smoke.

 

 

 

Have fun.

 

 

 

Thanks for the tip on the thermal spa pass, think we are going to try that out.

 

 

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So Million Dollar Quartet is the big production show on Getaway? (like Rock of Ages on Breakaway?)

 

Is that the only entertainment we need to reserve in advance? Already got BtF in the theater although we saw them on Breakaway already--really liked it. Not doing any of the upcharge entertainment.

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Yes, Million Dollar Quartet is one of the 'free' production shows. Probably the best I have seen on a ship. We went last year two; several of the actors are the same, but there were some new ones too.

 

The guy who plays Jerry Lee Lewis is absolutely sensational--and never out of character for a second, even when he wasn't the one in the spotlight. The Carl Perkins actor is great too, as well as the person who played the narrator.

 

This is one show where it is great to get close to the stage; being able to see the actors expressions and the nuances of their performance really enhances the experience, so get there early and get a good seat.

 

The only show we paid for, as we were celebrating a birthday and the birthday person choose that show, was the Cirque Dreams show; it was good, especially the costumes and staging, but the acts were somewhat limited by the small venue.

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