Got to Getaway - Family Edition

[crusinmama06]

I finally have some time to collect my thoughts about the whirlwind that has been this past week. My 13 year old and I were guests onboard the 2 night CTN out of NYC that began on January 27th.

 

Since it would be Super Bowl week, we decided to come in a day early and spend the night in Times Square at the Crowne Plaza. We asked for "Times Square View" - we should have asked for ear plugs as the walls are paper thin. We could hear everything happening in the hallway. It is a very nice hotel - from the outside. Location is great. Parking is expensive (of course) - exactly what I expected ($50/night) but we got a package deal where parking was included. Someone had written in permanent marker against the wall of the bathroom and they simply hung a picture to cover it - we could see the exclamation points sticking out from behind the frame - odd.

 

But the view and location is what we were paying for. And we got EXACTLY what we wanted!

 

There is no one happier than a teen shopping in Times Square! For one day I was the WORLDS COOLEST MOM! ;)

 

 

[crusinmama06]

We woke up, got dressed and started to make our way to the terminal. Yes, the 1.2 miles became a heart stopping 30 minutes. But there she was. I know everyone debates which ship is more beautiful - Getaway or Breakaway - I love them both.

 

 

Since this was a special sailing and there were no passengers to debark that day - we were able to zip through check in very quickly.

 

Welcome to Getaway!

 

Edited February 3, 2014 by crusinmama06

[crusinmama06]

Since I was no stranger to Breakaway - I already felt right at home on Getaway. It was only 11am and we were already heading to our cabin for this sailing - OV 5808

 

Norwegian has this wonderful trick of looking at the carpet for the "swimming fish swim to the front of the ship" - our cabin was aft - so no matter where we went - I knew to swim against the fish to get back to the cabin.

 

As a family, we always book balconies and above - but for this winter sailing, we were perfectly happy with our OV. The cabin came with a refrigerator too! Nice touch.

 

 

 

 

 

[3DBeach]

I love your reviews...can't wait to read more. Thank you for posting :)

[crusinmama06]

Awwww thanks 3D beach!

 

Bags dropped off and time to head off to meet our favorite crew members. I know you all have favorite Captains, Concierge, Hotel Directors - I adore the Splash Academy Crew and Entourage Crew :) They are the ones that can make or break a cruise for my girls. For this short cruise - my teen was going to spend most of her time with me. But we still wanted to check in.

 

For this sailing we would be joined by 18 other kids under the ages of 18. Yep - that's the lowest number we have ever encountered. We knew that because this again is a special sailing. I chose to bring my teen instead of my husband. We were allowed to bring one guest - she was my +1

 

My dear hubby was home with my youngest who was more upset at being at home than her dad. I promised her that there would be more cruises in her future. And of course - bought the biggest penguin I could find at Toys R Us Times Square. ;)

 

Splash Academy and Entourage is very similar to Breakaway. I will upload the pages for all of you heading out of Miami. The crew working there is an amazing and energetic bunch that I had the privilege to talk to at length over the course of the cruise because there weren't kids in the clubs at the time. Some of you will recognize them from Epic. Some have worked on Pearl. But they are the best of the best.

 

Entourage Teen Club:

 

 

 

Edited February 3, 2014 by crusinmama06

[MrsNancyG]

Lovin it Michele! Keep goin!

[crusinmama06]

Down from Entourage we decided to check out the spa since I knew that I wouldn't be spending any time in it on this cruise. On Breakaway, I spent a good deal of time watching the world go by while laying in a heated tile lounger. This time - with a teen - I knew that the adult only venue would be out of my reach. So we decided to run in for a quick look around. Basically some drooling. Yes it IS possible to drool over a heated tile lounger. And those comfy padded chaise loungers! And the lemon ice water. And the salt room that makes the skin on your face as soft as a baby's butt! Oh yes - it IS possible to drool over a spa!

 

Yes - they are as comfy as they look.

 

 

Heated tile! Heated I tell you.

 

 

Press a button - instant massage - ahhhhh

 

 

The salt room makes skin magically soft. How it works - I don't know - but it does.

 

[IslandWineGal]

Nice review! Going on the Getaway next week out of Miami with my husband & & yr old daughter. Thinking of getting the spa passes for the week. It looks really nice! Looking forward to reading more.

Thanks again for the review!

Michele

[SissasMomE]

How does the salt room work? Do you just sit there for a certain period of time?

[Livabeth]

Awwww thanks 3D beach!

 

Bags dropped off and time to head off to meet our favorite crew members. I know you all have favorite Captains, Concierge, Hotel Directors - I adore the Splash Academy Crew and Entourage Crew :) They are the ones that can make or break a cruise for my girls. For this short cruise - my teen was going to spend most of her time with me. But we still wanted to check in.

 

For this sailing we would be joined by 18 other kids under the ages of 18. Yep - that's the lowest number we have ever encountered. We knew that because this again is a special sailing. I chose to bring my teen instead of my husband. We were allowed to bring one guest - she was my +1

 

My dear hubby was home with my youngest who was more upset at being at home than her dad. I promised her that there would be more cruises in her future. And of course - bought the biggest penguin I could find at Toys R Us Times Square. ;)

 

Splash Academy and Entourage is very similar to Breakaway. I will upload the pages for all of you heading out of Miami. The crew working there is an amazing and energetic bunch that I had the privilege to talk to at length over the course of the cruise because there weren't kids in the clubs at the time. Some of you will recognize them from Epic. Some have worked on Pearl. But they are the best of the best.

 

Entourage Teen Club:

 

 

 

 

We loved the kids and teen crew on the Epic as well .. my girls had the best time. Which of the crew members are now on the Getaway?? I hope the great crew will still be on board when we sail on the Getaway next February!! On the Epic, the kids/teen crew included Teddy Bear, Pumba and Marco .. they loved all three of them!!

[crusinmama06]

The "salt room" - we have no idea how it works but just minutes later you can feel that your skin is softer. Just don't touch your eyes.

 

The kids crew members that we ran into from other ships - Pumba, Rhino and Titan.

 

After the spa - it was time to check out the pool deck - the air was cold but the pools were hot, hot, hot! My daughter was half tempted to go swimming on this sailing but with the air temp at 20 degrees - she knew she would be a frozen Popsicle when she got out.

 

And just a heads up - as with all Norwegian ships no diapers or non potty trained tots in the pools or Spongebob splash area

 

 

 

 

 

The slides

 

 

Edited February 5, 2014 by crusinmama06

[crusinmama06]

It's not even noon yet on our first day - time for our first meal of the cruise. We had been invited to do a lunch at Savor but our friends weren't onboard yet. We were way ahead of schedule. So we are off to Garden Cafe for what has to be the best buffet at sea - where we may or may not have had our first of many pretzel rolls. And my teen may or may not have had her first of many ice creams.

 

[gelo7]

Great start, keep it coming.

[OpalCruising45]

Hi there CruiseMama!

I am cruising with my daughter and noticed you are a veteran!

Can you please give me advice?

Mainly, I'm looking to meet other Moms traveling with their kids alone?

Any ideas???

 

Thanks!

Opal

[jdvmd]

Awesome review!

[staceyeileen]

Yay! I'm so glad to see you got to sail Getaway. Looking forward to the rest of your review.

[crusinmama06]

Gelo and jd - thank you so much!

 

Opal - the CC roll call is your best bet. Of course, cruising during times when there are traditionally more children will increase your odds of meeting other moms. I have made life long friends on the roll calls.

 

After lunch we decided to explore the ship. We wandered up to the ropes course and talked to the staff up there about height requirement (above 48" - you can go on the ropes up top, under 48", you can accompany your child on the smaller course that's under the ropes course)

 

And yes - this ship has the rock wall, the spider web, the trampoline, mini golf and bowling! So many choices!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[crusinmama06]

My teen wanted to check out the Haven (yes she can dream) - so our next stop

 

 

 

And a stop to look at our favorite bathroom - a Haven Owner Suite

 

 

Yeah now that's living :D I have told the story a few times about how I probably owe the good people of Bermuda an apology since our Gem bathroom looked like this with the glass wall. So to the people of Bermuda - I apologize.

[crusinmama06]

After the Haven we stopped by Carlo's Bakery. After ooohing and aaaahing we settle on a Reese's peanut butter cupcake (bottom row).

 

Buddy Valastro (Aka Cake Boss and Bakery Boss) is joining us on this sailing.

 

Edited February 8, 2014 by crusinmama06

[bambione]

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

[meggie711]

I always enjoy your posts! Great review.. we won't be on Getaway until May 2015, but the planning has officially begun! :)

[cruitenn]

Thanks for sharing. Was this 2 night CTN open to the public or by invitation only?

[johnql]

Great pics and fun review. Looking forward to more.

 

Out of curiosity, was the Haven just open to everybody to tour? Ditto the spa. Normally, I didn't think anyone other than Haven passengers could explore that area. And in the spa, did someone escort you through for a quick tour or were you allowed in to explore by yourselves?

[lacrossemitch]

Great review! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the ship!

[scrappingtwinmom]

Do you know the spa age limits? I know it's no kids but at what age can a teen go? 14? 16? 18?

 

Thanks in advance!