Getaway Photo Review - Food Focus - Specialty Dining - Chef's Table - Viva Vino

[SAILPRO]

 

Excellent Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine (free)...

 

Handy wine dispenser that keeps wine fresh (chargeable)...

 

Bar open for purchases from 5pm...

 

Great reviews & photos, can't wait to see more!

 

Beautiful photos, what type of camera do you use?

[KeithJenner]

Im so glad your posting the menu's so that we can choose the nights we want to go to the specialty restaurants, thank you, hopefully you have most of them for the week.

 

 

The same menus aren't necessarily used on the same days from cruise to cruise.

[megacruiser]

Looks like its going to be another busy night. Got to go to the supermarket then eat. :) Then I'll spend the rest of the night posting photos and hopefully getting more written. Here is the Day 2 Daily to be going on with...

 

 

 

 

 

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

 

 

[cruiselife4me]

Fantastic Review! Why...oh Why...would they take out the ambient lighting in the studio rooms??? Makes NO sense.

Mary

[mikeg105]

Following ... great review! Thanks for all your work.

 

One question regarding embarkation - you mentioned that you got to the port around 10am and there were already about 40 people ahead of you; at what time did the check-in/security actually start and at what time were you allowed on-board?

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started with a really delicious fresh fruit salad that was very fresh and well chilled with a good variety of fruit. Much better than the same dish on another cruise line I was on this month. :) In fact I think Breakfast is an NCL strong point. Many more options and more specials; I believe I experienced three different menus before they were repeated.

 

 

Fresh Fruit Salad...

 

 

Followed by the main event, a Daily Special, Bacon Waffles and Poached Eggs... A kind of variation of Eggs Benedict. I ordered it for the novelty factor. The eggs were nicely cooked; tasty runny yolks and, importantly, warm. The waffles were a bit spongy but they soaked up the yolks. The bacon was just a springkling of bacon bits – added a little flavour, but not much substance. Glad I tried it once and wouldn't totally rule it out in future.

 

Bacon Waffles and Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce (plus link sausages)...

[megacruiser]

I then headed up to Vibe Beach Club. It was empty, so I could choose my spot.

 

Deserted...

 

 

Turned left before the hot tubs and at the far end behind the private cabanas, are two smaller cabanas for general us.

 

 

Spot the two mini cabanas at the end of the row of deckchairs...

 

I grabbed the second one from the end as it has a slightly better view of the sea. I loved this spot, very comfortable, quiet and relaxing with shade that I needed...

 

 

My own little private technology pod...

[Marine1986]

Loving your review! Thanks for all the hard work. I had to go back and read a couple of your other reviews while waiting for the next installment here. Your level of detail is perfect. Really nice pictures. You do a great job pointing out what isn't just right without coming across as a super fan where nothing can be wrong, or as a reviewer who can never be pleased. Thanks again!

 

S/F

Scott and June

[LauraS]

I wanted to check-in early to avail myself of one of the Vibe Beach Club passes that are limited in numbers and sold on a first-come first-served basis. My plan was to be at the pier for 9.30am but there was a delay waiting for a taxi, so it was just before 10am. The taxi showed $14 on the meter and took 10-15 minutes. Getaway uses two terminals so be aware you need to go to the correct one. Mine was Terminal C, presumably because my cabin was in the forward part of the ship. There were already 30 or 40 passengers waiting for security to open prior to checking in.

 

 

 

 

My Boarding Group was number 5 but I think the groups are quite small, so I was aboard very shortly after the boarding process started. First stop was reception for the Vibe Beach Club pass. It costs $79 per person or $299 for a large private cabana for two, of which there are only five and that price includes $100 in onboard credit; so in effect only $20 per person more. They are an absolute bargain and I recommend couples snap one up if they get to reception quickly enough.

 

Next on the list was a visit to Le Bistro where I was able to book the Chef’s Table. It only takes place once and is normally limited to the first 12 passengers and usually sells out on the first day. It is $99 and, as it transpired, probably the biggest bargain I have ever had on a cruise.

 

Then a visit to the Booking Office to check availability for the Illusionarium for the first night, second show, which was showing as full before I came away. They were able to book me in and there is a 20% discount on the first night only. For those who take the Ultimate Dining Package, the Illusionarium is free on the first night. I decided against the UDP on this trip for two main reasons. I planned to dine at Ocean Blue once or twice and it is not included and similarly the Chef’s Table. So it would be less expensive for me to just pay as I went along.

 

 

I just started reading this review (I adore reviews w/ pictures!!) Did anyone else notice our banner in the pic?

 

Laura

[megacruiser]

Almost forgot, chilled fruit skewers are brought directly to all those in Vibe from time to time...

[Mirrasi]

Yay, so excited for the food porn! This is the first Ive seen of the breakfast menus too. Thanks for that.

[megacruiser]

Late morning I took a stroll around the open decks. Lots of deckchairs up top away from the main pool...

 

Busier as you approach the main pool...

 

The main pool area feels small and rather enclosed compared to the Epic...

 

 

Pool rules...

[megacruiser]

Distant view of slides taken later in day...

 

The water slides were in full swing but the queues didn’t seem unduly lengthy...

 

Slides and kids pool area...

 

Kids Splash Pool area...

[megacruiser]

Rock Climbing Wall adjacent to Ropes Course...

 

 

Ropes Course Rules...

 

[megacruiser]

 

 

]

 

Trampoline/bungee below Ropes Course...

 

There is a crazy golf course underneath the Ropes and in the middle of it is a large replica wooden boat with bowls inside...

 

[Deb and Jack]

Megacruiser, regarding the solo week at a glance handout, did it seem standard? Do you think I would be safe making reservations accordingly? I loved doing stuff in the evenings with the solo group on the Epic. Loving your review, May can't get here fast enough. Debbie

 

 

 

Sent from my KFJWI using Forums mobile app

[trogmd]

Hi Megacruiser,

 

Following your brilliant review.

 

Hope you had a fantastic holiday,

 

Mark.

[megacruiser]

Aft is Spice H2O for adults. It has a large screen, a bar, lots of deck chairs and two hot tubs. It's smaller than the one on the Epic which is tiered over two levels and also has a reasonably sized pool.

 

 

 

 

 

[Mynameisjake004]

I am definitely following! I'm booked for July 4th this summer on the Getaway, and I am flipping out. These pictures and reviews are only making me more excited. Thanks for doing such an amazing job!

[megacruiser]

Bar...

 

Exit Passageway...

[Freespir8]

Thanks so much megacruiser for your input. Really appreciate it.

[megacruiser]

Sorry I hoped to make more progress but got engrossed finding and editing photos that took rather a long time. I did promise to post the new Viva Vino Wine Packages list today, so I’ll post it now before I hit the sack. Feel free to discuss with each other. I will give my two-pennies-worth at a later time.

 

 

This is the badly Xeroxed list they were distributing...

 

I have transcribed it for easier reading...

 

Good night...

[KeithJenner]

The revised Viva Vino list is good and bad news for us. Finally there is a Rioja on the lower levels (I'm not sure there was even one in the Connoisseur package when I last purchased). That's great news for me.

 

My wife, who likes a Pinot Grigio won't be so pleased.

[sweetiekk]

Following ! Thanks!