Caribbean cruise NCL Norwegian Getaway review

[eastnorri]

May 2015 we took a 7 day Caribbean cruise aboard the NCL Norwegian Getaway. We flew from Philadelphia to Miami the day of the cruise on Saturday at 7am, the pilot did not show up, the flight was delayed two hours, luckily the airline US Airways got an alternate pilot and we got to the port with time to spare. We took a bus transfer through NCL for $15 per person one-way, and arrived at the port of Miami at around 1pm. We normally arrive early. I never saw so much luggage in my life. And the check in line was very long but moved very fast. The check-in process was very fast and easy due to online check-in. We left our bags with the porters outside and tipped them $3 per bag. Got on the ship, had lunch at the buffet, hung out on the lido deck for the sail away…needless to say we were hi fiving each other because if we had missed the ship….well you get it….lesson learned.

Our cabin was inside on a quiet hallway and there were never any issues with noise. Our cabin was hard to find because it was an inside cabin and the hallway is in the center of the ship so you need to read the ship map well. The cabin was very clean, very small, had a safe, a hair dryer, a fridge, lots of storage, you have to ask for bathrobes, a small overhead flat screen TV, and every night towel animals. The only issue was square footage which I believe is a money issue, if we had spent more we would have gotten more. My GF and I are still in love so no complaints here…we like it cozy…wink.

Food quality and selection at the buffet was excellent. We thought the main dining room had food that was hit or miss, sometimes good and sometimes not good/mediocre always with great service though. We ate in the Tropicana dining room every night, they usually have live music which can get loud. Do they make the food poor in the complimentary dining rooms so you will go to the specialty restaurants? If they do, we can’t, we are on a budget.

Entertainment was excellent. We saw Burn the Floor a ballroom/Latin dance and music show, Legally Blonde the musical, comedians, live music, various activities on sea days, rock climbing wall, ropes course, swimming, various games shows, all were great. Too much cigarette smoke for me to go into the casino. There is a very high staircase/foyer in the middle of the casino and some cigarette smoke drifts to other locations but it was not too bad. I wish all ships were smoke free but may not happen.

Ports (Tortola, St Thomas, and Nassau) were great.

At Tortola, we went snorkeling on a NCL excursion. They pick you up at the dock and take you to two spots, one reef and one beach. I highly recommend this, we loved it, the provider was top notch as well as the spots they picked. It was called Norman Island snorkel for $79 per person.

At St. Thomas, I went scuba diving with a great outfit called underwater safaris they are great and top notch, but pricey but worth it. My GF went shopping at the stores and the outdoor market via small bus for a few bucks. We met at the ship at noon, had lunch on the ship, then got off the ship again and took the gondola which is fun, at the top is shopping and food/restaurant/bar/great views well worth the $20. And you can walk from the ship port/dock.

At Nassau, we took a combo bus tour to a tiny fort and outdoor market, a narrated harbor boat tour, and a narrated glass bottom boat tour all three for one price $69. We loved it. It is not great but fun and easy.

Disembarkation off the Getaway was very easy with no problems, we did self-assist and were some of the first ones off the ship. FYI you have to fill out a form for anything you declare/bought while on the cruise.

Would be happy to answer any questions

Overall our cruise was great, crew was great, food was ok, and ship is HUGE!

[fshagan]

Thanks for the great review!

 

Having the NCL transfers was probably reassuring as the time was passing by! We try to fly in the day before sailing; it means an extra expense for a hotel room but I have much less stress about missing the boat!

 

We find the MDR food hit or miss also, but overall pretty good for "food for the masses". We expect a lot more from the extra charge specialty restaurants and, to be honest, have been disappointed by them more than the main dining rooms! It is all about expectations with us I guess.

[JeanneInFL]

Thank you for your review! We will be sailing on the Getaway a week from tomorrow; so excited!

 

Can I ask what time you were able to leave the ship? Our daughter will be flying out of Ft Lauderdale and I am questioning my choice of flight times.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeanne

[eastnorri]

Hello Jeanne, We did self-assist and walked off the ship at 8:30am with no problem. It seemed like there were many people who started getting off sometime around 8am or earlier, I am not sure.

[bradleyk]

Glad to hear you liked the Tortola snorkeling excursion to Norman island. We are planning on doing the same thing

[JeanneInFL]

Hello Jeanne, We did self-assist and walked off the ship at 8:30am with no problem. It seemed like there were many people who started getting off sometime around 8am or earlier, I am not sure.

 

Thank you so much!!! I think my daughter will make her flight!

[Jaco5NC]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences! Sounds like you had a fantastic week...looking forward to our turn!

[mysandyfeet]

May 2015 we took a 7 day Caribbean cruise aboard the NCL Norwegian Getaway. We flew from Philadelphia to Miami the day of the cruise on Saturday at 7am, the pilot did not show up, the flight was delayed two hours, luckily the airline US Airways got an alternate pilot and we got to the port with time to spare. We took a bus transfer through NCL for $15 per person one-way, and arrived at the port of Miami at around 1pm. We normally arrive early. I never saw so much luggage in my life. And the check in line was very long but moved very fast. The check-in process was very fast and easy due to online check-in. We left our bags with the porters outside and tipped them $3 per bag. Got on the ship, had lunch at the buffet, hung out on the lido deck for the sail away…needless to say we were hi fiving each other because if we had missed the ship….well you get it….lesson learned.

Our cabin was inside on a quiet hallway and there were never any issues with noise. Our cabin was hard to find because it was an inside cabin and the hallway is in the center of the ship so you need to read the ship map well. The cabin was very clean, very small, had a safe, a hair dryer, a fridge, lots of storage, you have to ask for bathrobes, a small overhead flat screen TV, and every night towel animals. The only issue was square footage which I believe is a money issue, if we had spent more we would have gotten more. My GF and I are still in love so no complaints here…we like it cozy…wink.

Food quality and selection at the buffet was excellent. We thought the main dining room had food that was hit or miss, sometimes good and sometimes not good/mediocre always with great service though. We ate in the Tropicana dining room every night, they usually have live music which can get loud. Do they make the food poor in the complimentary dining rooms so you will go to the specialty restaurants? If they do, we can’t, we are on a budget.

Entertainment was excellent. We saw Burn the Floor a ballroom/Latin dance and music show, Legally Blonde the musical, comedians, live music, various activities on sea days, rock climbing wall, ropes course, swimming, various games shows, all were great. Too much cigarette smoke for me to go into the casino. There is a very high staircase/foyer in the middle of the casino and some cigarette smoke drifts to other locations but it was not too bad. I wish all ships were smoke free but may not happen.

Ports (Tortola, St Thomas, and Nassau) were great.

At Tortola, we went snorkeling on a NCL excursion. They pick you up at the dock and take you to two spots, one reef and one beach. I highly recommend this, we loved it, the provider was top notch as well as the spots they picked. It was called Norman Island snorkel for $79 per person.

At St. Thomas, I went scuba diving with a great outfit called underwater safaris they are great and top notch, but pricey but worth it. My GF went shopping at the stores and the outdoor market via small bus for a few bucks. We met at the ship at noon, had lunch on the ship, then got off the ship again and took the gondola which is fun, at the top is shopping and food/restaurant/bar/great views well worth the $20. And you can walk from the ship port/dock.

At Nassau, we took a combo bus tour to a tiny fort and outdoor market, a narrated harbor boat tour, and a narrated glass bottom boat tour all three for one price $69. We loved it. It is not great but fun and easy.

Disembarkation off the Getaway was very easy with no problems, we did self-assist and were some of the first ones off the ship. FYI you have to fill out a form for anything you declare/bought while on the cruise.

Would be happy to answer any questions

Overall our cruise was great, crew was great, food was ok, and ship is HUGE!

 

 

Glad you had a nice "Getaway"..

Can I ask what movies were playing onboard and if by some chance you know who the comedians are? We are leaving on Saturday and want to plan for them!

[wannab4Ecruiser]

At St. Thomas, I went scuba diving with a great outfit called underwater safaris they are great and top notch, but pricey but worth it. My GF went shopping at the stores and the outdoor market via small bus for a few bucks. We met at the ship at noon, had lunch on the ship, then got off the ship again and took the gondola which is fun, at the top is shopping and food/restaurant/bar/great views well worth the $20. And you can walk from the ship port/dock.

 

Is the gondola you mention Paradise Point? If so, did you do this on your own or book through the ship also? Thanks!

[Nola26]

Is the gondola you mention Paradise Point? If so, did you do this on your own or book through the ship also? Thanks!

 

I read another post that suggested buying the tickets onboard. Price same or lower and if you don't use you can get refund from ncl. Again not my experience, but what another poster shared.