Just off Getaway's 1st Western Caribbean 7 night Itinerary

[Cruzinbabe06]

Thank you for taking the time to write this review! :)

 

Hope you're feeling better.

[escentialssoycandles]

My review on the ports will be brief but I will be uploading all of the pics later tonight.

 

Great Stirrup Cay - we had to miss because it was really windy and seas were rough. We docked in Nassau instead. Since I have been there 10 times already, we just walked around for an hour, bought some Rum and went back on board the ship.

 

Ocho Rios - I had a private tour booked with Courtney Taylor tours to Blue Hole and River Tubing. We also stopped for lunch and shopping. BEST Jerk Pork I have ever had at Scotchies! This was my second time in Jamaica and on a private tour and I must say that this was one of the best experiences I had on any of my trips. They were a very professional and accommodating company. Blue Hole was crazy fun - you basically climb up to 4 waterfall areas and jump off. One was too high for me, but I had a waterproof camera so I went into the lagoon area and filmed and photographed the people in my group. We then went River Tubing, equally as fun! The entire excursion was from 8:30 to 3 and extremely affordable. I would not hesitate to book with them.

 

Georgetown Grand Cayman - I have also been there 3 times previously so this time I wanted to do something other than Stingray City which I am glad I booked other options as the sandbar was closed that day. We booked the Taste of Cayman excursion through NCL (booking privately you need at least 6 people). We visited the following:

Cayman Spirits Distillery

Cayman Islands Brewery

Tortuga Rum Cake Shop

It was a lot of fun and a lot of drinking - worth the $18

 

Cozumel - Also having been there twice previously we booked Nachi Cocum all inclusive beach resort. For $55 you get access to a gorgeous private beach as well as all you can drink and a 4 course meal. We also booked a couples massage on the beach which was phenomenal. I think it was $75 for both of us for a 30 minute massage.

Previously we booked Passion Island which we loved and before that we went to Chankanaab Park on our own. I recommend all of these options.

[TSUmom]

Sorry you missed GSC. We are hoping we make it this time, especially since we booked a cabana. We have been unlucky in the past....

 

Glad you enjoyed Nachi, we have been twice and loved it. We decided on the Bar Hop this time:eek:

 

I am looking forward to your review and pictures and glad you are feeling better. A ear and sinus infections are miserable.

[escentialssoycandles]

I will start off by saying that I had all sorts of plans for my evenings on the ship pre-booked and in order. Once we got on and met with our cruise critic friends plus the endless drinking, I was in bed most nights by 10.

Once I post the Freestyle Dailies you will see that there are so many entertainment options. I will be taking advantage of more my next sailing.

 

Illusionarium - We had this booked for night 1 - but when we arrived at our cabin after dinner around 7 we realized only my suitcase had been delivered. We had to go to a holding room and my other half's suitcase was sitting there tagless. (The tag got soaked when transferred off the shuttle and apparently fell off) - so we missed it and after having 6 drinks in the span of a few hours I went to sleep.

Take 2 - we got up early and knowing we were docking in Nassau and would not be in a rush to get off the ship, we went to Deck 6 to the Box Office and changed our reservation for that evening. I eat early so we ate at the Tropicana at 5:30 and did not eat at Illusionarium. The show was a lot of fun and worth the upcharge. Menu was Filet, Grilled Shrimp, Steak Fries and Brocolli. We did have dessert trio (flan, flourless chocolate cake and red velvet cupcake). I only ate the flan. The drink to have is the Sparkling Garden which is amazingly refreshing and different. (You can also get this at MIXX bar)

 

We did the 80's Party at Spice H20 - I think that was also on night 2. That was a ton of fun. We made it back to our cabin at 2 am.

 

Other than that we only did a couple of musical trivia contests at Sugarcane Bar and hung out with our new Cruise Critic Friends.

 

The ship was full of families and the kids looked like they were plenty occupied with the water slides, games and movies.

 

Ultimately there is so much to do I think you need to sail Getaway at least 3 times to do it all.

[escentialssoycandles]

This is where the cruise really took it to the next level for me. I have never encountered such a friendly staff on any other cruise that I have on this sailing. Everyone greeted us in the halls, in the dining area and seemed really happy to be on the ship.

 

Having a gluten allergy, on embarkation day the Maitre D y met with me to go over all of my options. They seemed very concerned and were very helpful in easing my worries about food options. No breakouts or bloating on this cruise!

 

Our cabin steward Efrain was quiet but very nice and always on top of it. Our ice bucket was always full and anything I needed I would leave him a note and he would take care of. These people work really hard and I tipped him extra at the end of the cruise.

 

At the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet everyone was really great. There were about 10 officers there and everyone was very friendly. Armen, the cruise director was really a dynamic personality throughout the cruise. Robbie - the ports of call shopping director was also a ton of fun to talk to.

 

I think that NCL pays attention and values the opinions of the Cruise Critic members and they went out of their way to accommodate us. Maggie is the Hotel Directors Assistant and was phenomenal. We met her on day 2 and she had escorted us to Illusionarium which was a nice gesture.

 

When I started feeling badly on Day 3 she called to see where I could get meds and called to check on me later that night.

 

The whole atmosphere on the ship was that of sunshine and rainbows even through rough weather and rocky seas. Everyone was smiling and you felt at home. This sealed the deal for my second sailing on her next year.

[escentialssoycandles]

I absolutely loved our cabin and booked on deck 8 again for our next cruise. We spent most of our time on the Waterfront and were just a couple decks to the MDR's and 1 deck from O'Sheehans.

 

We had a Balcony Cabin 8738 Starboard Side- loved the bed by the balcony and our balcony was huge! Storage was more than ample although I already see the closet access difficult with the bunks down for the next cruise. The shower was small but perfect with its obscured glass doors.

 

I was concerned about movement that far forward but with my patch, I only felt a little off a couple of times during rough seas.

[erocrobro]

What category was your room. The balcony looks huge. We will be in an angled balcony in May, will it be that large?

[mafig]

Sorry if I missed whether you had a beverage pkg or not.

[Seany527]

Any chance you could post the dailies that summarizes the entire week? That would be great. Thanks:)

[familycruzer]

8738 on my deck plans is not slanted. I guess a picture is worth more than the plans.

 

Glad you had a great time. I am on the Getaway next year and loved the Breakaway last year.

 

A previous poster said that NCL did not help at all with her gluten free diet and I was worried about my diabetic diet. So happy to hear they worked with you. It will be my first cruise since being diagnosed

[nyscilla]

Following. I sail February 21, 2016 :o

[S.S.Oceanlover]

cruising Feb 7th.:)

 

Bill

[escentialssoycandles]

What category was your room. The balcony looks huge. We will be in an angled balcony in May, will it be that large?

 

Only the balconies on Deck 8 are that big. 8739 is a BD Balcony and mislabeled on the deck plans as far as angled.

 

Which cabin are you in? Angled on all decks are a good size, but not like hte Mini Suites on 8 or 9.

[escentialssoycandles]

8738 on my deck plans is not slanted. I guess a picture is worth more than the plans.

 

Glad you had a great time. I am on the Getaway next year and loved the Breakaway last year.

 

A previous poster said that NCL did not help at all with her gluten free diet and I was worried about my diabetic diet. So happy to hear they worked with you. It will be my first cruise since being diagnosed

 

The deck plans are mislabeled for the cabin on 8738 and its mirror on the port side.

 

Attached are the forms that need to be filled out for special needs. They handled everything well. I also had injectables I needed to take on and they never gave me an issue.

 

There were many desserts with no sugar added and lots of option, do not worry!

NCL Guest Letter and Special Request Information.pdf

[escentialssoycandles]

Sorry if I missed whether you had a beverage pkg or not.

 

Yes I did have the beverage package. Had I not taken that, I would have done Specialty Dining and paid for my drinks on my own. Drinks are not as pricey as they are on Royal. If the perk were not offered, it would not deter me from drinking my 3-4 drinks a day.

[erocrobro]

We are in 13290. The deck plans show it as being angled, I hope they are correct.

[akbrown1972]

Hey everyone. ..anybody have any information about the Vibe? Is it worth the extra £80 for the week?

[familycruzer]

I did Vibe on Breakaway and thought it was worth the money. Quiet area and comfortable loungers. Downfall is fighting the mad rush to get to the desk to buy a pass for the week.

[Vacationdreamer<><]

please don't repeat the stuff about flamingo grill, or it'll end up with a cover charge. :)

 

 

lol

[familycruzer]

Thank you OP.. I switched my Getaway aft cabin to 8138 and saved $420! I can put that towards my 14 nighter on Breakaway I want to take in January 2018. Balcony size is important for us, it's where we spend 90% of our on board time.

[escentialssoycandles]

Thank you OP.. I switched my Getaway aft cabin to 8138 and saved $420! I can put that towards my 14 nighter on Breakaway I want to take in January 2018. Balcony size is important for us, it's where we spend 90% of our on board time.

 

Awesome, you are going to love the location and the size of the balcony!

[familycruzer]

Did the waterfront below bother you at all? Pictures make it look like you are above it.

That was my only concern but I love the idea of saving money.

[MandyMommyof2]

I can't wait to hear more! We love the Getaway!! Just like you, as soon as we came home from our first time on her, we rebooked for next summer. Same cabin and all!! :D The staff was exceptional to us too!! I wanted to book a cruise through Thanksgiving, you may have very well persuaded me ;) We ate so much while we were on the ship! Some people bar hop....well we restaurant hop :rolleyes::cool: I do agree with you on the desserts! Other than the crepes (I ate 1 or more everyday) I didn't find anything that satisfied my sweet tooth. Hope you are feeling better!!!

[shamrock1972]

Do you have any of the menus from your trip? We leave next Sunday!

[jamkam97]

Following, we leave to sail in 53 days woot woot!! Loving your report so far!