Getaway 2BR Haven vs Star DOS experience?

[flexsmom]

Sorry in advance for the long set-up!

 

My family, including DD18 and DS14 will sail NCL for the first time next summer. We are currently booked on a 9-night Baltic on the Getaway. DH and I love the itinerary - the kids are good with it, too, as they are both interested in the WWII and Soviet-era history we'll get. But, they also know the trade-off is that it's not exactly a warm-summer type vacation. We did a British Isles cruise so they are expecting similar weather. We would have a Haven 2BR for this.

 

On the other hand, we could switch to a 7-night Greek Islands out of Venice on the Star, which would be hot, hot, hot and offer that "summertime" feel - and we'd all like to see Santorini and Mykonos, as well as Venice. I'm looking at the Deluxe Owners Suite for that, although for about the same price we could get two family suites next to each other.

 

We all love our port tours and the kids are good about there being a degree of "education" involved in our travels - as long as it's balanced with plenty of relaxing and fun ship time! The prices for the two options end up being about the same per night - the Star would be $10/day/pp more, and we'd have roughly the same free-at-sea benefits. We'd give up one night SPD for DH & me to make the change to the Star.

 

Here's my dilemma - I know that only we can answer the "preferred itinerary" question. But beyond that relative to the ships, everything I read raves about the Haven experience. We've cruised suites on other lines both with and without a dedicated "lounge" or area on the ship and thoroughly enjoyed them all. We've been on ships the size of the Star as well as larger ships closer to the Getaway. Is the Star experience without the Haven worth it? The Getaway likely has more kid-options (more pools, ropes course, etc). Also appears to have more and better specialty dining options. Both staterooms offer a second bedroom - although I suspect the kids wouldn't both sleep in the second small room of the DOS whereas they can on the 2BR Getaway due to the bunk.

 

Thoughts on Star vs Getaway suite experience in this scenario?

 

Thanks!

[SuiteTraveler]

There is a drastic difference between these two ships, of course. I guess your kids could not use the Getaway's water slides if it is cold out anyway and maybe/maybe not the ropes course (they close it due to wind). On the other hand, there is still bowling, the arcade, The Haven pool which is covered and the great kid's clubs on this ship - if they have time. Star is much smaller and there is no covered pool. You will have your breakfast and lunch in a specific restaurant onboard (Cagneys usually but sometimes Moderno - not sure on Star) but they don't have a private restaurant for dinner for suite guests like they do on Getaway. So, probably you will go to a specialty restaurant each night and you're going to have to book this ahead - which is not the end of the world. Shows on NCL Star will not be among NCL's best.

 

I think that being within the special enclave of The Haven really matters in terms of how the cruise feels overall. It makes the cruise much more special. Also, you have the lounge/bar and restaurant on Getaway plus the pool and hot tubs in the Haven which have a glass roof so you can still swim even if it is cold out. All of this is literally located down the hall from your suite - which is GREAT! I will say on the Jewel class ships, The Haven feels even more special because it is so small, although, again, there is no dining room for suite guests on those ships. But on those ships, when you walk in the Haven, you are struck by how very few cabins there are in there and how exclusive it feels. On Getaway, it still feels exclusive, but The Haven is at least 2.5 times as large.

 

On a European itinerary, I don't really care about going to shows - usually I'm too tired after touring all day. The shows on Getaway are:

Burn the Floor

Illusionarium (up close magic show with a storyline)

Legally Blonde

Wine Lovers the Musical (one afternoon on a sea day)

 

One advantage of Getaway is the fantastic spa thermal suite - which is where I spend as much time as possible.

 

The Star was refurbished in 2015 and they added new restaurants, bars and really improved all the public areas a lot. Many of the suites were improved as well.

 

Getaway just has so many more features than Star, both in and outside of The Haven experience.

 

On either ship, in your suite you will get:

VIP check in (usually a ViP lounge at the port)

Personal escort onboard

Welcome aboard flowers

Welcome aboard sparking wine

Coffee and tea maker in the suite

Butler Service and free room service from all included restaurants

Concierge Service

nicer toiletries

Glasses and plates and cutlery in your suite

Daily hors d'ouerves delivered to your stateroom (I give the butler a standing order to deliver with these)

Significantly nicer bathroom

bathrobes and slippers (2)

Pillow menu (from butler)

DOS will come with 2- 3 free bottles of alcohol of your choosing and every thing in the mini bar is included - not true of the 2 bedroom suite on Getaway.

2 bedroom on Getaway has 2 DVD players - one in living room and one in MBR and 4 tv's there is one over the tub in the master bathroom - not sure about the DOS on Star. You might watch the video of this suite on Youtube to find out.

priority seating at shows

Early Self Disembarkation (via the concierge)

 

ON Getaway you also get:

Access to:

The Haven bar and lounge

The Haven pool and hot tubs

The Haven sun deck

The Haven restaurant

The Haven steamroom and sauna (much smaller than in the Spa)

There is an outdoor area adjacent to The Haven Pool where you can eat breakfast or lunch as well.

 

Haven vs Non-Haven Experiences: I've sailed in Europe on the Jade in an Owner's Suite which is outside of The Haven and I also sailed on the Jade in a Villa within The Haven. What I found was that we didn't use the Haven at all when we were in the Owner's Suite outside of The Haven. For us it was almost like it didn't exist. We still used Cagney's for breakfast daily unless we had such an early excursion that Cagney's was not open, in which case we ordered room service breakfast and lunch on sea days. We still enjoyed the Owner's Suite. We went to specialty restaurants every night. But then we sailed on Epic, Getaway and Breakaway, where we had the Haven dining room and it turns out, that I think I would miss having that option for dinner at night as it tends to be a quiet place for a nice dinner - so far from the crowds on the ship and then when you want to go out, there are all the restaurants onboard. BUT, in Europe, we usually eat in a local restaurant at lunch so what we eat at dinner on the ship doesn't matter all that much - often we just get room service and go to bed as we are tired or maybe go to Le Bistro or Cagney's or Ocean Blue which are nicer restaurants. Not all the restaurants onboard appeal, somehow, Asian food and American food doesn't really appeal to me when cruising in Europe. LOL! If we are in port at night, we'd also eat at a local restaurant. The other thing I would really miss from the Getaway is the fantastic thermal suite. I could imagine cruising along on a seedy on a Baltic cruise looking out the front of the ship (that's where the thermal suite is) and enjoying the view while enjoying a heated tile lounger or the water circuit in the thalisotherapy pool or a sauna.

 

One thing to know is that on Getaway you have to book your specialty dining in advance on the internet as with the include dining package, many of the restaurants sell out and there's nothing the concierge can do about that. So it doesn't turn out to be as Freestyle as NCL used to be before they included the dining package. I like Le Bistro in particular and recommend you consider booking there twice. Ocean Blue is really great now with their new menu. If you like seafood - definitely book this restaurant - even the Raw Bar offers enough for a light dinner.

 

BUT...overall, Getaway vs. Star, I would pick Getaway for their The Haven experience as it is drastically better than that of Star.

 

I also want to cruise the Greek Isles, but right now, they are having a big problem with immigrants. My recommendation is that you search on the internet and read about this situation if you have not already and determine if you want to go there next summer or not. The other issue facing Greece is Grexit (like Brexit but for Greece):

 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/06/travel/latest-travel-advice-for-tourists-visiting-greece/

Grexit may or may not be imminent - hard to know.

 

Then there is US Department of State Travel Advisory for Greece:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/greece.html

 

IMO, you would avoid some of that uncertainty about what may be going on next summer with a Baltics Cruise. Of course, there is always some uncertainty and risk with travel no matter where you go.

[maja651]

I have been in the garden villa on the Star and the 2 bedroom Haven on the Getaway. If the garden villa was an option for you, I'd say that one for sure, because that villa is a haven in itself. Hands down, best cruise experience ever! Now, if that GV is not an option, I'd say go for the Getaway suite in the Haven. Those suites are nice and being in the Haven is so much more relaxing than the rest of the ship. Plus, the Haven restaurant is amazing and like an exclusive speciality restaurant just for you. We ate almost every meal in the Haven on the Getaway. On the Star, we ate almost every meal in the dining area of the villa.

Edited July 16, 2016 by maja651

[realcindylouwho]

We have been on both the Star (aft penthouse no Haven on this ship) and Getaway (one BR deck 16, steps away from Haven). We have also been on the Pearl ( aft penthouse non haven access, 2 BR suite in the Haven and Garden Villa) the Sky (aft balcony and aft suite no Haven on this ship) and the Jewel ( Garden Villa) Our Garden Villa experiences included our two sons ages 14 and 18 and once again ages 18 and 22. As a physically active family we enjoy port days spending time being busy, busy, busy! It is wonderful to have your own private space, deck loungers and hot tub in a Garden Villa. However, the cost would be far more than what you are looking to spend. Out of the options you presented to us fellow CCers,

 

I would recommend the GETAWAY. You kids would love having the extra outdoor features such as the putt putt, the rock wall and the zipline/ropes course. The water slides/drop are so much fun as well. My husband and I spent time doing all of these activities on the Getaway last December. The Getaway does NOT have a roof over the Haven, so during bad weather that space is not as usable. The lounge in the Haven is like having our own livingroom and bar and the service we received from Evelyn the bartender was top notch. The Haven waitstaff is excellent in the service they provided and our meals were delicious! We aren't into shows, we would rather sit and relax and visit with others around us to pass the evening.

 

Whatever ship you decide upon, enjoy the time you are spending as a family AND enjoy some couple and alone time as well to recharge your batteries. We love cruising and enjoy sharing our experiences and opinions with others.

[dexddd]

We've done the Baltics (NCL Sun) and stayed in DOS (outer ones) on Star and been in BA Haven (DOS) and toured a 2br on BA. The inner DOS on the Star with the 2nd bedroom are nice, but the main windows are in the bedroom.

 

While not a fan of the BA/GA, I'd say do the GA for the Baltics. The history and such is fantastic. After you come back from a long day of touring you can wind down in the Haven area or have the option to do things in other areas of the ship.

 

eta - GA Haven pool area doesn't have a roof.

Edited July 16, 2016 by dexddd

[flexsmom]

Thanks so much to all of you for your knowledge and recommendations. From reading this forum for the last few months, I knew there were plenty of "regulars" out there who would have experience on both to compare. You've pretty much reinforced what my gut was telling me, so we will stick with the Getaway! I second-guessed myself on itinerary, as it's the 18-year old who really wants to visit the Greek Islands some day, and this is partially her graduation cruise. However, to your point, SuiteTraveler, we had already discussed the on-going issues with that region of the world with the migrant flow and proximity to the region. I think given what insight all of you have offered, the Getaway experience after a long port day is probably right up our alley!

 

Appreciate the help!