Birthday Getaway: 12/4 - 12/11

[Mandy412]

I'm still a cruise newbie having only been on NCL with my first trip being on the Getaway last Thanksgiving and the 2nd on the Escape last June. I received this "free" Cruise for my gambling but I think it was a just a slow time in between the holidays. It's fine by me because I usually go to Vegas but Honduras, Harvest Caye, and Mexico sounded pretty good for my birthday.

 

Because I'm technically deficient, I set up a Facebook page so you can see my pics. Sorry if you don't like food pics...I think NCL's food gets a bad rap so I took pics. https://www.facebook.com/mandy.harris.946179?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

 

I hope this review is helpful to some but this will not be anything near what Doug manufactures. That's epic sh*t. I'll chunk this out in sections instead of day by day.

 

Embarkation/Disembarkation:

 

We got to the Terminal via Uber around 10:30-10:45. We had no line to check in but there was a good number of people that already registered and were waiting upstairs. There was some hyper grumpy guy that ushered us to our seats making sure we didn't leave any open places. I had arranged for a wheelchair for my mom but the gate agent didn't get one and I honestly forgot about it as did my mom until it was time to walk up that walkway to the ship. We went with the handicapped/slow people and grumpy Top Flight Security of the World dude tried to tell my mom she couldn't be in that line and she gave him a Bye Felicia after showing him her knees and we just kept going.

 

The disembarkation was fairly simple because there were better instructions about the wheelchair process. We went to La Cucina and waited in line until it was our time to disembark. We were one of the last to leave the ship after 10am and the wheelchair was a God send because the lines were backed up and no way my mum could have stood that long waiting. Once we were off, picked up an uber and went to FLL to fly home. FLL was so understaffed on Sunday that it made MIA seem more convenient. Never thought I'd say that.

 

Room:

 

12286 which is a wheelchair accessible balcony near the aft elevators. My mom has bad knees and had to get a scooter. The regular balcony room we were in would be too small to fit the scooter in the room so the phone agent moved us around about 10 days before the trip. This is the second accessible room I've been in (1st was last Thanksgiving in an Oceanview Guarantee) and I'm getting spoiled with all the room. I could have done a Simone Biles floor routine in the room. The balcony was longer and a lounger fit in with the two chairs. A year later and the rooms still look fresh to me and no signs of wear and tear.

 

(Sidenote: NCL has OCD about working on the ship. I've been impressed since my first trip at how the moment the ship stops, people are out painting, fixing things, and doing routine maintenance and upkeep. I think that has to be why it's holding up from looking run down from so many people on and off of it each week for 3 years).

 

Spa:

We love the thermal spa and bought the pass online months ago. We went to the drawing Sunday night but we didn't win anything (Sissy won $150 at the Escape Spa in June). Somehow we got suckered into 3 treatments...I don't usually spend that much in the spa but with the discounted port days and the 30/20/10 discount on 3, it wasn't much more expensive than what I pay in Vegas. Some things to note: I had no problems getting the heated loungers. I missed the cold room that's in the Escape. The staff is OBNOXIOUS trying to get you to buy products. When I took my NCL survey, I did mention they need to pump their brakes on the hard sell. it's a waste of time they could use to rub my muscles for longer. Also, I'm on a damn cruise, I'm not thinking about losing weight or cellulite, I'm thinking about beer and food.

 

Info about Treatments: I had the seaweed massage treatment was nice but you have to shower twice and that got on my nerves. When I relax, my lazy a$$ just wants to lay down. Also, I'm a member of Team Chunk and they gave me disposable undies for when she put the seaweed on....OMG, they were a size Mary Kate Olsen. Somehow I got them on but they looked a mess and it was uncomfortable. Would have rather just been naked and done the truffle shuffle. I also let NCL know about that as well. So if you are a woman of size, I'd say eff it and don't use them because it's not like they got seaweed near my junk.

 

Facial: Amazing and she was the only one that told me of a product I could try when I run out of what I'm using and didn't try to hard sell me. It was the Tri Enzyme resurfacing facial and even though she didn't do extractions, my skin was glowy.

 

Acupuncture: I've been having pain in my shoulder for a couple of months and had cortisone shots but they haven't worked so I thought I'd try this. I also have my gyno problems and thought I'd see if it would help. Outside of the Doctor being annoying af trying to sell me herbal tea and other crap, I loved the acupuncture and the pain definitely lessened. It's back now that I'm in frosty Pittsburgh but I made an appointment to see someone locally. I didn't expect much so I was excited that it seemed to work.

 

Food:

 

The food gets a bad rap on NCL. I'm a foodie, like hard core foodie spending hundreds on meals in Vegas at high end restaurants. Last year, I didn't have any specialty dining so I ate all complimentary and I thought the food was fine. Obviously it wasn't high end gourmet but I didn't go hungry. This time we have the 4 dinner package so let me tell you about that.

 

Tropicana Room - Food was fine, service was fast, can't complain. Ate their twice for dinner and no snafus.

 

Shanghai - Glad this is a complimentary spot. Enjoyed this meal as it was something different. Since it's Chinese food, we were hungry two hours later and made our only appearance at the slop house (buffet) to get cheese and other nibbles.

 

Slophouse - We don't do it because though the food is fine, I can't take the crowds and fighting for a table. We did breakfast and lunch at Taste, Savor, or O'Sheehans.

 

La Cucina - I'm half Italian and I stayed away from the red sauce because I"m picky. Everything was good, had veal osso bucco and had a spinach tortellini in a sage butter sauce as a starter and loved both. My thought her rigatoni with marinara was just okay but that's what she gets because she's just as picky as I am.

 

Ocean Blue - So it's pretty much my favorite specialty restaurant. The seafood was sooo good. The staff was friendly and fast. There wasn't a course we didn't love.

 

Le Bistro - I miss the lobster but it was good overall.

 

Cagney's - The steaks were beautiful but they didn't season them with salt prior to firing them so it lacked some flavor. The meat was tender and good but would have been better with salt. I didn't care for their creamed spinach but the rest of the sides were good. Also, the lobster bisque was good and they weren't cheap with chunks of lobster in it. It was a healthy portion.

 

Casino:

 

I've been on a bit of a win streak on cruises. I hit for $1000 on WOF on my first cruise and then hit for $1380 on a penny machine on the 2nd cruise. I tried to keep it going but my biggest win of the trip was $600. The casino was tight as all get out for me. I guess they were getting their money back. The smoke only bothered me one night. I'm a gambler so I'm used to it but one night it was really bad and my eyes burned and got red. Naturally all of the good machines are on the smoking side too.

 

Entertainment:

 

So yeah, we're hardened gamblers and stayed in the casino. Didn't see any shows. We did see Deal or No Deal, Celebrity Dance Off, and Newlywed Game. The Cruise Director Belinda seemed like a nice woman but I don't think this job fits her. She doesn't have the outgoing personality and I didn't see her around at all. Now maybe I'm spoiled from Tyler on the Escape, we loved him and he was everywhere and interacted with all the cruisers. He had an upbeat personality that made these games fun. Belinda had a bit of a flat affect and made Deal or No Deal boring. Very disappointing. Ferdie from the Escape is now on the Getaway and he is adorable and funny and brings alot to the table for cruise activities.

 

Staff:

 

Again, if you go by reviews, you would think Satan manages the staff because they are so unfriendly. That is totally untrue. Everyone was outgoing and friendly. I mean everyone. If you needed anything, the staff was helpful and accommodating. I wrote alot of hero cards because I was so impressed with the staff. I had to laugh because last year, I met a bar waiter from St. Lucia that was really friendly and we talked alot on the cruise. He ended up being on the Getaway again and he came up to me and asked if I remembered him. I completely did and he definitely took care of anything I needed if it was food in the Tropicana Room where he worked or drinks when he was a bar waiter. Also I think he wants to marry me for a green card. Hahaha, I think he missed the memo that President Elect Trump is putting up a Lego wall to keep out immigrants.

 

Ports:

 

Roatan, Honduras - We did the NCL Tabyana Beach excursion. I was unable to purchase it on my own so had to go through NCL. I liked this beach and will go again. Soft sad, plenty of shady spots. They also had security guys patrolling the chairs which was nice. Also, I bought an Aqua Vault to keep my wallet and other valuables safe when me and my mom were in the water but having security there as another layer made us feel good. The vendors couldn't come to the chairs, they could approach you in the area between the chairs and the water. They hustled but I didn't find them nearly as annoying as the vendors at the beach in Atlantis. I met a 22 year old vendor that wants to be my boyfriend and come to America. Again, he missed the memo about the Lego wall.

 

Harvest Caye, Belize - Wow, this was the 3rd week it was opened and I am completely impressed. It's a beautiful island. The beach was nice but the sand sucked with all kinds of seashells in it. The pool was huge and the water temp was perfect. The pier is long so they had transpo for disabled/elderly folks. Not all of the vendors are there but the ones that are there provide a nice selection of junk/souvenirs. They have an area for a wildlife exhibit. I loved the butterfly room. They had a toucan and something else but the butterflies were gorgeous. It was a drag paying for drinks but I think the next time I go, I'd go early after breakfast but before lunch so I could go back to eat lunch for free. I'm going back in July and I can't wait to see how developed it is then.

 

Costa Maya - This was a quiet day. We had no excursions planned so we just walked around the port. Again, they had transpo on the pier for the disabled/elderly. The vendors in the port all sell the same thing and they are aggressive trying to pull you in to shop. We did stop and get a fish pedicure. This was the second time I did it but first for my mom. She enjoyed it and it was only $20.

 

Cozumel - We went to Playa Mia and I purchased the tickets on my own to save money. They were a bit disorganized at the pier getting our transportation to the beach but once we got to the beach, everything ran smoothly. Lovely beach, plenty of toys to play with, and a nice pool. Got another fish pedicure there and they include a foot rub....why not get another one, my feet were the feast of the 7 fishes. I would not recommend buying a package with the buffet. They have an open air buffet and the food isn't covered so flies are all over it and it grossed me out. I was able to get 5 Dos Equis for $12 so I was all over that.

 

Random Comments: I'm still pissed about the Flamingo Grill. I really liked that place and it was a good extra option for breakfast and lunch. Margaritaville was a bit ghost town-ish when I walked by it.

 

Went to my first CC Meet and Greet. It was soooo nice and I appreciate all of the work that went into planning it. The NCL staff that attended were very nice and it was interesting to talk to them and learn about their jobs. Thanks Rich and Nancy!

 

Weather was perfect every day except Saturday the last sea day. I didn't mind since the port days were so perfect. I'm really bummed at how cold it is now.

 

I think that's it for now, let me know if the pictures work. I'm sure I'll think of something I forgot to add.

[Mandy412]

OMG, I'm so sorry it's so long but I forgot one last thing. Since it was my birthday, NCL really did it up.

 

On my birthday, NCL sent me a cupcake, the hotel director Errol sent me chocolates, then at Le Bistro, they presented me with a birthday cake and delivered it to my room when I said I was full. Then Casinos at Sea sent me chocolate and a bottle of wine. They really treated me well.

[craiginoregon]

I don't know if this will help or not but maybe I will put it out there. I have a disability also. A foot surgery over a year ago left me using a cane and sometimes my foot buckles and I start to fall. I went on my first NCL trip last May and loved it. My next one is in October. I noticed on the www that NCL has a disability phone number. I never knew that. I called them and they noted my case on my reservation. Perhaps that might help in the future, if not while walking in then during the trip. Maybe you already did this. It looks like you had a nice trip and that's really good. Thanks for posting about your trip here. It was nice to read.

[Mandy412]

I don't know if this will help or not but maybe I will put it out there. I have a disability also. A foot surgery over a year ago left me using a cane and sometimes my foot buckles and I start to fall. I went on my first NCL trip last May and loved it. My next one is in October. I noticed on the www that NCL has a disability phone number. I never knew that. I called them and they noted my case on my reservation. Perhaps that might help in the future, if not while walking in then during the trip. Maybe you already did this. It looks like you had a nice trip and that's really good. Thanks for posting about your trip here. It was nice to read.

 

Thanks for posting. i did call about a wheelchair and NCL's agent couldn't have been nicer but I'm not sure what we did wrong since we didn't get it at disembarkation. But they were very accommodating to my mom even when she wrecked into things with her scooter. :-)

[craiginoregon]

I'm glad to hear that they were really helpful. I was totally impressed with the outstanding customer service they gave me on my first cruise in May. Also I don't think you travel post was to long. I thought you did a great job and I loved reading it. Thank you, again.

[MagicMike]

Belinda, the cruise director, is actually training on the Getaway to be cruise director for the Joy in China. Her accent made it very difficult most times to understand what she was saying.

[Mandy412]

Belinda, the cruise director, is actually training on the Getaway to be cruise director for the Joy in China. Her accent made it very difficult most times to understand what she was saying.

 

 

Ahhhhh, that makes sense to me. I'm sure she will do a great job on the Joy.

[cincicruisers]

Do you have any pictures of your cabin?

[Mandy412]

If you click on the Facebook link, there are over 100 pics including the room. Let me know if you can't see it.

 

 

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[Clarea]

Nicely written report, thank-you.

[easyboy]

That was a smart tactic by the bar waiter. Glad you sensed his intentions!

Thanks for the feedback.

[Mandy412]

Couple of questions:

 

For the casino players, how long do you give Casinos at Sea before you call to get a discount on another cruise? I have one booked in July and they could only give me 20% off but said after seeing my play this trip, they could likely do more. Would today be too soon or should I wait until next week? I'm procrastinating with my work.

 

Is Harvest Caye pronounced Caye or Key? I feel like a window licker for even asking but I heard both when we were there and now I'm not sure so I will only type it and when I talk about it, I saw Belize. hehe

[derek005]

Nice review!! We are going the 19th of Feb 2017! Can't wait!

[Mandy412]

Nice review!! We are going the 19th of Feb 2017! Can't wait!

 

Thank you! I really love the Getaway and if I didn't have such crappy vacation time at this job, I probably would do another cruise in January or February when my seasonal affective disorder kicks in.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Bunnynme]

Thanks for your review and your picture. Can't wait to go on Getaway again in January.

[Sand and Seas]

Couple of questions:

 

For the casino players, how long do you give Casinos at Sea before you call to get a discount on another cruise? I have one booked in July and they could only give me 20% off but said after seeing my play this trip, they could likely do more. Would today be too soon or should I wait until next week? I'm procrastinating with my work.

 

 

You can call CAS as early as Wednesday or Thursday after you disembark. That usually gives them time to see your play on the ship. The agents are usually very friendly to explain things. Have a cruise and date in mind when you call so they can check and see if you qualify for a comped cabin. There are admin fees and port charges, but definitely MUCH better than a 20% discount.

[Scoobs9]

Great review...many thanks! We're on the Getaway on Jan 2nd. Glad to hear Harvest Caye is so nice. Have SUP's rented for the two of us...can't wait to "get away" from all this snow!!!!!!:)

[Mandy412]

You can call CAS as early as Wednesday or Thursday after you disembark. That usually gives them time to see your play on the ship. The agents are usually very friendly to explain things. Have a cruise and date in mind when you call so they can check and see if you qualify for a comped cabin. There are admin fees and port charges, but definitely MUCH better than a 20% discount.

 

 

Thanks! We have the cruise picked out and since we spent so much time in the casino, I'm hoping it's good. We damn near turned into stools. :-)

[Mandy412]

Great review...many thanks! We're on the Getaway on Jan 2nd. Glad to hear Harvest Caye is so nice. Have SUP's rented for the two of us...can't wait to "get away" from all this snow!!!!!!:)

 

 

You will have a fabulous time! I'm heartbroken that it's been a week and I'm stuck with this crappy weather. Perhaps my ship will come in and I can squeeze in a trip in February or March.

[SixBitsKyle]

Great review, thanks.

 

Odd question, do you recall which side of the ship was facing which port when docked? I understand that it can vary sailing to sailing but curious what your experience was.

 

Thanks again!

Edited December 29, 2016 by SixBitsKyle

[luvcruzing]

Mandy,

 

Did you go into the water at the beach in Harvest Caye? If you did, how was the bottom? Was it sandy or was it mucky?

 

Also, could you post the Freestyle Dailies? I'm not on that other site.

[global99]

You write good, girl...if you ever get tired of the casinos and still want to cruise, there's definitely a spot for you at the comedy club...seriously...

 

 

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[Mandy412]

Mandy,

 

Did you go into the water at the beach in Harvest Caye? If you did, how was the bottom? Was it sandy or was it mucky?

 

Also, could you post the Freestyle Dailies? I'm not on that other site.

 

That's the one thing I forget as we were leaving. I had them in a neat pile and damnit if I didn't forget to put them in my carry-on before we walked out of the room. Sorry!

 

And I didn't go into the water in Harvest Caye because the pool was just so inviting that I didn't feel like getting sand in crevices I didn't know existed. But everyone over there looked like they were having fun.

[Mandy412]

Great review, thanks.

 

Odd question, do you recall which side of the ship was facing which port when docked? I understand that it can vary sailing to sailing but curious what your experience was.

 

Thanks again!

 

When we were in Miami, we were on the side of the ship facing out to water and then roads. I remember that but I can't remember in the ports what we were facing. Note to self: pay attention to that starboard and whatever the other thing is.