BKNYChick

Soooo... reality is kicking in. Upon my arrival at Laguardia Airport this afternoon... I realized Cinderella's dance at the ball had come to an end...

What a great dance!

This was my 7th cruise, 3rd with Norwegian and 1st Norwegian cruise with the kids (we usually do RCCL with them). I'd sailed on Getaway's sister, The Breakaway back in 2013 so I was familiar with the ship's layout and features but there were a few things that separated the two... So here goes my review of my getaway on the Getaway....

We flew into Fla the night before and stayed at the Marriot Biscayne Bay hotel all of 15 minutes from the cruise port. The hotel was okay (I am not a huge fan of most hotels as I have an unnatural fear of bed bugs and hyper sensitive skin) I mean it did it's job by providing lodging and a hot shower but I was too excited about getting on the ship the next day to really appreciate.

Embarkation: We arrived at the port around 11:30am and it took nearly an hour to get through security and check in and receive our key cards.

The Getaway is a cutie... the artwork on the outside of the ship is beautiful... my eyes are always drawn to the Mermaid Ariel looking woman at the helm... as we walked the gangway, calypso music and some fiarly enthusiastic crew members greeted us with balloons and all... nice touch...

Once on board, I reveled at her beauty -- it is a pretty ship-- we were STARVING (my 11 year old son's favorite word) so we headed to the Flamingo Grill for lunch and to await entering our cabins.

Flamingo Grill: Definitely a smart pick if you want to avoid the crowds in the buffet and you are not a Haven member. The menu is limited but satisfying spanish food... I crushed the fried yuca and pernil... delicioso!!!! =) Downed a number of cups of the complimentary flavored water (cranberry is my favorite) and by the time we wrapped our lunch the announcement was made that our cabins were ready.

Word to the wise... my recommendation would be to attempt to board the ship at between 11am and 11:30am so that you dont have to spend much time trying to explore the ship lugging your carry ons but just board, eat and then drop your bags in your rooms (which is by far the first thing most people want to explore anyways, lol!)

So off to our cabins we went....

Cabins 11906 and 11908 aft balcony: We booked 2 connecting balcony rooms, which is something we started doing on RCCL for a couple of reasons. One is the space and cost... you truly get more square footage for the same price as 4 people in 1 mini suite with 2 bathrooms! We also took advantage of an exclusive 1/2 off 2nd passenger, so my hubby booked with 1 kid I booked with the other.

The cabins are very spacious and well appointed. My hubby and I had a bed near the balcony set up and the kids had 2 separate beds near the closet. Yes, the balcony's protruding width is slight and I am a woman with long legs so I was forced to turn the chairs diagonally, BUT it did not bother me any as I truly would not trade the serenity of the balcony late evening with a great book, a drink and the sun setting.... for the ability to have lounge chairs...

The bathrooms are impressively sized, great shower with glass enclosure and awesome water pressure. I could also generate a steamy shower (which I enjoy) the hot water can get up there in temperature.

Our cabin steward was Jose... he introduced himself later in the evening and by day 2 had already learned by son's name and frequently checked in on us to make sure all was well... a couple of nights he left some towel animals, he was certainly respectful of the fact that my children are tween and teenaged and so he kept their rooms very young adult! =)

He was great!!!

Here are the complaints about the room: they should include a mini iron in every room, requesting an iron was great (and receiving a full sized one and board made things a bit cramped).

My hubby complained that he could feel and hear the murmur and rumble of the engines all day and night. I felt and heard it too but I was not as sensitive to it as he was.

I will say that there felt like more swaying happening in the backside of the ship, as all night the hangers in our closets would make that scraping clinking noise as the swayed on the rod. Sporadically the sound was annoying, some nights I'd notice some nights I didn't.... my hubby noticed ALL the time! LOL!

The television offered very limited viewing options -- about 4 NCL channels, CNN, Fox News and a couple of sports channels and 1 Favorite movies channel... which recycled the same 10 movies all week... I will say I was intrigued by this movie, "Self/Less" starring Ryan Reynolds, which I'd never heard of before and caught on one of the 2 sea days I stayed holed up in the cabin chillaxin'....

Splash Academy and Entourage: my kids were eligible for the Dolphins (11 year old son) and Entourage (14 years old daughter) respectively. Seriously, they were on their own at least 75% of the time... they both really enjoyed the programs and would plan and announce their days to us in the morning! Just so we would not plan on spending time with THEM! My daughter let it be known she was hanging with her "crew" after 1pm... smh... My son was in Academy HEAVEN and would get VERY upset when I would come get him in the evening at 10:30pm as a matter of fact, I would hear a couple of parents strongly reminding their kids that when it was time to go... it would be TIME to GO!!! LOL!! What can I say, Norwegian did an AWESOME job with the young cruisers... on the last sea day the kids performed in a circus act that they'd practiced all week. My son was not allowed to participate as he showed up literally 2 minutes after the check in time, and that was disappointing... I could see he was hurt but he was in the crowd rooting on his peers none the less... I will say I was bit annoyed by their decision to not let him perform because he came a few minutes afterward... but that was the only smear of the week and my son is resilient.

If you have any concerns about the children's program, I would vote yay! The kids all seemed to have a good time...

Also this cruise hosted by far the best behaved group of teenagers I have seen in a long time... kudos to the parents, although there are and will always be a couple of knuckleheads here or there, the teens were really cool on this voyage, I'd spot a couple of groups of them having lunch in the buffet, cooling out in various parts of the ship, lounging at the pool and they all seemed real chill... I even saw quite the activity in the Entourage club the very very VERY few times, I popped in to tell my daughter something. They'd be playing video games, dancing, dj'ing... and or chatting away about teen nonsense! LOL!

Oh wow, we were together on the Belize excursion... I was the brown skin woman with the big red bang! =)

I was there with my hubby and 2 kids... my son ate the cashew fruit.. and passed it around!

Oh wow, I'm sorry we didnt reveal our cruise critic identities... that would have been great! =)

I'm about to post my review as well....

The first Getaway sailing for the Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel itinerary is next week :) So hopefully someone posts them soon!

I'll be on that sailing -- April 24th... Ill try to post them....

Boarding the Getaway in 2 days -- can't wait!!!!!!

Have a 14 and 11 year old and part of the NCL choice this time around (as RCCL has been the norm for the family) was partly because of the Nickelodeon characters (both of them go hard for Spongebob!)

Since the two companies have parted ways -- I was wondering if any parents on recent NCL cruises can share how NCL has compensated for the missing Dora, Diego, Patrick, and other character sightings on the ship...

GOT on a big screen? With all that sex and nudity!! (Clang, clang) Shame. Shame

Lol!!!!!

There is plenty room on the top deck for NCL to put a satellite!!! Lol!!!

Okay -- just a big of a fan of the show as I am of cruising...

NCL Getaway, think we can get the season premiere broadcasted on the 2 story screen in the atrium on our first night?!?!?!?!?

Who else is with it??????

Although hanging out anywhere on the ship is cool too... just thought I'd ask!! ;-)

54 days left... yesssssssss.....

we have just booked the 2 rooms one with me and one kid in it and one with my wife and the other, then just switched on the ship, no one was told and no one cared

Yup, that's our same set up for our cruise in April 2016 and in previous cruises -- once in the cabins and in possession of the cabin card -- the cruise line really doesn't get involved in who is sleeping in which room.

The only thing is that we would ask the steward to move the beds back together in the room my husband and I chose to stay in -- and they got that together by the time we were ready to turn down the first night.

I couldn't resist sending a big shout to all the passengers and crew aboard the Anthem this past week -- which hobbled its way back to the Jersey port after taking a beating in the Atlantic Ocean.

I cannot imagine the moments of terror and concern when the ship was engaged in the epic battle and then the disappointment and frustration that may have settled in as the cruise journey was cut short...

It is during times of battle with nature that many people realize how powerful the atmosphere can be.... but as a native New Yorker, I couldnt help but swell with pride as the ship came back and although people were rightfully upset... so many took the experience with stride and appreciated being able to come home in one peice (God bless the souls of those who perished in that HORRIBLE encounter with an iceberg a few years ago). I sat there saying, "damn we are sooooo New Yawk!!!!" =D

I think RCCL did right by the passengers with a full refund and half off their next cruise... so with that I will say... if you dare venture back onto a ship again with RCCL --- TURN UUUUUUUUP!!!!!! you deserve it!!!!!!! I'm glad ya'll made it back safe!

Keep cruising.....

120 days before me and the fam, Getaway!!! =)

Booked the same cabin for my April 2016 trip with Getaway... been perusing the boards for all info cabin related and voila!!!

Can't wait to experience the room and ship... thanks for the review!

Carnival: Chocolate Melting Cake... 2nd to NONE!!!👍

Pina Colada!!! Carnival mixes them to perfection!

I have always gotten a cup on RCCL ... I am bringing that cup on NCL to use for soda ....

That is HILARIOUS! I hope it, doesn't say RCCL on it, I can picture you looking so defiant on Norwegian, telling a bartender - "fill 'er up!!!" 😂😂😂

Booked for April 2016, Getaway Aft balcony. Any pics, feedback, reviews?? Trying to stay calm until about 2 months before. .. lol! But this forum has me beside myself!! 😀

Did I hear correctly that they no longer serve lobster on RCCL?

No. Just came home today from 5 day Bermuda trip and there was definitely lobster tails and lobster bisque available on the menu.

One week and a day and we are outta Brooklyn, heading to Jersey, boarding Expplorer and heading to BERMUDA!!!!! EXCITED!!!

Anyone familiar with cabin 3610? That's what I have booked for myself, hubby and our two sequels aged 10 and 7.

Adventure Ocean a sure bet for kids entertainment?

Recommendations regarding sightseeing in Bermuda? We were thinking BAMZ, a cave (which one?) and a fort (which one?)... any info provided is greatly appreciated!

The ship will be full and plenty of kids. Weather will be cool so pack windbreakers and sweat shirts.

May want to plan non water activities in Bermuda due to the cool water temps.

Thanks much, I let my sequels see the responses so they are overly excited and want to start planning their own activities! I am doubly excited (ALWAYS am) and am hoping RCL can stand up to the services of Carnival and NCL... from what I have been reading while trolling on these here boards... it looks like I have very little to worry about... =)

Hey all! Here is my story and requests for info --

Fourth time cruising (Carnival and NCL in the past), first time cruising on RCL, AND first time cruising with my kids...

Soo here is my questions -- can anyone share experience with the children's programs on Explorer? I have a daughter 10 and a son 7 who I would like to participate in some of the things they have in place for the kids -- but what have people experienced?

Second, we are leaving during Spring Break (4/7 - 4/12) to Bermuda -- please advise on what to expect when traveling during those times! Have cruised previously during months of Feb, May and Nov -- no where near holiday dates. So this again will be a first for me...

Thanks all!!