RadioPeri

Currently on the Getaway. Wifi has been decent (we're unlimited but not streaming). Only issues have been on the balcony occasionally, but we're all the way aft, so I'm making allowances for that. Elsewhere on the ship, things have been pretty good on all our devices. 

One caveat: even audio will not stream on the regular internet package, so download any music or podcasts you'd like to have with you!

Currently on the Getaway and tried the wings at the beginning of the cruise. Tasty but soggy. Sadly, not worth the calories, IMO.

On 1/16/2022 at 9:57 PM, ktpc2005 said:

Is the regular internet OK if you want to listen to music on apps like Spotify or SirusXM?

No. I can't stream no audio at all ... not even a podcast or news audio. Plus, many streaming music services will not work outside the US because of licensing deals.

Download any tunes you'd like to your phone. I have a bunch of instrumental jazz for background, but am sorry I deleted most of the rest of my music files!

Audiobooks will work if they're preloaded.

2 minutes ago, wcook said:

I took my first NCL cruise back in December. I thought it really weird that the late-nite food option is a sit down restaurant. Not the end of the world, but a grab and go option would be nice. 

Every other cruise we've been on have had multiple grab-and-go opportunities. Not this one!

16 hours ago, Dorhead1230 said:

@RadioPeri what deck are you on? We’ll be in an aft-facing on 13 in a few weeks, which I know are the smallest 😐, but we booked in December and were lucky to get one at all. I’ve been wondering if a lounge chair fits on the deck 13 aft balconies. We’ve had others in the past that were huge, but people make the deck 13 ones sound so small! Hope you’re having a great time!

We're in a Deck 9 aft balcony we got lucky to grab about six weeks before the cruise, so I can't help you with Deck 13, unfortunately, but it looks like others have. 🙂

I can report that Deck 9 balconies are cavernous, easily fitting two loungers, two chairs, and a table. 

We've been enjoying the balcony at all times during the day and night since sailaway in New York. Was hoping we'd dock in "aft in" in San Juan, as watching the dock is fun, but we have a beautiful view looking out at all the ships and facilities across the harbor. We'll also get a gorgeous sunset, but will be out in port enjoying mojitos at that point, I'm sure!
 

8 minutes ago, leithbones said:

Have seen this reported elsewhere.

Would you characterize Vibrations .....

....Annoying/un-ignorable << or >> Background/soothing

(or a more accurate description of your choosing).

I can only speak to my experience, but we're in an aft balcony and definitely feel the vibration but don't find it unpleasant at all. We're sleeping like babies. 😴

Sitting in Syd Norman's right now, and the ship is humming. 

Or maybe that's the Brown Sugars I'm drinking, lol. 🥃

4 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Oddly enough, iPhone 2020 SE pulling a good speed, like the Pixel 7 Pro 

 

Learn something new every time on NCL 

Between me and my husband on this cruise, we've been online with an iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phone, and a Chromebook, and haven't had an issue with wifi at all. Hope it keeps up.

NOTHING will stream without an upgraded streaming package, not even podcasts, so download anything you want while you have access unless you want to pay the additional charge for streaming.

1 hour ago, Laszlo said:

This is the first cruise I remember ever seeing a yellowish exhaust, with a sulfur smell. In the past it’s been black, gray…. Don’t remember a smell. I do remembered soot on the aft decks. This is different 

Anyone else on this cruise in an aft balcony? We're aft on Deck 9 this Friday, and I'm wondering if we'll feel the effects down there. I hope not 'cause it's why we booked this cruise, lol!

24 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

That's possibly why you see so much food waste. The food is just not good. And that saddens me, because I truly love a buffet. A good buffet. 

Oy. As someone who doesn't think you should have to pay an upcharge for decent food -- set to board this Friday -- this saddens and distresses me. 😟

On 1/13/2023 at 10:35 PM, iamaqt2 said:

Pretty soon the evening theater shows will be a talent competition among the room stewards for a day of shore leave or a chance to use the passenger areas after hours.

And there will be a surcharge for it.

.

.

.

AND PEOPLE WILL PAY IT.

Seriously, y'all have taught the cruise lines that you're okay paying extra for things that used to be included and nominally enhanced offerings, and as long as you keep doing that, they'll keep taking things away and/or charging extra for them.

2 hours ago, Cruise5life said:

 Just today when I tipped my room steward for ice I gave him 5.00.

Do they not bring ice on a daily/regular basis?

I know they're cutting back like crazy, but I'm assuming you can request this so you don't have to call for it every time. 

23 minutes ago, cruiseinfoseeker said:

Atrium. Picture taken at atrium moments ago 

LOL, yes, bar snacks! Also happy to note the Coke products. 😊

3 hours ago, lilsdad said:

We are also on the Jan 20 sailing. This will almost be like doing a B2B!

Thanks!

Jeff and ML

Okay, I'll make it three in a row. 😊 Hello, fellow January 20th cruisers!

Looking forward to a preview to further whet our appetite!

I'm the parent of an Equity Broadway actor, and I'll tell you that cruise ship entertainers are among the hardest-working, aspiring talents in the industry. It's a GREAT opportunity for performers just out of college and those who may not yet have booked a larger regional or NYC-based show. We know MANY talented actors who got their start on cruise ships!

Not all shows have the same budgets or production values, so keep that in mind. Some are packaged and licensed as is (like Six), and others are full-blown revues really just about the entertainment.

The singers and dancers go through WEEKS of exhaustive rehearsals, and often have many other jobs on board.

We generally support and love the shows on board (although we have far more RCCL and Celebrity experience), but I'll just say to go with an open mind, prepare to be entertained, and enjoy the evening out. These kids are REALLY working for you!

57 minutes ago, HuliHuli said:

So a totally irrelevant response, no?

As opposed to this one?

Nah. 

I can't answer you directly, not having had experience with a butler on NCL, but on Celebrity, our butler brought us anything we wanted. There was no additional charge. Wine and alcohol were also provided in the suite. 

59 minutes ago, FLAHAM said:

All reservations can be made or cancelled on the interactive TV in your cabin.

Thank you, @FLAHAM!

13 minutes ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

Very easy to change onboard.  Go to restaurant reservations right after making you show reservations.  I've done this on most cruises I've been on, with up to 9 people and always been able to get the reservations we wanted as long as we were a bit flexible.  

Personally, we'd pick Le Bistro, Ocean Blue and Cagney's; probably doubling up the first two because we know the other options aren't our preference.  

Thank you. So, we'll need show reservations too?? Do you know where we do that? (We have only one previous NCL cruise several years ago on the Gem, so things are different now.) 

Thank you for the restaurant recommendations. I like your choices, and I think we'll also try others to figure out which our favorites are! Which entrees do you like the best in the places you mentioned?

Hi all, my husband and I recently booked on the Getaway for 1/20. Needless to say, most prime specialty dining reservations are taken. We have five total, between FAS and a package.

We booked four out of the five, La Cucina and Moderno at times we like, and Cagney's and Le Bistro at 8:30, not terrible, but on the later side for us. We have one yet to book.

How difficult is it to change or get reservations once on board? And which fifth would you recommend (or a repeat of something we've booked)? Ocean Blue sounds nice. Any other thoughts??

Thanks in advance!

 

Our package actually says 2 x 300 minutes, so who knows?? At this point, we'll wait until we're on board and see what's up then. We'll have phone service for quite a bit, so no hurry for internet immediately.

Appreciate your feedback. As I said, this is just a ridiculous, unnecessary annoyance these days. but it's what we signed up for.

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

If you log on to your reservation, under internet or upgrades, you should have the option to upgrade to a unlimited and unlimited streaming wifi package. 

Thank you, I see that, but it doesn't seem to take into account the 300 minutes I already have. It looks like our best bet is to wait until we get on board at this point, and see what they'll do for us then.

This is a ridiculous, vestigial charge that consumers need to make go away. Can you imagine staying at a resort or other vacation property that charges you $20 per person per day to use the wifi?? The mainstream cruiselines haven't caught up with the rest of the world yet, and for frequent travelers, it's all the more frustrating and absurd.
 

Thank you! I scrolled back but not far enough! 😊

Hi all, just booked a 12-day Getaway cruise for January, and received 300 minutes per person as part of the FAS program. Upgrading to FAS+ doesn't make sense to us as all we need extra is wifi, so what's the best way to do that? I'm assuming we wait until we get on board, but what kind of packages/trade-ins can we expect? Haven't cruised NCL in years, so have no idea how this works.

Thank you in advance!

Peri

Teejay6, I am so sorry. It's inconceivable to me that they're treating customers like this. I am now SO leery about booking anything with them again in the future ... and we "only" have a small, onboard future cruise deposit currently with them. 

I hope your post here helps you get a successful resolution.