Markanddonna

The others are correc that a regular non-message board review takes a few days for the staff to review it. I had trouble a few years ago uploading it because it was a rather large document and just went into cruise critic using another web browser. Try that.

We booked it right on those screens you see by the elevators on almost every deck. You could also use your TV or go to the entertainment area near the entrance to the theatre where there are crew members to assist. The screens seem to work a lot quicker than the TV. You will likely not have to hurry to do this as most people are preoccupied with other things the first day and it was only half full.

We are experience NCL people but the reservations needed on the Getaway were new to us. For example, the Headliners club often needs reservations as it is quite popular and standing room only if you get there late. The chairs are hard wooden ones so it isn't easy to sit in them that long! Just be more diligent than usual when reading the freestyle dailies concerning the recommendation to reserve.

I'm in the same pattern as you. You have at least two options: walk down the hall, (not a bad way to start the day) and go to the cafe where you can bring a big tumbler of your own OR go to O'Sheehans. They will give you coffee to go but be sure to get TWO cups, one for insulation. I saw a woman almost burn her hands getting the surprise of those silly thin cups they offer. You could also get room service but I don't like to wait and I love to see what is going on around the ship and I'm the early bird of the two of us.

Consider that Norwegian Airlines, not at all related to NCL has cheap one way flights from CPH to Stockholm- maybe $50 OW. We use them to get around where we REALLY want to go in Europe. We have had very positive experiences with them.

Do they do the 20% off on the ship or can u book it online with that promo?

I saw the promo in the freestyle daily. It showed up correctly on our final bill. The Illusionarium was maybe only half full the first day.

I agree with pghsteelerfan, but I don't write a review for the forums. I write a review for the review section and it has never been edited. Several times it has been "review of the month" and I received some small gifts from CC.

I look at the reviews as a journal for my own use in the future and as a helpful set of details that would be helpful for others in planning. I don't add extraneous info that is personal and try to be objective and I don't name names unless it is a compliment.

Personally, I don't usually like reviews embedded in the forums as they are sometimes so hard to get through with mostly kind replies. When I am researching, I like all the info right there. A review in the review section is so much more efficient. I use youtube to get an idea of what the ship or port looks like so I don't value photos that much. Just IMHO.

In April, 2014 we had really nice weather going across the Atlantic and many people were out sunning on the pool deck every sea day. In Dover, Helsingborg and in Copenhage, we had sunny and 70 degree days. It could have been miserable and rainy, so you never know.

ezcruizer56 is correct. Savor and Taste are only open on sea days for lunch and they rotate two menus.

I believe the menu is the same for all three restaurants. I like the atmosphere of the Tropicana and also the possibility of entertainment. Of course, you can only see the dancers if you are seated close to the floor. The "hum" of conversation sometimes gets rather loud and the music is not too easy to hear, but then it probably should just be background music anyway.

Check out the dailies and time your reservations to enjoy the entertainment.

We stayed in a hotel that had a shuttle leaving for the port around 12. We decided to take a taxi at 10:00. No one asked about our boarding time. It got very congested at about 11 AM and then it was standing room only. They began boarding at 12:10 for group 1. I imagine it took a few hours to process people arriving at noon. The terminal is too small for ships the size of the Getaway. I think reserving your boarding time is just an attempt at discouraging people getting there before noon.

The Glow party is in H20 unless the weather is bad. Dancing in H20 is moved to the Tropicana Dining Room if the weather is bad. I imagine they would cancel the Glow Party because the "dancing" is hopping and jumping and I doubt they would want that in the MDR. The Glow party is fun if you like to listen to techno music. The White Hot Party had more of a performance atmosphere to it which was fun to watch.

We were there on Jan 31st and the appetizer was mozarella/tomato followed by a steak (good quality), fries and broccoli and then the dessert was three bitesize chocolate desserts. No choice of menu.

Latitudes gold and platinum get priority tendering with the folks in the suites. Everyone else gets tickets. I believe you have to take your ticket to the theater and wait for your group number/letter to be called. Great Stirrup Cay appeared to be very busy, although the CD told us we were the first group on that itinerary to actually make it to the island. The wind/weather often prevents tendering.

I used the gym almost every day but did not see any facilities for showers. Doesn't mean they aren't there but they weren't obvious. The showers are usually pretty well designated. Less work for the staff if you always shower in your room, so I'm guessing the answer is NO.

You just present your gold or platinum card or Haven status to the staff at the Illusionarium area and they send you down the stairs for tendering. It wasn't important for Grand Caymans but it saved us lots of wait time for Great Stirrup Cay.

The Getaway has a lot of tubes and a great structure for a climbing/obstacle course that is beyond your children's ages. There is a very sweet pool for your age kids but not one that you could really get in and enjoy. Check out videos of the pools. They are quite small for the number of passengers. I think the Getaway would be great for ages 8+ but there is little to no real entertainment they could go to. Some people with kids have complained about risque entertainment and i have to agree that I would be embarrassed to have my young children witness it.

No more Nickelodean. You are paying more for bells and whistles. Do you want them to go to the kid's clubs?

If you are looking for a cruise with nice beaches, then the Getaway can supply that. Great Stirrup Cay is very nice and the other islands have easily accessible beaches. There were LOTS of kids on our cruise in January! I can't imagine seeing how many could be on the Getaway during American spring break time.

I found that darker neutral colors work best in Europe, esp black and greys. European women sometimes have a splash of color in a scarf. Even if you don't agree with the necessity of trying to fit in as a local, this works well when packing. I have my t-shirt only for workouts at the ship's gym. If you travel to Europe at least once a year, it is a good idea to think this through. I remember being in Rome and feeling I was the only women around who had a "colorful" top. The rest of my outfit was black, but even my turquoise shirt seemed too much.

I have read elsewhere that people are being told to that they are to reserve the shows once they get onboard. I guess they are eliminating your ability to reserve online before your cruise. Personally, I think they should eliminate Legally Blonde but Burn the Floor gets great reviews.

I think people may be getting a lot of things confused when they book. For example, Burn the Floor has a short show two nights in the Tropicana dining room but that is not the same show as the one in the theatre.

They had a 20% off for the first night only for the Illusionarium. It was a good show. I agree that the floor seating is worth it. I liked all the magicians but I wasn't a fan of the mentalist.

I also wondered how I lost my reservations but it was MY fault. Like another poster said: you have to purchase your cart even though the cost is $0. It worked just fine after I read the instructions...

I'm confused. They can't be sending both ships to the Baltics, can they? I've been on both now and have to say that the typical TA and Baltic person may enjoy the Star just as much. Both the Getaway and Star are missing some of my favorite features: the forward observation lounge and tables outside for eating near the pool. I doubt all the bells and whistles on the pool and sports deck of the Getaway will be used much as they tend to be geared to the youth.

We booked three weeks out on the Jan 31 Getaway and did NOT get any of the promotions. Then, they had the casino + promotions, but that ended yesterday. The price went down $100 from our price within two days. They supposedly had a kids or 3/4 passengers sail free as there were LOTS of kids onboard sending the passenger total to over 4.600.

We booked our shows just one week before sailing and while a few times were gone, we got in just fine at the 7:30 shows. Legally Blonde, IMHO is not worth it. Loved Burned the Floor.

So much depends on the cruiseline. Read the reviews of any ship you are considering and pay attention to the consistency of the details in these reviews. You will find lots of cut backs.

We booked the lowest inside GTY and got the assignment as soon as I did the online checkin. We were put in a midship OV that was under something obscure and we only heard a few tables/chairs being moved mid-day. Very quiet corridor and totally quiet above us. A very good deal!