Illusionarium Review

[Mattsudds]

Like many here, I am just back from the Norwegian Getaway. Many people will post great pics and reviews from the ship in general, so I thought I would post something about the Illusionarium, the novelty on the ship. The Illusionarium is in the same space as the Spiegel tent on the breakaway. This is a domed, circular space which is fitted out with the idea that an auction of magician's props is about to take place. It is very well done in general and the domed roof plays a key part in the show.

 

The show is MCed by the 'auctioneer' and I wont give too much away but to say that there are several different magicians. The tricks are what you have seen in shipboard magicians before. There are disappearing handkerchiefs, ladies, card tricks and levitating furniture and a 'mentalist'. The action takes place on the circular, raised stage in the middle of the room. A few volunteers take part but nothing that embarrasses the individual.

 

The dinner was Proscuitto, tomato and mozzarella salad, surf and turf, trio of deserts. In truth, the food was a big disappointment. The starter had been chilled so long that it was rubbery and tasteless, the main course steak was delicious but tiny, with undercooked veg. Desert was fine. Service was rushed and unpolished.

 

I had pre-booked via myNcl and wished I hadn't bothered since the ship didn't have the reservation I had paid for, and onboard the prices were different anyway. Despite having 4,100 onboard, the shows weren't full and on the showing I attended, at least half the audience were crew. Onboard, discounts were being offered due to the empty space.

 

Overall this was a very well done venue, magic we have all seen before and a really poor dinner. Perhaps it will get better but for me presently this is an extra charge for something that once was free, with a worse meal than available elsewhere.

 

Other than that, Getaway is a nice ship with most of the good and bad points of Breakaway repeated.

 

For me, I would still rather they confined the casino to a single, enclosed space so that it wasn't so central to the ship, and the smoking confined accordingly.

[hpecorari]

The dinner was Proscuitto, tomato and mozzarella salad, surf and turf, trio of deserts. In truth, the food was a big disappointment. The starter had been chilled so long that it was rubbery and tasteless, the main course steak was delicious but tiny, with undercooked veg. Desert was fine. Service was rushed and unpolished.

 

Overall this was a very well done venue, magic we have all seen before and a really poor dinner. Perhaps it will get better but for me presently this is an extra charge for something that once was free, with a worse meal than available elsewhere. .

 

 

 

The meal seems to be the same as it was on the Epic and the same as it is on the Breakaway. However, I enjoyed the show better on the Breakaway than I did on the Epic.

 

And....when was it ever 'free'. It was always a 'pay' dinner show on the Epic as well as the Breakaway. The Getaway is no different.

 

Harriet

[Mattsudds]

I meant that magic shows used to be free, a regular of cruise ships. And the illusionarium show has nothing those shows didn't have other than the special effects of the room.

[david_sobe]

This is what I was afraid of... standard magic show with women changing clothes behind a quick curtain, disappearing handkerchiefs, mental number guessing, etc.

 

I LOVE magic, have magicians in the family and have been part of their acts. I support magicians all the way and love to see it. But to charge $40 for a standard magic show is getting crazy. I said the same thing about how the Epic Cirque Dreams got so watered down that it bordered on the free acrobatics shows I have seen on other NCL ships for free. And the food is not great either.

I am sure without the dome effects, most would not be overly impressed with basic magic.

Having said all that, will I see it? Of course !

:)

[3DBeach]

That's a shame to hear, the concept sounds great but you're right about magic shows usually being free. I understand this comes with a meal but it doesn't even sound like it's worth the money.

[hpecorari]

This is what I was afraid of... standard magic show with women changing clothes behind a quick curtain, disappearing handkerchiefs, mental number guessing, etc.

 

I LOVE magic, have magicians in the family and have been part of their acts. I support magicians all the way and love to see it. But to charge $40 for a standard magic show is getting crazy. I said the same thing about how the Epic Cirque Dreams got so watered down that it bordered on the free acrobatics shows I have seen on other NCL ships for free. And the food is not great either.

I am sure without the dome effects, most would not be overly impressed with basic magic.

Having said all that, will I see it? Of course !

:)

 

 

LOL - And although I saw Epics and Breakaways (which was better imho then

Epics) I think I'm going to pass on seeing this on my May Getaway cruise!

 

Harriet

Then again.....I have plenty of time to change my mind between now and then!

[dalgirl]

I have always been iffy about magicians - if it was free, I would see it. But to pay $40 a person is crazy. Our last cruise on the Epic we had seen everything else and thought to pay and see the Cirque Dreams (same type show as what you have seen on the other NCL ships). Discovered that they had increased prices from $15 to $40:eek: I actually laughed and declined and I could tell that the crew member selling the tickets was sympathetic.

 

It seems that I remember that they were originally going to do a "jungle themed" cirque show on the Getaway? I might have liked to have seen that for $15 or $20, but never for $40.

[david_sobe]

I was "hoping" the dome was more than just effects. But I have seen 2 reviews so far to comment the dome is just lights and effects. I was hoping for something really cool like someone got beamed up from the audience and was never seen again.

:)

[HokiePoq]

That's a shame to hear, the concept sounds great but you're right about magic shows usually being free. I understand this comes with a meal but it doesn't even sound like it's worth the money.

 

True. And when it's free, I don't go as magic is something that's not my thing. (Magic and acrobats are not my things, lol.) Would rather be in a lounge with a good performer.

Thanks for the info, OP.