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Back from Getaway - Review and Videos

steilkurve

By steilkurve,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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steilkurve

steilkurve

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Hello everyone. Sailed Norwegian Getaway on March 1st in a 2-Bedroom Family Suite in The Haven. We absolutely loved our experience. We hadn't sailed NCL in a while and thought they have done an amazing job crafting a unique cruise product unavailable elsewhere, especially the dining options, debarkation and creating an upscale experience in a secluded portion of the ship.

 

The Haven was a discovery for us and we are already thinking of booking another Haven experience. The 2-Bedroom Family Suite gave our family of 4 more space and convenience than we've ever had on a ship. The subdued atmosphere of the entire Haven complex also pleased us significantly. Even the kids (8 and 11) enjoyed the calm after time spent in the livelier parts of the ship.

 

The other two pluses were The Haven restaurant and butler service. Literally 2 minutes from our cabin, The Haven Restaurant food was very good and service top notch. And our butler Lucky was most helpful with special deliveries, even by the pool.

 

The only complaint we'd have is cabin cleanliness. Sure the cabin steward came twice a day in their usual unobtrusive way and all the basics were covered such making beds and replacing towels but bathroom countertops and floors could have been cleaner. Ditto with high touch surfaces such as around door knobs and lighting switches. Oh and, the steward had even left the previous passengers robes in the closet. Nothing dramatic, just unexpected in higher tier accommodations like this.

 

Click this link for my video tour of The Haven and our cabin.

 

 

The other highlight of our cruise was the dining. We did not eat in the MDRs once! We either did a specialty restaurant, The Haven Restaurant or the buffet a handful of times. Aside from dinner at the Illusionarium, which was too banquet-like for our taste, dining was excellent. We especially enjoyed Moderno and Ocean Blue, though we did not try all restaurants.

 

Finally, we liked the design of the ship. It's not gaudy or too flashy. It's refined in most places and tasteful. Only areas that we thought may have benefited from more attention are the Getaway Theatre (really bare bones) and the first deck of the atrium. Thought the Bistro entrance and pavement flooring clashed with the modern feel of the rest of the space.

 

Click this link for my video tour of the rest of the ship.

 

 

Overall, we're glad we sailed the ship. It's made us want to sail NCL again.

 

Any questions, don't hesitate!

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steilkurve

steilkurve

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Did your kids go to the kids club? If so what did they like best and what is their overall opinion of that area?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

They did go, just once. My 11-year old liked it a lot and made a bunch of friends. The youngest is not as social but still played along. Overall, they enjoyed it.

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AttilaTheFun

AttilaTheFun

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Love the videos. Excellent job.

 

I do have a question though...at the Spice H20, is there not a pool there like there is on the Epic in front of the big screen tv?

 

Nope. They have a waterfall mini-pool type thing at the back of Spice H2O that works well for cooling off. The pool on Epic in Spice was so tiny that you just stood there - too tiny for swimming. The waterfall feature works really well instead. There's a pic in my signature in the Breakaway inaugural review.

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steilkurve

steilkurve

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Nope. They have a waterfall mini-pool type thing at the back of Spice H2O that works well for cooling off. The pool on Epic in Spice was so tiny that you just stood there - too tiny for swimming. The waterfall feature works really well instead. There's a pic in my signature in the Breakaway inaugural review.

 

 

They also have hot tubs close to the screen, but no pool.

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willise

willise

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Thanks for the review!

 

We just booked a back to back Getaway voyage for April 2015 (the last St. Maarten cruise and the first Tortola cruise) for our 20th anniversary. We have a B6 and an aft B1 booked.

 

It's still a year away, but still very excited!!:D

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lovewine

lovewine

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Hi! Thank you for the great reviews! Are there any special events for suite passengers and do you remember when they were, we are trying to decide on restaurant and show reservations and did not want to miss any suite events. Any suggestions as to how to get the most out of the suite experience? What did you have delivered to the pool? Thank you!

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steilkurve

steilkurve

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There was a special cocktail event with the captain in the Haven lounge. It was on the Monday night if memory serves me right. What I had delivered to the Haven pool were sandwiches for the kids in between meal service time in the Haven. But frankly, the butler will deliver whatever you want, whenever you want. I got ours to bring us Carlo's cannoli as we didn't want to leave the cabin to grab some. That would be my advice, use your butler. It was our first time so we weren't sure what was customary but go ahead and ask! We didn't do it but should have asked for unpacking assistance. Our daughters took forever to do it and I'm sure Lucky would have done it for us. Just make sure you reward with appropriate tipping at the end.

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Winchester Ranger

Winchester Ranger

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Nice videos, very professional.

 

A couple of questions:

 

- How the the priority embarkation and debarkation work out for you?

- What's the easiest way to get a list of ship's activities for the week?

- In your opinion what was the single best place to eat?

 

 

Thanks !

Edited by Winchester Ranger
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steilkurve

steilkurve

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Nice videos, very professional.

 

A couple of questions:

 

- How the the priority embarkation and debarkation work out for you?

- What's the easiest way to get a list of ship's activities for the week?

- In your opinion what was the single best place to eat?

 

 

Thanks !

 

 

Embarkation took no more than 10 minutes. There is a dedicated lounge right after security. Family sat down and grabbed the light lunch while I was at the counter. Once it was done, they handheld us to our cabin passing ALL the lines. We got to the pier around 11:30.

 

Debarkation was even faster. We went to see the concierge with our luggage at 9:15. He escorted us down to the gangway through a service elevator. 5 minutes in total perhaps. We loved being able to pack in the morning and not ruining our last night with that chore.

 

Activities, do you mean while onboard? If so, I used the iConcierge app. If you want it now, some people on the board here may have the daily bulletins they deliver. I don't unfortunately.

 

As for the best restaurant I would say Ocean Blue, at least if you're into more creative cuisine. Otherwise, Moderno would be my pick.

 

Anything else don't hesitate.

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Winchester Ranger

Winchester Ranger

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Embarkation took no more than 10 minutes. There is a dedicated lounge right after security. Family sat down and grabbed the light lunch while I was at the counter. Once it was done, they handheld us to our cabin passing ALL the lines. We got to the pier around 11:30.

 

Debarkation was even faster. We went to see the concierge with our luggage at 9:15. He escorted us down to the gangway through a service elevator. 5 minutes in total perhaps. We loved being able to pack in the morning and not ruining our last night with that chore.

 

Activities, do you mean while onboard? If so, I used the iConcierge app. If you want it now, some people on the board here may have the daily bulletins they deliver. I don't unfortunately.

 

As for the best restaurant I would say Ocean Blue, at least if you're into more creative cuisine. Otherwise, Moderno would be my pick.

 

Anything else don't hesitate.

 

You're a star, thanks steilkurve, I may call on you again :)

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steilkurve

steilkurve

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Which cabin # were you in? We are traveling with kids and I am wondering if it's better to be on the 15th or 16th deck. Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Replied on the other thread! Let me know if you want me to repost.

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