Just Back from the Getaway

[lawra09]

After 56 cruises and none on NCL since the Norway, we decided to join friends on the Getaway recently. Embarkation was smooth and we received our luggage by 3 pm which was a surprise. Our cabin was on deck 12 and roomy as was the bathroom and well appointed; however the balcony was the smallest we have ever had - barely enough room for 2 chairs and a very small end table. All balconies appeared to be the same size with exception of suites. Our cabin stewardess was very sweet; however, our cabin was never cleaned before 1 pm the entire 7 days. The best part of the cruise was the freestyle dining - going to different restaurants each night that were included in the price of the cruise. All had the same menu so you didn't have to check menus at each restaurant before deciding which one to go to. The one we did not enjoy was the large dining room which had a band playing every night for dancing while dining and was too loud to enjoy any conversation during dinner. The food was okay most nights, nothing fantastic and no lobster served during entire cruise which was a first for us. We did go to the French specialty restaurant one night which was excellent. The entertainment was a disappointment - two comedians during the cruise, both of which were awful. Shows were mediocre at best - the best being Howling at the Moon that featured two very talented musicians. Cruise is geared towards young adults and families - most venues very crowded and loud! This cruise is definitely not for older adults who enjoy fine dining and good entertainment. Since no cruise is totally bad, we did manage to enjoy ourselves with friends but there is no comparison between NCL and our favorite Celebrity Solstice class ships.

[david_sobe]

Welcome back and thanks for the review. The cruise market has definitely changed. Younger people are cruising more than ever. I think many years ago cruises were seen for older couples. NCL is definitely going after that market esp in today's world where vacations can be expensive. A cruise can be a great vacation for a young family.

[Demonyte]

Thanks for taking time to write about your experiences and opinions.

 

There are few things I'd like to point out though:

 

- Regular balconies on Breakaway class ships are really small, but there are dozens of exceptions without needing to book a suite; balconies and minisuites with large balconies (categories B6 and M6), most aft balconies and minisuites (categories B1 and M1) and also some "secret" balconies and minisuites with angled balconies in regular categories.

 

- Your experience about the loudness (except for the aft MDR, I totally agree there) is interesting, I found many venues on Reflection just as loud or even louder than on Getaway - for example in Molecular Bar on Reflection they blasted music a lot louder than in Mojito Bar on Getaway (those were our go-to places on both ships).

 

Also in the evening the Atrium on Reflection was easily as loud as on NCL ships and that affected all the venues around atrium - it was hard to maintain even a regular conversation after dinner in Martini Bar because of the loud music from one deck below.

 

Personally I found Reflection more alike than different from Getaway (outside activities excluded, Getaway does have a lot more things there for those young at heart) - while those two classes of ships are different, definitely comparable with both having their pros and cons.

 

Our next Getaway cruise will be with a 7 year old, so Getaway has no competition, but when it's only our regular group of adults (ages between 32 and 52) and no kids, newer Celebrity ships are definitely good alternatives - but still definitely not "no comparison" better.

 

For example with Celebrity's Select dining (that a large part of passengers are forced to use, we haven't had even the possibility to choose traditional dining when booking our Celebrity cruises ~8 months in advance, not that we would) - even with pre-reservations - we found the experience very similar to NCL and while the quality of food was a bit better on average, the experience still wasn't fine dining enough to me to make distinction between the two.

 

About entertainment I can speak only of things outside the theatre (musical acts in the atrium, show dancers performing in the evenings in atrium/Solarium/etc and the theme parties) and felt they all were really similar to NCL's with the exception that during the days Relfection's pool deck usually didn't have any music at all (our friends told us that this was different from for example Summit).

 

All in all, it's nice to read about different opinions and experiences between the two cruise lines especially now that we finally tried something else than NCL. Regardless of the difference in our opinions, it's really nice to hear that you still enjoyed yourselves. :)

[detroitlions]

After 56 cruises and none on NCL since the Norway, we decided to join friends on the Getaway recently. Embarkation was smooth and we received our luggage by 3 pm which was a surprise. Our cabin was on deck 12 and roomy as was the bathroom and well appointed; however the balcony was the smallest we have ever had - barely enough room for 2 chairs and a very small end table. All balconies appeared to be the same size with exception of suites. Our cabin stewardess was very sweet; however, our cabin was never cleaned before 1 pm the entire 7 days. The best part of the cruise was the freestyle dining - going to different restaurants each night that were included in the price of the cruise. All had the same menu so you didn't have to check menus at each restaurant before deciding which one to go to. The one we did not enjoy was the large dining room which had a band playing every night for dancing while dining and was too loud to enjoy any conversation during dinner. The food was okay most nights, nothing fantastic and no lobster served during entire cruise which was a first for us. We did go to the French specialty restaurant one night which was excellent. The entertainment was a disappointment - two comedians during the cruise, both of which were awful. Shows were mediocre at best - the best being Howling at the Moon that featured two very talented musicians. Cruise is geared towards young adults and families - most venues very crowded and loud! This cruise is definitely not for older adults who enjoy fine dining and good entertainment. Since no cruise is totally bad, we did manage to enjoy ourselves with friends but there is no comparison between NCL and our favorite Celebrity Solstice class ships.

This is why you research cruises. You know some of the cruise lines exp NCL and CC are geared toward people that still work or still work and have familys. They know they will book a lot of excursions spend alot on drinks and the casino and are not on a fixed income. A good line to still hang with the elderly and there prefrences is HAL and Celebertiy or Princes I would stick with these if I were in the 68 and older crowd.

[Demonyte]

... HAL and Celebertiy or Princes I would stick with these if I were in the 68 and older crowd.

 

Wow. Just wow.

 

I'm 34, dislike stuffiness etc (that's why we thought that we'd stick with NCL forever ;)) and really enjoyed my cruise on Celebrity Reflection - hopefully the same happens on an older Celebrity ship (Summit) later this year.

[jrbeccles]

Golly but its fun to mix up and try different cruise lines. My DW (51) and I (a tender 60) were very surprised how much we enjoyed our last two Celebrity cruises - both ships were great and man that Martini bar! However now its time to switch it up and party a little on NCL for the next two. And if we feel a little stuffy I'll break out the tux and take a Princess cruise which is formal and romantic and nice. Want a giggle and an "ah isn't that cute"? - take a Disney ship.

Its like saying that you have to rent the same condo at the same place year after year for your vacation. Of course you feel comfortable and you enjoy it, but unless you are totally enamored with it would you not like to try a different location, and in this case cruise line?

Variety is the only true aphrodisiac!

[Seatbelt_Bag_LOVE]

Wow. Just wow.

 

 

 

I'm 34, dislike stuffiness etc (that's why we thought that we'd stick with NCL forever ;)) and really enjoyed my cruise on Celebrity Reflection - hopefully the same happens on an older Celebrity ship (Summit) later this year.

 

 

I think you will like the Summit. We were on a sailing to Bermuda, and found the entertainment and activities to be lively. We just returned from a 10 day sailing on Equinox, and that cruise was quite stuffy. We were definitely the young pups on the cruise being in our early 30s. I am excited

To try NCL, because it seems like there is more happening. At least I am hoping it is more fun!

[kjquilts]

Sorry that you found the entertainment on Getaway a disappointment. We are in our mid-upper 60's and seriously loved the entertainment on the Getaway. We didn't see the comedians (couldn't fit it in) and it was just too loud for us to stay for Sugar Blue in the Grammy Experience but we loved

 

Howl at the Moon - more than once :)

Imaginarium Dinner and Show (fee)

Wine Lovers the Musical (fee for good lunch and fun show)

Legally Blonde

Burn the Floor

Groove International (group who played in the Atrium)

Alis and Pedja - entertained several times in the Sugarcane Bar

the various "shows" in the Atrium (Newly Wed - Celebrity Dance Off etc) you do need to get there early to get good seat

Fireworks - watched from our friends port side balcony while drinking a glass of wine

Ice Bar Experience (a fun and totally unexpected comp)

Just walking around, picking a bar and having a drink and visiting with each other, bartender and fellow cruisers. Loved the Ultimate Beverage Package included in our sailing :)

 

We had a great meet and greet with fellow cruise critic members and Norwegian staff - best meet and greet to date. Highly recommend cruisers join your roll call and attend the meet and greet. Loved how accessible and friendly Sean (hotel director) and the other ship officers were. We've always loved the Norwegian crew/staff but Getaway was best ever.

 

I agree most of the balconies are ridiculously tiny. If you want a large balcony go for aft facing - our stateroom 9920 had two loungers, two chairs and a tiny table and there was LOTS of room left over. Some days it was later when our stateroom was made up but it didn't matter to us because we were out and about anyway.

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you for your review....did you find the Getaway to rock more than other ships?

[lawra09]

Did not notice the Getaway rocking any more than other ships. In fact, it was a pretty smooth sailing.

[bowlinmoe]

Wow. Just wow.

 

I'm 34, dislike stuffiness etc (that's why we thought that we'd stick with NCL forever ;)) and really enjoyed my cruise on Celebrity Reflection - hopefully the same happens on an older Celebrity ship (Summit) later this year.

 

My wife and I did the Celebrity Solstice a couple years back and it is definitely a calmer, quieter cruise that's better for older folks. Also, there's really not much to do later at night. Everything seems to shut down. This wasn't the case with Royal Caribbean or Carnival.

[Nola26]

This is why you research cruises. You know some of the cruise lines exp NCL and CC are geared toward people that still work or still work and have familys. They know they will book a lot of excursions spend alot on drinks and the casino and are not on a fixed income. A good line to still hang with the elderly and there prefrences is HAL and Celebertiy or Princes I would stick with these if I were in the 68 and older crowd.

 

My mother is close to the 68 number and will outlast me on the dance floor. Age is truly just a number! She'll want her chill time, but when it is party time (no alcohol required) turn up the music!

[rbird]

Thanks for your thoughts OP.

 

Haven't been on NCL since S/S Norway either.

While I haven't cruised as much as you, we look forward to trying Celebrity by ourselves next time. We chose NCL Getaway as a gift to our son for graduation this year. I have enjoyed reading the variety or reviews.