NCL Getaway questions HELP :)

[daniigirl182]

Hi,

We will be cruising in 4 days for our first cruise. I have a few questions for previous getaway cruisers. Is the Illusionarium worth the extra money? We are adventurous type people. What excursions are the best at each port? (we get $50 off an excursion at each port.) What are must dos on board? Thank you so much for any advice! We want to make the most out of our trip!

Danielle

[weltek]

We didn't go to the Illusionarium, but hopefully I can help with the rest.

 

Must dos: Do the ropes course. It's not busy on port days, so if you aren't in a hurry to get off the ship, do it in the morning of a port day. Pre-book a comedy show as soon as it's available online. They fill up quickly. Just take a guess at when you will want to do it. You can always cancel. Go to Howl at the Moon. Have some CREATIVE song suggestions ready and tip them well to play your requests. Have embarkation lunch in the Flamingo Grill if it's good weather. It's a small buffet and shouldn't be too crowded. Nice seating outdoors and interesting food choices. Frequent the mojito bar if that's your thing. See the fireworks. Visit Spice H20 during the day to relax. Watch Groove International play if they are on board. FYI-our favorite dining room was the Tropicana Room. Larger, more formal and there was often music and dancing.

 

You can skip the gelato and Buddy's bakery stuff. Not really worth it, IMO.

 

I didn't do the Ice Bar, but it's gotten great reviews!

 

Excursions: The NCL site is actually pretty good because it includes reviews. We don't usually book with the cruise line, so I can't be more helpful. What ports do you visit on the 4 day?

Edited June 9, 2015 by weltek

[MandyMommyof2]

Hi Danielle!! :) While I have not cruised the Getaway yet, I do sail on her in 24 days!! :D I have read that the Illusionarium is worth it if you like magic shows. The food gets pretty good reviews too!! We have had our excursions booked now for about 2 months. I went to the Ports of Call boards on here and also on TripAdvisor to find reviews for the ones we wanted to try. I would try my best to book those ASAP before boarding the ship. Also you may want to go ahead online and book your Burn the Floor and Legally Blonde. Also not needed, but you can make reservations online for dinner. Whether it be for pay or the complimentary dining.

[meltingmoments]

Hi,

We will be cruising in 4 days for our first cruise. I have a few questions for previous getaway cruisers. Is the Illusionarium worth the extra money?

 

Most definitely worth the extra money! The show alone, without the food was worth the extra IMO :)

 

We are adventurous type people. What excursions are the best at each port? (we get $50 off an excursion at each port.)

 

We didn't do any excursions I'm afraid, so can't help you there.

 

What are must dos on board?

 

Teppanyaki for the interaction with the chefs, Legally Blonde and Burn the Floor and a night at Howl at the Moon. The Mojito bar.......especially if you are lucky enough....like we were......to go on a night when people were dancing to the salsa music......great fun to watch! People-watching in the Casino.....highs and lows! I could go on...and on...... have a great trip!! :)

 

Thank you so much for any advice! We want to make the most out of our trip!

Danielle

 

Enjoy! :D

[janpo]

LOVED the Illusionarium. Well worth the money.

[daniigirl182]

Also, what are must brings for cruising in general?

Have lots of bathing suites, light dresses, more dressy dress, Dramamine and Imodium just in case, sub block, a power strip, camera, sweat shirt.... what else am I forgetting? Thanks!!

Danielle

[bruadhin]

Also, what are must brings for cruising in general?

Have lots of bathing suites, light dresses, more dressy dress, Dramamine and Imodium just in case, sub block, a power strip, camera, sweat shirt.... what else am I forgetting? Thanks!!

Danielle

 

I can't speak to NCL specifically, I'm about to book my first cruise with them. I will also note we are heavy packers. But in general:

 

Bring a watch. Odds are, cell phones can act weird if not connected to a network and if you do connect to a network it will reset it to the network's time which may or may not be ship's time.

 

Extra pairs of shoes. It is nice to be able to change shoes from day to day or even after getting back from a port.

 

Extra changes of clothes. Again, it is nice to be able to shower and change after a long day in port.

 

General medicines. Aspirin, tylonel, etc., allergy medication if you have any at all as different flora may affect you differently. Sunburn cream, it happens.

 

Don't bring. Books, kindle, etc. UNLESS you tend to use them anyway. If you tend to be active and on the go, it will just sit there.

[Sand and Seas]

Don't miss Burn the Floor. Flamingo Grill is also great for a quick breakfast without crowds. On sea days, try the walk-up window on the waterfront for Ocean Blue. Have a good time. We LOVE the Getaway!

[Im_on_a_boat]

Loved the atmosphere of the Tropicana. Ask for Gustav. He's the best and has quite the following! He took care of my son and his food allergies! He brought my son all of the French baguettes that he wanted! His asst is a sweetheart too. Even asked me to dance while I waited for my husband to return from the Splash Academy. Unfortunately, I had to decline due to my 2 backwards left feet! LOL

 

In Tortola, book the catamaran sand and snorkel excursion to Norman Island. If you book the morning one, you will get more time. It is so worth it! You get to go to the Blight and the Caves.

 

Went on the St. John snorkel excursion. Loved every second of it! Couldn't ask for a better trip!

 

Went to one of the MDRs (Savor or Taste, can't remember which) for lunch on embarkation day. We were one of 5 tables in there.

 

I agree with going to the Flamingo for breakfast. You can get in and out and have a window seat!

 

Personally, I didn't need a power strip - I brought one and never touched it. You'll have 2 outlets. We never used both at the same time. Turned the phones off once on the ship and only needed to charge the camera a few times. You cannot bring a blow dryer as it may trip the fuse and there's one in your stateroom that worked fine on my naturally crazy hair. I brought my flat iron, but not for my hair. I used it to press a few things that were wrinkled in transit. 400 deg for cotton, 300 deg or lower for synthetics ;)

Edited June 10, 2015 by Im_on_a_boat

[cantonoh1753]

Thanks! Our first cruise in next month!

What night are the fireworks? Thanks Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

quote=weltek;46797274]We didn't go to the Illusionarium, but hopefully I can help with the rest.

 

Must dos: Do the ropes course. It's not busy on port days, so if you aren't in a hurry to get off the ship, do it in the morning of a port day. Pre-book a comedy show as soon as it's available online. They fill up quickly. Just take a guess at when you will want to do it. You can always cancel. Go to Howl at the Moon. Have some CREATIVE song suggestions ready and tip them well to play your requests. Have embarkation lunch in the Flamingo Grill if it's good weather. It's a small buffet and shouldn't be too crowded. Nice seating outdoors and interesting food choices. Frequent the mojito bar if that's your thing. See the fireworks. Visit Spice H20 during the day to relax. Watch Groove International play if they are on board. FYI-our favorite dining room was the Tropicana Room. Larger, more formal and there was often music and dancing.

 

You can skip the gelato and Buddy's bakery stuff. Not really worth it, IMO.

 

I didn't do the Ice Bar, but it's gotten great reviews!

 

Excursions: The NCL site is actually pretty good because it includes reviews. We don't usually book with the cruise line, so I can't be more helpful. What ports do you visit on the 4 day?

[Im_on_a_boat]

We (May 30th) had our fireworks show on day 4, St Thomas day.

[Clover Girl]

I always bring a couple of magnetIc clips.All the walls in the room are metal and it makes it easy to hang up a note or post the newsletter for the day. If you are wearing clothes without pockets, sundress ,etc., bring something to hold or carry your key card. It is used for everything on board from purchases to opening your room. We always go to the main dining room when we board the ship. No crowds and a chance to relax. We also carry on our sunscreen so we can enjoy a lounge chair. If you have time, take the free ship orientation tour. It really helps you feel at home. Have fun!

[roger001]

Here are way too many similar and unedited pictures I took of the Getaway, if you want a preview of her.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/user/roganderson60/media/Getaway1/DSCN5596_zps8f68ea0b.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0

[roger001]

Also, what are must brings for cruising in general?

Have lots of bathing suites, light dresses, more dressy dress, Dramamine and Imodium just in case, sub block, a power strip, camera, sweat shirt.... what else am I forgetting? Thanks!!

Danielle

 

I have a checklist I use before we walk out the door. We will each have different items or issues to remember. However, this might give you a reminder of some you need.

 

Passports

Cameras, battery charger, extra disks, batteries

Binoculars

Watch

White noise machine (I use my iPhone app now)

Coffee, filters

Cooler, beer bottle holder, bottle opener (cooler when driving to port)

GPS

Money, Credit Cards

Cruise Info Packet/ Cruise Ticket

Phones , chargers ( iPhone wall charger)

Luggage

Wheel cart

Pepsi, Beer (When driving to port, or purchase Pepsi at port)

Hats, floppy and baseball

Bug spray

Medicine/ Meclizine

Ponchos

Turn off water

Set heat

House shoes

Spare glasses

Hearing aid

Toothbrushes, batteries

DD Form 214 (for military discount)

Laptop computer, IPad, iPad wall charger

Flashlight

Ipod , headphones

Chap stick

Boarding passes (when flying)

Drivers license

Medical insurance cards

Wallet

Ear plugs

Zip lock bags

Books

Fan

Hair Brush

Soap Scrubber

Electric Candles

 

*Items get added occasionally after finding we had forgotten to take them on a previous cruise.

Edited June 10, 2015 by roger001