Getaway 3/18 to 3/25 - Western Caribbean

[JimR24]

Just off the Getaway this morning from a fantastic cruise. It was my wife and I plus my 17 year old daughter and 12 yr old son.

 

We drove down to Miami from the Tampa area on Saturday the 17th. I had a free night certificate for a Spring Hill Suites about 20 minutes from the port. Nice and clean with the typical hotel breakfast.

 

Embarkation:

 

Nice and easy. Got to the port around 10:15 AM and parked in garage C. After a short walk we unloaded the bags with a porter and moved into the terminal for check-in. We got checked in and were in Group 2. Boarding started at 11:30 sharp and we were sitting in Taste for lunch by 11:55 AM. We had a trip out of Canaveral last year on the Epic and this year was much better in Miami.

 

Ports:

 

Roatan - Great tour with Rony. We actually had his mom as the guide and had a great time. We went to Daniel Johnson's right off the bat. Traffic on the island heading East was bit of a mess due to fixing pit holes but didn't delay us much. We got a change to go into the cage with the 2 Coatis. Very cool experience as they were very curious. The monkeys were awesome and very curious to see if I had anything in my pockets. The highlight of course was holding the Sloth's. Thank goodness we were there early. As we were leaving, the waiting are was full with people. We also went to the Iguana farm, Chocolate shop for a tour and a small beach. I highly recommend Rony's tour company. They met us outside the gate and of the port and escorted to his place. Always answered emails if I had questions.

 

 

Harvest Cay:

 

We knew we wouldn't spend much time here. We got off the ship and looked around and was not overly impressed with it. Found the cost was really high for shopping. The beach itself is nice but the sand is crushed shells and is rough on the feet. Spent the day enjoying an empty ship.

 

Costa Maya:

 

This may have been my favorite port. We had nothing planned but knew we wanted to spend some time on beach and shop. We got both at the town of Majahual. We got off the ship after breakfast and did some shopping at the port. Made our way to the cab stand and paid $2 per person to head to the beach. As soon as we got out we were met by a guy asking if we needed chairs/table on the beach. Family run place that took great care of us. Had a few Coronas and food. Food was outstanding and the Coronas cold. I think we spent 4-5 hours at the place and paid $80 for the day for all of us. Wish I could remember the name but I can't. Maybe too many Coronas. Shopping with the local vendors was a good time. Nothing like seeing your 12 year old negotiate for something he wanted. Funny how that works when it's his money that he is spending. Never seemed to care when spending ours.

 

Cozumel:

 

Booked the day at Mr. Sanchos. Picked up a cab at the port and paid $20 for 4 of us. Trip was about 20 minutes from the port. We were one of 4 ships in port and I expected Sanchos to be packed but it wasn't. Got a set of chairs and a table close to the water. Food and drinks both really good. We booked the fish pedicure for us and had a blast doing that. One of the strangest things I have ever done but worth it. Kids and wife loved it also. Overall, we liked it but thought the beach club in Costa Maya was better.

 

We had 2 sea days and both were fun. Some lines at the bar but nothing I am going to complain about. I think the most I waited was 15 minutes. Most times I would use the waiters that were walking around the deck. A dollar tip a drink goes a long way to make sure they remember you.

 

Disembarking:

 

Really easy. Had breakfast at 8 AM and went back to the room to pick up our luggage. Got an elevator right away and off the ship, through customs and in our car by 9:15 AM.

 

Dining:

 

We ate at the Noodle Bar one night. I like the setup on Epic better but the food was still good. We hit both Taste and Tropicana room one night each. Overall, good food and service. The ship was full and we knew there was a chance service could be slow. We did see a couple leave the Tropicana room because they said they waited 10 minutes and didn't see a waiter. I would have left also but we didn't experience that issue. The rest of the nights and morning we went to the buffet. Good selections every night. Desserts in the case were OK each night but the fresh crepes were awesome. The female chef making them was always asking about our day great to talk to.

 

Spring Break Crowd:

 

I know this has been a hop topic on the board lately. We had no issues with young spring breakers at all. I can say that I saw some things during the Mr. Sexy Legs contest that will forever be burned into my brain (and not in a good way). All I can say is that I hope my grandmother never acted the way 2 of the "Judges" acted. I guess that is the way that these 2 New Yorkers "Brought it", to quote one of them. I have to find a way to get those images out of my head. No issues with chairs at all. We would not think twice about booking another Spring Break cruise.

 

Ship itself:

 

We liked the Getaway better than the Epic. We liked the room on the Epic better but the bathroom on the Getaway. Cabin Steward (Charles) was really good. We saw him every day and he was a really nice guy to talk with for a few minutes. We are not a fan of the Atrium setup how they handle the shows there. We know that going in and plan our days around not going there. Walked through the casino area a few times and never had an issue with the smoke coming from the area. Overall, the staff was friendly. Make sure you are a careful on the decks. We saw a few people slip and fall.

 

We are not the type to look for issues. I'm sure they were there but we were on a family vacation and it will not be ruined by petty things. Our daughter is a junior in HS and will be heading off to college after next summer. The time we have with her like this means a lot to us and we had a great family vacation this time around.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Love Blue]

Really enjoyed your review. We are booked on the Getaway next February and I'm reading all I can about her. Glad to hear that there are crepes - on the Star and the Pearl the crepes were at the buffet in the evening. Is the location the same on the Getaway? Thanks!

[Keith1010]

Excellent review.

 

Thank you for taking the time to write it and share it.

 

Keith

[vacation44]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. I really enjoyed it.

[FlashbackAlternatives]

Thanks for the review. We will be on the Getaway in a little more than a month. My youngest is a high school sophomore. Oldest is a sophomore in college. Time does go by quickly. Glad my oldest still wants to go on vacation with us :)

 

How was the beach at Majahual? Was seagrass an issue? We were there about 12 years ago (prior to the hurricane that wiped that area out) and there was no seagrass at all.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[wizdiz]

Good review. I love the Getaway!

[JimR24]

Really enjoyed your review. We are booked on the Getaway next February and I'm reading all I can about her. Glad to hear that there are crepes - on the Star and the Pearl the crepes were at the buffet in the evening. Is the location the same on the Getaway? Thanks!

 

Same location. The station was located mid-buffet. I think there was only one station making them.

[JimR24]

Thanks for the review. We will be on the Getaway in a little more than a month. My youngest is a high school sophomore. Oldest is a sophomore in college. Time does go by quickly. Glad my oldest still wants to go on vacation with us :)

 

How was the beach at Majahual? Was seagrass an issue? We were there about 12 years ago (prior to the hurricane that wiped that area out) and there was no seagrass at all.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

 

Some sea grass where we were but not up to the shoreline. We had plenty of room to relax in the water. As we shopped, we noticed the grass was thicker down past the Krazy Lobster beach club.

 

We had a pretty cool thing happen on the beach. My daughter was looking at some pelicans perched on some posts about 30 yards out in the water. A guy was standing there and asked if she wanted a picture with one of them. He walked over to the shoreline and waved his hand at them. One flew over to where he was standing and she was able to stand beside the pelican and get a picture. Never seen anything like it.

[CruisingSince1982]

Thanks for the review! What was the charge to see the monkeys and hold the sloth?

[Love Blue]

Same location. The station was located mid-buffet. I think there was only one station making them.

Thank you!

 

Sent from my LG-H873 using Forums mobile app

[JimR24]

Thanks for the review! What was the charge to see the monkeys and hold the sloth?

 

 

$10 per person. We were in a group of 6 and the guide really took his time with each of the animals.

[Sheshefran]

Where did you get the fish pedicure and how much was it?

[JimR24]

Where did you get the fish pedicure and how much was it?

 

We did this at Mr. Sanchos. It's called the Islander Fish Spa. I want to say it was $30 for 30 minutes but they do have 15 minutes also. I would recommend making a reservation with them before you arrive. We saw people turned away because they were full.

[CruisingSince1982]

$10 per person. We were in a group of 6 and the guide really took his time with each of the animals.

 

Thank you

[CruisingPiper]

if I had questions.

 

 

Costa Maya:

 

As soon as we got out we were met by a guy asking if we needed chairs/table on the beach. Family run place that took great care of us. Had a few Coronas and food. Food was outstanding and the Coronas cold. I think we spent 4-5 hours at the place and paid $80 for the day for all of us. Wish I could remember the name but I can't. Maybe too many Coronas. .

 

Were you at Tropicante? Shout out to Steve Uhl from Texas who owns and runs Tropicante. I will be there in a month!

[Draketti]

Great Review! Thanks for your time! Both of my kids are grown but don't yet have families of their own so still vacation with me. I'm sure it's because they know it's a free vacation! They only have to bring spending $. But of course we don't usually cruise for our family vacations. I've just started cruising myself!

[OSUcruiser]

What was the order of your stops? If it was Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras, Cozumel, Can you answer a few questions from the Daily Latitudes? I am trying to plan dinners & shows etc.. The most recent Latitudes I have found were from Nov. 2017 and the ports were in a different order. Not sure if the info would work for my trip.

 

Thanks!

[FlashbackAlternatives]

What was the order of your stops? If it was Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras, Cozumel, Can you answer a few questions from the Daily Latitudes? I am trying to plan dinners & shows etc.. The most recent Latitudes I have found were from Nov. 2017 and the ports were in a different order. Not sure if the info would work for my trip.

 

Thanks!

 

I know my May 6th cruise is Honduras, Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel - sea days book end the port days. I have seen the reverse itinerary as well.

[CruzinMel]

What was the order of your stops? If it was Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras, Cozumel, Can you answer a few questions from the Daily Latitudes? I am trying to plan dinners & shows etc.. The most recent Latitudes I have found were from Nov. 2017 and the ports were in a different order. Not sure if the info would work for my trip.

 

Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing - following....

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

[JimR24]

What was the order of your stops? If it was Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras, Cozumel, Can you answer a few questions from the Daily Latitudes? I am trying to plan dinners & shows etc.. The most recent Latitudes I have found were from Nov. 2017 and the ports were in a different order. Not sure if the info would work for my trip.

 

Thanks!

 

Sea Day

Roatan

Harvest Cay

Costa Maya

Cozumel

Sea Day

 

Time changes happened a bunch. Make sure you keep an eye on that.

[Clarea]

Excellent review, thanks!