NCL Getaway Redux - Live Junket from 12/31/22 - 1/8/23

[cruiseny4life]

13 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

A friend of mine who was in the Haven a month ago said they now punch the leather card holder you get with the Haven

Oooooo! I have news on this front. Literally, today I did see someone with a punched Haven card holder. So, yes, they do that...or the dude put a hole in it himself.

[luvcruzing]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

“I'm from NY and you'll wait your turn in line."

Best line ever! 🤣

[cruiseny4life]

An afternoon drink in bed. Sparkling Garden after enjoying the hot tub. 

 

[cruiseny4life]

The final sunset of my last 2022, first 2023 cruise. 

 

 

Tomorrow we pass the ship on to others, much as Wadsworth described, never meeting, never knowing, but experiencing the same.

[FLcruisergrl]

8 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I shall warn him about you. Haha, no, he really does a great job and is willing to do whatevers necessary to make a great trip for all of us. He has such a calm presence which I appreciate as an introvert.

We had Alex on the Dawn in March. It was quite a disorganized check in, due to a late docking from the previous cruise. We finally arrived to the Haven area and I’m sure we looked quite stressed. We definitely were, after being told to go here, no there, then back over there. Alex said, “don’t worry, I am here to take care of you.” And he did. He is one of my top 3 favorites of all time. So calming and professional.

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I had a worrisome conversation with a crew member on this cruise   < snipped >  ...  as they truly were embarrassed certain items are not available due to these cutbacks ... More likely, the item was reduced intentionally. 

 

Thank you for that info about Dine With Officers & Wine Tasting ... we've seen things below deck on the BA, Escape, Gem, Jewel & Dawn so BTS tour for the GA (sister ship to BA) isn't a big deal to us. This is useful to pass info along to others on our Roll Call, got that feeling our nearly full sailing will have hundreds of newly minted Platinum members eager to take the I-95 Walk & peek into the officer's mess hall.  Oh well, no can't do.  

 

Yay, will sign up for Dining with the Officers at CruiseNext once onboard and expect to have an interesting & fruitful conversation.  

 

As for the cutbacks and rationing, NCL isn't the only corporate entities doing this.  We spend NYE weekend at a land-based resort-hotel and noticed the same happening in the club/lounge, scaling & dialing back the premium items for its invited guests.  

 

Maritime weather looks fine thus far, see the GA off the coast leaving MD into DE heading for NJ - might be a little windy - great job on the bridge charting the route - for a few hours, looking like an early arrival.  Have a wonderful dinner onboard this evening ! 

[sailorusvi]

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I know they have bourbon. What brand does he like? I can check tonight. I've never enjoyed bourbon, but I had a drink this week with bourbon which was delicious! 

 

Personally, I think your husband should lower his expectations if he's expecting amazing. While I will always say the Haven Restaurant is excellent, it's not the same as a foodie on land restaurant or a fancy restaurant. Nothing else on the ship compares. I've heard others say Le Bistro is just a step below the Haven Restaurant and is French so that would be my next option for you. Cagney's, which many enjoy, is like Texas Roadhouse to me. Ok, but know not to expect a lot. La Cucina is slightly elevated from Olive Garden. Again, good. 

 

Anyway, food is subjective, blah, blah, blah...food onboard is good. It's not excellent. But, I have enjoyed many of my meals this week and am not sad. I tried the buffet, because I was tired of the fancy Haven atmosphere. Doting servers, multiple courses, 1.5 hour meals, extended conversations with the maitre d. I'm an introvert and appreciate just chilling with my phone and a plate of food. 

 

Unfortunately, as you've probably seen, the buffet was...not good. I'd say, stay away. Otherwise, you'll have yummy meals!

 

His regulars are Makers Mark and Bulliet,  Splurges are Blantons, Woodford Reserve and others I can't remember.

 

Food - It's very subjective. While my husband is an amazing chef (might be bias here)

and cooks/has cooked for high profile a people around the country (and 2 islands),  he has simple tastes himself.  His favorite meal is pizza 😛  He HATES buffets.  Not a fan of steaks (although I am, so he takes one for the team and orders fish or pasta 🙂.  He had gastric sleeve surgery so he can't eat much at a seating anyway.  He will be more of a grazer. He is interested in the noodle bar (after I showed him your pics), Ocean Blue (loves seafood), and likes sushi.

 

Enjoy your last night!

 

 

[Seas2mountains]

2 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

We had Alex on the Dawn in March. It was quite a disorganized check in, due to a late docking from the previous cruise. We finally arrived to the Haven area and I’m sure we looked quite stressed. We definitely were, after being told to go here, no there, then back over there. Alex said, “don’t worry, I am here to take care of you.” And he did. He is one of my top 3 favorites of all time. So calming and professional.

We also cruised Getaway Haven with Alex. We agree with you - he is calm, professional and remembers to follow-up.  We definitely appreciated him. 

[cruiseny4life]

Sadness of the day. All pools, hot tubs on the boat are closed, including the thermal suite and Haven. No more relaxing soaking allowed!

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Thank you for that info about Dine With Officers & Wine Tasting ... we've seen things below deck on the BA, Escape, Gem, Jewel & Dawn so BTS tour for the GA (sister ship to BA) isn't a big deal to us. This is useful to pass info along to others on our Roll Call, got that feeling our nearly full sailing will have hundreds of newly minted Platinum members eager to take the I-95 Walk & peek into the officer's mess hall.  Oh well, no can't do.  

 

Yay, will sign up for Dining with the Officers at CruiseNext once onboard and expect to have an interesting & fruitful conversation.  

 

As for the cutbacks and rationing, NCL isn't the only corporate entities doing this.  We spend NYE weekend at a land-based resort-hotel and noticed the same happening in the club/lounge, scaling & dialing back the premium items for its invited guests.  

 

Maritime weather looks fine thus far, see the GA off the coast leaving MD into DE heading for NJ - might be a little windy - great job on the bridge charting the route - for a few hours, looking like an early arrival.  Have a wonderful dinner onboard this evening ! 

We are 99 miles away from NYC. Not sure if those are nautical miles. We are currently going 13 knots, so I'm thinking we will definitely have that early arrival barring the tides.

 

I always dislike early port days, and obviously truly dislike the last day as I wake up expecting the ship to wake me as the thrusters are used. Alas, this means I wake up repeatedly through the night, just so the ship doesn't wake me. Oh the irony.

 

Yes, I definitely understand cutbacks at this time. I'm hoping we won't have to endure them for long, but am guessing they'll be here for awhile!

 

Enjoy your cruise later this month!

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, sailorusvi said:

 

His regulars are Makers Mark and Bulliet,  Splurges are Blantons, Woodford Reserve and others I can't remember.

 

Food - It's very subjective. While my husband is an amazing chef (might be bias here)

and cooks/has cooked for high profile a people around the country (and 2 islands),  he has simple tastes himself.  His favorite meal is pizza 😛  He HATES buffets.  Not a fan of steaks (although I am, so he takes one for the team and orders fish or pasta 🙂.  He had gastric sleeve surgery so he can't eat much at a seating anyway.  He will be more of a grazer. He is interested in the noodle bar (after I showed him your pics), Ocean Blue (loves seafood), and likes sushi.

 

Enjoy your last night!

 

 

The salmon is good in the Haven for lunch. Not excellent, but good. 

 

I did see Woodford Reserve! I'll see what else I can see in the morning. Anita will be there at 4:30 AM, opening at 6 AM. Those kind of hours are not for me anymore. I used to be a baker so did the 3 AM wake up many mornings! I prefer not to do so anymore.

[cruiseny4life]

14 hours ago, cruiseinfoseeker said:

Thanks you, thank you! You are so very kind.

I'm really glad that nobody knows and it only applies to the Pr1mas. Maybe it's a fancy bar they have on there. I haven't been following much on it as I'm not yet (if ever even) interested in sailing them.

 

So I have the most recent news. Alex says that Johnnie Walker Blue and Remy Martin are a part of the Conossieur Collection. These are only available in the pr1ma's Haven. Others will not be able to partake. I imagine there may be more than these two, but it's the information I was provided. More than we knew before!

[cruiseny4life]

On 1/5/2023 at 11:29 PM, kitkat343 said:

How long do you wait for the buzzer?   Can you easily grab a buzzer and be nearby? Is there a time where you don’t have to wait for the buzzer (I don’t care how long the wait is, as long as I don’t have to stand in line because my kids will destroy the ship if I keep them on an hour line).  If I can grab a buzzer and walk around with them we’ll be fine.  

Not sure I answered this, sorry about that! We arrived at 5:15 and had a buzzer by 5:45. We then went to Mix 21 (bar across from Shanghai) for drinks and entered the empty Bliss Lounge to wait for our table. I'm not sure the range of the buzzers. Worked fine for us, but we were only 50 feet from the host stand. 

 

The best time to come, if you want no wait (in line), is probably about 6 PM. The line at dinner seemed to dissipate by then. At lunch time there is no good time. You'll have to wait no matter what. Or be told they can't sit you because there are too many people ahead of you.

 

One possible consideration with kids is that all the tables are high top communal tables. I don't know if this is why, but I saw very few children under 15 at Shanghai. The food would be great for kids, I'd think. Who doesn't love dumplings, egg rolls, rice, and noodles? 

[kitkat343]

27 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Not sure I answered this, sorry about that! We arrived at 5:15 and had a buzzer by 5:45. We then went to Mix 21 (bar across from Shanghai) for drinks and entered the empty Bliss Lounge to wait for our table. I'm not sure the range of the buzzers. Worked fine for us, but we were only 50 feet from the host stand. 

 

The best time to come, if you want no wait (in line), is probably about 6 PM. The line at dinner seemed to dissipate by then. At lunch time there is no good time. You'll have to wait no matter what. Or be told they can't sit you because there are too many people ahead of you.

 

One possible consideration with kids is that all the tables are high top communal tables. I don't know if this is why, but I saw very few children under 15 at Shanghai. The food would be great for kids, I'd think. Who doesn't love dumplings, egg rolls, rice, and noodles? 

Thanks - this is really helpful.  You also really helped me by publishing the dailies.  It looks like the kids club is operational for your cruise, which is a really hopeful sign for me since I will be embarking on 1/8.

[cruiseny4life]

As Taylor would say, "Welcome to New York!"

 

 

 

 

 

Ill still be adding a bit, but as we pull into Pier 88 (?), I'll be turning it over to @Laszlo

 

If I didn't answer your question, my apologies! I still have some Great Stirrup Cay photos, and other random thoughts. Hang out here for another NY minute!

[cruiseny4life]

We are turning ever so slowly into the pier as I enjoy my last Almond Croissant and French Press.

 

[Mike C]

Thank you for taking us along

 

Get home safe

[mking8288]

Goooood morning to you and to all on the Getaway.  Welcome to the Big Apple ... Sunrise is 7:20 am. 

 

Next Friday is our turn to embark & Bon Voyage to Laszlo, Jimesopus and others. Many on our CC roll call organized by disfan13 are continuing to follow along. 

Edited January 8, 2023 by mking8288

[amygutman]

Thank you so much for taking the time from your vacation to post this live review. The photos are especially gorgeous, and really appreciate your honest commentary. 

 

The Getaway seems like a great ship, the Haven particularly nice as well. Looking forward to our April cruise out of Port Canaveral and have been tempted to book for a transatlantic but that open Haven has been a negative. We love the courtyard for swimming / hot tubs especially in cold weather - but feel that a transatlantic in the open cold spring air would not be pleasant.

 

I'm glad to hear that it didn't bother the tow of you cold-loving folks, but I'm freezing even in the high 70s so despite the great transatlantic deals, I think we will keep to our warm weather Haven trips!

 

"Warmest" 🙂, Amy

[Seas2mountains]

Thank you for taking the time to not only provide wonderful updates and great photos but also the time involved with researching the answers to many questions.  
 

I’m already looking forward to hopefully reading about your next cruise. 
 

Have safe travels home! 

[laudergayle]

Thanks for your posts…I’ve enjoyed your humor immensely.  Time to go back to that job you love 🤣 Here’s to your next cruise🥂

[cruiseny4life]

On 1/3/2023 at 5:22 PM, DaisyGoldberg said:

Loving your trip report as we will be on the Getaway in a few weeks.

 

As somebody who also doesn't enjoy the taste of booze, I'd love your husband's recommendations of non alcoholic drinks he enjoyed. We'll be in the Haven, too, so if there's a particular bartender who has the nonalcoholic magic touch, I can look for him/her!

There were a couple of good ones he enjoyed constantly! Passion Fruit Cooler and Raspberry Cooler. The Raspberry Cooler is excellent with strawberry puree too. Both of these are the Haven embarkation drink on the Getaway. Other ships have different embarkation welcome drinks.

 

[KP@Sea]

Thank you for the excellent review.  It made me even more excited for our turn in May.
 

Safe travels home! 

[cruiseny4life]

On 1/4/2023 at 8:56 PM, cruiseny4life said:

Not yet. We will be tomorrow when we tender to Great Stirrup Cay. I hope we make it! 

So @Laszlo we never left via the Havem elevator, except for today. When we tendered we used the general tender debark point as there was no line or wait.

 

Sorry I can't be of more help!

[Dorhead1230]

@cruiseny4life thanks so much for your informative and engaging review. I noticed in the Dailies that at night it didn’t look as though there were parties listed in Spice H2O. Did I miss something? Did they stop having those parties? I’m asking because it would make me happy if they weren’t doing them 🤭. We’re aft on deck 13 in Feb. My husband and I are generally in the casino pretty late, but I’m hoping it won’t be crazy loud at night for my mom and our 4-year-old son who will be 2 cabins away. By the time we booked, our only option for an aft-facing with a regular balcony as close as possible was deck 13, so we took it, but I did have some concerns about noise from Spice parties just a couple decks up.

 

Thanks again for the great review!