Any tips/ advice for travelling on Norwegian Getaway ?

[PP82]

I’m travelling to the Caribbean next month on the Norwegian Getaway and have only done one cruise before - is it worth upgrading on anything such as the drinks package or speciality meals ? Any tips of things to do / not do please ? 
I’m travelling with my partner and 17 year old son …

 

Thank you 

😊 

[Middleager]

We were on Getaway in 2021 Dec, TA cruise.

 

Getaway is a big ship.  So take some time to familiarize yourself with the ship.

 

We liked going to the two smaller dining rooms, Taste and Savor, especially tables by the windows.  They are smaller than the main dining room, and just felt better.

 

The Shanghai noodle bar was fine, but it's right beside the casino.  The first day we tried it it was fine.  After that when the casino is in use, the smoke from the casino was bothersome, so we didn't go there any more.  NCL needs to change the design to not have any restaurant immediately beside a smoking area.

 

The rope climbing station is pretty good.  On warmer days I tried it twice.  There is one bar that sticks out of the ship.  Only 2 persons fall into the sea each week, and I wasn't one of them -- just kidding.  It can feel scary.  I did it, but some people don't try that.

 

We tried all the specialty dinings.  Like Le Bistro but it felt crowded/rushed.  Cagney and Moderno were good, but I'm a steak eater so they suit me.  La Cucina was so so.  Ocean Blues was so so, I ordered a lobster and it wasn't too good.  I heard NCL has a challenge to source good consistent lobsters.

 

It's a nice ship.  Enjoy.

[kitkat343]

The taxes/fees on the drink package are really high, so its a personal call as to whether you will actually drink enough to make that worthwhile.  Also, there are exclusions of expensive liquor from the drink package (I don't drink much so I'm not the person to advise you on this beyond please look at the very scary taxes and fees price on that package).  People who drink a lot of the included liquor seem very happy with the package; people who don't drink much will decline.

 

I'm sailing the getaway on Sunday, so I'll have a better sense of the food then.  If you quote me after the 20th  I'll get a notification and be able to answer this question again.  There are two live reviews on this forum you should look at, one is of the NYE cruise to Bermuda that is sailing as I type (although it is technically no longer a cruise Bermuda since they didn't make it there due to weather) and the other is a live review from the 1/9 cruise from NY to Barbados and the Dominican Republic (which is also not a cruise to the Dominican Republic because NCL ran a ship aground there 8 months ago but chose to advertise cruises they wouldn't be able to deliver) that Lazlo is writing.  Maybe the NCL cruise titles are cursed.  

 

Please note that there are rumors that the ropes course is closed because it failed inspection, and we can let you know the status of the rope course as of the end of January.

 

Also, I assume if your itinerary states you are sailing to the DR, you know how to research if that might happen and if not just reply to this and I' ll be happy to explain.

 

The 17 year old might be interested in the arcade package upgrade, although someone recommended waiting until you are on board to visit the arcade room to ensure they have arcade games he'd like.  That package gives you unlimited arcade games (except the games that give out tickets you can trade in for prizes.)  Families have shared this - there's a limit as to how many games you can swipe within 3 minutes, and as long as you don't go over that people have shared this card.

[Maree1]

On 1/6/2023 at 3:12 PM, PP82 said:

I’m travelling to the Caribbean next month on the Norwegian Getaway and have only done one cruise before - is it worth upgrading on anything such as the drinks package or speciality meals ? Any tips of things to do / not do please ? 
I’m travelling with my partner and 17 year old son …

 

Thank you 

😊

 

Edited January 11, 2023 by Maree1
accidental share

[Joesantos]

On 1/6/2023 at 3:37 PM, kitkat343 said:

The taxes/fees on the drink package are really high, so its a personal call as to whether you will actually drink enough to make that worthwhile.  Also, there are exclusions of expensive liquor from the drink package (I don't drink much so I'm not the person to advise you on this beyond please look at the very scary taxes and fees price on that package).  People who drink a lot of the included liquor seem very happy with the package; people who don't drink much will decline.

 

I'm sailing the getaway on Sunday, so I'll have a better sense of the food then.  If you quote me after the 20th  I'll get a notification and be able to answer this question again.  There are two live reviews on this forum you should look at, one is of the NYE cruise to Bermuda that is sailing as I type (although it is technically no longer a cruise Bermuda since they didn't make it there due to weather) and the other is a live review from the 1/9 cruise from NY to Barbados and the Dominican Republic (which is also not a cruise to the Dominican Republic because NCL ran a ship aground there 8 months ago but chose to advertise cruises they wouldn't be able to deliver) that Lazlo is writing.  Maybe the NCL cruise titles are cursed.  

 

Please note that there are rumors that the ropes course is closed because it failed inspection, and we can let you know the status of the rope course as of the end of January.

 

Also, I assume if your itinerary states you are sailing to the DR, you know how to research if that might happen and if not just reply to this and I' ll be happy to explain.

 

The 17 year old might be interested in the arcade package upgrade, although someone recommended waiting until you are on board to visit the arcade room to ensure they have arcade games he'd like.  That package gives you unlimited arcade games (except the games that give out tickets you can trade in for prizes.)  Families have shared this - there's a limit as to how many games you can swipe within 3 minutes, and as long as you don't go over that people have shared this card.

Please let us know who’s the cruise director? Also any information on Zumba, line dancing, sugarcane mojito bar dancing, comedians are they funny. We’re onboard mid January and quite a bit of negative reviews. Absolutely love ncl and dancing 💃🏽 🕺

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Joesantos said:

Please let us know who’s the cruise director? Also any information on Zumba, line dancing, sugarcane mojito bar dancing, comedians are they funny. We’re onboard mid January and quite a bit of negative reviews. Absolutely love ncl and dancing 💃🏽 🕺

There's a great live from last week (it was mine, I might be biased) with information about what was going on. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, but there were some minor complaints you'll read about here:

 

 

There's a current live (it's great too) by @Laszlo that @cruiseinfoseeker is also adding to. You'll find it here:

 

 

 

[Liljo22]

No need to upgrade the drink package unless you are big wine drinkers or want higher end whiskeys.  Anything you want above the $15 limit is just charged the difference plus 20% on the difference.  Most of your drinks fall in the limit.  Just make sure you ask for a brand you want and don't leave it to the bartender to choose the cheap stuff.  

 

Not sure what cabin you booked but if you have 2 specialty dining credits you should be ok.  Its a mass market cruise so MDR will be hit or miss but nothing will be terrible.  Upgrading to another 2 credits is not too expensive though if you want to go that route. 

 

Go to Syd's on nights the house band is playing.  Its probably the most fun you will have on a cruise ship.  

 

If you are a fan of dueling piano shows, they have Howl at the Moon in the Headliners comedy club on a couple nights.  

 

Don't let your 17 year old think he is too cool for the ropes course.  Its one of the best ones on a ship and has "walk the plank" which is a beam that goes out over the water.  

 

Skip American Diner.  Its not worth a use of a credit and not really worth the extra money.  

[Joesantos]

2 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

No need to upgrade the drink package unless you are big wine drinkers or want higher end whiskeys.  Anything you want above the $15 limit is just charged the difference plus 20% on the difference.  Most of your drinks fall in the limit.  Just make sure you ask for a brand you want and don't leave it to the bartender to choose the cheap stuff.  

 

Not sure what cabin you booked but if you have 2 specialty dining credits you should be ok.  Its a mass market cruise so MDR will be hit or miss but nothing will be terrible.  Upgrading to another 2 credits is not too expensive though if you want to go that route. 

 

Go to Syd's on nights the house band is playing.  Its probably the most fun you will have on a cruise ship.  

 

If you are a fan of dueling piano shows, they have Howl at the Moon in the Headliners comedy club on a couple nights.  

 

Don't let your 17 year old think he is too cool for the ropes course.  Its one of the best ones on a ship and has "walk the plank" which is a beam that goes out over the water.  

 

Skip American Diner.  Its not worth a use of a credit and not really worth the extra money.  

Can’t wait to beat the wife on ropes course time wise!🤣

Sugarcane mojito bar was a blast on the bliss hopefully a great band will be there soon as we board mid January 

[barric]

Don't expect to be comfortable with furniture in any of the lounges, the atrium and hallways.  Classic form over function.  Good for REALLY tall people...7 ft or so.

We loved Howl at the Moon in Oct, but lounge entertainment early evening was almost non existant.  Except in the crowded, uncomfortable atrium.

Event in Syds had lines forming an hour early for few seats.

We like Cagneys, LeBistro and La Cucina (twice).

 

[PP82]

@kitkat343 thank you an update from when you get back would be really helpful 

 

and thank you to everyone else who’s commented 😊