Let’s give it a go…sort of live-ish Getaway February 18-26, 2023–I’ll do my best!

[cpqq]

Was it decided if it was okay to supplement this already amazing summary of 2/18-2/26 on the Getaway? I personally was doing the same, had some concerns, and wanted to throw in a paragraph or four on our experience, pretty sure any thread I made would get lost in the abyss as it wouldn't be as thorough, but would give some insight into the next sailing(s) and suggestions. 

 

Thanks for the great review. Also, as an IT person, the reason the internet was screwed was due to constant 'duplicate' packets. It meant we had very poor satellite conditions in terms of EMC / MTNSat.

 

Constantly 18,000-30,000ms replies, but what killed things were the duplicate packets. All I could do was hop on a VPN that seemed to control the duplicate data packets. One thing I noticed at Spice H2O between getting pummeled with diesel fumes was a newer smaller MTNSat setup. I can only imagine that little thing is the cause for our issues, and I sure as hell hope they have bonded Starlink up by our honeymoon cruise in 2024!

 

If allowed, will give some insight into our experience, how we made an audible due to full occupancy, and the state of speciality restaurants, we were mostly scared off by previous reviews here of the MDR. 

 

Thanks for your consideration @Dorhead1230 ! 

 

[cpqq]

Looks like I waited too long to edit my post and don't want to hi-jack a proper Live, here's my thoughts, questions welcome and more pictures incoming: 

 

 

[Rfemle]

20 hours ago, Dorhead1230 said:

Well, I gave up on the Internet yesterday because nothing was loading. But greetings from cold, gray NYC 😢. It’s 10:11 and we’re already in the car heading home. And I had taken brown (10 AM) luggage tags. This was the fastest, smoothest disembarkation we ever had. That minor inconvenience of the immigration clearance in Miami turned out to be completely worthwhile because we walked straight out of the terminal this morning without even a pause. Our porter walked us back over to Pier 90 and we’re outta here.Farewell for now, Getaway! Bon voyage to everyone boarding today.

You said "Porter walked you back to pier 90"  Did you park there? Pier 88 parking was full?  Thanks

[Dorhead1230]

4 hours ago, Rfemle said:

You said "Porter walked you back to pier 90"  Did you park there? Pier 88 parking was full?  Thanks

We never parked right at the pier before so it was semi-accidental because we thought that was the entrance. However, we were quite late arrivals on embarkation day and when we got on the ship pier 88 looked pretty full anyway so I think it worked out better for us to just pull in, park, and get over to the ship when we got there.

[Dorhead1230]

13 hours ago, cpqq said:

Was it decided if it was okay to supplement this already amazing summary of 2/18-2/26 on the Getaway? I personally was doing the same, had some concerns, and wanted to throw in a paragraph or four on our experience, pretty sure any thread I made would get lost in the abyss as it wouldn't be as thorough, but would give some insight into the next sailing(s) and suggestions. 

 

Thanks for the great review. Also, as an IT person, the reason the internet was screwed was due to constant 'duplicate' packets. It meant we had very poor satellite conditions in terms of EMC / MTNSat.

 

Constantly 18,000-30,000ms replies, but what killed things were the duplicate packets. All I could do was hop on a VPN that seemed to control the duplicate data packets. One thing I noticed at Spice H2O between getting pummeled with diesel fumes was a newer smaller MTNSat setup. I can only imagine that little thing is the cause for our issues, and I sure as hell hope they have bonded Starlink up by our honeymoon cruise in 2024!

 

If allowed, will give some insight into our experience, how we made an audible due to full occupancy, and the state of speciality restaurants, we were mostly scared off by previous reviews here of the MDR. 

 

Thanks for your consideration @Dorhead1230 ! 

 

It wouldn’t have bothered me at all if you commented on my review! Thanks for the more technical explanation of the Internet issues. My assessment was just “it’s crap” lol.

 

Aside from the MDR service being slower at the start of the cruise (I think they improved as the week wore on), we didn’t have any bad meals there. The worst was a couple things that were a little blah or overly-salty. But you can always ask for something different in the MDR, too (we never did). We never pay for extra specialty meals beyond the FAS, and frankly aside from the steaks themselves, Cagney’s went downhill a bit in my opinion. The service at the specialties was FABULOUS, though! Even though the MDRs tend to be a little slower and more disorganized, we did have a few servers there who were wonderful, too. Aside from that first-day server in O’Sheehan’s who is clearly in the wrong line of work (the other times I saw him during the cruise, he was always scowling and appeared to be actively trying to avoid working lol), the crew absolutely busts their butts to do more with less. The only other place we weren’t happy with the service was in the casino. I think the servers were a bit harried there, but DH and I found it impossible to get drinks without going to the bar. Not only were we unable to even flag the servers down, but they never once came and offered drinks. The bartenders at that bar are great, though. On previous cruises, we could barely get rid of the casino servers as they were so attentive and always checking on us.

[Treasure Hunter]

On Princess we saw where the anchors are stored and where they print everything ( got personalized stationary) the engine room and pre Covid the medical center and how they call the Mayo Clinic in an emergency in addition to the kitchen ( snacks) and the bridge with the Captain ( strawberries, chocolate and champagne) a very funny assistant cruise director . It moved at a fast clip so I felt terrible that for $260  either my daughter or grandson enjoyed it. 

[Dorhead1230]

1 hour ago, Treasure Hunter said:

On Princess we saw where the anchors are stored and where they print everything ( got personalized stationary) the engine room and pre Covid the medical center and how they call the Mayo Clinic in an emergency in addition to the kitchen ( snacks) and the bridge with the Captain ( strawberries, chocolate and champagne) a very funny assistant cruise director . It moved at a fast clip so I felt terrible that for $260  either my daughter or grandson enjoyed it. 

Wow, that sounds like a wonderful tour on Princess! Sucks that you spent so much money and the kids didn’t like it. We’ll hold out until we have it free when we’re Platinum. Then I can be more forgiving if it’s not great!

[tcrandal]

What a small world! We were in room 13308, a door or two down from OP. We had a great time on the cruise, no major complaints, and we let the minor ones slide away.. here were some of the "minor" items we noticed:

 

- Internet was terrible in Aft cabin. I assume it may have been WAP placement, as when we were out of the cabin it was much better. Paid for the premium streaming, but couldn't stream ANYTHING in cabin on phone or tablet

 

- Thermal Spa - We've done this on almost every ship and for some reason it was much hotter than normal in there, and not enjoyable at all. Ended up only using it twice because of how hot it was in there. Usually the pool is "warm", but it was on the hotter side, and so hot in the space that we didn't even try using the Saunas. 

 

We were thrilled with the schedule change for Bermuda that allowed us to stay at the private island longer, and generally warmer weather for a longer period of time! Even though they arrived late to Port Canaveral, we got to Hollywood Studios around 5:15pm and rode almost every key ride except ToT and Aerosmith with some decent advance planning (along with DAS pass and Genie+). Don't like the "dishonesty" that they pretended both being late to Port Canaveral and Bermuda were surprises, but we fully expected both, and understand they are caught in a difficult place to announce it before they did. 

 

Can't wait for our next NCL cruise, although the tie between RCL and NCL in our minds is slowly shifting to RCL. Main reason is room types at suite level, and Star class inclusions.. NCL used to win out because of their Haven space (when we splurge) and thermal spa, but we found we barely use Haven space when we sail in that class, since we prefer an AFT Haven suite (those are a few decks away) and thermal spa was a disappointment and waste of money this cruise. RCL star class inclusions are so much better than Haven, but they need a better suite area for guests. 

[cruiseny4life]

5 minutes ago, tcrandal said:

What a small world! We were in room 13308, a door or two down from OP. We had a great time on the cruise, no major complaints, and we let the minor ones slide away.. here were some of the "minor" items we noticed:

 

- Internet was terrible in Aft cabin. I assume it may have been WAP placement, as when we were out of the cabin it was much better. Paid for the premium streaming, but couldn't stream ANYTHING in cabin on phone or tablet

 

- Thermal Spa - We've done this on almost every ship and for some reason it was much hotter than normal in there, and not enjoyable at all. Ended up only using it twice because of how hot it was in there. Usually the pool is "warm", but it was on the hotter side, and so hot in the space that we didn't even try using the Saunas. 

 

We were thrilled with the schedule change for Bermuda that allowed us to stay at the private island longer, and generally warmer weather for a longer period of time! Even though they arrived late to Port Canaveral, we got to Hollywood Studios around 5:15pm and rode almost every key ride except ToT and Aerosmith with some decent advance planning (along with DAS pass and Genie+). Don't like the "dishonesty" that they pretended both being late to Port Canaveral and Bermuda were surprises, but we fully expected both, and understand they are caught in a difficult place to announce it before they did. 

 

Can't wait for our next NCL cruise, although the tie between RCL and NCL in our minds is slowly shifting to RCL. Main reason is room types at suite level, and Star class inclusions.. NCL used to win out because of their Haven space (when we splurge) and thermal spa, but we found we barely use Haven space when we sail in that class, since we prefer an AFT Haven suite (those are a few decks away) and thermal spa was a disappointment and waste of money this cruise. RCL star class inclusions are so much better than Haven, but they need a better suite area for guests. 

I'm so interested by reports of bad internet. In January we were on a fully loaded ship (possibly more people than y'all had). We stayed in room 13902 (Aft-Facing Haven Suite, with Master Bedroom), so just a few doors down from you. We had absolutely no trouble streaming, joining Zooms, accessing social media, watching YouTube, etc. Sure it buffered a wee bit, but not for long. And, we were on virtually the same itinerary as you so the satellite cover "should" be about the same. 

 

Sorry you had bad internet! That does stink.

 

We, also, were late, due to a "headwind" to arrive in Port Canaveral. We weren't scheduled to stay overnight, but did due to arriving late. Bermuda was then canceled as well. Personally, it didn't matter to me, although we did want to get back to Bermuda. We love Great Stirrup Cay, so were happy we got to get there for a nice, long day. But, I also am pretty darn sure NCL knows these schedule changes are going to happen before the cruise begins. I agree with you. NCL needs to be more upfront and honest about this. 

[Dorhead1230]

5 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm so interested by reports of bad internet. In January we were on a fully loaded ship (possibly more people than y'all had). We stayed in room 13902 (Aft-Facing Haven Suite, with Master Bedroom), so just a few doors down from you. We had absolutely no trouble streaming, joining Zooms, accessing social media, watching YouTube, etc. Sure it buffered a wee bit, but not for long. And, we were on virtually the same itinerary as you so the satellite cover "should" be about the same. 

 

Sorry you had bad internet! That does stink.

 

We, also, were late, due to a "headwind" to arrive in Port Canaveral. We weren't scheduled to stay overnight, but did due to arriving late. Bermuda was then canceled as well. Personally, it didn't matter to me, although we did want to get back to Bermuda. We love Great Stirrup Cay, so were happy we got to get there for a nice, long day. But, I also am pretty darn sure NCL knows these schedule changes are going to happen before the cruise begins. I agree with you. NCL needs to be more upfront and honest about this. 

DH said the same thing about the late arrival in Port Canaveral. He said of course they knew how far behind we were running; why would they not just announce it sooner so people would have a little more lead time to adjust plans? DH and DM were more disappointed than I was about the Bermuda cancellation. However, we don’t even like the FL/Bahamas itineraries very much and generally go to Bermuda instead. So we’ll most likely end up going back to Bermuda this summer anyway, and two overnights there are infinitely better than a brief port stop 😎. 

[tcrandal]

24 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm so interested by reports of bad internet. In January we were on a fully loaded ship (possibly more people than y'all had). We stayed in room 13902 (Aft-Facing Haven Suite, with Master Bedroom), so just a few doors down from you. We had absolutely no trouble streaming, joining Zooms, accessing social media, watching YouTube, etc. Sure it buffered a wee bit, but not for long. And, we were on virtually the same itinerary as you so the satellite cover "should" be about the same. 

 

 

We've been in the Aft Haven suites too on each corner, and never had an issue. I do wonder if it's just a matter of them putting an access point in the Haven rooms, and not the regular Aft balconies? I should have loaded WiFiman on my android and took a deeper look to pinpoint the access points and signal strength (in db, but we had only 1-2 bars for WiFi unless I wedged phone near entrance door, but since we were in port so much in Miami and Port Canaveral it wasn't a huge deal. Just hated paying for the streaming upgrade, and not being able to use it in our cabin. I literally couldn't even load facebook feeds consistently in the cabin. 

[mshaines]

1 hour ago, tcrandal said:

We've been in the Aft Haven suites too on each corner, and never had an issue. I do wonder if it's just a matter of them putting an access point in the Haven rooms, and not the regular Aft balconies? I should have loaded WiFiman on my android and took a deeper look to pinpoint the access points and signal strength (in db, but we had only 1-2 bars for WiFi unless I wedged phone near entrance door, but since we were in port so much in Miami and Port Canaveral it wasn't a huge deal. Just hated paying for the streaming upgrade, and not being able to use it in our cabin. I literally couldn't even load facebook feeds consistently in the cabin. 

Someone was posting from the haven and also reported the wifi was useless (premium upgrade).  I hope they get it figured out soon! 

[mking8288]

We're on Getaway's Deck 12 FWD last month and Deck 10 AFT last March, port side both times and did not find the ship's WiFi signals & coverage to be bad itself - inTRAnet speed based on the Cisco server/hardware and NEC hotspot/routers were fine, scanned the visible AND hidden SSiD signals, they overlapped and had coverage on multiple channels with the signal.  But, congestions still happen and the bottleneck is further upstream with the dynamically cached data.  

 

"Our" hardware configuration and chipsets also made a difference, i.e. whether it's routed over WiFi 5 or WiFi 6, 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz band, or newer 6 Ghz band.  We had 2 Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and they're not pulling or getting the optimal speed whereas the Google Pixel 7 Pro was doing nicely, and even the backup iPhone SE 2020 configured for WiFi use, managed to get a decent signal  - adjusted for being in Airplane Mode, Data Saver and other settings.  

 

Starlink has inked the deal, just a matter of waiting for the "simple and easy" install & conversion - fingers crossed on the next NCL cruise we are booked on ... 

 

As for the ships missing ports or late in arrivals - Getaway's top speed is rated at 21.5 knots   Lately, it has been reported that she's doing 19.5 to 20;5 knots - and it's not rocket sciene to see that the ship will be delayed for its scheduled arrival with a distant port.   Find it difficult to "buy" the excuse that it was sailing against strong headwind for 2 to 3 days straight, IMHO - and ship was not, cause I check those nav channel numbers often.  

 

When we're onboard, it wasn't difficult to calculate and come up with an updated arrival time to the next port when we' looking at instrumented data on the displays as shown on Ch.11, the navigational channel and computing the likely arrival time using the n.m. distance to the next port.  

 

@Dorhead1230 - You & others made it back ... any surprises at all from the 8 days ?? 

[Dorhead1230]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

  As for the ships missing ports or late in arrivals - Getaway's top speed is rated at 21.5 knots   Lately, it has been reported that she's doing 19.5 to 20;5 knots - and it's not rocket sciene to see that the ship will be delayed for its scheduled arrival with a distant port.   Find it difficult to "buy" the excuse that it was sailing against strong headwind for 2 to 3 days straight, IMHO - and ship was not, cause I check those nav channel numbers often.  

 

When we're onboard, it wasn't difficult to calculate and come up with an updated arrival time to the next port when we' looking at instrumented data on the displays as shown on Ch.11, the navigational channel and computing the likely arrival time using the n.m. distance to the next port.  

 

@Dorhead1230 - You & others made it back ... any surprises at all from the 8 days ?? 

We were so lucky with the weather and it was overall such a smooth sailing seas-wise, I’m not buying the currents and headwinds excuse, either. There’s obviously a mechanical issue with the ship if it’s consistently making a lower speed than it’s capable of.

 

I wouldn’t say there were any big surprises. We really weren’t “joiners” on this cruise. Went to almost no entertainment, kept a very low profile. Especially once LM and DM started to cough and not feel great after the port days (and then me by the last day). We did do Covid tests we brought from home and they were negative, but better safe than sorry and we were trying not to be out and about spreading our germs too much. Incidentally, we’re all still pretty sick, and it’s basically just that the colds this winter are supercharged and terrible. We’ve done more Covid tests, and I went to urgent care today and got another Covid test there plus a flu test. LM’s pediatrician yesterday and the urgent care doc today said the colds are just so nasty this year, and last a long time and are causing fevers as well. We’ve already had a few with him in preschool and me at school and DH out and about in his precinct, but this is the worst so far.

 

I do think this cruise proved to us that our previous policy of no cruises for February break was the right policy. We just wanted to get away very badly this year, but we’ll never do a cruise this week again. You get some crowds in the summer when we usually sail, but they’re spread out over the summer and generally people are able to be outside the whole cruise/almost the whole cruise. This was too much. And it wasn’t even that we were waiting a lot (but again, didn’t go to shows). There were just too many people everywhere all the time!

 

As far as the ship and cruise itself, no surprises really, because everyone who preceded us did such a great job reporting. We did notice one thing, and again, maybe they were saying it at the shows and we just didn’t hear it because we didn’t go—in the past, they loved to use the expression “cruise vacation of a lifetime.” Have they dropped that? Are they just like “meh, good enough cruise”? 😅 Maybe people who went to more entertainment can comment on whether they heard this said at all.

[Dorhead1230]

Aaaaaand I just realized there must have been a Latitudes bonus points situation happening with this cruise because I logged into my NCL app and I’m officially Platinum now! Woot! 

[ebheart]

Thanks for your great reporting, get well soon!

[mking8288]

@Deacon22 Get well soon, and by now, if those rapid tests remained negative, all of you should be fine.  My PCP advised this before, get a PCP test done as it's more definitive & accurate, but you are fully boosted, etc. & current with all other vaccines - take some extra Vitamin C's and rest, sunlight & do your exercise - it'll be just fine.  Just put in another order for 8 free rapid test kits while insurance still cover them 100% as we'll soon need them for traveling again - good thing is that the newer tests that we've restocked have extended expiration dates into 2024 (and I sure hope all these will be in the rear-view mirrors then ... aside from living and dealing with it as we individually choose to)

 

Congrats for reaching Platinum, our 12 nights earned us double points too, so we'll hit Diamonds sooner than later, whoopie (not) b/c once you hit the basic Platinum tier, the "extras" really aren't all that important - 2 additional "cartons" of the current "Flow Water" is worth about $5 or $6 in retail.  You'll get the 2 extra comp'd Specialty Dining meals - the free laundry comes in handy when you have LM around, able to pack less & travel lighter.  Almost forgot, "priority" embarkation check-in and disembarkation (as least for NY) does help a little bit and important to some.  

 

If the winter school break cruises are packed full at 115% plus above double occupancies, which really isn't a big surprise - imagine what April's Spring break cruises will be like in 2023.  One of the niece's family of 4+ are going to be on the new Prima, no thanks - not joining them at that time but plenty are going - going to need to charter a party mini coach bus to shuttle them from Long Island to Pier 88, LOL.  

 

Satellite WiFi is what it is - surprised thus far that other NCL ships hasn't gotten Starlink running, aside from the Breakaway.  We're port side almost at the front of the ship and WiFi worked just fine onboard - but, we also spent an extra $30 last month at sea for "roaming" shore side 4G and 5G data access with available island towers.  These "onboard" live "entertainment" (continuous WiFi access) for a different generation of cruisers - will keep some busy for the entire cruise - while others with the Unlimited Beverages plans go "off the grids" and put away their "dumb" devices in the mini safe.  

Edited February 28, 2023 by mking8288

[Dorhead1230]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

@Deacon22 Get well soon, and by now, if those rapid tests remained negative, all of you should be fine.  My PCP advised this before, get a PCP test done as it's more definitive & accurate, but you are fully boosted, etc. & current with all other vaccines - take some extra Vitamin C's and rest, sunlight & do your exercise - it'll be just fine.  Just put in another order for 8 free rapid test kits while insurance still cover them 100% as we'll soon need them for traveling again - good thing is that the newer tests that we've restocked have extended expiration dates into 2024 (and I sure hope all these will be in the rear-view mirrors then ... aside from living and dealing with it as we individually choose to)

 

Congrats for reaching Platinum, our 12 nights earned us double points too, so we'll hit Diamonds sooner than later, whoopie (not) b/c once you hit the basic Platinum tier, the "extras" really aren't all that important - 2 additional "cartons" of the current "Flow Water" is worth about $5 or $6 in retail.  You'll get the 2 extra comp'd Specialty Dining meals - the free laundry comes in handy when you have LM around, able to pack less & travel lighter.  Almost forgot, "priority" embarkation check-in and disembarkation (as least for NY) does help a little bit and important to some.  

 

If the winter school break cruises are packed full at 115% plus above double occupancies, which really isn't a big surprise - imagine what April's Spring break cruises will be like in 2023.  One of the niece's family of 4+ are going to be on the new Prima, no thanks - not joining them at that time but plenty are going - going to need to charter a party mini coach bus to shuttle them from Long Island to Pier 88, LOL.  

 

Satellite WiFi is what it is - surprised thus far that other NCL ships hasn't gotten Starlink running, aside from the Breakaway.  We're port side almost at the front of the ship and WiFi worked just fine onboard - but, we also spent an extra $30 last month at sea for "roaming" shore side 4G and 5G data access with available island towers.  These "onboard" live "entertainment" (continuous WiFi access) for a different generation of cruisers - will keep some busy for the entire cruise - while others with the Unlimited Beverages plans go "off the grids" and put away their "dumb" devices in the mini safe.  

Thank you!

 

Yes, I do notice looking at the tier benefits that once you get beyond regular Platinum, it’s only a little thing here or there until you make it up to Ambassador. I do look forward to the additional specialty dinners, wine tasting, and the ship tour on our next sailing, though! The priority boarding isn’t a big thing for us; we always sail through CAS and have priority boarding with them, too. After this last Getaway sailing, though, I’m definitely sold on arriving a little later. Not late enough to miss MDR lunch again, but I think 11:30 will be my perfect time going forward. A lot of people cleared out of the terminal already, and then head straight onboard and to lunch and then generally right to the cabin after that.

[SeekingKillerWhales!]

On 2/24/2023 at 2:53 PM, Dorhead1230 said:

 

 

 

Everything else was pretty much what you’d expect.

This was the big surprise, though. Maybe I’m late to the party and everyone already knows this, but when DH looked at the menu he said to me, do you think this is THE chocolate cake? It said 7-layer chocolate cake with ice cream or whipped cream. We figured we’d check it out and it is the same as the Cagney’s cake! So that was an exciting revelation 😋.

I was going to post a question asking if the room service 7 layer cake was the same. Thanks for answering that question! May have to use room service just to try it. 🙂

[Dorhead1230]

9 minutes ago, SeekingKillerWhales! said:

I was going to post a question asking if the room service 7 layer cake was the same. Thanks for answering that question! May have to use room service just to try it. 🙂

I couldn’t believe it. We were already ordering room service so it’s not like it cost extra, but I was preparing myself for a let-down when some icky subpar buffet version of the cake showed up. I shed one silent tear of joy when I saw it was THE cake (not really, but I was pretty psyched 😜).

[cruiseny4life]

10 hours ago, Dorhead1230 said:

I couldn’t believe it. We were already ordering room service so it’s not like it cost extra, but I was preparing myself for a let-down when some icky subpar buffet version of the cake showed up. I shed one silent tear of joy when I saw it was THE cake (not really, but I was pretty psyched 😜).

Thanks for the heads up on this cake! I'm going to try ordering it one day on my Joy cruise coming up in a few weeks. Chocolate cake and snails from Le Bistro. Mmm, sounds like a lovely pairing! Might have to get me a couple glasses of wine from Cellars to really compliment this room service feast. 

[GSfromCT]

On 2/21/2023 at 6:11 PM, Dorhead1230 said:

Not gonna lie…Bermuda is my favorite place on earth and I’m still not disappointed. Six hours (five?) or whatever it was is not enough there, and I’d rather stay down south here where the weather is going to be gorgeous than have high winds and rough seas and meh weather in Bermuda.

Leaving Friday on the 8 day.  Can you please tell me how you were notified about the Bermuda cancellation?

[Dorhead1230]

1 hour ago, GSfromCT said:

Leaving Friday on the 8 day.  Can you please tell me how you were notified about the Bermuda cancellation?

The Captain announced it onboard. I want to say it was on Tuesday, because it was definitely before GSC. He announced that they were in communication with the port authorities in Bermuda and it wouldn’t be safe yada yada and that we would be spending a few extra hours at GSC on Wednesday (until 6 PM) and then heading to Miami on Thursday. Then we also got the letter in the stateroom which stated that they were giving $100 OBC per cabin. Have a wonderful cruise!