Getaway Live 7-14

Quick update on the first Sea day

Day 1

I got to the terminal at 915am as I was dead set on getting a Vibe Pass. We went thru security around 945am and I received a group 1 card . I was onboard by noon and received the vibe pass .

The ship seems less crowded than previous cruises this time of year. This is my 10th cruise. For some reason it has a Carnival feel and by that I mean boisterous and a lot of heavy drinking.

Day 2

Took a breezy and choppy ride around 8am to GSC. I stayed about an hour( more on that soon). I got back to the ship and headed to the mandara spa as I purchased the weeks pass online for $179.

It's been a bit chilly and cloudy but still beats the snow and work any day . I had dinner in Le Bistro and I found the food excellent. The downside was a couple of loud drunks a few tables away. The language was vulgar and if I'd have had my kids with me, I would have addressed it. I'm surprised the host, waiter didn't

Day 3

Sea day. I was at the spa early and one thing I'd like to say is compared to other spas , it is noisy. If you are looking for a quiet place , this is not it. I love the saunas, steam room and Salt room but when all the jets are going on the therapy pool , forget about a nap. Is it still worth the $$, absolutely . I came here at 7 pm last night and it was empty.

I have found the food very good. The buffet has a crowded feel ( even though the ship doesn't overall ) so I've decided to bypass it and eat in the dining rooms. The noise is my biggest complaint , it seems there is an announcement every 5-10 minutes for bingo, deal or no deal , jewelry, watches, etc etc. it's just a bit much. Will I let it ruin my trip , NO. That's why I highly recommend noise canceling headphones.

I do think the UBP is creating an environment of heavy drinking. It's pretty evident when you see so many intoxicated guests at lunchtime . I completely understand vacation mode but this is a bit excessive I feel.

I spent $300 approx on the vibe and spa , I recommend both despite the clatter :)

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Is there any way to get a photo of the massage prices-I would like to surprise my husband on our anniversary on board...

Thanks in advance!

Quick update on the first Sea day

 

Day 1

I got to the terminal at 915am as I was dead set on getting a Vibe Pass. We went thru security around 945am and I received a group 1 card . I was onboard by noon and received the vibe pass .

 

The ship seems less crowded than previous cruises this time of year. This is my 10th cruise. For some reason it has a Carnival feel and by that I mean boisterous and a lot of heavy drinking.

 

Day 2

 

Took a breezy and choppy ride around 8am to GSC. I stayed about an hour( more on that soon). I got back to the ship and headed to the mandara spa as I purchased the weeks pass online for $179.

 

It's been a bit chilly and cloudy but still beats the snow and work any day . I had dinner in Le Bistro and I found the food excellent. The downside was a couple of loud drunks a few tables away. The language was vulgar and if I'd have had my kids with me, I would have addressed it. I'm surprised the host, waiter didn't

 

Day 3

 

Sea day. I was at the spa early and one thing I'd like to say is compared to other spas , it is noisy. If you are looking for a quiet place , this is not it. I love the saunas, steam room and Salt room but when all the jets are going on the therapy pool , forget about a nap. Is it still worth the $$, absolutely . I came here at 7 pm last night and it was empty.

 

I have found the food very good. The buffet has a crowded feel ( even though the ship doesn't overall ) so I've decided to bypass it and eat in the dining rooms. The noise is my biggest complaint , it seems there is an announcement every 5-10 minutes for bingo, deal or no deal , jewelry, watches, etc etc. it's just a bit much. Will I let it ruin my trip , NO. That's why I highly recommend noise canceling headphones.

 

I do think the UBP is creating an environment of heavy drinking. It's pretty evident when you see so many intoxicated guests at lunchtime . I completely understand vacation mode but this is a bit excessive I feel.

 

I spent $300 approx on the vibe and spa , I recommend both despite the clatter :)

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for your review. As much as I hate the thought of being at the port 3 hours before the ship leaves I think it might be what I have to do to get the Vibe pass which I think will be extra valuable for my upcoming cruise due to spring break.

Following your review. Thanks for posting!

Day 3 cont

So after a nap, I decided to have dinner . I forgot to mention that I am traveling solo, a 45 year old firefighter escaping the cold. I'm a seasoned cruiser with pretty low expectations . All I am looking for is a relaxing break which this is providing . The review here is just my observations . I refuse to let petty stuff bother me. I am well aware that I will be digging out fire hydrants next week !!

Anyway, I walked to Savor, Taste and Shanghai at approx 6pm. I was told that there was a 45 minute wait for all. My fault for not reserving but I never had that long a wait prior. No big deal so I decided to grab some fish and chips at Sheehans. It was served quickly and it was very good, just not enough. I decided to take a look at the buffet and even though it is not my favorite dining choice, I grabbed a small steak and veg as it looked so good. The food is not bad at all at the Buffett apart from some temperature issues. I am just put out by huge crowds barging thru and especially by some people who feel the need to reach on and use their hands.

On that note, given the washy washy happy happy past of NCL , I am surprised that on this ship , you have to press your hand to the green light to get the deck doors open!

I went to H20 to finish up the evening, and it was not crowded at all which I have felt most of the week. I really can't imagine how crowded the buffet would be if it WAS full. The music was good but as a solo traveler , I didn't hang around that long. I didn't wasn't to be "that" older guy standing in the corner [emoji51], even though I was beaten in that regard by a few 60 yr old drooling at the women. Time for bed.

I am not sure yet if I am a fan of the ship, it's not disappointing me terribly but just not wowing me. I liked the evening shows on other ships which is not on. It also feels a bit compartmentalized with the atrium the only place with an open air feel. I've also associated the atrium with senior bingo halls so I don't like hanging out there. My ankles always get hit by walkers!!

So to recap, I couldn't get in to the main dining rooms to eat without a 45 minute wait. I blame myself . However, I like the dueling pianos and I won't get to see them this cruise, all shows are "sold out" all cruise long. So reserve early if you like them. I dropped the ball on that . I am seeing the nickel and dime pressure that others have mentioned . I am well able to say no so no big deal.

I paid $929++ for the cruise. I prepaid my tips . I have a great room steward who is doing nothing amazing but doing everything I need. He's nice , keeps the room clean. I place a note if I needed anything( tv remote dead) . I asked for an Iron and it was delivered timely . His name is Ron, he's from the Phillipines. He has a wife and a couple of kids. I like to chat to the staff having worked in the service industry . I plan on leaving him a $50 tip, hopefully more if I win at the casino.

On top of the cruise fee, service charge, I paid $179 for the spa and $99 for the vibe . I also paid $200 for unlimited internet. Do quite a few add ons All to enhance my relaxation and be able to keep in contact with a brother who is a bit ill .All worth it to me. I am not a heavy drinker so no UBP. I regret not getting the dining package but I quite liked the EPIC MDR last year. I ate at Le Bistro and have La Cucino and Cagneys reserved ( I'm learning).

I guess for freestyle cruising, I need to be more organized and book shows , dining etc further out. I'm just not that organized in real life.

We just docked at Ocho Rios or as I refer to it as "The Walking Dead" island . I have not enjoyed any visit here apart from a river trip years ago . I find it dirty, the people pushy and harassing . I'll take a quick walk and grab some blue mountain coffee and then back to Vibe..

Not sure if I mentioned this but the night before the cruise I stayed at a Springhill suites near the medical center( Marriott points) and decided to use UBER. If you don't have this app, get it and use it. I had a car at the hotel within 5 minutes and my fare was $5.29 to POM. I left a bigger tip than the fare( I found out tipping is not required). Net net, I paid $11 compared to the $33 last year from the same location.

That's about it for now

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Enjoying this review.

Thanks

Love your review! We are on the Getaway in a few days (for the 2nd time). Glad you got a break from the snow, sounds like you're having a good time!

Trying to decide whether to add that spa pass or not. We are in a regular balcony on deck 13. We've been to all the ports many times so don't have a lot planned as far as excursions and think we'd actually use the spa on port days. How much time are you spending in the spa?

~Denise

Denise

I spend a lot of time in the spa and given the itinerary which I've done multiple times, my thought was that it'd be empty on port days. That was true Monday and I assume the same today given the numbers exiting the ship. On the sea day yesterday it was busy , but I was there early and had plenty of quiet time and also again in the early evening. The layout is a little different with the heated ceramic loungers right by the therapy pool and hot tubs . Find a seat by the end near the salt room and I imagine it's much better. I always recommend the Spa!!. The vibe is great too and both are worth the money in my view

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Denise

I spend a lot of time in the spa and given the itinerary which I've done multiple times, my thought was that it'd be empty on port days. That was true Monday and I assume the same today given the numbers exiting the ship. On the sea day yesterday it was busy , but I was there early and had plenty of quiet time and also again in the early evening. The layout is a little different with the heated ceramic loungers right by the therapy pool and hot tubs . Find a seat by the end near the salt room and I imagine it's much better. I always recommend the Spa!!. The vibe is great too and both are worth the money in my view

 

 

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Thank you!

~Denise

Took a quick walk from the ship just to stretch my legs and have a browse. I do not like Ocho rios at all but I always give it a chance to see if it's changed . This morning I actually decided to count how many times I would be approached . I stopped counting at 27. Fourteen of those times I was offered everything Pot, Percocet, lsd, cocaine, heroin and sex. I politely declined and continued walking . Bear in mind, this was from the exit area to just the shops at the pier area , mom left turn no right turn. I grabbed some coffee and returned to the ship . The only time I wasn't being courted was when they were busy trying to intimidate some older people. Such a pretty island if you can take away the nonsense that goes along with it

Back on board and back to the vibe . I do recommend if you are booking the spa and vibe pass , that you get a cabin on the forward end. I'm in a studio and just a few flights below both!!. Both the spa and vibe are really close together

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Thanks for the info so far! Looking forward to your posts. :)

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Vibe area on Jamaica port day= heaven

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" So to recap, I couldn't get in to the main dining rooms to eat without a 45 minute wait. I blame myself . However, I like the dueling pianos and I won't get to see them this cruise, all shows are "sold out" all cruise long. So reserve early if you like them. "

Unless things have changed you do not make reservations for dueling pianos Howl at the Moon. When we wanted to get seats with good view of the pianos / singers we went at least half an hour before show was scheduled to start. Otherwise we just went, got a poorly located chair and moved up when someone left. Howl at the Moon is probably what we miss most on the smaller ships.

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I have been unable to make a reservation for tonight and as you see it's "sold out" for Saturday . I have heard multiple people talking and advising people to book everything and no big deal if they don't go. I see it as similar to chair hogging . It leaves the likes of me waiting in a line for standby tickets as I wasn't sure if I'd be awake at 11pm

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I have been unable to make a reservation for tonight and as you see it's "sold out" for Saturday . I have heard multiple people talking and advising people to book everything and no big deal if they don't go. I see it as similar to chair hogging . It leaves the likes of me waiting in a line for standby tickets as I wasn't sure if I'd be awake at 11pm

 

 

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Wow - yours is the second post that I've seen in the last 24 hours referencing a need to reserve Howl at the Moon. That's kind of disappointing. Unless they've changed the format, on the Breakaway it was a 3 to 4 hour show and people just came and went as they pleased. I love Howl. I'll be really disappointed if I can't get in to see it.

Wow - yours is the second post that I've seen in the last 24 hours referencing a need to reserve Howl at the Moon. That's kind of disappointing. Unless they've changed the format, on the Breakaway it was a 3 to 4 hour show and people just came and went as they pleased. I love Howl. I'll be really disappointed if I can't get in to see it.

I agree 100%. My wife and I cruised on the Epic the last 2 years and Howl was one of the highlights of our trips. We stopped by at least for a little while every night they were playing and never had to make reservations, nor did anyone ever swipe our cards before letting us in.

We're booked on the Feb. 28th sailing aboard the Getaway. I just logged in to my account on NCL.com and I'm not able to make any reservations for Howl. Is this something that you can only do once onboard? Maybe it's showing sold out like that because it's really first come, first served?

We're booked on the Feb. 28th sailing aboard the Getaway. I just logged in to my account on NCL.com and I'm not able to make any reservations for Howl. Is this something that you can only do once onboard? Maybe it's showing sold out like that because it's really first come, first served?

I just called the pre-cruise concierge, who insisted that Howl does not require reservations either in advance or once on the ship. Given the screenshot that the OP posted, I am skeptical that they are correct, but I am hoping that your theory is on target. It would really make the most sense. I'll be boarding this Sunday, so I guess I'll have an answer soon enough!

Is a 45 minute wait such a big deal? I would head to the bar with a buzzer and I'd imagine the wait would be a bit less anyway?

Have you been to the studio lounge? Are there many solos? Do they organize activities?

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Wow - yours is the second post that I've seen in the last 24 hours referencing a need to reserve Howl at the Moon. That's kind of disappointing. Unless they've changed the format, on the Breakaway it was a 3 to 4 hour show and people just came and went as they pleased. I love Howl. I'll be really disappointed if I can't get in to see it.

I really hope this isn't true. Hoping someone is able to clear this up soon

I'm in a studio . The lounge has been pretty empty. They have meet ups for dinner and events listed should you want to sign up.

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Is a 45 minute wait such a big deal? I would head to the bar with a buzzer and I'd imagine the wait would be a bit less anyway?

It is if you're hungry . I was . I was told " at least 45 mins". If they had said 20 mins , I would've went to O Sheehans also. I was hungry :)

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It is if you're hungry . I was . I was told " at least 45 mins". If they had said 20 mins , I would've went to O Sheehans also. I was hungry :)

 

 

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Lol. Fair enough [emoji1]