kenoqueen

Can anyone tell me if I purchase on board credit, can I access it in the casino without paying a service fee? I'm trying to figure a way as to not have to carry alot of cash since we are traveling a couple days in advance of sailing.

 

thank you.

Can anyone who has sailed on the Getaway recently tell me if they have DVD players in the rooms (both Haven and balconies)

 

Thanks in advance!

[quote name='Daghis']By the way... proof that I did the ropes course! :D

[url=http://gallery.bluevine.net/displayimage.php?pid=578][img]http://gallery.bluevine.net/albums/userpics/10002/normal_image%7E61.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]

Thank you for the review! I can hardly wait for Saturday so I can be sailing. We prefer Royal as well but I can say we have never had bad service on NCL and the affordability makes it easier. I am looking forward to the review from the Allure; it will probably be our next cruise.

Also, thank you for taking the time to ask about Bong. My husband and cousin are glad to hear he's there.

I'm afraid of heights but seeing your pic I'm going to attempt to tackle the ropes. My husband says I won't be able to do it, but I am hoping maybe I can do it. Looks like fun and it is definitely a once in a lifetime thing.

Enjoy your next cruise! I'll be cruising too so I can't follow along daily but will look you up on Royal's threads when I get back.

Can anyone tell me how the hairdryers are on the Getaway. Not packing mine would be more room in the suitcase.

 

One week from today, we are sailing! YAY!!

 

Thank you in advance.

[quote name='TrinaLC']Don't forget to seek out Bong!! We're among his fans from his days on the Sun.[/quote]

We are on the Getaway in 9 days and hope Bong is still there. We are big fans of his too and we first met him on the Sun also.

I'm following along and look forward to checking in to see how your cruise is going. We are going to be on the Getaway on in 11 days, but who's counting. :)

If you get a chance will you check out the Mojito bar. I hear bartender "Bong" is back on the Getaway. We sure hope so; he's alot of fun.

Enjoy your cruise, looking forward to more review and also the comparison with the Allure. Royal is our preference but enjoy NCL when we can't catch one of their cruises. Freedom is our favorite ship!

Kenoqueen, we are on the same cruise and after reading all of these posts I am really hoping he is there and I get to meet him.

 

I got an update on another post and Bong is back on the Getaway. I'm sure you'll find him very entertaining. He's one of our favorites!

Bong is back onboard! We just got off the Getaway on Saturday morning, and enjoyed Bong's special brand of entertainment daily. :D

 

Thank You!! We are so glad to hear that. He is so much fun. We are 26 days away and really looking forward to it. Was he still in the Mojito bar?

We are staying in Miami the night before at the Element hotel near the airport and I'm looking for suggestions on private transportation to the port from hotel. The hotel has a shuttle and it's $12 per additional person but at this point won't let me sign up until we arrive. I like to go early so I can enjoy the whole day on the ship so I'm thinking of just arranging something mysef.

 

Thank you in advance.

I noticed that NCL wasn't listed but I told the woman I was speaking with I was on NCL and that is what she told me. I still have over 45 days to travel so I'll call back and get it straight.

 

I'm just wondering if we need any cell plan at all or just have the family call the ship if there's an emergency. If there is we call home and fly back.

 

Or maybe just get the ships internet plan and email a few times during the cruise to be sure everything is okay.

 

I really don't want to use my phone while we are away. I only want it for emergencies.

 

I have ATT and I get the international plan for the month and use the text options in port for emergency contacts. I also give the ship number in case of immediate emergency as I have an ill mom and need to make sure someone can get a hold of me.

My whole point in saying "do yourself a favor and leave it on the ship" was not for savings advise, all for enjoying a world disconnected from email, phone and social media :eek:. I know shocking, LOL.

 

I think we (as a society) feel tied to everything electronic and one of my favorite things about cruising is the forced disconnection. Nothing more aggravating then people walking around with the cell phones in hand ignoring the people they are traveling with or sitting in the dining room with it. I digress... Bahamas international rates are horrible (at least with Sprint). I would still suggest checking with your company prior to sailing.

 

I agree, I think one of the BEST things about cruising is not having to worry about the phone and other electronics. I tell everyone I am disconnected for a week unless it's an absolute emergency and then I do check texts when we port as they do not cost but do not worry about calling. It's what makes cruising so enjoyable, no worries or stress!

Can you ask if a bartender named Bong is still on the Getaway? Last I heard he was on vacation. He last worked in the Mojito bar. Your help is appreciated. Thankyou in advance.

I'm thrilled to be able to share my recent experience on Norwegian Getaway's 8/23 - 8/30 cruise. This is a full photo review, but I've done it a little differently: the review is posted day-by-day on a website I created in the interest of organization and readability. If you have any questions or just want to comment or discuss something, go ahead and post back on this thread.

 

This was a labor of love, and I certainly hope you enjoy it!

 

http://norwegiangetaway.weebly.com/

 

Again, I'd appreciate to hear any question or comments you may have! :)

 

I really enjoyed your review and you took some very good pictures. We are cruising on the Getaway Oct. 11th and I am more excited than ever.

Can you tell me if there is a 70s party on board the Getaway and if so, what night is it?

 

thank you.

Anyone know how long Bongs vacation is? I'm on the Getaway again ( met him on Feb sailing) on Sept 6 and am hoping he will be there

 

 

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I think someone said he would be back Oct. 25th. I'd love to hear from you when you get back with an update on him. We really hope he's there on our oct. 11th cruise.

Got off this cruise yesterday. Stayed in Haven cabin 16116, had the UDP and UBP program

 

We (family of three) were two adult and one 16 year old girl. This would be our 5th cruise- with others on Disney, Carnival Dream, RCCL Freedom of the Seas and RCCL Oasis of the Seas.

 

EMBARKATION: We had a 6:00 AM flight out of Philadelphia the day of the cruise. We usually stay the night prior but could not this time due to work schedules. No issues, and got to Miami around 830. Got luggage and were out of the airport at 9 am. Got a very friendly cab driver and got to Terminal C. Waited for about 5 minutes until they opened the doors. We sat on the inside benches for a few minutes and they they had us go through the doors. We were escorted to a priority lounge area and they checked us in. We then sat at a small room with food/coffee. Then they waited for one more family and then we sat in a walled area for suite customers with more food/pastries. After about a half hour we were escorted onto the ship to the haven area . We briefly met Ruth. We wound up eating at the HAVEN restaurant for lunch.

 

ILLUSIONARIOUM: We got this for free with our UDP plan. Maybe it was a long day, but I only found this ok. The food was pretty bad and the show seemed to drag a little bit. There was a couple who did a box trick and others, a mentalist couple, a person who did a statue illusion, one who did tricks with birds, and the main emcee who did comedy magic. Food was cold even though we were the first ones in the room. The steak tasted funny and the potatoes were funny tasting. The laser effects were interesting but didn't really add to the story (IMO) I wouldn't have paid for it, but was glad it was free.

 

UDP: Ate at all included specialty restaurants.

Favorites: Le Bistro

La Cucina ( fantastic wait service)

 

Good: Moderno: Good service from Jackie, but we just weren't in the mood. They seemed to be pushing the chicken drumsticks and not the higher cuts of meat.

 

Not so great:

Teppanyaki- we had 615 reservations and the restaurant called us at 600 telling us to come down now. We felt rushed. Food was ok-- there was someone with a screaching baby a table away the whole time.

Cagneys- wait staff seemed standoffish. We were there at our appointed time and they took a long time to be ready.

 

We did also eat in OSheenans four lunch and bar food, (very fast service), and did one lunch in Savor. Osheenans was great for take out food as well.

 

Haven Restaurant: ate there mostly for breakfast. Had great service there as well.

 

UBP: Loved it! Didn't like signing the slips-- wish they did it like RCCL beverage program with no slips-- just scan the card. Mojito bar was great- as well as the Haven lounge

 

Haven: very nice- but the adults like the Solarium on the Oasis better. Was glad we were in the Haven- the rest of the boat was CROWDED!

 

Teen programs: In one word from my daughter, sucked! The teen program had a policy if you werent participating in the set activity they could not stay and hang out (opposite of the Oasis Living Room concept). Seemed that the older teens didn't have much to do and the activities skewed to younger teen set. Due to this, there were older teens roaming around all the time.

 

 

 

Areas to improve: Small gym and running track. I would get up at 630 am to walk/run and would see people saving pool chairs. Running track was narrow. The gym does not have enough machines.

 

non haven pool area was too crowded and narrow.

 

Too many large crowds in the Atrium- felt like some of these activities could have been in the theater or poolside.

 

In all- we preferred the Oasis more.

 

Thanks for the review. Can you tell me if "Bong" was the bartender in the Mojito bar?

Does anyone know if the Getaway offers the behind the scenes tour? My husband has taken it on other ships and I think it would be something nice for him on the Getaway. Thanks in advance.

We're booked on the Getaway for Oct. 11th sailing. I'm wondering if anyone who has already sailed on her can give us information on "Must" see and do things while on board. Should I book the Illusionarium dinner & show?

 

All advice or tips are welcome! Thank you in advance.

Why are you looking for a park and cruise package if you are flying in? Confusing! :eek: Many hotels offer a shuttle from the airport and to the port as a package (many already offer a free airport shuttle regardless of cruising status). Most don't include the return shuttle, however. You can do much better than $150 for a place that just offers you breakfast, though.

 

We are flying in but meeting up with cousin who is driving down from Alabama. If I get a flight with a decent arrival time, they will pick us up and drop off at airport but on previous cruises found it to be more economical to stay at a hotel with transportation to the port.

Thank you for the review. It was detailed and loved the pictures. We cruise in 53 days and after your review I am sooo looking forward to it. I'm hoping by our departure Oct. 11th Bong will be back. We have sailed previous ships where he was bartender and loved him.

We are departing Oct. 11th on the Getaway and will be flying in from the west coast. This is our 1st time sailing out of Miami (we usually leave Pt. Canaveral). Does anyone have any suggestions on hotels? Proximaty to the port, rates and also if they have a park n stay package.

 

Thank you in advance.

Since you are just off the Getaway, did you happen to notice if a bartender named "Bong" was still working in the Mojito Bar? We're sailing Oct. 11th and hope he'll be still on the Getaway.

Am I understanding correctly that Bong is still on the Getaway. We are sailing in about 60 days and hope he is going to be on it. He is such a genuinely fun guy. He deserves every employee of the month award he gets.

We sailed on 4/19 voyage. Cabin 11766. Balcony. Ship had approx. 4,000 passengers.

 

 

Saw many people using the smartphone app to call or text people on the ship. Seemed worth the added expense. I believe it was around $8.

 

Overall the ship is beautiful. We were worried that the closed in ship (compared to RCL's bigger ships) was going to be a downer but it didn't bother us at all. The pool deck is huge. The kids area is well done with Sponge Bob and friends.

 

Saw complaints about the balcony size. It's fine. You have two chairs and a table. It's no different than any RCL ship we've been on. Not sure what people want to do out there but it's plenty big enough.

 

The service was unmatched by any cruise we've taken on RCL (10 of them). We had issues with our AC not working due to a balcony door issue on three separate occasions. This could have been a nightmare but our cabin steward Patrick was right on it every time and the technicians were right there to fix it each time within minutes. Great job by all. The servers, bartenders and cabin stewards were all top notch. I personally did not pass one crew member who didn't say hi or acknowledge us in some friendly way all week.

 

Some minor things I noticed that may need to be addressed....

- Why is it necessary to take pictures at the bottom of the steps in front of the french restaurant? Too many people trying to go up or down and it isn't very safe.

- Hot tubs in main pool area. Good luck trying to get in one of those. We counted 8 to 10 teenagers in each one most of the time on the main pool area.

- No signage in disembarkation area and a 40 minute wait once we had our bags to get through customs.

- Internet speed...ugh. It works in the staterooms which is great but the time it takes to load a page....criminal to charge by the minute when it's that slow.

- For the gamblers out there prepare to get a lower rating than any other cruise line or ship that isn't using the new tables. If you're a machine player it's no different but for table game the new ships measure not your playing time but each hand or roll in craps. While it's a more accurate accounting of your play because the other lines and ships use time as the basis for this accounting the new ships result in much lower ratings. For those people who gamble a lot and get cruises for free it could result in some issues.

 

That's it for now. We loved this ship and the ports. Will cruise on NCL again for sure. GREAT job NCL. Great job. You converted us.

 

Can you tell me a little more about the app for texting? Is is only to be used while on the ship?

Say it isn't so. :( We were so excited to hear he was on the getaway. If anyone hears where he's going to next, I'd love to know. That just may be our next ship.