Illusionarium on Getaway - Thumbs Up/down?

[Tggrtoes]

I realize this is way subjective, but is the Illusionarium something that's a "must see" (or really strong "should see")? I've done some searches and most reviews seem to focus on food... ignoring that, is the show good and worth the time/extra $ in your opinion?

 

If so... is this something that would be age appropriate for DS who is 7?

 

I know there is TONS to do on this ship, so want to prioritize our top picks for now - especially when making pre-reservations.

[GrabMyWrist]

I didn't personally enjoy the show at 43. That said, I can see where a child would love it.

[mrobstad]

I enjoyed the show and felt it was worth $30. Movies are more than $10 where I live, and when was the last time a good movie was in the theaters? As for a 7 yr old, I feel the show will, for the mist part, be above her level. Several mind tricks.

 

 

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[funat55]

I was on the Getaway in April with a large group but no children. Ages ranged from mid 20's to mid 60's. Some people went to the show because they were part of our group but were not really magic fans. Everyone in our group loved the show.

 

Half the group didn't think the dinner was that great but I enjoyed it and I would see it again. I think that if I hadn't seen the show, I would have come back from my trip with regrets at missing it.

[Annmeat]

You are in the Haven- Ruth will escort you down, you will be sitting right up front and your son will have a blast

Don't bother buying premium seating - you get the best seats anyway!

He can choose from the kids menu

The show is really fun and a definite not to be missed

We come from a magic loving family

 

Have fun!!! It is really well done and steam punk meets Disney

[Tggrtoes]

Thanks all! You guys are so fabulous and patient - really, really apprecaite it!

 

Annmeat... it feels like I "know you" after your fabulous review and various posts and all my many questions these past couple of days. :p (obviously, you are seeing me a lot given you remembered we are Haven guests. lol)

[johnql]

I love magic shows and thoroughly enjoyed Illusionarium. 7 might be a little young but it depends on the child. Some little kids are absolutely fascinated by magic.

[mitsugirly]

We absolutely enjoyed the show (the food not so much). There were 8 of us ranging in ages from 5 to 48 (children, teens, young adults, adults). We all definitely thought it was worth the money. :)

[wjwolf]

Just got off the ship last week with my 8 and 7 year olds (boy and girl) and our friends 7 year old girl. All 3 loved it! I wasn't crazy about the food, but it wasn't horrible either. Show was really great and well worth it. We went the 1st night and got the discount. As a Haven guest we were escorted in before anyone and that was an extra treat. :). I recommend the splurge.

 

 

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[Demonyte]

You are in the Haven- Ruth will escort you down, you will be sitting right up front and your son will have a blast

Don't bother buying premium seating - you get the best seats anyway!

 

 

I have to disagree here based on my own experience.

 

We had premium seats booked and got to the table that was facing directly to the stage without anybody sitting on the other side. Many other suite passengers were seated into a table that required them to rotate their torso/head almost 90 degrees to see the stage - even though the table was directly by the stage too. I'd say that we had better view than the families having to try to look around each other to see the stage.

 

But of course, YMMV. :)

[punkincc]

I have to disagree here based on my own experience.

 

We had premium seats booked and got to the table that was facing directly to the stage without anybody sitting on the other side. Many other suite passengers were seated into a table that required them to rotate their torso/head almost 90 degrees to see the stage - even though the table was directly by the stage too. I'd say that we had better view than the families having to try to look around each other to see the stage.

 

But of course, YMMV. :)

 

But does anyone know for sure if Haven guests get seated up front regardless of whether or not they purchased premium seats? If so, then IMO, that practice either needs to be stopped, or they just need to make all seats the same price, and then seat the Haven people up front. We paid for premium seats, were not in the Haven, and were seated in the back row. We enjoyed the show, but I still wonder why we paid the extra money.

 

If you can afford a cabin in the Haven, you can surely afford an extra $10 for premium seats. If the price you pay has no bearing on where you sit, then stop the "premium" farce.

 

We did enjoy the show, and I am not usually a magic fan. The story line starts out a little slow, but it eventually picks up steam.

Edited August 7, 2014 by punkincc

[Annmeat]

I paid for premium tickets.

Not all the families that saw the show with us from the Haven did, some were very surprised at the awesome seats.

 

It is not my policy- the Haven guests are escorted down a service elevator and bypass the line that others wait in . The concierge meets Haven guests at 4:45 for the 5:30 show, takes them down and they are seated and drink orders taken. Dinner courses begin being served and then all other guests commence seating. I found it all quite smooth.

 

Not to Monday morning quarter back, but if

If I had been given an obstructed view or had to crane my neck with or without the premium price, I would have been visiting guest relations and the HD and demanded a refund.NCL should not even have those types of obstructed views in a venue such as this-

A few less seats ain't gonna kill them!! If enough people complain, perhaps something will change.

 

Anyway, back to the Haven seating

I have even read here on the boards where some have asked to have the extra funds paid for premium seating returned, which I did not do.

 

Once you are down at the Illusionarium doors, the hostess comes out and assigns your table based on party size

 

I realize it seems unfair

I was simply explaining to the OP

How the process works for Haven guests.

 

We were quite fortunate and had table 11 and a perfect view.

 

My son even got to hold some props for one of the performers

[Demonyte]

I was simply explaining to the OP

How the process works for Haven guests.

 

No, you just explained to OP how it happened for you. As I said, it can also go differently as it did for us in April.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Demonyte

[LrgPizza]

If you are a Haven guest, it appears you shouldn't book the early show on embarkation day, even though it's free with UDP, unless you want to miss the Sailaway party. It looks like you have to meet the concierge way in advance of the show time. In my opinion, that totally sucks, but I know a lot of people choose to do that.

 

We did that early show, but we enjoyed the party and the views of Miami as we left port, and walked ourselves to Illusionarium 10 minutes before show time. The seat we were given was just fine, and we didn't miss a thing. Next time I wouldn't pay for the premium seats because the booths that the others get looked super comfortable. I think I'd like that better. The show was great!!

[cpj]

Excellent show worth the money. Dinner was ok.

[kmo123]

I am so glad this is out here. I am not a fan of magic, but hear it is a vey good show. Is it all magic or are there other parts to the show?

[johnql]

I am so glad this is out here. I am not a fan of magic, but hear it is a vey good show. Is it all magic or are there other parts to the show?

Pretty much all magic. There is a thin plot line that ties together all the acts and there is occasional levity thrown in but it's primarily a magic show.

[PDIDDYwife]

No, you just explained to OP how it happened for you. As I said, it can also go differently as it did for us in April.

 

That is exactly how we did it as well. Didn't the concierge escort you down after meeting you early? Did you lot have a smooth seating process? I think annmeat was explaining how the seating process went after being smacked for getting special Haven treatment -

 

She is explaining the seating process, not promising that everyone will have table #11 and get to hold a prop.

 

Ruth was not the concierge when you traveled on Getaway, so perhaps you didn't have such a personalized escort - did you have to wait in a long line? We already know that folks in your group had crappy seats.

 

 

 

 

You kinda sound testy;)...

Splitting hairs...

 

Tigger toes-

 

Have a super duper trip

 

PDW

[punkincc]

That is exactly how we did it as well. Didn't the concierge escort you down after meeting you early? Did you lot have a smooth seating process? I think annmeat was explaining how the seating process went after being smacked for getting special Haven treatment -

 

She is explaining the seating process, not promising that everyone will have table #11 and get to hold a prop.

 

Ruth was not the concierge when you traveled on Getaway, so perhaps you didn't have such a personalized escort - did you have to wait in a long line? We already know that folks in your group had crappy seats.

 

You kinda sound testy;)...

Splitting hairs...

 

Tigger toes-

Have a super duper trip

PDW

 

 

No one "smacked" Annmeat for "getting special Haven treatment". She paid for the Haven and the perks that go with it. Her explaination of the seating process of Haven guests I'm sure will be helpful to those who weren't aware that they will be seated upfront regardless of ticket. From her comments, it appears that even some of the Haven guests themselves were not aware, perhaps even Annmeat herself, else why would she have paid extra for a perk she would have gotten for free?

 

I made a point about the inconsistency in price of ticket related to where you are actually seated based on Haven/Non Haven status for those people who are considering whether they should buy a Premium ticket. It is really a crap shoot based on how many Haven guests choose the same show as a Non Haven guest. It is a small venue, and they may take up a good chunk of the front seating. You may purchase Premium seating and get lucky, or be unlucky and end up in the back row, like us.

 

I did not complain and ask for a refund after the show because it was my vacation and I had better things to do. I did comment on it in my post cruise survey. It just seems not to be good business practice to sell both standard and premium tickets to Haven guests knowing full well that they are all going to be seated upfront regardless. Likewise, to sell premium tickets to everyone who wants to pay for one, knowing full well that it is very likely that not all will get an actual "premium" seat. When you pay for Premium, you should expect to get some value for the extra you paid. Not sure what the solution is, but if you buy Premium, don't be surprised when you don't actually get it.

Edited August 9, 2014 by punkincc