Quick Getaway Highlights - August 9-16

[gofigure49]

Overall, a very good cruise. Mother/daughter getaway. Some quick highlights:

 

The Good:

Ceramic lounges in The Spa

Burn the Floor

The Atlantis Aquaventure

Menu and Service in Taste & Savor. Liked that they were right across from each other.

The Game Shows in The Atrium

The Comedians

Breakfast in The Garden Cafe

IConcierge - easy to make reservations, arrange for excursions, check your account

Beach Towel exchange on the Pier after excursions

Cold wash cloths and water on the Pier after excursions

ISNAP photo stations...free postings and photos to Facebook

 

The Not So Good:

No fresh air in The Spa. On the Epic there was an open air area with lounges. It was hard to breathe because of all the minerals in the therapy pool and poor ventilation. I think next time I would buy a Vibe package and skip the Spa.

No conditioner or bar soap in the showers.

Spice H20. Not enough umbrellas. No pool to speak of... just a little Roman style pool with 6 inches of water and mist and dribbling water. This area was sooo much better on The Epic.

Inside cabins are sooooo small...however they are quiet and the bathroom is adequate.

Even though we were out of our cabin by 8:30 a.m. and put our "Clean Cabin" light on, the cabin was never cleaned until mid-afternoon.

 

The Bad:

No center elevators...just elevators aft and forward

Main pool - the smallest pool ever...noisy, crowded

Ventilation in smoking areas. Yuck...the smoke from the casino and the smoking area on the pool deck invaded everywhere within 100 feet

Internet service - so slow and very expensive. Bought the last day package for $15.00 (including sign-on charges) for 30 minutes. Used it all just to print off Boarding Passes.

 

Other Thoughts and Observations:

 

Many reviews have complained about having to use their room cards to keep the power going in the cabins. I didn't mind that. That procedure is quite common almost everywhere you travel in Europe.

 

I also don't mind having to pay $12.00 a day per person for gratuities. I pre-paid and didn't have to give it another thought.

 

I didn't go to any of the Specialty restaurants. I thought I had a reservation for Tepanyaki but for some reason it didn't get registered and the restaurant was full. Make sure you check for confirmation e-mails for all your reservations and excursions.

 

The ship looked like a blast if you have kids. Make sure they are tall enough to take advantage of the slides, rock climbing and ropes course.

 

Lots of wonderful people to meet but as in "real life" lots of gluttons, fools, narcissists and drunks!

 

Would I sail on The Getaway again? Probably not. But it was an okay experience and I had some wonderful mother/daughter time!

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[daffodiliaz]

ISNAP photo stations...free postings and photos to Facebook

 

I've never seen this mentioned before. Any additional details as to location and how it works? Thanks!

[david_sobe]

Welcome home

Thanks for the review!

I agree that the Spa on Epic is wonderful for its outdoor space and ocean view saunas.

[aubreyc1988]

Thanks for the highlights. I have some questions I hope you can answer.

 

1) Since you thought spice was not good, where would you suggest going for comfy loungers near a bar? Is the vibe worth the money? We had not planned on getting vibe, as that's 200.00 we could save on booze and we have a regular sized balcony right now.

 

2) Did you go to the glow party? Was it fun? I know this is subjective but a lot of cruise "parties" we go to have no one dancing and are lame.

 

3) can you elaborate on the ISNAP feature you are talking about...sounds awesome.

 

4) we have udp, but have seen people loving the dinner at tropicana with burn the floor. Would you recommend doing this?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[gofigure49]

The ISNAP columns took us a few days to find. There are a few of them around the ship. Can't remember the exact locations but I'm pretty sure there is one near the Casino and another near the Getaway Theatre. You stand in front of it, take a picture and upload to Facebook or Twitter. You can add a comment. Pretty neat and free.

 

I heard from another passenger that VIBE was only $75.00 for the week. I didn't go but I understand there is a bar inside and nice lounges.

 

We didn't go to the Glow party but it looked like a blast based on the video.

[Hikini]

Lots of wonderful people to meet but as in "real life" lots of gluttons, fools, narcissists and drunks!

 

 

This line cracked me up, because it sounds so 'me'! :D

 

Thanks for your thoughts on this cruise - it was an enjoyable read.