Delayed Getaway review (Nov 29)

[JRos]

I apologize, as there won't be any photos included.

 

We sailed on the Getaway on November 29. Had a really enjoyable cruise, despite that my husband and son both came down with an illness on day 2 (respiratory). My husband was treated in the ship's health centre, which was first rate. It was essentially a mini state of the art hospital, equipped with X-ray machines, IV machines etc.

 

I can't recall the day to day events, so I'll do my best to point out the highlights, negatives, and everything in between.

 

I'm 30, husband is 34, daughter is 4 and son is 21 months. We were in the family oceanview room on deck 5 and, were in cabin 5778.

 

Overall, despite our health downfalls, had a fun time. Bar food was amazing at O'Sheehans. Their fish and chips were excellent; the wings, as well, we enjoyed. Buffet food was just okay. We liked the flavoured waters, which were available from noon onwards. I didn't like the lack of variety in the buffet and found the food to be on par with cheap, food court type food. However, not great food court food, if you get my drift. My son loved the macaroni and cheese, which was always served in the buffet. The chicken tenders, in the buffet (as opposed to O'Sheehans, which were excellent) were usually overcooked - and like boot leather. Desserts in the buffet tasted awful. However, the ice cream was great. The soft serve ice cream was watery, yet refreshing.

Dining room food was really good, most of the time. However, the French onion soup was not an actual French onion soup. It was onion soul with a small piece of bread at the top and without the fundamental cheese topping. This was disappointing, as we love French onion soup. It gave me the impression that the cruise line is cutting corners to alleviate costs. I also found the cheese available on the ship to be pretty much entirely processed. I wanted real cheddar cheese in a grilled cheese for my children, but was given the Kraft Singles/American cheese stuff.

 

We didn't experience any of the shows or entertainment as we were with our kids, who were asleep in our stateroom by 9pm.

 

The stateroom was spacious and our category included a full bathroom, either a double sink. The bathtub made bathing small kids very easy.

I realize I sound fussy, but we honestly had probably the worst stateroom attendant ever. We had our 'Do Not Disturb' sign up at 7 one night - husband and son were ill and we retired early. The stateroom attendant, Nezrati (I think that was her name) barged in. She said she didn't check the do not disturb lights. That, to me, was unacceptable. Another night, we were asleep by 9, do not disturb sign on, and in spite of this, she called our stateroom at 9:30 over nonsense. Well, she gave us the German edition of the daily schedule. I nearly told her off, as she woke up my sick son. I told her to leave the English version under our door, which she didn't do. We got our planner at the guest service desk the next day. Towards the end of the cruise, we were all better. She never bothered to do the turn down service. She was just sloppy and inconsiderate in so many ways. The icing on the cake was when she asked us to fill out a form, nominating her as an outstanding crew member. Yeah right....

 

Pools were small. It was not a full ship, so loungers were available. Great kids splash pad. Both my kids had a blast. Great ambiance by the pool. I didn't spend any time at the main, adults only pool. Though, it looked great (albeit small). I didn't go on the slides, but our friends did and said they were thrilling.

 

Kids activities were great fun. My daughter loved decorating her own tshirt one afternoon, and the youth team were a great group of people. Another time, they decorated picture frames. The Dora Story Time was great for the smaller kids.

 

And that's the gist of it :). We want to redo the Allure or Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) but we would sail NCL again.

[JRos]

Another detail, which I forgot to mention, was that it was nearly impossible to escape the smoke. My husband has always struggled with pretty awful asthma, and it was exacerbated by the fact that the casino is placed right in the centre of the ship - and the smoke is overwhelming. You can't escape it, as you pretty much must walk through it and it escapes to every area of the ship. Thus, if you have respiratory issues, I'd advise against this ship. The outdoor smoking area is in close proximity to the kids' splash pad. If it was windy, you just inhale the second hand smoke. For this reason, we won't be sailing the Getaway again. However, if this design flaw is fixed in future ships -if the casino is in a more contained space, where one isn't obligated to pass through, we would sail NCL. It was the most value for money. Disney is our best bet for a future cruise, as there is no main smoking area on the Fantasy. As well, RCL's Allure of the Seas have their casino away from central areas. Due to the asthma in our family, we can cross off sailing again on the Getaway.

[lilly_and_hunter]

Sorry that you had sick family members during your vacation. That's a bummer.

 

Were you able to explore at any of

the ports?

 

 

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[JRos]

This was our first cruise that we didn't leave the ship. I was on my own a lot with my 2 kids and wasn't brave enough. There were a few families with young kids on the ship on port days. I am a beach bum, so it was slightly disappointing, but the weather was gorgeous and my kids loved the splash area. I told my husband we have to now aim for another cruise to make up for missing the ports! Lol

[lilly_and_hunter]

I definitely understand that! I wouldn't get off the ship without my husband either.

 

We cruised Disney Dream when our twins were 4 and loved it. It's just so much more expensive. We are taking the family on the Getaway in about 2 weeks.

 

Do you believe your husband was sick before boarding and didn't know it? Was it his asthma?

 

 

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[JRos]

I definitely understand that! I wouldn't get off the ship without my husband either.

 

We cruised Disney Dream when our twins were 4 and loved it. It's just so much more expensive. We are taking the family on the Getaway in about 2 weeks.

 

Do you believe your husband was sick before boarding and didn't know it? Was it his asthma?

 

 

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He was sick on the cruise, not before. He was never a threat to other passengers, if that's your concern.

 

We want to do Disney when my little boy is 5 and my daughter is 8 (hopefully!)

[lilly_and_hunter]

No, not thinking that..... Not thinking he was a threat. Just curious!

 

 

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[JRos]

No, not thinking that..... Not thinking he was a threat. Just curious!

 

 

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Sorry, I came off as abrasive.

 

Enjoy your cruise! :). You'll have a great time!