Loved the “ BIG” ship experience!!!

[Still Dreaming]

Loved the “ BIG” ship experience!!!

We were a little apprehensive about the Getaway do to its size but ended up loving all the opportunities it had to offer.

We stayed at the Savoy hotel in South Beach for a couple days before the cruise and loved the hotel and location. We did a South beach Food Tour on Friday with Miami Culinary Tours. What a unique area and history. Excellent tour and food. We are so glad we decided to splurge and spend a couple nights in South Beach!!

Cab from South Beach to cruise terminal was fast and easy. We were concerned with the crowd; we arrived around 11:45. We got in line and it went surprisingly fast through the screening. We proceeded to NCL check in and then followed another couple up the escalators. Where did all the people go? There were approximately 6 people sitting in the boarding area so we just kept heading towards the ship. We walked right on! We were a little confused on where and what to do, I guess I missed the flyer they were handing out! They could use more people directing at that point! We seriously went right to our cabin, dropped of our carry on and headed to the buffet, where there was nothing edible! LOL! Just kidding, great selection.

 

I thought I had researched enough, watched YouTube tours and read cruise reviews that I would know the ship inside and out. I was wrong. By the end of the trip we did come to the conclusion that this was one of the best ship layouts we have been on! You could go from one end of the ship to the other on every floor. All the main areas seemed to be in easy walking distance. I had read the complaints of the elevators being on each end of the ship and nothing in the middle but they really were in a great location and then there was beautiful stairs in the middle.

Smoke seems to be another complaint but we rarely smelled any. My husband did one day as we went through the casino but he is a little more aware since he is a former smoker. We did avoid the smoking area at the pool deck.

 

We are so happy we did not buy the specialty dining package. We did eat at Moderno and the Illusionarium. All I can say is that we had excellent food where ever we choose to eat. NCL must be listening to the complaints of the food served at Illusionarium because that ended up being our favorite! Tropicana and Sheehan’s were excellent. Moderno was ok not great. Food was ok but service was slow. We were done with our first serving of meat and our waitress had not brought out the sides. She must have been new. We did not eat in Taste and Savor; we loved the live entertainment at Tropicana. We never had to wait for a table and we did not make any reservations!

 

We loved the Flamingo grill for breakfast. Fresh omelets and unique breakfast sandwiches. They also had a great Super Bowl spread. Nachos, wings and hotdogs. All the usual football food! Great Game!!

Pool area was ok. There were always loungers available and tables to sit at outside the buffet or flamingo grill. Pool was nice with the platform areas that you could bring a chair on and have your feet in water. We did do one of the high water slides and let’s just say we did it and we survived and didn’t do another! I must be getting old because my life flashed b4 my eyes.

 

We loved legally blonde! Sorry to all the critics but I loved the movie also. The actors where amazing! We did not have reservations and there were several seats available. Only 2 couples left during the show and seriously one couple left during a solo! Talk about rude!

Wine lovers musical was good, the seating was miserable!! We were seated like sardines; we could hardly lift our arms to cut the meat. I knew that we would have the same menu as the Illusionarium show but, really, someone needs to be more creative. That was a very heavy, but good, lunch.

Loved all the live music, everywhere!!!! Dueling pianos was fun and the piano guy was amazing! Loved the martini tasting at Sugarcanes!! Well worth the 15$. We almost did it a second time!

We usually don’t do any ship excursions but we did on this trip. Times in ports are a little short on this itinerary. We did Golden Eagle sail away and swim in St. Maarten and St. John Beach Champagne catamaran. Both were excellent with a nod to the Golden Eagle! Crew was just amazing and fun and the steps were better with a hand rail. The Rum punch was also a little more toxic on the Golden Eagle!!

 

We did a food tour through Tru Bahamian (Bites of Nassau) on our own in Nassau. Our guide and all the different tastes we had were amazing. Our guide truly loves her island home! Thank you Lexi. I felt for all the people planning on a beach day! Cold and Windy!

We had a midship balcony 11208. Great location to go forward or aft. Room and bathroom were perfect. We had so much storage that we didn’t use most of it. Loved the open shelves in the bathroom, held lots of JUNK. The closet had the most hangers that I have ever seen. Balcony was big enough for the both of us and when my cousin stopped over for a sunset drink we just pulled the ottoman over to the patio door and had the door open. Loved that storage ottoman!!!!! I even brought it out on the balcony to put my feet up many mornings.

 

Go and enjoy!

Edited February 14, 2015 by Still Dreaming

[elizamar]

Thanks for your review and especially for the Nassau food tour tip. We were wondering what to do, and that seems just perfect. Already booked!

[david_sobe]

Glad you had such a nice time. I am excited for my turn next week. I agree with you. Its very rude to walk out during performances. We must have grew up in the same place and time when they were teaching manners.

[Still Dreaming]

Thanks for your review and especially for the Nassau food tour tip. We were wondering what to do, and that seems just perfect. Already booked!

 

You will love it!!

[ncklhaus]

Thank you for your review. I enjoyed reading it!

[TSUmom]

Thank you for taking time to do a review. We too enjoy the "big ships"....so much to do!!

[aquarianne11]

We enjoy the "big ships" too!

 

Thanks for your review! :)