Currently aboard the Getaway

[dnmbw]

I am sailing on the Getaway in September and trying to plan a shore excursion with a private vendor in Tortola. Could you please tell me what time the "all aboard" is I know they leave at 4 but I am trying to find out if I need to be back at 3 or 3:30?

 

Thanks!

[SuiteTraveler]

The all board in Tortola 3:30 if sail away is at 4pm - at least that is how it was for us. It seems like all aboard is always 30 minutes before sail away.

[SuiteTraveler]

Next time ask for Sambal. Yum!!

 

Thanks! Sambal is great, but I was hoping for Herdez, Joe T Garcia's, etc. I was looking for true picante - tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, lime juice, salt. I love Sambal and Siracha, but not the right flavor profile for what I was after that particular morning.

[Lori3015]

I saw snacks in the Getaway casino a few weeks ago but I cannot remember the time of day. Honestly I would not eat in there with all the smoke hovering around.

[marazad16]

Sugar Blue is already gone. The new entertainer is Shannon McNally.

 

Thank you - I will have a look!

[mom2tots]

My daughter is on the ship with some neighbors. Do you know if the ship will be changing the itinerary tomorrow due to the tropical system near the Bahamas? I'm hoping she will call me tonight. She's having a great time and really loves the ship.

[SuiteTraveler]

My daughter is on the ship with some neighbors. Do you know if the ship will be changing the itinerary tomorrow due to the tropical system near the Bahamas? I'm hoping she will call me tonight. She's having a great time and really loves the ship.

 

The tropical system must have turned or abated. Waters are calm. We are currently sailing into Nassau and it is a beautiful sunny day with no storm clouds visible. We should arrive in about 1/2 hour. I can see Atlantis already.

Edited May 8, 2015 by SuiteTraveler

[Cruise-Crazy]

A co-worker is on there right now as well. :)

[mom2tots]

Thanks so much for the update!

[timetaffy89]

Suite Traveler, I am curious about the menu in the Haven Restaurant. We are booked in a Spa Suite in the Haven in August and you had mentioned the Haven Restaurant was very good. How does their menu work? Does it change daily or is it like a specialty restaurant and stays the same all week? Any info would be great. Thanks

 

 

 

Karin

 

 

They also have a chef special every day for dinner. Delicious options! One night it was chateaubriand which was amazing! Sigh was it really only a week ago I was on the Getaway!?

[SuiteTraveler]

We are now docked next to the Carnival Sensation in Nassau. What a huge contrast between the Getaway and the Sensation! BTW, the Captain and I suppose pilot, turned the Getaway around, and backed in next to the dock. I wonder if this is due to tides or what other reason they had for doing this. We are at the furthest dock from shore.

 

I'm going to try to find Shanghai's today and take a look at the menu to see if it has changed at all.

[SuiteTraveler]

They also have a chef special every day for dinner. Delicious options! One night it was chateaubriand which was amazing! Sigh was it really only a week ago I was on the Getaway!?

 

That's right! There was a fish special the night we went. I forgot about that!

[SuiteTraveler]

Shanghai Noodle Bar Menu is identical to this one except the Mango Pudding has been eliminated from the desserts and Panda Salad has been added and there are, of course, no prices, since this restaurant is now complimentary.

 

Panda Salad: Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut and Pineapple

 

http://www.beyondships2.com/uploads/8/2/4/5/8245255/noodle_bar.pdf

[vjpiott]

Thanks for looking into it!

[gschwartz001]

Thanks so much for checking on the Noodle Bar - now I will know where to find my husband since he loves it, especially for free.

[SuiteTraveler]

Movie today was "Edge of Tomorrow." They are also showing "Now You See Me" later tonight.

 

You're welcome in regards to Shanghai's Noodle Bar. It is a much larger venue than on other ships - I think it can seat 40 or maybe more. It's very pretty.

 

We spent this afternoon at the spa. It was wonderful. The spa goes from port to starboard across the front on the 15th floor. You enter towards the starboard side, then from the port side, there is the aroma therapy steam room, salt chamber, sauna and saunarium, followed by the water circuit and hot tub. All across the front, facing the windows are heated tile loungers. There are also many padded loungers, a drink station with tea and flavored water (varies by day).

 

Breakfast and lunch in The Haven restaurant again.

 

I walked around the ship some after lunch to look at spaces I had not previously visited. Finally found H2O - there is a huge area with a water fall where you can sit in the shade and 2 hot tubs and a bar. Other than that, it is open deck for sunbathing. The arcade is very nice with some very fancy arcade machines and prize vending machines.

 

I wanted to mention that the fireworks occurred on the night of the day we were in BVI which was Day 4 - Tuesday at 10:45pm - Cinco de Mayo. For some reason, I was under the impression that the fireworks would be on Thursday. At any rate I was asleep at the time and they woke me, so I got up to watch them a little from our balcony. Very pretty.

 

The Carnival Sensation AND the Getaway are BLASTING music at each other across the dock as passengers come back to the ships. It is LOUD! Even inside on 14 I can hear it somewhat. LOL! You would think that in this situation, where the ships are side by side, they would only play music on one side for both ships. Instead it's like a competition down there!

 

I hate that our cruise is ending. 1 week really isn't enough to do everything onboard. Even 2 weeks might be too short to enjoy all there is on this ship. I want to say how much i have enjoyed this ship and that I hope we can do it (or one of the sister ships or the newest ship) again, REAL SOON. I know a lot of people are having a fit over the room service fee and not being able to take food to go from restaurants, but we've found this to be no problem whatsoever for us. Last night was the ONLY time it might have impacted us. We had dinner at Ocean Blue and they gave my husband a b-day cake from Carlo's bakery (they are the ONLY specialty restaurant that gives this special cake from Carlo's) along with dessert. We couldn't eat it after all 3 courses (and a pre-dinner snack at Raw Bar), so they used room service to send the whole b-day cake to our cabin. It arrived within 5 minutes of our return along with the correct cutlery and plates, no charge. I suppose they could have used the night butler alternatively but I told the waitress I felt bad about bothering him. My husband has been eating this THIRD b-day cake all day long. He LOVES chocolate and it's a chocolate cake, but different from the chocolate cake I sent him from Carlo's bakery that I ordered off the internet prior to the cruise. I can't remember if I mentioned the white birthday cake of the other day from the butler? So, my husband got 2 chocolate cakes and 1 white birthday cake - three birthday cakes in all! Luckily, he is fit and healthy and can eat all of this! Tonight we go to Le Bistro again. I'm hoping we get Chateubriand!

 

I checked our onboard account and found it accurate and no surprises. That's always nice to not have to hassle with guest relations over that.

 

We will do walk-off early disembarkation tomorrow morning via the concierge as we have a late morning flight. On this ship, the forward staff elevators, right off the concierge lounge, go down to close to where you would disembark and there is a permanent red carpet installed there for suite guests, so I'm expecting that is how we will be disembarked. If so, nothing could be simpler or more direct.

[marazad16]

How was dinner at Ocean Blue last night? Which chocolate cake did your husband like better? It's been great to have your live updates! Thanks.

 

Looking forward to hearing about Le Bistro. Enjoy! :)

[Suzyrn89]

We are currently aboard the Getaway in a spa suite. We boarded on Saturday. Shortly after boarding, we were in an elevator when an elderly lady on a walker spouted out: "Well, I'm already disappointed in this ship." another female passenger offered, "Perhaps you should wait more than 2 hours to decide..." LOL!

 

Anyway, we are NOT disappointed in this ship at all. It is just beautiful. ALL of the food has been excellent. We had a great dinner in Le Bistro, a great dinner in The Haven Restaurant and a great dinner in Cagney's and that's just so far. The spa is wonderful. Our spa suite is wonderful. We enjoyed the show in the Illusionarium. We had a great sushi lunch/dinner prior to the show. We really have no complaints whatsoever.

 

Yesterday in the BVI we went to The Bath's and passed by Necker Island and Richard Branson's house there. Today, we are in beautiful St. Thomas. Life is great!

 

Let me know if you have any questions about this wonderful ship and I'll try to get an answer while onboard.

 

Can you tell me how the internet service is, we are thinking of doing a package and then turning on the device as a hot spot for the rest of the family to use. Also can you please bring back a copy of the dailies? Have never been on NCL or to tortola and would love to have them to use in planning.

[Suzyrn89]

Movie today was "Edge of Tomorrow." They are also showing "Now You See Me" later tonight.

 

You're welcome in regards to Shanghai's Noodle Bar. It is a much larger venue than on other ships - I think it can seat 40 or maybe more. It's very pretty.

 

We spent this afternoon at the spa. It was wonderful. The spa goes from port to starboard across the front on the 15th floor. You enter towards the starboard side, then from the port side, there is the aroma therapy steam room, salt chamber, sauna and saunarium, followed by the water circuit and hot tub. All across the front, facing the windows are heated tile loungers. There are also many padded loungers, a drink station with tea and flavored water (varies by day).

 

Breakfast and lunch in The Haven restaurant again.

 

I walked around the ship some after lunch to look at spaces I had not previously visited. Finally found H2O - there is a huge area with a water fall where you can sit in the shade and 2 hot tubs and a bar. Other than that, it is open deck for sunbathing. The arcade is very nice with some very fancy arcade machines and prize vending machines.

 

I wanted to mention that the fireworks occurred on the night of the day we were in BVI which was Day 4 - Tuesday at 10:45pm - Cinco de Mayo. For some reason, I was under the impression that the fireworks would be on Thursday. At any rate I was asleep at the time and they woke me, so I got up to watch them a little from our balcony. Very pretty.

 

The Carnival Sensation AND the Getaway are BLASTING music at each other across the dock as passengers come back to the ships. It is LOUD! Even inside on 14 I can hear it somewhat. LOL! You would think that in this situation, where the ships are side by side, they would only play music on one side for both ships. Instead it's like a competition down there!

 

I hate that our cruise is ending. 1 week really isn't enough to do everything onboard. Even 2 weeks might be too short to enjoy all there is on this ship. I want to say how much i have enjoyed this ship and that I hope we can do it (or one of the sister ships or the newest ship) again, REAL SOON. I know a lot of people are having a fit over the room service fee and not being able to take food to go from restaurants, but we've found this to be no problem whatsoever for us. Last night was the ONLY time it might have impacted us. We had dinner at Ocean Blue and they gave my husband a b-day cake from Carlo's bakery (they are the ONLY specialty restaurant that gives this special cake from Carlo's) along with dessert. We couldn't eat it after all 3 courses (and a pre-dinner snack at Raw Bar), so they used room service to send the whole b-day cake to our cabin. It arrived within 5 minutes of our return along with the correct cutlery and plates, no charge. I suppose they could have used the night butler alternatively but I told the waitress I felt bad about bothering him. My husband has been eating this THIRD b-day cake all day long. He LOVES chocolate and it's a chocolate cake, but different from the chocolate cake I sent him from Carlo's bakery that I ordered off the internet prior to the cruise. I can't remember if I mentioned the white birthday cake of the other day from the butler? So, my husband got 2 chocolate cakes and 1 white birthday cake - three birthday cakes in all! Luckily, he is fit and healthy and can eat all of this! Tonight we go to Le Bistro again. I'm hoping we get Chateubriand!

 

I checked our onboard account and found it accurate and no surprises. That's always nice to not have to hassle with guest relations over that.

 

We will do walk-off early disembarkation tomorrow morning via the concierge as we have a late morning flight. On this ship, the forward staff elevators, right off the concierge lounge, go down to close to where you would disembark and there is a permanent red carpet installed there for suite guests, so I'm expecting that is how we will be disembarked. If so, nothing could be simpler or more direct.

 

Did you pre order bday cakes or could you do that on embark day, we will be celebrating a bday but would like to use onboard credit to plan the bday celebration.

[Minoushka]

Do you recall which penny slots were on board ...just curious

[Cruise-Crazy]

They also have a chef special every day for dinner. Delicious options! One night it was chateaubriand which was amazing! Sigh was it really only a week ago I was on the Getaway!?

 

Sounds delicious! Just three more weeks and I'll be there. :D

[SuiteTraveler]

How was dinner at Ocean Blue last night? Which chocolate cake did your husband like better? It's been great to have your live updates! Thanks.

 

Looking forward to hearing about Le Bistro. Enjoy! :)

 

We absolutely LOVED the Raw Bar at Ocean Blue. The food inside Ocean Blue is seafood with an Indian/Asian flare. I had the mussels tom kai tai that were fabulous and then some pan seared scallops that were perfectly prepared and the tea based panna cotta. My husband had the madras carrot and curry bisque - which he loved and then the grouper, which was mild (which is the kind of fish he prefers) and the warm chocolate flourless cake.

 

Now, in regards to the third birthday cake that Ocean Blue got from Carlo's vs. the chocolate cake I ordered off the NCL website: my husband says the one from Ocean Blue was the best of the two, and of course, also the best of all 3, since the white birthday cake paled in comparison to the other 2 cakes. The cake i ordered for my husband was more like chocolate mousse covered with chocolate ganache than an actual cake, btw.

[SuiteTraveler]

At Le Bistro, I had mussels again (I love mussels, what can I say?) and my husband had the asparagus. For entree, we shared the cote de bouef medium rare. The cote de bouef turned out to be an incredibly HUGE portion of very good quality beef. But there was so much, I only ate about 1.5 slices (out of the 4 that were originally served to me.) My husband ate about 3 slices. The accompaniments were excellent. I highly recommend this meal. We had Jordan Cabernet with this, which we had decanted and it was excellent as well. You know, NCL has really good prices on wine compared to land based restaurants. NCL's prices seem to be about 1/2 or 2/3 of what most restaurants charge for the same wine.

 

Anyway, after dinner, I went to the casino and hit the slots and wound up winning $989!!! So that pretty much covered the wine we bought onboard.

 

There are a lot of penny slots on this ship. There are Quick Hit, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, lots of video slot machines including the one with the Chinese dragon bonus and the one with the 4 Chinese beasts bonus. I remember one called Kittens and one called Faeries. A lot of these are new to me and some I remember seeing at the casino at the Aria Las Vegas, however I believe that NCL and Total Rewards are related, so these are probably the same new slots any Total Rewards Casino might have. There are the Vibrant 7's machines and also the Diamond machines. I think quite a few of the machines are from Konami. There are also those slots that you play 4 screens at once and some that have a secondary window with a multiplier. There are also some traditional machines. People were also going wild over the quarter pusher machines and getting big cups of quarters to shoot into those games. They were very, very busy, so I guess they must pay off. If you go to Youtube and search for NCL Getaway Slot Machines, you will see others that are on the ship as well.

 

My husband played Texas Hold'em Poker. He was in a game that was supposedly to win a cruise and go on to a level up tournament on another cruise. Anyway, when the game started, they all asked the dealer if FOR CERTAIN there were enough people to qualify for this tournament, and they were told yes. Towards the end of the game, on the last buy in, not enough people bought in to continue to qualify BUT the dealer didn't tell the remaining players this. Everyone thought they were playing for a cruise. It turned out they weren't. They were very PO'd by this because they could have called in their wives or gotten others to buy in and split the pot in order for the winner to qualify for the next level tournament. They complained to the casino host after the fact as they all felt misled. I'm not sure what if anything was done as my husband was not in this group. But it did cast a pall over the Texas Hold'em playing. So, if any of you play this, be certain to consistently ask the dealer if there are enough people buying in for each round to qualify for the tournament and if not, drag some others into the game.

[SuiteTraveler]

Did you pre order bday cakes or could you do that on embark day, we will be celebrating a bday but would like to use onboard credit to plan the bday celebration.

 

I had no idea my husband would wind up with 3 birthday cakes, so I pre-ordered off the NCL website. I had that cake delivered on the first day of the cruise, even though it was not my husband's b-day because I figured it would be big enough to last several days. It was delivered with no delivery charge. Then on the day of my husband's b-day, the butler surprised my husband with a white b-day cake which he brought with the afternoon snacks and then that night in Ocean Blue, my husband got the 3rd b-day cake which Ocean Blue had delivered to our suite via room service (no charge) since it was after 9:30pm and I didn't want to pester the butler. In case any NCL food police are reading this, my husband is ideal weight and works out daily - despite this he finished both chocolate cakes, but the white one he just ate 1 slice and I had 1 slice. I didn't eat more than 1 bite of the chocolate cakes because I know my husband really LOVES chocolate, so I left those to him. (In fact, my husband loves chocolate so much, one Valentine's I pranked him with a never-ending box of Godiva chocolates that unbelievably went on until the Saturday before Easter. But that's a whole other story. LOL!) Anyway, no chocolate cake was wasted in celebrating my husband's b-day.

 

There were whole cakes for sale in Carlo's bakery, so my guess is you can just buy it onboard. What I don't know is if they would charge you a delivery fee or if you can just take it with you to your stateroom or how this works with the new rules on not taking food from the dining rooms. If you have a butler, I suppose you could have him collect it for you if you are not allowed to take it yourself. BTW, these cakes are rather expensive. But they do taste good!

[SuiteTraveler]

Can you tell me how the internet service is, we are thinking of doing a package and then turning on the device as a hot spot for the rest of the family to use. Also can you please bring back a copy of the dailies? Have never been on NCL or to tortola and would love to have them to use in planning.

 

The internet service works pretty well. Many times I was on my IPAD and my husband was on his IPAD or laptop or I'd be on my laptop. We got 24x7 coverage (paid for by his work since he needs to be in touch with his office at all times.)

 

Sorry I didn't bring back the dailies. The first 3 days disappeared, inexplicably. But I did find this link to the February 2014 dailies:

http://www.shipdetective.com/ships/pdf/norwegian_getaway_handouts/getaway_dailies.htm