Just returned from our first NCL cruise (on the Getaway!)

[Disneycruisers]

We had a wonderful time!

 

It was our first experience with nontraditional dining (I wasn't so sure how well I'd like it.) We LOVED it! No more traditional dining times for us (except of course, on DCL.) It was so great to dine where we wanted WHEN we wanted. It was our first experience too, with the UBP. What a great DEAL! It was FREE! We're planning to book the Escape for next July.

 

We had excellent customer service. Loved the live bands too. DH and our 20 year-old DD loved the water-slides and the 'walk the plank' ropes course which, they each did twice (I'm too scared, LOL.)

 

Looking forward to sailing NCL again!

 

(Priscilla)

[MandyMommyof2]

Welcome back!! Curious to see if you would mind sharing what you done for your excursions. I have ours all booked with the exception of St. Thomas. My DH and I have been there before and can't decide what we want our DD's and my parents to see. :) What type of room did you have also? We are excited for Burn the Floor and Legally Blonde. This will be our first NCl cruise. Our previous cruises have been with DCL too!! :)

[Sand and Seas]

So glad you enjoyed the Getaway and freestyle cruising! We love this ship and will be sailing on her again. We also have our Escape cruise booked :D

[Disneycruisers]

Welcome back!! Curious to see if you would mind sharing what you done for your excursions. I have ours all booked with the exception of St. Thomas. My DH and I have been there before and can't decide what we want our DD's and my parents to see. :) What type of room did you have also? We are excited for Burn the Floor and Legally Blonde. This will be our first NCl cruise. Our previous cruises have been with DCL too!! :)

 

We had a balcony for DH and me, and our DD and her best friend had an interior. We might sound like boring cruisers, but we didn't see any shows. :( Legally Blonde was sold out though. We loved the casino and 'game shows' in the Atrium. The only excursion we did was the Baths in Tortola. It's an absolute MUST DO! Most beautiful beach ever. We can't wait to go back there. We went to Coki Beach when we were in St. Thomas. It was wonderfully warm water. The beach was somewhat crowded, but that was okay. We rented loungers and an umbrella. For Nassau, we just got off for about one hour (to shop, but we learned then that all stores were closed, for Nassau's Labor Day.) We seized that chance to get back onboard and ride the water-slides.

 

Hope you have a great time! (DCL will always be our favorite, but NCL is a very-close second. The price is much better too!)

[LrgPizza]

For Nassau, we just got off for about one hour (to shop, but we learned then that all stores were closed, for Nassau's Labor Day.) We seized that chance to get back onboard and ride the water-slides.

We were there from the Getaway last year on their Labor Day! Did you happen to catch the parade? It was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced in the Caribbean. They fashioned musical instruments out of all sorts of things to create marching bands. I think the entire island came out to watch and dance along. It was wonderful. Last year many of the stores opened after the parade was over.

 

We also went from DCL to NCL. We love Disney cruises, but also love the Getaway and NCL! Freestyle is definitely our style. Glad you enjoyed it.

Edited June 8, 2015 by LrgPizza

[MandyMommyof2]

I so agree with the price being much better! I am excited to try out "free style" dining also! So used to requesting that early dinner seating ;) I think today we narrowed down our decision for St. Thomas to Magens Bay or Coki. I read some reviews on Trip Advisor that scared me about Coki though :eek: Did you feel safe? Your excursion to the Baths, did you arrange this through NCL? We did! Very excited to see this!! Did you guys pack a few waters and take with you? Sorry to be so full of questions :)

[hladygirl]

I so agree with the price being much better! I am excited to try out "free style" dining also! So used to requesting that early dinner seating ;) I think today we narrowed down our decision for St. Thomas to Magens Bay or Coki. I read some reviews on Trip Advisor that scared me about Coki though :eek: Did you feel safe? Your excursion to the Baths, did you arrange this through NCL? We did! Very excited to see this!! Did you guys pack a few waters and take with you? Sorry to be so full of questions :)

 

Is your cruise going to Tortola also?

[MandyMommyof2]

yes, hladygirl :) the Getaway makes a stop now in Tortola instead of St. Marteen.

[wruiz14]

We had a wonderful time!

 

 

 

It was our first experience with nontraditional dining (I wasn't so sure how well I'd like it.) We LOVED it! No more traditional dining times for us (except of course, on DCL.) It was so great to dine where we wanted WHEN we wanted. It was our first experience too, with the UBP. What a great DEAL! It was FREE! We're planning to book the Escape for next July.

 

 

 

We had excellent customer service. Loved the live bands too. DH and our 20 year-old DD loved the water-slides and the 'walk the plank' ropes course which, they each did twice (I'm too scared, LOL.)

 

 

 

Looking forward to sailing NCL again!

 

 

 

(Priscilla)

 

 

Thank you for sharing!! It's was very helpful. We have done DCL and loved it. This is our 1st NCL. It was nice to hear positive reviews :) we are also doing the baths but not sure if we are doing the NCL one or another that was suggested on this group. We are checking them both out. How was Howl at the Moon? Did you go there? I'm really looking forward to that. Did you go to Cagneys? We have booked the Tepan grill and was thinking of trying Cagneys too. All suggestions appreciated :) great to hear about the UBP. We have that too and I was hoping it would be useful with my 3 kids.

[Disneycruisers]

I so agree with the price being much better! I am excited to try out "free style" dining also! So used to requesting that early dinner seating ;) I think today we narrowed down our decision for St. Thomas to Magens Bay or Coki. I read some reviews on Trip Advisor that scared me about Coki though :eek: Did you feel safe? Your excursion to the Baths, did you arrange this through NCL? We did! Very excited to see this!! Did you guys pack a few waters and take with you? Sorry to be so full of questions :)

 

We felt just fine at Coki, and didn't have any issues with safety.

 

Yes, we booked our Baths excursion through NCL. We purchased drinks on the beach instead of taking them with us.

 

:)

[Sizzlechest]

We might sound like boring cruisers, but we didn't see any shows. :( Legally Blonde was sold out though.

 

The theaters on the Breakaway class ships are relatively small. Reservations are a must.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Sizzlechest

[mrdrdoso]

The theaters on the Breakaway class ships are relatively small. Reservations are a must.

 

 

how far in advance can you book the shows online?

[wruiz14]

how far in advance can you book the shows online?

 

 

I suggest booking before you get on board. I have heard quite a few people say that shows were already booked when they got on the ship.

[mrdrdoso]

I suggest booking before you get on board. I have heard quite a few people say that shows were already booked when they got on the ship.

 

oh that i will do , but last time i think it was either 75 or 90 days in advance, thats what i'm looking for, anyone??????????

[wruiz14]

oh that i will do , but last time i think it was either 75 or 90 days in advance, thats what i'm looking for, anyone??????????

 

 

Oh sorry about that - I heard that it was 90 but not positive

[mrdrdoso]

Oh sorry about that - I heard that it was 90 but not positive

 

Thank you

[bfamily4]

we've only done dcl, so we're a bit nervous about trying other lines but b/c of the deal that they were offering we did book the getaway for next year. We love dcl due to cleanliness of the ship and great customer service. would you say that dcl and the getaway are comparable in terms of service/cleanliness?

[Sand and Seas]

I suggest booking before you get on board. I have heard quite a few people say that shows were already booked when they got on the ship.

 

There are usually seats available on the left side of the theater in the last few minutes before the show starts. They block off some rows for Haven, but I've never seen them completely filled by Haven guests and then they open them for all. Best to book early, but if not try to walk in at the last.

[Disneycruisers]

we've only done dcl, so we're a bit nervous about trying other lines but b/c of the deal that they were offering we did book the getaway for next year. We love dcl due to cleanliness of the ship and great customer service. would you say that dcl and the getaway are comparable in terms of service/cleanliness?

 

Having been on both I can say that both cruise lines have excellent service and are equally clean.

[bfamily4]

Having been on both I can say that both cruise lines have excellent service and are equally clean.

 

 

thank you!

[punkincc]

With all the free dining packages, many people are wondering about whether or not booking dinner reservations pre cruise or first thing on boarding is necessary. Could you comment on how your family handled this? I hate to have every second planned in advance. Am hoping we can still do some dinner walk ups on our next cruise.