Getaway Review 12/6 -12/13

[Luv1204]

We had a really nice time on the NCL Getaway last week. We loved having the Ultimate Drink plan but if we would have had to pay for the plan we would have lost money. We were thankful that we purchased the 6 night Ultimate Dining plan, the choice of restaurants were nice and the food was much better in the Specialty Restaurants. Our Favorite 2 restaurants were Ocean Blue and Cagney's Steakhouse. The ship was extremely clean and the staff was all over the place making sure it stayed that way. The rope course was really fun, we loved the mini bowling alleys, we played every night, never crowded. Osheehan's Pub in the middle of the ship was the perfect late night hangout place, music, food, drinks, and entertainment. Plenty of cool bars, and a lot of activity. We loved that there was no formal night like we had on the RCCL Oasis, just don't love to get so formal on vacation. We ate on the first night at Taste, one of there 3 main dining rooms, so much Better than a typical Main dinning room on other lines of ships. Felt and looked like a real restaurant, the food was good but did not compare to many of the Specialty restaurants. The Pools were a disappointment. Extremely crowded, Very Small, and only 2. The Main pool and Hot tubs were Adults only, so that left us out since we were with our kids, the other had no seating around it with 90% of kids in it and it was pretty much shaded by the water park. When we were on RCCL Oasis, the 4 pools spread out the crowds by them and all could be used by all ages which was nice. Really like the water slides went on 3 out of 5. the Blue and Green Free Fall ones looked way too scary and you couldn't even have a ring on. I can't get my ring off so I was saved and out of luck, lol. We all loved the Fall's in Jamaica, We loved our hitting the beach all day in Cayman, so Beautiful, in Cozumel we went to Paradise Beach and enjoyed their Huge Resort pool, drinks, and snacks. It was nice to spread out and have a huge pool to enjoy. Great Stirup Cay was not so great, way to crowded and the water was so cold for us, not far enough south for winter months. It was nice to have free drinks and food there though. The Breakfast and lunch buffets were plentiful and surprisingly really good. I love Flamingo Grill for lunches also. The shows were really good, and there was always something to do. We liked having a balcony, gave us a little more space and an openness feeling. The bed that came out of the top of the wall to make a bunk bed over the sofa bed was loved by the kids. Getting on and off the ship was a breeze, and even on the last morning a full buffet was served including the omelette station which was a nice surprise and a good way to end the week. All that being said we are exhausted and need a vacation:) We will be going back to island vacations for a while, the day in Cayman reminded us how much we love hanging on a beautiful beach all day and swimming in a big pool with no schedule and making our own fun. We missed an island vibe. In a few years I am sure we will be back on another cruise, all and all it was a great family trip, and a Great ship!

[Keith1010]

Thanks for the review/trip report.

 

Keith

[bigb252]

What time did you disembark?

[Luv1204]

Our plane wasn't leaving until 2:05pm so we took our time getting off the ship and enjoying a last big breakfast. We got off the ship around 10:00am. Then when we got to the airport we found out our plane was over booked and we were lucky enough to get bumped to the 4:30pm flight and received $2000 in flight vouchers, $500 a person good for a year from 12/13, plus a $50 voucher for lunch that day! We were so excited and still are. Already looking and planning our next Caribbean trip. What a great way to end the week!

[big al]

We had a really nice time on the NCL Getaway last week. We loved having the Ultimate Drink plan but if we would have had to pay for the plan we would have lost money. We were thankful that we purchased the 6 night Ultimate Dining plan, the choice of restaurants were nice and the food was much better in the Specialty Restaurants. Our Favorite 2 restaurants were Ocean Blue and Cagney's Steakhouse. The ship was extremely clean and the staff was all over the place making sure it stayed that way. The rope course was really fun, we loved the mini bowling alleys, we played every night, never crowded. Osheehan's Pub in the middle of the ship was the perfect late night hangout place, music, food, drinks, and entertainment. Plenty of cool bars, and a lot of activity. We loved that there was no formal night like we had on the RCCL Oasis, just don't love to get so formal on vacation. We ate on the first night at Taste, one of there 3 main dining rooms, so much Better than a typical Main dinning room on other lines of ships. Felt and looked like a real restaurant, the food was good but did not compare to many of the Specialty restaurants. The Pools were a disappointment. Extremely crowded, Very Small, and only 2. The Main pool and Hot tubs were Adults only, so that left us out since we were with our kids, the other had no seating around it with 90% of kids in it and it was pretty much shaded by the water park. When we were on RCCL Oasis, the 4 pools spread out the crowds by them and all could be used by all ages which was nice. Really like the water slides went on 3 out of 5. the Blue and Green Free Fall ones looked way too scary and you couldn't even have a ring on. I can't get my ring off so I was saved and out of luck, lol. We all loved the Fall's in Jamaica, We loved our hitting the beach all day in Cayman, so Beautiful, in Cozumel we went to Paradise Beach and enjoyed their Huge Resort pool, drinks, and snacks. It was nice to spread out and have a huge pool to enjoy. Great Stirup Cay was not so great, way to crowded and the water was so cold for us, not far enough south for winter months. It was nice to have free drinks and food there though. The Breakfast and lunch buffets were plentiful and surprisingly really good. I love Flamingo Grill for lunches also. The shows were really good, and there was always something to do. We liked having a balcony, gave us a little more space and an openness feeling. The bed that came out of the top of the wall to make a bunk bed over the sofa bed was loved by the kids. Getting on and off the ship was a breeze, and even on the last morning a full buffet was served including the omelette station which was a nice surprise and a good way to end the week. All that being said we are exhausted and need a vacation:) We will be going back to island vacations for a while, the day in Cayman reminded us how much we love hanging on a beautiful beach all day and swimming in a big pool with no schedule and making our own fun. We missed an island vibe. In a few years I am sure we will be back on another cruise, all and all it was a great family trip, and a Great ship!

 

Nice review, thanks for posting it..question: what beach did you go to in Grand Cayman? Did you see Burn The Floor, Legally Blonde, or any other shows? Thanks!!

 

Big Al

[Luv1204]

Big Al,

If you take a taxi from the port they will take you to the beginning of 7mile beach for $4.00 a person. That's were it looks like most of the cruisers go for a beach day. The trick is to pay $5.00 a person and have the taxi take you all the way up 7 mile beach to the Westin. We have stayed there a few times over the years. Beautiful Property, the beach is public, Its on the Best part of the beach,much less crowded, wide and Beautiful. As for shows:We did see Burn the Floor, so much better than I expected, tons of fast pace energy. Legally Blonde was pretty good too. I like the Illusionarium magic show but it's a dinner show and I didn't think the food was the greatest, also the seating for that show is weird. We paid extra for floor seating which is set up in 5 rows of banquet style tables. We ended up in the 5th row, 3 feet behind us was comphy nice booths with a better view, NCL calls these booths banquet seating at a cheaper price?? (To me its a much better seat) A lot of the game shows were fun to watch, and Deal or No Deal was Great even if you were not the lucky one picked to be on stage.

[big al]

Big Al,

If you take a taxi from the port they will take you to the beginning of 7mile beach for $4.00 a person. That's were it looks like most of the cruisers go for a beach day. The trick is to pay $5.00 a person and have the taxi take you all the way up 7 mile beach to the Westin. We have stayed there a few times over the years. Beautiful Property, the beach is public, Its on the Best part of the beach,much less crowded, wide and Beautiful. As for shows:We did see Burn the Floor, so much better than I expected, tons of fast pace energy. Legally Blonde was pretty good too. I like the Illusionarium magic show but it's a dinner show and I didn't think the food was the greatest, also the seating for that show is weird. We paid extra for floor seating which is set up in 5 rows of banquet style tables. We ended up in the 5th row, 3 feet behind us was comphy nice booths with a better view, NCL calls these booths banquet seating at a cheaper price?? (To me its a much better seat) A lot of the game shows were fun to watch, and Deal or No Deal was Great even if you were not the lucky one picked to be on stage.

 

Thanks, luv1204...Do you remember the NAME of the beach? There are dozens on SMI..we used to go to Royal Palms Beach club...

 

Big Al

[Vacationdreamer<><]

Great review. Thank you.

How old are your kids?

[backtodavis]

Thanks for the info on the Westin! I have been looking for a great place to go on 7 mile beach. Is there a charge to go on the beach there and is there bathrooms? Thanks for the help, leaving in a few weeks!! :):)

[Luv1204]

Great review. Thank you.

How old are your kids?

 

9 year old daughter, and 13 year old son, both had a Great time

[Luv1204]

Thanks for the info on the Westin! I have been looking for a great place to go on 7 mile beach. Is there a charge to go on the beach there and is there bathrooms? Thanks for the help, leaving in a few weeks!! :):)

 

No charge to hang on their beach, the beaches are public. We did not use their chairs though, just laid out towels out on the sand incase we wanted to sit and relax without breaking rules but mostly just hung in the beautiful blue warm water. Funny though the blue towels from the ship are the same towels the hotel uses. Someone was getting up and asked us if we wanted there chairs but we felt weird, and didn't want to take advantage. *We did look like we fit in though and used the bathrooms a few times with no problems. They also have a bar and grill you can use. Nicest, least crowded and most beautiful part of 7 mile beach in my opinion, enjoy:)

[INDIANA JOE]

Big Al,

If you take a taxi from the port they will take you to the beginning of 7mile beach for $4.00 a person. That's were it looks like most of the cruisers go for a beach day. The trick is to pay $5.00 a person and have the taxi take you all the way up 7 mile beach to the Westin. We have stayed there a few times over the years. Beautiful Property, the beach is public, Its on the Best part of the beach,much less crowded, wide and Beautiful. As for shows:We did see Burn the Floor, so much better than I expected, tons of fast pace energy. Legally Blonde was pretty good too. I like the Illusionarium magic show but it's a dinner show and I didn't think the food was the greatest, also the seating for that show is weird. We paid extra for floor seating which is set up in 5 rows of banquet style tables. We ended up in the 5th row, 3 feet behind us was comphy nice booths with a better view, NCL calls these booths banquet seating at a cheaper price?? (To me its a much better seat) A lot of the game shows were fun to watch, and Deal or No Deal was Great even if you were not the lucky one picked to be on stage.

 

We were on this cruise also and I agree about the Illusionarium. Didn't care for the meal and were in the 1st row on the left side of the stage. We did like the show too.

 

On GSC, the lagoon area had plenty of loungers and room. About a 10 minute walk past where everyone enters after getting thru the gate. They also had really nice cabanas for a fee.