Getaway Dec 4-11 review

[wizdiz]

Here's my review. I'm 44M and traveled with a 29M friend. Entire trip my friend either got mistaken as my son or my partner. Which was quite a surprise for me. Anyways I had booked this cruise with Casinos at Sea for an inside cabin and the UBP. I had gotten the advantage upgrade email and initially bid $125, after not hearing anything for weeks on Thanksgiving I upped the bid to $200. A couple days later I received an email my bid was accepted. I was truly shocked when saw I was upgraded from an Inside to a Spa Balcony. I was already planning on getting the Spa pas. Best thing you can buy on the ship is the spa pass. I had just done the same cruise with my ex GF in March. After my 1st cruise, in my opinion, the dining package wasn't needed. A few days before my cruise after seeing "TheDougOut"'s review I tried to book Maya Chan, Sadly it was fully booked.

 

Day 1

Since I live in Fl I woke up and dropped off my mutt at the dog sitter's. Then back to my house. My friend had gotten an uber and was on his way to pick me up. Got in the uber and headed to the port. After a 50min drive, we were at the port. we dropped off our luggage and walked through security. I walked through security and my backpack was taken and told I needed to follow and my bag checked. They pulled out my vape pen and told me in the x-ray it looked like a bullet. They took the vape pen and re x-ray my bag. All good no bullets they gave me my pen and I was on my way. There was quite a long line BUT lucky me the casino as sea has a special desk to check in and no one was there. I have checked in right away. I asked for a boarding group number and was told just tell them you're booked via the casino. I walked right on the ship. Told the guy who was only calling group 2 I was with the casino at sea and he waved me on. We walked right to Taste or Savor (same thing to me really) enjoyed my first meal on the ship. Went to room dropped off my carry-on. I was then off to the Mojito bar. This is my favorite bar by far. Showed my buddy around the ship. Then went to Osheenan's and had some chicken wings YUM. After this was close to 5 so went to the Spa for the 1st time this trip to get the sticker on my card and for the raffles. I had then wanted to go in the thermal pool but sadly they were filling it up still. I went to the front desk and requested they turn up the temp since I thought it was hardly warm. Then turned it up and the spa was the best ever. Then walked around some more had more drinks and then we were ready for dinner at Tropicana. Dinner was good. After dinner, and then went to the welcome aboard show. I doubt I will ever see this show again. Not 100% sure what I did after I just remember at some point was at Howl at the Moon till they closed it.

 

Day 2 at sea

Woke up and had breakfast at Taste/ Savor. Then off to the spa. The pool was hot and wonderful. I should have taken notes because I can hardly remember what I did. Most of the day was spent relaxing. I do remember after lunch went tried out the Mini golf. It was ok besides some little kids thinking they could just do whatever they wanted and even with their parents watching let them just jump in front of people or just jumping and playing on things and not waiting their turn. Took a few deep breaths and followed what that Disney girl says and let it go. After that played some shuffleboard. I think after went back to the spa. Dinner at Tropicana( I find the service there much better than taste / savor). After dinner had reservations for the comedy club. Went and the comedian was really very funny. After that headed to the casino to make a donation. Not sure what else happened that day. Oops I had forgotten I went to the meet and greet at 11. It was the best meet and greet I had ever been to. The great people who ran it even gave out highlighters, glow bracelets, and a tile magnet. Wish I remembered their names they were super nice but my memory for names sucks!

 

Day 3 woke up and breakfast at Taste/Savor. Had no plans for the day but I know many say dumb to just hire a local for a tour but. Yup, I hired a local and got a great tour. I always love getting tours from locals who you can tell love their island. Went up a mountain and a few great photo ops. Then to this beach where our tour guide got us beers and snorkeling gear at paradise beach. He had told us in advance the beach would be $10 and it was we got wristbands. The locals were plentiful and were trying to sell everything empanadas to this green leaf they said to boil in water and was better than ******. After a few hours at that beach swimming and snorkeling. I found Dory but not much other fish. Back to the port, the only thing I wanted was a coke and I got it. Back on board right to the spa. After the spa went to dinner at.. Once again Tropicana. After dinner had comedy reservations again. The opening act did the same exact act as the night before and got heckled for it. The next comedian was new and was funny. Since they were only 2 main comedians we decided that was it for the comedy acts. After more donations at the casino.

 

Day 4/ oops day 5 I wish I packed a machete! Costa Maya

So since I couldn't get a spot at Maya Chan. I ever walked to the meeting spot they were at and asked if any last minute cancellations but, nope. I asked the girl who was running it where I should go. She said some beach I can't remember and took a taxi there. We got dropped off and were instantly regretful. They dropped us off at a beach where there was nothing or nobody. All I know has he said the beach was 5 miles from the ship. But we were at the beach and could see it so since no taxis or anything around we walked along the beach. After awhile we ran into people and lots of stores and beaches and massage girls. A girl offered an hour massage for $40 if my friend got one also. Since there was another girl to do it we both got a great massage. after that, we thought well let's just walk to the ship. We did and it was pretty hot and everything was great till had to go in the woods since the beach turned to rocks and woods. We hiked till we got to a HUGE wall and the guys there said we could only go towards the water. Well, the wall went into the water but it was right next to the port and where we needed to be. We literally had to go in the water to get around the wall. Once we did we were in the port. I bought 2 cokes. Hiking makes you thirsty! Got on the boat and off to the spa till dinner time at Tropicana. I really don't recall much what we did this night after. I know donated more at the casino. 4 losing days in a row. So much for the free cruise.

 

The real day 4 Harvest Caye

Woke up breakfast Taste /Savor and then off to Belize. Got off at Harvest Caye had no real plans I wanted to explore and have another adventure. Well, this place was on lock down and you couldn't go anywhere out of sight. I had walked the entire island found a spot by the pool and went for a swim. It was a very nice pool. I swam up to the bar and ordered a drink. I was sitting for maybe 10 minutes where I believe I heard at least 100 people go to the bar and ask"Do you accept UBP?" No, they do not! They do accept the room key as long as their computers are working. It was very hot so after a short time, I went back on the ship. Honestly not my favorite port. I do need to add I had at the end of the cruise asked a few people what their favorite port was and they all said, Harvest Caye. So seemed most really liked. After there had lunch on the ship Taste / Savor. Then back to heaven(Spa). I don't remember what I did after this. in the afternoon. Actually this day we made some friends and had dinner at.. You guessed it Tropicana. After dinner had a few drinks and went to the casino and had a winning session for the 1st and only time of the cruise. After reading the board decided to try and make a reservation at Nachi Cocom.

 

Day 6 Cozumel

Woke up had breakfast at Taste/ savor and off to get a cab to Nachi. after a 18 trip there we were. This was my favorite port! Nachi was amazing. Most people there had been there before and most even multiple times. Ther service while good wasn't as good as Mr.Sanchos. But the beach and everything else I found better. It's truly a beautiful relaxing place. Drinks were good and the food was good. We left at the last minute possible to get back to the ship. I grabbed a coke and back on the ship. Went to the spa then to dinner with our friends again at Taste. Big mistake the dinner took twice as long as Tropicana and the service was worse. After dinner some casino donations. Not sure what else.

 

Day 7 ROUGH Sea day If the boats a rockin don't come knockin?

Woke up and had breakfast at Taste / Savor. staggered to the spa. Go to get in the thermal pool. IT'S CLOSED! I was very very sad. They said it was just too rocky and it had lost a bunch of water. All pools were closed. Got lunch and then went to the atrium and played backgammon and cards for an hour + till deal or no deal. I was 1 off from being called! Sadly I won nothing. Ended up at dinner at Tropicana once again. After dinner went to the casino and yup another donation. Went back to the room and packed. Went back out got a last minute cruise next certificate for next cruise. Met up with some new friends for drinks. Had one last stop for wings. Off to bed. I never sleep good the last night.

 

Day 8?

Woke up around 6:45. Get my suitcase and go to level 7. It's like 7 and get in the walk-off line. Wait like 30 min. 7:30 they say you can go! Walk off and get through security and customs. Get a Lyft and was back home by 9am.

 

That's all folks!

I will try and answer questions best I can. Well that's around 10 minutes of your life you will never get back!

[brookie848]

Thanks for the review. We're on the Getaway in February.

 

And I feel for you in regards to cruising with a friend. My husband and I stay in a 2-bedroom and one of our female friends tags along and uses the second bedroom. The entire week people are trying to figure out how the relationship works. The first year we had fun with the ship's photographer one night by having "prom pictures" taken of the three of us. He was just confused. :D

Edited December 12, 2016 by brookie848

[sprint180]

Thanks for the informative but short review.

 

 

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[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Jason82]

Thanks for the review. I'll be on the Getaway next month.

 

Seems you liked having breakfast at taste/savor. How were they?

[easyboy]

Thanks for your feedback.

[wizdiz]

Thanks for the review. I'll be on the Getaway next month.

 

Seems you liked having breakfast at taste/savor. How were they?

 

I believe I enjoyed 5/7 breakfast that I had. I learned last cruise to always mention you like your breakfast hot.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Day 7 ROUGH Sea day If the boats a rockin don't come knockin?

Woke up and had breakfast at Taste / Savor. staggered to the spa. Go to get in the thermal pool. IT'S CLOSED! I was very very sad. They said it was just too rocky and it had lost a bunch of water. All pools were closed.

 

 

Well now I'm not so sad about not getting to the spa on the last day. I had also decided I'd do the ropes course that day as well but, yeah, that didn't work out so well now did it?

[Clarea]

Thanks for the report.