Cruising the Baltics with a Teen and Tween on the Getaway; A Review

[cpl100]

When:

We signed up for this on the ship on the first day we boarded.

We waited until the evening to make the reservations and the first day was already filled (I believe it was the day at sea). We should have made them earlier in the day.

 

Where:

We went to the Box Office to make the reservations (which is located near the main theater). I had read (or thought I had read) that you could make the reservations from the TV monitor in your room or the TV kiosks around the ship - I was unable to make the reservations via this system. We did not have the iConcierge App, so I am not sure if you can use that for these reservations. In hindsight, there is a written sign-up sheet, so I believe the only way to make reservations is physically at the Box Office. [if anyone has any other experiences, please let us know.]

 

Thank you for your prompt and complete answer.

[Travel R]

I am still around - and will finish up this review (one of these years). It was a great weekend and spent a bit of time outside with the family.

 

Although I love to visit so many wonderful cities around the world, I have one of the most amazing cities in the universe in my backyard - New York City. With the summer coming to an end very soon, we are closing it out with a bang this week. On Saturday night, the weather was almost perfect, and we spent it sitting in the beautiful Central Park watching a movie with hundreds of other people (natives and tourists) under the stars. If you have never been, it is an amazing place to spend a few days pre- and/or post-cruise.

 

But since I was enjoying the great weather, I did not get much further with this review. While I get the "Public Places" information written, my next post will be a quick one about some tips to getting around the ship. What I found interesting is that there were a large number of areas, even on a nine-night cruise, that I did not go to.

[Travel R]

Tips to Finding Your Way Around the Getaway

 

Now that we have made our way through Saint Petersburg, maybe it is now time to write a few words about finding your way around the Getaway and also a little something about the Public Areas aboard the ship.

 

For the last few cruises I have been on I have practically memorized the schematics of the ship, and had written a “All Things [name of ship]” thread [see the last two cruises listed in my signature for links]. Although that was my intention, it was not in the stars. Due to all of the planning and research needed for this itinerary, countered with being busy at work, family, and other obligations, I just could not find the time.

 

You will receive a dual side piece of picture with a schematic of the ship when you first check-in. Ask for a few – I found this to be extremely helpful for providing a quick glimpse as to where to find things.

 

Also - Gang Plank was on the 4th floor - I believe it was always at the Aft (rear) of the ship.

 

I just wanted to write a few words about getting around the Getaway, which is a modern mega ship.

 

Forwardor Aft

• The little fish on the carpet are always pointing towards the front (forward of the ship)
  
• Know the lingo
  
  • Forward is the front of the ship
    
  • Aft is the rear of the ship
    
  • Port is left of the ship (if facing forward) [hint: “port” and “left” have four letters] (it is named thus because rudders of ships were on the right of the ship, so they used to dock (or go to port) on the left side)
    
  • Starboard is right of the ship (if facing forward)
    

  [*]Note: both kid’s clubs are near the elevators. However, they are both on different ends of the ship.

Elevators

• There are two elevator banks. One in the rear (aft) and one at the front (forward) of the ship.
  
• Which bank to chose:
  
  • If you are on a deck with staterooms – chose the elevator bank closest to the location you want to go to so that you can walk down mostly empty hallways.
    
  • If you are on the deck with public areas – chose the elevator bank closest to you
    

  [*]We rarely found the elevators to be crowded.

  • I thought that this was amazing with almost 4600 people aboard. That is except for the first day when everyone is boarding and some are being used to transport luggage, and when everyone is leaving the main theater when a show is let out.
    
  • Note, however, we tried to use the stairs when feeling well (also two sets of stairs, each set adjacent to the elevator ports). It is healthier, burns off the extra food, and keeps the elevators from getting too crowded so those that need them do not need to wait long. [My teen and tween were also very good about using the stairs as well.]
    

  [*]There are two sets of elevator buttons. For most decks the buttons for the elevators are independent for both sides. So if you push the button for the banks on your left, it will not activate the elevators on your right (and vice-versa).

  [*]Criticisms:

  • I miss whichever ship it was that has the day of the week as the floor mat of the elevator
    
  • The inside of the elevators did not have a listing of all of the floors and their public areas. Yes it is on the outside near each elevator bank, but I have a preference for it also being inside.
    

As a general note, unlike some ships I have sailed upon, there are no decks which are blocked from keeping you from walking all the way from one end to the other.

 

[Travel R]

Stockholm - a quick summary

 

I answered a question in another post about our visit to Stockholm. Since it may (will) be another few days until I finally get to the review of that port, and leaving soon on your own journey, I have copied my response below:

 

I believe that you should have more than enough time to see the ABBA, Vasa, and a few other sites in Stockholm.

 

However, since it was our last port of call, and didn't want to have any issued doing it ourselves with the port 50-60 minutes away, we did the ship's Vasa + Leisure Time. We visited the Vasa museum (it is a must-see), then the bus dropped us off near the Royal Palace and the guide walked us to a nearby square outside of the Nobel museum.

 

We had considered going to the ABBA museum as well (and we did pass it on the bus) - I figured it was about one and a quarter miles away, and there would have been plenty of time to get there by walking and definitely by cab (we had a bit over 3 1/2 hours to ourselves to explore).

 

However . . . . once the day came and we were actually in the city, we were exhausted after a full week of nonstop touring. We are a fairly active group (two adults, a teen, and a tween). What we wound up doing is after taking a tour through the Nobel museum and watching the changing of the guard, we had some lunch and then sat for almost two hours in the shade by a fountain enjoying the nice day (and there were not very many nice days over the course of this vacation where we would have been able to do so).

 

Just a note, while on the way back on the bus, the tour guide began giving us some information and my DD17 said that within 5 minutes most of the people on the bus were asleep.

 

Just something to think about.

[Apsalar]

I really like your daily planning template and I intend to shamelessly steal it on all my future cruises.

[Travel R]

I really like your daily planning template and I intend to shamelessly steal it on all my future cruises.

 

I write these posts to help others, as others on here have helped me.

 

I also want to reiterate that I create the planning schedule so that it can be broken. I find it easier to rearrange a schedule if it is complete. For instance, when we went to the box office to add the comedy show, escape room, etc. - it was easy to know which entertainment options will work - and on what days and times. As my daily proposed itineraries have shown in comparison to what we had actually done - there were many changes. Although there were a few things I did not get to do on the ship (e.g., Rope Course), we did attended all of the entertainment options we wanted to see.

 

In fact I am in the beginning of doing research in expectation of another vacation and receiving a ton of great information from cruise critic members in another forum on this site.

Edited August 29, 2017 by Travel R

[Travel R]

PUBLIC AREAS

 

Below are just a few quick comments about each of the public areas. I want to move along to the next port, so I am not going to spend a lot of time. If you have any specific questions about any area, please feel free to ask. I have not listed any restaurants, which will be discussed in a later post, although bars are listed.

 

As you will see below, there were a number of areas that I had not visited (although I may have passed by a few). This was a very port-intensive cruise, and besides eating in the evening, and seeing a few shows, we were just plain exhausted. Also not being able to drink this cruise also limited me from hitting any of the bars/lounges. In addition, the weather also kept me from enjoying much of what the top deck had to offer.

I did not take many pictures of the public area, or when I did, it was of my family. So their were no "WOW" areas that made me desire to take a photo.

Bathrooms

 

I did not make much use of the public water closets throughout the ship, however, when I did, they did seem clean.

 

Hallways

 

The hallways on the decks with the staterooms were okay – and typical of most cruise ships. Nice, but nothing spectacular. They were very narrow at some points, where I would have to step aside in order to let others walk by. It was also odd looking at pictures of tropical beaches when wearing a sweatshirt and rain jacket in the Baltics.

 

General– Public Areas

 

The ship is very nice with décor that you would expect on a cruise ship. However, I was not blown away by how it looked (it loses the wow factor when you do not board into a nice atrium area with a chandelier, etc.) . The layout was fairly simple, and allowed passengers to easily get from point A to point B without issue. I do miss the large atriums of the Royal Carribean ships – you cannot really call this an atrium in comparison. I wish the weather was nicer to have been able to spend time in the public areas atop the deck – but I guess that I will have to wait for a future journey.

 

Deck 5

 

Medical Center – We had to unfortunately use its services. It is easily located, but the doctor does have office hours where he is in the office – otherwise, you have to call 911 for an emergency. I did not see the doctor (my DW took my DD) – but she said he was very nice. Note however, they do not take any insurance, and place a charge right onto your account – and their fees are not cheap. Your travel insurance should pay for most of it.

 

Deck 6

 

Illusionarium – We saw the Cirque show here and played Escape the Big Top. Currently they still have magic-related decorations in the front entrance (the prior show was a magician). The area of this room is not very large, whichis why the show gets sold out (even with the additional up-charge). For the Cirque show get there at least 30-40 minutes early.

 

Headliners Comedy Bar – I was here on three different occasions, but not to see a comedy show – it was for the Howling at the Moon dual piano show. I did not think I would enjoy it very much, but it was a very entertaining show. The place fills up pretty quickly, but wenever arrived very early. We usually would stand at first at the back, but get a seat in a few moments – then you can move up closer as the night goes on. There is a bar, and some wait staff walking around (I ordered a few sodas). There were a lot of people in attendance each night. I did not see any comedy shows, but my DW did, although she said it was “just okay.”

 

The Atrium – We were there a few times during the cruise. However, the area is NOT very large, and seating is limited. If you want to sit during a good game show (e.g., The Not So Newlywed Game) or entertainment, it was very tough. Although the entertainment I saw in this area was not great, the game shows were funny and there were a few movies playing there throughout the week (although it seemed as though the movies I would have wanted to see were playing while I could not see them [the movies are listed in the Daily]). My suggestion is to get there early if it something you want to see and do not want to stand for. Another suggestion is that there are stools/tables on Deck 7 which encircle the Atrium (which is where I saw part of the newlywed show and the July 4th “firework” show). This area is not large enough for the number of people on this ship – especially when the weather is not great, so there are a lot more people inside and want to be entertained.

[Abbba music the night of being in Stockholm in the Atrium]

 

Guest Services – This is located in an area with all of the other administrative desks. I had to go there two times (key card question, currency enquiry, and a charge dispute). The line each time was fairly short and I wasseen by a rep within 10-12 minutes, and they were very quick and efficient in getting to the answer/resolution.

 

Did not visit:

I almost went to the Art Gallery, but decided against it and opted for somethingelse (on one cruise, someday, I will visit the art auction on a ship). There was not any reason for me to go to the other areas during this cruise. However, I do not remember seeing a “Card Room”or the Internet Café (maybe I was not looking hard enough).

• Bars I did not visit – Mixx Bar
  
• Other areas I did not visit – Art Gallery, Card Room, Meeting Rooms, Internet Café, Library, Shore Excursions, Restaurant Reservations, CruiseNext Desk
  

Deck 7

 

Getaway Theater – This is where the “big” shows were held. As you have probably read before, or have been to, this theater was not very large compared to all of the other ships I was on. After getting a very nasty look by some woman when we got there 10 minutes before the start of the first show, as we went to get seats in the middle of the row (the very few two empty adjoining seats available), we decided to get there earlier. Thereafter were arrived at least 25-30 minutes before each show began and we got very good seats for every show we saw. However, there were a number of people that were sitting on the stairs since there were not a lot of seats available. I know that there is supposed to be a standby list, but for at least one of the shows it seemed they let in more people than there were seats for. There was a reserved Haven section that never seemed to fill up, and about 5 minutes beforethe beginning of the show, they would open up the remaining seats – so if you get there late, walk down by the Haven section (usually bottom left), and grab one of the empty seats when it opens up to us regular passengers. I also sat in this room during a Bingo game with my DW (as noted earlier I hate Bingo games oncruise ships). The theater itself is nice, and the seats were comfortable – no complaints here.

 

Casino –I did not visit, but passed through there a few times going to various other areas on this deck, and it was also where the muster drill was inappropriately held. It looked like every other casino on every other ship I had ever been to. In answer to the big question about the casino – no, I did not smell any smoke when walking through that area.

 

Box Office– I did visit the Box Office. My suggestion is to go there as soon after you board as possible, since some of these shows sell out – or they sell out at the days/times you would prefer. Also triple check the day/time of the show to ensure that they got it right. I was unable to make these reservations from my room’s TV screen, and I did nothave the iConcierge App (so not sure if you could have made the reservations on that either).

 

Photo Gallery – We passed by two or three times to see the pictures they took of us. We did not purchase any.

 

Gift Shops & Tradewinds (Tax- & Duty-Free) – We took a walk through these. I cannot remember if my DW had purchased anything.

 

Did not visit:

• Bars & Lounges I did not visit – Bar 21, Bliss Ultra Lounge
  
• Other areas I did not visit – ATM
  

Deck 8

 

This deck is full of bars and restaurants. As mentioned, I did not drink (alcohol) on this cruise, but I had visited some restaurants, which will be discussed ina future post. Note that (WF) = Water Front.

 

Did not visit:

• Bars & Lounges I did not visit – Fat Cats, The Humidor Cigar Lounge, Sunset Bar (WF), Sugarcane Mojito Bar (WF), Prime Meridian Bar, SVEDKA and Inniskillin Ice Bar
  

Decks 10 & 11

 

These decks are mostly staterooms, but also include the studio cabins, which I was not in, so I could not access the Studio Lounge – but it seems pretty cool fromwhat I had read.

 

Did not visit:

• Studio Lounge (Studio residents only)
  

 

Decks 12 & 13

 

The only semi-public space is the Splash Academy, which I did visit when I signed up my DDs for their respective clubs (but adults are not allowed access the remainder of the cruise). There was very little wait when we went to sign them up, and sign-in and sign-out were usually fairly quick. It is located right near the elevators/stairs, so it was very easy for us to access. My DD12 enjoyed her time there (she was usually in the room on the 13th floor which I did not see) – at times they did go to other areas of the ship, such as the Entourage. Note that the entrance to the Splash Academy (where the check-in and check-out desk is located) is on Deck 12.

 

Deck 15

Unfortunately, due to the weather for most of the trip, and me being under the weather on thesecond sea day, I did not make much use of the exterior decks of the ship.

 

Spa & Thermal Suite – I took the tour at the beginning of the cruise. It all looked nice (and even received a 3 minute massage). However, it is not for me. On the other hand, my DW enjoys it and did receive a treatment (I am not sure which – probably some type of massage) – and she really enjoyed it.

 

Pulse Fitness Center – I did not take advantage of the fitness center as much as I would have liked to. This was notonly a port-intensive cruise, but the visits to the ports themselves were intense. In one way, I did get in a lot of exercise via walking, but not really true exercising. I ran one day, biked another, and only used the weight room once. The facilities were nice, although I did not think that they had enough bicycles and treadmills for a ship of this size (luckily I went during off-times). The weight room was decentf or a cruise ship, although they were missing a bunch of dumbbells (and I have never seen a weight room on a ship ever get crowded). However, there was enough between the free weights and machines to get in a good workout.

 

Did not visit:

• Bars & Lounges I did not visit – Waves Pool Bar,
  
• Other areas I did not visit – Aqua Park & Kids Aqua Park, Hot Tubes, Sun Deck, Salon, Barber Shop, Salt Room
  

Deck 16

Since we were not traveling in the Haven [(H) = Haven], and once again, the weather was not cooperative, I did not use the facilities on this deck as much as I would have wanted to.

 

Jogging/Walking Track – I did not do any jogging outside due to the weather, but did use the track when walking from one side of the ship to the other. However, the track is only 1/8th of a mile long, so not sure if I would have jogged here anyway.

 

Entourage– My DD17 enjoyed the club. She said it was nice inside, although there were alot of kids on this itinerary, and it did get to capacity. Her biggest complaint was that the bathroom inside the club was not big enough for the number of girls.

 

Did not visit:

• Bars & Lounges I did not visit – Spice H20, The Haven Lounge (H)
  
• Other areas I did not visit – Climbing Wall, Sun Deck, Video Arcade, Haven Courtyard (H), Guppies Playroom
  

Deck17

Between the itinerary being very port intensive, me being exhausted, and getting sick for the last sea day, I was not able to do all of these (even on the last sea day, it was still cool enough that my DDs did not want to go into the pool oruse the water slides.

 

I do not know if the Vibe area was utilized at all or not, but for those of you taking a Baltic cruise may want to reconsider purchasing tickets for this since I am not sure how much you would be able to utilize it.

 

Did not visit:

• Bars & Lounges I did not visit – Sun Deck Bar
  
• Other areas I did not visit – Vibe Beach Club ($), Waterslides (entrance on 15), Bungee Trampoline, Mini Golf, Ropes Course, Spider Web, Sun Deck, Sports Complex, Haven Sun Deck (H)
  

Deck 18

Two more outdoor areas I did not use.

 

Did notvisit:

• Other areas I did not visit – Basketball Court, Sun Deck
  

Ift here are any areas that I did not discuss, or if you would like more details about anything I had summarized above, please let me know.

[Travel R]

Helsinki, Finland (Thu 7/6) 7:00 - 4:00

 

Helkinki - Helsinki, Finland’s southern capital, sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its central avenue, Mannerheimintie, is flanked by institutions including the National Museum, tracing Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present. Also on Mannerheimintie are the imposing Parliament House and Kiasma, a contemporary art museum. Ornate red-brick Uspenski Cathedral overlooks a harbor.

 

Day’s Summary: Today will be a family fun day. We will skip the museums and history and load up on the fun spots, which may include the aquarium and or museum and Lapaland (with a Husky sleigh ride). We will use buses and cabs to get around. We probably have to be back on the ship by 3 PM, so may not be able to see more than listed.

 

1. Breakfast – Taste/Savor sit down option (no rush)

2. We will be taking cabs, buses, and ferries, around the city (with a little walking) as we visit the following: [Need detailed info]

·We are docked at West Harbor at Melkki Quay. The spot to pick up public transportation is West Terminal 1. [transport info] [post]

·Cab to UniqueLapaland (http://winterworld.fi/winter-world-general-info/)

·Savikiekontie4, 00940 Helsinki, Finland

·Cab or one bus to ferry to Helsinki Zoo (one of the oldest in the world) – (website)

oHelsinki Zoo, Mustikkamaanpolku 12, 00270 Helsinki, Finland

·Ferry to city center

oOld Market Hall – (website) & Sky wheel- (website)

·Bus or walk to Port

Otherfun family friendly options:

• Aquarium - (website)
  
• Amusement park - (website)
  
• Suomenlinna Fortress - (website)
  
• Olympic stadium (website)
  

3. Lunch – Lunch as we walk around Helsinki (in zoo or at old market hall)

4. Dinner – Tropicana 5:30 [“Fancier” Main Dining Room with entertainment]

 

 

Info on Unique Lapland: Visit Yallas Halli, an artic sports center to experience a winter wonderland of snowand ice with activities the entire family will enjoy. Complimentary activitiesinclude - husky rides, kick sleds, sliding hill and tandem skis. You’ll also be provided with thermal clothing to keep you warm and comfortable. Enjoy an IceS hot, made with either vodka or juice at the Ice Bar.

 

Watch videos:

and

[Travel R]

FUN IN HELSINKI

 

The Morning and A Drive Uptown

 

The sun had arisen long before I stirred from my evening’s slumber. I had no recollection of when I had taken to bed, and did not stir from the tranquility of my temporary hibernation. But all good things must come to an end,whereas even greater things might follow. Sluggishly, I got up and with my eyes still half-open, I made my way into the water closet to wash off the adventure of the prior day. A good shower also washes off some of the exhaustion, but even before the beads of water caressed my body, I knew that a good strong cup of coffee was needed before I was revived enough for the day ahead.

 

After cleansing my body and putting on the day's attire, I took my respective place on the balcony as the rest of the crew went about their preparations for the upcoming journey. The air was still crisp, but it did not have the same bite as many of the prior days. The many pairs of shorts waiting in my luggage would still not be feeling the sunshine on this day, but for me, all that was needed was a light jacket (for the ladies, they still wore a sweatshirt and began the day with alight jacket as well. The cool air did have the effect of waking me up slightly more, but there were multiple fits of yawning between the then and the time caffiene entered the temple.

[My first view of Helsinki:]

 

The venue we had selected for this morning was Savour, and looked forward to being served a nice meal as opposed to the buffet of the last few mornings. Besides coffee, my meal consisted of a yogurt parfait, an omelet with ham, spinach, and tomatoes, as well as an eggs Benedict. I do not remember much aboutthe meal, but overall the eggs Benedict on this trip were not stupendous (which is my usual go-to dish for breakfast on these ships - but still not bad. The English muffins they used were also too hard).

 

Months before the cruise began, when I presented all of my research on this port to my family, the one thing that stood out, especially for my daughters, was the husky sled ride. They were not interested in seeing the city or any of its sites. They were not interested (or not very interested) in any of the excursions presented. They wanted to go on the husky sled ride. So I was going to make sure it happened.

The idea of this activity was originally presented as part of a tour provided by the ship. However, the price of this excursionthrough NCL had almost literally made me gag. If my daughters wanted to do this, I would try to make it happen, so I performed some more research and made some inquiries. I discovered the name of the place that has the rides (Unique Lapland Winter World - http://winterworld.fi/winter-world-general-info/) and how much it costs (a lot, lot less than what the ship was charging), I researched how to get there, and what else there is to do in that area. The facility is open at 10 am, andthey have husky rides all day – however, if you get there before noon, you donot have to pre-order any tickets (as well as being much less crowded - also note that the husky rides are an additional fee to the cost of entry). So the goal was to leave the ship at 9, grab a taxi to the place and spend a few hours there. We kept the option of going to the zoo afterwards open (one of the oldest in the world), just in case we really hated Lapland or if there would be enough time.

 

We easily found a cab outside the terminal. The driver agreed to take us there, and as is my nature, I began to talk to him. He started telling us all about Helsinki in his broken English, and as we drove to our destination, he began showing us all of the various structures and highlights of the city, such as the Market Square (in the downtown area), the Senate Square, the Ferris wheel, as well as a number of different statues and some of the architecture.

The drive was pleasant with some nice scenery. One interesting fact the driver told us is that most people in Helsinki own a boat, and it is one of their favorite past times when it is warm enough.

[A few random pictures I captured while on the drive:]

 



 



 

 



 



 

The activity center is north of town and it was probably a thirty minute ride until we arrived – and it is in an industrial park in the middle of nowhere (this is nowhere near any of the HoHo stops - although in my research I did see that there were buses that stopped nearby -- however, a taxi is, in my opinion, the best means of transportation from port with the amount of time we had). The driver also mentioned that he would bring us back (if he was available), and would make a stop for us at the Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church). He gave us his card so that we may call him.

[Travel R]

Two Words - Husky Ride

 

Wewalked into the facility, paid for our admission to a very friendly person at the desk, and someone else showed us into the room where we would put on ourouter-wear. [Note: the cost, including the husky ride (which is extra) was 203 Euros (they discounted my DD12 – much less than the cost of the ship’s excursion – plus we still got to see the city, and get an inside visit of Temppeliaukio.]They supplied us with boots, a full-body ski suit, and gloves. Then they led us into the giant cold room where they had all of the activities. The first thing we did was head straight for the huskys and took rides. There were to people to each sled, so my DD12 went with my DW, and I rode with my DD17. It was not a long ride, just a few times around a circle, but it was very enjoyable – and my kids loved it. Then we did some of the other activities, like go into the igloo “hotel,” ski, and drink from the ice bar (vodka, juice, or a combination of both - served in "glasses" made of ice)). In one sense, it can be described as a miniature of the activities you may experience up in Lapland area of Finland. This is the most northern region of the country, and known for its extreme cold and harsh conditions – a winter wonderland in arctic conditions –but I understand that you get a really spectacular view of the Aurora Borealis from up there.

 

The place was a complete tourist trap, it is not that big (it is an old converted ice rink), and really for kids about my younger daughter’s age (and maybe a little younger) – however, we all had fun. Plain and simple, we just enjoyed ourselves. The husky ride was less than 5 minutes, there was only a fairly small area for the push- and cross-country tandem-skiing, the slide kill was very small, etc. But that really did not matter, since we enjoyed ourselves. [i just wanted to make sure I had this caveat written down clearly– Lapland definitely not for everyone, and I would suggest watching some videos taken in the place to see if it is definitely for you or not.] - No walking around looking at multiple old buildings. No museums looking at antiquities. No bus rides listening to the droning sound of a tour guide. It was fun.

 

 

We spent almost two hours there (including getting in and out of the winter clothing) before asking the person at the desk to call our taxi-driving friend. He said he would be about 20-25 minutes, but we said okay [the lady at the desk called him, they talked in Finnish,and she translated for us]. While we waited we went into the souvenir shop (and secretly bought our DD12 a little stuffed animal of a husky which we gave her at the end of the trip) and I wound up talking to another tour guide that was waiting for her group while they were inside [she was also from the area, much younger than our driver, and spoke very good English]. She was telling us all about the city, and some of the things we should do if we ever return. Sometimes the best thing about visiting a foreign place is speaking to the local people. To me, it is one of the pros to doing a port on your own, or shall I dare say, experiencing a new city/country on a land vacation.

[note: Due to the lighting and glare from the ice and snow (as well as the reflectors on everyone's snow suits), it took me a while until I was able to make the correct adjustments for the conditions - and even then, the photos still did not come out as well as I would have hoped. Just keep this in mind if you do plan on going here and taking pictures.]

 

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

 

 

I am not sure if I mentioned this above, but we enjoyed ourselves.

[Travel R]

Images of Helsinki

 

The taxi driver took a different road back to the ship, pointing out other attractions (like the ice hockey arena and other various monuments/statues), before making a stop at the Stone Church.

 

Here are a few of the photos I took of the city and street life while we drove around in the taxi, which some may have not had a chance to visit, visited, or saw, but never too notice.

 

 

 

 

[Travel R]

We took the opportunity and made our way inside (note: there is a fee of 2 or 3 Euros per person). The architecture and church itself were beautiful – serenity and spiritual are the words that come to mind to best describe what it was like being there.It is also so unlike the many churches and cathedrals we had seen the last two weeks, made it even more unbelievable and even surreal.

 

 

 

We were all tired (especially me) and it was an early departure from this port (4 PM),so we decided on skipping the zoo and headed back to the ship for lunch. [Note: The cost of the cab was 40 Euros going and 50 Euros on the way back (the price increases due to the time of day). Plus I gave the driver another 10 Euro tip. All paid by credit card. In comparison to the ship’s tour, the cost would have been $687 US for my family (that includes the 18% service charge ,but does not include a tip) – compared to a total cost of 315 Euros for taxi, tip, Lapland, and Stone Church (~$374 US). The additional $300 would have given us a tour guide with better English skills and leisure time at Market Square – however, the way we did it allowed us more time to do things at our leisure, we had an inside visit to Temppeliaukio, and we were our own private tour. Just like taking the private tour in Saint Petersburg vs. a ship sponsored tour – I believe we got more, even though we were paying less. Althoughwe are lucky enough that we are able to afford such a cruise, we are not Rockefellers, and where we can save a few buck is of importance. One of the great benefits to doing all of the research for our trips is that I can find out what things provide the best bang for the buck. I am not stating that theship’s tours are all bad, or do not have their place; in Stockholm we opted for a shore excursion through NCL.

Below are two more bonus photos, which I believe provides a look at the sense of humor of the Finnish people. The lower photo is of a statue that is actually a fountain. I am sure you can guess where the water comes out of. This fountain is located just outside of the port area.

 

 

Edited August 31, 2017 by Travel R

[Travel R]

Not O’Sheehan’s Best

 

We have usually tried to time our meals so that they do not coincide with the times that restaurants are at their busiest. Having come back from our day’s winter escapade, we had two options for a mid-day meal – the Buffet or O’Sheehans. Having had great success there with little wait and decent food, after dropping off our gear at our stateroom, we made our way to Deck 7. Unlike the other times, we arrived when they were busy. To avoid a wait, we opted to sit at one of the high seated bar tables. No problem thus far. However, this meal was to provide the worst service thus far.

 

It took a while for the waitress to take our drink order. Then an even longer while for her to finally come back to take our order (but still no drinks). When a supervisor asked if everything is okay, we re-placed our drink order from her [we were not the only table he had to help out with]. The wait on the food also not quick – part of it was because it was busy, but when other tables that had arrived long after us (serviced by other wait staff) were already being served (including things that we ordered – such as chicken wings), something was not right. We noticed that the supervisor was helping out this waitress, and even took orders from tables that were not yet helped.

 

When the food finally came out, they messed up on my food. As mentioned before, I have a cheese allergy. They brought out my food (a Reuben – which I used to love with melted cheese . . . .mmmmmmm cheese), so I wanted to return it for one without the cheese. A bus boy had actually brought it out and left the dishes before I noticed. Then it was a few minutes before I could catch the attention of someone (the supervisor came back out) and he had it returned/replaced very quickly. In retrospect, I should have never ordered it – it was horrible (it was notthe fault of the kitchen – good “real” corned beef is hard to find outside of specific areas (e.g., New York), and this pre-processed sliced “meat” was not good or real). I did enjoy my Thai chili chicken wings and a bacon-wrapped hot dog, but was still a little hungry when I got back to the stateroom (so I had a protein bar).

 

 

Personal feeling about the waitstaff: I will admit, when we arrived I was already cranky from being tired, hungry, and beginning to not feel well – so it just made the experience worse. However, it really did not put any damper on my day or the vacation. Although we had experienced mostly great waitstaff on the Getaway, not all were stellar. With the multiple dining options you never know who you will get – and since their tips are not dependent upon their service, and there are no questionnaires where you can rate the dedicated waitstaff you had in the MDR the entire cruise, they are not cited when they are not great (unless it is extremely horrible, I am not going to complain, and I believe most will not as well – and the fact that the supervisor was helping out means that they must know that there was a problem). Service is a long way from my first cruise where they re-folded our napkins when we got up from the table, and much of the time it is pretty good - but sometimes I do compare the current service from that I received in the 90s -- and I do believe that overall the quality has declined.

[Travel R]

Busy as a Bee – Biking, Resting, Buffet, MDQ, Howl at the Moon

 

After lunch, I was presented with a little bit of time before our next entertainment opportunity. We were tired,so we retired to our stateroom. I began by sitting out on the balcony, but soon enough my desire to sleep outweighed inner calling to sit outside. It was mere minutes before I was abed for an afternoon nap.

 

I was awoken, but given a few moments to clear the cobwebs before a quick wash-up and change of clothing for dinner and a show. Our original reservations for Million Dollar Quartet (MDQ) were cancelled and rebooked, but the time would not allow us to the opportunity fora sit-down dinner, so we opted for the buffet. [note: this would have been a perfect opportunity to eat at Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, but any thought to do so had blanked my over-fatigued mind.]

 

We traversed the ship to get to our least favorite dining venue – the Garden Buffet. It proved to be as lack-luster as usual – although there was a bright spot – the crepe station. Although the line was queued by children that were ordering nutella and sugar laced crepes, I opted for an apple and peach combo. It was very good, but with all that sugar, it was hard not to be. The remainder of my meal was not fabulous. I tried a few offerings from the Chinese section and none of the dishes were really to my taste (I commented on my notes that they were “so-so”), nor were they very authentic tasting. The miso soup was mostly broth with very little tofu or seaweed, although it was not bad– and my body was yearning for soup at that point.

 

 

Our daughters went to their respective clubs, and it was just my DW and I left toenjoy the Million Dollar Quartet. [Note: It is a small world. During this evening one of the boys in the Splash cademy walked up to her and asked her if she was on a Mediterranean cruise afew years ago. It turns out we were onthe same cruise as his family.]

 

I really enjoyed the show. To begin with, I love this type of music and its history, so I was psyched going in. I heard good things about the show, and I was disappointed. The show was really good, and I can even say of “Broadway quality.” Although due to the limited staging and not as many multi-media effects – at least an off-Broadway show. The musicians had pretty good voices and could actually play their instruments very well. Knowing about this session beforehand, it was interesting how the “fifth” person was added (Elvis’ girlfriend) was added (Google the back story to find out what happened to her), and how theyput the history of each musician into perspective.

 

 

We sat a few seats from the front towards the right of the stage. I have heard people say that they like the left of the stage (behind the piano) – but I thought we had really good seats to see the action about the entire stage. But like with all of the other shows on board, we arrived about a half hour early to make sure wehad good seats. There was an overspill of people seeing this show, as many were sitting on the stairway/aisle. [isn’t this a fire hazard?]

 

I am not going to review every part of the show, but it was very enjoyable, and had me sing aloud many times. My only criticism, and this is more of a personal thing (and some of you may think is vapid to even mention since did not really affect the show at all), is that although these actors/musicians sounded pretty good (like the originals), and had down most of their moves, but they really did not look like the actual individuals they were trying to emulate.

I would suggest seeing this show if you had never seen it.[ If you have groomed your teen to appreciate good classic rock and rock-n-roll, they will appreciate the show as well.]

 

After the show, it was still fairly early, so we decided to go to Howl at the Moon again. The same three piano players, and some people in the crown I recognized from beforehand. But still a great time.

 

However, I was really tired at this point, and we had to meet up early with our tour group in the morning, so a little after 10:30 PM, we departed the merry making. We headed back to our room for a quick shower, and I fell asleep soon afterwards.

[Travel R]

What's next?

 

Only one more port to review - Stockholm.

 

I know that the 2017 Baltic cruise season is coming to an end so there is not as much interest from this crowd. The 2018 season is already being booked, but pax are not that far into their research yet. So my quandary is - for those of you still reading along - what should I write about next?

 

I currently have the following items left to write, so which are the most important to you for me to write about next?

 

• Review of our cabin (selection and what it includes)
  
• Port of Stockholm
  
• Restaurant reviews and is SPD worth it?
  
• Miscellaneous charges on the Final Invoice
  
• What I did not do on the Getaway, and really wanted to
  
• Comparison of NCL with RCI and Carnival
  
• My opinion of "Freestyle"
  
• Travelling Home
  
• Final Cumulative Index
  

If anyone has any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[Seminole1975]

Port of Stockholm and what you did not get to do on the ship please.

[retiring soon]

Hi all! Travel R ~ still following along & loving your review, also reliving some of my experiences. I loved "Million Dollar Quartet", especially Jerry Lee Lewis so went to see it twice. Looking forward to all the topics you mentionned above.;) Sure hope your next cruise is the Star one from Venice. I'm doing it next June with 2 nights before outside of Venice (been there 3 times before) & 3 nights after in Cinque Terre. Looking so forward to Kotor & Mykonos, 2 places I've never seen. Thanks again for doing this amazing review. ~ Jo ~ :)

[cpl100]

Leaving for my cruise on Tuesday so I request Port of Stockholm and Restaurant Reviews please.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write this detailed review.

[Travel R]

Port of Stockholm and what you did not get to do on the ship please.

 

Thanks for responding. I will keep these two near the top of the list for the next items to be discussed.

[Travel R]

Hi all! Travel R ~ still following along & loving your review, also reliving some of my experiences. I loved "Million Dollar Quartet", especially Jerry Lee Lewis so went to see it twice. Looking forward to all the topics you mentionned above.;) Sure hope your next cruise is the Star one from Venice. I'm doing it next June with 2 nights before outside of Venice (been there 3 times before) & 3 nights after in Cinque Terre. Looking so forward to Kotor & Mykonos, 2 places I've never seen. Thanks again for doing this amazing review. ~ Jo ~ :)

 

Thanks.

 

I guess you saw my questions over on the Italy boards. The itinerary on the Star looks amazing for next June. You probably think I am crazy beginning to perform the research now, but this is actually going to be for a 2019 vacation. I was looking at the Star itinerary as a guide (and hopefully there will be comparable itineraries for when we travel) - which does have to itineraries that stop at Athens - and one of them begins in Venice and end in Rome, which may eliminate some of the logistics/driving. I am glad I began asking questions - I did not think driving in Italy would be such a big deal - but from the responses, I guess I am wrong (although I really do want to drive around the country).

 

As far as cruise entertainment goes - MDQ was one of the best shows I have seen while at sea. I would have loved to see it again, but I do not know when I would have been able to fit it in.

Edited September 1, 2017 by Travel R

[Travel R]

Leaving for my cruise on Tuesday so I request Port of Stockholm and Restaurant Reviews please.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write this detailed review.

 

I will definitely get out the Stockholm review before you leave. I should be able to get the restaurant review done as well, since my intention is to only write a short summary of each. However, as is evident by this virtual tome, I can be a bit garrulous at times, but I will try to keep my scribbling to a minimum.

 

If you have any specif questions - please feel free to ask.

Edited September 1, 2017 by Travel R

[Travel R]

Helsinki, In Retrospect

 

Early in my research, I had thought that we would have seen visited many of the sights the town had to offer – it is one of the culture centers of Northern Europe. However I am glad we experienced it the way we did – no museums,castles, or palaces – just fun. As the girls get older these “fun times” become less frequent.

 

[Finland is not only a cultural center, but known for its music. I may be out of the music scene, but I do know some of these groups (well, the headliners)]

 

 

 

 

 

Too bad the ship had departed so early, or else I would have liked to have seen the zoo (I know zoos are more for kids, but I do enjoy them myself). During our drive in the taxi, we did pass by most of the major sights of the town and entered the Rock Church, so I was actually satisfied with our visit (and do not feel like I really missed out). As a history buff, this was the “youngest” of the ports we visited, and did not have as much of the historical sites which I enjoy. Everyone – myself, my DW, DD17, and DD12 all agree that this was the most enjoyable day of the vacation. It was also a great buffer between two packed days in Saint Pete and another long shore excursion in Stockholm. As a parent, it was an awesome family bonding experience (which do not occur as frequently as the girls get older and go off on their own more and more often).

 

[One of the many ice breakers that dock in Helsinki during the summer months]

 

[i just love street art - it provides the background for a city and its people]

[A photo of a one of the many random statue we passed on the way to our destination:]

[To finish my review of Helsinki, a random photo from Unique Lapland, while I was trying to find the correct settings for my camera - the whole vacation was like a dream . . . . . ]

 

 

 

Take note, and some foreshadowing of what is to come – the long days and nights were wearing upon my body and I began feeling the first signs of possibly catching “something.”

Edited September 1, 2017 by Travel R

[Travel R]

My Getaway Restaurant Review – The Quick Version [and is SPD worth it?]

 

 

I cruise for the ports first

I cruise for the ship second

I cruise for the food last

 

Twenty years ago we had the privilege of sailing upon the Royal Majesty – the solo ship of the Royal Majesty Cruise line. It was a smaller ship, providing “upmarket”sailings. The two things I remember from that cruise were that (1) the service was outstanding, and (2) the food was amazing.Yes, memories do get distorted as the years pass by, but those are the two impressions I currently have in my mind when I think of that cruise. It was at the end of an era when cruise lines were known for its food – not just the quantity,but the quality.

 

As a cook (formerly professional, now for charities for the fun of it, as well as for family and friends (sometimes for the fun of it)), and as a culinary author,you would probably think that food would be of paramount importance to me. But no. I have not sailed on a ton of cruises,but it has been many a year since I was able to speak the words “the food was amazing,” in description of cruise ship fare. I was talking to a friend yesterday that is going to be sailing on a Regency ship, and I am sure that the food is amazing. However, on the cruise lines that cater to my ilk, consistently amazing food has faded away like the compulsory jacket and tie in the main dining room.

 

People throw out the idea of taste being subjective – it is. In recent years I have been the executive chef (affectionately, I am called the "master chef") the kitchen some large charity food events. I usually receive some very huge compliments on the food, but there are always a few complaints. Same food, served at the same time, but some love it and some do not. There are also some dishes that I have made that people love – but are repelled by my own taste buds (just because I can cook it does not mean I have to eat it).

 

What I may enjoy you may hate – and vice versa.

 

With all of the above being said, I will try to provide brief comments on each ofthe restaurant venues we have dined while on the Getaway. As a bonus, I will also include text versions of the menus (which I tried to have the most recent when this was compiled, but beware, they may have changed since then).

[Travel R]

INFO AND MENUS FOR RESTAURANTS

WE DID NOT DINE

 

CAGNEY’S ($) {STEAK HOUSE}

 

Description: Steak is the standard at our American-style steakhouse. Pull up a seat along The Waterfront and take your pick from premium cuts of Certified Angus Beef®. Your mouth will water, so sip your favorite cocktail in anticipation. And don’t forget to order our made-from-scratch jumbo crab cakes and a side of our famous truffle fries.

 

Cost: A la carte

 

Location: Deck 8, Aft

 

Schedule:

Embarkation – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Port Day – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Sea Day – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Debarkation – Closed

 

Menu:

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

Starters

• Beef Short Rib Confit
  
• Chicken Drumsticks
  
• Wagyu Beet Sliders
  
• Lump Crab Salad
  
• Shrimp Cocktail
  

Steakhouse Soup & Salad

• Baked Potato Soup
  
• Split Pea Soup
  
• The Iceberg Wedge
  
• Mexican Ceasar
  
• Arugula Salad
  

Featured Selections

• Smoked St. Louis Ribs
  
• Truffle Chicken
  
• Wagyu Beef Burger
  
• Grilled Classics – 16 oz. Ribeye; 18 oz. Bone-in Ribeye; 14 oz. NY Strip; 8/5 oz. Filet Mignon
  

Fisherman’s Corner

• Grilled Garlic Shrimp
  
• Grilled Sea Bass
  
• Lobster Tail and Shrimp ???
  

Sides

• Baked Potato; Gratin potatoes, garlic mash, orzo pilaf, mac n’ cheese, beetroot and red shallots, Cagney fries, onion rings, creamed corn, roasted mushroom, steamed broccoli, bean chili casserole with bacon, green beans, cole slaw
  

 

HAVEN RESTAURANT (PRIVATE)

 

Description: A private fine-dining experience for guests of The Haven, serving unique signature dishes and wine offerings from our impressive selection.

 

Cost: Complimentary for Haven passengers

 

Location: Haven

 

Schedule:

Embarkation – ???

Port Day – B: 7 AM to 10 AM; L:Noon to 2 PM: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Sea Day – B: 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM;L: Noon to 2 PM: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Debarkation – ???

 

JIMMY BUFFET’S MARGARITTAVILLE ($) {AMERICANA/BAR FOOD}

 

 

Description: Quit searchin' for your lost shaker of salt, it’s right here at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea, only on Norwegian Cruise Line. Take a bite out of paradise with signature items like the Cheeseburger in Paradise. Sip on a Who’s to Blame Margarita. Or sit back and groove along to island-inspired music at this specialty dining venue. Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, this isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a state of mind.

 

Cost: A la carte

 

Location: Deck 16, Aft

 

Schedule:

Embarkation – L: 11:30 AM to 5 PM

Port Day – ??Closed??

Sea Day – L: Noon to 5 PM

Debarkation – Closed

 

Menu:

[http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/norwegian-escape-margaritaville-menu/]

Snacks

• Volcano Nachos - $5.99
  
• Conch Fritters - $3.99
  
• Hot Pretzel Sticks - $2.99
  
• Chips, Queso & Salsa - $2.99
  

Greens

• Cajun Chicken Cobb - $4.99
  
• Blackened Shrimp Caesar - $6.99
  
• Taco Salad - $4.99
  

Hand-Helds

• Cheeseburger in Paradise - $6.99
  
• Cheddar BBQ Burger - $6.99
  
• Volcano Burger - $6.99
  
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich - $5.99
  
• Beach Club - $3.99
  
• Chicken Quesadilla - $6.99
  
• Key West Fish Sandwich - $8.99
  
• Fish & Chips - $7.99
  
• Fish Tacos - $6.99
  

Sides

• French Fries - $2.99
  
• House Salad - $2.99
  
• Fresh Veggies - $2.99
  
• Caesar Salad - $2.99
  

Sweets

• Key Lime Pie - $3.99
  
• Exotic Fruit Plate - $3.99
  

[Travel R]

INFO AND MENUS FOR RESTAURANTS

WE DID NOT DINE (CONTINUED)

LA CUCINA ($) {ITALIAN}

 

Description: Enjoy theflavors of the Tuscan countryside al fresco alongside the sea, or indoors attables with room for old friends and new. Dine on classic dishes where you cantaste the freshness of every tomato used to make an exquisitely delicioussauce. Try a twist on a classic like lobster fettuccine, or keep it purist witha osso bucco. Just when you think you’re out, they’ll pull you back in with atoasty espresso and some macadamia nut ice cream. Delizioso!

 

Cost: A la carte

 

Location: Deck 8, Forward

 

Schedule:

Embarkation – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Port Day – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Sea Day – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Debarkation – Closed

 

Menu:

http://www.beyondships2.com/uploads/8/2/4/5/8245255/cr_207_la_cucina.pdf

 

Aperitivi

• 
  
• Ciao Venizia - $9.95
  
• Viva Sicillia - $9.95
  

Antipasti & Zuppa

• 
  
• Carpacci di Manzo - $5.99
  

• 
  
• Mozzarella di Bafala Caprese - $3.99
  
• Involtini di Melanzane alla Ghiotta - $4.99
  
• Fritto di Clamari con Salsa Marinara - $4.99
  
• Minestone alla Genovese - $2.99
  

Pasta & Risotto

• 
  
• Gnocchi di Patate al Pesto - $7.99
  
• Vulcana di Capelli d’Angelo alla Sorrentina - $6.99
  
• Tortelloni di Ricotta e Spinaci al Burro Fuso, Salvia e Cuore di Pomodoro - $7.99
  
• Linguine Cioppino - $9.99
  
• Risotto agli Asparagi Mantecato al Provolone e Tartufo - $9.99
  
• Lasagne Otolana - $8.99
  
• Lasagne di Manzo al Forno - $8.99
  
• Rigatoni con Polpette - $8.99
  

Insalate

• 
  
• Insalata Mista - $3.99
  
• Insalata Caesar Classica - $3.99
  

Secondi

• 
  
• Filetto di Manzo cn Crosta a Gorgonzola - $18.99
  
• Bistecca Fiorentina - $21.99
  
• Osso Buco alla Milanese - $17.99
  
• Scaloppine di Vitello al Marsala - $17.99
  
• Costolette d’Agnello Avvolte in Pancetta Toscana - $17.99
  
• Suprema di Pollo Arrotolato con Prosciutto di San Daniel - $12.99
  
• Filettto di Brazino Dorato con Limoni e Capperi - $15.99
  
• Scampi alla Griglia - $15.99
  
• Aragosta Fra Diavolo - $24.99
  

Contorni

• 
  
• Rigatoni al Pomodoro
  
• Spaghetti all’Olio
  
• Grilled Polenta & Creamy Mushroom Sauce
  
• Parmesan-Dusted Italian Fries
  
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  
• Sautéed Green Asparagus & Shallots
  
• Sautéed Spinach, Mushroom, & Garlic
  
• Steamed or Grilled Vegetable of the Day
  

Desserts

• 
  
• ????
  

MARGARITTAVILLE

 

See Jimmy Buffet’s Margarittaville

 

 

OCEAN BLUE ($ + SDP) {SEAFOOD}

 

Description: We'rebringing seafood to the forefront on our Breakaway Class ships. In a refinedand elegant setting, diners will be treated to dishes created from the freshestfish and the finest ingredients, perfectly paired with hand-picked wineselections and irresistible cocktails.

Cost: A la carte; SDP Upcharge: $15 pp

 

Location: Deck 8, Mid

 

Schedule:

Embarkation – D: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Port Day – D: 6:00 PM to 10 PM

Sea Day – L: Noon to 2:00 (window) PM; D: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Debarkation – Closed

 

Menu:

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

First Course

• 
  
• Crispy Calamari
  
• Mussels Tom Ka Gai (Mussels w/ chicken confit & sauce)
  
• Grilled Prawn Panzanella (Prawn w/ tomatoes & vinegrette)
  
• Beef Tartare
  
• Fried Chickpea Salad
  
• Baby Head Lettuce Salad
  
• Beet Salad
  
• Carrot & Madras Curry Bisque
  

Main Course

• 
  
• Lightly Roasted Sea Scallops (w/ pork belly)
  
• Florida Red Snapper
  
• Risotto of Gulf Lobster
  
• Black Sea Bass
  
• Florida Grouper
  
• Roast Pekin Duck
  
• Dover Sole
  
• Grilled Delmonico
  

Sides

• 
  
• Charred Broccoli & Chilled Beans
  

Desserts

• 
  
• Warm Chocolate Flourless Cake
  
• Lemon Meringue Tart
  
• Bergamont Tea Panna Cotta
  
• Apple Strudel with Cardamom
  
• Housemade Sorbets
  
• Petis Fours
  
• A Selection of Artisanal Cheeses (Tete De Moine, Cave-Aged Cloth Bound Cheddar, and Bayley Hazen Blue)
  

RAW BAR ($ + SDP) {RAW SEAFOOD}

 

Description: ??????????????????

 

Cost: A la carte; SDP Upcharge: $7 pp (no upcharge on seafoodplateau)

 

Location: Deck 8, Mid

 

Schedule:

Embarkation – D: 6:00 PM to 10 PM

Port Day – D: 6:00 PM to 10 PM

Sea Day – L: Noon to 1:30 PM; D: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Debarkation – Closed

 

Menu:

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

 

Snacks

• 
  
• Crab Toasts - $5.25
  
• Crispy Calamari - $5.25
  
• Imported Hams (Mangalica 12 mo. $8.50; Serrano 18 mo. $6.50)
  
• Artisanal Cheeses - $5.00
  

Crudo

• 
  
• Salmon Tartare - $6.00
  
• Tuna Crudo - $7.00
  
• Black Bass Ceviche - $7.00
  
• Fluke Crudo - $6.50
  

Shellfish

• 
  
• Oysters on the Half Shell – MP
  
• Prawns - $8.00/3
  
• Littleneck Clams – MP
  
• ½ Maine Lobster – MP
  
• Seafood Plateau [All of the above + Black Bass Ceviche] - $35/pp (2 person min)
  
• Mussels Tom Ka Gai - $7.50
  

Desserts

• 
  
• Warm Chocolate Flourless Cake - $5.00
  
• Lemon Meringue Tart - $5.00
  
• Bergamont Tea Panna Cotta - $5.00
  
• Apple Strudel w/ Cardamom - $5.00
  
• Homemade Sorbets - $5.00
  
• Petis Fours - $5.00
  

 

 

ROOM SERVICE ($)

 

Cost: $7.95

 

Description: ???? Coming ????

 

Schedule: Open 24/7

 

Breakfast Menu

See http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Norwegian-Getaway-room-service-1.jpg

Coming

 

Continental Breakfast Menu

See http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Norwegian-Getaway-room-service-2.jpg

Coming