Getaway May 13-20 Review

[FashionGirl12]

Congrats on your graduation and thanks for the funny review - I keep laughing thinking about you wiping out while running to get the vibe pass. Good times!

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

Great review!

[MaryBethV]

Thanks again for such a great review! I think I was holding my breath through the debark part - holy cow. Our flight the week earlier wasn't until 1pm and that still would have had me stressing out!!!

 

Have fun on your Carnival cruise... will have to visit that board just for your review. :)

[cruisegal415]

After doing a shot of Blue Curacao and drinking the rest of my Miami Vice, I went off to explore. The ship's interior looked great. I've always loved the interior design choices on NCL ships versus the gaudy look of Carnival and dated look on many RCCL ships.

 

Raw Bar (never went there)

 

Wasabi (went there)

 

It had been about 10 minutes since my first drink as I came upon Sugarcane Mojito Bar, which I would frequent throughout the week.

 

Sugarcane menu

 

I highly recommend the pineapple coconut mojito and the raspberry guava mojito.

 

There were also several tasting events throughout the week. These are $19.95 but I believe you get a discount with the UBP.

 

I went to the Box Office to try and book some comedy shows, but it was too crowded and I ended up just booking it through the TV in my cabin.

 

Did you have to pre-book for the tasting events? Are they limited to a certain number?

[cruisegal415]

Glad you're enjoying it!

 

 

 

I did have the UBP. You are still charged tax for drinks in Miami, but I had about 4-5 drinks during that time and it wasn't over $5. The most tax I saw was about $1.20 for my mojito. The Miami Vice was definitely less than $1. I think tax is around 10% of the drink cost. I never saw a drink over $15 unless you wanted to add top-shelf liquor to it.

 

Wait, so if you have a drink while in port awaiting sail away, you get charged when you get it if you have the UBP? So the drink is "free" but they charge the tax?

[Doug R.]

Wait, so if you have a drink while in port awaiting sail away, you get charged when you get it if you have the UBP? So the drink is "free" but they charge the tax?

 

Yes, and that is because you are docked and the jurisdiction treats the ship like a land based bar in that regard. The amount is very small and hardly worth being upset about.

[Landl cruiser]

Yes, and that is because you are docked and the jurisdiction treats the ship like a land based bar in that regard. The amount is very small and hardly worth being upset about.

 

 

 

Thank you for that rational and accurate response.

[cruisegal415]

Yes, and that is because you are docked and the jurisdiction treats the ship like a land based bar in that regard. The amount is very small and hardly worth being upset about.

 

Not upset, just didn't realize that. Can I assume they just take your room card and put it on your bill as opposed to having to pay it when you get your drink?

[cruisegal415]

Natefish95: Thank you so much for your extensive review and especially posting the dailies and the menus. Assuming the choices of activities and meals are the same when we cruise in August, this really helped insofar as planning which nights and what times to make reservations for the specialty restaurants. Any chance you can post the remaining ones? Thanks!

[sharlon]

THWG! Congrats on getting out from a Tech wife and mom (daughter just finished first year and is currently studying abroad)!!!

 

We are sailing 6/3 for out second time on the Getaway. Thanks for your funny and great review! I love that, like many Tech students, you are a nerd in a variety of fields!

[Doug R.]

Not upset, just didn't realize that. Can I assume they just take your room card and put it on your bill as opposed to having to pay it when you get your drink?

 

That is correct, it appears on your bill and is based on the menu price of your drink. Even with the UBP they take your card each time you order a drink. I think this is probably for statistical purposes.

[Batgirl2]

Thanks so much for a great and entertaining review! We will be on the Getaway in three weeks and are definitely looking forward to it!

[iamchrisstone]

following. we sail this sunday on june 3rd.

[winterwhite]

I'm going to finish it up today! I'm leaving for Puerto Rico tomorrow morning, so I've been getting all my stuff organized today. Just put some laundry in, so hopefully I can crank out a good bit now. If he is independent and content with being alone sometimes and open to talking to all type of people, he'll love solo traveling. In my normal life, I'm pretty shy, but I just find it so easy to talk to people on cruises. The CC roll call and FB group made all the difference too!

 

Loving your review as well!

 

 

 

Part of why I loved the Escape was the group of people I was with. I met an amazing group in Vibe that I spent time with all week. The Vibe bartenders were also amazing, attentive, and funny. If I was on the ship, I was almost always there. I also spent a lot of time in the District Brewhouse and Food Republic. I vaguely remember the Escape feeling slightly more crowded. The interior spaces are almost the exact same, but the Escape carries more people. Nothing major, just one minor drawback.

 

We were on the Escape a year ago and Getaway a week ago. The differences our group noticed was the staff. In general they were professional and friendly on the Getaway. On the Escape, we felt they were professional, friendly and fun-loving. They joked, laughed and made even sanitizing fun! Our group felt that this up-beat mentality carried down to the general public. The weather was a little better on the Escape trip and I'm trying to be honest, but even the general public seemed more pleasant.

[rbschultz]

Final Summary Post

Overall, I had a great time this week. I love NCL and I"m loyal to them because I've had consistently good service and I love the freestyle experience. Plus, there is not argument that they're the best line for solo travelers.

 

I feel like many areas of this cruise were not up to NCL standards.

• The solo experience left much to be desired.
  
• The Vibe experience was nothing close to what I experienced on the Escape.
  
• Million Dollar Quartet and Burn the Floor are just not interesting (to me at least)
  
• I never once met my cabin steward and had dirty sheets.
  
• The way debarkation was handled was simply unacceptable.
  
• An apology email would have been nice regarding debarkation. I know people have experienced worse, but NCL knows it was a mess and many have reported that it was just nasty. I'll take a generic stock email. Just something to show they recognize the issue and apologize. I did fill out the survey they send out though.
  

There were numerous high points

• Food was all-around delicious. I never ate something was just awful (other than the wretched minted berry tiramisu, but I did that to myself)
  
• Variety of activities throughout the day
  
• Cruise Director Zach and his staff (especially Sandra) were incredible and I saw them all over the ship
  
• Bar service was great. Despite most having the drink package, I never had to wait very long. The atrium bartenders and Sunset bartenders were the best.
  
• The social media package worked great! I had zero issues all week.
  
• Messaging via the iConcierge app worked well too. Numerous improvements need to be made, but it's functional and does the basic function well (viewing your account, viewing the daily activities, messaging, etc.)
  

Will I cruise NCL again? Definitely.

 

 

Would I go on the Getaway again? Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Am I itching to get back on immediately? No. I think there are numerous high level management issues (especially with bars and housekeeping) that trickle down and affect the guest experience. That's my hypothesis at least.

 

 

I was very honest about all aspects, so please don't feel like I'm being nit picky. I always see the best in a situation, but I'm not going to completely ignore it. I hope you all enjoyed this review. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll respond whenever I get a chance.

 

 

It is now 5:15am and I have to leave for the airport in an hour. I'm flying down to Puerto Rico to begin part 2 of my graduation celebration. When I get back I'll do a similar review on the Carnival boards, so please pop over there and follow my travels to the Southern Caribbean on the Carnival Fascination.

 

 

I did purchase two CruiseNext certificates and now I'm trying to plan our how to use them. I have deposits for Bliss and Encore for February 2019 and February 2020, but there is a 9 day repo cruise on the Dawn later this year that looks enticing.

 

 

I'm thinking maybe the 9 day on the Dawn later this year and then perhaps the Encore inaugural transatlantic late next year?

 

 

Now that I'm not in school full-time and have a normal work schedule, I hope to be more active on here. I'm looking forward to chatting with you and hope you all have a great weekend! Happy Cruising!

 

I'm looking at that 9 day repositioning cruise too! I live in Boston so its super convenient. Not sure how I feel about the smaller ships though tbh.

 

I'm also looking at Jan 20-27th on the Getaway. I love that week because I take 1 less day of PTO (MLK day) and the Australian Open is on the TVs when I'm stumbling back to my studio cabin at 3am :).

[natefish95]

Awesome review! I leave tomorrow on my first one! Hopefully weather holds out.

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

 

Hope you had a great time! I got back late last night, so I'm catching up on this thread before I start my next review.

 

Enjoy the Southern Caribbean and the Fascination! Appreciate all the info and your sense of humor. Most enjoyable. 3 cheers...:)

 

I just got back late last night and had an amazing time. I'm catching up on this thread before I start that review.

[natefish95]

Nate,

Loving your review!!! Yes, we were on the cruise with you. One of many MA cruisers. Love the pix. I am not !!! tech savy so mine will not come close to yours but glad you had a great cruise as did we.

Glad y'all had a great time as well!

 

Nice reveiw! Sailing on this ship again in 6 weeks. Price was outstanding due to Casino At Sea offer! We paid $446.00 each with $75 OBC each, Drink Card for Casino and chose UDP.

 

Enjoy your trip to PR!

 

I met many people with similar great CAS offers as well. I'm not much of a gambler, but I might have to start after hearing about their great offers.

[natefish95]

Thanks for your review! Cruising solo on Getaway on December. Been 3 times solo on Epic and liked it a lot so hopefully Getaway will deliver as well.

 

Did you check out the thermal spa? Am considering either pass for Vibe or thermal spa and probably will purchase the latter on.

 

You're going to have so much fun. I did not check out the thermal spa, but I knew of several people who did have thermal spa passes and they seemed to really enjoy themselves. Both are good choices it just depends on whether you want to spend more time in the sun or relaxing in the thermal spa.

 

Great honest review. Will be on the Getaway on June 10th. What you said about the Vibe goes with what I’ve been reading lately and is so disappointing. Rommel and the crew on Escape are incredible and while it might be the ‘higher ups’, it must be the higher ups on board as if you follow Rommel on Facebook you’ll know it’s still Shot O’clock every day.

 

Enjoy your Carnival trip.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I do follow Rommel on FB and love seeing their pictures! I think the Getaway is definitely a poorly managed ship right now. I don't know where that poor management lies along the chain of command though.

[natefish95]

My younger cousin and a bunch of her friends just got back from the Southern Caribbean on the Fascination. They loved their trip and had a blast on the ship! It was a great itinerary... Enjoy!

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

 

I just got back and loved it! Carnival is very different from NCL and each have their own pros and cons. Definitely want to do that itinerary again though!

 

Thank you for the great review and enjoy your next vacation! As it was for you, my Getaway trip is a graduation gift to myself (nursing school grad) although my husband and one of my 4 kids are also coming. It's nice to have something relaxing to look forward to after all the hard work! I've always wanted to sail out of PR, and I do love Carnival as well, so I will look for your next review!

 

Congratulations! Thinking about this trip definitely helped me get through the last few rough nights and papers. I'll be starting that review later today hopefully.

[natefish95]

Thanks for your review! We are on the Getaway now, loved both comedians (different than your two though), thought Million Dollar Quartet was amazing, and having a great time. Rather than blame NCL for your flight issues, I hope you learned in the future not to book such an early flight. Disembarkation often gets delayed for various reasons, and you essentially cut the line yourself. I do agree with your thoughts on Vibe on the Getaway, and we wouldn't get it again, especially for such a port intensive week. But we are having a blast and so sad to be getting off tomorrow.

 

I don't recall ever blaming NCL for my flight issues. I said they communicated the delay very poorly and did little to help control the growing crowds. In my however many cruises, this is the only time I've experienced a delay, so I don't think "often" is very accurate. Furthermore, I did cut the line in the terminal, but on the ship I stayed in the line I had been waited and respected those who had been waiting before me. I ran ahead in the terminal after being told to do so by an NCL rep.

 

Congrats on your graduation and thanks for the funny review - I keep laughing thinking about you wiping out while running to get the vibe pass. Good times!

 

Every time I look down and see the faint scars, I'm reminded of it and think to myself what an idiot I am lol.

[natefish95]

Thanks again for such a great review! I think I was holding my breath through the debark part - holy cow. Our flight the week earlier wasn't until 1pm and that still would have had me stressing out!!!

 

Have fun on your Carnival cruise... will have to visit that board just for your review. :)

It was crazy, but just another travel story to tell now! I'll start my Carnival review later today. It was very different than this cruise. Hope you check it out!

 

Yes, and that is because you are docked and the jurisdiction treats the ship like a land based bar in that regard. The amount is very small and hardly worth being upset about.

Thanks for explaining that, Doug!

[natefish95]

THWG! Congrats on getting out from a Tech wife and mom (daughter just finished first year and is currently studying abroad)!!!

 

We are sailing 6/3 for out second time on the Getaway. Thanks for your funny and great review! I love that, like many Tech students, you are a nerd in a variety of fields!

 

THWg! I'm sure you're daughter is having a blast! Studying abroad was one of the best things I ever did. Hope y'all are having a great trip right now!

 

Thanks so much for a great and entertaining review! We will be on the Getaway in three weeks and are definitely looking forward to it! ��

Enjoy your trip! Reading the reviews here help the time go by much faster!

[natefish95]

We were on the Escape a year ago and Getaway a week ago. The differences our group noticed was the staff. In general they were professional and friendly on the Getaway. On the Escape, we felt they were professional, friendly and fun-loving. They joked, laughed and made even sanitizing fun! Our group felt that this up-beat mentality carried down to the general public. The weather was a little better on the Escape trip and I'm trying to be honest, but even the general public seemed more pleasant.

 

I totally agree. I have never encountered a "bad" crew member on any cruise, but the Escape staff really seemed to go the extra mile and were generally more engaging. I found that in the Atrium bartenders on Getaway, but not much else. Like I mentioned earlier, I think the bad management of the Getaway has trickled down and affected the staff. Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

I'm looking at that 9 day repositioning cruise too! I live in Boston so its super convenient. Not sure how I feel about the smaller ships though tbh.

 

I'm also looking at Jan 20-27th on the Getaway. I love that week because I take 1 less day of PTO (MLK day) and the Australian Open is on the TVs when I'm stumbling back to my studio cabin at 3am :).

 

I like the way you think! I'm really, really considering it now after enjoying the ports so much on my Carnival cruise. The Carnival ship was small (the Dawn is still bigger) and really enjoyed being on a small ship. I wish I would have come more prepared with books and podcasts. Since the smaller ships don't have the crazy amenities of bigger ships, you have to come prepared to fill your time. As much as I love drinking at bars, drinking alone on the Carnival ship got old pretty fast.

[cruisetimeforme]

Do you still plan to post the last 2 days' dallies and menus, etc.from your Getaway cruise? I was really hoping you'd share the remainder of them as I'm doing planning for my sailing in July. Thanks!

[rbschultz]

I like the way you think! I'm really, really considering it now after enjoying the ports so much on my Carnival cruise. The Carnival ship was small (the Dawn is still bigger) and really enjoyed being on a small ship. I wish I would have come more prepared with books and podcasts. Since the smaller ships don't have the crazy amenities of bigger ships, you have to come prepared to fill your time. As much as I love drinking at bars, drinking alone on the Carnival ship got old pretty fast.

 

I brought my Kindle on the Escape and ended up really only reading the last sea day when it was a little chilly outside.