Live from the Getaway 9/12/22-9/22/22

[Heronymous]

Hash browns made a come back yesterday, we had them with our breakfast yesterday morning so I guess they got a supply of them at Cape Canaveral. 

[Seas2mountains]

21 hours ago, Heronymous said:

Hash browns made a come back yesterday, we had them with our breakfast yesterday morning so I guess they got a supply of them at Cape Canaveral. 

Thank you for sharing this info. We gave up asking until seeing your post. Happy to say we enjoyed hash browns today. 
 

 

[Seas2mountains]

The weather has been beautiful. After doing two Alaska cruises and one Pacific/Mexican cruise this past year, we realized we didn’t pack enough short sleeve shirts as it has been warmer than we expected.  
 

We are about a day away from arriving in Bermuda.  We slept well last night as the swells are felt and kept rocking us back to sleep. With needing to move our clocks forward an hour, we wanted to keep resting but also didn’t want to lose too much time from our daily routine. 
 

Here are some photos taken this afternoon. 

Edited September 18, 2022 by Seas2mountains

[Seas2mountains]

Here are photos from the stop in at Great Stirrup Cay yesterday where the weather was also perfect. You can also see RCCL’s Coco Cay where two ships were docked. 

[Seas2mountains]

Dailies from Day 6 and Day 7

Edited September 18, 2022 by Seas2mountains

[Seas2mountains]

After the GSC stop, the ship had so many different entertainment options, (see Day 6 daily), it was tough to decide where to go. All areas seemed quite full including many enjoying Gold River Duo by the pool. 

 

We enjoyed hearing Prelude Duo play while we ate at Ocean Blue last night. We had a bad Ocean Blue experience many, many cruises ago and were reluctant to try it. 
 

We can report about an amazing and delicious dinner at Ocean Blue last night with many familiar faces from the staff at the Haven restaurant. 
 

I forgot get photos of our entrees - grilled fisherman’s platter for me and fried fisherman’s platter for my husband. All were prepared perfectly! 
 

My husband loved the Blazing Shrimp appetizer. 
 

We may need to go back but with the fabulous Haven restaurant, we may need to wait until the next cruise. 

Edited September 18, 2022 by Seas2mountains

[Seas2mountains]

We had our mandatory Covid antigen tests today before the stop at Bermuda. 
 

it was done very well and NCL did a great job of having something so unpleasant move as quickly as possible.  
 

[Seas2mountains]

We kind of miss the District Brewhouse which was on the Bliss and Encore.  We really liked the entertainment option with the piano players.

 

There are so many entertainment options so we are not bored but think that is something we do miss visiting at the end of the night. 

[AmbitionatBay]

4 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

The weather has been beautiful. After doing two Alaska cruises and one Pacific/Mexican cruise this past year, we realized we didn’t pack enough short sleeve shirts as it has been warmer than we expected.  
 

We are about a day away from arriving in Bermuda.  We slept well last night as the swells are felt and kept rocking us back to sleep. With needing to move our clocks forward an hour, we wanted to keep resting but also didn’t want to lose too much time from our daily routine. 
 

Here are some photos taken this afternoon. 

Has anyone mentioned Hurricane Fiona? Are you still scheduled for Bermuda? I think you arrive Tuesday correct?  We are on the next sailing and are expecting a possible diverted schedule. Too early for us to hear from NCL.  

 

[cruiseinfoseeker]

On 9/16/2022 at 6:35 PM, Seas2mountains said:

...The thermal spa was quite busy on that first day and the chair hogs were abundant with us noticing that many of those heated lounge chairs were reserved as we watched that many were loaded with towels and personal items but not used the entire time we were there.... 
 

I  purchased the pass for the first time for an upcoming cruise. This is bound to make me upset. I think the first time I see it I am going to ask the staff to intervene. I don't want to be on look out patrol for one to "Open Up" in the sense that the crap that shouldn't be left on it is cleared away. It really is the type of thing that if you are going to spend more than five minutes away from it that you don't get to leave anything on it. 

 

Have you been  back and seeing the trend continue?

 

Also, I see that they are only open at 8 am, which seems a little late for a start to me. Is this because of life guard activity or something?

 

Also, thank you for posting the dailies and giving us updates during your cruise. Keep having an wonderful time!

[cruiseinfoseeker]

On 9/17/2022 at 6:26 AM, Seas2mountains said:

The numbers are accurate and consistent with other 5 day sailings that happen over a weekend.  I’m sure the crew will be sure you have an amazing cruise. 

in addition, Rosh Hashanah begins 09/25 so through Tuesday is holiday work/school off for some areas and school districts which I am sure made that date even more desireable.

[style9ine]

7 hours ago, AmbitionatBay said:

Has anyone mentioned Hurricane Fiona? Are you still scheduled for Bermuda? I think you arrive Tuesday correct?  We are on the next sailing and are expecting a possible diverted schedule. Too early for us to hear from NCL.  

 

On that same sailing 9/22. Debating cancelling. I assume major penalties. Would Bermuda TA refund the $40 they still “need” ?
 

Whats a vacation with rain and choppy waters. Where can it possibly divert  to? Its raining everywhere 😩 

 

Advice? Thoughts? 

[Seas2mountains]

10 hours ago, AmbitionatBay said:

Has anyone mentioned Hurricane Fiona? Are you still scheduled for Bermuda? I think you arrive Tuesday correct?  We are on the next sailing and are expecting a possible diverted schedule. Too early for us to hear from NCL.  

 

We arrive in Bermuda later today and leave tomorrow (Tuesday).  It was mentioned that some of the swells we were feeling were from Fiona. Waters seem really calm this morning. We should be ahead of Fiona including getting back to NY by Thursday morning.  

[Seas2mountains]

10 hours ago, cruiseinfoseeker said:

I  purchased the pass for the first time for an upcoming cruise. This is bound to make me upset. I think the first time I see it I am going to ask the staff to intervene. I don't want to be on look out patrol for one to "Open Up" in the sense that the crap that shouldn't be left on it is cleared away. It really is the type of thing that if you are going to spend more than five minutes away from it that you don't get to leave anything on it. 

 

Have you been  back and seeing the trend continue?

 

Also, I see that they are only open at 8 am, which seems a little late for a start to me. Is this because of life guard activity or something?

 

Also, thank you for posting the dailies and giving us updates during your cruise. Keep having an wonderful time!

We have been back to the spa everyday as we purchased a pass for the entire cruise. The crowds have been very light after that first day and there have been plenty of heated spa lounge chairs available.  
 

There are no life guards in the spa but there are spa staff members in there who are constantly wiping the floors.  We have not been to the spa before 10am to see what the crowds look like at that time of day. 
 

And we agree with you that this is so frustrating to see people reserve those heated chairs who walk away and don’t touch the chairs for an hour or more. I wish their belongings got removed or there was a system to assign the chairs for a period of time. 
 

You are welcome. Enjoy your cruise, too!

[Seas2mountains]

8 hours ago, cruiseinfoseeker said:

in addition, Rosh Hashanah begins 09/25 so through Tuesday is holiday work/school off for some areas and school districts which I am sure made that date even more desireable.

Yes, agree. Crew are all saying they actually look forward to having a full ship again for that sailing. 

[Seas2mountains]

3 hours ago, style9ine said:

On that same sailing 9/22. Debating cancelling. I assume major penalties. Would Bermuda TA refund the $40 they still “need” ?
 

Whats a vacation with rain and choppy waters. Where can it possibly divert  to? Its raining everywhere 😩 

 

Advice? Thoughts? 

I think previous Bermuda cruises impacted by hurricanes have gone to Canada. Maybe pack warm clothes to prepare for an adjusted itinerary?

 

Wouldn’t you lose all funds paid or did you get travel insurance  that would cover a late cancelation like a cancel for any reason policy? I’m sure the crew will do all they can to make any cruise enjoyable. 

[Seas2mountains]

We had something strange happen when we were in the Bliss lounge last night listening to Prelude Duo. Another passenger decided to approach us after he left the dance floor and gestured for us to go dance.  Despite us shaking our heads No and motioning for him to leave, he would not stop. Then he decided to sit at our table and got really close to my husband to ask why we weren’t dancing. My husband told him we wanted to listen to the music. (We had danced to a few songs earlier but we don’t know if that man saw us dance or not.)

 

He then told my husband that he wanted to speak to me alone. My husband said No and asked him to leave. When he refused to leave our table, we got up to leave and that’s when the creepy guy finally left. We did ask the bar tender to call security if the guy came back. The bar tender encouraged us to file a security report. When we walked out of the lounge to use the restroom during the next music set and when we went to leave, we saw creepy guy speaking to two different women who appeared to be sitting alone in the casino. We did go to guest services and did file a report with security. They asked us to contact security if we saw the man again. We were able to describe the clothing the man was wearing and gave the time range when he approached us. 
 

Our big concern was that creepy guy did not respect the word “no” and had no respect for personal space with how close he got to my husband’s face and how he continually wanted to shake his hand.  I hope he is not ruining the cruise for other people. We were feeling like we needed to watch for him so we decided to end our night earlier than planned. The Haven 2 bedroom suite is spacious and very comfortable so it was not horrible but was unfortunate. 

[Seas2mountains]

[cruiseny4life]

19 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

It's really quite ridiculous how those little puffs of fried potato make me so happy. Glad they're back for you to enjoy!!

 

13 hours ago, cruiseinfoseeker said:

I  purchased the pass for the first time for an upcoming cruise. This is bound to make me upset. I think the first time I see it I am going to ask the staff to intervene. I don't want to be on look out patrol for one to "Open Up" in the sense that the crap that shouldn't be left on it is cleared away. It really is the type of thing that if you are going to spend more than five minutes away from it that you don't get to leave anything on it. 

 

Have you been  back and seeing the trend continue?

 

Also, I see that they are only open at 8 am, which seems a little late for a start to me. Is this because of life guard activity or something?

 

Also, thank you for posting the dailies and giving us updates during your cruise. Keep having an wonderful time!

I hope @Seas2mountains doesn't mind me jumping in. I know they already answered some of your questions, but I figured I'd give you my perspective from a very full, 4,400 person cruise in April and the 1,200 person cruise in September. 

 

In April, our first full day was supposed to be a stop in Norfolk, however we had a very late (11:59PM) start out of NYC, so this day became a sea day. That day was miserable in the thermal suite. I was really upset and disappointed at the number of folks in there. My husband and I went back around 8 PM that evening and had an empty thermal suite. If you are having issues with crowding, I'd highly suggest you try the evening hours. We had free range of the pool, hot tub, ceramic loungers, sauna, everything! 

 

Later on in this cruise, the numbers died down during the day, though we did have to wait for a ceramic lounger to open up. We'd grab one and alternate my husband, then myself. But, going after 7/8 PM allowed us to enjoy the place to ourselves.

 

We got off the Getaway on Sept. 12th and had a much different experience. Of course the ship was at just less than a quarter'ish capacity. We did go in at 8 AM - about 10 AM a couple days and had the place almost to ourselves, so I think early morning is a good option as well. It seems (even on a lighter cruise) the crowd descends after 10 AM whether it's a port or sea day. Based on different times in the suite, we noticed 10 AM - 5 PM was the most crowded time. Again, from 7 PM - on, we could have personally reserved every ceramic lounger if we had wanted.

 

If you have a really bad experience, I have heard (rumor it is) they will reimburse you on the first full day. I'd highly suggest you find a time that works for you and just enjoy the thermal suite then as it is quite wonderful. Good luck having the staff intervene, maybe they will, but I'm not quite sure they'll be successful or helpful asking someone to move. 

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

We had something strange happen when we were in the Bliss lounge last night listening to Prelude Duo. Another passenger decided to approach us after he left the dance floor and gestured for us to go dance.  Despite us shaking our heads No and motioning for him to leave, he would not stop. Then he decided to sit at our table and got really close to my husband to ask why we weren’t dancing. My husband told him we wanted to listen to the music. (We had danced to a few songs earlier but we don’t know if that man saw us dance or not.)

 

He then told my husband that he wanted to speak to me alone. My husband said No and asked him to leave. When he refused to leave our table, we got up to leave and that’s when the creepy guy finally left. We did ask the bar tender to call security if the guy came back. The bar tender encouraged us to file a security report. When we walked out of the lounge to use the restroom during the next music set and when we went to leave, we saw creepy guy speaking to two different women who appeared to be sitting alone in the casino. We did go to guest services and did file a report with security. They asked us to contact security if we saw the man again. We were able to describe the clothing the man was wearing and gave the time range when he approached us. 
 

Our big concern was that creepy guy did not respect the word “no” and had no respect for personal space with how close he got to my husband’s face and how he continually wanted to shake his hand.  I hope he is not ruining the cruise for other people. We were feeling like we needed to watch for him so we decided to end our night earlier than planned. The Haven 2 bedroom suite is spacious and very comfortable so it was not horrible but was unfortunate. 

Yikes! I'm so sorry this happened to you and that it caused you to retreat to your room early! Hopefully you don't run into this fellow any more on the cruise and he doesn't do anything creepy to other ladies onboard. Ugh...some people need to get a clue (yes, I understand it could be a mental health issue as well, and I hope he gets the help he needs, if so), or stop drinking alcohol.

[graphicguy]

19 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

After the GSC stop, the ship had so many different entertainment options, (see Day 6 daily), it was tough to decide where to go. All areas seemed quite full including many enjoying Gold River Duo by the pool. 

 

We enjoyed hearing Prelude Duo play while we ate at Ocean Blue last night. We had a bad Ocean Blue experience many, many cruises ago and were reluctant to try it. 
 

We can report about an amazing and delicious dinner at Ocean Blue last night with many familiar faces from the staff at the Haven restaurant. 
 

I forgot get photos of our entrees - grilled fisherman’s platter for me and fried fisherman’s platter for my husband. All were prepared perfectly! 
 

My husband loved the Blazing Shrimp appetizer. 
 

We may need to go back but with the fabulous Haven restaurant, we may need to wait until the next cruise. 

Ocean Blu is my favorite dining venue on NCL ships.  Thanks for posting.

[dpemd]

On 9/16/2022 at 6:06 PM, Seas2mountains said:

We are at about the halfway point of the cruise but it has been amazing so far! We are in a 2 bedroom Haven suite for this cruise.  We are somehow surviving with no hashbrowns as occurred with the sailing before ours and also on the Joy. 

We arrived a day early and stayed at the Hilton Midway in NYC and enjoyed a great lunch at PizzArte which was about a two block walk and is highly recommended! There were plenty of other restaurants in the area and convenience stores. Due to rain, we stayed at the hotel lounge/bar for dinner. When we asked for the check, the waiter told us a woman in the restaurant paid for our dinner (which was not cheap!) as she liked how my husband and I sat close together on the same side of the table at dinner. That was so unexpected and kind. We did meet her and thanked her. She asked us to give the waiter a generous tip as she had stayed at the hotel for several days. We did of course do what she requested and tipped very well.

 

The next day, we left for the cruise port at 10:00am and arrived shortly after. The processing through the Haven line was very quick. While we were told that boarding may begin at 12 Noon, we were surprised when it was announced shortly after that we could board. We were on the ship and in the Haven just after 10:45am. I think this was the fastest time ever from the hotel to the ship! 

 

After enjoying some time in the hot tub and Haven lounge, we were allowed to go to our rooms.  The two bedroom suite is quite amazing and we love the windows in the bathroom. We do miss the windows that we would normally have in a club balcony that we could view the ocean while in bed.  We were encouraged to eat lunch in the American Dinner. We did enjoy the lobster and shrimp rolls as appetizers but they could be their own meal.  I had the spinach salad with grilled shrimp and my husband really loved the Mahi Mahi Rueben. We shared an amazing carrot cake for dessert. 

 

We realized our room steward was the same room steward we had on the Encore on February 2000 before everything shut down due to Covid.  We also were excited to learn that Prelude Duo - a very talented music du this shio was on this ship. We enjoyed listening to them in the Sugarcane lounge.

 

Will add more photos and the dailies.

 

We have been told there are 1029 passengers on this sailing and the next one leaving on Sept. 22nd will have 4000 or more guests.  While we can see that the ship is definitely not full, we have been surprised that the atrium and other venues have been full as the passengers have been getting out to enjoy the music options. We have not gone to any theater events but hear there are plenty of seats and there is no need to use the Haven concierge to get premium seating.

 

 

 

 

Can you tell me if they have any other diet soda other than diet coke? Thanks

[bluesea777]

Welcome to Bermuda!

 

 

[JGmf]

11 hours ago, style9ine said:

On that same sailing 9/22. Debating cancelling. I assume major penalties. Would Bermuda TA refund the $40 they still “need” ?
 

Whats a vacation with rain and choppy waters. Where can it possibly divert  to? Its raining everywhere 😩 

 

Advice? Thoughts? 

 

I'm on the 9/22 sailing as well.  No way I'm canceling. 

 

Fiona should be past Bermuda by our arrival on Saturday.  Yes, there could be post-storm impact on the island from the day before, but I'm more than willing to take the chance as we're on a floating hotel.  Saturday, our first day, is forecast for 20 percent chance of rain and 80 degrees.

 

Also, the ship will probably take whatever course is necessary to avoid rough waters, if there will be any....as the path is the forecast to veer east.

 

...and no, Bermuda won't give you back your $40.

 

[style9ine]

9 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

It's really quite ridiculous how those little puffs of fried potato make me so happy. Glad they're back for you to enjoy!!

 

I hope @Seas2mountains doesn't mind me jumping in. I know they already answered some of your questions, but I figured I'd give you my perspective from a very full, 4,400 person cruise in April and the 1,200 person cruise in September. 

 

In April, our first full day was supposed to be a stop in Norfolk, however we had a very late (11:59PM) start out of NYC, so this day became a sea day. That day was miserable in the thermal suite. I was really upset and disappointed at the number of folks in there. My husband and I went back around 8 PM that evening and had an empty thermal suite. If you are having issues with crowding, I'd highly suggest you try the evening hours. We had free range of the pool, hot tub, ceramic loungers, sauna, everything! 

 

Later on in this cruise, the numbers died down during the day, though we did have to wait for a ceramic lounger to open up. We'd grab one and alternate my husband, then myself. But, going after 7/8 PM allowed us to enjoy the place to ourselves.

 

We got off the Getaway on Sept. 12th and had a much different experience. Of course the ship was at just less than a quarter'ish capacity. We did go in at 8 AM - about 10 AM a couple days and had the place almost to ourselves, so I think early morning is a good option as well. It seems (even on a lighter cruise) the crowd descends after 10 AM whether it's a port or sea day. Based on different times in the suite, we noticed 10 AM - 5 PM was the most crowded time. Again, from 7 PM - on, we could have personally reserved every ceramic lounger if we had wanted.

 

If you have a really bad experience, I have heard (rumor it is) they will reimburse you on the first full day. I'd highly suggest you find a time that works for you and just enjoy the thermal suite then as it is quite wonderful. Good luck having the staff intervene, maybe they will, but I'm not quite sure they'll be successful or helpful asking someone to move. 

Absolutely! My hours are from 4-6pm when everyone is getting ready or already at dinner. I normally eat a 730/830 dinner so its perfrct for me. Also port days are fantastic. Atleast for me in the past have been and precovid with a fully booked ship.