Questions on the Getaway. Haven’t cruised in years and feel like a newbie!

[voyager89]

Hello all,

 

even though I signed to the forum 9 years ago and did a few cruises during those years, I haven’t been to one since 2017 and feels like an eternity. Obviously the pandemic has changed everything, but also many things in my life have changed, ended an 11 year relationship with who I took all of my cruises and transatlantics. I’m married now and moved from Mexico City to St Louis MO. Not to keep going but for some reason I feel as if I’m going to cruise for the first time. I’ve taken the Sky and the Epic, and some with RC and MSC. 
 

Finally doing another cruise, it’s just a 3 nighter on the Getaway out of Port Canaveral on December 7, so less than a month away! Booked it about 3 months ago, got my flights, Orlando hotel and rental cars all taken care of but I feel completely clueless when it comes to the actual cruise, I need some help pretty please! 
 

Is everything kind of normal regarding covid?

 

We got all the free at sea offers. Is the internet provided only for one device? And any advice on roaming? We have T-Mobile. Going to GSC and Nassau. 
 

Is there poker on the ship? Never cared for the casino but my husband loves poker. 
 

any karaoke nights? Same as before never cared much for this but he loves to sing (he’s actually pretty good lol)

 

how do I reserve specialty dining? Can I do it now or is it on board only, and which restaurant would be the best to pick? We like all cuisines but seafood. I’ve only tried Moderno out of the specialty ones. 
 

can we show up anytime for dinner at any of the MDRs? 
 

how do we get the tender tickets for GSC? I’ve been there before but I really can’t remember the process. 
 

Any Latin music spots or parties? I’d love to go to one. 
 

Thanks in advance for any advice. 

 

[BirdTravels]

25 minutes ago, voyager89 said:

 

 

Welcome back to Cruise Critic!

 

You have booked a great little cruise. 

 

Is everything kind of normal regarding covid?  Everything back to normal, you would have never known that COVID happened. 

 

We got all the free at sea offers. Is the internet provided only for one device? And any advice on roaming? We have T-Mobile. Going to GSC and Nassau.  If you have a one-device internet package, you can log on with one device at a time. We have multiple devices, but share the one account. 

 

wrt roaming, you need to check with T-Mobile on your specific plan. Both GSC and Nassau have Bahamas phone carriers. You have to see if your plan offers discounted service there. 
 

Is there poker on the ship? Never cared for the casino but my husband loves poker. Yes. Poker games and onboard tournaments. Mostly never-played-before-but-saw-it-on-TV players that are half drunk, so if hubby is a good player, there is a potential for significant winnings. 
 

any karaoke nights? Same as before never cared much for this but he loves to sing (he’s actually pretty good lol) Check the freestyle daily. The 3-day cruise is a one-off so can't tell you. 

 

how do I reserve specialty dining? Can I do it now or is it on board only, and which restaurant would be the best to pick? We like all cuisines but seafood. I’ve only tried Moderno out of the specialty ones. Booking opened 120 days prior to departure. Most prime time reservations online are probably sold out, but you can try now (you waited too long).

 

As soon as you embark, make your show reservations (Million Dollar Quartet and Burn the Floor; and comedy shows (early shows family oriented, late shows 18+)). You cold also book the JunNk dinner show for $29 pp.

 

Then immediately book your dinners. Moderno Brazillian BBQ; Cagney's Steak House; La Cucina Italian; Le Bistro French; Teppanyaki Japanese Steakhouse. Avoid Ocean Blue (seafood restaurant). Book quickly for the best days and times. They will sell out quickly for a short cruise. 
 

can we show up anytime for dinner at any of the MDRs? Yup. Just show up when you are ready to eat. 

 

how do we get the tender tickets for GSC? I’ve been there before but I really can’t remember the process. As soon as you board, go to a touch screen kiosk in the elevator lobbies and get a tender ticket. 
 

[dbrown84]

32 minutes ago, voyager89 said:

Hello all,

 

even though I signed to the forum 9 years ago and did a few cruises during those years, I haven’t been to one since 2017 and feels like an eternity. Obviously the pandemic has changed everything, but also many things in my life have changed, ended an 11 year relationship with who I took all of my cruises and transatlantics. I’m married now and moved from Mexico City to St Louis MO. Not to keep going but for some reason I feel as if I’m going to cruise for the first time. I’ve taken the Sky and the Epic, and some with RC and MSC. 
 

Finally doing another cruise, it’s just a 3 nighter on the Getaway out of Port Canaveral on December 7, so less than a month away! Booked it about 3 months ago, got my flights, Orlando hotel and rental cars all taken care of but I feel completely clueless when it comes to the actual cruise, I need some help pretty please! 
 

Is everything kind of normal regarding covid?

 

We got all the free at sea offers. Is the internet provided only for one device? And any advice on roaming? We have T-Mobile. Going to GSC and Nassau. 
 

Is there poker on the ship? Never cared for the casino but my husband loves poker. 
 

any karaoke nights? Same as before never cared much for this but he loves to sing (he’s actually pretty good lol)

 

how do I reserve specialty dining? Can I do it now or is it on board only, and which restaurant would be the best to pick? We like all cuisines but seafood. I’ve only tried Moderno out of the specialty ones. 
 

can we show up anytime for dinner at any of the MDRs? 
 

how do we get the tender tickets for GSC? I’ve been there before but I really can’t remember the process. 
 

Any Latin music spots or parties? I’d love to go to one. 
 

Thanks in advance for any advice. 

 

- There is poker on board.  When you enter the casino, look for the craps table side.  The poker table is located on that side of the casino behind the black jack tables.

 

- You can show up anytime at the MDRs

- they do have Latin parties, but you'd have to check the freestyle dalies for time/location.  Of course there is no guarantee there will be one on a 3 night sailing

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, voyager89 said:

how do I reserve specialty dining? Can I do it now or is it on board only, and which restaurant would be the best to pick? We like all cuisines but seafood. I’ve only tried Moderno out of the specialty ones. 

You can do it now. I'd be surprised if you aren't able to book. It's possible you'll have to eat at times you aren't used to (early or late), but you'll be fine. Don't let others sway you. Go to your NCL account and do the booking there in the "Explore and Plan" section. If you have an issue, just contact NCL through chat. 

 

My past two (and only) NCL cruises have been on Getaway. Love that ship! The crew is great, even though I'm sure they'll be different for you than who I had. Make sure to try out Shanghai Noodle Bar (it's included in your price). The dumplings are so yummy and so are the main courses. 

 

Finally, have a wonderful time! 

[dbrown84]

49 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

You can do it now. I'd be surprised if you aren't able to book. It's possible you'll have to eat at times you aren't used to (early or late), but you'll be fine. Don't let others sway you. Go to your NCL account and do the booking there in the "Explore and Plan" section. If you have an issue, just contact NCL through chat. 

 

My past two (and only) NCL cruises have been on Getaway. Love that ship! The crew is great, even though I'm sure they'll be different for you than who I had. Make sure to try out Shanghai Noodle Bar (it's included in your price). The dumplings are so yummy and so are the main courses. 

 

Finally, have a wonderful time! 

2nd on the dumplings at Shanghai.  And the egg rolls.  And know that the portions are more tapas style than a full order that you'd get from a traditional restaurant.  So order multiple entrees 

[www3traveler]

I love Ocean Blue

 

Enjoy

[Greygooser]

Im in the same position as you OP. Haven’t been on a cruise since 2015, going on the Getaway in 11 days. I had a lot of questions as well. The search works wonders for my specific questions, but beyond that everyone here has been very helpful.

Only thing that troubles me is you said you’re leaving on 12/7, but my Getaway sailing doesn’t get back to Orlando until the 8th! 😀 hope it’s a typo and you don’t have your flight/hotel on the wrong day!

[Treasure Hunter]

Do not miss Million Dollar Quartet and Burn the Floor! They are Broadway caliber and fabulous . We saw them on the Getaway and I’m still thinking how good they were.

[Liljo22]

Check with T-Mobile on what plan you have.  If you have the Simple Global plan, you are covered in the Bahamas.  If you don't have it, I would check on how much to add it.  Spending a little extra to not get a huge bill a month later is worth it.  

 

I can't think of anything specific towards Latin music but the Getaway is themed to Miami(Breakaway is themed to NY).  They will sometimes have latin much in the Tropicana Room at dinner.  Also there is a mojito bar on deck 8 but can't remember if a band plays there.  

 

Also make sure to hit Syd's.  Its a fun venue.  They had a karaoke night on my cruise but, as Bird said, they might not have it on a 3 nighter.