The Getaway Tie Breaker Cruise Live Trip Report 4/26-5-1 2023

[justhappy]

38 minutes ago, Elsammo46 said:

Thank you for the review! I'm on the getaway on May 11th (coming up!) and just had a question about the internet. I got the premium plus package because I need my YouTube fix, if you have that same package, how has the streaming been? If not, have you heard anyone else mention the internet quality? Thank you and have a good rest of your trip!

I don’t have the streaming just the regular unlimited internet and it’s been working perfectly with all the photos uploading quickly.

I haven’t tested download speeds.

[Elsammo46]

7 minutes ago, justhappy said:

I don’t have the streaming just the regular unlimited internet and it’s been working perfectly with all the photos uploading quickly.

I haven’t tested download speeds.

thank you!                                                                                                                                                                                                              

[justhappy]

For lunch today we decided to go to OSheehans for a change.

 We split an order of nachos and I had the fish and chips while Mr D had the Ruben sandwich and our friends had chicken salad sandwiches. Mr D and I had the Glacier Blue drink.

The drinks were great and the food hot and delicious. Service was very good too, it was busier than I expected being in port but everyone was working hard.

Full from the entrees we opted out of dessert and headed back to the Haven Sundeck.

 

 

   I’m not sure if someone from NCL is reading along on this live review, but so far in the past hour there have been a few crew up here checking the sundeck, 

 then sweeping the sundeck and then checking the sundeck again.

 Either way they are being very responsive to issues that come up.

I hadn’t said anything about the paint flakes to anyone on the ship.

  Sadly all too soon we have to do some packing up before tonight’s dinner at Le Bistro and our plan to the see the comedians in the theater tonight.

Edited April 30, 2023 by justhappy

[www3traveler]

Put a note in the General Manager's box (Atrium near Guest Services Desk) about the paint chips.

 

Thank you for all your wonderful postings.

 

I pray you have a very safe journey home.

[cruiservictor]

Thanks for all the info this week. You may have mentioned this earlier, but who is the Haven concierge?

[justhappy]

16 minutes ago, cruiservictor said:

Thanks for all the info this week. You may have mentioned this earlier, but who is the Haven concierge?

It is Alex Nikolic and his assistant Lourdes.

[justhappy]

21 minutes past all aboard time and so far 2 pier runners showed up a minute ago to be cheered on the ship. Several

names were called but we are now being cast off so hopefully everyone made it back.

[cruiservictor]

3 minutes ago, justhappy said:

It is Alex Nikolic and his assistant Lourdes.

Thank you. We were on the Getaway for B2B cruises in early February. The concierge was Huberth Perry, and Lourdes was the assistant. 
 

Ask her if she remembers Victor and Nancy who ended up with a drunken passenger in their bedroom one morning at 4:50AM. 

[justhappy]

1 hour ago, cruiservictor said:

Thank you. We were on the Getaway for B2B cruises in early February. The concierge was Huberth Perry, and Lourdes was the assistant. 
 

Ask her if she remembers Victor and Nancy who ended up with a drunken passenger in their bedroom one morning at 4:50AM. 

😳😳😳

[amygutman]

8 hours ago, Elsammo46 said:

Thank you for the review! I'm on the getaway on May 11th (coming up!) and just had a question about the internet. I got the premium plus package because I need my YouTube fix, if you have that same package, how has the streaming been? If not, have you heard anyone else mention the internet quality? Thank you and have a good rest of your trip!

I'll put in my 2 cents here - internet is somewhat spotty (have the premium plus as well), but other than some lag kiddo noticed on his youtube videos, no real issue in connectivity. I've been listening to streaming music constantly on my laptop without any problems. 

 

However, it has been a pain in the tush switching between devices. Love that on NCL you can have 1 package but switch between one device to another (in my case, my laptop to my phone) - on MSC you only can have one device total, no switching at all. However, on this trip have only been able to toggle my phone and laptop once. My show and ship photos that I wanted to share will have to be downloaded tomorrow on the way home as after day 1, could not activate my phone. 

 

Hope that is helpful - this is not a "starlink" ship apparently, and I think that should help even out any lag at all in the future. 

 

Warmest, Amy

[Elsammo46]

3 minutes ago, amygutman said:

I'll put in my 2 cents here - internet is somewhat spotty (have the premium plus as well), but other than some lag kiddo noticed on his youtube videos, no real issue in connectivity. I've been listening to streaming music constantly on my laptop without any problems. 

 

However, it has been a pain in the tush switching between devices. Love that on NCL you can have 1 package but switch between one device to another (in my case, my laptop to my phone) - on MSC you only can have one device total, no switching at all. However, on this trip have only been able to toggle my phone and laptop once. My show and ship photos that I wanted to share will have to be downloaded tomorrow on the way home as after day 1, could not activate my phone. 

 

Hope that is helpful - this is not a "starlink" ship apparently, and I think that should help even out any lag at all in the future. 

 

Warmest, Amy

I really appreciate the input! 

[justhappy]

After a lovely meal at Le Bistro we headed to the buffet so we could get crepes. I love these fresh made beauties.

our server might have been a tad miffed that we didn’t want any desserts from Le Bistro though.

We then headed to the Atrium to see the Movies Scenes trivia show. It is hysterical funny due to the entertainment staff!

  We then headed to the theater to see the two comedians onboard in one last show. Mike Head is especially funny!

 We had to hoof it back to room to get our suitcases out in the hall . Mission accomplished at 10:50pm.

  Then to bed and quickly feel asleep to to the rocking of the ship.

  We woke up just as we were approaching Port Canaveral and saw the harbor pilot boat after they dropped off the pilot.

 It’s going to be a beautiful day for the next set of cruisers!

It’s been a wonderful cruise, I’ll post my final thoughts later today. Thanks again for following along I hope it brought some enjoyment and information.

[amygutman]

So sad to get off the ship - but 21 minutes from line up to outside the terminal even with being pulled aside because NCL OWED me 210$ 🥰. 
 

I’ll post a few thoughts to piggyback @justhappy but those interested here are the Day 1 dailies if you are getting on the ship! 
 

Warmest, Amy

[cruiseny4life]

On 4/30/2023 at 7:29 AM, justhappy said:

 I’m at that point on the cruise where eating has become a challenge. I don’t eat 3 large meals a day at home and I’ve reached a level of over fullness.

Try telling a Haven waiter that you don’t want dessert or an appetizer.

“But we don’t have nothing!” “Just try a bite”

And I don’t want to disappoint anyone 😛

It took me two cruises in the Haven to learn how to eat so I wouldn't be bored of food on day three or four. And, I'm a big ole fatty who likes his food! 

 

I don't eat the potatoes at every meal, I skip breakfast at least twice (not by choice, but I just so don't want to go to the restaurant and my husband does), we enjoy Shanghai (on Getaway), and I focus on the protein. Mmmm, that lamb ribeye and pork chop in the Haven are better than any filet on the ship! 

 

I did actually only gain two pounds on the last cruise! 

 

Thanks so much to you and @amygutman for keeping us updated on your cruise. Sorry you didn't get to Great Stirrup Cay - it's our favorite stop! We just love swimming in the ocean there. 

 

The Straw Market - I truly don't know why anyone goes there. It's out of control. Glad to see the port construction is coming along and looks nearly done! It was almost there in January when we last stopped in Nassau. We've only been there twice - once to Blue Lagoon, once wandered around the city, then collected my husband, and we went to Junkanoo. Really great beach, but I've warned my husband I'm insisting on going to Atlantis next time. I just want to float in that lazy river! 

[laumicmah]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative. Few questions...

1. Are bar drinks included with Haven or do you still need the drink package (which is currently included with current sale, I think)? 

 

2. Are the specialty restaurants included as well?

 

3. How was your butler the rest of trip, once you met them? Were they around some, not at all, too much? 

 

4. Do they really walk you into shows and have seats for you? So no going in 40 minutes early to get a good seat? How soon before the show must you get walked in? 

 

5. The Haven bar, do they have TVs? My hubs is a big sports watcher. 

 

6. Any ships with better Havens then others. Out of PC I am seeing 2 choices...Jade and Escape and the Escape seems better with an actual Haven restaurant. I need to see what ships are out of Tampa too as that's a do able port for us. EDIT TO ADD...Jade and Jewel out of Tampa. I don't see the Getaway for the dates I selected. Looking at Feb-June of 2024.

 

Safe travels home and thanks again for sharing. Also, we are DVC 17 years now, started with OKW points in 2006. Most of our points are BWV now. We love the Epcot festivals. 

Edited May 1, 2023 by laumicmah

[amygutman]

I know someone was asking about the restaurant: here is the breakfast buffet for the morning and a little sampling of items from the breakfast buffet. Tons of fresh made pastries and fruits and cheeses and meats and fish. There’s yogurt parfaits lots of little grab and go things. 

[amygutman]

And the last photo above from the breakfast buffet is actually the coffee maker in our 2 bedroom stateroom. This is a different machine in the Haven then it is in the non-Haven rooms I believe from reading the other 

 

Tea options are English breakfast, chamomile, and jasmine but you can ask for whatever specific to you like if it’s not one of the options provided. I am an Earl Grey fan, and they delivered about six or eight to the room.

 

@laumicmah was asking about the butler. Our Butler was Cyril, super nice, but I agree with @justhappy that it was difficult to have him not continually bring snacks treats to the room. He was so helpful with arrangements, late night snacks, and room service, but I always felt in someway we were offending him when we kept turning down the enormous amount of food he kept bringing us. 
 

Neil was our Butler and he made a special towel animal for our son every night. Our room was immaculate, and he, like Cyril, kept trying to do more for us than we needed. We do not need to twice daily cleanings, or the 2nd bed put away, turn down service, etc, but he was ever present just in case we did need some thing. Could not have been nicer and was one of our vacation heroes.

 

Warmest, Amy

[amygutman]

Some photos and thoughts to summarize this trip if anyone is thinking about booking on the Getaway or NCL in general.
 

It was lovely meeting new friends, and @justhappy and her husband and friends could not even nicer. I’ve included a few photos of the Haven lobby, bar, and pool area so folks can see the outdoor dining that was so delightful. You can even see Alex and Lourdes at the Concierge just getting everyone ready for disembarkation.

 

The staff in the restaurant, room attendants, pool crew,… Kind, funny, incredibly hard-working. This is something we’ve seen throughout the NCL brand, and it doesn’t matter what room, what floor, what venue. I know people have different experiences, but ours have 99% been positive.

 

I know they have been entertainment cutbacks which are certainly disappointing, but the entertainment that we saw on the ship was outstanding.  Posted below is a quick little video of the finale of The Million Dollar Quartet. Do not miss this show! I am not a fan of Elvis, Johnny Cash, or any of the singers portrayed in the show, but our whole family were on our feet, dancing and singing and enjoying this rocking good time. These actors are some of the most talented people I’ve ever seen on stage and Everyone in that audience was screaming for more.

 

It was a fantastic vacation, and worth every penny to stay in a quieter area. I honestly don’t know if we would’ve had such a great experience if we had to contend with all of the crowding on the ship. That being said, in speaking with folks that we met on the ship and on the shuttle bus home, they said that yes, they had to wait for some venues, but they had a nice time overall. They said the main dining room said some of the best meals the’ve ever had. That’s pretty glowing praise.

 

We have four NCL cruises coming up in four different parts of the world on four different ships. We are looking forward to all of them even more after this trip and hope we can convince @justhappy to share even a quick little post Alaska review as she will be on the encore with her family for weeks before we go on the encore for the same Alaskan cruise (yes, I’m begging 🥰🙌🏻). 
 

Warmest, Amy

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, laumicmah said:

Thanks for sharing. Very informative. Few questions...

1. Are bar drinks included with Haven or do you still need the drink package (which is currently included with current sale, I think)? 

 

2. Are the specialty restaurants included as well?

 

3. How was your butler the rest of trip, once you met them? Were they around some, not at all, too much? 

 

4. Do they really walk you into shows and have seats for you? So no going in 40 minutes early to get a good seat? How soon before the show must you get walked in? 

 

5. The Haven bar, do they have TVs? My hubs is a big sports watcher. 

 

6. Any ships with better Havens then others. Out of PC I am seeing 2 choices...Jade and Escape and the Escape seems better with an actual Haven restaurant. I need to see what ships are out of Tampa too as that's a do able port for us. EDIT TO ADD...Jade and Jewel out of Tampa. I don't see the Getaway for the dates I selected. Looking at Feb-June of 2024.

 

Safe travels home and thanks again for sharing. Also, we are DVC 17 years now, started with OKW points in 2006. Most of our points are BWV now. We love the Epcot festivals. 

I hope @justhappy doesn't mind me jumping in. I've sailed Getaway's Haven three times recently and have absolutely loved almost every moment onboard! 

 

1. Drinks are not included. You still need a package. In September I did not have a package and my husband had the soda package. Sometimes, staff would allow me a club soda at no charge. Sometimes not. My husband enjoyed the welcome drink. It's a virgin cocktail, so is not included in the soda package. Occasionally, there would be no charge for this drink. But other times there would be a charge. We never really knew. If you want drinks, get the package. 

 

2. Specialty restaurants are not included. The Haven Restaurant is considered a specialty restaurant though, and is included. Generally speaking, the Haven Restaurant has the best food on the ship. You can pick and choose what you want, make special requests, etc. If you want to dine in a specialty restaurant, you will need to use your included Free at Sea credit (if you selected it) or pay a la carte. You may also upgrade/purchase a dining package to include additional specialty meals. Your butler will deliver a specialty meal to your room, if you'd like. You'll need to use the credit or pay. 

 

4. Typically the concierge will escort you to the shows 30 - 45 minutes before show time. On Getaway (with Alex) it was always 45 minutes. On Joy it was different. You may select your own seats. Some shows don't have an escort. There will always be a sign stating which shows have the escort.

 

5. Yes, TV's are in the bar. I can't remember if it's one or two. 

 

6. I love Getaway's Haven, because of the staff. I love Joy's Haven, because of the extra amenities (Horizon Lounge, sun deck with hot tubs). It's all about what you want. I wouldn't sail on Jade, because she's an older ship with no Haven complex or restaurant. You would get breakfast/lunch in Cagney's/Moderno, then eat wherever for dinner. 

[justhappy]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

It took me two cruises in the Haven to learn how to eat so I wouldn't be bored of food on day three or four. And, I'm a big ole fatty who likes his food! 

 

I don't eat the potatoes at every meal, I skip breakfast at least twice (not by choice, but I just so don't want to go to the restaurant and my husband does), we enjoy Shanghai (on Getaway), and I focus on the protein. Mmmm, that lamb ribeye and pork chop in the Haven are better than any filet on the ship! 

 

I did actually only gain two pounds on the last cruise! 

 

Thanks so much to you and @amygutman for keeping us updated on your cruise. Sorry you didn't get to Great Stirrup Cay - it's our favorite stop! We just love swimming in the ocean there. 

 

The Straw Market - I truly don't know why anyone goes there. It's out of control. Glad to see the port construction is coming along and looks nearly done! It was almost there in January when we last stopped in Nassau. We've only been there twice - once to Blue Lagoon, once wandered around the city, then collected my husband, and we went to Junkanoo. Really great beach, but I've warned my husband I'm insisting on going to Atlantis next time. I just want to float in that lazy river! 

I just need to learn to say no 😛 

I did stop eating once I was full and left behind half my entrees a lot of the time.

I had been to Great Stirrup Cay in early February on the Escape so I wasn’t too bummed about. We got $25 pp port fees back in refundable onboard credit for missing it.

Atlantis was great when we went but that was probably 15 years ago.

[justhappy]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

I hope @justhappy doesn't mind me jumping in. I've sailed Getaway's Haven three times recently and have absolutely loved almost every moment onboard! 

 

1. Drinks are not included. You still need a package. In September I did not have a package and my husband had the soda package. Sometimes, staff would allow me a club soda at no charge. Sometimes not. My husband enjoyed the welcome drink. It's a virgin cocktail, so is not included in the soda package. Occasionally, there would be no charge for this drink. But other times there would be a charge. We never really knew. If you want drinks, get the package. 

 

2. Specialty restaurants are not included. The Haven Restaurant is considered a specialty restaurant though, and is included. Generally speaking, the Haven Restaurant has the best food on the ship. You can pick and choose what you want, make special requests, etc. If you want to dine in a specialty restaurant, you will need to use your included Free at Sea credit (if you selected it) or pay a la carte. You may also upgrade/purchase a dining package to include additional specialty meals. Your butler will deliver a specialty meal to your room, if you'd like. You'll need to use the credit or pay. 

 

4. Typically the concierge will escort you to the shows 30 - 45 minutes before show time. On Getaway (with Alex) it was always 45 minutes. On Joy it was different. You may select your own seats. Some shows don't have an escort. There will always be a sign stating which shows have the escort.

 

5. Yes, TV's are in the bar. I can't remember if it's one or two. 

 

6. I love Getaway's Haven, because of the staff. I love Joy's Haven, because of the extra amenities (Horizon Lounge, sun deck with hot tubs). It's all about what you want. I wouldn't sail on Jade, because she's an older ship with no Haven complex or restaurant. You would get breakfast/lunch in Cagney's/Moderno, then eat wherever for dinner. 

I’m so glad you’re adding this information since I’ve been incommunicado for the last few hours, thank you and Amy too!

[justhappy]

2 hours ago, amygutman said:

Some photos and thoughts to summarize this trip if anyone is thinking about booking on the Getaway or NCL in general.
 

It was lovely meeting new friends, and @justhappy and her husband and friends could not even nicer. I’ve included a few photos of the Haven lobby, bar, and pool area so folks can see the outdoor dining that was so delightful. You can even see Alex and Lourdes at the Concierge just getting everyone ready for disembarkation.

 

The staff in the restaurant, room attendants, pool crew,… Kind, funny, incredibly hard-working. This is something we’ve seen throughout the NCL brand, and it doesn’t matter what room, what floor, what venue. I know people have different experiences, but ours have 99% been positive.

 

I know they have been entertainment cutbacks which are certainly disappointing, but the entertainment that we saw on the ship was outstanding.  Posted below is a quick little video of the finale of The Million Dollar Quartet. Do not miss this show! I am not a fan of Elvis, Johnny Cash, or any of the singers portrayed in the show, but our whole family were on our feet, dancing and singing and enjoying this rocking good time. These actors are some of the most talented people I’ve ever seen on stage and Everyone in that audience was screaming for more.

 

It was a fantastic vacation, and worth every penny to stay in a quieter area. I honestly don’t know if we would’ve had such a great experience if we had to contend with all of the crowding on the ship. That being said, in speaking with folks that we met on the ship and on the shuttle bus home, they said that yes, they had to wait for some venues, but they had a nice time overall. They said the main dining room said some of the best meals the’ve ever had. That’s pretty glowing praise.

 

We have four NCL cruises coming up in four different parts of the world on four different ships. We are looking forward to all of them even more after this trip and hope we can convince @justhappy to share even a quick little post Alaska review as she will be on the encore with her family for weeks before we go on the encore for the same Alaskan cruise (yes, I’m begging 🥰🙌🏻). 
 

Warmest, Amy

 

 

 

Thank you Amy for filling in great information on this trip report, I feel that at times I was too boring. Your input and photos have been helpful.

  And I will probably do a trip report for the Encore to Alaska too, although it won’t be from the Haven.

[amygutman]

49 minutes ago, justhappy said:

Thank you Amy for filling in great information on this trip report, I feel that at times I was too boring. Your input and photos have been helpful.

  And I will probably do a trip report for the Encore to Alaska too, although it won’t be from the Haven.

Encore + Alaska + @justhappy sounds about perfect to me!

[Sand and Seas]

We are usually not in the Haven, but will be sailing in Getaway's Haven in a few weeks. 

Thanks so much for all of the great info & photos!  (Our previous Getaway Haven was about 5 years ago.  Was in Bliss Haven last fall.)    We are really looking forward to the Haven restaurant & private sundeck again😎

 

Do you recall what time disembarkation started? 

Our airline moved us to an earlier flight so we have booked an 8:15 shuttle with a private company.  I assume we will need to keep our luggage with us and then someone in Haven will escort us off early?  

[amygutman]

3 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

We are usually not in the Haven, but will be sailing in Getaway's Haven in a few weeks. 

Thanks so much for all of the great info & photos!  (Our previous Getaway Haven was about 5 years ago.  Was in Bliss Haven last fall.)    We are really looking forward to the Haven restaurant & private sundeck again😎

 

Do you recall what time disembarkation started? 

Our airline moved us to an earlier flight so we have booked an 8:15 shuttle with a private company.  I assume we will need to keep our luggage with us and then someone in Haven will escort us off early?  

I am so exited for you - first for the great cruise I am sure you will have and secondly to be in the Haven. However...0815 is a questionable time for a shuttle and I you should consider booking a later time. We were off very quickly today (I timed everything out of curiosity to compare against MSC's very efficient process for YC guests) and everything worked like clockwork:

• 0755 lined up in the Haven lounge with our luggage for self-disembarkation
• 0800 down the elevators where suite and Haven guests have priority disembarkation and are first to "key out" for security and to obtain passenger counts
• 0807 turned back at security desk as NCL owed us 200$ (paid in cash with paper receipt - delightfully old fashioned)
• 0816 back to re-scan our ship cards, then walked down the gangway to the very long terminal hallway to the customs area (which has elevators if you are in need)
• 0822 passed into the luggage holding area which we bypassed as we had our "carry-ons". If you have a US passport and your luggage you get sent to to the border patrol computer terminals, for a quick computer visual scan and off you go - anything else other than a passport you will have a different line to stand in and to pick up your luggage and I am not sure how long that takes
• 0827 out of the terminal
• 0829 boarded our hotel "stay and cruise" shuttle
• 0845 off the shuttle to our car, quick coffee stop
• 0941 back at home in Winter Park

 

It takes about 45 - 60 minutes to get Orlando International Airport, but once at the airport exit, it can take 30-40 minutes to actually get to your terminal gate. Orlando traffic is notoriously terrible. I would suggest a later shuttle than 0815 - if the ship is late...your luggage gets searched, you have a payment issue, disembarkation is delayed - you will not make a 0815 shuttle. 

 

Hope my neurotic clock-checking is helpful, Warmest, Amy