A Live Trip Report~ Cruising the Getaway out of New Orleans 10/20/2024

[justhappy]

   Since there are several CC members sailing soon out of New Orleans on the Getaway, I thought I’d report on the ship, food, shows etc to give folks a glimpse of what’s to come.

This is the first cruise out of New Orleans this year for the Getaway, she ends her transatlantic on Oct 18 in Miami.

  If no storms or CG inspections slow her down, we are hoping for possibly earlier than normal boarding and/or cabin access since there will be no passengers to disembark. I hope the crew gets some fun activities or off time on the way to New Orleans.

This cruise will be in a balcony cabin midship on deck 10, with our great friends and cruising buddies traveling in the cabin next to us.

We were able to buy Vibe passes after NCL finally opened up booking again about a month ago. We all like to read and drink in the sun but don’t like the crowds and poolside shenanigans, so Vibe is perfect for us.

 Our friends are Platinum now so we are looking forward to the behind the scenes tour. We’ll head to the Cruisenext desk first thing on the ship to book it.

I’m very familiar with the Getaway, having sailed on her 6 times since October 2015, but most recently in April 2023.

I’ve sailed in everything from a studio cabin to Haven aft and Haven Courtyard.

Looking forward to seeing the improvements post dry dock, and happy to take photos or answer questions for y’all.

[justhappy]

  We will be driving to New Orleans on Saturday, after our friends arrive on Friday from South Carolina. We are staying at the Marriott Warehouse on Convention Center Drive. Easy walking distance to Jackson Square and the French Quarter, as well as easy walking to the port.

   It’s a 2 and 1/2 hour drive, so if we get an early start we can get lunch as well as dinner there. The Krewe of Boo is having their Halloween Parade at 6:30pm, so we will be in our Halloween shirts and beads, ready to party!

      We make small gift bags to give out to crew, these will be Halloween themed, and I’ve bagged up 300 Halloween throws to hand out. 
After all, have you really been to New Orleans if you don’t get a throw 😉

 

[Sand and Seas]

Looking forward to your review!   We will be interested in seeing what you think of Getaway's latest drydock updates.

 

Cruising out of NOLA is always fun.  Love that you're starting your trip with a Krewe of Boo parade⚜️

Edited October 14 by Sand and Seas

[Seas2mountains]

Looking forward to following along! The Vibe passes will be wonderful!

 

I do have a question which I hope you don't mind me asking. It looks like you have spent some time and money to put the gift bags together to be kind to the hard working crew members which is so thoughtful of you.

 

However, if I were a crew member and you were to hand one to me, I would be trying to figure out what to do with it. Can I wear it with my uniform, no, I don't think so. Will I wear it to the crew bar, maybe? Would I wear them off the ship or save them to take home or use as a decoration in the cabin?  Hmmm, I'm not sure.

 

As you are on the cruise and hand these out, I'm looking forward to read about what they will do with their beads. I have been to NOLA several times and know all about the beads but am curious about the reactions you will receive. Will you add any $1 bills or treats, too?

 

Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy the time in NOLA!

[justhappy]

7 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Looking forward to following along! The Vibe passes will be wonderful!

 

I do have a question which I hope you don't mind me asking. It looks like you have spent some time and money to put the gift bags together to be kind to the hard working crew members which is so thoughtful of you.

 

However, if I were a crew member and you were to hand one to me, I would be trying to figure out what to do with it. Can I wear it with my uniform, no, I don't think so. Will I wear it to the crew bar, maybe? Would I wear them off the ship or save them to take home or use as a decoration in the cabin?  Hmmm, I'm not sure.

 

As you are on the cruise and hand these out, I'm looking forward to read about what they will do with their beads. I have been to NOLA several times and know all about the beads but am curious about the reactions you will receive. Will you add any $1 bills or treats, too?

 

Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy the time in NOLA!

Great question! We have about 36 actual gift bags with Halloween treats we will add the beads to, the rest we will hand to other crew and explain that they are Mardi Gras beads for wearing.

Ill let you know what I see them doing with them.

[graphicguy]

Give the crew some credit.  They've been sailing in and out of New Orleans every week. They'll know the tradition of having the beads.  Whether they can use them or not (given their uniform requirements) is a different story!

[Zignewt]

We are sailing the Getaway in November and have never sailed out of New Orleans before.  So I am very interested in your experiences.  You are making me get excited about our sailing!

[cruiseny4life]

Methinks you're referencing me as one of those Criticer's sailing Getaway later. First, I really wish you had delayed sailing until February! It would have been great to have you join us onboard!!!! But, since you're striking out on the first NOLA cruise, being the intrepid traveler you are, I expect a full report. On everything! 

 

Really though, enjoy your cruise. I'll try to limit annoying questions!!! And, so, so, so looking forward to hearing about the cruise!!!! Have a stunning time!

[JoeTec]

We are on the cruise right after you also in a mid ship balcony on 10. 

Can't wait to follow along 

[wolft927]

Also Following, we are in the Getaway on February 2nd, been on the breakway several times out of new orleans, 1st on the Getaway. Only thing we will miss being on the Getaway is the Retractable roof in the Haven Pool area. Looking forward to your review. 

[stellarose33]

would love a getaway review with pics. 

[Mrfiu]

Awesome! I will be on this cruise. 

[sheila77]

Have a great cruise!  I am sailing early Dec, so I would like to know when the Million Dollar Quartet is scheduled or any other shows. Looking forward to your review!

 

[Sand and Seas]

8 minutes ago, sheila77 said:

Have a great cruise!  I am sailing early Dec, so I would like to know when the Million Dollar Quartet is scheduled or any other shows. Looking forward to your review!

 

Yes 😊

Million Dollar Quartet is our favorite NCL production with very talented actor/muscicians

[justhappy]

7 hours ago, Zignewt said:

We are sailing the Getaway in November and have never sailed out of New Orleans before.  So I am very interested in your experiences.  You are making me get excited about our sailing!

I hope I can give you some useful insight!

[justhappy]

8 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Give the crew some credit.  They've been sailing in and out of New Orleans every week. They'll know the tradition of having the beads.  Whether they can use them or not (given their uniform requirements) is a different story!

There may be some crew who are new to New Orleans since it’s been a while for the Getaway to call there. The Breakaway was here this past winter and spring.

 

[justhappy]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Methinks you're referencing me as one of those Criticer's sailing Getaway later. First, I really wish you had delayed sailing until February! It would have been great to have you join us onboard!!!! But, since you're striking out on the first NOLA cruise, being the intrepid traveler you are, I expect a full report. On everything! 

 

Really though, enjoy your cruise. I'll try to limit annoying questions!!! And, so, so, so looking forward to hearing about the cruise!!!! Have a stunning time!

Indeed I was thinking of you. I know you’ve been on the Getaway before, so I’ll be sure to post New Orleans stuff too. Sorry I can’t join you in February, would have loved sailing with y’all.

 Bring on any annoying questions, I’m used to them 😜

[justhappy]

6 hours ago, wolft927 said:

Also Following, we are in the Getaway on February 2nd, been on the breakway several times out of new orleans, 1st on the Getaway. Only thing we will miss being on the Getaway is the Retractable roof in the Haven Pool area. Looking forward to your review. 

Yes, really wish the Haven was more like the Escape, I miss the retractable roof over the courtyard and the outdoor Haven dining that has a water view.

[justhappy]

5 hours ago, stellarose33 said:

would love a getaway review with pics. 

Lots of photos coming!

[justhappy]

6 hours ago, JoeTec said:

We are on the cruise right after you also in a mid ship balcony on 10. 

Can't wait to follow along 

We’ll keep the place nice for you, and leave promptly so y’all can get on!

[justhappy]

1 hour ago, sheila77 said:

Have a great cruise!  I am sailing early Dec, so I would like to know when the Million Dollar Quartet is scheduled or any other shows. Looking forward to your review!

 

I know MDQ is scheduled twice, first day is Monday, day 2, I’ve got the late show booked. Also Friday, day 6. Showtimes are 7pm and 9:45 pm.

And when I’m on the ship I can the other showtimes as well.

[stellarose33]

2 hours ago, justhappy said:

Lots of photos coming!

yipeeeeeee

[cruiseny4life]

Oh my...I came back her to admonish you for not posting anything from your cruise..thankfully I looked at your title to see that you're not actually cruising until 10/20. I might be a little (too) excited for this!

[stellarose33]

excited for review and photos.  safe sailing. 

[ZBlonda]

I will be on same cruise.  My first on NCL and my husbands first ever cruise. He has been reluctant to try one as he doesn't like crowds. We will see how it goes!  We have aft balcony on 11. Got seats for the first MDQ show on Monday.  Looking forward to it!  We fly in from San Diego to New Orleans on Saturday. 

 

Looks like it will be fairly rainy at most of the ports--especially Costa Maya.  

Edited October 16 by ZBlonda