Getaway - So So

Item: Norwegian Getaway
Rating: 3
Author: wendywestrick

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

wendywestrick

Contributor Level: Third Mate

74 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 71

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 07, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Getaway

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 9200

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We've cruised NCL before so we were disappointed with the service we received while cruising the Getaway. While sitting by the pool area or just above the pool area, we were waited on once for a drink and that's only because I waved her down. During the shows (entertainment, comedy or game shows) not once were we asked if we wanted a drink unless I stood up and waved someone over (that occurred twice while in the headliners bar). The restaurant Savor and Taste - very, very unorganized and a lot of chaos. One evening, my family of four were asked to share 2 menus. Really? Servers and waiters just weren't friendly or personable. A lot of the time, they seemed confused or just really really busy. Ship is nice - don't get me wrong. But service on NCL has always been top notch and this time we were really disappointed. One other disappointment is the balcony in our stateroom. So small, only 2 people can fit at a time and our view of the ocean is obstructed by a white tin roof. Not just our room but all balcony rooms - Sad..

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Tropicanna, Taste and Savor share a kitchen so the menu rotates. Got pretty boring after day 4. However, O'Sheehans was awesome! Accommodating, fast and friendly staff.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Need more adult golf clubs. We played three times and never once got an adult golf club.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Entertainment was great! Shows were awesome. Need a bigger space for games shows though. Atrium is too small for the large crowds they bring in.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Balcony in the staterooms are my biggest complaint with the design of this ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin was great, right in the middle, easy access to stairs to go to the pool or dining. Balcony was a big disappointment so needless to say didn't spend much time on it.

Ship tip

Be sure to try O'Sheehans. Not a lot of options on the menu, but they are so accommodating we always received what we wanted. Check out the waterfront on deck 8 - since we couldn't view the ocean from our balcony stateroom we spent some time at the back of the ship on deck 8. It's a great view!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

3 out of 5

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

5 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

11 Comments

ganendal 8 years ago

I wonder if the complaints are baseless or just a sign of the times... Most cruise lines are having financial trouble, and I understand that service levels are decreasing in most cases. I just took my first cruise the Celebrity line, had s wonderful time and no complaints. That is now my frame of reference, and I am planning to take a December cruise on the Getaway. Celebrity had children, but we were blissfully unaware of them during our cruise, even though we encountered them in elevators, restaurants and common areas. They were very well behaved and I appreciated the courtesy of the parents. I am nervous about the Norwegian Line and the standards they maintain. If the crew finds loud and unruly children acceptable, that is what you get. If behavioral standards are high, for both adults and children, then the experience is enjoyable for everyone. If smokers are considerate and respectful of others, the cruise will be fine. If they disregard the rules and the crew allows exceptions, then many of the guests are unhappy. It is all depending on the staff and their willingness to maintain the high standards that I am certain Norwegian endorses. I was spoiled by my exceptional experience on the Silhouette and that is the standard that I will use to gauge future experiences.

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BarcoFin 8 years ago

Exactly and on top of that they are away from there families for 8 plus months but your self in there shoes ..... Seriously I just hate it when people complain about everything

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bermudababe 8 years ago

Those workers are so exhausted. They work 12hr days

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c2jmerritt 8 years ago

I appreciate this information. I will tip extra for the waiter and hope they won't forget me....I agree, it's what you make it.

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lisalu 8 years ago

I'm going in May hope that they get there issues with service fixed by then

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BarcoFin 8 years ago

NCL is great and I totally agree with dcgray it's what you make of your vacation that counts, don't complicate your lives over small things. Enjoy life and be thankful that you can cruise, not everyone has that privilege.

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801jerry 8 years ago

I wouldn't quit over 1 Cruise. I cruised the other lines and had problems with them in dining rooms or service. I learn from them.

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dcgray 8 years ago

Lisay, I firmly believe that a cruise is what u make it...we still had an amazing vacation...didn't let the cons ruin it for us. If you go with the knowledge that their service isn't great, you won't be as disappointed with the service as maybe you would've been if you were expecting impeccable service! You'll have a great time if you make it great! And who lnows, maybe they've addressed those issues and the service will surpass your expectations! 😆

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lisay50094058 8 years ago

ugh that's awful sailing the 27th

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dcgray 8 years ago

Sadly, I completely agree. We found a couple of servers around the pool that took good care of us...but the service at the restaurants,even the for a fee ones, was awful. A couple of times i stood at a bar trying to order a drink forever before just walking away....once the bartender was too busy washing dishes! The ship is amazing, but that didn't do enough to offset the bad service. We won't cruise NCL again...it is a shame

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reinadsur 8 years ago

A question who is in charge of the entertainment this time? Thanks! !!

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