I like Carnival, my wife likes Royal Caribbean, but we both LOVE Norwegian. The food, the service, the cabin, the entertainment, and Costa Maya was simply beautiful. I have only 2 complaints about Norwegian. One is strictly Norwegian and the other is Cruise Industry specific. The Ilusionarium (Magic Show) should have been complimentary. If the cruise industry continues to nickel and dime costumers, cruising may lose it's value(although I still prefer cruising over destination vacations). The second, choose a balcony cabin on the port side or well away from the Waterfront Bar so as to avoid inhaling second hand smoke 12 cabins above the designated smoking area. There were about 12 to 15 cabins on deck 9, 10, and 11 that the wind would blows the second hand smoke our way. However, I think this is a cruise industry issue regarding smoking. Personally, I have been on 15+ cruises and the smoking side has very little passengers while the non-smoking side has to search for space which tells me there are far more non-smokers than smokers. The Cruise Industry needs to react as such. Anyway, this review is about the Norwegian Getaway, I will cruise the Getaway and Norwegian again. Does that tell you anything? The waterfront (deck 8) is the perfect covered area all around the ship that allows ocean breezes and ocean views on sea days. This is the perfect place to read, sleep or do absolutely nothing if you don't want to take in the sun. The open deck is perfect for sun bathers but there is a major problem with towel/chair saving of chairs. The saving of chairs happens on other cruise lines as well but this ship seemed to have a greater problem with this. I love to cruise, I loved this ship, and I love Norwegian Freestyle.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
OMG, the food is so wonderful. We only took part in the free dining options. 1. We went to the Tropicana very nice for couples as well as families as they have a live band/music/singing and a dance floor and the ambiance is classy and elegant yet with Norwegian's Freestyle you don't have to dress up but you can if you want (the best). 2. We went to the Taste, the views of the ocean while dinning is so enjoyable. 3. The Garden Café, is the ships buffet and there is was always something different as well as everyday options. 4. Osheann's Bar and Pub is nice as we ate dinner and breakfast there. It is a Bar, Pub, and restaurant. 5. The Flamingo Café is great for quick pick up items; they have quick eclectic items. I loved it but my family always wanted to go to the Garden Café for more variety. 6. Although we did not go to the Savor, it is another free dinning option that I here was just as good as the Taste Restaurant.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
The activities were too numerous that we were not able to partake of them all within the 7 days. The ropes course (so fun), the rock climbing, the Waterpark(need I say more). but the pools are too small for the size of ship. the jogging trail (if that's what you call it) is too busy/congested to be of any benefit, but hey go back home and exercise you are on vacation. The gym is nice, clean, sanitizing wipes, fresh towels, cold, but it can get crowed(early bird gets the worm) Carnival and Royal have larger gyms; however you are on vacation; who cares. The nightly activities in the Atrium fill up quickly but they are so much fun (they need an auditorium for these activities; because it is far too many people that want to see the activities than the space allows.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
I loved the comedy shows as I went to all of them. They had 3 comedians (2 main comedians and a host) I thought the adult and family shows were very good. However, I suggest making reservations as to avoid standing in lines.
The Illusionarium is not complimentary and I hope this changes for Norwegian. However, it is a great show.
Burn the floor is an awesome show.
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
OMG, my children (9 & 6yrs) absolutely loved morning, afternoon, and evening. Although, our children went with us on shore, they do keep the children on shore while in port but they charge $6 per child something that Royal and Carnival does not do. If the parents want to go a shore and not take the kids Royal and Carnival will keep them for you and feed them free of charge; however, Norwegian will charge. With that said, what's $6 when you don't have to listen to the children complain. My children put us on a time schedule to make sure they were able to attend Splash Academy (kids program). It is a win/win for both parents and kids. They have a vacation and so do we.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everyone is so nice, friendly, and professional from beginning to end.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
I like the ship the only thing I did not like was the smoking( but this is a Cruise Industry Debate) I was very comfortable in the non smoking areas all over the ship. Just to point out there are more non-smokers than smokers on the ship. I chose the wrong balcony cabin because we were right above the Watefront Bar which allows smoking; however, only 15 cabins were affected just make sure you have balcony cabins at the back of the ship or mid-ship on decks 9, 10, or 11 on the starboard side and you will not have this second hand smoke in the wind.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin was absolutely fantastic. It was roomy for the 4 of us. the shower had a lot of room for cabin with an actual shower door.
Ship tip
Arrive a the port at least 1.5-2hrs ahead of sailing. We got there just under the wire(3:10pm), but I would not want to be get there at that hour again although there were people that arrived after us as well and they got on also. Get out, explore, and enjoy the ship.
I thought smoking was pretty controlled we were on deck 10 balcony 10818 no problems with smoke i noticed not many ppl on balconies this ship although i was not portside this time
I agree with chair saving a couple saved 2 chairs next to us i never saw one of them the other put her shirt and shoes on the chair at 8 and i was there all day until 330 and never saw them that means they only needed a place to keep shoes and towels so its time to either do a chair check every hour thats what carnival does with stickers if you dont come back they take your stuff off the chair
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