Transatlantic Review

Item: Norwegian Getaway
Rating: 3
Author: clairelmajor

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Review to Transatlantic

clairelmajor

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 51

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

16 Night Transatlantic Eastbound (Miami To Copenhagen)

Sail date: April 30, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Getaway

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12170

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The purpose was to be with family which we enjoyed. Unfortunately, many things interfered with certain aspects of the trip - some were unavoidable and some could have been handled better. The real complaint we had was the noise level in the dining rooms and the atrium area which affected a number of venues. I believe the design of the ship is flawed with low ceilings in the dining areas and little or no acousticcal absorption material which caused all of the noise to be magnified. The activities in the Atrium were so noisy that it was almost impossible to hear at customer service and in O'Sheehans. The Splash Academy was outstanding, the food above average, and the Million Dollar Quartet program is the best presentation on a ship's stage we have every heard. Missing Punta Delgado was not the ship's fault but the way people were let off the ship at Brest was horrible - one narrow plank and people wanting the get off had to wait for those who were returning. On our return from Brest, they had a double walkway which would have made a tremendous difference in walking off. Southampton was ridiculous with only four immigration agents to process over 3000 guests causing many guests to either miss their planned activities completely or miss pieces. We did appreciate receiving some shipboard credit back on these two ports but that refund would not have been necessary if there had been better planning. We understood the reason we had to go slower and thus missed Bruges/Brussels but it was just one more disappointment. Overall the staff tried very hard to make this a successful trip but it was the worst transatlantic crossing we had had (out of five).

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The food was above average but the noise in all the complementary dining areas did not make for a pleasant experience. The specialty restaurants were enjoyable except for more noise that should have been necessary. Also we would have liked the opportunity to have a set dining time as there were nine of us including children. This caused dinner to be much later at times than we wanted because of standing in line. If you had part of each dining room designated for set dinner times and part as come and go as other ships do, it would have made it easier.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

The ones we participated in were fine

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The Million Dollar Quartet was the most outstanding performance on a ship we have ever seen but the way the theater is set up was not user friendly, An entrance off of the 5th floor it would have been much easier to navigate. We have never had to get tickets to show before and did not find that a pleasant experience.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

The Splash Academy was the best program for our grandchildren that we have ever seen.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Overall it appears to be an excellent staff and the guest services department was excellent considering all of the complaints that they received.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

The cleanliness was fine but the design will prevent us from ever going on the Getaawy or its sister ships again.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

The room was a little narrow and the balcony was the smallest we have ever had.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Ponta Delgada, Azores

1 out of 5

Weren't allowed off of the ship.

Thumbs Up 0

Brest, France

1 out of 5

Were not allowed off of the ship efficiently and so could see very little there.

Thumbs Up 0

Southampton (London), England

3 out of 5

Our excursion to Stonehenge would have been much better if we had been able to leave the ship when we were supposed to instead of 2-3 hours late.

Thumbs Up 0

Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium

1 out of 5

Couldn't go.

Thumbs Up 0

Rotterdam, Netherlands Did not visit port

The excursion to Amsterdam, Windmills, and Clogs was enjoyable except that we needed more time to visit the village. There were too many activities to see even a portion in less than two hours. We would have preferred less driving around and more time there.

Thumbs Up 0

Copenhagen, Denmark

3 out of 5

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