Well Managed Ship

Item: Norwegian Getaway
Rating: 3.4
Author: jordee60

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

jordee60

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 35

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 20, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Getaway

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Everything about cruising is designed to get you to part with your money on and off the ship. Bring plenty. Almost all services include a 20% gratuity. I enjoyed myself without being sucked in to the constant money grab. People asked for tips--starting from the ride to the port and return where even the airline check in guy asked for a tip! Arrange your own less expensive beach excursions.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Long slow line with only 6 staff issuing keys. Took 2 hours to get through. Then, upstairs waited another hour they were letting group 7 on and I had to wait until group 20.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Impressed with Garden Cafe Buffet, which was kept clean and food was very good. Restaurant management visible and patrolling the aisles to monitor the food presentation and table clean up. All staff in food and dining areas were very friendly.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Pool area crowded and smoking area on deck 15 near the children. Casino smoky and forced to walk through it to get to Tropicana dining room.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

All staff were welcoming and spoke to me if eye contact made.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Casino area smoke permeates to other areas.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

They will enjoy it.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Harvest Caye, Belize

3 out of 5

Crowded pool area; get off early to get a lounger with umbrella. Wear shoes to walk on thick sand it is very hot. Its a really long walk from pool to entrance to the venue.

Thumbs Up 1

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

1 out of 5

Forced to walk through a large shopping area to exit port. no shortcuts. I refused to buy anything. It was raining on return and this was so not appreciated.

Thumbs Up 1

Cozumel, Mexico

1 out of 5

Another forced shopping walk through. The escalator near embarkation area was switched to opposite direction both entering the area and then returning to the area later to force you to walk through shopping.. I refused to buy anything. It was raining and so mean of them.

Thumbs Up 1

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

4 Comments

PinkyStevens 6 years ago

I have prepaid my gratuities and intend to take small bills when I go for additional tipping. It’s the nature of the beast. My friends and I intend to take a little gift for our Steward also.

Thumbs Up 0

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pinkie6n3 6 years ago

Most of the people on a ship work very hard for their tips and the tips are the majority of their income and if on some days a few employees seem a bit tired can you blame them most of them go 6 to 9 months without a day off I love cruising and yes I have also had service not so good from a person here and there but over all on every cruise I’ve ever been on has been marvelous and I always try to tip extra for those that go above and beyond

Thumbs Up 1

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jordee60 6 years ago

I prepaid unlimited drink package and overall cruise gratuities; plus gave additional dollars to some wait staff, bartenders, and my cabin attendant.

Thumbs Up 1

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beachymom 6 years ago

If you were at a bar or hotel restaurant, you would tip, this is a floating hotel. 😀🛳

Thumbs Up 0

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Other reviews of this sailing

Solid intro to Norwegian

Beautiful ship. Great crew and staff.

First time NCL