We enjoyed our Getaway on the NCL Getaway. Pluses and Minus about the ship so we just made the best of it. I would not intentionally book this ship again, but I also would not avoid it in the future if the islands were good stops.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Check in was fast. There is a waiting room where you get a card and they call groups to board, that took a little while, but not bad.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Overall good. Ate in 4 specialty restaurants. Liked them expect the Hibachi Grill's food was a big disappointment as they did not have the Shrimp Yum Yum Sauce I love and had some sort of mustard sauce instead, yuk. Also the salad was seaweed which made us sick. Human's can not digest seaweed. But, all other food was great in the ship.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
There are only 2 pools, one for kids and the other for adults. The main pool area is way too small, smallest of any ship we have taken. Crowds were always bad, hot tubs were always packed, only 2 of the 6 on the ship were covered and water was luke warm at best. Fitness Center was okay but no steam room or sauna unless you paid more for the co-ed spa (we like it better when these are not an extra charge and in the locker rooms), mini golf good but busy, rock climbing wall and ropes course and slides were busy. The upper sun deck was boring, no shade, just the hot sun. It was designed to be a freestyle deck when built but NCL does not do that anymore.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Great shows, both in the main theater and the comedy club.
Children's Programs
Did not have children along
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Service and staff were great. A couple of minor issues, but overall, outstanding.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Overall we liked the ship except the pool area was too small. Also, the balconies were small and below them was a roof for the waterfront and life boats stuck out over the side of the ship resulting in the few looking down from the balcony as the worst we have been on but looking straight out was fine. Loved the waterfront with bars and restaurants, never too busy there. Ship was clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin was modern, overall a good size except balcony was small as noted above.
Ship tip
As noted, the main pool area is over crowed. Looked into the paying for the Beach Club which appeared never to be crowed.
This is my biggest disappointment in NCL. It looks nice, but it is nothing more then a money trap. The beverage package does not apply on this private island nor do they offer any food unless you pay extra for it. Water at the beach is not clear and there is not enough shade. Pool is nice, however. All other cruise line's private island's we have been on, the drink package worked on the island and they included a picnic buffet style lunch.
I am a NCL fan, 7 times on this ship alone. Don't forget your experience will be different from the reviewer so read this and move on. I must agree with the reviewer, the pool deck is tight for sea days and good luck finding a seat by the pool due to the chair hogs that place a towel and a book and disappear then come back a 6 PM to recover them. 2. Harvest Kay is beautiful but bring cash, it's like going to Disney World nothing is included, but it is one of the top 10 in beauty as far as private Islands is concerned.
Learn to navigate the cruise, find the things that interest you most and forget the dislikes. Remember you paid for one week so get it right, anything negative make sure you put it in writing to the Hotel Manager forthwith so he can deal with it on your behalf and fix it so you can get on with your vacation.
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