Disappointing service, lackluster experience, chaotic embarkation

Item: Norwegian Getaway
Rating: 2.3
Author: amcdcct

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Review to Bermuda

amcdcct

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

2.3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Bermuda (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 17, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Getaway

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 11232

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

The ship was understaffed and the quality of experience was underwhelming. Chaotic and sllllloooooowwwww embarkation, long lines for everything, limited services and amenities, lackluster food. Ship should have departed NYC at 4pm, we did not leave until after midnight due to abysmal embarkation experience with 4-5 hour waits. Completely missed our first port of call because of late departure. Most staff seemed new / clueless. Overall morale on boat was pretty low staffwise- everyone seemed stressed and unhappy. Long waits in dining rooms (75 minutes for scrambled eggs). Buffet was always full, chaotic, and lacking in variety. Specialty dining was decent but staff very forgetful / slow to respond to requests (could I have some more water please?). Disappointed in the entire onboard experience - just poor management, poor quality. This was a spring break cruise and the kids club was closed and we weren't notified of that until a couple of weeks before departure. As a consolation prize, each kid was given a $100 credit at the arcade. BUT, only certain arcade games qualified and those had long, long lines and were often inappropriate for younger children. Norwegian should be embarrassed about the experience they gave guests and should consider a refund or credit to all of those onboard.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

We had all of our paperwork, all of our tests, all of our documents and it still took almost 5 hours from the time we got in line to when we walked onto the ship. The disastrous process delayed our trip by 8 hours, resulting in a skipped port of call.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Limited variety, long waits, often cold

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Climbing wall opened one time, mini golf evaporated, pools were overcrowded and a spring break cruise had no kids club, which was cancelled a few weeks before we departed.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

The comedians were terrible, the shows were PG-13. Very limited options for kids on a family cruise.

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Would have been fabulous if they had been staffed and open.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Most meant well but clear that it was understaffed and most of the crew was brand new.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

We checked into our room and it had a fridge full of food from the prior occupants and a used water bottle perched atop a lamp. We called and complained, left the room to grab dinner, and when we returned the food in the fridge was gone but the used water bottle from the prior guests was still perched on top of the lamp. We called again. Housekeeping apologized and offered us a free laundry service but it was more about the feeling that the rooms weren't cleaned as thoroughly as they could be, a negative during COVID-19 times.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Bunk beds for the third and fourth passenger. Was advertised as having a tub but did NOT have a tub. Tight for a family suite.

Ports of call

Norfolk, Virginia Did not visit port

The embarkation process took so long and we were so delayed that we had to skip it altogether.

Thumbs Up 0

Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda

4 out of 5

Bermuda is beautiful and don't waste money on the ship's expensive excursions. Use a mini-bus, a taxi or a public bus and find a beach. The NCL-provided ferry to St. George's was excellent - the one benefit of this ship.

Thumbs Up 0