Norwegian Getaway Review
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We along with my parents booked this cruise at the last minute. We were originally slated to sail April 12th on the NCL Star through the Panama Canal but the trip was cancelled on April 6th due to mechanical issues. We were heartbroken since it was on our bucket list but we decided to make the best of it.
This was the first large NCL ship we have sailed and we have to say that we loved it. As most people who have only taken the smaller and older NCL ships we were very concerned about the number of guests on board and the quality of service. However, the fear was unfounded. Now….it could be because the ship only had 4000 passengers and the majority of them were adults but I also think it is because the ship is so large and there is so much to do that guests are scattered everywhere.
One of the biggest changes for us was the booking of shows and restaurants before we left on the cruise. On the smaller NCL ships that is something that you do not need to do since there is open availability. We ended up making most of our specialty dinner reservations for 5:30 pm and they usually ran anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2 hours in length. Make sure to plan accordingly if you are trying to make your show reservation.
Cabin Review
Family Balcony Stateroom
Our cabin (12712) was a family balcony. This floor is close to the Splash Academy so is more suited to guests with children but since there were very few cabins left when we booked, we took what was open. My parents ended up with a family mini suite (deck 13) since they had a guaranteed balcony. The only difference between the two cabins is that the mini suite has a double sink and a large shower. Other than that, there is absolutely no difference.
In terms of the room, I found the Getaway balcony cabin much roomier than any other NCL balcony staterooms we have had. I think it is because the bed is recessed into the wall so it gives you more walking space. In addition, it is important that you get a cabin with the bed near the balcony so that it is not close to the closet. You can tell where the bed is going to be by looking at the Getaway deck plans. If this helps any I told my husband that I would feel completely comfortable in that room for an extended cruise.
The closet comes with 15 hangers and you can ask for more if you need them. In addition, the balconies do come with robes so if you do not have them in your closet just ask your steward. The best place to store your suitcases is under the bed.
The balcony is small but large enough for two people to sit down and read a book. However, the balconies are bit different from other NCL ships. For instance, there is a small white divider between your balcony and the next balcony, which gives you some privacy, but if you wanted to chat with the neighbors, you could do that too. Also, we looked straight down into the large balconies below so those guests have absolutely no privacy. Keep that in mind if you are looking to book a forward large balcony on deck 8.
I always hate how small the showers are but this one seemed roomier and it may be because of its shape. It does have a small foot rest for women to shave their legs and storage for your soap. The only challenge with the shower was how to work the handles for the water. The left handle turns the water on while the right handle does both hot and cold. The water gets very hot so make sure to test it before you get in.
The last comment on the room is the location. We were forward so it was a bit of a walk to the elevators/stairs. If you are one that would prefer not to walk as far then make sure to book a room closer to the access points. I also had reservations about the limited number of elevators but here again, I was wrong. We never waited for an elevator and many times, we would be the only ones on it.