Norwegian Getaway Review

4.5 / 5.0
3,271 reviews

Great trip, relaxing, great food, lots of fun

Review for the Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Getaway
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mck0009
2-5 Cruises • Age 50s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Apr 2017
Cabin: Spa Balcony Stateroom

We had a spa cabin which included access to the thermal spa. We chose it for this reason because we were doing a mother-daughter-grandmother trip and our goal was relaxation. The spa was amazing. Even when the pool deck was packed with people, we had our own oasis.

The thermal spa has 2 saunas, a steam room and a salt room. All are very, very warm and relaxing. There was also a therapy pool - think gigantic whirlpool. There are also heated loungers which were heavenly to lay back and read a book on. Only twice was it busy so that we could not get a heated lounger so we used the padded loungers which were also nice. Two complaints - first day when getting shown around the spa, it was all about 'sell, sell, sell'. I feel bad for the ladies who work there having to do that. The second was on our last day in the suite, a group of 4 came in and they were SO LOUD. It says quiet up on the wall but these folks talked a lot and loudly. Totally ruined our experience.

We ate in several specialty restaurants and enjoyed them all. La Cucina was my favourite. Although it was perfect weather outside and we ate out on the waterfront and it was delicious. The ricotta cheesecake was amazing. We also at in Ocean Blue (not my favourite but it was my daughter's), Teppanyaki (loved it) and Cagney's (awesome steak but this was not our best server - and the desserts were not the best either. We also had a dinner at Taste with the officers because mom is Platinum Plus and it was a fabulous experience.

Cabin Review

Spa Balcony Stateroom

Cabin B9

Although this was a spa balcony, it was not that different from a regular balcony stateroom. The bonus was the location. Ours was right by the stairs up to the spa so it was a very convenient location. We found that there was lots of storage for three of us. We didn't even use it all. There are shelves in the closet as well as cupboards under the desk and under the bed.

The beds were ok. Livable for the week. My daughter did not find the sofa bed very comfortable at all. The sheets were soft - unlike many hotels which have very scratchy linens. We also found the bath towels were softer too. The ones in the spa however were VERY soft.

The shower was very nice. We found the shelves in the bathroom enough for 3 of us. We took the towels off the top one and we each had a shelf with the tooth brushes being on the main counter.

Our steward cleaned our room very well. He kept the ice bucket topped up. Overall he was a very friendly guy. I felt bad for him though - he worked HARD and VERY long hours - especially on embarkation/disembarkation day.

The bad part about this cabin - it was noisy. We were right under the ping pong table. Luckily the ping pong table is closed after 10 so it was never unbearable. But through the afternoon and until 10 when it closed, we heard thumping. Also, being on the 14th floor, we we would hear them moving the deck chairs in and out each day. Needless to say - I woke up early each day. So if you do get a spa cabin, further towards the front would be best because then you are under the spa.

There was a very large overhang over our balcony so the balcony was very shaded all day. Fine by us because we weren't using it to lay in the sun but someone who likes more sun might not like it.

Port Reviews

Roatan

The port area is done up very nicely. We only walked a little way out of port to visit the 'Made in Roatan' store. Its a mission store set up by a couple of Canadians. They sell only hand made jewelry and crafts made my local Roatan residents. The money the crafts are sold for goes directly back to the artisans with only a small bit going to the running of the store. It is a short walk from the port.

Just as your are going out the port, there are tons of people vie-ing for your taxi business. Did not take one - dislike the aggressive way they call for your business and we were not going far. But it was like this in every port. :( We wanted to walk further in to town but it was extremely humid and my mother was with me and was worried about her on the uneven sidewalks.

Would like to go back and explore some more some time.

Costa Maya

In Costa Maya, they have done up the port beautifully. Lots of ticky-tacky stuff but its what tourists want I geuss. There was a nice big swimming pool. I think you had to go into the bar/eating establishment to gain access. Not sure - didn't ask.

We did buy a couple of things. But we did take a very nice walk in to town. It was about 20 minutes. We found a little local grocery store and bought few things. They exchanged USD for 18 pesos. We bought a jar of hot sauce, a big package of Mexican hot chocolate and a couple of packs of candies for $4. There was a little bakery next door with delicious looking pastries but she only took pesos. :( The only bank machine was back at the port (with an exorbitant $11 fee). Next time I will get out some pesos before I go.

Cozumel

We decided to go to Paradise Beach. It seems to be a day resort. Very clean and inviting.

It was confusing getting the taxi and the guy did not speak much English. We joined up with another family and it was $34 for 6 of us. We were at the port most down town so the furthest port from Paradise Beach. It would be less from one of the other ports (there are 3 for cruise ships).

Once at Paradise Beach, it is $3 to get in. You could buy a bigger package to use all their fun water toys but we just wanted to relax. They asked you to spend $10 in food and/or drink but they don't check as far as I know. No problem for us since it was lunch time. Had delicious tacos. There are tons of beach chairs but they are rather close together. Waiters will run back and forth getting what you want. We swam in the ocean and the pool and both were lovely. It was very nice weather.

Going back we asked to get off at the middle port (seemed to be Royal Caribbean port). We wanted to look around there and walk back. It was a LONG walk. The taxi fee to that port was $15 for just the two of us. We couldn't really complain though could we because we had to get back. :( Lesson learned - join up with another group back.

There were many more stores at the downtown port - but again, its all touristy stuff.

We did go by the Mega grocery store. A very big store. More like a Super Walmart. It seemed more geared to tourists and we didn't find anything too special there. We saw several of our servers there stocking up while we were there.

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