Norwegian Getaway Review

4.5 / 5.0
3,266 reviews

Disappointed

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Getaway
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WestTexasCruiser
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Feb 2020
Cabin: Spa Balcony Stateroom

I chose this cruise due to NCL's private island and the stop at Costa Maya. Usually, we prefer Eastern or Southern Caribbean, but change it up sometimes. Our last NCL cruise was the same itinerary but on the Dawn, which was going INTO dry dock, and the Getaway was coming OUT of a recent dry dock, so we expected more. We were disappointed. First off, the balcony was the TINIEST I've ever experienced in all of my 21 prior cruises. It was so shallow you could literally not sit facing the sea, as you had no room for your feet or legs. NCL is also apparently not spending any of its money on staff. I saw our room steward ONE TIME the entire cruise, and my husband never saw him. We upgraded our drink package to the premium, but as others have said, it was torture getting a bar tender to wait on you. They were nice enough, but there simply were not enough of them to handle the crowd at every bar. And, EVERY SINGLE TIME we tried to order a bottle of water, or Starbucks, or fresh squeezed juice, or premium wine/drinks we were told "it's not in your package." We had to correct them EVERY TIME. Then, the patent answer became, "we don't have that at this bar. You have to go to the Atrium Bar." Then, at the Atrium Bar, were told, "you have to go to the bar outside Cagney's," but that bar does not open until 5pm. We had specialty dining 6 nights (all but embarkation day). Cagney's was very good, however the tomahawk steak and the steak and lobster are both additional charges in addition to being a paid restaurant. Le Bistro and Teppanyaki were both acceptable, both in service and food quality. La Cucina was not good at all. Obviously, their wait staff were not the preferred waiters, and the food was cold both times I ate there. We chose La Cucina because on the Dawn, it had THE BEST LASAGNA, but on the Getaway, there is no lasagna option - no lasagna at an Italian restaurant??? Who does that?

The room, a spa balcony, was tiny with little storage. The couch was so close to the closet you could not get to the hanging side without stepping on the couch.

The spa - hydrotherapy pool with heated loungers is nice in concept, but the jets/motors on the pool/hottub was so loud that people were literally yelling to speak to each other, which made quiet time on the heated loungers nearly impossible. I much prefer other ships which put these in separate rooms. Also, like on deck, people would leave towels to save their loungers for literally hours on end. Once, someone complained and a spa worker removed the towels.

Cabin Review

Spa Balcony Stateroom

The cabin was much smaller than other ship's balcony cabins, and I've never seen a balcony so small. You could not sit and face the sea. It was too narrow. You could sit facing each other, but then the person farthest from the door could not get to the door.

Port Reviews

New Orleans

We love New Orleans! Best food in the world.

Cozumel

We like to rent a jeep and drive to the less-busy south and east side of the island.

Roatan

They've made this port better, but still does not compare to Princess's port. We take a private excursion to Little French Key when docking at Coxen Hole.

Harvest Caye

Harvest Caye is usually excellent. Cold, rainy and windy this trip, but it was not NCL's fault.

Costa Maya

The cruise port is nothing to write home about, but we love going into town. Cheap massages on the beach, and really nice restaurant/hotel owners/workers.

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