First off, I would like to say that I cruised NCL Escape in April 2022 which left port in FL. On the Escape, I immediately felt welcomed and the customer service was wonderful! I would not pass by other cruiser or staff on the elevators without everyone saying "Good Morning, Good afternoon, or Good evening.". The buffet was open until 11:30pm which was wonderful for our night owl kids. The food was plentiful and always changing during our 7 day cruise. But most importantly, this city boy felt like he was on another planet where everyone was courteous and well mannered. People didn't seem to mind that my kids would be loud during the dinner buffets, kids being kids. Loved the NCL Escape.

Now onto the Getaway. I was very much looking forward to my 12 day Caribbean cruise. What would go wrong? Same cruise company and less than a year apart from my last cruise. Only difference was this cruise was taking off from NYC Manhattan. When we boarded and arrived at our room, I had already noticed that only some of the staff greeted us as we walked by, where as on the NCL Escape, you could not sneak by the staff without them greeting you. The buffet offerings were meek and pretty much the same 4 day menu over the 12 days. The prime rib was decent, but I can't eat pasta everyday. The buffet options seem less than what the Escape offered. We had Cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, pineapple, and apples as fruit options all 12 days. Asked for bananas and the staff said none. Yet if I asked on the Escape, they would go find me a banana. The rudeness of the people that attended the cruise was unlike anything I have seen. Had to stick up for an elderly asian women because she was getting harassed and accused of cutting the line at the coffee and tea station. Imagine seeing that on a cruise. The cruisers on this cruise seemed to play chicken with my kids when we are walking on the ship, so much different that when we were on the Escape. Then at dinner on night 8 of the cruise, I was eating with my family at the rear of the buffet so we could all watch the sunset (First family cruise with Grandparents). I left to get more food at the buffet and a couple had left there drinks at my table. So I kindly put there drinks on another table since I had been dining there for the last 45 mins. The couple then approaches me and tries to start a fight. Mind you the guy is double my size and would put a hurt on me. All this happened in front of my family and no staff did anything. Had to look over my shoulder the rest of the trip. Not a fun trip at all. All the stops in the Caribbean were awesome! But when your buffet only has half the two sides operating and also closes at 930pm, that really limits late night snacking.

Splash academy was the one highlight of the NCL Getaway. It is a program where you can drop off your kids at specified times, so you can go out and enjoy yourself. Read more