So what did I think of my one night (NCL) Getaway?

I have not mentioned this little trip before, as I would do usually, as I had booked this ‘One night cruise to nowhere’ as a Christmas gift for my parents and my Aunt and Uncle. They are avid readers of my blog so I did not want to spoil the surprise – you see I had also booked a cabin for myself and my brother and his partner and not told my parents that we would be joining them.

I had told them to head to the Garden Cafe, the buffet style dining venue, for lunch (I have been on Epic before and said that this would be the best place to eat on embarkation day) and that is exactly where we found them shortly after our seamless embarkation at City Cruise Terminal in Southampton. How surprised! We had a great time!

So – my thoughts? Beautiful ship, stunning decor – forget the NCL turquoise, orange and pink of yesteryear, the newer ships in their fleet are stylish and tasteful without the blandness of some modern ships. Each area, be it a bar or lounge, a dining venue, the atrium or the deck areas, has it’s own very defined personality, it’s own colour scheme and it’s own atmosphere. There really is something to please everyone on this ship. Yes, my 44 year old brother was like a kid in a candy shop in the water park even though it is January!

Firstly, the varied entertainment. As with Epic, NCL offer such a selection it is hard to experience them all in one evening, however, I did my best with a whistle stop flit around the ship last night. In the main theatre you can see ‘Legally Blond’, a brilliant production for those who enjoy. For great Jazz music there was the Grammy Experience Bar – brilliant musicians who provide excellent entertainment for Jazz fans or just folks like me who enjoy good music.

 The Atrium Bar was being rocked by a Bob Marley tribute band, and they were sensational I have to say. For those looking for a bit, or a lot, of audience participation there was Headliners, a piano duelling bar, where the pianists were belting out the likes of Sweet Home Alabama and other well known hits while the audience sang along, danced, rattled their maracas and tambourines, and donned their Elvis glasses! I am told by colleagues who were up later than I was that Bliss, the nightclub was a great place to be later in the evening.

Accommodation was fine, standard cabins as you would find on most ships, nice decor, plenty of storage, simple and functional.
Dining, for lunch it was the Garden Cafe – and again, something to please every palette. The usual Buffet Style fare on offer and I have to say it was well cooked and well presented. The only downside was that as it was embarkation day and only a few dining venues were open, it was very busy and you had to queue for the tea and coffee machine – could do with a few more of those scattered around I think, and unfortunately the same thing happened at breakfast this morning.

Dinner last night was in The Tropicana Room, right at the rear of Deck 8, the largest of the inclusive dining rooms. I have to say that this was the disappointing part of the trip. What should have been a special evening was something of a let down. We were seated right in the corner next to the dance floor and the band and after 10 minutes of trying to communicate by lip reading/shouting/hand gestures, I had to ask the Maitre D’ to move us. Seated at our new dinner table, we eventually ordered……. service was slow and disjointed, somewhat chaotic throughout the meal. Also, it may seem a minor detail, but the tables are positioned so close together that the waiting staff cannot get in between them so they have to circumnavigate other tables to get to diners on the opposite side of the table. Nothing flowed, especially the service! Food overall was ok, but medium rare Chateaubriand came out medium to well done, and medium Stripsteak  was served blue and had to go back to the kitchen. After our main course, the waiter cleared two plates then went to clear another table then came back to clear our remaining 5 plates – very strange!

There are many, many different dining options on board, not just this restaurant, plenty to chose from.
A wander round the retail outlets after dinner provided some entertainment – my uncle does love his hats!
Split hairs I must – shower doors that open inwards – not great! I just about managed but larger people would probably have to spend the rest of their lives in the shower, or at least stay there until they lost some weight.

All in all I liked Getaway. As big ships go she has plenty to offer everyone and good variety to boot, on all fronts. Is she a ship that I could spend 14 nights on? Probably not, if I am honest. I am a small ship girl at heart, these enormous vessels are not for me, but if you are looking for a ship that will keep the whole family happy, young and old alike, then you should give her serious consideration!
For more info, give me a call on 0800 408 6084 🙂