Norwegian Cruise Line is considered to be a trendsetter among cruise ships. The cruise line has grown rapidly and now has 13 ships. The latest cruise ship, the NCL Getaway officially made Miami her home port on February 7. This ship is the perfect fit for Miami as it has sort of a Latin flair that reflects the culture and style of South Florida. We were lucky enough to be one of the first onboard the ship, and we wanted to share our NCL Getaway ship review with travelers.
As the newest ship in the NCL fleet, the Norwegian Getaways combines the most magnificent amenities Norwegian has to offer with The Waterfront, an innovative first, open air promenade designed to connect guests with the ocean like no other cruise ship. A constant connection of freedom, energy and excitement flows throughout 678 Ocean Place and every unique venue.
As on other NCL ships, there are lots of variety of dining options. A total of 27 restaurants await, several of which have no charge. You can check wait times and make reservations on digital screens throughout the ship.
Entertainment options include a dueling piano bar, a latin ballroom dance show and a full fledged Broadway show, Legally Blonde just to name a few.
Outdoors there is an impressive sports deck with 5 slides and an Sponge Bob themed Aqua park for kids. There is also an impressive ropes course, pirate theme mini golf, a basketball court and more.
Décor: The hull of the Getaway was designed by Miami based artist David Le Batard. It features a mermaid that is surrounded by waves and is holding the sun. The vibrant colors of this design are sure to get this ship noticed at any port.
Highlights of the NCL Getaway include:
-Children and adults alike will love the Aqua Park and Sports Complex.
For the adventurous, let’s start with a multi story ropes course with over 40 activites that include The Plank, an 8 foot extension over the side of the ship, a zip track and a family friendly ropes course for younger adventurers. Next you can try rock climbing, a 24 foot high climbing cage with a spiral slide or a bungee trampoline. Families and adults can enjoy a pirate themed 9 hole mini golf course, a basketball course and then let’s move to the water.
FIVE WATERSLIDES + MORE
Five jaw-dropping, multi-story waterslides offer rides that range from extreme to serene, plus pools, adult-only areas and a casual eatery
- Free Fall – A heart-stopping, g-force plunging ride that will have your clients screaming for more
- The Whip – Two racing, twisting, side-by-side waterslides that can only be found on Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway
- Family Slide – Slow and easy more your clients’ speed? Then this slide is for them and their little ones
SWIMMING POOLS & MORE
- Two swimming pools – Guests can take a cooling soak or swim in one of these main swimming pools
- Four hot tubs – Relaxing, rejuvenating and just right for soothing the stress away
- Kids’ Aqua Park – Featuring colorful, whimsical, larger-than-life Nickelodeon characters from the world of Bikini Bottom, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward and more in a pirate themed environment
GROWN-UP FUN & RELAXATION
- Spice H20 – Ibiza-inspired beach club exclusively for adults located at the back of the ship – includes a waterfall, hot tubs, huge LED screen, hot dance tunes and full bar
- Vibe Beach Club – A laid-back, adults-only retreat with gorgeous ocean views, an oversized hot tub, full-service bar, water spritzers, chilled towels and excellent service. Guests can purchase a pass for entry – only a limited number are available
THE EXTRAS
- From pool towels to sunscreen, we’ve got your clients covered – all they have to do is ask
- Waves Pool Bar – “Come as you are” is the motto at this casual, open-air bar located just steps away from the pool area
-The Vibe Beach Club is an exclusive adult’s only area. It has private hot tubs and cabanas. There is a surcharge to get into the beach club.
Norwegian Getaway Entertainment:
- Legally Blonde – Cheer the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical based on the incredibly popular movie – the curtain goes up at the Getaway Theater
- Burn the Floor – Feel the heat and the passion of this Broadway hit and global sensation featuring some of the best dancers from around the world
- Howl at the Moon – Belt it out like a Broadway star at the World’s Greatest Rock ‘N Roll Dueling Piano Show appearing at Headliners
- The GRAMMY® Experience – Rock like a superstar as GRAMMY winners and nominees, among others, perform live and view GRAMMY Museum artifacts at the first GRAMMY Experience at sea
- Levity Entertainment Group – Laugh like never before as the largest producer of live comedy, brings the funniest, top-tier comics to sea with 12 shows a week at Headliners Comedy Club
- The Illusionarium has a video dome that is 30 feet in diameter. It features magical acts, escape artists and illusionists. Enjoy a delicious dinner and a magical experience featuring world-class magicians that are sure to amaze. This stunning extravaganza for the senses takes place in our unique dome venue for a night of dining and entertainment you will not soon forget. There is a cover charge of around $30 per attendee.
-There is also an atrium called 678 Ocean Place which is 3 decks high. There’s a chandelier that changes colors, a large casino, dancing and various activities that take place during the evenings.This area span 3 decks of inviting restaurants, shops and entertainment options. We love the outdoor area of the Bistro which makes you feel like you are dining along a sidewalk cafe in Paris.
-Guests can enjoy the fresh air on the open air promenade called the Waterfront. It is conveniently located on Deck 8. There are a variety of shops, restaurants and bars to choose from. The entire walk way is 1/4 mile long. As you begin to walk, your first option is La Cucina Italian Restaurant. Next stop is the Sugarcane Mojito bar. As you continue your stroll there is a nice duty free shop called Tradewinds. A bit further down is Cagney’s Steakhouse. Right around the corner is Moderno Churrascaria. In the mood for something sweet, stop at Dolce Gelato. My favorite, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarin is next followed by the Grammy Experience and Sunset Bars. You can of course access all of these venues from inside of Deck 8 as well the Ice Bar and Humidor Cigar lounge.
-The NCL Getaway offers guests 27 different dining options. Of these options The Tropicana Room is considered to be the most impressive of the bunch. It has art deco style lights as well as a large dance floor. The live music during dinner is wonderful. Dinner and dancing….the perfect date night.
Another venue we loved was the Flamingo Bar and Grill. Not your typical hotdog and hamburger joint. Here in the morning you can enjoy a cuban coffee and pastries. Lunch included roasted chicken, mojo pork, white rice, black beans, yucca, plantains….well you get the picture, typical Miami cuisine. Now we are spoiled with good Latin cooking at home and we can say that the flavors would delicious. This is one of the complimentary restaurants onboard.
-Those traveling alone can take advantage of the Getaway’s studio cabins. They are located on decks 10 and 11 and are similar to railway compartments, but have large windows that guests can look out of. There’s a private lounge as well as a bar and an area with tea and coffee.
-For those that want a more upscale cruise experience, The Haven is the perfect choice. An exclusive enclave with luxury accommodations, the pampering services of a certified butler and concierge, and a private outdoor courtyard featuring a pool, hot tub, lounges, a poolside valet and more. There is also a restaurant for Haven guests.
It’s easy to see that Norwegian Getaway is designed to be a destination unto itself. But there’s more. Much more. As you are enjoying the unique activities, entertainment and accommodations on board, you’ll also be cruising to some of the most beautiful places on earth.
Norwegian’s Getaway is set to operate from Miami with 7 night cruises year round.
NCL Getaway Itinerary:
Thip currently offers 2 Eastern Caribbean itineraries. The first stop is St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau with 3 days at sea. The 2nd option is St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau also with 3 fun filled days at sea.
The next ships to set sail are the Norwegian Escape in October 2015 and the Norwegian Bliss sometime in the spring of 2017. If you are interested in checking out one of these new ships, we can help you book your next trip.
