I spent a few days aboard Norwegian Getaway when she first launched and I was completely blown away! I’ve been on many cruises and seen many ships, but she was something else – she actually made me stop and think, how on earth does she float?
If you are looking for a family ship with lots of little extras and space for relaxation, as well as a major adrenalin rush, then Norwegian Getaway is definitely the ship for you.
I really liked O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, it was actually one of the first places that I came across once I boarded and I went on to enjoy breakfast there and one afternoon snack of mozzarella dippers – which were delicious. It always seemed busy and there was a great vibe.
The illusionarium is an absolute must. I never partake in the ships entertainment, well very rarely, but I was completely mesmerised by the illusionarium. There is an additional charge for it, but trust me it is worth it and it includes dinner. The entire experience was simply amazing. I had never seen anything like it on a ship before and I haven’t seen anything like it since, it really is quite unique.
The Waterfront was my favourite place to relax with a cocktail, it felt like being on some kind of strip in the city where you can move from one bar to the next. There are also restaurants along The Waterfront, so in the warm weather it is the ideal place to enjoy your evening meal al-fresco. I didn’t get to try that aspect of it, sadly – it’s not very warm in the English Channel in January!
My favourite meal during my stay onboard was at Cagney’s Steakhouse. We seemed to wait a little while for our food, but it was certainly worth it. I ordered a shrimp cocktail to start (the prawns were huge!) and for main course I ordered a well-done fillet mignon accompanied by truffle fries and creamed corn. The meat was very tender and seemed to melt on the tongue, and the creamed corn, where do I start? It was my first creamed corn experience and I have craved more ever since – I just can’t find a creamed corn anywhere that is as good as it was on Norwegian Getaway. If you know of one then please do let me know! One thing I definitely have to say is that depending on where you were seated, you had a great birds-eye view of the Tropicana Room below from Cagney’s (ask for a Tropicana view table). I didn’t dine in there, but they offer a superb menu along with performances of Burn the Floor – you can even get up and dance yourself if you want to – and the room itself was absolutely stunning. The moment you walk inside you feel like you have been transported to the golden age of the 1940’s. It really is an impressive space.
My abode was a balcony stateroom and it was very nice indeed. The balcony was a little on the small side, which was a shame, but the actual stateroom itself was spacious and the bathroom was by far the best that I have had on any ship. A nice wide space with a huge double sink and a long walk in shower, boasting a rather large rainfall shower head. My stateroom on Anthem of the Seas was quite similar, but the bathroom on Norwegian Getaway is what keeps that particular balcony stateroom at the top of my best accommodation list.
I think I slowly gave in to Norwegian Getaway’s charms. I’m not always one for ships that have so much going on above and below deck, sometimes I just want a traditional teak deck and a chair, but I definitely fell for Getaway. I was partly glad that I was only onboard for a few days, had it been any longer and I think I would have needed a holiday to recuperate from all the excitement – and food! I guess I best start preparing myself now for Norwegian Escape. I am hoping to spend some time on her when she launches in October. Watch this space…
Cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credit: Roel Hemkes, Jorge Cortell
