Cruising Norwegian Getaway and Staying in the Haven

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We’re cruising again! This time, we are cruising Norwegian Getaway.

Last summer (2016), despite vowing never to cruise again after a disastrous experience eight years prior, we surprisingly found ourselves booking another cruise. Influenced by my friend’s glowing cruise tales, we decided to see if the spark for cruising we once had was still alive. Opting for a fresh start, we chose the Norwegian Getaway from Miami, Florida, for its enticing Western Caribbean itinerary.

Initially drawn to a well-planned itinerary and the tempting array of onboard cuisine, I imagined a hassle-free escape once the booking was made. We would not have to worry about accommodations or hunting down the best eateries – everything would be at our fingertips. Little did I know, despite my initial vision of poolside relaxation and carefree port exploration, I couldn’t resist delving into reviews and online details about Norwegian Cruise Line’s Getaway.

featured blog image with text | cruising the norwegian getaway review — Note: We sailed this cruise ship in 2017. This post was originally written in 2017.

Table of Contents

Cruising Norwegian Getaway Review

Knowledge is power. There is nothing wrong with being well-prepared.

For example, if I hadn’t dedicated my time to learning every piece of intel I could gather about this ship, I would have never learned about the secluded, adults-only area called The Vibe. Your chances of getting a pass depend on how fast you can run to Headliners Comedy Club (deck 6) to grab one of the 70 passes at an extra cost (when we took this cruise).

Every review I read with Vibe passes made it sound like a slice of heaven, and it probably is. I almost convinced hubby we needed to be at the terminal early to score these passes, but then the Advance Upgrade Bid Program happened.

We also joined a cruise roll cal l, which helped us make the most of our experience back cruising.

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Cruise Cabin Upgrades

Upsells seem to be popular on the Norwegian Cruise Line.

There used to be an 800 number to call to get a great deal on a suite – so I’ve read. Customers searching for a sweet deal would call this number and be quoted a fantastic discount for a higher category room than they originally booked.

After our final payment, Norwegian decided to try a new method by inviting customers to bid on these upsells. I took the knowledge I had gained, did some math, and submitted a bid I thought was fair. And guess what?

We won!

With our bid, we originally booked a mid-ship mini-suite and were upgraded to a Haven Penthouse suite. We saved around $2,000 by taking a chance with a bid instead of booking the Haven directly. We were able to keep our Free at Sea Perks: Unlimited Beverage Package (UBP) and (3) specialty dining Program (SDP).

We would have been just as happy with the mini-suite if we hadn’t won. However, given the opportunity, the Haven is a treat we wouldn’t mind repeating.

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The Haven on the Norwegian Getaway

Let’s talk about The Haven. It did not disappoint. The priority access every time we embarked or disembarked was 100% worth what we bid alone.

Our room was spacious, with modern decor, a comfortable King bed, and ample storage space. The Lavazza coffee machine in our suite was a dream come true for Hubby.

[Update: The LAVAZZA machines were replaced by NESPRESSO machines.]

The butler was on call when we needed him – not that we really used him. Every afternoon, we would return from port to find, and we’d find yummy snacks he’d leave in our room.

Our steward kept the room clean and was on top of everything. The concierge was always available and helpful. The crew throughout the entire ship was friendly and wonderful. No complaints.

The exclusive pool, hot tubs, and courtyard for Haven guests are precisely what was needed to relax during sea days.

We did venture out of the Haven. We enjoyed the water slides, ate at the buffet many times for lunch, and sat at the waterfront with a couple of drinks while gazing at the sunset. The cruise ship had plenty to do, and we made a pretty good attempt not to miss out on anything. I do regret not trying out the rope course.

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Tasty Itinerary: Food on the Norwegian Getaway

The food, we thought, was great throughout.

Buffet: I loved that they had scooped ice cream of different flavors and soft served. Fresh crepes for dessert at dinner time – YUM. As far as the rest of the food, what I did try, I remember enjoying. The best part of a buffet is there is something for everyone.

O’Sheehan’s: This pub is open 24/7, where you can have a late-night burger and wings. Beer is optional.

Cagney’s Steakhouse (a specialty restaurant): While it is not Peter Luger’s in New York City, it was still pretty good, and I recommend it if you are a carnivore.

Teppanyaki (a specialty restaurant): The chef was highly entertaining, and there was plenty of food. Scratch that, an abundance. We booked this with our free specialty dining package, but if you decide to pay a la carte, you’ll get your money’s worth.d

The Haven Restaurant (only available to Haven guests): This restaurant is superb! We were impressed and didn’t feel the need to try other specialty restaurants besides the ones already mentioned. We had breakfast there every morning. I had my favorite eggs, Benedict, and hubby got his fill of filet mignon and eggs.

Entertainment

I have to give props where they are due. The Norwegian Getaway was the first ship I’d been on in 8 years, but I remember the boredom and aggravation endured on our previous cruise. To say the entertainment on this one was above par would be an understatement.

We immersed ourselves in various ship activities, exploring the diverse entertainment options. H20 hosted a different dance party each night for those seeking a lively atmosphere. If dancing isn’t your cup of tea, the atrium offered a different musical experience with a band playing various genres. My husband’s favorite was Howl at the Moon, where he enjoyed singing along with the dueling pianos. The ship catered to a wide range of interests, ensuring something enjoyable for everyone on board.

The best show of the week was “Million Dollar Quartet.” Standing ovation! Hubby and I were astonished at the talent of this ensemble. The music, the acting, and the singing were unbelievable. I recommend you not miss this show while it still plays on NCL Getaway.

Bonus: You might be able to catch the cast members at Howl at the Moon, and if you’re lucky, they might even join in on the performance.

Norwegian won us over as customers. We even purchased two cruise next vouchers. We are looking forward to dividing our time between land vacations and cruising. I’m looking forward to sharing our experiences with you… the good, the amazing, and the ugly.

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Kathy Ava

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.