Norwegian Getaway | Caribbean Cruise | 2/7/2020
Norwegian Getaway – let’s tell our story…
by Tami
On our way to the Caribbean through NOLA (New Orleans Louisiana) First day of travel through LAX – Corona Virus – everyone on edge in the airports. A few ships in Asia have been quarantined. We hope that does not happen to us. Not thinking good thoughts. Masks everywhere – are they protecting me? Are they protecting themselves?? Once in NOLA, people started relaxing 1-2 masks in the airport. Feeling better already.
New Orleans
Day 2 in NOLA – freezing cold, rain, thunder & lightning… then we find a fish bowl (looks like cool-aid) and have not a care in the world. We decided to take a carriage ride with Magnolia the Mule. NOLA uses mules instead of horses, due to climate and weather. Mules hold up better in the extreme heat / cold than horses do, overall. Another way to get around is a Street Car. Complete with an electric boom, wooden seats that switch back to front when reversing directions and a driver seat in the front and back on every car. Very Authentic and at $3 bucks for a day pass, you cannot beat the view and scenery. St Charles Avenue, fabulous old architecture, Victorian and French plantation style with brick steps and white columns throughout. Colorful Mardi Gras beads hanging from most of the trees along the street. Fabulous magnolia trees in bloom. This was public transportation, no lunch or drinks included. In the evening we went to dinner for some fabulous sea food, oysters, clams and shrimp. Everything was delicious. After dinner, back on the street to listen to the music of the night. Jazz, Blues and the like coming from every hole in the wall we passed. At one point, we looked up and people were throwing beads down to us! We caught them in mid air!
Embarkation
Day 3 – we board the ship. Major congestion due to delays with the ship docking late from the prior cruse. Apparently, there were major storms that delayed the ship coming up the Mississippi River, as this river is narrow and difficult to navigate. This resulted in everyone getting a text from the cruise line, asking everyone to arrive @ 1:00 p.m. Then unfortunately, due to excess paperwork regarding passport vetting due to Corona Virus, this resulted in everyone arriving at the same time, and the line becoming very very long. We did not experience anything bad, but heard horror stories of people passing out, needing water, and having an overall very BAD embarkation experience and first day.
Once aboard, with muster drill complete, it was time for drinking, fun and buffet. Then off to the top deck for sail away and Bon Voyage we go!
Sea Days
2 Days at Sea – very crowded on the Getaway poolside. No available lounge chairs in a sea of blue chairs, towels and people. We selected club Spice H2O,Deck 16 aft, for hot tub and shallow waterfall pool with misters. Did I forget to mention? There is a bar back there as well.
Tonight we went to the Dinner show, Cirque Dreams & Steam. It was just fabulous, amazing costumes, and amazing acts above ground and on stage. I was in awe the whole time. Along with the aerialists, there was a variety show. Including knife throwing, guy on motor cross bike and a lady spinning and juggling stuff with her feet. Well worth the extra up-charge.
Jamaica
First port Jamaica – we selected an all-inclusive resort day pass. Food, drinks, towels, lounge chairs, and fun in Ocho Rios all included. 2 ships in port this day, the Excursion advertised a “3 block walk” from the ship to the meeting place for our driver. Much more than 3 blocks, just be aware, do not talk with anyone, as we were warned by our excursion, they will not be held responsible for us not getting to the correct place. Outside the port gate, we were mobbed by more than 100 aggressive men, trying to sell a taxi or set up people with tours. Jamaica, the only place I felt intimidated. Once at our resort, it was spacious and clean, with hammocks, and plenty of beach. A large Chess Set, Swim up pool bar and security all over. There was a fabulous breeze, the water was cool, but very nice once in for a few moments.
All too soon, we were back on the ship, took a nice nap and got ready for dinner @ Cagneys Steak House. I had surf n turf, a fabulous rare filet and lobster with creamed spinach, scallop potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. Everything was just fabulous. I was looking forward to an Elton John tribute and after party, but unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we missed it. Too much food indulgence is so easy on a ship. I have been skipping meals. Today I passed on the second breakfast, and at lunch, I had a burger, no bread, lettuce and tomato.
Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Second Port Cayman – we decided to stay aboard the ship. We pampered ourselves with a couples massage, that was very relaxing. I had my legs waxed and Tom received an acupuncture treatment for his back. Tonight's dinner at the Maderno Restaurant. Meat on the skewer. Very interesting idea. First collected vegetables from the buffet, then the meat comes, on a skewer. Chicken, filet, pork, lamb, all you can eat if you can imagine?
Roaten Honduras
Roaten Honduras – 3rd port of call – We had a fabulous snorkel adventure with Jolly Rodger on a Catamaran sailing vessel. It was a windy day, perfect for sailing, and the water was warm with lots to see.
After that was lunch aboard, chicken, rice, beans, pasta salad and an abundance of rum punch then dancing! The crew was attentive and professional. My glass was always half full.
Once back aboard the ship, dinner at Teppanaki – there was a long wait, food was good, chef forgot to make mine rare, I did not realize “Rare = cold in the middle”. Chef sang songs as he cooked on the grill, and bounced his tools in rhythm as he cooked for us. At one point, he poured garlic salt over everything. We ate shrimp, chicken, filet, and fried rice with veggies. Must pay attention to not eating too much.
NCL private island, Belize
Belize – Harvest Kaye (pronounced KEY) owned by Norwegian. It was a very hot day. The beach had small amounts of washed up seaweed, no big fish, only small fish, jelly fish warnings, sting ray warnings. The water was nice once in for a few minutes. The pool was nice with swim up bar and large coconuts filled with rum. They cut open the coconut with a machete, let you sip the water out and add rum to taste, as much as you want. Very dangerous. I tried water shoes for the first time. I never wanted water shoes, I am a barefoot girl from way back. I can now say, I am a believer in water shoes. I could not feel the HOT sand at all, and with rubber soles, there was no slipping.
Once back on board, dinner at Le Bistro, French cuisine, French onion soup, escargot, shrimp, and fondue for desert with warm chocolate and fruit. Just fabulous.
Costa Maya, Mexico
This brings us to our last port of call – Costa Maya – was a fabulous day.
I kissed a Dolphin, walked through a bird aviary, drank a cucumber smoothie, sat in a swing chair at a bar and watched Pink flamingos relax in the sun.
For the Dolphin Experience, I was not prepared. I went in the water with my shorts on, as I had no swim suite and I was not missing out on this life changing experience. The dolphin kissed me and I kissed it, then we danced, rubbed hand to flipper. It was just fabulous. Unfortunately, no pictures allowed and no video. They took 14 pictures and I chose 2.
Once again, it was time to head back to the ship and leave this fabulous paradise. We survived the large rain drops from the black ominous clouds lurking in the sky. We were very wet when boarding, trying to keep the camera under cover, then the sun came out and all was warm and dry again.
Last Day at Sea
Let me fill you in on all the ship amenities – Virtual Reality Ride was an amazing experience where you sit in a chair, put on goggles, swipe card to pay and begin. Riding on a sled as it swoops, turns and falls off cliffs straight down, the chair is also moving with the scene, so physically body is being moved around and the feeling along with visual is amazing. I can see how it could become an addiction, as it is quite a thrill.
Ship has peewee golf – Tom and I played 9 holes. He got a hole in 1! Very excited for him on that!
The rope course – The Getaway has rope course. Way above the water with small platforms to stand on attached by full harness to the track above. At first I had shaky knees and sweaty hands as the height is mesmerizing. But my sister in law was so brave, she helped me to overcome fear. If she could do it, so could I. And, once I got going, we went all over, even on the tight rope that moved and shook under my feet. We were approximately 20 feet above the deck below and that was on deck 17 of the ship. Don’t think too much, just walk forward carefully.
The Water Slides – the ship has lots of water slides. The Curly Q & Straight Shot were the most fun. Some drama as all jewelry had to be removed, including my belly ring and toe ring. Going down, straight shot, floor drops from under feet. I forgot to take a deep breath and let out all my air with big scream. I tried to breath and got a big mouth full of water, I thought it was over, I tried to sit up, still more water. I almost had time to panic, then it was over. The curly Q – I had lots of fun, 3 ½ big circle turns, get you going very fast. By the end, you hit the wall of water at the bottom and it is over.
There is a bowling alley aboard – we saw it but did not try bowling. It looked very fun with small balls and shorter lanes than a regulation alley.
Glow Party - On the last evening at Sea, after the sun had set, we enjoyed donning our White attire and headed up to Spice H2O on deck 16, for the infamous Glow Party. We had an amazing time dancing the night away with the Crew and Glow sticks.