Just booked my 3rd cruise with NCL and 2nd time on the Getaway. I enjoyed the cruise and love NCL. What I’ve learned since I started cruising is that is all about preference. Some people will love the same ship you hate. I love NCL and would definitely recommend it. My friend that is an avid RCL cruiser went with me last year on the NCL and swears this is her new fav cruise line. People, it is all about what you’re looking for in a cruise. And as far as COVID is concerned, we all know the risk when we get on the ship. Hope you had a full recovery and sorry you didn’t enjoy the cruise as much as others have.
Hey Trina, sorry for the very late reply, but I appreciate your point. I agree with you. I can only speak to my experience. I've given NCL two tries now, once on the Breakaway and another on the Getaway, and of the 12 cruises I've been on, they've been the two worst experiences. I guarantee however, that people would disagree, and that's ok. That's why we have choices. Had I known about the challenges on this particular cruise, I probably would have passed. What upset me the most is being lied to by a customer service rep, who may or may not have cared enough to realize the impact they had on our decision making. However, I'm glad the cruise lines are ramping back up, there's a bunch of new ships out there. A friend of mine is doing the same exact cruise I did last April, this April, but on the NCL Prima. I will be VERY curious about his experience.
HI You got this right. We dropped our luggage at 1:02 and after the line did not walk on to the ship until 9:18. So lost the entire first day. the rest of the cruise was great and we made the best but as you said ...up hill battle. Now still waiting for any form of compensation. I have received boilerplate letters from NCL saying sorry but not sorry. Very frustrating. we booked on royal the first week back.. Sorry NCL..lack of any caring. Lying about the kids program. loss of Virginia stop. Still fighting for some form of a sorry from NCL. Did you have any better luck. Thanks for the video!!
Hey Chris, sorry for my delay in responding. Sounds like we had similar issues. Nope, got nothing but exactly like you said, "so sorry, but not sorry" from NCL. I just don't like being lied to, especially on things that are decision factors to even take the cruise or not. Tried to dispute the charge with Amex just to get reimbursed for the first day which was wasted, and that was futile. Amex actually gave me my money back immediately, but NCL actually fought the dispute and Amex took it away again. I know there are people watching this video and reading the comments that believe NCL is the bees knees and will continue to praise & use them, and I say good for them, I hope they continue to have awesome NCL experiences. As for me and my family, two bad NCL experiences coupled with glorious experiences on Royal, Princess, and yes, even Carnival means that NCL low on the cruising totem pole for now. A buddy is going on the NCL Prima next month, so I'll be waiting to hear his feedback.
Interesting to hear your views re capacity of the ships, and what the crew are ready for. I had a similar issue this year, but I think it was largely due to isolating crew etc then meaning that they didn’t have full staff in place on the ship - might’ve been a similar situation on your ship!
I Was On This Cruise It Was Amazing But The 6 Hour Wait Was Bad But The Service Was Great The Food Was Wonderful But I Agree With Alot Of Things You Said I Got On The Ship At 7:20 And Got To Our Room At 7:25 But Dinner Was Great I Loved The Cruise But Hated Boarding
Me and my son were on the same cruise. We have cruise most the major cruise lines and this by far the worst cruise ever. Everything you stated in your video is true and then some. We also missed a port because of NCL dropping the ball at the start. I will be sticking to RCCL.
Great vlog. We booked Norwegian for a Caribbean cruise this month. You just gave me every reason not to get the wifi package and it looks like the $50 excursion credit is really no gift from Norwegian. Thanks for some helpful info.
On top of everything, I just tested positive for COVID 19 and I haven't been anywhere since I got off the ship. Too many people booked on this cruise. Shame on NCL!!!
We were on this cruise with you. We had a horrible experience. Our cabin person didn't clean our room or do anything. Not even make bed. Most of the staff we encountered were not nice. We also waited hours to get on ship. Each time we went to dine either for breakfast, lunch or dinner there was a 45 min wait and we were also told by NCL that boat would be at 60% capacity. We made the best of it. BUT we also went to guest services and got our daily tips refunded. You were very lucky that you encountered nice crew members. We only encountered a couple. I also got refunded by Thermal suite pass. Every time i went to the thermal suite, it was packed.. i could not even get a seat. Young adults were everywhere. I thought i would find peace there but it was just as loud and crowded as everywhere else. They definitely over sold passes. We are platinum members with NCL and this is our 12th cruise with them. I am beyond disappointed in this cruise.
I think the covid protocols and shutdowns have ruined them. They have not recovered yet. When passengers stop going on a cruise, they will get the message. Obviously if the spa was packed, then the cruise was sold out. I am waiting it out. i will not be tested on board and then quarantined, that is keeping me off ships. Bermuda STILL demanding a PCR test when everyone else dropped it
Hi, It’s really a shame that you had a bad experience. Do you think it would be different on another week (not a school break.) I’d like to go on the Getaway in September. May I ask, did they have entertainment or was that canceled?
Regina, I thought the entertainment they did have was good. My kids loved the magician, the comedians, and we heard great things about Burn the Floor, but didn't go to it. The ship's staff also did the best they could to entertain, under the circumstance. The people that showed up early got on fast, so their experience was different. Could it be better during another non-school break, possibly. There was probably a perfect storm for disaster brewing here.....ship leaving on Easter Sunday, lack of staff at port, overbooking ship because of it being a break, but ship's staff not ready to handle, etc. I put all that on NCL management or mismanagement, really. Unfortunately, my two worst cruises have been with NCL, so I think I'm done with them for a while.
But you took Royal Caribbean before the Pandemic. We went RC October of 21 and our review of RC would be the same as what you just said for NCL. Think they said 60% also and although it may have been less than 100%, it was more than 60% and you were restricted to how many people in elevator at one time (6), hot tubs (7), pools (14), etc. etc. And they policed these restrictions strictly. So, I think these problems plagued all cruise lines, not just NCL and you must realize, they are a business just trying to survive through what is now being found to be overly mandated unnecessary restrictions that hurt as much as they helped especially the damage done to private businesses, schools and our children’s educations.
Fair enough Rob...you're right, but I also took NCL well before the pandemic on another cruise, and that cruise ranks just above this one in terms of preference, so still not good marks for NCL, in my opinion. I'm happy people have had great experiences on NCL, just hasn't happened for me. I can only go by my experience, and to date, RCCL is still the tops.
Please don’t sail NCL because you don’t like them. I’ve sailed 15 times with NCL. All good experiences. There is an adult only area on the ship with hot tubs and a bar. Be grateful that ships are at 100 percent again. It means we can sail more often. All cruise lines are understaffed because of the Covid situation.
He stated that the adult only areas were not adult area due to the children’s areas being closed. We had experienced similar. If they aren’t ready for 100% and they actually state it’s 60% then that is default on their part.
I cruised on the Getaway in March. I don’t know what you are talking about. It sounds like you didn’t do your homework before you left. I also work in the IT field. I purchased the top tier WiFi package before I left and it was under $200 and it was fast and steady. You’re on a cruise ship if you are expecting home speeds of course you’ll be disappointed. It sounds to me like your expectations were high. 60% of a possible 4000 passengers is still 2500. Stop crying, Like it or not we are still in the pandemic, even though its towards the end. Companies are doing the best they can. NCL is a quality company and the Getaway is a great ship. I have sailed on it multiple times. I guess you can’t please everyone. I am sailing on the Joy in two weeks to Bermuda I expect it to be quality as always. Be patient!! Bottom shelf is unfair. You’re crying and yet saying it was a great experience. Get over yourself!!
didn't really pay attention to comments, but yours is totally out of line. You had a great experience on your cruise in March 2022....wonderful for you. It was different in April.....the ship was not at 60%, it was at 100% capacity with 60% staff. I never expect top tier wifi speed on ship with satellite comms.....but taking 1-2 mins to open a simple email is a bit much. Taking 7 hours to board is unacceptable, you try being patient with kids. Anyhow, you're in the minority here, read the comments of people that were on the cruise.....we didn't share the same experience as you. Plenty of other options out there besides NCL. Behind the scenes they handled things terribly, with after cruise communications & the like. So again, my experience, not yours. You love NCL...good for you.
I thought your assessment was fair and you backed it up with facts. I personally would not travel when there was a school vacation as I do not like traveling with kids. That would have ruined the trip forme, no matter the weather. Also, I think ini April 2022, there were still many covid protocols, which since then, the testing has been eliminated. However, I will not go to Bermuda as they still demand a PCR ttest and have to fill out an online form and pay $40. Im carrying a credit with NCL but I am holding off. I don't think they're ready yet. They're trying to recoup for nearly 2 years shutting down. gardis in CT
I remember doing the dolphin encounter there was barely anyone there that day and i had a one on one encounter with a dolphin and it was absolutely wonderful the staff was wonderful and the dolphins are all very friendly or at least to me they were
I totally agree with you,Norwegian lie to us ,wifi I paid and barely work,entertainment on the ship was very bad,so to lack of staff top of the ship was close.this was my 30 th cruise and worst experience,
Just booked my 3rd cruise with NCL and 2nd time on the Getaway. I enjoyed the cruise and love NCL. What I’ve learned since I started cruising is that is all about preference. Some people will love the same ship you hate. I love NCL and would definitely recommend it. My friend that is an avid RCL cruiser went with me last year on the NCL and swears this is her new fav cruise line. People, it is all about what you’re looking for in a cruise. And as far as COVID is concerned, we all know the risk when we get on the ship.
Hope you had a full recovery and sorry you didn’t enjoy the cruise as much as others have.
Hey Trina, sorry for the very late reply, but I appreciate your point. I agree with you. I can only speak to my experience. I've given NCL two tries now, once on the Breakaway and another on the Getaway, and of the 12 cruises I've been on, they've been the two worst experiences. I guarantee however, that people would disagree, and that's ok. That's why we have choices. Had I known about the challenges on this particular cruise, I probably would have passed. What upset me the most is being lied to by a customer service rep, who may or may not have cared enough to realize the impact they had on our decision making. However, I'm glad the cruise lines are ramping back up, there's a bunch of new ships out there. A friend of mine is doing the same exact cruise I did last April, this April, but on the NCL Prima. I will be VERY curious about his experience.
HI You got this right. We dropped our luggage at 1:02 and after the line did not walk on to the ship until 9:18. So lost the entire first day. the rest of the cruise was great and we made the best but as you said ...up hill battle. Now still waiting for any form of compensation. I have received boilerplate letters from NCL saying sorry but not sorry. Very frustrating. we booked on royal the first week back.. Sorry NCL..lack of any caring. Lying about the kids program. loss of Virginia stop. Still fighting for some form of a sorry from NCL. Did you have any better luck. Thanks for the video!!
Hey Chris, sorry for my delay in responding. Sounds like we had similar issues. Nope, got nothing but exactly like you said, "so sorry, but not sorry" from NCL. I just don't like being lied to, especially on things that are decision factors to even take the cruise or not. Tried to dispute the charge with Amex just to get reimbursed for the first day which was wasted, and that was futile. Amex actually gave me my money back immediately, but NCL actually fought the dispute and Amex took it away again. I know there are people watching this video and reading the comments that believe NCL is the bees knees and will continue to praise & use them, and I say good for them, I hope they continue to have awesome NCL experiences. As for me and my family, two bad NCL experiences coupled with glorious experiences on Royal, Princess, and yes, even Carnival means that NCL low on the cruising totem pole for now. A buddy is going on the NCL Prima next month, so I'll be waiting to hear his feedback.
thanks for the review.
You bet
I, for one, loved my NCL cruise.
Interesting to hear your views re capacity of the ships, and what the crew are ready for. I had a similar issue this year, but I think it was largely due to isolating crew etc then meaning that they didn’t have full staff in place on the ship - might’ve been a similar situation on your ship!
I Was On This Cruise It Was Amazing But The 6 Hour Wait Was Bad But The Service Was Great The Food Was Wonderful But I Agree With Alot Of Things You Said I Got On The Ship At 7:20 And Got To Our Room At 7:25 But Dinner Was Great I Loved The Cruise But Hated Boarding
Me and my son were on the same cruise. We have cruise most the major cruise lines and this by far the worst cruise ever. Everything you stated in your video is true and then some. We also missed a port because of NCL dropping the ball at the start. I will be sticking to RCCL.
Great vlog. We booked Norwegian for a Caribbean cruise this month. You just gave me every reason not to get the wifi package and it looks like the $50 excursion credit is really no gift from Norwegian. Thanks for some helpful info.
Very informative review, thank you very much!
On top of everything, I just tested positive for COVID 19 and I haven't been anywhere since I got off the ship. Too many people booked on this cruise. Shame on NCL!!!
We were on this cruise with you. We had a horrible experience. Our cabin person didn't clean our room or do anything. Not even make bed. Most of the staff we encountered were not nice. We also waited hours to get on ship. Each time we went to dine either for breakfast, lunch or dinner there was a 45 min wait and we were also told by NCL that boat would be at 60% capacity. We made the best of it. BUT we also went to guest services and got our daily tips refunded. You were very lucky that you encountered nice crew members. We only encountered a couple. I also got refunded by Thermal suite pass. Every time i went to the thermal suite, it was packed.. i could not even get a seat. Young adults were everywhere. I thought i would find peace there but it was just as loud and crowded as everywhere else. They definitely over sold passes. We are platinum members with NCL and this is our 12th cruise with them. I am beyond disappointed in this cruise.
I think the covid protocols and shutdowns have ruined them. They have not recovered yet. When passengers stop going on a cruise, they will get the message. Obviously if the spa was packed, then the cruise was sold out. I am waiting it out. i will not be tested on board and then quarantined, that is keeping me off ships. Bermuda STILL demanding a PCR test when everyone else dropped it
I am doing this cruise in January I hope things have worked out by then
Bermuda is cold in January.
How did it go??
@@daniareyes9841 no it isn't it was 80s
@@dolphin80 it was very nice
Hi, It’s really a shame that you had a bad experience.
Do you think it would be different on another week (not a school break.) I’d like to go on the Getaway in September.
May I ask, did they have entertainment or was that canceled?
they had show burn feet and a horrible magician which everyone walk out
Regina, I thought the entertainment they did have was good. My kids loved the magician, the comedians, and we heard great things about Burn the Floor, but didn't go to it. The ship's staff also did the best they could to entertain, under the circumstance. The people that showed up early got on fast, so their experience was different. Could it be better during another non-school break, possibly. There was probably a perfect storm for disaster brewing here.....ship leaving on Easter Sunday, lack of staff at port, overbooking ship because of it being a break, but ship's staff not ready to handle, etc. I put all that on NCL management or mismanagement, really. Unfortunately, my two worst cruises have been with NCL, so I think I'm done with them for a while.
Soo, it will be out first cruise in few days. How do we book the restaurants before we even get on the ship lol?
Download the APP...you can book through that.
But you took Royal Caribbean before the Pandemic. We went RC October of 21 and our review of RC would be the same as what you just said for NCL. Think they said 60% also and although it may have been less than 100%, it was more than 60% and you were restricted to how many people in elevator at one time (6), hot tubs (7), pools (14), etc. etc. And they policed these restrictions strictly. So, I think these problems plagued all cruise lines, not just NCL and you must realize, they are a business just trying to survive through what is now being found to be overly mandated unnecessary restrictions that hurt as much as they helped especially the damage done to private businesses, schools and our children’s educations.
Fair enough Rob...you're right, but I also took NCL well before the pandemic on another cruise, and that cruise ranks just above this one in terms of preference, so still not good marks for NCL, in my opinion. I'm happy people have had great experiences on NCL, just hasn't happened for me. I can only go by my experience, and to date, RCCL is still the tops.
Please don’t sail NCL because you don’t like them. I’ve sailed 15 times with NCL. All good experiences. There is an adult only area on the ship with hot tubs and a bar. Be grateful that ships are at 100 percent again. It means we can sail more often. All cruise lines are understaffed because of the Covid situation.
He stated that the adult only areas were not adult area due to the children’s areas being closed. We had experienced similar. If they aren’t ready for 100% and they actually state it’s 60% then that is default on their part.
And yup got there at 12:30 and got on at 7:20.
I thought the cruise left at 4PM?? They left NYC late??
I cruised on the Getaway in March. I don’t know what you are talking about. It sounds like you didn’t do your homework before you left. I also work in the IT field. I purchased the top tier WiFi package before I left and it was under $200 and it was fast and steady. You’re on a cruise ship if you are expecting home speeds of course you’ll be disappointed. It sounds to me like your expectations were high. 60% of a possible 4000 passengers is still 2500. Stop crying, Like it or not we are still in the pandemic, even though its towards the end. Companies are doing the best they can. NCL is a quality company and the Getaway is a great ship. I have sailed on it multiple times. I guess you can’t please everyone. I am sailing on the Joy in two weeks to Bermuda I expect it to be quality as always. Be patient!! Bottom shelf is unfair. You’re crying and yet saying it was a great experience. Get over yourself!!
Hey how was the joy? I’ll be going on that in 2 days! Any pointers would be great as it will be out first time on a cruise.
didn't really pay attention to comments, but yours is totally out of line. You had a great experience on your cruise in March 2022....wonderful for you. It was different in April.....the ship was not at 60%, it was at 100% capacity with 60% staff. I never expect top tier wifi speed on ship with satellite comms.....but taking 1-2 mins to open a simple email is a bit much. Taking 7 hours to board is unacceptable, you try being patient with kids. Anyhow, you're in the minority here, read the comments of people that were on the cruise.....we didn't share the same experience as you. Plenty of other options out there besides NCL. Behind the scenes they handled things terribly, with after cruise communications & the like. So again, my experience, not yours. You love NCL...good for you.
I thought your assessment was fair and you backed it up with facts. I personally would not travel when there was a school vacation as I do not like traveling with kids. That would have ruined the trip forme, no matter the weather. Also, I think ini April 2022, there were still many covid protocols, which since then, the testing has been eliminated. However, I will not go to Bermuda as they still demand a PCR ttest and have to fill out an online form and pay $40. Im carrying a credit with NCL but I am holding off. I don't think they're ready yet. They're trying to recoup for nearly 2 years shutting down. gardis in CT
Went a week before this and took 1 hr to board
I was on this cruise!
I remember doing the dolphin encounter there was barely anyone there that day and i had a one on one encounter with a dolphin and it was absolutely wonderful the staff was wonderful and the dolphins are all very friendly or at least to me they were
I totally agree with you,Norwegian lie to us ,wifi I paid and barely work,entertainment on the ship was very bad,so to lack of staff top of the ship was close.this was my 30 th cruise and worst experience,