Norwegian Getaway

Getaway simply oozes Miami, and that's exactly what Norwegian Cruise Line was going for when it
built the ship. It starts with the hull, with art designed by Miami artist David "LEBO" Le Batard. It's impossible to miss the painting, which features a mermaid and pelicans and employs the colors of the sea. Inside, the overall color palate successfully melds bright purples and turquoises with more muted browns and gleaming silvers. Even the public spaces feel like Miami. Passengers can grab a variety of signature cocktails at Sugarcane Mojito Bar and eat rice and beans and other Latin-inspired cuisine at the Flamingo Grill. Then there's The Waterfront, an outdoor space that encircles Deck 8, where passengers can sip drinks or dine alfresco. While the innovation debuted on twin sister Norwegian Breakaway, it just really works on Getaway, which sails year-round from Miami, where the weather is always ideal for spending time enjoying dinner, drinks and uninterrupted ocean views.

Getaway scores huge points for entertainment options with 28 restaurants, more than a dozen bars, Broadway-caliber theater and a large sports complex that boasts a ropes course, climbing wall and zip line. Passengers on Getaway would have to go out of their way to squeeze in everything. It's almost impossible to be bored. Highlights include Howl at the Moon, an outrageous sing-along dueling piano show; musical "Million Dollar Quartet"; dinner theater production The Illusionarium; and five multistory waterslides, including the scream-inducing Free Fall.

The ship was built for socializing, with most of the action taking place around 678 Ocean Place, the three-deck open space around which many of Getaway's bars are located. Have dinner in Le Bistro on Deck 6, catch a Second City improv comedy show across the way at Headliners, and then climb the stairs to hit the Casino on Deck 7 before finishing the night at Sugarcane Mojito Bar on Deck 8 without missing a beat. The area is packed with activities, which also means it's packed with people. The casino encircles the area on Deck 7, and smoke drifts to restaurants and clubs on the decks above and below. It also leads to some bottlenecking as passengers make their way through. Adding to the chaos is Norwegian's Freestyle dining concept which, while much-adored on the line's smaller ships, can seem onerous on a ship of more than 4,000. A vacation on Getaway requires planning ahead to get seats in the venues that you want.

It also can make avoiding the crowds somewhat of a challenge, though it's entirely possible. Set off from the rest of the ship, the Vibe Beach Club and the Thermal Suite spa lounge provide sanctuary, but you'll pay for the privilege. Of course, luxe-lovers can head off the crowds before boarding by booking a room in the Haven, Norwegian's ship-within-a-ship enclave, which has a small pool, restaurant and lounge exclusively for Haven suite residents.

Generally, cabins are comfortable though snug, with balconies that are small, even at the suite level. Still, Getaway is a perfect option for passengers who consider the ship to be the destination. Options for entertainment are plentiful, and outdoor spaces work in harmony with the Miami theme and Caribbean sunshine.

Norwegian Getaway Fellow Passengers
Norwegian Getaway blends a lot of adult spaces with kid-friendly activities, so passengers are a mix of couples, families -- both nuclear and multigenerational -- and groups of friends. Getaway's Miami homeport and vibe make it a solid draw for South Florida residents, but its seven-night itineraries lure passengers from all over.

Norwegian Getaway Dress Code

With its Freestyle dining program, Norwegian broke cruising's formal night tradition years ago, and the casual concept has only gained in popularity. While passengers are encouraged to "dress up" (meaning suits for men and cocktail dresses for women) one night, now called Norwegian's Night Out, only a fraction of people do. On this Miami-based ship, women should be fine with sundresses, skirts or nice pants with blouses most evenings, while men can get by with khakis or linen pants and collared shirts. Note that some of the nicer restaurants, such as Le Bistro and Cagney's, do require men to wear slacks; you'll see few shorts at an event such as the Chef's Table.

Norwegian Getaway Gratuity

Each passenger is automatically billed $13.50 per person, per day in all cabin categories up to and including a mini suite. Suite guests will be charged $15.50 per person, per day. If a passenger is unsatisfied with service, and the line can't resolve the issue, the service fee can be adjusted. An 18 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar drinks, and 18 percent is added to spa and salon services. All specialty and entertainment dining carries an 18 percent auto-gratuity. For passengers using concierge and butler service, Norwegian recommends a gratuity "commensurate with the services rendered." The bill can be paid in cash or with credit or debit cards.

Norwegian Getaway Cabins 

Getaway is equipped with 2,014 cabins. Of those, 42 are within Norwegian's signature all-suite complex, The Haven. Notable cabin categories include 59 Studio cabins for solo cruisers and 42 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

The cabin decor is clean and modern, with echoes of art deco in suites (reminiscent of Miami's most famous oceanside hotels). The color palette is awash with jewel tones: ocean blue for oceanviews, pops of turquoise in balcony cabins and purple in minisuites. Cheerful orange accents brighten up insides. Glossy dark-wood closets, tan carpeting and light walls are featured in most cabins, and color-saturated panoramic photos of nature liven up neutral colors.

Two twin beds can be converted into a queen-sized bed in any cabin in any category. Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer, safe, flat-screen TV, writing desk with four outlets (two U.S. standard and two European) and minibar. Closets and shelving around the room provide plentiful storage. All cabins are designed to be energy efficient, utilizing keycard access to control the lighting. Of note: Electronics will not charge unless a keycard is in use to activate the outlet; any type of card -- even those without magnetic strips -- can be used to activate the lights and electrical outlets.

All cabin bathrooms feature sinks with tile backsplashes and storage underneath, toilets and showers with glass doors. Shower dispensers have shampoo and body wash. Elemis bath products are available in The Haven and Spa cabins.

Interior: There are 449 inside cabins on Getaway at 135 to 201 square feet each. Many inside cabins are connecting and sleep up to four with the help of pull-down bunks. For families, inside cabins are available near children's facilities.

Oceanview: Outside, or oceanview, cabins come with large windows and 161 to 218 square feet of space. About 44 of the 162 cabins in this category are Family Oceanviews that sleep five people.

Balcony: Getaway's 962 balcony cabins are 207 to 550 square feet and feature sofa beds with large drawers underneath for extra storage. In the bathrooms, showers offer shaving bars for women. On each balcony, you'll find two blue mesh chairs and a small metal table. We measured an aft-facing balcony to be about 99 square feet. Midship balcony cabins, on Deck 13, offer balconies that are about 24 square feet.

Minisuites: The 246 Mini Suites are essentially slightly roomier versions of balcony cabins, with better bathrooms. Large double sinks are set against mosaic glass tile backsplashes. Multiple body spray jets, along with handheld showerheads, are also included in the oversized showers. (Note: Be careful with the body jets. They're powerful and can hit you where it hurts, depending on your height.) A king-sized bed that can be separated into two singles, a sofa bed with additional storage, full-sized closet with sliding doors and the bathroom compose the 239 to 585 square feet of each room. Balcony furniture includes the same two blue mesh chairs and small metal table. The verandah of a Mini Suite with Large Balcony on Deck 8 measured about 96 square feet. On Decks 12 and 13, specialized Family Mini Suites are located near children's facilities, and many feature bathtubs. Balconies in these cabins measure about 30 square feet each.

Suites: There are 22 Penthouse Suites outside of The Haven (Forward/Aft-Facing Penthouses), which also maintain access to all the amenities of The Haven. Enjoy more space with 419- to 824-square-foot accommodations, which each include a dining room and living area that features a double sofa bed. Each bathroom has two double bowl sinks, a curved oval bathtub (most with lovely ocean views) and separate shower. Elemis bath products and an enhanced vanity, including an illuminated magnifying mirror and cotton swabs, are offered at this level and above. A balcony in a forward-facing cabin on Deck 11 is small at around 30 square feet. The wraparound balcony for an aft-facing penthouse on Deck 13 measured 7 feet wide from the handrail to the sliding-glass door and 30 feet in length along the railing.

There are 42 suites inside The Haven on decks 15 and 16. The Haven includes a private restaurant, a cocktail bar and a concierge desk (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Exclusive benefits also include a private concierge and 24-hour butler; priority embarkation and disembarkation; priority boarding of tenders to shore; priority seating at shows; in-suite espresso/cappuccino machines; gourmet treats delivered each evening; Bliss Collection by Norwegian pillow-top mattress; fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu; and plush bathrobes, slippers and oversized towels. On embarkation day, we received beef sliders and fries in the lounge but no welcome drink, which would have been a nice touch.

At the heart of The Haven is a two-story courtyard area that features a pool, two whirlpools and a private sun deck, along with two private massage rooms, changing areas and a sauna. Haven passengers also have direct and private access to the ship's spa and fitness center. We found some of the best views in port to be all the way forward on the upper level of the courtyard; oddly enough, it's an area designated for smoking.

Cabins in The Haven fall into four categories. There are 18 Courtyard Penthouses, from 328 to 349 square feet, including king-sized beds, living and dining rooms and single sofa beds. The walk-in closets are humongous. Each balcony features two camel-colored wicker chairs with tan cushions and a small, circular wicker table. Balconies in these penthouses (on Deck 16) are about 48 square feet.

The 20 two-bedroom Family Villas each feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms with separate living room and dining area, single sofa bed and bar. These cabins can sleep five or six and make the Haven popular with families. The master bedroom contains a king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. The master bath features a shower, an oversized oval tub with sea views and two vanity sinks. The second bedroom includes either a single or double sofa bed, a Pullman bed and bathroom. These villas run 543 to 545 square feet. A balcony in a Deck 15 Family Villa cabin is about 40 square feet.

The two Owner's Suites, on Deck 16, are sizeable at 572 square feet each. Each suite includes a living room, dining area and vanity. In the bedroom, there is a king-sized bed that faces floor-to-ceiling windows, a large walk-in closet area and a large balcony. Each master bathroom features a large bathtub, luxurious cocoa-colored vanity sinks and a shower. The Owner's Suites can be joined to the Deluxe Owner's Suites creating one grand suite that can sleep eight people.

The two Deluxe Owner's Suites are the largest suites within The Haven, at 932 square feet each. They feature a living room, dining area and vanity, and a wet bar for entertaining. The wraparound private balcony is a highlight, measuring about 50 feet around and 6 feet across.

Studios: At 99 square feet, Studios are specifically designed to accommodate solo travelers. Most of the 59 Studios connect, and these rooms have private keycard access to the Studio complex and exclusive two-story Studio Lounge (with a bar). Cabins feature full-sized beds and have windows to the corridor so you can check out what's happening on the other side. The lounge is staffed with crew who help arrange group meals and activities with passengers staying in Studio cabins, making it a social and comfortable environment for singles.

Spa: For those looking to bliss out, Getaway has 36 Spa Balconies, 20 Spa Mini Suites and 16 Haven Spa Suites, all located on Deck 14, adjacent to the spa and fitness center. Passengers sailing in all spa categories get complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suite and plush bathrobes and slippers for use onboard. Suite passengers also have access to a portable phone that's usable anywhere on the ship and handy for staying in touch onboard. At 207 and 239 square feet, respectively, Spa Balconies and Mini Suites are laid out like standard cabins but feature tranquil, nature-inspired spa decor. Haven Spa Suites upgrade to 309 square feet of space with a king-sized bed, dining area, hardwood floors and in-suite whirlpool. Each suite bathroom features an oversized shower with a waterfall showerhead and multiple body spray jets, along with a separate handheld shower head and two vanity sinks. Spa suite passengers have access to all the Haven facilities and amenities. A balcony in a Haven Spa Suite measures roughly 39 square feet.

Free Dining

As with other ships in Norwegian's fleet, Getaway practices Freestyle dining, meaning there's no early or late assigned seating, and reservations are not allowed in the complimentary dining rooms, except for Haven passengers. We found quality varies depending on the venue, and while you will pay for better quality in the specialty dining venues, Norwegian has been working hard to upgrade its main dining experience fleetwide. On Getaway, this is reflected in dining choices that showcase a bit of international flavor and variety. Think innovations like Vietnamese pho soup for lunch or a vegetarian Indian curry for dinner. The options now extend beyond cruise-ship standards like steak and fish, expanding the menus in line with cruisers' more adventurous palates.

Savor and Taste (Deck 6): Getaway has several complimentary main dining rooms. Located on Deck 6, across from one another, Savor and Taste share the same kitchen and same rotating menu but are broken up into two spaces to provide a more intimate experience. Decor is similar with slight color variations. Both dining rooms are furnished with dark woods and glass accents, but Savor's color scheme incorporates blue tones, while Taste's includes red ones.

On our cruise, Savor served breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and lunch on sea days from noon to 1:30 p.m. Both restaurants serve dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 or 10 p.m. Expect dinner entrees that include pork loin, chimichurri skirt steak salad, Szechuan chicken and Indian curry; lunch offerings like salmon burgers, meatball subs, shrimp and arugula salad, and even Vietnamese chicken pho (soup); and desserts like pecan pie, creme caramel, Caribbean pineapples or a warm chocolate volcano. Breakfast items are a traditional mix of eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, French toast and waffles. Hot and cold cereals, pastries and fruit are also available.

Tropicana Room (Deck 7): The third complimentary dining room, the Tropicana Room, has the same main dining menu, enhanced with the feel of a 1940s supper club -- and Norwegian nailed it. The Tropicana Room features floor-to ceiling windows and a central stage with a dance floor. The Latin jazz band playing at the front of the room helps to cement that 1940s feel. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly, and the space also hosts smaller performances of the "Burn the Floor" Latin dance show.

Garden Cafe (Deck 15): The ship's main buffet serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A smaller breakfast selection is available for early risers from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., and snacks are served from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and again from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The space is open, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow ocean views. It's where you'll find buffet staples like made-to-order omelets and waffles, pasta and carving stations, grilled items and dessert. We enjoyed many of the premade cold salads like curried chicken salad with apples. The popular soft-serve ice cream machine is up there, too (with a hard ice cream station at mealtimes). The counters wind around, stations like the salad bars and sandwich-making areas are repeated. Still, walk as far down as you can to weigh your options before filling your plate.

Flamingo Bar & Grill (Deck 16): If you don't want to brave buffet lines, the Flamingo Bar & Grill on Deck 16 is conveniently located near the pool and Spice H2O. It serves Latin dishes like pulled pork, rice and beans, and empanadas. The yucca fries with cilantro sauce was delightful, and we couldn't get enough. Recipes were developed by Norwegian's Miami-based staff, and, in general, they deliver an authentic flavor. The space is a light-filled sanctuary to grab breakfast, especially when pulling into port. Breakfast items range from Cuban specialties like pastelitas (guava and cheese filled pastries) and ham, swiss and tomato puff pastries to breakfast sandwiches, fruit and more traditional American breakfast items. Hours on sea days are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 5 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on port days.

O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill (Deck 7): O'Sheehan's is the de facto place for late-night munchies, with pizza, hamburgers and other comfort food available 24/7. With a two-story TV screen, a miniature bowling lane, pool tables and arcade games, the venue tempts you to never leave -- unless you're sensitive to noise. The decibel level there can be deafening. It's a good option for breakfast, with standards like omelets and French toast, and around 8 a.m. on the first sea day, it was a ghost town. Each night one special entree is featured -- such as prime rib, fried chicken or chicken and waffles -- in addition to regular menu items. This is also the place for tap beer; if you order one from anywhere on the ship, chances are it's coming from O'Sheehan's.

Shanghai's Noodle Bar (Deck 7): With long counter seating around an open kitchen, you'll find traditional Chinese noodles, wok-fried dishes and dim sum at the Noodle Bar. Tucked back behind the casino, Shanghai's is unassuming but authentic, hot, fresh and delicious. If you can snag a seat facing the kitchen, it becomes a meal and a show as you watch the chefs expertly prepare your meal pulling noodles from a refrigerated door, chopping the vegetables and putting things in and out of large, steaming pots. Our favorites were the spring roll, char siu noodles in broth (the Chinese barbecue pork was deliciously melty), vegetarian fried rice and fried pork dumplings (or steamed if you prefer), but really everything on the limited menu seemed well done.