MAGICAL GETAWAY!

MAGICAL GETAWAY!

At Sea / Miami, Florida to NCL Getaway

Sunday, January 31, 2016

High 70s, sunny

We were up early for our 7:20 a.m. disembarkation off the Regal Princess and were easily through customs after 8 a.m., on our way to our truck at the Hampton Inn Airport North.  The drive to the Miami port took about 25 minutes after a stop at Walgreen’s for more cold medicine for our pesky colds. We boarded our new ship, Norwegian Cruise Lines Getaway about 12:30 p.m. We think there was some sort of issue because that part of the process took longer than usual.

The Getaway is large and beautiful. My first impression as we boarded was how spacious the ship seemed. We spent some time in the main Atrium area near Guest Services. Imagine almost 4000 people checking into a hotel at the same time! The amount of people in that area was overwhelming. I felt like I was at a concert on State Street during “We Love Erie Days.” This is a huge and busy ship!

We had a good lunch at O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill—fish and chips for me and meat loaf for TK.

After lunch when we made our way to our stateroom, #14623, shock set in. As the cruise lines build bigger ships, they try to create more and more staterooms. Our stateroom is smaller than our laundry and bath combined on the first floor of our house in Erie. Really! On the bright side, the bathroom is probably bigger than the one we had on the Regal.

Muster drill was easy, although not as organized as usual. At least we did not have to carry our life jackets.  After the drill the ship sailed away and we quickly learned that we would not be able to upgrade our room as the ship is full.

On the really good side, TK made 5:30 p.m. reservations for dinner at the Illusionarium. Advertised as a place of joy and wonder, with world class magicians, illusionists, and mentalists, the Illusionarium did not disappoint. Dinner is served in a dark and mystical atmosphere while an interesting story is told through magic and illusion. We had front row seats and this magic show was like no other! How can people disappear and reappear in seconds? How can someone get into a box and have swords and spears thrust through it and then the person appears from somewhere else. How can a woman put the magician in chains, drape him with a cloth, whirl around, and then she is in chains and he is free????????????? TK says they practice and practice and are contortionists. No matter how much I practice (over 50…ah hmmm years), I cannot contort myself into disappearing even though TK might want that. I’m glad we went to the Illusionarium. It was sure entertaining!

Entrance to the Illusionarium

After dinner we returned to our stateroom and it did not magically get bigger, sad to say. While I signed up for Internet on Deck 6, TK organized his stuff. When I returned he was upset, but went off to check out the pool deck while I put my stuff away. To make matters even more interesting we discovered that families with boys the age of middle school students are on either side of our room. TK said he would never go on another cruise. That is not a good way to begin, so stay tuned for future developments. I’m sure we are tired and tomorrow will be a better day!

Stateroom 14623--home 

14633--opposite from the bed. Black lined door to hallway.

One of our many towel animals!

Facts about NCL Getaway:

·         Overall Length: 1,068 ft.

·         Beam: 170 ft.

·         Draft: 27 ft.

·         Cruise Speed: 22.5 knots

·         Guests: 3,969

·         Crew: 1,640

·         27 dining options

·         22 bars and lounges, including an ice bar

·         Aqua Park, 3 story sports complex, water slides, bungees, trampoline, miniature golf, ropes course, video arcade, jogging and walking track

·         Comedy Club

·         Shops, spas, beauty salon

·         Library, Art Gallery, Gift Shops, Photo Shop

·         Medical Center and more

TK's Takes: Fastest disembarkation ever. We were off the ship by 8 a.m. and on the road for Miami after a quick stop at Walgreen's for more cold medicine.  The room is tiny with not much storage space.

We miss our friends very much.
And I miss my family too! TK  does too!