NCL Getaway Review: Great Service, Terrible Buffet, Amazing Mojitos

Summary for people who don't want to read the whole thing:

Overall, I had a good experience on the NCL Getaway. Embarkation was quick, the ship was clean, and the staff was very friendly. The specialty restaurants, especially Le Bistro, were excellent, and the beverage package was worth it. The buffet, the small pool, and some aspects of Stirrup Cay were disappointing.

Overall rating: 7.5/10.

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This was my experience on the NCL Getaway. For context, the last cruise I took was about 20 years ago on a Disney ship, so this was basically my first cruise all over again. I also can't compare it with any other cruise line.

Overall, I had a very good experience, but there are definitely areas that need improvement. I didn't do any excursions, I didn't spend any time in the casino, and I only tried a few restaurants.

1. Embarkation

I sailed out of the Port of Miami. Traffic getting there was a little heavy, but the check-in process was very easy. You can drop off your luggage right in front of the terminal, and parking is available if you drive yourself. Parking cost me $102 for the three-night cruise, which was about the same as taking an Uber.

I arrived around 10:30 a.m. The process was quick. They assign you to a boarding group, and once your number is called, you can board without any problems. The staff was very friendly.

2. The ship

The Getaway isn't an ultra-luxury ship, but I thought it was perfectly decent. There are plenty of nice spots to take pictures, and everything looked clean.

The pool, however, is extremely small. At times, it felt as if people were packed together like fish in a tank.

The cabin was also small, and the balcony barely had enough room for two people. Once you sit down, your knees are almost touching the glass. I'm 5.8.

The bed is advertised as a queen bed, but it's really just two twin beds pushed together, leaving an uncomfortable gap in the middle.

The bathroom was fine, and we didn't have any problems there.

The television deserves a special mention. It's small, and the programming is pretty bad unless you want to pay $10 for a movie. Hopefully, you don't end up with a rainy day and nothing else to do.

3. Food

This is where I think NCL really needs to improve.

I thought the buffet was terrible, and I didn't enjoy most of the food. The hamburgers were extremely overcooked, and the desserts were some of the only items I consistently enjoyed.

Eventually, we decided to stick with the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants, where the food was much better. We had breakfast at Taste and Savor and dinner at Manhattan, Le Bistro, and Shanghai's Noodle Bar.

The food and service at the specialty restaurants were outstanding. I highly recommend Le Bistro. It was easily the best dining experience we had on the cruise. Make reservations as early as possible.

4. Drinks

We had the beverage package and definitely made good use of it.

My biggest recommendation is Sugarcane Mojito Bar. The mojitos were excellent, especially the pineapple mojito. The frozen drinks were far too sweet for my taste, but the rest of the cocktails were very good.

The downside is that most bars close around 11 p.m., and the remaining bars become extremely crowded.

If you enjoy cocktails and soft drinks, the package is absolutely worth it.

5. Entertainment

This part really comes down to personal preference.

There was live music in several locations, activities by the pool, and shows at night. Some performances were better than others, but overall, we had a good time.

6. Stirrup Cay

When I visited, the pier was still under construction, so we had to take tenders to the island. We ended up on the upper deck with no shade, and the heat was brutal.

The food was disappointing. We were excited to try the ceviche, but we ended up throwing it away.

The beach itself felt artificial. As soon as you walk into the water, you notice rocks and uneven spots everywhere.

The lagoon is quite large, and there is a water park for children. The margaritas, however, were fantastic and easily the highlight of the island for us.

The bars became very crowded, and long lines formed throughout the day. I honestly don't think the island is ready to handle two ships at the same time. There was only one ship during our visit, and it already felt overcrowded. The staff members were working hard, but they seemed overwhelmed. I can't imagine what it will be like once two ships start arriving at the same time.

Overall, we had a great time, and I would probably sail with NCL again. Not everything was perfect, and there are definitely areas that need improvement, but the experience was still a positive one.

At the end of the day, a cruise is what you make of it. Some things exceeded my expectations, while others were disappointing, but I came home happy with the trip. Hopefully, this review helps anyone considering the NCL Getaway.

One last note: I think they should stop calling it "all-inclusive" and start calling it "almost all-inclusive."

You still have to pay taxes on drinks while you're in the Port of Miami and at Stirrup Cay, which isn't something they make very clear when you book the cruise. There are also plenty of things that require an extra charge, and in many cases, the better options come at an additional cost.

That doesn't mean the cruise isn't worth it, but it's definitely something people should know before they go.