My husband and I were invited aboard the brand-new Norwegian Getaway cruise ship for a special press trip, and after spending a night exploring the ship, I was disappointed we didn’t have more time. This was only the second cruise ship I had ever been on, following our first family cruise aboard Carnival Imagination, and Norwegian Getaway was unlike anything I had experienced before.
From the beautiful accommodations to the gym, spa, restaurants, and entertainment, there seemed to be something around every corner. Norwegian Getaway is a large ship, and one night was definitely not enough time to see everything.
The ship also has plenty of Miami personality. Colorful artwork by Miami artist David “LEBO” Le Batard decorates the hull, the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders serve as the ship’s godmothers, and Latin influences can be found throughout the ship. Entertainment includes performances of Burn the Floor and Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Norwegian Getaway Staterooms
One of the parts of Norwegian Getaway I was most interested in seeing was the accommodations. Whether you simply need a comfortable place to sleep or want to splurge on a luxury suite, there are several different room options available.
We stayed in a balcony stateroom, and after experiencing one, I would definitely consider spending the extra money for a balcony when taking a longer cruise. Having your own private outdoor space where you can step outside and enjoy the ocean adds something special to the experience.
Our room included:
- King-size bed
- Plenty of closet and storage space
- Private balcony
- Spacious bathroom
- Dual bathroom sinks
- Shower with body sprays
The bathroom was one of my favorite parts of the room. It was large enough that one of us could shower while the other got ready, although figuring out how to get the hot water working took me a little while.
For two people, the stateroom felt like a comfortable size. Since there are five people in our family, however, I would have loved to spend more time looking at the larger family accommodations to see what would comfortably work for all of us.
Cruise cabins require a little more organization than a hotel room, especially when several people are sharing the space. Keeping frequently used items off the counters with magnetic cruise cabin hooks could make it easier to use the limited storage more efficiently. Knowing how to pack a suitcase efficiently can also make it easier to keep clothing and other essentials manageable once everyone is settled into the cabin.
The Haven Owner’s Suite
We didn’t have enough time to tour every cabin option, but we did get the chance to see one of the most impressive accommodations aboard Norwegian Getaway: The Haven Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony.
If luxury is what you are looking for, this is definitely it.
The Haven is located in an exclusive area that can only be accessed with a key card. The Owner’s Suite feels much more like a luxury hotel suite than a traditional cruise cabin, with separate areas for relaxing, dining, sleeping, and getting ready.
The suite includes a living room, dining area, half bathroom, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a private balcony. The bedroom has a king-size pillow-top mattress, while the main bathroom includes a luxury shower, bathtub, dual sinks, and a separate dressing area with a full-size closet.
Guests staying in The Haven also have access to a secluded courtyard, private restaurant, and lounge, along with concierge and 24-hour butler service.
There are only two of these Owner’s Suites aboard Norwegian Getaway, and each sleeps up to four people in approximately 570 square feet.
My favorite feature was easily the bathtub. I couldn’t help thinking about how relaxing it would be to take a bath while looking out at the ocean or enjoying the stars.
I would love to take a cruise in a room like this at least once!
Norwegian Getaway Gym and Fitness Center
The Norwegian Getaway gym and fitness center was much larger and more impressive than I expected to find on a cruise ship. For many people, a seven-day cruise is all about eating, relaxing, and enjoying a break from everyday life, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely abandon your workout routine.
In addition to traditional cardio equipment and weights, the Norwegian Getaway fitness center offers several different fitness classes for passengers who want something beyond a typical gym workout. The variety makes it possible to keep exercising throughout the cruise without doing the exact same workout every day.
Some of the fitness options aboard Norwegian Getaway include:
| Fitness option | What to expect |
|---|---|
| FLYWHEEL | High-tech indoor cycling workout |
| Freestyle Fight Klub | Training combined with cardio boxing |
| Pureform Pilates | Pilates-based strength and flexibility |
| ChiBall Fire Yoga | Yoga-based fitness class |
| Cardio equipment | Traditional gym cardio workouts |
| Weights | Strength-training options |
I love that there are enough choices to keep workouts from becoming boring. Someone who normally enjoys cycling can take a spin class, while another passenger might prefer boxing, Pilates, yoga, cardio, or traditional strength training.
A reusable insulated water bottle would also be handy for heading between the cabin, gym, pool deck, and other areas of the ship without having to constantly stop for a drink.
Relaxing at Mandara Spa
After getting in your daily workout, you can move on to one of the places I could easily spend a lot of time: Mandara Spa.
We had an opportunity to tour the spa, and just stepping inside made me feel more relaxed. It has the quiet, peaceful atmosphere you want from a spa, which is a nice contrast to all of the activity happening throughout the rest of the ship.
Mandara Spa includes several different relaxation areas and treatment options, including:
- Salt room
- Steam room
- Aromatherapy room
- Jacuzzi
- Heated beds
- 24-karat gold facial
- Additional spa and beauty treatments
The salt room especially caught my attention because it wasn’t something I had seen at a traditional hotel spa. Between the heated beds, steam room, spa treatments, and quiet atmosphere, it would be easy to spend a few hours here relaxing while at sea.
More Than Just a Place to Sleep
What impressed me most about Norwegian Getaway was how much was packed into one ship. The accommodations range from comfortable balcony staterooms to incredible suites, but your room is only one small part of the experience.
There are places to eat, entertainment to enjoy, fitness classes to try, and plenty of places to simply sit down and relax. We were only aboard for one night, and I felt like we barely scratched the surface.
If I were booking a full cruise aboard Norwegian Getaway, I would definitely consider spending a little more for a balcony stateroom. Being able to start or end the day sitting outside with nothing but the ocean in front of you sounds like exactly what a cruise vacation should be.
And if someone wants to invite me back to try that Owner’s Suite, I certainly won’t say no.