Wanna Getaway?

4 Years, 22 & 23 Weeks:


This past week we all were suffering from PCD ~ Post Cruise Depression.

Because the week before that we were on what we would deem one of the best cruises we've been on since our honeymoon!  It was amazing and so much fun!!

This past April we, along with the Clarke's, booked a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, The Getaway, out of the Port of Miami.  It was the biggest ship that we have ever sailed on, with lots of new features, and plenty of activities for every family member.  The ship catered to multigenerational families, and we enjoyed the ship's layout, eating establishments, entertainment, you name it.  Plus it still had the "new ship smell!"

144,000 tons.  4000 passengers.  1600 crew.  Just massive.

The grand atrium.

The waterfront on deck 8, a 1/4 mile loop lined with shops, lounges, and restaurants with a view.

The Tropicana Room, one of several main dining rooms included in our fare.

The Illusionarium restaurant, for their magic dinner show.

The Mandara Spa, enjoyed by Tangie.  Every.  Day.

The Splash Academy for the kids' activities.

Our family ocean view stateroom.  The sofa becomes a queen and
Braelyn's bed came down from the ceiling.

The water slides on the top deck.

View of the ropes course and mini golf course.

Walking "The Plank", jutting out the side 18 stories over the water!

We decided on this particular cruise not just because it was brand spanking new (out in February of this year, we were the 32nd group to sail) but because (1) they were doing a "kids sail free" promotion and (2) this was the first ship that we found to ever have a family stateroom that could fit 5 that wasn't a suite!  Pretty sweet!  In the end, the total price would be $350 per person, for 7 days!  It was a no brainer!

Speaking of no brainers, I must confess that I purposely switched my brain off during the trip, so I am unable to recall every single detail and event as I usually do on our trips.  Wait, what?  Therefore I'm just going to post a daily summary and accompanying pictures for each day.

• I had been packing and cleaning up the house the entire week before we left, mowing the lawn and making sure everything was in place before we picked up Brae from school en route to driving down to Miami that afternoon.  We had decided to spend the night there, rather than waking up at an unearthly hour Saturday morning to load up and drive the 4 hours down.  That way we could take our time, and have a buffer in case anything should break down or us getting a flat tire on the way down.  We met up with the Clarke's for dinner in Jupiter and then caravanned the rest of the way, checking in at the Springhill Suites by the airport for the night.  The kids were excited to be on the trip, although the twins were somewhat confused as they had thought we were going to be getting on the ship that evening!  

Organizing the kids' daily outfits.  OCD much?

Goodie bags for the trip down, including personal fans, hand sanitizers,
glow in the dark trinkets, and treats.

Apparently the goodie bags were a hit!

Getting settled for the night at the hotel.

Exhausted, Kohl was already out before the girls climbed into bed!

• Saturday morning we awoke to overcast skies.  The forecast called for showers that day but they never formalized.  We packed up our overnight bag and headed down for the continental breakfast that was included in our rate, and then made our way to the port.  Jared and I dropped the families and bags off and parked our vehicles in the garage, before joining them at the terminal.  Embarkation was quick and easy, and we were on board before noon.  Since our rooms weren't ready until 2, we had lunch and then walked the ship, trying to familiarize ourselves with the labyrinth of floors and hallways.  The ship was exquisite; luxurious without being pretentious, it was very clean and modern.  We enjoyed the new technological features as the touch screen panels by the elevators, where you could make dinner reservations or reserve a seat for the show, all with a touch of your fingertips.  We registered the kids at the Splash Academy, where they would be spending a portion of each day there, and met with the counselors.  Then we took a tour of the spa, with Tangie and Marlissa getting the spa access package, limited to only 120 guests on board!  We finally got our bags and did the required muster drill, before sailing out in the sunset.  The kids had supper via the Garden Cafe buffet before we sent them off to the Splash Academy, while the adults enjoyed our first gourmet meal, this time at the Tropicana Room.  We attended a portion of the Welcome Program at the Box Theatre (because it resembled a large movie theatre) before picking the kids up and settling for the evening, we were so tired.

Our first photo with our ship!

Mommy checking us in.

Registering the kids into the Splash Academy.

Walking the ship, and seeing these!

The ladies trying out the warm stone beds at the Mandara Spa.  They were sold!

Photo of the group together.

Enjoying his first ice cream cone.  Um, excuse me sir, you've got a little something on your face...

Excited to try out the rock climbing wall!

• Sunday was our first of 3 days at sea.  We took the morning and enjoyed the activities on the top deck with Braelyn, while the twins were at the Splash academy; we would rotate and spend time in the afternoon with the twins.  Tangie and Marlissa spent a couple hours at the spa, Jared took a nap while I watched the Broncos game with some other fans at O'Sheehan's, the sports bar.  It was great to be able to watch the game and not miss it while at sea!   

Maddy enjoying a chocolate croissant via room service while
Mommy reads up on the daily activities.

Breakfast in the dining room.

The girls get ready to tackle the ropes course!

It was really windy up there as the ship was moving.

Tangie's first attempt at walking the Plank.  Don't look down!!

Daddy's turn with Braelyn.

Doing flips on the bouncy thingy.

Exhausted from the morning's activities, nap time was warranted.

We tried to take one every afternoon, as our days were long and packed with adventure.

The dads took the 4-year olds to a make-your-own-pizza activity.

Stopping by to see Daddy watch the Broncos game.

Maddy trying out the jumpy thingy.

Excited to go to the Splash Academy for the evening.

With our fabulous table mates!

Picking up a few super heroes at the end of the evening.

• Monday was day 2 at sea, more of the same activities, although this time we incorporated the pools and water slides.  Play, eat, sleep, repeat.  Throw in the spa, gym, and dancing for Daddy's video in between.

Everyone harnessed up and ready to tackle the ropes course again.

They had a small one for the little kids so they wouldn't feel left out!

Soaking in the cruising life.

The girls hitting the pool.

Braelyn taking the water slide.

As did Tangie!

Okay, fine, me too!

The dads about to tackle the rock climbing wall.

Picked up some wild animals in the afternoon.  They had their faces painted every day!

I don't know what to do!  Too many cuts to choose from!  Dinner at the Brazilian steakhouse.

They had an ice bar on the ship that stays at 17ºF, hence the fur ponchos.
We didn't go in, but wanted a picture wearing them so they indulged us.

Winner of the Splash Academy "Survivor" challenge!

The kids were hungry so we got some room service for them.
And I may or may not have ordered a dessert.  Or two...

• Tuesday was our first port of call, Sint Maarten.  We had been there before, the last time being when Braelyn was 6 months old on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas.  We decided to take our own shore excursion, to spend some time in the water and watch the planes land overhead at Maho Beach.  The water was crystal clear and refreshing, and the kids, especially Braelyn, enjoyed sifting through the surf and sand for some shells.  After a couple of hours and several planes landing, we headed back to the ship, for lunch, naps, and evening activities.

Saying goodbye to the Getaway parrot.

The first ship at port, we watched the Carnival Breeze come in.

Before hailing a taxi and heading to the beach.  The fare was $100 roundtrip for all 8 of us.

Taking in the scenery with all the bays dotted with sailboats.

Shaking it off at Maho Beach!

Watching a passenger 737 land overhead.

Heading back to the ship, we had sailed the Caribbean Princess on the far right 9 years ago.

Isabella and Maddy having fun together.

Attended the family lego activity before supper.

Sailing into the sunset, behind the Carnival Breeze.

The adults having fun with some crazy portraits!

Fierce!

The twins settle on the top deck to watch the ship's fireworks display. 

• Wednesday we were in St. Thomas, again the last time there being 6 1/2 years ago.  We originally had planned on skipping out on St. Thomas and taking a ferry over to St. John for some amazing snorkeling, but because we had a shorter day there and time was tight, we decided to just stay and check out some snorkeling at Coki Bay, on the other side of the island.  We weren't disappointed. The beach was fantastic, although somewhat crowded by the time we left, as there were 5 ships in port that day, including Royal Caribbean's gargantuan Allure of the Seas.  One day we shall take that ship…  Fortunately we got there early enough, and secured a great place up front, renting an umbrella and some beach chairs to relax on.  We enjoyed the water, with Tangie and I taking turns with Braelyn out by the coral reef, snorkeling in 10-15 feet waters in awe of the hundreds of beautiful fish swimming all around us. Once we had our fill we went back to the ship for lunch and naps, and settled into our afternoon and evening routines of food, pools, play, and sleep.  

The water was ridiculously clear!

The adults getting the kid's gear set up.

Madelyn was excited to get in!

Until she saw all the fish in the water...

A beached mermaid?

Mommy and Brae loved seeing all the fish out at the coral reef!

Mommy taking it all in in St. Thomas.

A tired crew, heading back for lunch at the ship.

View of the port in Charlotte Amalie.  Ours is in the middle.
The other 2 ships in port are on the other side of town!

Family photo before heading on board.

Taking in the views from the top deck.

See what I mean?

Kohl trying out the jumping thing.

Mommy attempted to do some flips!

Braelyn taking a photo of herself on the Plank!

We purchased the photo of the 2 of us from the ship's camera!

She loved the zip line.

Another photo of her on the Plank, this time with Mommy!

Going on a 20 mile bike ride…indoors.

Attending a family dance party on the top deck as we left St. Thomas.

Kohlden as a pirate with his balloon sword.

Great sunset view from our stateroom.

• Thursday was our last day at sea, traveling towards the Bahamas. We were thoroughly spent from the last two port days, and pretty much took it easy, not really doing much in terms of activities.  In fact, Maddy and I decided to take a nap immediately after our late brunch, while Mommy relaxed at the spa with the two kids going up to the Splash Academy.  We lounged around the ship in the afternoon, the kids taking part in a circus show that they performed for the parents at The Box Theatre.  That evening the whole group got together for dinner at Illusionarium, a dinner show of magic and mystery.  Ooooh, ahhhh!   There were several fantastic acts, and Braelyn was enraptured with the magic, stating "Daddy, my friends at school don't believe in magic, but I do, because I saw real magic on this cruise!"  It was a fantastic show, and we were able to enjoy our time together.

Thank goodness for iPads!

Picked up a fierce lion from the Splash Academy!

The twins' group at the circus show.  Kohl on the far left, Maddy the far right.

Braelyn doing tricks with her double sticks!

Maddy spotted me in the crowd!

A tiger's great performance deserved kisses from Mommy and Daddy!

Attending Nickelodeon's family t-shirt coloring event.

Just a couple of wild animals!

Supper at the Illusionarium dinner show.  I was hoping for a nice family picture, thanks Kohlden...

Maybe this one…great, thanks Madelyn...

Ahhh, finally!  $13 later, thanks Norwegian Cruise Line photo gallery!

Mommy and I had a date night afterwards.

• Friday was our final day, and we were in port at Nassau, Bahamas. This has become a regular port of call in our recent itineraries, with us stopping here on our last 3 previous cruises.  So there really wasn't a real big urge to do a land excursion, although the girls wanted to get in some shopping later that afternoon.  We decided to just hang out on the ship for the morning and do the  ropes course and rock climbing wall one last time.  And a good thing we stayed on the ship too, as a late morning storm came barreling through and soaked the island for a good 2 hours.  We had lunch and then ventured out to do some shopping, Kohl preferring to stay on board and hang out with the other kids at the Splash Academy.  The girls had fun shopping with the mommies, and getting free trinkets and jewelry that a lot of the gem shops pass out to people in hopes to lure them inside to sell them much more expensive pieces.  That evening we packed our things up and then headed out to supper, being treated to an off-the-menu, special request meal of authentic Filipino and Indian cuisine, prepared specifically for our table by the chefs.  On Tuesday I had made nice with the maitre'd and inquired on how I could get my hands on "real home cooked food" and so he and I had corresponded all week, with the culmination of an amazing spread as our "Last Supper" on board.  It was amazing, and I was impressed with the show of generosity and pride as they presented us with this meal. It was so, so good (and spicy!) that I think I cried a little.

Brae and Mommy doing the jogging track.

Kohl just hanging around.

Glad we decided not to go to the beach on Paradise Island!

We played checkers instead.

And found a 2 lane bowling alley inside the ship!

The girls ready for their shopping excursion.

Excited to get free "jewelry!"

Just call me Sherpa Daddy!

The man in the dark suit was the Prime Minister of the Bahamas,
surrounded by his colonel and entourage!

Our "token" photo with Atlantis in the background.

Picked up Spiderman that afternoon!

Attended a family pajama party with make-your-own cupcakes!
With one of their favorite teachers, she was known as "Lizard", and no, I'm not kidding!

Our "Last Supper", with Donna our server and Constancio our maitre'd, who helped set up 

this amazing spread especially for us!  Fish sinigang, chicken adobo,
butter chicken masala, and biryani rice! 

• We awoke back in Miami Saturday morning, groggy and tired, saddened at the realization that our cruise vacation was over.  We showered and changed, and checked out of our room, having breakfast in one of the restaurants one final time before disembarkation.  The process was smooth, and we were grateful we had our wagon, as it helped lug most of the 7 pieces of luggage we had with us.  We loaded up the van and proceeded to make our way back to Orlando, where Lolo, Lala, and Auntie Es were waiting for us back at the house.  They had spent the weekend there and wanted to hear about/see pictures of our trip.  They took us out for supper that evening to celebrate my birthday.

Breakfast before leaving.  We'll miss you Getaway!

With the Grands for supper Saturday evening.

We had an amazing time, and it looks like we will be sailing Norwegian again in the foreseeable future, again because of their kids free promotions as well as the amenities that are on board their newest ships, with 2 other ships slated to join their fleet in the next 3 years.  So we ended up putting a deposit on a future cruise on Norwegian, only time will tell when that will be.  But we all agree that it can't be soon enough!

Here was the rest of the week:

Sunday Brae and Mommy attended a girls birthday party for Macey and Marley Whitaker.

It was a pamper party, where they got treated to pedicures with cute flip flops !

Picked Braelyn up on Tuesday from school sans on front tooth!

Celebrating Daddy's birthday with a special treat at the Soda Fountain Shop on Edgewater.

The twins were tuckered out!

Apparently we're cutting costs…the candle is even bigger than the cake!

At the new bat exhibit at the science center.

She was in heaven with the rocks and gems at the gift shop!

Taking in a 3D movie about pandas.

The twins doing their homework.

On Tuesday evening we received a call from Braelyn's teacher, notifying us that OJA had sustained flood damage as a result of some severe thunderstorms earlier that afternoon.  School would be cancelled for the next 2 days, as clean up crews tore down and removed damaged walls and flooring, while the teachers scrambled to salvage their classrooms and relocate to another area when classes resume, while their classrooms get fixed.  Luckily Brae's classroom wasn't affected, but all the rooms on the other side of her building were damaged, including the business offices, hence the cancellation of classes.  So I had Brae with me on Wednesday and Thursday, and it felt like summer vacation all over again.

The entire right side had to be closed off.

Damage to the floor and walls.

The hallway leading to

the administrative offices.

Cleaning crews with their machines doing the job.

Food:  A sampling of dishes on our cruise:

I could've had Indian every day.  So I did!

French rack of lamb.

Beef Carpaccio.  Raw.  As in uncooked.

Towel Animals:  The kids LOVED coming into the stateroom at night to find them!

Elephant!

Frog!

Rabbit!

Platypus?...

Sleeping Positions:

Quotes:

• Jared and I walking into an elevator in the parking garage at the port, Starbucks coffee in hand.  Joined by a family who were going on a cruise:

          Me:  [to them] "Looks like a group of excited cruisers."

          The Mom:  "We are!"

          Me:  "Which are you guys taking?"

          The Mom:  "Norwegian Getaway."

          Me:  "Ahh.  Perhaps we'll see each other onboard."

          The Mom:  "Oh, do you work there?"

           Really?  I mean, really??

• About to disembark the ship for our excursion in Sint Maarten, Kohlden wanted to bring his "hand and tire" (hand sanitizer) with us to use for when we have germs on our hands. 

• At a meal one evening, Kohlden pointed to my glass of fermented grape juice:

          Kohl:  "Don't drink that, it's poison!!"

          Me:  "Who told you it was poison?"

          Kohl:  "Lolo.  He's silly."

• In line to get Braelyn from school, handing out the twins' snacks:

          Kohl:  "Oooh, I like crackers!"

          Me:  "Oh, I don't know.  You might not like these crackers,

                    they're pizza crackers."

          Kohl:  "I like pizza crackers!  Um…do they have coffee

                      beans in them?"

• Trying to get some information from the twins, asking them if we were going to have a party for my birthday:

          Maddy:  "Yes!"

          Me:  "Really!  Where?"

          Maddy:  "Um…in a restaurant!"

          Kohl:  "No!  In Australia!"

          Hmmm.  I'm not so sure.  Maybe on our next cruise?

Looking forward to our next one!

    

Have a great weekend!