We recently sailed again on the Norwegian Getaway, the ship that sparked our love for cruising. Stepping back on board felt like reconnecting with an old friend. This Norwegian Getaway review highlights our experience staying in The Haven, which was almost as special as we remembered.
Though we’ve been cruising for over 20 years, there was a time, many years ago, when a disappointing cruise left us feeling disenchanted with the whole experience. We took a break. We were younger, less seasoned travelers and not as prepared to take things in stride. These days, we’d chalk it up to an off-cruise, go with the flow, and book another trip to try a different vibe.
It was quite a few years before we decided to give cruising another shot. That’s when we booked the Norwegian Getaway, a cruise line we hadn’t tried before. To our surprise, we won a bid to upgrade to The Haven, and it turned out to be one of the best cruises we’ve ever had. Naturally, we couldn’t resist coming back for another go. This trip was a return to a ship we love and a chance to revisit the Western Caribbean itinerary—a favorite of ours that never disappoints.
But did our return to the Norwegian Getaway live up to our expectations? Was it anything like our first cruise?
On a personal note, this trip came during a bittersweet time. Just days before heading to New Orleans to embark on this cruise, we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog 💔 . While I did my best to enjoy the cruise and let the ocean breeze bring some comfort, I was navigating waves of grief alongside the journey.
About Norwegian Getaway
Here’s a brief list of facts about the Norwegian Getaway:
- Norwegian Getaway is a Breakaway-class cruise ship.
- Launched in January 2014, following its completion in October 2013.
- Accommodates up to 3,963 passengers, excluding crew.
- Sister ship to the Norwegian Breakaway.
- Known for Million Dollar Quartet, a Broadway-style musical.
- Features The Waterfront, an open-air promenade with restaurants and bars.
7-Night NCL Getaway Western Caribbean Itinerary
Day 1 – New Orleans, LA
Day 2- Sea Day
Day 3 – Costa Maya, Mexico
Day 4 – Harvest Caye, Belize
Day 5 – Roatan Islands, Honduras
Day 6 – Cozumel, Mexico
Day 7 – Sea Day
Day 8 – New Orleans, LA
Norwegian Getaway sails the Caribbean year-round, with Western Caribbean itineraries featuring ports like Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Harvest Caye, Belize. Starting in fall 2026, the Getaway will offer 3-, 4-, and 7-day sailings to the Bahamas, marking Norwegian’s first fall season of Bahamian cruises on a large ship.
Cruising on Norwegian Getaway in The Haven
While we thoroughly enjoyed the Norwegian Getaway, our experience was slightly skewed by being Haven passengers, thanks to the additional perks that come with this exclusive area.
Embarkation in New Orleans Cruise Port
Around 10:30 a.m., we took an Uber from Hotel Monteleone, where we had spent a couple of nights exploring the French Quarter, to the port. This time, NCL mailed us our luggage tags in advance, including the distinctive blue Haven priority tags. After attaching them, we handed off our bags to a porter (with a tip) and headed to security.
Haven priority at the New Orleans port only begins after you’ve gone through security. Once we cleared the metal detectors and had our cruise carry-on checked, we were directed to a priority line for official check-in. Our gold cruise cards were handed to us, neatly presented in a slim black wallet with The Haven elegantly engraved in gold on the back. From there, we were escorted to a designated waiting room, where the concierge welcomed us to relax with coffee.
The Haven Waiting Area at Port
The Haven waiting area in the New Orleans Cruise Port was underwhelming. It was small, with a basic seating arrangement reminiscent of a doctor’s office. The one highlight was the refreshments—a lovely spread of pastries, coffee, and juices—which added a touch of comfort to the otherwise drab space.
We waited only about five minutes before the concierge called us. Unlike our previous Haven experience, where we were guided past other non-Haven passengers with a sign in hand, the process was more discreet this time. A butler escorted us through back elevators to the gangway. From there, we completed muster check-in and were allowed to explore the ship or head straight to the Haven lounge.
We chose to go to the Haven lounge, where we were happily welcomed with lovely refreshments and light bites.
NCL Getaway’s The Haven Penthouse Suite
We told our PCC to place us in the cheapest Haven cabin close to The Haven proper when we booked this cruise. That’s how we ended up in cabin #14138, one of the old Spa Suites on the port side. To our surprise, the cabin featured a corner jacuzzi with a view—a pleasant discovery, though, unfortunately, it didn’t work during our stay.
The bathroom in this cabin was similar to those found in a typical mini-suite on the Breakaway-class ships, which was a bit of a letdown compared to the luxurious bathroom we had in our previous Haven Courtyard cabin (#15122) on the 15th floor when we sailed the Getaway in 2016.
That said, we were still very comfortable. The cabin was spacious, featuring a king-size bed, plenty of storage, a full-sized shower, a sofa bed, a cozy dining table, and a balcony that, while not large, served its purpose.
The experience was further elevated by our wonderful butler, Flora, and a cabin attendant who catered to our needs throughout the week, making our stay truly enjoyable.
Points to Note About the Cabin
- Coffee Nook: The cabin includes a Nespresso machine stocked with everything you need to make coffee, replenished daily by your butler.
- Lack of USB Ports: The cabin does not have USB ports, so bringing a multi-plug with USB-A and/or USB-C outlets is highly recommended for charging devices.
- Electrical Outlets: The suite has four US outlets (three near the vanity and one on the right side of the bed) and one European electrical outlet.
- Bathroom Products: L’Occitane products are provided in the bathroom, adding a touch of luxury to your stay.
- Balcony: While the balcony was wide, it was narrow, leaving little room to stretch your legs. As someone who is not very tall, I found it a bit tight.
- General Condition: The cabin was clean and well-maintained, though some wear was noticeable, particularly with the drawers and cabinets, which occasionally wouldn’t close properly. The jacuzzi also had issues, as it wouldn’t stay turned on for more than a few seconds.
Read more: Practical Cruise Cabin Tips Every Cruiser Should Know
Service on Norwegian Getaway The Haven
Priority Embarkation and Disembarkation: This is hands-down our favorite part of The Haven experience. When Norwegians say “priority embarkation and disembarkation,” they truly deliver—not just on the first and last days of the cruise but at every port. Each morning at the port, guests gathered in The Haven proper, where the concierge escorted us through the service elevator and straight to security.
Returning from port was just as seamless. About two hours before all-aboard time, a butler holding The Haven sign would be waiting at security to escort guests back. After clearing security, they guided us through a back elevator, allowing us to stop on your cabin floor or head back to The Haven proper.
Concierge: It’s always a treat to be greeted by the concierge when entering The Haven lounge. They’re always ready to assist with anything you need. I plan and reserve almost everything before boarding, rarely needing much help. Still, when I asked, the concierge was excellent regarding priority disembarkation at ports, providing fresh beach towels, and even rearranging a specialty dining reservation.
Butler: Our butler was incredibly sweet, greeting us warmly and leaving us delicious snacks every afternoon. We didn’t request much from her beyond a few specific treats and room service for breakfast. Unlike standard room service, breakfast in The Haven suite is set up beautifully at the table—or even on the balcony.
Cabin Attendant: From day one, our cabin attendant was exceptional. He was attentive and kept our cabin spotless, handling both cleaning and turndown service. While I miss turndown service when staying in regular balcony cabins, we actually skipped it a few nights on this cruise since we spent so much time relaxing in our suite.
The Haven Bar: The bartenders at The Haven bar crafted some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had on an NCL cruise. One evening, I ordered a Manhattan that was so perfectly made it completely blew me away.
NCL Getaway Restaurant Dining Experiences
The Haven Restaurant
Avocado Toast and bacon
French Press Coffee
Self-Service Breakfast Treats
Mozzarella and Prosciutto
Cobb Salad
Steak Frites
Banana Banoffee Cream
Ahi Tuna Tataki
Lobster Deviled Eggs
Steak Tartare
Porcini Risotto
Roasted Prime Rib au Jus
Lobster Tail
OMG Caramel Butterscotch Cheesecake
Decadent Chocolate
Dining at The Haven restaurant is a step up from the main dining room, offering a more relaxed atmosphere paired with attentive service. The food was consistently good, featuring well-prepared dishes and quality ingredients, although we noticed a slight difference in quality decline from years ago.
That said, the lack of variety in the menu was a noticeable downside—breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus remained the same each day. While guests can mix and match items or request dishes from the main dining room (MDR) menu, introducing more daily specials would enhance the experience.
During our cruise, we enjoyed breakfast here a few mornings, lunch on embarkation day and sea days, and dinner on three of our seven nights.
Breakfast: While you can have anything from The Haven’s breakfast menu delivered by your Butler, dining in the restaurant is a lovely way to start the day. Sometimes, it’s nice to be pampered. They offer a small self-service area with fresh fruits, yogurts, and pastries, while coffee lovers can enjoy a French Press or cappuccino.
The menu includes options like steak and eggs, though Hubby was a bit disappointed that the steak is no longer filet mignon like it was in the past. My eggs benedict was good, but I quickly switched to ordering avocado toast that hubby ordered one morning—topped with an extra poached egg for protein and a side of bacon—which became a repeat order for us.
Lunch: The Haven restaurant offered some of the most enjoyable lunches of our trip, although we occasionally popped by the buffet for a quick slice of pizza. On embarkation day, our waitress highly recommended the Seafood Fritto Misto, a crispy, fresh, and tender delight (it was so good I didn’t even stop to take a photo). The Cobb Salad made for a satisfying follow-up, and the Banoffee Banana Cream dessert instantly became a favorite.
We took our time on sea days, often heading to The Haven for lunch after Hubby’s morning workout. The prosciutto and mozzarella starter and the steak frites were standouts we ordered more than once.
Dinner: The Haven restaurant was consistently busy during dinner, yet the attentive service never faltered—a welcome contrast to some past experiences in the MDR. A few standout dishes made their way to our table multiple times, including the lobster deviled eggs, tableside-prepared steak tartare, ahi tuna tataki, porcini risotto, prime rib au jus, and succulent lobster tail.
By the way, surf and turf is on the menu every night, served with a filet mignon, but you can also order the lobster tail as a side or enjoy it as your main dish.
For dessert, the OMG Butterstotch cheesecake was hands-down the best option on the menu (and I’m not usually a cheesecake lover). If you’re a fan of chocolate, don’t miss the decadent chocolate dessert—it’s rich and absolutely worth indulging in.
NCL Haven Breakfast Menu
NCL Haven Pool Menu
NCL Haven Lunch and Dessert Menu
NCL Haven Dinner and Dessert Menu
Le Bistro ($)
Escargots À La Bourguignonne
Soupe À L’Oignon Gratinée
Île Flottante
Kathy at Le Bistro on Norwegian Getaway
Le Bistro is our favorite specialty restaurant, and this cruise proved why. The service was impeccable, and the food was outstanding. I tried the Coq au Vin this time—it was rich, flavorful, and a standout dish. As always, I ended the meal with my favorite dessert, Île Flottante, which didn’t disappoint.
Moderno Churrascaria ($)
Moderno Churrascaria, Norwegian’s Brazilian steakhouse, remains one of my favorites. While it’s ideal for meat lovers, the salad buffet alone is worth a visit, featuring an impressive array of cheeses, vegetables, fruits, and sides served tableside.
Though I enjoy the meats, I’m just as drawn to the rice, beans, yucca fries, and buffet options. The all-you-can-eat meats, in my opinion, are better than Cagney’s. Don’t miss the pork belly and the cinnamon-roasted pineapple—they’re must-haves.
Sadly, Moderno is being phased out across NCL’s fleet, so if it’s on your next cruise, take the chance to experience it while you still can.
Cagney’s Steakhouse ($)
Cagney’s remains a favorite among many cruisers, but to me, it feels overhyped—more like an upscale Outback Steakhouse. While enjoyable, it lacks the premium feel and elevated service it had when we first dined there in 2016.
If you’re staying in The Haven, skip Cagney’s. The Haven Restaurant offers similar meals with far better service, including their popular cheesecake dessert.
Ocean’s Blue ($)
This was my first time dining at Ocean Blue, and it was a lovely experience overall. A highlight was the sommelier, who kept pouring champagne throughout dinner—a delightful touch.
While we enjoyed the meal, the menu lacked variety, and several items came with extra charges. I skipped the lobster since it was already included in The Haven Restaurant. My husband, not a seafood fan, was pleased with the filet mignon.
O’Sheehans
O’Sheehan’s (The Local on Breakaway Plus ships) is NCL’s 24-hour complimentary pub. It’s a bit of a gamble—service can range from great to mediocre, and the food quality varies.
We stopped by one afternoon for easy pub grub, enjoying wings, nachos, and a burger. The standout? Their carrot cake—the best on the ship and an absolute must-try.
Read more: Check out NCL Specialty Dining Menus
Starbucks on Norwegian Getaway
While cappuccinos and espressos are included in The Haven restaurant, and you can make coffee in your room, we enjoy visiting Starbucks at least twice a day. It’s incredibly convenient if you plan to spend time in the atrium—it’s the perfect spot to grab a Starbucks coffee. During our cruise, Starbucks was part of the Free-at-Sea Plus package we had upgraded to at the time (unfortunately, this package is no longer available).
The baristas behind the Starbucks counter were incredibly kind and made some of our best coffee drinks on the ship. If you’ve read my other reviews, you might know that I’m not typically a fan of Starbucks on land, but on NCL cruise ships, I absolutely am. The baristas genuinely put love and care into the drinks they make, and our experience on the Norwegian Getaway was no different.
We took home a Starbucks Norwegian Getaway mug on this cruise as a souvenir.
Norwegian Getaway Activities and Entertainment
Million Dollar Quartet
This Broadway-style show is one of the best I’ve seen on a cruise ship, and we loved experiencing it again after several years. Inspired by the legendary 1956 jam session at Sun Records, Million Dollar Quartet brings to life the iconic meeting of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
The musical is packed with timeless hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Walk the Line,” creating a nostalgic and fun performance for fans of classic rock ‘n’ roll. The talented cast delivers outstanding performances, keeping the audience engaged and entertained from start to finish.
If you’re on the Norwegian Getaway, don’t miss this fantastic show—it’s a highlight of the entertainment lineup. And with NCL’s cutbacks to its ships, it’s great to see this show still being offered.
The Casino on Deck 7
While we did gamble a bit, the best part is that they built a designated closed-off section for smokers.
The Mandara Spa on Norwegian Getaway
On the first day of my cruise, I headed to the Mandara Spa and booked three services. This past year, I treated myself to more spa treatments on cruises to manage the stress of caring for my senior pup, whose health was slowly declining. On this cruise, nursing a broken heart and a tired body, I knew I needed to treat myself again. Bonus: if you book and pay for the three services at once, you get 30% off.
Fire and Ice Mani-Pedi: My husband and I both got this treatment done at the same time. I think he lucked out with the better technician. I added gel polish to my manicure, which lasted throughout the week, but it started peeling off when I got home. It was a completely different experience from the fantastic mani-pedi I had on the Breakaway, which still stands out as one of the best I’ve ever had.
BIOTEC Ultimate Facial: This is the top-tier facial on their list, and it didn’t disappoint. The technician took detailed images of my skin to assess its condition and then tailored the facial to my needs. It was educational and relaxing, and the technician’s kindness and expertise improved the experience.
Coconut Poultice Massage: This was the most relaxing of the three services I tried. While not a traditional scrub, it offered light exfoliation with a coconut poultice that nourished my skin, followed by a soothing massage. My skin felt incredibly soft for days afterward, making it worth it.
Tip: If you’re staying in a Haven Courtyard cabin, you can take advantage of special spa treatment rooms located within the Haven complex. This means you don’t have to leave the area to enjoy a bit of pampering. Unfortunately, we couldn’t use this perk since our cabin was outside the courtyard.
Other Observations While Sailing Norwegian Getaway
- New Vending Machine: A new vending machine outside the shops on Deck 8 offers basic OTC meds, band-aids, and tampons—a convenient addition for guests.
- Haven Experience: We had a fantastic time in the Haven, but compared to our 2016 sailing, the overall quality of the food and attention to small details has declined. First-time Haven guests likely wouldn’t notice the difference.
- Haven Onboarding: In 2016, the concierge explained all the Haven perks and what made it special upon arrival. This time, that personal touch was missing. NCL could improve by better guiding first-time Haven cruisers.
- Public Pools and Slides: We didn’t use the public pool or slides on this trip, but the pool deck was consistently crowded. Thankfully, the private Haven pool and hot tubs were peaceful and never overcrowded.
- Haven Pool Snacks: Right by the Haven pool, snacks, coffee, and water were available for guests to help themselves throughout the day.
- Atrium Noise: The atrium was always busy and loud due to trivia and games, making it difficult to have a proper conversation with guest services or CruiseNext. It would be better to relocate these activities to the theater or unused Illusionarium space.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
