This past Sunday my family braved the frigid cold and went aboard Norwegian Cruise line’s newest ship, the Getaway.  It was a fabulous event hosted by “The Moms”… Denise Albert and Melissa Gerstein.  My family boarded the ship via Pier 88 located on the West Side Highway in New York City.  This is where all the ships dock, however most often times there is not so much ice in the water!  The Getaway will actually set sail in Miami on February 8th, 2014 and will travel to the Caribbean.

After checking in and chatting with fellow bloggers we made our way to our seats for the special entertainment.  The Getaway has plenty of entertainment aboard and these special performances can be seen at the theater.  You should definitely reserve a spot in advance once you board the ship.  The first act was a fantastic high energy dance ensemble that really got things moving!  Even my son was mesmerized as they flipped and danced across the stage.   The next act was a magician that really captivated adults as well as the children.  A lucky “assistant” was needed from the audience which is always fun! I should mention all acts were very family friendly and entertaining. The last act was a cute number from Legally Blonde. I did not get the chance to see this on Broadway when it was recently in NYC, but I’m sure this was equally as good!  All cast members were extremely professional and it’s apparent they love their job!  I definitely could have watched much more of Legally Blonde, but it was after all just a preview!   Let’s get real- When traveling with kids, you really need to have an abundance of kid activities and a variety of fun things! My son was instantly drawn to the Nickelodeon theme of Norwegian Cruise Line.  The 2 story pirate themed water park also looked so fun! He is a huge Sponge Bob and Dora fan, and it was very exciting scoring a picture with them!  The Kids Club on the Getaway is a HUGE draw for parents. How great is it to have peace of mind knowing your child is having an awesome time playing games, making arts and crafts and many other activities while parents are having their own adventures?  Personally, I can never relax at a swimming pool, beach, or beach club with my kids because I am too concerned with their whereabouts, but being checked inside a camp really takes some pressure off.   When I picked my son up he was full of stories about his activities.  There are also a plenty of other kid friendly amenities including water slides and video games.  There will be a super fun “Pajama Jam” offered  in which kids can have breakfast with their favorite Nick characters!    The tour of the ship was really exciting. We were able to move about with a personal tour guide and view guest accomodations, restaurants, bars, and entertainment areas . There are other 29 locations on the ship to eat including 24 hour restaurants and all you can eat.  I absolutely love Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Freestyle” dining. There are no set reservations and you can eat whenever you choose. This takes so much pressure off families who are enjoying their daily and nightly activities.

Now let’s talk about my favorite part of the tour which was the viewing of “The Haven”.  The Haven is  located on Deck 15 and 16 of the ship. Guests will be pampered with  luxury and will have access to private amenities.  There are 42 suites as well as a private restaurants, cocktail bar, and concierge desk.  In- room espresso machines, pillow top mattresses, and Bliss spa products are all included. You will also have priority embarkation and disembarkation! There is an absolute gorgeous outdoor area to relax and read a book or enjoy a cocktail as well!

 The Getaway will be taking it’s journey along the Eastern Cariibean.  It will travel to Phillipsberg, St Maartan, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Nassau Bahamas.  Visit www.ncl.com to find out more about this incredible ship and to book a vacation.