Norwegian Getaway heads to the Caribbean

The Norwegian Breakaway is here, but the Getaway is coming — not to Bermuda as it will homeport out of Miami. 

The Breakaway’s sister ship is expected to start sailing next February. 

While the Breakaway has a New York theme, the Getaway will be all about Florida. 

Miami artist David ‘LEBO’ Le Batard will design the artwork for the hull. 

Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan said while only 80 per cent liked Peter Max’s artwork on the hull of the Breakaway, “David Lebo painted this and no one said anything but great things about his design”.

The hull features a mermaid swimming across the surface of the ocean. 

Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will open his Ocean Blue on the Getaway and because of popular demand on the Breakaway, his restaurant is expected to be bigger to satisfy more customers. 

He’ll also have his Ocean Blue on the Waterfront and the Raw Bar giving Getaway passengers three options to eat it. 

One new feature will be the Grammy Experience. Located on Deck 8, the venue will not only have memorabilia from the Grammy Museum, it will also host live performances by past winners and nominees of the award. 

No other cruise line has a deal with the Grammys so it is sure to feature some of the most talented musicians in the world. 

Mr Sheehan said: “We’re leading in entertainment and we’re proud to do that.”

Another change from the Breakaway is the Illusionarium, which replaces the Speigel Tent and the popular Cirque Dreams. It will feature world-class magicians set in a design inspired by writer Jules Vernes and legendary magicians like Houdini.  

It will offer two performances per day, or 12 for a seven-day cruise. 

Mr Sheehan said: “If this experience comes 50 per cent of what I’ve seen it’s going to be a phenomenal experience that’s never been done before”.

Back will be the Aqua Park with five water slides, the Sports Complex and the Fireworks Show.

For children, the Nickelodeon experience will be back with SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Diego as well as those shows cast of characters. 

The Getaway will have a brand new show called Name that Game. 

It will feature a combination of trivia, speed, skill and the infamous green slime. 

Returning will be the Nickelodeon Pajama Jam breakfast experience where kids can enjoy an early morning meal with the characters. 

Splash Academy will also be back for those aged three to 12. 

There will be rooms for three to five-year-olds, six to nine-year-olds and 10 to 12-year-olds that are all age appropriate. 

Families

Mr Sheehan said: “Families are very important to us. We have this unbelievable experience for families.”

He said besides the experiences designs specifically for children, some of the dining options will thrill them too.

“When you bring your kids into the Tepanyaki and they’re interacting with the chef, it takes the pressure off to watch the kids constantly. They’re having a ball.”

The Broadway musical featured in the 787-seat Getaway Theatre will be Legally Blonde. 

Mr Sheehan said: “This is a little more mainstream (than Rock of Ages, which is on the Breakaway). It is a fun, fun show. I love this show.”

The Burn the Floor dance show will return as will the Headliners Comedy Club and Howl at the Moon dueling pianos. 

The comedy acts will be supplied by Levity Entertainment, which works with over 300 comedians such as Gabriel Iglesias, Bill Cosby, Jeff Dunham, Amy Shumer and Daniel Tosh. 

Mr Sheehan said: “The Getaway is going to be a little more skewed to the Latin experience. We haven’t announced the name of the Manhattan Room yet.

“We’re switching out the Second City Comedy Troupe with Levity Entertainment. They are the biggest guys in the industry and we’re excited about that.”