Family Transatlantic Cruise on the Norwegian Getaway from England to New York
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
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♥ Many recommendations for choosing a cruise and important tips for a recommended cruise
After several transatlantic cruises on "adult" ships, we decided to try such a cruise with an extended family group, including children and grandchildren, on a family ship abundant with attractions.
We chose a 13-night cruise in the autumn from the port of Southampton in England to New York on the ship Norwegian Getaway.
It is a wonderful ship for families thanks to its many leisure and sports facilities and recommended kids' clubs. The ship features a water park and a ropes course alongside many sports facilities.
The ship sailed all summer and autumn on a linear route from Lisbon to England or vice versa, reaching various ports in Northern Spain (including the Basque Country) and France. During the summer vacation months, there were over 1,000 children and youth on each cruise, and in the autumn months, several hundreds.
On this long transatlantic cruise, which took place during the school year in most countries, there were few children, only about 50. Despite the low number, the kids' clubs operated as usual with full staff. Additionally, every day there were many family activities designed for all family members, including social games, song and dance competitions, making balloon animals, a juggling workshop, making holiday decorations, and more. Each day featured a different and varied activity (many adults traveling without children also participated in them this time).
Kids' activities hall:
The ship had about 3,900 passengers and approximately 1,600 wonderful crew members who took care of pampering the passengers on the deck, in the dining rooms and restaurants, bars, clubs, rooms, and everything the large ship has to offer.
The ship, weighing 145,000 tons, from the recommended "Breakaway" class, was inaugurated in 2014 but underwent a serious renovation in 2019. It is not from Norwegian's newest classes (two series were inaugurated after this class: Bliss and Prima), but undoubtedly "its strength is still with it"—large and stable, with a variety of facilities, a wealth of restaurants and bars, and despite being at full capacity, no crowding was felt. Vacant tables could always be found in the buffet at any hour, as well as in the theater.
Most passengers on this voyage were Americans and Canadians (over 90 percent) along with British, Australians, and a few from other countries.
Transatlantic cruises usually have few ports and a long series of sea days in the heart of the ocean.
One of the reasons we chose this cruise was that it had fewer consecutive sea days compared to other transatlantic cruises:
The very next day after boarding, we reached the port of Le Havre in France, and then after a single sea day, we visited three ports over three consecutive days: La Coruña and Vigo in Northern Spain and Lisbon in Portugal. Another sea day and we already reached the fifth and final port: Ponta Delgada on the enchanting Azorean island of São Miguel.
From there until New York, we sailed for five consecutive days until arriving at the New York port located in the heart of Manhattan.
There is no doubt that this is a convenient and pampering way to reach the USA for those not in a hurry, and surprisingly, the price per person was not much higher than the cost of a transatlantic flight!
Quite amazing considering you get accommodation, food, entertainment, and transportation for 13 days at a high standard with pampering service.
The weather throughout the cruise was quite fickle. A pleasant sunny day followed by a rainy day without respite or a wind-swept day. The sea, considering we were sailing in the open ocean, was calm on most days except for two stormier days when most passengers (including us) felt excellent.
In light of the fact that the cruise departed from England and reached New York, all in the autumn, we feared we wouldn't be able to enjoy the pools, slides, and other facilities on the open decks, but thanks to several sunny days (mainly at the beginning and end of the cruise) and because the pool water was well heated, we managed to enjoy the decks, swim, slide, and climb. Of course, on rainy or windy days we had to make do with the indoor facilities, and many of the activities and almost all events took place in closed spaces, halls, and clubs.
Halloween, which falls on October 31st, was celebrated on the ship with many events: costume contests, mask making, a buffet of pumpkins, witches, and demons,
pumpkin carving demonstrations, a dark room with lots of scares (not for the faint-hearted and certainly not for small children), shows, and of course lots of chocolate and gifts distributed to everyone.
The Cruise Route
London/Southampton
The cruise departed from the port of Southampton in Southern England. We landed at Gatwick Airport and traveled by private transfer to Southampton, where we toured for three days.
It is an ancient city with preserved houses and walls that you can walk along sections of, alongside beautiful and well-kept marinas and vibrant shopping centers. A paradise for shopping enthusiasts with branches of all popular chains, including of course Primark.
It's fun to explore it on foot. It is a flat city with a center that is not large and many pedestrian streets.
For families, it is warmly recommended to go for a day of fun at a large and recommended amusement park called Paultons Park, with more than 70 rides and attractions, suitable for every age and family composition. The park is located about 15-20 minutes drive west of the city. A large and diverse park with various zones, including an area particularly loved by young children: "Peppa Pig World".
Most people departing on a cruise from this port spend several days before the cruise in London, which is undoubtedly a city that never stops and no matter how many times you have visited it, there is always more to do and see.
♦ Recommended transfers from London to Southampton or from London airport to a hotel in London:
Private transfers for booking from the Viator website:
Day 1: Port of Le Havre - France
The first port was Le Havre in the Normandy region.
The main attraction in the city is its long and beautiful beaches, but of course, anyone arriving in late autumn, like us on this cruise, cannot enjoy them.
Beyond the beaches, the city has several impressive buildings: it is worth starting at the central square where the City Hall is located, designed by the famous architect Auguste Perret, who also designed the main church in the city: St. Joseph's Church, made of reinforced concrete and stained glass with an impressive tower 107 meters high that is hollow in the center.
Another nearby interesting structure is "Le Volcan", a white building reminiscent of a volcano with a unique design that serves as the city's main cultural center.
Additionally, the city has hanging gardens built atop a hill overlooking the city and the harbor, which feature greenhouses, viewpoints, and unique artistic displays.
There is no need to take a tour and you can suffice with a short walk of about an hour in the city center, located 25 minutes walk from the port (or a very short taxi ride).
Take into account that on Mondays, the city resembles a ghost town: almost everything in it is closed, from museums to restaurants, cafes, and even most shops.
It is better to stay on the ship for most of the day and spend time in its facilities, especially when the port is at the beginning of the cruise and you want to get to know the ship and its wealth of options.
Most passengers go on tours to Paris (2.5 hours each way), and this allows you to enjoy a quiet and relaxed ship without any crowding.
Tours from the port of Le Havre to Paris and the beaches of Normandy from the Viator website:
Day 2: Fun Day in the Open Sea
The first full day to spend in the ship and its many facilities and of course to get to know all it has to offer.
Norwegian is known for many activities tailored to every age, including many social games, shows, music corners, dance and sports activities, and of course plenty of programs for children and youth according to their age groups.
The company is also known for its large variety of restaurants: 20 different restaurants! (some included in the cruise price and some not included or given as an additional benefit). It is recommended to book seats for all restaurants in advance in the app long before the start of the cruise, and for those you didn't succeed with, book as soon as you board the ship, otherwise there are no spots at all or only at inconvenient times. Some restaurants are open on sea days for lunch too, but closed on port days, so it is recommended to eat in them on sea days and not in the buffet, which is open every day of the cruise. Particularly popular is an Asian restaurant (no extra charge) called: Shanghai Noodle Bar with Asian street food. It is advisable to arrive half an hour before its opening time at lunch because it is popular and not large.
Day 3: Port of La Coruña - Northern Spain
The port is located in the city center, just a five-minute walk from the main square. It is easy and convenient to tour independently on foot. Alternatively, for those who are not fans of walking, you can join a HOP ON HOP OFF bus that reaches most of the "must-see" sites in the city and cap it off with a walking tour and shopping in the city center before boarding back on the ship.
The main attractions in the city:
Plaza del Humor, a small square whose floor is covered with comic drawings of famous characters and people.
Plaza de María Pita, the city's main square where the City Hall is located. Inside the City Hall is a clock museum and mosaic artworks. The square is in the heart of the old city.
Castillo de San Anton – a 16th-century fortress on the waterfront located on a small island connected to the mainland, which has become an archaeological museum.
Charming and photogenic marina near the cruise port: La Coruña marina
Torre de Hércules – an ancient lighthouse from the Roman era, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is 55 meters high and is the second tallest in Spain. Adjacent to it is a sculpture garden. You can climb 234 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the city. This is the number 1 attraction in the city.
The city has a long and recommended promenade on the coastline: Paseo Maritimo, which is 9 kilometers long, connecting the main beaches, the Tower of Hercules, and the old city.
In the summer months, it is recommended to combine a dip in one of the city's beaches.
In La Coruña, there are several recommended museums. You can combine a visit to one of them. The most recommended:
● Domus – The world's first museum dedicated to the human body. Located in a unique building and includes 150 interactive exhibits.
● Aquarium Finisterrae – A unique aquarium located on the coastline with a giant colony of seals on the nearby rocks, an underwater room with transparent walls surrounded by fish and sharks, and more.
● Picasso Museum located in the house where Picasso and his family lived from early 1891 for about four years.
● MEGA Museo Estrella Galicia – A modern and interactive beer factory/museum including a tour of the production line, tastings, and other activities. Located in an impressive modern building south of the city.
Recommended guided tours in La Coruña for booking from the Viator website:
Day 4: Port of Vigo - Spain
The port in Vigo is located right in the city center, so from the ship's deck you can overlook the city streets and the A Laxe shopping center.
It is easy and convenient to tour independently on foot and get to know its special and symbolic buildings.
The "must-see" sites in the city center:
● The central square Praza da Constitución square, where the City Hall is located.
● The Colegiata de Santa Maria Church—the most important and central church displaying 16th-century art.
● Porta do Sol, a central square in the city, one of the seven main entrances to the walls of the old city. There is the Sireno, a statue of half fish-half man symbolizing the connection between Vigo and the sea. Pedestrian streets full of shops branch out from the square.
● El Castro hill, whose park (Parque Monte do Castro) offers a recommended view of the city and the harbor.
♦ Recommended guided tours in Vigo from the Viator website:
Tailored for cruise passengers—includes port pickup (except for the walking tour):
● Segway tour of the Segmovi company. The company is located right at the exit of the passenger terminal in the harbor, offering tours of various lengths and prices, specially adapted for tourists arriving by cruise ship. For those who want to manage to see much of the city in limited time, the long tour, Fortress El Castro Trip, is especially recommended. The tour lasts about two hours, during which you will visit all the main points of interest in the city: the port, the fishing neighborhood, the City Hall, El Castro hill, the central St. Mary's Cathedral, and the flea market.
Day 5: Port of Lisbon – Portugal
The port of Lisbon is located about fifteen minutes walk from the Commerce Square – Praza do Comercio, a large plaza surrounded by impressive government buildings with a giant statue of King José I on his horse in its center. The square is considered the "gateway to the city." Adjacent to the square is a triumphal arch, which you should climb (for a modest fee) to overlook the square, the river, and the harbor.
In the district are expansive pedestrian streets full of shops and restaurants.
From there you can continue on foot to the BAIXA district where the city's most central square is: Rossio square, where the city's main train station, the National Theater, and a memorial monument for the 5,000 Jews murdered in the city during the Inquisition are located.
● A popular attraction in the district is the Ascensor de Santa Justa—an iron elevator designed by one of Eiffel's pupils (reminiscent in its structure of the famous tower from Paris) linking the lower city to the upper district. From the elevator, an impressive view of the city is seen.
● From there continue for a walking tour in the modern Chiado district which abounds with glittering shopping centers, street performances, and is famous for its popular café "A Brasileira" (Café a Brasileira).
For those who are not fans of walking, it is recommended to take an electric "tuktuk" from the port for a one or two-hour tour, which is very common and popular in the city.
♦ Recommended tours tailored for cruise ship passengers with port pickup:
Day 6: Fun Day in the Open Sea
After three consecutive port days, there is nothing like a day on the ship in the heart of the sea for leisure, rest, entertainment, and meals—and primarily for recharging batteries for the next day's port, which is the most special and recommended of all destinations.
On this day, we watched one of the shows requiring pre-booking (no extra charge) in the evening, an impressive production of songs and dances with various costumes and sets named: BURN THE FLOOR.
Day 7: Port of Ponta Delgada, Azores - Portugal
The port of Ponta Delgada is located in the center of the largest and most visited city in the largest island of the Azores: São Miguel.
You can of course walk to the city center and stroll through it, but it's a shame to waste your stay on this wild green island on a tour of another city, charming as it may be.
The best way to tour the island is on a private jeep tour.
Recommended jeep tours on the island for booking from Viator:
The tours are suitable for cruise passengers and include port pickup:
On the guided tour I conducted, the guide waited at the pier (it is mandatory to book and coordinate in advance) and took us on an unforgettable trip full of viewpoints and scenery but also pampering and relaxation in hot springs. For about 5:30 hours we toured the town and the Sete Cidades lakes in the west of the island: two lakes adjacent to each other separated by a bridge leading to the town, their colors different, one green and the other turquoise blue. The colors change depending on the cloud cover and sun.
We stopped for coffee, ice cream, and a short walk on the shore of one of the lakes in the small town, and from there continued to the center of the island to a charming nature site called Caldeira Velha, where there are small natural hot springs and a cold waterfall, where we spent a pleasant hour bathing in the heart of nature in a park rich in vegetation. The park has a nice easy walking trail between the pools and the waterfall.
We were supposed to continue to a tour and viewpoints of the "Lake of Fire" (Lagoa do Fogo), adjacent to the springs, but local rain and fog caused the guide to change the plan and he took us instead to a hidden waterfall adjacent to the dam, where it was clear, and we walked a short distance along the river to the waterfall.
Throughout the trip between the mountains and valleys, in addition to impressive landscapes, we saw many cows (there are more cows than people on the island) grazing peacefully in green fields year-round.
For flower lovers, the tour on the island is a real feast. Many hydrangea flowers blooming in a variety of colors alongside wild vegetation and a wealth of other flowers (depending on the season).
The tour is suitable for all ages, including young children. The guide/driver brought a safety seat and booster seat adapted for the children's ages.
You can book a recommended 3:30-hour jeep tour from another recommended company through GET YOUR GUIDE:
Azores: Sete Cidades Scenic 4WD Tour from Ponta Delgada
It is important to know that both companies refund the full payment in case the ship does not reach the port (not rare at all in this destination, a small island in the heart of the ocean) and regarding cancellation for other personal reasons, they have a very flexible policy.
The price is very attractive and significantly cheaper than ship tour prices (not to mention the huge output and personal attention).
Another recommended activity in São Miguel, departing from a marina near the cruise port is:
Whale and dolphin watching cruise - Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Ponta Delgada The cruise departs from the Marina Pêro de Teive and lasts about 3 hours.
The tour on the island will only give you a taste of the magic of the Azores, which I call: "New Zealand close to home" and Americans often call: "The Hawaii of Europe". No doubt you will want to have a separate trip in the Azores (with or without combining it with Portugal), and it's best to hurry while they are relatively pristine and the whole world hasn't discovered them yet.
Days 8-13: Five Days in the Open Sea
This is the more relaxed part of the trip. Time to enjoy the ship, its facilities, shows, and wealth of restaurants and bars, participate in entertainment, sports, and dance activities, and also rest ahead of the trip in the USA.
The children greatly enjoyed the kids' club, which is active at sea three times a day: 10:00-12:30, 14:00-16:00, and 19:00-23:00, with varied and rich activity according to age groups and personal attention. Even young children who are not English speakers got along great thanks to the warm and patient attitude of the staff (each of whom goes by a fun name: from Pocahontas to Potato) who even learned important words in Hebrew specifically for them.
Of course, we also spent time with them in the arcade among the many machines (though they are for an extra fee, they often operated many of the machines for free for our children), in the shooting games and bowling, and when the weather allowed, in the heated pools, jacuzzis, and the ropes course.
We watched another impressive show (which required pre-booking), a musical called: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, about the early days of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins who performed together at Sun Studios in Memphis. A musical that has been performed in Broadway and the West End.
We ate at several restaurants for an extra fee (which were part of our package).
Important tip: children up to age 12 do not pay extra in these restaurants if they order from the kids' menu.
Highly recommended and experiential are the Teppanyaki Japanese restaurant, which is a type of dinner with a show full of surprises and very much loved by children (and their parents, especially the grandma...)
And the Moderno Brazilian restaurant, where waiters circulate among the tables with various meat skewers. The tastiest skewers in my opinion are actually the baked pineapple skewers. Additionally, there is a rich buffet of salads and a variety of sides on every table.
Other nice restaurants are "Le Bistro" (French) and "Cagney’s Steakhouse".
When you feel like eating at an unusual hour, or if you just want to diversify and not eat in the main dining rooms (SAVOR and TASTE, which are also open on sea days for lunch) and you have also exhausted the (rich and recommended) buffet: Garden Cafe, it is recommended to eat in the Irish grill bar-restaurant called: O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, open 24 hours a day (no extra charge!).
It should be noted that at the entrance to the buffet, we were greeted at every meal by a musician and a singer, and additionally, two lovely waitresses served coffee while singing well-known songs from Mamma Mia, Frozen, and more, which added a lot to the atmosphere and service experience.
For gambling enthusiasts, there is a large casino with various machines and game tables.
In the open sea, it's fun to stroll on the deck and look at the endless sea and especially at the beautiful sunsets.
Hard to believe, but five days pass in a flash... and on the last day when packing for disembarking, the thought creeps in that we would have happily stayed for another cruise...
Day 14: Arrival in New York
The ship arrives at the New York port early in the morning, still in darkness. When you wake up in the morning and look from the balcony, the view of the Manhattan skyscrapers is revealed, and adjacent to the ship, you can see up close the submarine and aircraft carrier that are part of a maritime museum located on the pier adjacent to the cruise port.
Disembarkation from the ship takes place according to the color of the tags chosen the day before, according to needs and follow-up plans. The first ones disembarked at 7:00 AM and the last at 9:30 AM. In the terminal, after collecting the suitcases, you pass immigration (entry to the USA) and then you can take a taxi, Uber, or private transfer, or even continue on foot to a nearby hotel in Midtown Manhattan.