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Norwegian Cruise Line - Getaway Casino

 Recently I had the privilege of cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Getaway Ship to Bermuda. This was my first cruise so I wasn't sure what to expect. I loved the food on-board and the excellent, friendly service. I packed some things to occupy my time for the days at sea. Mainly a book, escape game and some craft projects. I liked the fact there were shows to choose from in the evening, however the day time lacked the same level of activities. So far my feelings about the cruise were average, until I decided to visit the casino. 

The casino was located on the middle of the 7th floor. It was nicely decorated just like the rest of the ship. There was a mix of different slots to choose from. I was able to locate my favorite "Invaders from planet Moolah."  This kept me busy for a while. I also tried a horror themed game, United States theme, Circus theme, Bonny and Clyde theme. This was my first time seeing many of the games, even though I frequent Atlantic City often. Not sure if this means they are relatively new, or painstakingly old and outdated. There was a section dedicated to video poker. The attendants were very friendly with quick service both on the free drinks and when my machine needed servicing. 

One of my favorite things about the Casino was the self serve food and beverage station. They offer a selection of snacks and desserts through out the day. You can also pour your own coffee or tea. This was located in a corner in front of the table games. I personally did not play any table games, but did hear the dealers were very friendly. Several poker tournaments were held on the days at sea.

It's also worth noting that the Casino is not continuously open. They have to wait until entering international waters before the games become active. One night a sweepstakes/giveaway had to be postponed from the advertised time until the ship entered international waters. Overall this wasn't a huge issue, in fact it was a welcome break to see what else the ship had to offer. 

Bingo was also offered sporadically. It would be listed on the itinerary for the day and held in one of the theaters. It was quite pricey to play, boards started at $40 and went up to $89. The Bingo boards were punch out and do not require a dabber or chips. The Bingo was also part comedy act, which made playing worth it. Children are also welcome to play if accompanied by an adult.

In summary the Casino, Bingo, and the off-Broadway shows were the highlight of my days at sea. You do receive a players card for the casino. Make sure you have this with you while your playing to earn points and get the free drinks. NCL like most land Casinos has different tiers to their rewards and game play can earn you offers for upcoming cruises. If you are a fan of land casinos, it's worth trying an at sea casino.


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