Norwegian Getaway, ULTIMATE GETAWAY, pt II

So...Tuesday, full day at sea.

Started with breakfast at O'Sheehans.  My usual Country Platter.  Then off to explore the ship a little more until going to a session with Stuart Cohen...excuse me Stuart Lloyd Cohen (he's re-branding himself or something).  He was his usual interesting self, talking about how to cultivate loyalty and whatnot.  From there we went to an Executive Overview thing with Andy Stuart and Camille Olivere.  It was nice, all 4 of us lined up with our matching Bridges & Holman Worldwide Travel logo shirts. Among all the interesting news and updates about Norwegian's last year and the upcoming couple years, Camille threw a challenge out to the attendees. 

She told us that anyone who would walk The Plank, get a picture of it, and tag her on Facebook would get the souvenir of their choice...sweatshirt, jacket, coffee cup, whatever.

Those of you who know me, know that I have a serious competitive streak.  I just somehow can't walk away from a dare.  So, three of us immediately began making plans to walk the damn plank. 

When we got up to the top deck, the temperature according to my phone was about 22 degrees.  With howling wind.  And snow flurries.  I had second thoughts.  Then 3rd thoughts.  But, like I said...a part of me just refuses to walk away from a challenge.  So, with memories of the pulled groin muscle I suffered on Breakaway when I accepted Camille's Flywheel challenge, I suited up, and started up the course.  My hands were numb by the time I got to to the top.  So, I turned around and walked back down the stairs and borrowed some gloves from a random stranger.  They helped a little.  Headed back up, took the shortest possible route to the Plank (you can't just jump on the course anywhere, but you can pick the elements you do at each platform).  Got to the Plank, walked out a few steps and yelled at Alyona to get a picture before I froze to death.  She wanted more pictures.  Then video.  Whatever.  When she was done with the photo shoot, I scurried back the same short way I came and ran indoors to try and get some feeling back in my fingers.  So I could go back out there and get pictures and video of her...without gloves so I could operate the camera.  By the time we were all done my fingers were frostbitten and PAINFUL.  Way past "numb".  So we ran to the buffet to get some warm stuff in us.  But, hey...I'm getting a sweatshirt, right.

After I got feeling fully restored in all my limbs, it was time to go listen to Bob Becker.  That was good.  He's always motivational to me.  Reminds me a lot of the first real estate broker I worked for 200 years ago.

And then it was time to suit up for Illusionarium.  Got dressed and headed to the show. Due to a little mix up in the seating arrangements, I was not able to sit with my friends, but continuing my lucky streak of the week, that resulted in getting an even better table, right up at the stage.  So, SCORE!

It was, in a word, FABULOUS.  More than just a magic show, it's a story, with a series of magic shows by several different magicians, mentalists and whatnot, and some very cool special effects.  It's hard to describe, but I do urge everyone to check it out.  (and i'd be happy to sell you the Getaway cruise, so you can do so). 

Oh, and a word about the food.  The Cirque Dinner and Dreams food when they first started it was pretty spotty, with some saying it was okay and others, not so much.  I hear it has gotten better and more consistent.  In the Illusionarium, while I can't vouch for consistency, based on my sample of one night, the quality of the dinner was excellent.  A nice filet steak, fork tender, a couple of fried shrimpy things with a vaguely Asian flavor, some nice broccoli and a twice baked potato.  And a nice little sampler thing of deserts.  So, while I probably wouldn't recommend paying the cover charge for Illusionarium just for the food, you don't have to worry about going away hungry.

After the show we were invited to a comedy show, but it was late and we didn't feel like breaking in in the middle of it, so we all hung out in the casino, smoking and waiting for a cocktail party in Bliss.  That was nice.  A chance to talk to a few of the Norwegian folks, and some colleagues.  The rest of the evening was just bopping from the casino to Howl at the Moon, to O'Sheehans and back to the casino and back to O'Sheehans.  All kind of a blur.  And I don't even drink...

I do know the capper was Crickett's friend Andrew deciding we needed to have a SkeeBall tournament at O'Sheehans.  The last couple hours was spent there, playing SkeeBall and candle pin bowling and Deer Hunter.  And eating wings and fish and chips and just generally annoying the crew who were probably desperately hoping everyone would just go home, dammit. 

Finally stumbled back to the cabin at 2:30 or so to get some sleep.  But more talk intervened, and the sleep was postponed another hour or so...but finally...

The last morning, and my adventures in getting home will be posted soon.  PLEASE STAND BY.

and if you get bored in the meantime, please check out the photos and videos on my FB profile at fb.com/DaveHolman or fb.com/HolmanTravel.  Then shoot me a message or give me a call, and we'll talk about YOUR Ultimate Getaway.  I have group space and a special OBC deal that the big online discounters can't match.  In fact, you can't even get this deal by calling or going online with Norwegian directly!