I Sailed with My New Husband from NYC to Paradise on NCL's Getaway—Here's How It Went

I'll be honest—the first moments aboard any ship can be a bit much. You're suddenly transported from the gritty city to a big ship—complete with hundreds of other cruisers attempting to find their way around, grab a bite to eat, snag a frozen cocktail and catch a bit of early vacation sunshine. Don't panic. There is more than enough room—and more than enough rum—for everyone. Once the initial "I just got on board and need to see everything immediately" excitement fades, you'll be able to truly settle into vacation mode (my partner and I achieved vacation mode about an hour after boarding as we sipped Aperol Spritzes in loungers on the top outdoor deck). And that's when you'll be ready to explore all the ship has to offer.

The Getaway is quite large, but not overwhelmingly so. This means there is just the right amount of bars, lounges, restaurants, theaters and public spaces to offer variety without making me feel like I'm constantly lost. And though the ship was christened back in 2014, it doesn't feel old or dated at all. Quite the contrary—it features all the modern amenities (like interactive maps and reservation boards) that I've come to know and love while at sea.

The interior of the ship offers a number of Instagrammable locations (like the gorgeous, color-changing chandelier or the light-up spiral steps). And to make your pictures pop even more, I recommend either dressing up for the theme nights (one particularly inspired theme involved Abba) or creating your own theme ideas. My partner and I went with a sparkle night (keep scrolling for a pic of that gem), a dress-up night, a sheer night and a kaftan pool day.

Most importantly, the Getaway has enough unique spaces (one of my faves is the Illusionarium) and activities (the live Deal or No Deal is so fun) that things don't ever feel too crowded, and there are always great options for what to do or where to go next.

Okay, the rooms are nice, y'all. My balcony stateroom was perfect for my partner and me. There was plenty of space to spread out between the big bed and the living area (complete with large couch). Our stateroom attendant Christian was top notch, something that should come as no surprise on NCL.

What was a surprise? Just how ridiculously comfortable the bed was (along with the pillows), meaning I got a solid week of great sleep. And, believe me, there is nothing better than returning from a week-long vacation feeling actually rested.

The balcony offers beautiful views, whether on a sea day (see above) or while in port. I loved sitting out on my balcony, sipping my coffee and watching the bustle below in the Bermuda dockyards.

And I'd be remiss not to mention the bathrooms. I really couldn't believe how big our stateroom bathroom was. Usually, I can't turn around in a cruise ship bathroom without knocking over everything on the sink or banging my knee into something. But the bathroom was very spacious, with plenty of counter space and a roomy shower.

The Getaway offers plenty of above-deck, outdoor areas for lounging and catching some sun. There's the lively main pool area featuring live music, "sexy legs" contests and lots of action. There's the kids area where the little ones get to climb, splash and play (I avoided this area for, well, obvious reasons...but the kids seemed to be having a blast). There is the adults-only area at the back of the ship where the drinks are cool, the vibes are chill and the sun is plentiful.

But please allow me to recommend a small upgrade for your sailing. If you are cruising sans little ones, book yourself a weeklong pass to the Vibe Beach Club. It is magical.

This exclusive, private, adults-only area features private padded loungers, a private bar, private hot tubs and private bartenders/waitstaff. That doesn't mean things feel stuffy. The area is vibrant and fun, while offering a bit of a respite from the bustling main pool deck.

For those who are fans of shade on a hot day, this is also a great option as the Vibe attendants are more than happy to set you up with a large umbrella. Oh, and speaking of the Vibe staff, keep an eye out for Fred, Nyoman, Okan and Francis—plus, Victor behind the bar. They are some of the friendliest, hardest working people on the ship who helped make Vibe the place my husband and I loved spending time the most.

The Getaway boasts a number of high quality restaurants and, I promise you, you'll never go hungry.

Aside from the option-filled upstairs buffet and the three fabulous main dining rooms, there are a ton of specialty restaurants that are worth a visit. Teppanyaki is a fun Japanese restaurant where your delicious meal is prepared right in front of you. La Cucina is a tasty Italian spot that my husband I visited twice (don't even get me started on the mouthwatering bread that arrives at the top of the meal). O'Sheehans and American Diner are both casual sit-down options that don't cost extra and are definitely worth the visit.

But my favorite meal might have been at Shanghai's Noodle Bar, an Asian fusion spot that requires a reservation but doesn't come with an extra fee. Allow me to recommend trying each of the appetizers, a soup and a fried rice. Truly chef's kiss.

A cruise (at least for me) wouldn't be a cruise without some fun bar options (don't worry—there are plenty of mocktails and non-alcoholic beers if those are more your speed). There's a wide variety of bars and lounges, from a mojito spot to a cute wine bar next to La Cucina. These are great for unwinding after a "tough" day by the pool, playing a game of cards or just striking up a conversation with a fellow cruiser.

Allow me to recommend visiting Okan (the fabulous host) at the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar. The interior is really cold, but so are the cocktails.

And a prime spot for sipping and people watching is Sunset Bar, where server/bartender Christian (posing with us above) makes sure you always have a full craft cocktail in hand.

Oh. And don't worry if your idea of a drink is a Frappuccino. Yup, there's a Starbucks on board.

Needless to say, my husband and I loved our time on the Norwegian Getaway. A few pro tips if you're heading on board?

• Book the Vibe Beach Club for a fab week of fun in the sun (and ask Fred for a hand with that umbrella)
• Visit the spa on an in-port day to avoid any crowds
• Make your specialty restaurant reservations in advance so you don't miss out on any of the tasty food options
• Take in at least one comedy show—the laughs are definitely big
• Take advantage of late-night room service—nothing beats a nighttime snack while you watch Sweet Home Alabama for the fifth time

Happy sailing!