Norwegian Getaway or el Vamanos as We Like to Say

Anyone contemplating a cruise from Florida shores next year may want to Vamanos conmigo, or stowaway with me on the new Norwegian Getaway. This mega ship, sister to the Norwegian Breakaway that stole New Yorkers' hearts on its maiden voyage (see my maiden voyage account), will be sailing the Eastern Caribbean year-round from Miami beginning February 2014.

Drawing of Aquapark with Nickelodeon themed characters aboard Norwegian Getaway

Just as New York City's multicultural, high energy stew inspired an older sister, this younger sib is taking her cues from the Latin culture of Miami and all the sun, fun and Spanglish charms of that city. With this crowd, we know the planned Brazilian churascarria and foodie chef Geoffrey Zakarian's Raw Bar will be culinary hits among the 26 anticipated eateries.

The Norwegian Breakaway's most popular features, like The Waterfront -- a quarter-mile-long outdoor promenade that brings cafes, ice cream stands, people-watching and strolling to an uppper deck -- will be there.

The ship's center of activities will be 678 Ocean Place, the core of decks 6, 7, and 8 connected by a towering atrium that allows cruisers to "window shop" their fun from any level.

Families will find extensive children's club programming at Splash Academy, and an Aqua Park that is a pirate-themed, waterplay area with what is said to be the fastest waterslide at sea. The ship will offer exclusive Nickelodeon entertainment with favorite fuzzy characters on board for photo ops, and play areas themed to SpongeBob SquarePants and his crew. The main pool deck will include two pools and four hot tubs with enough room, we hope, to soothe your sore muscles after all those fitness classes at their state-of-the-art gym facility.

Expect a circus school, cupcake-decorating classes and family fun challenges where your kids can take home a gold medal. And if you save up, you can look forward to The Haven two-bedroom family suite on a specially keyed floor (with concierge) whose scale, furnishings and balcony will spoil you for other ships.

Floor plan of two-bedroom Family Suite on the exclusive deck called The Haven.

A wide range of entertainment options (some for a premium but most included in the basic cruise cost for these Breakaway class ships), include the Illusionarium magic show and dinner theatre; fireworks at sea; and full-length Broadway  performances like "Legally Blonde."

For more information and to learn about early booking discounts, follow the Norwegian Getaway website or call 888/445-7936.