PDIDDYwife

We have one cruise booked with " all in." And 2 under newest promo.

The all-in was a screaming bargain for us-prices for the suite were 1000 less pp when we booked it, used our AARP discount as well - and suite OBC. It was a combineable promo. We booked 9 months ahead and the prices were lower.

We never have a problem spending our OBC with 3 teens!

Hope they offer it again.

On Getaway:

We are booked in as aft PH with connecting balcony, sister has Forward facing PH with connecting balcony.

1. Will the same steward service the suite and the connecting balcony?

2. In your experience- is the butler service affected by the distance from the Haven?

thanks

PDW

Wow.

Ditto.

We couldn't book 5 for lebistro or teppanyaki on 2 recent Getaway cruises

Booked 4 for Le Bistro , 6 for Tepamyaki.

Adjusted on board.

Same story 4 months apart!

I even called pre-concierge and had to wait until on board.

My wife is telling me about this deal and it seems like something's wrong. The claim : 900 dollars for all inclusive for the cabin. Not per person ?. Than besides the drink and dining package we get 200 a peice for excursions or 200 per cabin? Tips removed and 20 free pics . Sounds like a really good deal to me.

We hope that they run this again next year. I REALLY debated with myself because I don't drink more than 2 drinks an evening and the UPB seemed wasted on me....the clincher was that you can remove the AI up to,the day before sailing. I can still cancel but don't think that I will.

We snagged this with a Haven suite -- 10% off the fare , UBP,UDP! 200@ excursions, tips...etc

We booked so early that the price without the all-inclusive is now 1000 pp MORE than we paid for the AI plan.

Keep your eyes open- Seashark always seems to know an inside scoop- or two or three!!

If you search " Haven menu" you will find it.i can't do it on this device. Trying to put a link below....

http://www.beyondships2.com/uploads/8/2/4/5/8245255/haven_dinner.pdf

There is a static menu in the restaurant with a special dish that our servers have always told us about. Some folks like to eat every dinner there, we ate 3 times and that was enough. Tuna poke was our favorite app.

Lunch -there is a menu at the pool and a different one in the restaurant.the restaurant food is yummy but pretty heavy if you are going to be running around the slides...we ate most lunches at Ocean Blue ( lobster rolls and calamari!)

Breakfast has very elegant and many heavy dishes as well, or there is a lite buffet with fruits, meats, cheeses , salmon, etc. we tried on breakfast at the cafe and came back to the Haven rest. The coffee is an amazing French press coffee. The pancakes are amazing .

You will also read that you can order anything from anywhere and have it served in the Haven. This did not work on our two trips- July and November. We tried a request from the MDR once and the next cruise from La Cucina- neither time could the request be accommodated. My son jsut ate the mushroom ravioli

Another suite perks question - priority boarding.

We are sailing out of Los Angeles, and in the past (non suite guest) we have arrived and had to wait in a long line to get in to the terminal. Will this still be the case? I guess I'm confused of which part is going to be faster/easier for us? The other thing too - my mother is coming with and she's got a cane and probably can't stand for too long. So I need to figure out a way to at least keep her comfy and off her feet for long if I can.

Never sailed NCL out of Los Angeles, but every other prt we never waited in line. You dump bags, security, go to Suite check in( separate area) go to suite waiting , sometimes one area near check in and then moved to a larger area. There is seating everywhere. You will have snacks and drinks available.

You then get on the ship- you don't have to be put in a general , numbered group. We have never had to stand in the Haven waiting area, and even non- suite guests have oodles of seating.

If mom can't stand too long, you can ask for a wheelchair as you do have to walk on to the ship.

You can also contact NCL special services if mom has ambulatory issues- will she be okay on board without a w/c?

Have a great trip

PDW

And about using an old thread- don't worry! One of the bossy people will now yell at you for using a thread that is a year old! Just can't win!

We were in a non-Haven suite on the Jewel in December, and had our kids in a close-by, non-suite cabin. There was no problem with them going through the Haven/suite boarding and departing (both for excursions and at the end of the cruise) with us, and no problem with them joining us in Moderno for breakfast and lunch. This was our first cruise, so I don't know what I don't know, but I had the sense that this was routine in this situation.

The rules will usually be bent if you are travelling with minors in a connecting room...but if your kids were in a close -by ( non connecting) cabin, I assume there was at least one 21 year old.

I would say that you were very lucky!

There is no bad location. The Haven area is not as huge as you think- any h4 suite will have convenient access to the pool , and access to the lounge and restaurant is a few to 30 seconds walk from any of the suites .

I like 16 because it feels more open- 15 looks like any other hallway on a cruise ship. Coming out of your suite and taking just a few steps to the pool area is a nice treat.

Also, you have no ocean view from the master - they have the huge window over the tub, so you have to keep the drape between the bathroom and bedroom pulled open to get any view.

We found the Getaway H 4 not as well laid out as on the Gem class, and the dark wood, smaller slider and placement of the tub- window can make the room seem very dark at times.

We are booked again and booked on the port side this time just to mix things up.

Any size difference in suites or balconies is negligible. I think it was Annmeat who joined in on a travel agent tour that was occurring when she was aboard. Check out her review, MaJa 's review and there is one from June , 2014 done with references to Frasier episodes that also has lots of info.

I can't seem to use the CC search on this app right now - would love to have given you a link.

ALL of the H4 have the white walls- there are no expansive view sliders as in the other category suites. When we cruised we noted that they seemed to be in

Different places in different suites, but you are still going to have one. Many people don't even notice- I remember someone asking Zimomiller about it and he, like most, said it was no problem.

This is not my video, but this is that white wall- we knew about going in because of complaints by another CC member. It was rather shady that in the NCL photos and videos you will always have a curtain pulled over this wall so that you don't see it, but , hey. Not much can be done now!

Enjoy your trip!

Excuse me if this has been asked and answered. How does the new DSC compare with other cruise lines?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

On Royal we pay 14.75 for suites.

We had a family considering joining us on Getaway. Last June. I was doing the suite- search for them and there was a H4 guarantee . This was in March, right after our final payment date. The suite was full- fare and a LOT more than we had paid. They opted out as they didn't want to take the risk of being on deck 15.

Just a note - deck 15 is perfectly fine . It freaked the wife out, however.

Hi Count,

 

I second Annmeat. I am Diamond on Royal and I love the Royal experience, but the suite experiences do not match up at all. NCL's Haven is head and shoulders above Royal's suites.

 

Royal PRO: free alcoholic drinks in concierge lounge between 5:30-8:00 pm and free sodas and cappuccino in concierge lounge. better room layout in grand suites, better suite balconies, better ship ambience and activities overall, especially on Oasis class ships.

 

NCL PRO: 2 Private Haven decks with 1 plunge pool, 2 hot tubs, sauna, cabanas, shaded and sunny padded loungers, private indoor dining room for breakfast-dinner: better than breakfast & lunch in Portofino on Royal, private outdoor dining on deck, private bar (drinks extra charge) 3 full time dedicated concierges for the Haven, as opposed to 1 part time on Royal, butlers(similar to the concierge on Royal) and stewards for each suite, much better suite bathrooms than on Royal, more in room treats and services brought to your room by your butler, more restaurant choices, theater shows better than Royal, although there is nothing to compare to the diving show on the Allure & Oasis.

 

My family choice is: if sailing in a suite, choose NCL on ships with a Haven. If not sailing in a suite, choose Royal.

I third Annmeat and second 52 Marv. The butler has always been a delight to us.We dont require much, but they have always watched over our kiddos by bringing them special and extra treats,decorating the suite with the steward's help,providing non-stop cookies and strawberries. We have found nothing like this on Royal or Disney. Layout of the 2 br suites is nicer on some RCL ships and the size of the Oasis class and Freedom class multiple bedroom suites is fantastic. But that is where it ends for us.

WOW! I cannot imagine 6 adults...are you REALLY close?

Much of the space in the master is bathroom. There is no a true door between the master and the living room,which has the small pullout. The second bedroom is small. Period. I had 3 teens-SMALL ones -sharing the space and it was tight.

There is plenty of space for storage, just not for people.

I don't mean to come off as a biotch, but the H4s on the Breakaway class are not as spacious or well laid out as on the Jewel class. I also need my privacy, and there is none in the H4 unless all parties have gone to a bedroom. A conversation in the LR , or the TV playing is totally heard in the other rooms-more so in the master.

The bed in the second BR could fit 2 small children-not two adults. The second BR is very VERY dark-even with the lights on, and storage minimal. Everything must be put back as soon as it is used.

FWIW-the sofa bed is a rock. So is the sofa, for that matter! We are going with adjoining suites from now on. The H4 on Getaway was a disappointment.

Oh oh oh I miss my ship!,,

love your review, Melting!!!

Get some rest....

The pictures are terrific !

And Headliners, and SpiceH20, and Fat Cats....

 

 

Breakaway simply took the obsolete model of everybody into one theatre for 1 show, and broke it into several smaller venues with a multitude of entertainment options, with all but 1 being included.

 

 

And as the other poster mentioned about the many smaller upcharge venues, how is that different than only having 1 or 2, but making them bigger?

 

Neither option would change the size of the pool. There's another thread recently which very clearly educates about the limits of pool-size on bigger ships. It would be worth finding & reading.

 

 

As for the Haven, that private space (the cabins, the restaurant, the pool, the gym, the spa, and the lounge) are all separate from the rest of the ship, and are simply not part of your cruise fare.

 

They are paid for by the higher cruise fares of the Haven suites, for their exclusive use.

 

Buying a small house next to a mansion does not automatically give you the rights to the mansion's grounds and amenities, but nor does it detract from you enjoying all of what you actually paid for.

 

It sides beside you, it doesn't encroach upon your entitlements.

 

 

 

.

AMEN!

You are one of my favorite common sense CCers.

Read a review on here by a gal ANNMEAT who stayed in the Haven ,Getaway not breakaway, always does suites and enjoyed the ship so much that she won't do it again. I was in the Haven on the Sam cruise and agree100%. The reasons are what you point out above and , oddly, the things that folks here are COMPLAINING about.

Loved the cozy feel of the multiple restaurants as opposed to gymnasium sized, multi level dining rooms. Loved having the option of Grammy experience or Theater or Headliners or Atrium. We found plenty of places to sit around and and converse. Our cruise was at capacity yet the theater was never 100% full.

The Haven pool is a birdbath. The pool area for the rest of the ship is like every other ship. Honestly, folks it is not that much smaller than others. With the water park, the Sponge Bob park, etc- you know that this ship has an adventure theme and you saw the pictures before you booked. Any complaints about the teeny tiny pool afterward are silly. And the Haven is the signature of NCL and a huge draw. Without it NCL would be ubiquitous .

I don't want any food in my suite. Will the butler honor that request or feel maybe they'll slip something in anyway?

You also may have food gifts sent from other departments / people for different reasons- not just your daily treats. A Bon voyage gift, a thank you, whatever.

We had gifts delivered on all cruises by other than our regular butler

PDW

No, you just explained to OP how it happened for you. As I said, it can also go differently as it did for us in April.

That is exactly how we did it as well. Didn't the concierge escort you down after meeting you early? Did you lot have a smooth seating process? I think annmeat was explaining how the seating process went after being smacked for getting special Haven treatment -

She is explaining the seating process, not promising that everyone will have table #11 and get to hold a prop.

Ruth was not the concierge when you traveled on Getaway, so perhaps you didn't have such a personalized escort - did you have to wait in a long line? We already know that folks in your group had crappy seats.

You kinda sound testy;)...

Splitting hairs...

Tigger toes-

Have a super duper trip

PDW

Thanks so much. If I understand correctly, the butler reports to the concierge?

I'm so excited but my husband is still skeptical as to weather or not we will really get all of these perks. I'm hoping to prove him wrong.

You will have a great time. Chain of command doesn't matter unless you have a problem- and you won't!

The steward and butler will work together in the evening preparing your suite. So nice to come back to a freshly turned down room with chocolates and towel animals ( we have 3 kids) .

Noemi is stunningly beautiful, by the way!,

Have a terrific trip

PDW

I came in half way to find my husband, sons and daughter dancing to that " be my girl song - and then I was dragged on stage"

DESPITE that part it was fine.

I have been on lots of cruises and have always skipped this. It heard some Legally Blonde, saw some Biurn the Floor..J C Sanchez the CD was just darling.

We just booked Getaway again, so I'll find out next time,too!

I have been looking and can not find this info We recieved triple play restaurants and have been wondering when and how to book reservations for them have heard can do at 45 days just trying to verify this as tomorrow is 45 days and my parents who are traveling with us are in a hurry to do this any help will be wonderful:confused:

Hi:

If I were you,I would call in and make my reservations- if it is possible with the triple play.

I would also ignore the posts of people who feel a need to LOL at you. We all like to plan things in our own way.

We sailed on Getaway 2 weeks ago and LORD HAVE MERCY!! scheduled a special dinner ahead of time. Yup, we knew what we wanted to eat on a particular day WAAAAY ahead of time. Makes me wonder what some people did when planning their wedding receptions. Must have eloped-because who could EVER plan what they would want to eat that far in advance? I mean, LOL! ROFLMAO!!

Have a GREAT cruise on Getaway. She is an amazing ship with so much to do that you will wish that you had TWO weeks aboard!!

You should receive an email back.give it 48 hours

Ruth and Noemi are the current concierges and there are many butlers. Getaway has over 40 suites that receive butler service.

Annmeat- hey, thanks for doing this review. We were also in an H4 and our teens spent zero time in the Haven.

FWIW, it was pretty full but not crowded , with those speedo types you mentioned. They did encounter some canoodling seniors in the"big" Haven pool and that was a visual that they couldn't unsee.

We also met Mr Jack Weed on day 2. He and Mrs Weed were very upset that Weed Jr was not allowed to be served hard liquor, even with their permission. They had their music device, of course, and went on and on and on an about this...I finally just left the sun deck...

Anyway, your review was awesome. My kids were on the slides, in Entourage or the arcade, playing trivia , wandering about, eating...they just didn't utilize the Haven . My husband and I spent very little time there. DH is not a sun worshiper

We will absolutely go back on Getaway. We missed Maho so I would like to go before the itinerary changes, but may have to wait for Escape. Tortola has amazing snorkeling. And we can live with that,

Regarding Royal

Also, don't apologize for protecting your child . I would have been furious about the smoke. We had no problems ( had 106) until we were in Nassau. We were isolated but the smoke from either below or the side, even with the very slight breeze, or maybe it was from Vibe- it got pretty smelly. But that Nassau day seems quite hot and nasty. We got off just to take a few pictures. We have been too many times and just wanted to play on the slides.it was like you said, a private water park

My kids said they saw Sheehan . I thought they were trying to see if those two DODs I had were messing with my head!!

May we cruise together again and actually speak more than a "hello"- I can picture your family- the really curly haired blonde boy. He had a ukulele on night, didn't he? A medium daughter and the dark eyed , squeezable son.

Take care

PDW

For six people with normal requests how much would be appropriate. Concierge too. Ive made all our dining and show ressies so thinking we would use butler more. Thank you.

We had a wonderful butler this trip- first time someone went above and beyond. There were 5 of us. By above and beyond I mean he didn't

Ignore us! We have had a few wretched butlers in the past.

This trip was Great. We had our snacks delivered, he readied the room for my son's birthday, brought cookies a few extra times, was generally sweet and attentive. He would keep cakes refrigerated and leave notes about it for us.

Our steward was a doll and kept our cabin in immaculate condition- left the kids multiple towel animals eac day...little things that made the stay special. concierges visited us twice a day at least, helped with lost room keys and made our stay more pleasant..we had our own ressies as well. Did help with a problem with boarding passes .

We left the butler 200, the steward 100 , 50 per concierge . We had no out of the ordinary needs .

The butler and steward were very appreciate of the tips and left a darling note and towel animal circus for us on the last evening to thank us.