Jetswdo

HI-- OP here yes we are on the Sept 17 10:00 pm departure time. Boston to Quebec---- So I guess the Edocs will show the correct time-- we are in "green" lane, as done all the pre check stuff already. I am just used to ships leaving embarkation day 4:00-6:00 pm or so--- that is why I am wondering if it is later then to actually get on the ship. People were wondering about this on the roll call, same as me...

Hi all. I usually like to show up at cruise terminal 10:30-11:30 am ish. The ship is scheduled to leave Boston at 10:00 pm. After checking out of hotel which is by the airport, we will have finished with sightseeing, and just want to get on the ship. My question is: Can we still arrive at ship at our usual embarkation time? Thanks, Anita

I will be happy to report when we come back from cruise. I will say that I am surprised and agree with David Sobe that I think the pre cruise concierge is worthless. I had thoroughly read through SothrnGary post where he wrote so many helpful things on what to expect when booking Haven. I guess I got the wrong impression on what to expect with pre cruise concierge-- Gary seemed so satisfied with his contact with them. Again, thanks for all the input from all those who were trying to be helpful. It is really appreciated, and I will be happy to pay it forward when I come back from cruise. Thanks again. Sincerely, Anita

I can't believe all this fuss. I received a letter from NCL (remember I am new to Haven) that asked for any requests. Nothing special about the salmon (which was not the point)-- I was just looking over my notes for embarkation advice from the good persons on cruise critic, regarding Haven-- saw the lunch menu --- saw that ordinary salmon was on it--- and thought that would be nice for my husband at dinner time, that is all. So I went ahead and asked if they could send a note to the restaurant. Their answer was no reservations necessary. (Which wasn't what I asked.) So I wrote my simple request back, and was surprised by their answer, which is why I wrote about it on this post. Again, based on all the hype that I have read about how great the Haven restaurant is, and how accommodating they are, I thought this was a simple request, not an issue. I wouldn't have made this request to the land concierge, it the letter was specific to what requests they would take. Drew69: Salmon or not will not ruin the trip, again not the point of what I was talking about, but sorry, I certainly will be annoyed if this one request can't be done.This shouldn't be a big deal in my opinion, sorry if that bothers you. Not meant to show entitlement or anything like that. If for what ever reason the restaurant can save a piece of ordinary salmon for a few hours, I'm sure my husband will find something else that will be very good for dinner. I plan on ordering prime rib!

Hi! I am the OP! My only request is for 1 person (husband) to be able to eat salmon at dinner. It just isn't something he eats at lunch. Why it isn't offered at dinner is odd. I thought that the land concierge office would be able to forward this request to the Haven Restaurant, as it is just for embarkation day. After years of reading how gracious the Haven experience is, I really don't feel that this is out of line. I'm not asking to bring food from other restaurants or anything like that. I was very surprised by the response from land concierge office. So as soon as we board the ship, I will stop at the restaurant in person to see if one portion of salmon can be put aside for dinner. It will be very annoying to me if this can't be done.

I contacted pre cruise concierge to ask this question: Would it be possible for the Haven restaurant to make the salmon dish that is on the lunch menu for dinner, on embarkation day? First the concierge office emailed me back saying "no reservations are necessary for Haven Restaurant" which isn't what I asked. Then when I emailed them back to ask about the salmon dish, the concierge said, no meals from lunch will be offered at dinner time. I thought that was rather odd. Do you think that once we get on board, we can stop by the Haven Restaurant and ask the matre d at the restaurant? Has any one who has regularly been in Haven class, been able to request an item from lunch menu at dinner time?

I will look in that Men's travel Blazer in any case-- If it is cold in the restaurants he probably would miss not having his blazer--- He always packs 1 pair of shoes that are not his usual sneakers, to wear at night with his dockers/khakis. We are each going to wear our hiking shoes on the plane-- But good to know that it isn't necessary to bring it in any case. Thanks for all the feedback Appreciate it.

We are trying to pack as lightly as possible for upcoming Bliss Alaska cruise--- Usually we pack a blazer for him for night time dinners--- At Ocean Blue and Le Bistro can my husband get away with (without looking out of place) just wearing nice slacks and collared polo? We both usually dress resort casual at night time- myself in dress capris, nice blouse, and light jacket, and hubbie in khaki slacks and polo----- Also, for the Mexican restaurant and Que bbq can we just wear jeans and tee, daytime stuff? Thanks for info. Anita

How spicy was the short ribs? Can a request be made to get it less spicy? (I'm good with lightly spiced) I don't like gravy on short ribs- a little ok just not almost "soup" like. So we probably would not get the poultine.

Tulock--- What did you order at Salty Pub? We don't eat pork, so we were thinking about the beef short ribs- grilled cheese or the fried chicken sandwich--- I do think this restaurant would work better at lunch time--- but I'm thinking it might be worth a visit on a port day where we will be eating a bigger lunch than normal off the ship. What did you order at Planks? same question for Robkat and wallyj-----

And thanks to wallyj--- accidentally left out your name---Anita

Thank you so much for the info. I have printed both Robkat and tulok info from above and will have it on hand as we board the ship. Really appreciate the feedback. Sincerely, Anita

to Robkat-- When you say you immediately called the dine line---- When we board the ship- I'd like to take care of reservations for Planks and Salty Dog Pub--- ASAP to get that out of the way. Where did you find the phone to use for that? Thanks, Anita

I have our times reserved for sp restaurants on Bliss, at 5:30--- So we will go to the later 9:30 shows---- There is one night where I believe a comedy show will be in main theater at 7:30---- I think it will be on the night that we have Ocean Blue scheduled. Not a deal breaker, and I refuse to rush through that dinner--- But if we happen to be finished by 6:30-6:45- then great. If not, oh well. So I was just wondering, what is a realistic time to be finished with dinner. (We will be on the Bliss, if that makes a difference) .

Thanks! We treated ourselves on upcoming cruise which basically included everything, including Starbucks (on Bliss)

I've always been a generous tipper- I'm checking with Seattle Shuttle Express to find out if basic gratuity is already included--- If that is the case, which I hope, I still always give some kind of cash tip for good service--- I am also generous with the stevedores to make sure that our luggage makes it on the ship--- So, as long as the driver helps us get the two large suitcases to the stevedores, which is routine? for him/her to do-- is $10 reasonable to give as a tip (assuming basic gratuity is included with the fare) If no tips are included for the driver in the price, then 20% of the fare would be the correct gratuity- (including luggage assistance)-- I just want to make sure that I have enough cash on hand.

I don't think tips are included. I always tip generously to the stevedores by the ship---- but I don't know what the total tip should be including our bags, regarding the car ride.

Two of us have reserved a car from Seattle shuttle to take us from airport hotel to pier 66 for NCL Bliss. Assuming the driver assists with luggage, both from hotel and at pier what is a reasonable amount to tip him/her? I have absolutely no idea, so all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Anita

Thanks for replying. So the containers are the same ones as on land. Didn't realize that. We just like maybe one venti size each in the am, and maybe a decaf small one after a show on board. Appreciate your response. Anita

I have a couple of those beverage carriers- one is the plastic folding blue thing and the other is a material holder--- Just trying to decide which would make sense to bring on upcoming cruise. What size are the coffee drink containers? Also is there long lines aboard ship for Starbucks- will be on the Bliss if that makes a difference. Thanks, Anita

Re: Saguency--- We are taking this tour as well in September. Did your cruise arrive at 8:00 am? The tour starts at 9:00-- just wondering if you had to rush off the boat to make it on time. Also, do you remember what restaurant the tour stopped for lunch on the way back to the ship? Thanks, Anita

Wow- thanks for all the responses! We only like to sit in mid section by the aisle (for a quick escape if necessary) so Haven section won't workout for us. We plan on getting on the ship around 10:30-11:00- have a ride to take us to the ship from airport hotel at 9:30. My dinner reservations are all scheduled for 5:30 on 4 nights---- On prior cruises, when we "felt" much younger, no reservations were required and we just headed to usually the later shows 45 minutes earlier for people watching and choice of seats. On a recent Bliss sailing, Icons was for 2 nights only-- We have no dinner reservations scheduled for Sitka- so if history repeats itself, then 2 shows are scheduled for Icons, not 4. (I have seen Jersey Boys (show) plus the movie)-- We just love the music so want to do the show on Bliss for that) I guess I will schedule the best I can on the app, then make arrangements with concierge upon boarding to make it work. Anita

I will be on the Bliss next month (Aug)---- It looks like one will need to make reservations for Jersey Boys and for the Icons show. Please no lectures in regards to my questions, as I am just trying to understand the system for this. Can a person make reservation for two different time slots on either the same day or on two different days for the same show? I think this can be done in advance on the app----- If we can't make it to the earlier show due to dinner taking forever, can you just cancel that reservation and then make use of the later one? (I don't know if this makes any difference or not, but for this cruise we are trying out Haven class) Here is why I am asking: On the second night of cruise, we have dinner reservations at Le Bistro at 5:30--- If Icons is on this day, we would make reservations for the 9:30 show so we won't feel rushed at dinner. We have no dinner reservations for the third night and if the show will be at 7:30- we would be able to make that one with no problem. (Someone posted a recent free style daily) I'm thinking if we are just too tired after dinner on the second night, then we could attend the next day at the earlier time, which is better for us (we are in early 70's) The second night is our 45th wedding anniversary and we wanted if possible to have a really nice dinner and then a show afterwards. 9:30 is a bit late for us, but we will do our best to attend (don't want to be nodding off during the show) Any way, I just want to know if any one has been able to make more than one reservation for the same show. Thanks in advance. Anita

If there is still grilled beef, then I would do it. I hate Korean spicing on chicken so I wouldn't order that. Again, this would work for a light lunch which would work for us They used t have little hamburgers that were very good from what I was told. It looks like that was eliminated from the menu.

I found that comment about "getting extra courses" for dinner, funny---- So most people do not get escorted to specialty restaurants, just trying to understand the lay of the land. Reviews of the Haven talk about how slow to get places do to overcrowding on elevators? So if we just go from deck 15 to Le Bistro (as long as that was referred to) how long should it take around 4:45 if leaving the cabin at that time? (We will take stairs down as much as possible in any case) Another thought: We booked two shore excursions with NCL Is it easier to use concierge to get to meeting place? Or do most people in Haven just allow 30? minutes to do that on their own? Just wondering.....