Vyhanek

The adults only area is not the area with the swimming pool.   Its not the enclosed courtyard area.   That enclosed courtyard area is open to all Haven guests including children..    Its paying Haven guests only because it isn't that big and definitely not enough chairs or space in the Haven pool for a bunch of extra people.  

Its like being on the concierge floor at a nice hotel, you can bring your personal guests to your room but you can't take them to the lounge with the free appetizers and free drinks!  

TheHaven  courtyard is nice but it is enclosed, 4 sides surrounded by ship, there is no where  to sit in the courtyard and see the ocean if that matters to you.   Guests without children tend to migrate to the upper sundeck because the enclosed courtyard gets really loud, its an enclosed space with lots of glass and metal and the noise bounces off the hard surfaces.   Even a couple kids playing in the pool gets loud from the noise bouncing around that enclosed space.   

The Haven upper sundeck is what is adults only/Haven guests only.   Its even smaller than the courtyard area with  maybe 25 lounge chairs and a hot tub.   Space is at a premium.   There is definitely no extra lounge chairs for extra guests because there aren't even enough to go around.  That isn't being a Karen.....good lord, your guests pay a small fraction of what legitimate haven guests pay and then they  take a chair when there aren't nearly enough to go around anyways....that's just basic.  Very basic.   The staff in the Haven knows who belongs and they will address any guests who don't belong.   They also know the ages of the kids, from the passport info you enter for each guest.   They know the minors, they will address it.  

 Ive cruised the NCL haven many times with my young kids. Now we've aged out of that stage and we are all glad for a space in the Haven that can be kid free.  We stay out of the enclosed courtyard area, we'll leave that space for you with kids.  When you get beyond the young kid years, you'll feel the same way.   

Ive cruised in the Haven many times.    Bringing a guest to a meal is hit or miss depending on the SHIP and how busy they are.    I paid $35 per guest on the Haven on the Epic.    But the Epic Haven is unique.   The Epic Haven is very large and has fewer Haven Guests compared to the other large ships with the full Haven experience. (Not counting the mini Haven's (as I call them) on the Pearl, Gem, Jade that have no restaurant or dedicated Haven bar - that's not the Haven experience  we envision).   Guests in general are not packed into the Epic Haven like on the other ships so there are empty tables at meals and servers aren't swamped like in the Haven on the other ships.    The Epic was the first ship to have the expanded Haven with restaurants/bars, they went all out on the Epic Haven and its huge.   So there is capacity for guests to invite people to the restaurant on non peak times.    But, Don't even think about asking on the first night of the cruise or the last night of the cruise.   These are nights where every Haven guest is dining in the Haven the Haven and they are absolutely swarmed.

The other ships I've been on, I get it.    There is no extra room for non Haven guests.   The bars and restaurants are really very busy.   NCL learned how to really, really pack the Haven.    

16 hours ago, Nola26 said:

An 11yo wouldn't be allowed in the studio area. Studios are for solos, an 11yo cannot be a solo.

 

Would people really leave an 11yo in a hotel room alone overnight, night after night, really?

Did you even read?    She's looking for a studio cabin that CONNECTS to her room.    She doesn't know that the studio cabins are all separate and don't connect to standard cabins.    You'd have to be an NCL insider to know the studio cabins are in a separate area.      

In no way is she stating she wants her 11 year old in a separate area of the ship (night after night) and this is understood with comprehension skills.     You need comprehension skills and common sense.   

I can't imagine booking a cruise so far out like that.     Why would you do it?    Cruises won't sell out.   You don't get the best deals booking ridiculously early.   Now you don't know if they will even be going.   Why do people book any cruise so far out?

On 2/2/2021 at 2:26 PM, complawyer said:

once again, i  wouldnt care if the temperature was 20 degrees and a foot of snow on the ground, nothing could tempt me to spend 3-4 days at gsc, especially when there are so many other wonderful carribbean islands to see.

 

by the, it was easy for me to say, since we live in los angeles,  and not much chance of snow or temps getting anywhere near that low.

Do you understand the issue though?  The issue isn't about choosing 3 straight days at GSC over a variety of ports.   We're discussing if NCL gets the approval to start up but the islands aren't allowing cruise ships............ If none of the islands open to cruise ships, but  NCL gets the all clear to cruise would you go to GSC just to get back out there on any cruise?    Or would you wait another year, two years, etc  to cruise again as normal.      Of course we want to go to other islands, really you think someone would prefer to be at GSC for 3 days????  but if we can't, would you cruise if you could only go to GSC?    Do you think there's a bunch of people who would just choose to go to GSC for 3 straight days?   

Im voting no.   As much as I want to get on a cruise ship once vaccinated, I don't like GSC.  I don't find it an enjoyable beach day at all and I'd wait for a better cruise even if it was another year away.   

Im going with the assumption that cruise lines will require proof of vaccination to board.   This would be several months away.    By then the death rate will have plummeted because elderly will be vaccinated.    

I would think then, with the death rate flattened, and with 100% of passages and crew vaccinated things like 6 ft distance and masks could be forgone.

I don't think there's any chance of sailing before that happened.    The cruise lines aren't going to have crew onboard unvaccinated.   They aren't going to be able to allow for social distancing in gangways, on tenders, in the atriums.    Vaccinating and proof of vaccination will be how it goes.

Cruisers aren't going to be outdoors wearing masks.   They won't tolerate that.   People don't wear masks outside in New Hampshire, in Indiana, in Florida, in Maine.   These are the states Ive been too.   Tell me........Where besides NYC or sporting events are people wearing masks outdoors?     

The only way cruising will return is if passengers are fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination.  I would think by the fall this would be very possible.   Then the issue will be where can the ship go  because I can't see the islands or europe even Mexico allowing tourism when their own population is largely unvaccinated.    The ships will have to go to the Caye's to begin.

On 1/10/2021 at 8:10 PM, MoCruiseFan said:

 

Pure opinion.

Pure opinion? WTH?     Did you NOT read where he said....."Would not be surprised"............Anyone, literally anyone would take this as opinion.   

At one time, the haven restaurant was more flexible and you could get items from other restaurants.   But then that stopped.   They are much less flexible and you will get push back trying to order something from a different restaurant.   

As far as vegetarian, there will be one option Im sure on the Haven menu that's vegetarian.

You won't be dining in the Haven restaurant every night.   The menu doesn't change.   It will be the same menu all week and it is pretty limited, delicious but it is a small menu.   You're going to want to dine around the ship for variety.   

On 1/4/2021 at 11:06 PM, shof515 said:

This should be an not issue. most likely, they will put you to the side and then you temperature will be rechecked in about 15-30 minutes. Being outside in the hot humid weather can cause your temperature to rise unexpected

Well......Im guessing you would be thinking it is a really big issue if you are the one denied boarding and left in port!     

Im guessing the only cruises that these mainstream lines will run in all of 2021 will be more local, Caribbean, Mexico perhaps Bermuda.    Nothing TA, Europe, etc.

This information is not correct.   Yes, 120-130 days out reservations will open up for dining but NCL only puts a very few reservations out there online to book that early.  Even when you go in 130 days out you'll see that most of the reservations they put out online are for like 8:30pm.     They hold most of the dining reservations until passengers actually get on the ship.    This reply will cause unnessary stress if you aren't the lucky few to get those early, few online reservations.     For Haven guests you will have no issue getting any reservation you want if you book with the concierge on the first day.    Even after the first day, the concierge can/will get Haven guests reservations even when the venues appear to be sold out.     

As far as the Haven restaurant, they don't take reservations.   It is first come first served and my advice is to avoid Haven dining the first evening of the cruise.   Most Haven guests get the idea to dine there first, this makes for a very crowded experience and you won't get the personal attention the Haven is known for.    Go to another dining venue that first night, then the second night when all the other haven guests go dine around, then you'll have the Haven dining with far fewer crowds.    The first nd the last night in the Haven dining are the busiest.   I work around those night and always have a great experience.   

That second bedroom in the 2 bdr suite is going to be too small for 3 older teens.    I don't even know that the lower bed is even a real  double bed!   I think its more like a super single!

I agree that the suite with the family room would be so nice but the sleeping arrangement with 3 young adults would not be good.    The bathroom situation would be fine, it would just be the sleeping.   Google this cabin and then click video, you'll get a better idea of the set up.

I don't use the Butler at all.   Beside him dropping off the Haven standard treats daily, which we have never requested,  its just a normal part of the Haven cabin experience,  we have never asked for anything from the Butler.    

I give $20 but even then I think that's really generous for what they do for us.   

I've only cruised in the 2 bedroom Haven suites.     I guess I assumed all of the Haven suites had a sitting room.  I find this suite very underwhelming!!   It would have to be an amazing deal cheaper than the 2 bedroom for me to consider this suite.    

The room is underwhelming, no sitting area, you walk right in the door to the bed, you walk right in to the television hanging on the wall, the enclosed patio is too enclosed.    This compares more to a mini suite, more like an upgrade on a mini suite if you ask me where the 2 bedroom Haven is more like an apartment.    The only way I would pay for this is if it were a great deal, much cheaper.

But thanks for posting, I know now what I definitely don't like and will stick to the 2 bedroom even if it's just me and husband traveling and the second bedroom goes un used.   

The Haven restaurant is the best steaks on the ship.   But, skip the Haven restaurant the very first night.   Everyone in the Haven wants to dine there the first night, its too busy.    Go there second night instead,  that crowd moves on to other specialty dining and you'll have the Haven restaurant and the attention of the servers.    

NCL offers childcare while the ship is in port.    Childcare is at a cost per hour by a babysitter but its in the kids club,  the babysitters are the Kids Club staff and they have activities just like the regular kids club only with a smaller number of kids.    I can assure you both parents leave the ship and its not uncommon, that's why the babysitting service on port days exists.   

I think what is uncommon, very uncommon is parents not returning in time and even almost unheard of would be parents missing the ship.    Ive been on the ships many times where departure was delayed for various reasons.    I would think this reason would be a #1 reason for delaying the ships departure.   

14 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

The Cirque shows on NCL have absolutely nothing to do with Cirque du Soleil, created in Montreal Canada, which was contracted to perform on MSC ships... think Meraviglia a few years ago.  That contract may have ended when cruising ended due to C-19. 

 

The Cirque shows on Ncl  are simply circus performers in a tent-like venue on some of the BA - BA+ ships. 

Everybody knows the NCL shows are not the real - Cirque performances.    Never the less, it is a great Cirque like performance, very entertaining doing gymnastics and contortion in a performance setting.    The food is better than average NCL Specialty Dining and its a nice evening worth every cent!   

Ive been a couple times on the Epic in the Haven.     My advice is to get a room close to the courtyard but......not too close.

The courtyard will be full from sun up to sun down with families since children under 18 can't be on the outdoor sundeck.    So families flock to the courtyard.   Its a pretty small space for the amount of families it attracts and it gets really loud since the space is enclosed, the noise bounces around in there.    Plus, with children, coming and going in the courtyard, running thru that hallway with wet suits, I'd just rather be a bit further from that.     I like being close, but not near the direct path or overlooking.    

People without kids gravitate to the upper sundeck.    Families traveling with children stay mostly in the courtyard.   

Its not possible to maintain 6 ft even with modifications it isn't possible.   Think about all the times you are packed in.   Embarkation and security screenings, tendering, muster, theater, lines at all bars ` think about the bar at the pool deck at any given moment, debarkation, the crowds in the buffet on embarkation.

Cruising and social distancing mutually exclusive.   

This is when you book your cruise last minute.    Not a year out.   There is no reason at all to be booking a cruise a year or more out,  not when you're cruising in an ordinary balcony cabin!    If you wanted the Garden Villa for an Anniversary week, then ok, book early, its just absolutely foolish to be booking a cruise so far out.    You won't get the best deals, you have no idea what the travel industry will be like or what restrictions will be onboard, and that's if NCL is even cruising.    

Even if I wanted to cruise in November for Thanksgiving, I wouldn't be booking that until about the first week of November.  Literally no reason to book any earlier.   

2 hours ago, roger001 said:

The muster drill is for about 90% of the attendees only a "meets requirements" event.   Very few are actually paying any attention.  So guess how it is done doesn't really matter.  

No, its more than that.  

Its that 100% of passengers know where to go to get the lifeboats because they have physically walked into that room.    Yes sure you're right,  they aren't paying attention about how to put on a life jacket or what the alarm sounds like, but its the act of physically arriving in the theater,  when there is an emergency.    That's the important part and the part they remember.

January 2-9 on any cruise line means there will be lots of kids (under normal non covid circumstances).    Schools don't go right back after the New Year, if you're wanting to avoid kids, being that you don't have kids yourself, I would wait at least one more week into January.   

NCL does a great job with their spa's and if that's something you like, I'd pick a different ship than the Joy.   Check out the Getaway class.    Also check out the spa suites.   Or go really wild and check out the Haven Spa suites!   

NCL does not do a good job at all with pizza.  That's general consensus.   

If you aren't sun worshiper people and you are more culturally interested.   You might check out Princess.   They do a much better job with intellectual speakers, daytime topics and talks.    NCL isn't for the intellectual like Princess tries hard to accommodate.   

On 6/25/2020 at 12:46 AM, BirdTravels said:

Even New York is not allowing people from Florida to come to the state without a mandatory quarantine. NY is doing wonderful because their citizens follow the guidance. FL,,, not so much. 

New York had 74% of all deaths in the country.   New York is not doing well!   At all!   New York is just past their peak.   That's the only difference........

You will have hours at the airport for a 1:45 flight.

Say you get up and leave your cabin at 8am.   You will have your luggage and be in the cab by 9am.    You'll be at the airport by 9:30am easily.    

NCL is all but kicking you out at 9am if you're still on the ship.   Even then you'd have hours at the airport waiting for your flight.