amygutman

Agree with hopping onto the VIP Haven LONG post on these Boards. Really helpful. Enjoy every minute of being pampered and not waiting in lines. Once you get to know your waitstaff / room attendant / butler / concierge...the experience becomes way more personalized. Never be hesitant to ask for something that you think will make your cruise more special. If you think of something before the cruise, email NorwegianConciergeDesk@ncl.com or call M-F 1-855-625-4283 to speak with the Pre-Concierge desk and they do their best to communicate with the ship's concierge team to ensure your requests are honored or at least known ahead of time. This is great for things like stocking the mini-fridge, special occasions, reservations for shows / restaurants, etc. Enjoy every minute - and as a fellow healthcare worker I thank you for your sacrifices. Go Team! Warmest, Amy

Favor to ask of @Beezo and @Cruise Wonderland - can you tell me where you found the logo evolution frame on the Getaway? We are sailing at the end of this month and this would be an awesome little find to share with my kiddo. My son loves logos and logo design; in his graphic arts training he spends a lot of time in not just animation but looking at shapes and colors and how they relate to expressing a brand's "concepts and mindset". The psychology of logos is fascinating. If you've ever go on Fivrr or or similar sites to try to build a brand logo it's amazing how an artist can take a few important words, core concepts, meaningful colors, and come together to find a perfect logo for a brand. As somebody with no artistic skills whatsoever I truly appreciate both the art and science of this form of graphic arts. Warmest, Amy

💖This makes me so happy!!!! Lived in Bermuda for 2 years during Covid and ship sightings were rare. This is such a wonderful sight to see, and am so jealous. I can just hear the kites singing getting ready for Easter! Thank you @bluesea777...you made my day! Warmest, Amy

One thing to also consider is that some of the luxury lines are not necessarily kid friendly. We certainly do not need all the bells and whistles for our teenaged but some people who truly prefer luxury or traveling as a multigenerational family may find that limited or no child friendly spaces / activities may be an influencing factor. After seeing rave reviews about Viking , especially their itineraries, we are honestly itching to try them. Regent and Oceania also seem wonderful and we would love to have the educational aspect for our cruises. But this is balanced with the preference for resort casual for supper, traveling with our son which we love to do, and a less "formal" cruise line makes us very happy with the Haven / Yacht Club experience. Warmest, Amy

Oh lord...thank you for the correction. I would not want to mislead anyone and apologize. Both rooms are certainly amazing, but 2 balconies was a treat that we were excited to have. Hell...ANY balcony is a treat (though a suite balcony is super "suite sweet").

Yes...but it's a long / shallow / narrow balcony....but it's a FORWARD long / shallow / narrow balcony, so by definition, AWESOME! You are going to have an amazing trip!

Do you think this would be an appropriate site to send kudos for jobs well done / above and beyond? We've had such excellent service on our last few cruises that we feel are not done justice with the Hero Cards and follow-up surveys via email. Can you share the site please? Warmest, Amy

Thank you so much and I will add this to @Ken the cruiser's wonderful review. It's amazing reading the details in the B2B (2B) review - and I found myself spending a lot of time pausing the review to Google a port or location or attractions. Every review has made me just want to cruise more, and though ultimately we have chosen to do a wonderfully fun Alaska-Hawaii route for our 20th and wait until our 25th for Africa (and make it a land-sea-Africa-Middle East vacation), I have been loving reading more about this fascinating continent. Thank you and looking forward to the review...will devour on my day off tomorrow!. Warmest, Amy

I think I am almost as sad to see this review ending as you are to end your cruise. Thanks so much for a week of fun keeping up with your "epic drink and coffee" adventure that just happened to be on a cruise ship. You have a wonderful writing style and my DH and I had a blast following along. Please book another cruise so we can continue to live vicariously with you? 😇 Warmest, Amy

Eagerly following... On the Encore Alaska itinerary in September - not exactly the same ports, but this will whet our whistle. Booked Alaska over a year and a half ago and cannot wait to go. Will look forward to living vicariously through your trip and thank you in advance for posting. Warmest, Amy

💖 THIS IS WONDERFUL!!!! Booked our 20th anniversary cruise on the Spirit Forward Facing Deluxe Penthouse 10005 for the Alaska to Hawaii route - the opposite leg of your planned trip. Seeing these images is just amazing, and cannot thank you enough. I'd love to see your own photos and review if you wouldn't mind sharing with the boards. Having been on the Dawn in the DOS 10506, we an attest to the "vortex" that occurs when two door are opened at once then the cabin door is opened when underway (usually by a very startled and apologetic butler or room attendant). Literally every loose lightweight item gets tossed about. Got quite funny after the first few times. Could not beat having 2 balconies though - absolutely heaven. Have a great trip! Warmest, Amy

And the hotel does the cooking....

Decaf? Oh. Dear. Sweet. Lord.

Live every day like it's your last, no regrets. Blessings, Amy

It just occurred to me about the role-reversal occurring. We usually spend our non-cruising meals trying to get our kiddo OFF the phone as many parents do. Your kiddo appears to spending her meals trying to keep MOM off the phone. Quite ironic. You should have a drink to celebrate your youthful social media indiscretions. 😊 Warmest, Amy

Personal opinion here, but if it was one couple + kids I'd say OS, but with 2 adult couples you really need to have a separate area. Most importantly...TWO BATHROOMS!!! I just checked cruisedeckplans.com and there is only 1 full bathroom but there is a separate WC in the living room / 2nd couple area. Having been in a number of 2 bedrooms on different ship classes, this is a favorite foot-plan for us, but especially our kiddo. I suspect that your two adult children will not only appreciate their own space, but be able to take over your living room and the bathroom (and honestly...probably everything else). 😅. Have a wonderful time planning! Warmest, Amy

Consider pre-paying an excursion for her and her new spouse. Have her look at the available selections and if one really appeals to her, then pay for her booking. I would imagine the YC as the perfect honeymoon spot. What a lovely present! Warmest, Amy

It may not count as a "government" ID, but many US police departments offer a photo ID for minors - some even with fingerprints. Usually has the full name, DOB and current address. May be a good back-up to have. We still have our son's from when he was 1 yo pre-passport. Start that travel bug early! Warmest, Amy

With pinky extended, of course... 😁

Mazel Tov!!! We are on the Encore in Sept in the DOS with Large Balcony and cannot wait....been on the countdown for nearly 2 years. Go to youtube and type is "NCL Encore Haven". You should see a number of videos from a travel agency that is similar to the sound you make when you laugh ("harr-dy harr- harr if you get my drift, as we cannot name specific agencies on this site I believe). Having been in the Haven across many classes of ships, I know you will just love the experience and (though it is a great subject of debate), have a very difficult time going back to a non-Haven room. We've been looking at every review, every video of the Encore since booking the cruise and I'll bet you will just love this beauty of a ship. Have a wonderful trip and look forward to your review if you are kind enough to post one. Warmest, Amy

In our 2 YCs with 2 different dining room staff on 2 different ships (Meraviglia, Seashore), the only persons I saw turned away were a younger couple in bathing attire who clearly had come from the pool. They were literally dripping on the floor outside the dining room entry. Maître d' politely asked that they change as they would "make it impossible to dry the chairs for the next guests". They even offered to sit them on the pool deck and have their butler bring them clothes, or have their dining selection brought to their rooms. It was a nice move to maintain decorum and not make a scene. We are the "resort casual" folks - having lived in Bermuda for years, tailored shorts, collared shirt (and the occasional jacket) is considered dressed up. We dress the same as we would at any "white tablecloth" restaurant: no hats, no flip flops, no tank tops, no gym/pool-wear, and if we wear shorts they are tailored and long enough to cover the bits. Oddly enough, as compared to NCL where they emphasize "freestyle cruising" but require long pants at some of their restaurants (though not specifically in the Haven), our experience is that you not be called out in the YC unless you are rude or disrespectful. Have a wonderful cruise! Warmest, Amy

Agree completely. But still...if I can contribute in even a small way to your amazing drink adventure that just happens to be on a cruise, I am happy 🥰 Warmest, Amy

@Ken the cruiser thank you so much -just plowed through your thread and all I can saw is "wow". Showed it to my husband who responded with "ya know...that might be a great way to celebrate kiddo's HS graduation in a few years". We do have family in Israel and DH has wanted to see the middle east for years...My son and I can make aliya together! So - we are actually going to out off this trip for a few years, and have our TA keep his eyes out for a similar extended itinerary for 2027. Then, 2029 - full on safari after the "taste" offered on NCL. I can to the forum with questions, ended up with answers and a 180 on my plans. Love it - that's CC for you! Have a great morning! Warmest, Amy

Wonderful idea for a post. Taking photos of all of the amazing places we have visited then finding that "perfect shot", getting it professionally made into a glass photos and adding it to our "travel memory" wall at home makes the vacation fun for our family. We have chosen to live small but travel large so every memory is a treasure. 21 countries, 23 states countries and counting...in the next 2 years will be visiting 12 more countries, 6 more states and a million memories. Plus - it's a week or two of family meals which we rarely can do at home. Phones off, no wi-fi, actualy human conversation...it's lovely. Warmest, Amy

I cannot wait to read. One of the fun things about cruising is planning - will be devouring this tonight. Thank you for sharing and to @PATRLR for recommending. warmest, Amy