CindyPie1004

On 7/17/2022 at 11:13 AM, coastcat said:

Expect to recoil in horror when you see the chandelier in the casino-area atrium. The safest place to view it is from Sugarcane Mojito Bar because you'll need a potent cocktail to recover. 

 

Otherwise, it's a splendid ship for Alaska. The Observation Lounge is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the amazing scenery. Light breakfast/lunch buffets are served daily, including on embarkation day if you want to avoid the Garden Cafe chaos. There are plenty of photos of the Observation Lounge (including on page 4 of Bird's Alaska trip report linked above) but they cannot prepare you for how large and yet cozy this space is. It takes up about 1/3 of deck 15.

 

The Waterfront promenade on deck 8 is an even better place for watching the scenery. You're outside and much closer to the water; keep an eye out for otters and whales.

Hahahaha! Such perfect statement! It is awful. We stood there, mouths hanging open, saying "what the actual XXXX is that?"

On 7/8/2022 at 3:36 PM, CruiseCatt said:

Thanks. Hahaha.  I didn't intend the pun but I guess it works.  Who knows we may actually be "in the same boat."  I'm going on the Alaska Encore (July 24). I am seeing $1200 pp for the most min bid in "Haven proper" and that is $2400 more than I want to spend. I would love to try the Haven one day down the road.

We're cruise mates! I'm in the Haven Courtyard and bid for the Owners Suite. My mom, sister and I are cruising. Mom surprised us and treated for the cruise so I put in bid to for the Owners Suite hoping to surprise them. 

If you are able, try for the Haven Courtyard. It's a wonderful experience! Enjoy your trip!

6 hours ago, JT1962 said:

Have them use the SEA Spot Saver to schedule an appointment for security if they do not have TSA Pre-Check. It will save lots of time. 

https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver

 

Thanks for sharing this! Will definitely come in handy on our way home from the cruise. 

29 minutes ago, MarkNH said:

I was just talking to a local about a tour and she thinks everything should be repaired in another 1-2 weeks.

Thanks for the update. I'll be there on July 27.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

15 hours ago, southwestgal said:

The Haven concierge is Bowen Pereira.  The cruise director was Dan-Dan. At least that’s how he introduced himself.  He was hysterical. 

Do you happen to know the name of the bartender in the Haven? I'm sailing in July and hoping it's Emir. 

Thanks!

I think that will be the answer across the board. You may have luck if you are in a high tier of any hotel rewards programs but even those are dependent upon availability. 

I would recommend booking with a hotel that has no cancellation fees; watch the rates and read the rules. You can check for availability once you disembark and then adjust accordingly. 

Most hotels offer a service to hold you bags so you could drop them off. Get some lunch and then check back to see if there is a room ready.

Also consider using one of the airline loyalty clubs for the day. Many have showers and the lounge areas are nice and comfortable. Some airlines will let you purchase a day pass and others are available with certain credit cards; for example, the Amex Centurion lounge. 

Enjoy your cruise!

On 9/2/2019 at 10:06 PM, Victorious8 said:

Working on having a list to make sure I hit up every bar! What did I miss? Any feedback for me? 

I’m loving this! We did this on The Bliss last year and had a ball! Good luck and bottoms up! 

I’ve been on two cruises. One on the Island Princess in a full suite and the other in The Haven on the Bliss. Loved them both for different reasons. The Bliss was brand spanking new and the Haven was spectacular; impeccable service and great food in the dedicated dining room, but the food was in line with the Club Class on the Island Princess (only the decor was newer and therefor nicer). 

These were such different ships ships that I wouldn’t otherwise compare them. In the end though, tne Haven on the Bliss was more expensive than then full suite on the Island Princess; more amenities but those  come with a higher price. 

We we are taking a different tact and not building loyalty to a single line. We are doing our third cruise on the Enchanted Princess’ maiden voyage next year because we loved the new ship experience and that itinerary is one we were really interested in. 

Maybe consider another line to see what else is out there and don’t think about that loyalty program. Pick your itinerary and pick a different line and just keep exploring the big blue globe. 

Happy cruising! 

This is another great place for deck plans; people add their own pics here so you can see the typical deck plan and details as well as pics of rooms and public areas. 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/cruiseline.php?line=Princess

We live in very litigious society and would dare say if there were an accident, the port would be sued and either a settlement reached or a jury verdict for the plaintiff. 

Look at this way, at that moment in time, at least PE cares! Thank the person for looking out for you and enjoy the final hours of your vacation. 

3 hours ago, john watson said:

 

If a company advertises a product or service and says it is available using two different systems,  expectation is that if people opt for system "B" this should happen.  If it does not people feel let down, disappointed etc.  This can get totally out of all proportion in one's mind.

 

Regards John

I agree John, sometimes it’s the principle of putting something out there, with minimal to do details. Set the stage up front and most people are good; if you should expect the medallion 10 days before sailing, just level set. 

Happy Cruising!

16 hours ago, coopco said:

Sorry to hear this one. I learned so much about tipping from Cruise Critic. The latest I learned from our last cruise was if you put the tip on the bill, it goes to corporate to be divided with everyone. I specifically asked a bar tender on the cruise prior and he said he would get the tip. But I'm pretty sure it goes into a pool from our last waitress from the Crown Grill. So from now on, we will bring cash and hand it to the waitstaff we want to get the extra tip. Now I've opened myself up to ridicule but that was what I was told on our last cruise (after leaving lots of tips by adding it to the receipt total!)

No ridicule for you since you are not out here with some weak, lame excuses to justify not tipping; sometimes I read those just for sport! 😂

Agree with Spryo, search here or google. We cruised a couple years ago on Princess and I found a price list somewhere.... I don’t recall the packages starting at 1800; but I remember thinking that even with the large credit, you might get a couple pictures. 

A hard part would be sitting there looking at fabulous pictures and not wanting more than one... we opted out. If we wanted that kind of picture, I’d find a local photographer and approach it in any mode, except happy go lucky vacation mode... 

Happy Cruising!

21 hours ago, pris993 said:

Hey, it still works and my dh who is 85 knows how to work it... we also  have a lot of music not easy ti find.   It floats our boat.  LOL

That’s awesome! Happy cruising and keep getting your jam on in anyway you like!   

10 hours ago, homeofthehound said:

Hi - We are looking at a land/cruise option for late July or August 2019 and getting a little overwhelmed with the options. We would need to select from any of the 10 - 13 day options and wondering about the differences between Fairbanks and Anchorage? One better than the other? One not to miss? Pros/cons? etc. We would prefer to do the land portion first. I feel like I am leaning to the Anchorage options but I can't put my finger on why...

 

I am also not understanding the differences between "Princess Rail" vs "Direct-to-the-Wilderness" options.

 

About us - My husband and I are 46 and 51, have been on many Princess and HAL cruises before (I have been on a 7 day return to Vancouver Alaska one about 16 years ago). We prefer outdoor activities (i.e. midnight golf sounds great to us) vs. shopping/museums etc. We have also considered just doing the 10 day return to San Francisco and skipping the land portion this year because the price looks quite good, but I really would like to make the land option work for us.

 

Any opinions, hints or things I should consider to help narrow down the options? Thanks in advance!

 

 

We did the cruise tour a couple years ago and did the cruise first and land second... if you take no other advice, do the land first and cruise second. Don’t get me wrong, we had a wonderful,time but we’re tired coming home; the relaxing cruise would have been a great way to end the trip. 

As for Fairbanks vs Anchorage, we disembarked in Anchorage and immediately left so spent no time there;  it was foggy so I didn’t even see it! But, we ended the land portion in Fairbanks and I didn’t care for it; not as much to offer as other cities. 

There are so many considerations and choices. Good luck and enjoy!

Great to know. Thanks!

How often is the Chef’s table offered on a 10 day cruise, please? 

So am I understanding this right?.......You paid for everyone and they paid you?

If so, next time; When payments are due, invite everyone round to your house for a 'pre cruise party' or something similar. Already have each couple set up with an NCL account. Tell them to bring their credit card. Pull up each couples account and have them enter their CC info. Or call NCL/ travel agent with their CC info.

If they don't pay...They don't go.

That is a most excellent idea!

Is it worth it? That’s a matter of opinion... We saw it last week and loved it! The story takes place in Miss Lulu’s house of ill repute the night before, wait for it... prohibition! There are 6 performers, most of them dressed as a lady of the evening. Guests do not dress up.

There are 5 drinks served, reflective of the time and mostly whiskey based; these are small pours (3 or 4 sips each) so it’s not like you’ll leave tanked.

It’s about an hour long so just the right amount of time. Tickets can only be purchased on board and will probably sell out quick as the show is in a smaller venue.

Hope this helps.

I am on the 17th floor, sleeping in one of the go karts. Never once did I say anything about a refund or getting free OBC. This isn’t the first NCL cruise I’ve been on where the course was changed. I am allowed to give my opinion just like everyone else.

Yup, you can give your opinion and so can I.

Nope, you said nothing about getting a refund or money.

But, just as you drew your conclusions about why the ship was diverted, I drew mine about why you would make such a defamatory statement.

You didn’t like being accused of doing something for money, did you? Bet those you accused didn’t like it either.

P.S. the 34 year old woman who was critically ill, did pass that morning.

Bliss has a few entrances, 2 on 17, 2 on 18 and at least one on 19 (outside). There are is an elevator and stairs one you are in the Haven that you can use for floors in the Haven (17, 18 and 19).

One thing to note is that not all elevators go to 18, some only go 17. But when you come off the elevator on 17 or 18 and head towards the Haven, you’ll see two signs that say the Haven and you can go in either; we always went to the left though...

The ship and Haven are fabulous! Enjoy!

Well, I can’t argue with your interest in human life but I will say I think the large cruise ships need to have evacuation procedures in place not only for expediting medical treatment but also not dramatically altering thousands of people’s possible once in a lifetime vacations that many will never have another chance to do.

Why don’t you research what all the options are, get the patients full history and current issue and THEN make the stamens you are making.

The patient may have been too unstable to be transported any other way; not everyone can withstand the added stress and trauma of an airlift.

You cannot cruise with 4000+ people in an area that has unpredictable weather if it’s your once in a lifetime.

Perhaps take some comfort in knowing that you are traveling with a line that puts your life before other people’s happiness.

I am on the same cruise. I didn’t see EMS take anyone off the boat on the gurney they brought on. I felt like Norwegian and EMS were in cahoots to get us to spend more time and money in Juneau.

Wow. Just. Wow.

I am on this cruise too; 18th floor of the Haven and I saw the stretcher come off too. To me it looked like they could have covered the face, but my husband also thought it looked empty. We immediately hoped that the person hadn’t died and thought only of their family and travel companions.

You, on the other hand, thought only of yourself. Shame on you.

You are a truly horrible person to disparage the captain and local officials. As if everyone would commit that level of fraud to get us to spend more money in Juneau.

Be thankful,it wasn’t you or yours.

Be thankful that the people in Juneau could respond so quickly and be right there at the port for us.

Be thankful for the spectacular weather we’ve had.

STOP, spreading malicious rumors in the hopes that you can sniff out some free OBC or a refund.

Yep you did well and that sounds like a great value combination trip!

 

I think the "I would never pay that" type responses here are fine... from the perspective of those writing them; but 'value' is a very personal thing and we are all calibrated differently in that respect for a myriad of reasons and circumstances. The Haven does (in general, most of the time) offer a different experience and delivers value in different ways to different people. My point being that blanket statements don't really work (in support of either argument).

 

For us the value is generally delivered upon, yes the ports are the same but the experience is different, the lines, the stresses, avoiding the scrum in the Garden Cafe for breakfast and dirty food covered tables, the cabin itself, embarkation, tendering... blah blah... those are all things we value. When we get lucky on an investment or a client buys an extra job, we look in the piggy bank and ask "drop an extra $6k for the Haven on our 11 day Panama at Christmas??? Hell yes...

 

On the other hand I drive a Jeep with a broken fender, not an Audi Q5, but I wear $300 shoes, sleep in $300 bedsheets but buy Wegman's own-brand Corn Flakes and soup, yet drink Blue Label Scotch. None of those choices are right, wrong, smart or stupid, they are personal... I apply my hard-earned cash to things I personally care about.

Notnewtoit, I think we were separated at birth! You just described me and my husband... down to the Jeep, except ours is a cracked side view mirror and dented front fender... both from that damn garage that keeps moving when we back out... 🚙 😂

We got our tuxes yesterday. He looks so good. And we will stand out. I'm your average white guy he's Ethiopian. We will blow people away.

 

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That’s going to be a great picture! You don’t seem like an average guy to me; way above! Have a great trip and post a pic when you get back.