sjacobs11

22 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

UDP (unlimited number) became 4SDP (4 uses) around 2015ish. We sailed in 2016 and we had UDP, some had 4SDP, and some had 3SDP after NCL reduced from 4 to 3 within a few months after dropping from unlimited to 4.

Those deals were better than anything offered as part of the "welcome back to cruising" push. We also got free air (not BOGO) for FOUR of us on our late 2015 sailing of Escape.

On 5/9/2024 at 9:22 AM, RocketMan275 said:

The reason the Haven service charge is higher because of a higher standard of service not because of the butler and the concierge.  The reason the butler and concierge are not included is because there is a wide variance in how much passengers choose to use their services.  This allows passengers to adjust their gratuities to reflect how much they use t their services.

 

Suggest you refer to this thread:

 

You also get cabin turn-down and other extras from the room steward that other categories (other than non-Haven suites) get.

From these photos, it looks like only the port side's hull is painted with the starboard side pretty bare. Seems more difficult to paint once it's in the water!

17 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

No, what is being added is a set of standard balcony staterooms on the port side on deck 15. The OP is correct that they can be booked now and the numbers are lower towards the front (15108, 15110, etc.).

 

 

We are on an Encore sailing on 2/9/25 and already switched to these rooms!

1 minute ago, david_sobe said:

I think its a bit extreme to rip apart such new ships to add more cabins.  So they will build an owners suite on deck 15 nowhere near the Haven?  Part of the appeal of the Encore Haven is having everything in the same complex.  So they will make the Observation deck smaller for a few more bucks.  Its going to cost a pretty penny to do this too.

How about making the race track one deck and removing the track from one deck and put cabins there too.  The Laser Tag area would provide some great Aft view for cabins too.

The Owner's Suite, if taking over the Haven Library, would be on 18, not 15. And they're already getting rid of the laser tag and putting in Spice H2O per other reports. No cabins aft, but rather an included adults-only pool area.

6 minutes ago, ysolde said:

This thread is so wonderfully informative!  I really appreciate it.  Our cruise begins in very late November and goes into December.  We start in the Mediterranean, cross the Atlantic, then end up in the Caribbean, so we have a lot of sea days in there.  I'm thinking there will be plenty of Eggs Benedict to look forward to, and I like it.  I am also wondering whether we can request an occasional plate of mini brownies (or cookies, or something like that)  for our cabin, so that we can snack on them in the afternoon/evening while we relax on the balcony with a cup of tea, read, etc.  It sounds so idyllic.  

We asked the butler for pretzels and every day there was a huge plate of The Local’s pretzel bites. So just ask!!

Just now, candygirl27540 said:

Thank you! That's the kind of thing I wanted to hear.It seems like it would be quieter on 18 and there are 2 bathrooms to chose from on 18 that may come in handy. Did you hear any noise above you from lounge chairs or stuff being moved around?

We did hear chairs being moved the first night and asked the butler about that. We never heard them again! lol. 

We sailed on 18 and could look right down into the longer balconies on 17. Seemed uncomfortable to us. Also liked having the restaurant on the same level and the fancy stairs down to the lounge/bar area. 

On 2/25/2024 at 10:06 PM, TYCruise said:

Hopefully they won't be adding more cabins to where the observation lounge is like on the Joy.  I would be okay with them removing the Laser Tag area though

I read elsewhere that the Laser Tag area was indeed being removed.

The $29/pp/day is to only upgrade the beverage package. If you go for the FAS+, that's $49/pp/day, but includes the upgraded beverage package, Starbucks, unlimited Wifi, and a $50 excursion credit for guest #2.

On 4/2/2024 at 4:26 PM, CruisingSince1982 said:

We are actually thinking of taking your suggestion for our next caribbean cruise and doing "Haven Lite" 🙂 

We did "Haven Lite" by booking a suite vs. Haven and had almost all of the same perks as Haven (Cagney's vs. Haven restaurant for breakfast and lunch) and we booked Vibe. Wish they offered same on the Breakaway Plus class of ships. Will definitely do again next time on a Prima class ship.

On 9/12/2022 at 2:03 PM, frankhi said:

I booked out of SJ end of Jan 2024- regular balcony on deck 16

SJ is the *best*. That and Vibe and you have "Haven-lite" 🙂

Hudson's had lobster as a $25 up-charge on the menu the first night on Prima. The person who got it said it was great and there were two large tails for that price.

2 minutes ago, CruiserFam3 said:

thank you again! where can I find what all the benefits are for suite SK category guests?

Check them out here - https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/cruise-suites-and-penthouses

8 minutes ago, CruiserFam3 said:

Thank you! So apprecaited. What cruise where you on? Was it the Iceland one?

1) Is the Cagney's breakfast and lunch complimentary for SK Suite guests or extra $$.

2) Was the menu at lunch similar to dinner at Cagney's...asking b/c if lunch was complimentary, is it worthwhile to use the specialty dinning credit at Cagney's for dinner, if one can get similar meal at lunch?

Hi! We went to Roatán, Mexico, and their private island. Was fun!!

Cagneys is included as a suite guest. It’s different menu than dinner. Similar to what’s offered in the Haven dining room. Not very “steak-y”. We went there for dinner as well one night and it was a completely different experience. Don’t miss it!

Just now, CruiserFam3 said:

Hello, still new to this....if redundant, apologies! We have Prima booked this summer, SK Suite category. I am understanding

1) we have access to the concierge, daily who is located in Cagney's at breakfast and lunch - is this correct?

2) are we also able to eat breakfast and lunch in Cagney's?

3) we have 3 people traveling (2 adults, 1 teen), the only way to pre-book the specialty dining is with "4". I was given conflicting info from NCL reps. Was told, it was "4" because they needed to plan 3 people at a 4-top table. Pre-booking only allow even numbers. Then, once on board, I need to inform dinning, we have 3 people so we are not billed for 4 people. Does this sound correct?

Hi! Just back from an SJ cabin, so same perks applied:

1) The concierge is at breakfast/lunch at Cagney's. They set up at a table in the corner when you enter.

2) Breakfast and lunch at Cagney's is exclusive for suite guests. It was amazing. We were often one of two or three tables eating breakfast, and the concierge comes around asking if there's anything they can help plan, etc.

3) Book for four, since you'll need a four-top table, and they just seat you for your meal. You're only "charged" for specialty dining based on the number of guests who eat.

Hope that helped!

We used our butler to sneak in with press-pot coffee transferred to a metal thermos to keep hot, along with almond croissants every morning. It was amazing opening the pocket door and seeing the set-up already there! We ordered room service once. I was surprised when the butler answered the phone and was up with my turkey sandwich (yum!) in less than 10 mins. We had also spoken with the pre-arrival concierge to request gummy bears and mini-M&Ms and I had also requested dark coffee Nespresso capsules. The butler also escorted us on/off the ship, amongst other surprising things! We also didn't think we'd use him a lot, but we did! Moreso than the concierge at Cagneys.

We really wish that the Breakaway Plus class had this category type. Once you sail this way, you don't want to go back to a balcony, and it worked out really well for us as we were with a lot of other folks, so Haven was not an option, as we would have never seen them!

We all also had Vibe, which was a-ma-zing. The bartenders there know you by name within minutes of your arrival and keep those drinks coming!

We just paid $99/day for the Prima in the Caribbean. I believe it was $349/ea for the week-long pass.

1 minute ago, PatJim said:

I wouldn’t do it.  The two in the non-Haven balcony won’t be able to experience any of the Haven perks, especially the Haven restaurant, bar, lounge, sun deck….  If you want to spend time together with them, you would be giving up a lot of what you’re paying for.  Why not just book 2 adjoining non-Haven concierge cabins, and get Vibe passes?

Hi! Thanks for your input. I think we agree with you to avoid this. Unlike Prima and Viva, there are no non-Haven suites on Encore (or any of the Breakaway+ class), so nothing with a Butler/concierge. We do have Vibe, though, so that'll get us thru our days (that and the Market Fresh cocktails!)

Just now, Two Wheels Only said:

 

How many people will be in total?

 

Is getting 2 of the HI staterooms a possibility?  It would be outside of the Haven complex but everyone would get everything "Haven". It is a long walk, though.

 

We are a total of 4. Trying to form a real 2-BR suite. Configuration wise, it works and we can all get Vibe, but wasn’t sure about butler, etc. 

Just now, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Price wise, how does Haven + connecting balcony compare to 2BR Haven Villa that's in the complex for your cruise?

It’s thousands less with a proper bedroom vs the small one in the 2BR. Only Viva and Prima have nicely sized 2+ BRs from what I can see. 

Just now, ggTexasGal said:

Sadly, that room is not really big enough for more than four people, because, most of the sf is utilized in the Master BR and bath!  Also, the balcony is not very large, therefore, truly not good for al fresco gathering.

Hi! We were thinking of taking the adjoining cabin on the other side of the living room to make it a 2BR. 

Just now, Wayward Son said:

Helluva bump. I believe they are much the same, but keep in mind the attached balcony cabins are not Haven, will not have Haven access.

 

Hah! At least I searched first 🙂. Wondering how the butler service would work if everyone was in the "same" cabin. Haven complex wise, I get it. Wish they offered a package allowing entrance and perks if *attached* to a Haven cabin.

Has anyone ever been in this cabin type on Encore (or any Breakaway/B+ ship) and taken the adjoining balcony cabin that is attached to the living room area? If so, how was that experience? Thanks!!

Hi. If history repeats itself, it may be a travel agent cruise to familiarize folks with the new ship.