momofjohnjr

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

We've only managed to actually get the cooling pillow once, but hubby claims it was amazing (he tends to get super hot at night, meanwhile I'm shivering with 3 blankets). We bought one for home, but with the pillowcase on it kind of diminishes the effect. Not sure what they did different on the cruise where it worked really well, but I guess we'll have to just take better notes on the type of case they put on it the next time we snag one.

 

Sorry to hear about all the hardships you've been through. This upcoming cruise for you will certainly be the break from reality you need. Even with masks on, you'll have nice weather, pretty scenery, someone else to do the cooking and cleaning, and an endless supply of alcohol. The Haven bartenders are by far the best I've ever seen. Don't be afraid to ask them for something odd or different.

 

They also make awesome dessert drinks - frozen tiramisu, frozen grasshopper.... next trip I'm skipping the boring deserts in the dining room and just drinking my calories away.

My religion doesn't allow alcohol. I haven't had a drink in 19 years. Lol. I love a virgin Bahama Mama but I can't replace Chambourd with cream. I have tried. Sometimes I do wish I could have a drink though. Mostly these past few years. But I'm sure I'll get some ultimate relaxation.  I just hope there are some kids my daughter can play with or we won't want to leave her in the kids program. Most kids will be in school but I'm not opposed to missing a bit of school for a lil adventure as long as grades are good. 😉

Did u find the same brand pillow? 🤔 

The dessert drinks have me curious though. Sounds very odd. I am hoping someone orders that smokey drink everyone seems to be mentioning.  I want to see that. If not maybe my son will buy it. (Does anyone know drink prices so I can give him a clue. He's not looked into anything himself. Meanwhile I'm practically studying the cruise months and months before. Lol!

On 8/3/2021 at 9:03 PM, Sthrngary said:

I would not call myself a Guru, however I was on the Getaway, November 2019.  I was in a Haven Spa Suite.  We had a pillow menu.  The fact that you did not have one in a Haven 2 Bedroom family villa is surprising.  You gave the answer to your question.  That is definitely something I would ask for pre-cruise and when you get a response, safe it and bring on the ship.  I hope I helped.  Cruise well.

I'm goingvto ask. I've been wanting to try a cooling pillow bit never bought one because I thought it would be uncomfortable and not work. Plus shouldn't it be cooling on both sides. Lol. Sounds like a great opportunity to try. We have the 2 bdrm family villa. Crossing my fingers!

On 7/29/2021 at 8:14 PM, SwimmingDragon said:

So we are 66 days out. We are staying in a 2 Bedroom Family. I sold my family on the Haven. We all had a horrible time the first cruise we did together. It was overcrowded and over booked. I went on a Solo cruise years later and luckily was able to up bid on a Haven room. It was costly, but it was my only 7 days off for the year and it was worth it. I can’t begin to say how amazing the trip was. Everything I asked for, I got. I asked if I could have native dishes made by chefs that worked on the ship from around the world. I got it. I had an amazing Bartender actually make 2 different drinks that he actually spent a couple of hours cooking parts of the ingredients. I can say I tipped him well. I actually gave up a massage to save my money to tip him. My concierge, also amazing, would just pop up out of nowhere while I was wondering the ship to see how I was doing and make sure I had everything I needed. Like seriously? OMG, I love the Haven. I sold my Husband and Daughter that this cruise would be fully vaxed, only teens and adults would be on the ship and it would be around 60% capacity. That there was a ship within a ship and that the people who work there would do their best to make sure you had an amazing vacation. There were a few times for people trying to sell me on stuff to buy. Luckily I’m not one to buy what I don’t love and I’m not the typical person, in which I don’t like what most people like. I’m quirky like that. But I am sold on the Haven. I can’t wait. With at least 3 weeks prior to our leaving we plan on masking up and being super diligent on our staying safe routine. I plan on testing negative for our excursions and that’s the only way to guarantee we do. And if they have to cancel excursions because of Covid, so be it. I will be happy as a Haven passenger. And this time I get to share it with my family. I’ve been dealing with a lot on top of Covid this past many years. Part of this has come to an end and I can now take a real break with my family. I honestly can’t wait. 

The part about you being through a lot these past few years struck me hard. It's actually the reason I initially booked and my stress, health, grief and anxiety have only gotten a thousand times worse as this past August I lost my sister to Covid. I'm the baby and she was just 52. A few weeks after her my entire family got Covid and 2 of us had it very bad I still have some issues from it and then more health issues. I'm 45 and I rescheduled thos cruise right when 5 year olds were allowed to get vaccinated (our youngestis 5). I completely relate to needing the break. I had developed a sort of PTSD b4 I lost my sister so it was already bad. 😔 

Anyway,  I hope it made a difference for you! I sure hope it tips the scales the other direction for me. Hugs!

On 7/22/2021 at 11:10 AM, stefmaia said:

Sometimes, if you have booked through certain TAs the package gets sent to them and you have to wait until it is forwarded to you. This happens to me all the time because I book through Amex Travel

I'm at 48 days and haven't got a letter. I booked direct online

I also still can't book shows or restaurants. Shore excursions recently opened up. Very recently. 

On 4/13/2021 at 2:13 PM, Sthrngary said:

Done

I would love it also. 🙂 

Nevermind! I read a bit more and found it. 

On 10/23/2020 at 10:34 AM, GA Dave said:

Agree with your assessment. 

Just as someone previously suggested families go to Disney cruises, it can also be suggested that adults wanting to avoid kids at all costs should go to Virgin Cruises.  NCL is a mass market cruise line.  With mass market anything, you are exposed to all types, ages, etc. of people.  If you are a person that truly cannot stand being around kids, there are adult-only resorts and communities all around the world.  I know my "kids" were better behaved at high-end restaurants when they were young than many adults I had the unfortunate experience to be exposed to.  Why should they be restricted on a mass market cruise line when misbehaving adults are not?  The adults already have the Haven sundeck, Vibe and, on some ships, Spice H2O.  Is that not enough?

We were at first thinking Disney because animated walls but after comparing the prices I suddenly clicked something else in my head. Can u imagine cruising with possibly 50% kids on a kids centered cruise!? Suddenly Disney became a nightmare! Lol! 

On 10/9/2020 at 1:39 PM, Sthrngary said:

I am the original Op-Ed on this topic. I thought I would engage again.  Cruise Ships and RV's are kind of similar.  One is a house on wheels and the other is a house at see.  RV's have a tank called a black tank.  That is where all your Toilet/head waste goes including toilet paper.  The issue is regular toilet paper does not dissolve very quickly and clogs black tank and often the lines. 

 

Any cruise ship is very similar.  Just a lot more people (like 4000).  Side note, a very good friend of mine whom has done very well financially owned a lovely yacht.  His request was to take care of "#2" prior to and after leaving his yacht.  You can't do that nor should you on a cruise ship.  That is why the paper is not the nicest to some of our more, sensitive area's.  I was in the Haven, no difference in paper there then anywhere on the ship. 

 

Hope in some way this helps everyone with the concern.

Wipes with extra water and a bit of baby wash and into the trash after use. Much cleaner than tp anyway!

On 1/2/2020 at 7:03 AM, raitch said:

I’m honestly curious what the appropriate noise level should be in the Haven.  Whispers only, like a library?  Normal conversation voice and laughter levels but no exclamations?  

I assume normal conversations and volume with exclamations. Not noidy drunkenness.  

Yes everyone. I'm commenting on very old posts. Lol.  

On 12/29/2019 at 8:47 PM, Sthrngary said:

I will tell you two stories.  First about 30 years ago, I took my wife to a very nice restaurant in New Orleans.  I was wearing a ball cap.  The owner came up to me and asked me to take it off.  I was more then happy to do so.  I had no idea it insulted folks.  The key here is the owner in a nice way asked me to take it off.  Second, during my last cruise in the Haven on the Getaway, I really never saw anyone inappropriately dressed in the Haven Restaurant.  Since the Haven Bar was right next to the pool, I did see some folks ordering drinks with bathing suits on at the Haven Bar.  None of that bothered me.  What bothered me was a group of eight 20 year olds drunk in the hot tub making a scene.  Only one of them was a Haven Guest and he let his friends in.  The Haven Staff was made aware of it and did nothing.  That was disappointment however it only happened once.  

No cruise or cruise passengers are perfect.  The key is go with the flow and enjoy yourself.  We paid a lot of money to be both on the cruise and in the Haven.  The rule for today is just enjoy life. 

Haha. I'd be pretty tempted in using part of my free wifi to email NCL on all the email addresses I could find. They have strict rules about guests and that needs to be enforced. Sigh.

On 12/5/2019 at 9:44 PM, Sthrngary said:

I loved the Getaway and just did a review.  Last year I was on the Celebrity Equinox for a lot more money.  I did not enjoy that experience half as much as the Getaway.  So because you were so nice, I am going to give you some more hints:

Haven Bar: The Bartender's name is Patrick.  Say a guy named Gary suggested he make you the Smokey drink.  It is a show and a half.

Water Slides: Go after the first day at sea. I never had to stand in a line for more then a few minutes.

Show Reservations:  Make your show reservation now and coordinate your specialty restaurants reservations based on that. As I mentioned in other post, the Haven Restaurant does not take reservations. 

Haven Desk on the Ship: You have a question, ask them.  You have an issue, tell them.  

Smoking: If you smoke, do not smoke anywhere that is not an expressly approved smoking area.  They will fine you.

Tour the Ship Day One:  They will give you an invitation for lunch at the Haven Restaurant or Margarettaville. Don't take the bait, have lunch at 12:00 PM day one in the Haven.  Prior, bring your carry on to your suite even if it is not completely ready for you.  Then come back to the Haven.  After lunch, tour the ship before it gets to crowded.  

Fish On the Rugs/Carpet:  In the halls, look down at the fish in the carpet.  There heads indicate the front of the ship, tails back of the ship. Harder to get lost knowing that.

Room Service:  Don't order off the in-room menu.  Have the butler get you your food from the Haven.  That being said, if you have an early excursion, room service breakfast is a nice way to go providing a kind of wake up call. 

Venture All Over the Ship:  As nice as the Haven is, you got to see the rest of this ship.  Putt Putt Golf, Rope course which my wife would not allow me to do (I was drunk at the time, good wife and I am 62), shuffle board for shots is fun.

Premium Plus Drink Package: If it does not blow up your budget AND you do like to indulge with adult beverages AND you like to have really great bottles of water (with or without gas) at meals AND you like specialty coffee's AND you would like to have a full bottle of wine at dinner then take what is left over to your room AND you like top shelf brands of Liquors. Then pay the upgrade from the Premium Drink Package.  If you don't drink and don't intend to drink, skip this bullet point. 

Shows: Go into the theater on the left side,  the Haven reserved section is mid-way on the left.  Nice perk.

Burger By the Haven Pool:  The Haven Burger comes this the cute basket of fries.  Sit by the pool, the servers will be out there, have a burger by the pool one day.  So good and no nice. 

Chocolate Haven Cake: Unbelievable.  I broke my Keto diet for this cake with vanilla ice cream three times.  

Other Must Eat Items: Salmon or Pork Chop for lunch; Beef Short Rib appetizer for dinner;  Prime Rib for dinner is crazy good, Smoke Salmon is on the Breakfast Buffet for a starter, the almond danish is great, my Favorite breakfast was the steak and eggs.  Love the French Restaurant for the experience and the deserts are to die for. 

 

Enjoy your trip and keep on cruising.  Encore here we come in May.  Be well. 

We weren't planning on paying extra for speciality restaurants but you got my curiosity at "go to the french restaurant for the experience". I went to one in High School with my french class and it was very fun with several courses more than a American dinner. Is this what you mean? If so I think we will have to do it! I was already planning on ordering myself Escargot a'la carte. Escargot is incredible 😍. 

On 12/5/2019 at 3:55 PM, mafig said:

 

I'm looking at a couple of cruises but when I make my mind up it'll probably be around 90 days.  It's for the Haven.

 

For what, exactly, do I need to make prior reservations?

 

Will booking at the 90 day mark put me at a disadvantage?

I wish I knew. I haven't been able to book anything yet. Well. Shore excursions opened up at Day 60. But nothing else this entire time. "Escape"

On 11/16/2019 at 3:57 PM, Sthrngary said:

This was a GREAT response.  I thank you so much.  My favorite part was referencing that your wife is on Keto.  My wife and I have been on Keto for 5 months.  We both lost lost of weight with a lot more to go.  

 

Everyone comments on my reference to children in the Haven.  I am quite sure that most families teach their children manners.  My reason for making the initial comment in the op-ed  was because of experiences I have had.  Not all the time, but enough to be said.  I also feel the same way about adults that save sets in the theater and lounge chairs buy the pool.  

 

The bottom line of my post was that in most cases, utilizing the Haven and or the yacht club for MSC eliminate those issues.  I meant no offence to anyone with my comments.  Just attempting to be accurate based on my experience only.

 

My family of 5 are on the NCL Pearl in June 2020, going to New England and Canada.  I also had two suites booked and canceled them to re-book in the Haven Two Bedroom Suite.  My adult daughter (27 years old) was very upset with me for doing this.  Then again, she has never stayed in the Haven.  

 

Enjoy your upcoming cruise in December.  You guys will have an unbelievable time.  Be well. 

So what did your daughter think? 😀

On 10/18/2019 at 6:29 AM, BNBR said:

 

There is no denying that the Haven is marketed as a Shang ri la luxury experience.  It's not unreasonable for people to expect a relaxed, relatively quiet atmosphere.  A dozen kids playing pool games in the tiny courtyard is a far cry from what is advertised.  I have no issue with kids on ships. I have kids. I love the fun atmosphere of family friendly ships from NCL, Royal, etc.  At the same time, I don't think it's unreasonable to have fairly strict rules regarding behavior in the Haven courtyard.  Which may mean no kids under 12 allowed in the pool and tubs, for example.  NCL has no trouble asking people to keep quiet and respectful at the thermal spa.  The Haven should be treated similarly.

I'm paying a lot for my family to be in the Haven for you to insist at least one of us leave whenever my 5 year old wants to swim.  They should be stricter about behavior but banning under 12 from the pool. I wouldn't book it then. We booked it as a huge splurge so we could all be together for possibly the only vacation all 6 of us will have together.  My oldest lives in a different state and my 2nd oldest starts college in the fall. But I shouldn't feel I have to defend my vacation choices wealthy or not. It may be an old post but it struck a nerve.

On 10/16/2019 at 5:54 PM, Sthrngary said:

Thank you for your comment.  I am going to address it.  Your point is well taken.  I love huge ships, love them. I am a little older and don't mind paying extra to get certain perks. I will be cruising three times in less then 12 months which clearly shows I am spoiled.  During those three cruises, I am on the NCL Getaway in the Haven (4000 passengers) with my wife; the NCL Pearl in the Haven (2500 passengers) with my family of five; Oceania Marina to Europe (Premium Brand, most folks over 18, smaller ship 1250 passengers).

 

When I attempt to save some money by not going a Premium Brand, I do the Haven and really like it. I thought that is what my post said.  Instead not it is all about my single complaint about kids.  So as you can see, I agree with your over arching theme and realize I made the choice for my own reasons.  What this teaches me is that folks really don't want a first hand transparent view of unique aspects of cruise brands, cabins and accommodations. Sad but true.

 

I learned my lesson. My heart was in the right place.

Our cruise is coming up on the Escape in February and while I'm going with 4 Children (1 adult flying in and one getting ready to turn 18 and start College in the fall) I enjoyed ALL of your article. I have read it twice already to make sure I remembered everything or notated it. So, people are benefiting from your piece. It is much appreciated even now. There is really very little Haven information out there and I was thrilled to find your article.  Thank you!!

Was the insurance bought from Rccl or somewhere else? I bought our cruise directly from RC and need to cancel. I actually didn't want insurance and told the guy 3 or 4 times but he charged me anyway and they said if I cancel I have to file a claim with Aeon and I heard the process takes months and months. I'm just afraid I'm going to lose my deposit. I can't even transfer the cruise to my son. What an awful cruise line.