mrshorsy

Yes, I am totally with you on this ! I have sat next to many "smartly dressed" people who are adhering to all the codes of dress but not of the actual codes of behavior! We have only done P&O once and the formal nights really put us off. The only reason we have chose to test the waters again at New Year is that the formal night is one of the days we dock overnight so we can get off and do our thing. The other will probably find us in the Glasshouse. We wont be in wife beaters and ripped jeans but for us (well the other half really as dress code for women is far more relaxed) getting dressed up in a suit for a formal dinner is way too much like work. I think it would be good if P&O could strike a better balance so that those who love to dress up still can. I also wonder how many would be bother if it was totally optional?

Ok So we have just returned from our cruise with our 18 year old and 21 year old (he turned 21 on the ship so I couldnt get a drinks package for either of them) If they were with us, which to be fair was a lot of the time we just got 4 drinks at a time using our cards. I check with our concierge that this was ok and she said it was absolutely fine and even refunded a couple of drinks where they had used their own cards. Once we went to bed (they stayed up till minimum 3.30am every night partying) we would leave them with a couple f drinks and then they would charge their own. Didn't have to sign any kind of waiver as it was a European cruise

I see, I’ve not come across that term before but can see how it would make sense. I still refer to mine as “the kids” or “the lads” and they are 17 and 20 😂

A fabulous review but just one question what is a tween ?? Is that an Americanism

In all our cruises 🚢 I’ve never had a problem with children being about. Annoying adults on the other hand have been plentiful. Please don’t feel you need to squash their energy and enthusiasm to the point of not enjoying your holiday!

Yes I’d agree with you there. If you are able to forward plan then there are certainly deals to be had. We have 2 bed Haven suite booked for a July Cruise which came in at £11,000 it’s currently almost £17000

Yep ours have always been pretty much invisible however that could be because we cruise either just the two of us or with older teens . And we pretty much have an idea of what we want to do/ where we want to eat before we board so don’t really need help in that department. To be honest though we only ever cruise Haven the butler aspect we can take or leave. Last year though there was a fabulous guy who worked the Haven Courtyard (Teddy on Gem) my son was at the time revising for his GCSE’s and on sea days would do a couple of hours morning and afternoon studying. As our cabin opened on to the courtyard Teddy used to pop in and deliver him cups of tea and plates of cookies or drop him the lunch menu. It was really thoughtful and way above what his job was so a generous tip was left accordingly.

Very generous of you. I have never experienced a butler that would make me tip that amount

Best approach to tipping I have ever read x

Ive never given a tip in an envelope if one is warrented I just hand it over usually the day before we leave

This subject always causes much debate. We also cruise Haven and tip based on the service we receive on that specific trip.

Gutted its my favourite and most bar tenders usually have one at the ready once they know your preference. There must be more on offer than Pommery Rose on offer I need to find someone who is on board now!

Just had to google oxo stoppers, they look pretty nifty might have to get some. I probably wouldnt drink a bottle in the cabin but there are only 6 small glasses in a bottle and I’d easily get through that most nights with pre dinner, dinner and after dinner drinks !

How long are you cruising for ? If I opened a bottle of fizz it would be drank the same day as its not so great the next day I would think you would easily get through two. Last time we were on NCL April 2022 the Premium Drinks package had Veuve by the glass which is my favourite

We don’t have platinum (will do after this cruise) but we’ve always sailed haven and always had laundry so I assumed it was a Haven Perk ! I guess we’ve just been lucky 🍀

Hiya Yes we always have a family suite or 2 bed family room and cruise for 10-12 days. In this time we've always had 2 loads of laundry so a bag at approx day 4 (love this one as pre cruise we have usually done 3/4 days in the city of where we are embarking from so as a family of 4 theres already quite a bit of dirty washing ) and a bag about day 9. Believe me you can get a lot in those bags and it always comes back beautifully washed and ironed and with the 2nd bag alot of it gets popped straight into my case.

I checked the terms and conditions and all I can find is that a drinks package can’t be shared. It doesn’t say drinks can’t be gifted !

As I said we had corks and caps last year !!!! We don’t need a waiver it’s in Europe. I’m going to call NCL tomorrow and ask what they suggest. If they say we have to pay as they go I guess they will need to hang out with us more as we can order 2 drinks per card !

We had it only last year on our cruise (2022) I guess our other option is to just get them drinks on our card as we can get 2 at a time but this only works when they are with us ! Does anyone know what the prices are like on ncl ?

Thanks Amy yes our last cruise was out of New York down to BVI. The 18year old had a Corks and Caps package but we didn't have to sign anything ! Thats the package I am trying to find for them but it doesnt seem to be on there ! Think I'll have to try and call them

We have a 10 day cruise in Italy/Greek islands and have paid roughly £250 ($318) per night in a Two Bed Family Suite in the Haven Last year we paid extra for the Thermal suite, I used it once and husband not at all as found it busy and crowded whereas there was hardly anyone around in the Haven Courtyard so won't be bothering on this cruise. Snack wise we don't tend to ask the Butler for anything special, though last year when my son was revising for his GCSE's he did ask for a constant supply of snacks to keep him going and the butler was ace at keeping him topped up! For us what makes the Haven a must is being whisked into a lovely room for embarkation and even if you have to wait there are drinks and snacks on hand, being taken for lunch on the first day, having restaurant bookings and excursions taken care of, having a lovely chilled start to the day with a Haven breakfast, the free laundry ! (love going home with hardly and washing!)

Hi Quick question for anyone who may have experienced this or have more information than I can find on the website. We are cruising on the Epic from Rome next year to celebrate my 2 sons turning 18 and 21. On the actual cruise date they will be 18 and 20. We are booked in Haven and my husband and I intend to upgrade our drinks package to the premium. The question is what can I get for the lads? When we cruised last (2022) the youngest was only 15 so just had sodas and the oldest was 18 and had a package called Corks and Caps so could get beers and wines. I cant seem to find this anywhere on the website. I know usually everyone in the cabin has to have the same package but I cant upgrade everyone as they are under 21!!! Sorry for the long winded message, hope it makes sense !

Sorry yes ! I meant to address it to the poster who was asking about extra gratuities. Bar staff - we usually tip a dollar or so with each drink they soon get to know your face and your preferences! we cruise Haven most times and tip the butler a small amount on arrival and then the rest depends on the trip. On one cruise we saw out butler twice thoughtout a 10day sail we did not leave a tip The Haven courtyard guy however was amazing. My son was revising for his GCSE’s at the time and he was in the cabin with his books on sea days. We were situated just off the courtyard and Teddy would pop in and bring him cups of tea and cookies and ask what he was learning about. It was lovely it went above and beyond we left a substantial tip

Remember though that tipping for Butlers and concierge is at your discretion not an automatic given or amount

Great posts, we got off Ventura as you got on! Hope you have better weather than us it was shocking ! Rained all day in Vigo and Porto and then didn’t stop at Guernsey at all which was disappointing as the sea didn’t look choppy at all (we have had far bigger waves when having to get of In Mykonos and Santorini) but I guess the captain gets the final say. If you love wine I would highly recommend the wine list in the Glasshouse its fab, as is the food ! If you are going for just a drink then be sure to sit at the bar the barman Greg is brilliant! Say hi from Sharon and Jason if you see him! And if you like sparkling wines then be sure to have a glass of Nyetimber it’s a gorgeous English Fizz with a fab Appley