The Shrike

Having a butler was pretty much a non-factor in deciding to book the Haven the first time. We didn't give that "perk" much thought at all. We're not fancy people (both are retired military from middle class backgrounds) and had never been buttled (😄) before, so we didn't know what to expect. If we were to have made a list of why we were doing the Haven, having or not having a butler would have not appeared on it. I don't know if that helps or not, OP.

I present to you one of the most comprehensive, long-lasting, informative threads on upgrading NCL cabins ever: link.

We love the Haven on the Escape.

I let the staff know, but unless it's actually cold I usually eat the meal. Then I also let NCL know on the post-cruise survey.

Meltdown. It's my wife's favorite drink on NCL.

We were on the Star in July and it was a little over 50%. We absolutely loved it. We did a VRC last November that had 95 people on it (190 max capacity). It was fantastic.

My wife likes a cappuccino after dinner. Years ago we were charged for it. On the Star in July there was no charge.

😜

Some of the tables for four are rather small (we've been in Cagney's with another couple and there was barely room for the side dishes on the table). You don't want five people at one.

Had this happen when booking dining for the Star in July. I could book one night in each restaurant, but not a second. I called my PCC and in less than a minute he made them for me.

Then why even post this here? I'm confused...

Yep, we learned our lesson our first time in the Haven. We now tell the butler on the first day that we don't want any cookies or cakes for the snacks; a small amount of fruit, cheese, and crackers is sufficient...or the hors d'oeuvre plate, if that's what the kitchen has put together.

You'll receive certificates in your stateroom; they should already be there when you first get to your cabin. You'll have the two dining certificates and one for a bag of laundry. The dining ones cover dinner for two, so no worries that your husband is not platinum.

If someone DOES care that you've worn an outfit previously, is that really the type of person whose opinion you should care about?

My wife does.

😀

Good point!

Yes. They'll bring you a receipt with a $0.00 charge (unless you had any upcharges, of course). If you decide to tip more that's entirely up to you.

LOL I keep to about 60 carbs per meal and while on vacation if at breakfast they come from hash browns, all the better. Hold the toast, bring me them taters! 😄

"GUFFAW!", he exclaims incredulously. Just by virtue of being eaten in the Haven Restaurant they're better. I think it's because I have my butler sprinkle MSG on my food before he cuts it into bite sized pieces and feeds it to me. But I don't have him feed it to me "mama bird-style". That would be an unseemly request, and I don't tip enough to make it happen. 🤪😀😁 But now that you mention it I do recall them being on the buffet (I think they alternated them with potatoes O'Brien). That's when I get them the best way: topped with some sausage gravy and hot sauce.

We're on the Getaway for a 12-day in January. If they run out of hash browns I'll...I'll...I'll...well, I'll get something else, but that would be a bummer. Those Haven hash browns are delicious.

We've flown on JetBlue once before and had no problems at all. But because we hadn't travelled much for 1.5 years due to Schmovid, our vacation fund was flush so we went business class. It's just two of us, so we never use NCL's air. We'd much rather have control over booking our flights.

I can't speak to the Epic, but on other sailings we've been on that were completely outside the US there were no CCs in the lounge. It was usually a mix of RyJ, Camacho, Graycliff, HdM, La Aurora, and Macanudo...all way overpriced. Unless a port we're visiting has an LCdH I always just bring my own.

Apparently they hold back a whole lot of time slots for embarkation day, more than are even available for online booking. Regardless, I always book as soon as it's opened up.

Several folks have said it's the best milkshake they've ever had.