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.

45 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Just wondering...

Is this called a Mango Madness or Mango Meltdown?   (Likely the same thing!😁)

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.

9 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Today I tried the burger again. I was able to eat a bit more. The main point though, is I asked for Swiss Cheese. Our server came to let us know they were preparing our meal, after we had waited a while. 

 

After eating, Dusan, the Haven Restaurant Manager apologized for the wait as they had to go downstairs to get the cheese. I told him he should have just told me and I would have ordered a different cheese...anyway, the Haven did manage to serve all guests even though a runner had to go grab some Swiss Cheese for an entitled Haven passenger (you need to have read a different thread to get the joke).

😜

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.

21 minutes ago, Kirk2121 said:

Little maybe off topic. (please don't respond on haven thread).  Gotta decide by Monday. 

 

Don't want to sidetrack This awesome thread. (thanks Gary!) 

 

Trying to do back to back ncl Sky port of Miami in at 7 amish.  Then board Prima port Canaveral by 2 pm Friday dec 16.

 

Appreciate ne input here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2880267-port-of-miami-to-port-canaveral-fast-rental-car/#comment-63933359

 

Please don't respond here 🙂

Happy cruising! 

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

5 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

One day's worth of snacks....good lord, folks, I can barely stand up as it is!

 

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.

5 minutes ago, wongcruise said:

Thank you.  I just became Platinum but husband is not.  Does he just need to pay for his own meal?  How do I redeem the Platinum complimentary dinner?

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.

2 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Day 4 of the great hash brown depression on the Joy. Status report on your end? 🙂

😀

1 hour ago, phillygwm said:

Your Platinum meals are entirely free of charge, so no tip is included.  This contrasts with the FAS meals, or additional meals which you might purchase, where you're charged a gratuity up front.

 

I always tip a bit additional at specialty meals, but that's just me.  There's no obligation (nor, I'm told, expectation) that you should.  I tip more on the Platinum meals since it's not otherwise included.

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.

5 minutes ago, Wedgie Wedgie said:

Mr. Potato Head, "anyone worried about hash browns needs to cut back on carbs. There. I said it."

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!  😄

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've seen the Haven photos, and I'm pretty sure they are the same hash browns served everywhere on the ship (including the buffet).

"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.

18 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We ran out of hash browns so maybe they're loading extras for your cruise.

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.

2 hours ago, destar said:

Waiting until embarkation will give you limited time slots. I like having dinner around 7pm, so if i want a specific venue at 7 pm, they might only have 9 or 9:30 pm slots available.

 

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.

1 hour ago, mearsfansinboise said:

RE: American Diner free for lunch until 3pm or something like that on embarkation day. It's free except for the milkshakes. Are the milkshakes good/big/worth it?

Yes, I am sailing in the Haven and asking about something that only costs $5 - lol

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