FNSCGAL

@Sthrngary Those templates are amazing! I love the excel one and might be using this for all future vacations, cruise or otherwise. Thank you again, you are a plethora of knowledge.

@SthrngaryThank you for this post!!! I think I just asked about a format for the letter on your other reply for 1st time cruiser advice and I see that it was added on Trina Moo's reply now. This post has definitely given me things to think about to hopefully allow a realistic, non chaotic experience. I am even more excited to dial in the planning this next week 🙂

@Sthrngary Thank you for such a quick reply! I have been wanting to go on a cruise for long time and I'm usually the planner for all vacations but we are slowly just getting back into branching out after Covid. Prior to the pandemic, we traveled to different places within the US and definitely are more on the low key of expectations; just like to eat good food, meet new people and have some decent drinks with a good view possibly lol.. Thank you for the email, I was wondering how I would be able to see what my options were! As far as the Encore, any recommendations for the specialty restaurants? How about entertainment? We both like to gamble some(not great at it but it's fun) and usually go to Laughlin or Fremont St if we get the urge since it's not too far of a drive. As far as the butler letter, our requests will most likely be pretty simple. Is there a format you would recommend? I like to be able to not feel rushed on vacation. Work is always a constant go, go, go and sometimes intense... So I look forward to not making any multifactorial decisions or feeling hurried if I don't have to while on the cruise.

This is very helpful and I like your idea of the spreadsheet to make sure you have ample time for everything, especially down time. Thank you 🙂

@Sthrngary As a first time cruiser and one lucky enough to win a Haven bid (yay), I'm not even sure what to expect or do. I read your posts about the Haven and the butler tips, etc but I am not sure if there are differences as far as the cruise location and how things are handled with ports, reservations of any kind, etc. My husband and I will be doing an Alaska cruise in June 🙂 and have the excursions figured out, as well as flying into Seattle a couple days ahead of the boarding to see family, but we were just going to eat in the main dining room and check all the other stuff out as this will be our first. What tips would you give as I have not gotten the concierge letter or email as others have discussed when booking the Haven? We will be sailing the Encore and my biggest goal it to be able to not have to make multiple decisions during vacation as I would like to be able to just relax.